Domestic violence is too often downplayed, overlooked, and still far too uncomfortable a conversation to have; we must do better in this area of life.

Jessica Strawser has crafted a great story about the Sequence, an underground group who help women in their last option in DV situations. If you need the Sequence, you are in the position similar to witness protection: You will leave everyone and everything behind, get a new name and new social security number, and get set up in an undisclosed location.

The group, who use code names and works on the basis of anonymity, even within the group — for plausible deniability reasons, assist these women to the Grove, a nature conservation in the middle of nowhere. Katie winds up as the caretaker on the property after her best friend, now boss, insists she is up for the challenge following her divorce. Little does Katie, or Bess know that Katie is stepping into the shoes of one of the underground workers.

Thrust into the unknown of working on the property and helping battered women who show up in the middle of the night, Katie is in way over her head. When her years as a tech worker solving problems leads her to ask too many questions, she finds not only is she now at risk, but so are the people she cares for most.

The Last Caretaker is a realistic look into the horrors of life on the run for battered women whose lives depends on becoming invisible. This is a tough subject and a near impossible one to write about successfully in a fictional way that keeps the reader interested while not disrespecting true victims. Jessica Strawser has found the sweet spot within which to master both these tasks.

A must read in our ever violent world.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. My options have not been influenced and this is an uncompensated review. ( )

Excellent read.

Loved how positively supportive women can be to each other, and doing the right thing especially if its challenging is the right thing to do. Solid, strong characters, good dialog and timing. Also enjoyed the nature setting.

Will definitely follow this writer.

This was a good way to cover a difficult topic in a somewhat unusual way. It was very hard for the main character to figure out who she could trust---to say nothing of the reader's ability!! ( )