The Last Flight

Julie Clark

52 pages 1-hour read

Julie Clark

The Last Flight

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Claire is a woman trapped in a seemingly perfect but deeply abusive marriage to a prominent New York philanthropist. Desperate to escape her controlling husband, she spends months secretly saving money and acquiring fake identification to start a new life. Her meticulously planned escape to Canada is derailed by a sudden itinerary change, forcing her into a panicked, improvised swap of identities at an airport bar.

Key Relationships

Wife of Rory Cook

Identity swapper with Eva James

Friend of Kelly

Friend of Petra

Monitored by Danielle

Supervised by Bruce Corcoran

Eva is a former university chemistry student whose life derailed after an ex-boyfriend betrayed her to campus authorities. She now manufactures and sells drugs for an underground syndicate in Oakland, California. Feeling increasingly trapped and paranoid as federal agents begin tracking her activities, she arranges an impromptu identity swap at an airport in a desperate bid to sever ties with her criminal handlers.

Key Relationships

Identity swapper with Claire Cook

Girlfriend of Dex

Friend of Liz

Investigated by Agent Castro

Drug supplier to Brittany

Rory is a wealthy New York philanthropist preparing to announce a run for the United States Senate. The scion of a prominent political family, he projects a polished public image that conceals his violently controlling nature and history of domestic abuse. He maintains tight surveillance over his wife through his dedicated staff and possesses the resources to track down anyone who crosses him.

Key Relationships

Husband of Claire Cook

Former husband of Maggie Moretti

Employer of Bruce Corcoran

Employer of Danielle

Former lover of Charlotte Price

Liz is a visiting professor living temporarily in an Oakland apartment complex. Unpretentious and warm, she befriends her younger neighbor after a chance meeting on the building's steps. She provides a listening ear and gentle maternal support, completely unaware of the dangerous criminal enterprise operating nearby.

Key Relationships

Friend of Eva James

Mother of Danielle

Kelly is an observant barista and single mother working at a local coffeeshop. Balancing multiple jobs, including work at a catering business, she possesses a straightforward kindness. She intuitively senses when someone needs a break and generously offers employment and assistance to a newly arrived stranger.

Key Relationships

Friend of Claire Cook

Supporting Characters

Dex is an operative in an Oakland drug syndicate who coordinates illicit deals and supplies orders. He acts as the intermediary between the street-level dealers and the organization's broader network. He maintains a close, controlling relationship with his primary drug manufacturer, using both affection and intimidation to keep her in line.

Key Relationships

Boyfriend of Eva James

Agent Castro is a federal investigator actively tailing members of an Oakland drug ring. He makes his presence deliberately known to suspects, utilizing intimidation tactics in hopes of pressuring low-level operatives into cooperating as informants against larger targets.

Key Relationships

Investigator of Eva James

Danielle is an administrative assistant working for the Cook Foundation. She manages complex travel logistics for her boss and closely observes the troubling dynamics within the Cook household. Her proximity to power forces her to quietly navigate the dangerous reality of her employer's behavior.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Liz

Assistant to Rory Cook

Assistant to Claire Cook

Bruce is the loyal chief of staff for the Cook family. He manages sensitive logistical changes, coordinates public relations, and handles any loose ends that might threaten an upcoming political campaign. He serves as an extension of his employer's authority.

Key Relationships

Chief of staff for Rory Cook

Handler for Claire Cook

Maggie is a woman whose life ended tragically in a massive house fire. Her tumultuous marriage to a prominent public figure left a long shadow of rumor and speculation regarding the true nature of her death.

Key Relationships

First wife of Rory Cook

Charlotte is a former employee of the Cook Foundation bound by a strict nondisclosure agreement. She possesses knowledge about past events at a country house and represents a significant liability to an upcoming political campaign.

Key Relationships

Former mistress of Rory Cook

Petra is an old high school friend who works at a gym in New York. She serves as a rare, trusted confidante for a woman secretly preparing to leave a highly dangerous domestic situation.

Key Relationships

Friend of Claire Cook

Brittany is a college student who attempts to purchase an unusually large quantity of pills, claiming she is going on vacation. Her nervous demeanor instantly arouses the suspicion of her supplier.

Key Relationships

Prospective client of Eva James

Kate is a national news anchor for CNN based in Washington. She handles high-profile interviews and manages the broadcasting of explosive breaking stories, carefully vetting sources before going on air.

Key Relationships

Interviewer of Claire Cook