The Last Good Girl

From Allison Leotta, the “highly entertaining storyteller” (George Pelecanos) who writes “in a style that’s as real as it gets” ( USA TODAY ), a ripped-from-the-headlines novel follows prosecutor Anna Curtis as she investigates a missing college student amid allegations of campus sexual assault and the power structures determined to keep the truth buried. When freshman Emma disappears from a Michigan university campus, she was last seen leaving a bar near a notorious fraternity known among students as “the rape factory.” Surveillance footage shows Emma walking away—and Dylan Brooks, the son of a powerful state politician, running after her. With no body and little physical evidence, the case quickly becomes a media firestorm. As Anna Curtis digs deeper, she uncovers a video diary Emma kept during her first months at college. The recordings reveal a disturbing history between Emma and Dylan, including a prior rape accusation. Suddenly, the case draws national attention, fueled by Title IX activists and a growing debate over campus sexual assault, privilege, and accountability. But as pressure mounts, Anna faces warnings to walk away before she destroys the life of an “innocent young man.” With her investigation stalled and powerful forces closing ranks, Anna must find a way to uncover the truth—and possibly save Emma—before the case disappears along with her. Taut, timely, and emotionally charged, this novel shines a clear-eyed light on campus rape, media scrutiny, and the devastating consequences faced by victims and families on both sides of the justice system.