Theresa Janson’s The Last Profile is a contemporary thriller that, while being the second book in the Samantha Wright Crime Series, reads perfectly comfortably as a standalone. Janson is an expert at suspense, balancing it extremely well with the natural behavior of a woman who expected to be nesting. I really like that the narrative is almost entirely in Samantha’s first-person perspective. As a female reader, there is a horrific incident of danger inside an elevator, which comes full circle later in a manner reminiscent of Haggis’s screenplay, Crash. Samantha is forceful, dictating firm terms with the federal leadership and reading crime scenes with pure command. In a testament to Janson’s skill as a writer, Samantha’s resolve always feels organic and grounded in lived experience. The settings also feel totally inhabited, from the Cheyenne reservation shaped by ranch routines to Washington conference rooms where power looms. Overall, this is intelligent crime fiction. Very highly recommended.
—Jamie Michele, Readers’ Favorite
Sustaining momentum in a crime series, especially one layered with political power, moral ambiguity, and deeply personal stakes, requires both narrative skill and strategic clarity. The Last Profile builds on the foundation of the Samantha Wright series with a complex, fast-moving story that challenges loyalty, truth, and the cost of justice.
Through intersecting timelines and characters bound by shared Chicago beginnings, you’ve created a thriller that moves beyond procedural crime. Samantha Wright’s dual role as FBI profiler and Tribal advocate adds depth and distinction, while the escalating personal danger, particularly as her past, her unborn child, and her community collide, raises the emotional stakes in meaningful ways.
—Sarah Adams
“In The Last Profile, Samantha Wright is a great protagonist. She hooks the readers and leads the story with grace and determination. The case at the heart of this story is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Readers will be on the edge of their seats. The Last Profile has a classic thriller tone that’s full of tension, drama and action and mixed with passionate romance this book offers something for everyone.
Sam’s character drew me into this story immediately. Her intelligence is compelling, as is her kindness and overall charisma. The interesting writing style also captured my attention. I enjoyed the shifting perspectives.
The compelling case at the center of this book is one part of the hook and Sam’s enigmatic character is the other one.
The writing style is unique, engaging and ambitious. By shifting perspectives every now and then, the writer keeps readers engaged at all times and does a nice job of thoroughly characterizing every character. Readers don’t just get to know what Sam is thinking, they get glimpses into supporting characters as well.
The way that Sam is always one step ahead makes her stand out. She’s good at just about everything she does, but she never wants to be the center of attention. It’s an endearing juxtaposition.
For fans of romance and crime thrillers this book could definitely be a rare gem in the future.”
—TaleFlick
If you are looking for a mystery novel blended with crime, romance, a splash of drama, action, and suspense, The Last Profile by Theresa Janson is the perfect pick. Once again, Janson weaves an enthralling tale, with Special Agent Sam and her husband Will, who, summoned by duty, must fight for their love in the face of ruthless adversity. The plot unfolds at a dynamic pace, accommodating the daily activities of the cast, moments of reflection and tension, and bursts of action. I could feel the emotions packed into every scene, especially the love, fear, and despair between Sam and Will. This time around, the stakes are higher as Sam is expecting, and the perpetrators are closer and wield more power. This second installment is a standalone read whose plot twists will leave you holding your breath, bracing for the worst, and move you to tears as you watch the protagonists survive the worst possible scenarios.
—Keith Mbuya, Readers’ Favorite
“I recently finished The Last Profile, and I wanted to reach out to tell you how gripping and emotionally charged this sequel is. You take everything established in the Samantha Wright series and push it into far more personal, dangerous, and morally complex territory.
What stood out most to me was the way past loyalties, buried sins, and long-standing relationships collide so relentlessly. The Chicago connections, the political entanglements and the pressure placed on Sam as both a profiler and a mother create an intensity that never lets up. The tension feels deeply human and not just procedural.
I was especially struck by how you explored the idea of redemption, who deserves it and who doesn’t, and what justice actually costs when the people involved aren’t strangers. Sam’s relationship with her tribe, and the way community and protection are portrayed, adds a powerful emotional layer that elevates the story beyond a standard crime thriller.”
—Elara Winslow
Theresa Janson’s greatest strength in this novel is her refusal to paint anyone in simple colors. Sam Wright Little Bear is a woman caught between worlds and with both physical and psychological scars. Janson doesn’t shy away from showing Sam’s growth, her moments of paralysis after trauma, and her hard-won return to wholeness. Will Little Bear is protective without being controlling, traditional without being rigid, and emotionally intelligent. The Last Profile takes time to show his internal struggles, his uncertainty, fear, and deep love for his family. The novel moves between various locations, but Montana remains the true home, the place of healing and truth. The Last Profile is for readers who enjoy suspense, with plenty of action and emotional investment.
