The Last Witness

By: K. J. Parker

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

When you need a memory to be wiped, call me.

Transferring unwanted memories to my own mind is the only form of magic I've ever mastered. But now, I'm holding so many memories I'm not always sure which ones are actually mine, any more.

Some of them are sensitive; all of them are private. And there are those who are willing to kill to access the secrets I'm trying to bury...

A classic Parker tale with a strong supporting cast of princes, courtiers, merchants, academics, and generally unsavory people.

A discomforting build-up of bad memories

The latest read in my novella reading spree, and I have to say, I'm starting to form the opinion that novellas are the best, though yes, of course, it would depend on the story being told. Regardless, this was an excellent experience for my reading preferences, and I'm now impatient to read another story by K. J. Parker. This novella is a close character study of a despicable jerk with the ability to take people's memories away and make them his own. Not the kind of book you'll come away feeling happy about, especially after the last lines regarding how evil and ruinous love is and other such (I really want to quote those lines but they were the climax all of the events of the novella were building towards and I recommend you go experience that build-up yourself), but I did come away very satisfied with the twists and the follow through on every narrative thread and character flaw. Highly recommended for its exploration of memory manipulation, especially if you enjoy stories which follow the morally damned yet fascinating.

This Is A GREAT Story

Having finished this story I'm glad I bought it. Lack of writen reviews put me on the fence and hearing it to the end made me want to re-listen to again . It's that good 1 word that can summarize this story is "Karma" with a twist. The narrator delivered it very well.

Amazingly well-crafted tale

I can only imagine the author charting out timelines with string and thumbtacks on a wall to keep the plot straight as he wrote this story. Who knew what, and when? As always, K. J. Parker has delivered an excellent story. I find his tales can be a little dry when starting out, but they sneak up on you. Before I know it, I'm finding an excuse to listen (or read, as many of his books aren't on Audible--more's the pity!) whenever I can. I was captivated by the intricacy. Such a bizarre plot device! I don't think I've ever read anything like it before.

Highest recommendations

This one isn't for everybody, but it was definitely for me. The characterization was fantastic and the twist is masterful.

Clever, Devious, and Dark (BrettD review)

Many of KJ Parker's characters are morally flawed and wow is the main character in this short story. The premise of the story is a little bizarre. But sometimes contemplating bizarre ideas give insight to regular everyday ideas. I find myself looking at memory in a whole new way after listening to this.