Finely positioned between an episode of “Law and Order” and a great suspense film, Allison Leotta’s “The Last Good Girl” speaks to thousands of individuals who have been sexually assaulted and in addition to being an enjoyable read, brings awareness and support.
In her fifth novel, Leotta tackles the sexual assault case where she draws inspiration from real cases as a former federal sex-crime prosecutor.
The main character, Emily Shapiro, only wanted to enjoy and fit right in at Tower University located in Michigan. Being at such a prestigious university where her father, Barney, is the president put plenty of pressure on an “intellectual lightweight.â€
“The place is full of National Merit Scholars and assorted whiz kids,†sadly stated Shapiro.
Cold air and a silent night in March yet the most unthinkable occurred.
Leaving a bar that was filled with drunk and irrational college folks, including some Beta Psi boys, is when everything changed. Beta Psi is a prestigious and secretive fraternity but is known on campus as the “rape factory†that many wealthy and well-known individuals joined and supported.
Caught on camera was Shapiro being chased with her silvery scarf wrapped around her neck by Dylan Highsmith, the alpha dog of Beta Psi and son of one of the most powerful politicians in the state, making him the main suspect in her disappearance.
“Beta Psi had three rules: (1) trust the brotherhood, (2) what happens in the house stays in the house and (3) trust the brotherhood. Dylan was the brotherhood, †said Leotta. Reading through this, it’s easy to understand the tension of the situation and how difficult it’ll be to find out the truth.
As a sex-crime prosecutor, Anna Curtis and FBI Agent Samantha Randazzo dig much deeper during the first 48 hours, they find a video diary that Shapiro kept during her first few months at Tower U before her disappearance.
In the videos, Shapiro spoke on the several rude encounters of which she and Dylan had along with blatantly exposing that she was raped by the alpha dog.
The media finds out along with Title IX activists and the case touches home for many folks across the country with a large amount of support.
Being that the Highsmith lineage is filled with much wealth and popularity, Curtis and Randazzo are at a constant battle with trying to gather evidence that Dylan Highsmith raped Emily Shapiro and knows her location.
Leotta focuses greatly on the struggles of Title IX activists and the technology that has revolutionized the ways crimes are committed and investigated along with the lengths of those in power will actually go to protect what belongs to them.
Leotta combined both her personal experiences and imagination well here, creating a novel that always feels close to home. Individuals across the nation can relate on many levels with “The Last Good Girl,” which is Leotta’s goal, to enlighten others on such a dark and sometimes secretive topic. Because of that, it’s a two-purpose tale, one of overcoming obstacles, but one that can also lend a hand to those who have been through similar experiences.
The Last Good Girl was released on Touchstone Hardcover on May 3, 2016, for $25.00. Allison Leotta will also be having an NYC Talk, Reading, and Signing Event at Mysterious Bookshop located at 58 Warren Street, New York, NY 10007 on May 19.
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