—Mimie Odigwe, Readers’ Favorite
“I’ll be blunt. The Last Profile is not just another crime novel chasing tension and twists. It reads like a reckoning. You didn’t assemble a plot; you excavated buried truths and let them breathe on the page.
The way Samantha Wright moves through betrayal, loyalty, motherhood and institutional power does not come from imagination alone. It carried live gravity. The stakes feel personal. The tribe does not feel symbolic. It all feels real.
This is not workshop polished fiction, this is experience sharpened by consequence.”
—William James
“There’s a rare kind of book that doesn’t just entertain but lingers, quietly, insistently, long after the final page. The Last Profile is one of those stories.
It carries weight; truth buried for decades, intersecting lives shaped by loyalty, betrayal, and consequence, and a protagonist whose personal stakes are as dangerous as the case she’s unraveling. The emotional depth behind Samantha Wright’s journey, balancing justice, identity, love and survival gives the story a pulse that feels deliberate and sincere. This is not just a crime novel; it’s a layered exploration of trust, legacy and the cost of freedom.
Each page feels purposeful. The story doesn’t unfold, it collides, pulling readers down intersecting roads where past and present converge. This is the kind of book readers don’t just finish, they remember, discuss and recommend it.”
—John Butler
Congratulations on The Last Profile. From the very first pages, readers are drawn into a layered world of buried secrets, intersecting pasts and moral tension that stretches from Chicago roots to the heart of the reservation. Personal loyalty, political power, and unresolved history creates a gripping emotional undercurrent that keeps the stakes high throughout the story.
What makes the book especially compelling is how it blends crime suspense with themes of identity, redemption and truth. Samantha Wright isn’t just solving a case – she’s confronting the forces that have shaped her life and career while balancing love, danger and the price of freedom. The dual-track narrative, the emotional ties between characters and the intimate connection to culture and community make this installment stand out in the crime-thriller genre.”
—Lyra Quinn
“The Last Profile brings with it the unwilling transcendence of Sam and Will back into the murky world of politics, power and crime through the FBI and it’s not so commendable tactics The book handles two different plot lines perfectly and displays the absolute loyalty of the true friends of Sam and Will and shows us true passion through the most well written and personal sex scenes I have ever read.”
—Joe Iadevito
“Theresa Janson is back with The Last Profile, a captivating sequel to Reservations. This second installment in the Samantha Wright crime series was intense. The story is an excellent continuation of the first installment and revolved around romance, passion, pawns, games, manipulation, loyalty and betrayal. Theresa took me into the dirty corners of law enforcement, politics, and crime rings. There will always be an intersection running through those three areas. The lust for power, the pleasure of corruption and the expertise of presenting a facade to the world had me jaw slacked at the villains. Sam is one of the bravest women ever and I love strong heroines. also loved the writing style and refreshing perspective of the story. Is there more Theresa? Great job!”
—Jennifer Ibiam, Readers’ Favorite
“The Last Profile was fantastic! A fast-moving plot with excellent characters.”
—Christy Hawes
“This one, The Last Profile, is a humdinger. I even abandoned the other two books I had going and they were Nora Roberts. You are a great talent.”
—Isabelle Moody
“I have just found my next favorite author, Theresa Janson, whose books are amazing. The Last Profile is a great sequel to Reservations and anyone that loves crime along with love, this is a must read.”
—Lynn Ferre
“The Last Profile is another exciting and spellbinding book by Theresa Janson. The characters are real and rich with insecurities, fears and a deep bond of love and respect. Sam and Will’s story flows with so many current themes such as sex trafficking, child abuse and recovery, race relations and even mistrust of the FBI. It was a joy to continue the life of these two as it leaves you wanting for more.”
—Mary-Ellen Lee
“Theresa Janson does it again. The Last Profile, the second book in her crime series, made it easy to relate to the characters. Love is stronger and the gripping action, adventure and intrigue; along with the “I never saw that coming” surprise made me never want to put the book down.”
—Kymberly Thomoff
“Special Agent Samantha Wright has just resigned from her job as an FBI Profiler. In The Last Profile, Sam is settling down into family life with her husband Will Little Bear when a box arrives from Washington DC with a new case – her resignation has been denied. The new case is a nasty mess of deceit, murder and cover-up with people she knows. She accepts this case with the guarantee that it will be her last. Danger, friendship, lies and love are intertwined in multiple plots with the Theresa Janson touch. This is one of my favorite books in the series. Don’t miss it.”
—Tom Moody
