First, I should say that I haven't read any of the earlier books, just a few short stories in different anthologies. Several book friends assured me that it wouldn't be a problem and they were right. There was sufficient back story dropped in here and there plus a brief series recap from the author at the beginning of the book. I had no trouble at all jumping in. 
 Also I apologize, I was supposed to review it months ago but things kept happening to push it back to the bottom of the TBR pile. On Saturday I'll be reviewing the next book, Black Dawn, and giving away all 3 copies of the Caine books I've reviewed. 
 The book starts simply enough, with Claire and Michael making their required blood donations (Morganville would be an excellent town to live in for anyone with hemochromatosis). While there, Oliver, the assistant to the Founder of Morganville, "asks" Claire for a favor, and with that, we're off. Claire has a decision to make, one that will affect Eve and Michael's lives. While the they all deal with that, they also get drawn into a police investigation of vampires who have gone missing, just disappeared without a hint of why or where. 
 I liked Claire, Eve, Michael, and Shane, as well as Myrnin, Hannah Moses and Naomi. Even Oliver and Amelie, while not completely likable, had some redeeming characteristics. These are not warm and fuzzy vampires and I liked that, I prefer them somewhat scary. Caine's writing is easy and flows and read the story fairly quickly. It did drag a bit at times, especially when Claire gets trapped in Glass House, but overall it was engaging and fun. All of the characters, OK maybe not the vampires, felt like people I might meet or know in my own life, even the obnoxious ones. I loved learning about the vampires world and how they interact with humans. I'm sure that, since I started with book eleven, I am missing some info, but I never felt like I was but neither did Caine drown the reader in info dumps. The draug, the villains, in this excellent, were fascinating and I loved Caine's repurposing of the siren and mermaid myths. I would have liked a bit more insight into the depths of the hatred between the vampires and the draug, but since they're back in the next book, "Black Dawn", maybe we'll get it then. 
 "Last Breath", which is an appropriate title on several levels, has action, romance, mystery, mythology and humor. I read it in one afternoon and evening, and it was time well spent. I'm sorry I waited so long to start this series. 
 I received a hardcover copy from the publisher for review.