The Last Child is a gripping 2009 mystery-thriller by John Hart, centered on the desperate search of thirteen-year-old Johnny Merrimon for his missing twin sister, Alyssa. A year after her disappearance, Johnny’s once-idyllic life in suburban North Carolina has crumbled. His mother, Katherine, spirals into substance abuse, while his father has left, blamed for Alyssa's fate. Despite the police's lack of progress, Johnny remains determined to uncover the truth, enlisting the help of his friend Jack and a gentle giant named Levi Freemantle, an escaped convict with a troubled past. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they confront dark secrets and a dangerous pedophile ring linked to another missing girl, Tiffany. The novel explores themes of grief, betrayal, and the complexities of friendship, culminating in shocking revelations about Alyssa’s fate and a violent confrontation with the man who abused Johnny and his mother. The Last Child won an Edgar and Barry Award, lauded for its intricate plot and emotional depth, although some critiques noted similarities between Levi and the "magical negro" trope. Hart later continued Johnny’s journey in the sequel, The Hush.
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