One final resource played a part in my research and that is the 1965 book The Free Men by the late John Ehle, which covers the 1963–1964 civil rights protests by students at the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill, including the “kneeling in the street” protest Ellie takes part in.
Acknowledgments
In addition to Maria Gitin, whose firsthand experience of SCOPE was invaluable to me, I’d like to thank Cynthia Lewis at the King Center in Atlanta; my research assistant, Kathy Williamson; my ever-supportive significant other, John Pagliuca; and my phenomenal agent and friend, Susan Ginsburg from Writers House. I’m also grateful for everyone else at Writers House for their hard work and enthusiasm, especially Catherine Bradshaw and Peggy Boulos Smith.
I’m delighted to now be working with my enthusiastic United Kingdom editor at Headline Books, Sherise Hobbs, as well as with Headline’s marketing director, Jo Liddiard, and all the behind-the-scenes Headline people who have embraced The Last House on the Street with such dedication.
As usual, my U.S. editor Jen Enderlin zeroed in on the heart of my story and helped me bring it to life. Jen both challenges and inspires me. She is now the president of St. Martin’s Press and it’s a huge honor to be able to continue working with such an amazing editor.
Thank you to my publicist, Katie Bassel, who would never let a little thing like a pandemic get in the way of her already challenging job. I’m grateful to all the other supportive folks at St. Martin’s—Sally Richardson, Erica Martirano, Brant Janeway, Sallie Lotz, Jeffery Dodes, Lisa Senz, Erik Platt, Tom Thompson, and everyone in the sales department who does so much to get my books into the hands of my readers.
Special thanks go to sensitivity reader Grace Wynter, for her insight and encouragement. As a white author writing about racial issues in the South, I was very grateful to have Grace’s input.
Finally, I’m grateful to the civil rights workers of the past and the present who continue the fight for voting equality in America.
ALSO BY DIANE CHAMBERLAIN
Big Lies in a Small Town
The Dream Daughter
The Stolen Marriage
Pretending to Dance
The Silent Sister
Necessary Lies
The Good Father
The Midwife’s Confession
The Lies We Told
Secrets She Left Behind
Before the Storm
The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes
The Bay at Midnight
Her Mother’s Shadow
Kiss River
The Courage Tree
Keeper of the Light
Cypress Point / The Shadow Wife
Summer’s Child
Breaking the Silence
The Escape Artist
Reflection
Brass Ring
Lovers and Strangers
Fire and Rain
Private Relations
Secret Lives
About the Author
DIANE CHAMBERLAIN is the international bestselling author of twenty-eight novels. She lives in North Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca, and her sheltie, Cole. Visit her online at www.dianechamberlain.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Epigraph
Chapter 1. Kayla
Chapter 2. Ellie
Chapter 3. Kayla
Chapter 4. Ellie
Chapter 5. Kayla
Chapter 6. Ellie
Chapter 7. Kayla
Chapter 8. Ellie
Chapter 9
Chapter 10. Kayla
Chapter 11. Ellie
Chapter 12
Chapter 13. Kayla
Chapter 14. Ellie
Chapter 15. Kayla
Chapter 16. Ellie
Chapter 17. Kayla
Chapter 18. Ellie
Chapter 19. Kayla
Chapter 20. Ellie
Chapter 21. Kayla
Chapter 22. Ellie
Chapter 23. Kayla
Chapter 24. Ellie
Chapter 25
Chapter 26. Kayla
Chapter 27. Ellie
Chapter 28. Kayla
Chapter 29. Ellie
Chapter 30
Chapter 31. Kayla
Chapter 32. Ellie
Chapter 33. Kayla
Chapter 34. Ellie
Chapter 35. Kayla
Chapter 36. Ellie
Chapter 37. Kayla
Chapter 38. Ellie
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41. Kayla
Chapter 42. Ellie
Chapter 43. Kayla
Chapter 44. Ellie
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47. Kayla
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52. Ellie
Chapter 53. Kayla
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Also by Diane Chamberlain
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET. Copyright © 2021 by Diane Chamberlain. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
Cover design based on Headline UK Edition
Cover art: tree © James Randklev/Getty Images; couple © Elisabeth Ansley/Arcangel; house © Roberta Murray/Arcangel; gate © Miguel Sobreira/Arcangel
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Chamberlain, Diane, 1950– author.
Title: The last house on the street / Diane Chamberlain.
Description: First edition. | New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2022.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021035221 | ISBN 9781250267962 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781250283177 (Canadian) | ISBN 9781250267979 (ebook)
Subjects: LCGFT: Novels.
Classification: LCC PS3553.H2485 L37 2022 | DDC 813/.54—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021035221
eISBN 9781250267979
Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].
First U.S. Edition: 2022
First Canadian Edition: 2022