The First Shot, Liv Constantine

The First Shot by Liv Constantine is a gripping prequel to the bestselling thriller The Last Mrs. Parrish, exploring the transformation of Amber Patterson from an ordinary young woman into a master manipulator.

The author duo behind the name Liv Constantine — sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine — takes readers back to the origins of one of their darkest and most fascinating characters.

Long before Amber Patterson became known for her calculated schemes and dangerous ambition, there was another version of her: a young woman shaped by disappointment, insecurity, and an intense desire for more. The First Shot traces the emotional and psychological moments that slowly push her toward becoming the woman readers met in The Last Mrs. Parrish.

What makes the novella particularly effective is that it doesn’t try to excuse Amber’s behavior. Instead, it carefully examines the fears, frustrations, and vulnerabilities that exist beneath her manipulative exterior. The result is a story that feels more intimate and psychologically grounded than many traditional thriller prequels.

As in their previous novels, Liv Constantine skillfully builds tension through emotional manipulation, shifting power dynamics, and morally ambiguous characters. The writing remains sharp and cinematic, while the atmosphere gradually becomes darker with every chapter.

For readers already familiar with Amber Patterson, The First Shot offers a compelling look into the making of a villain. For new readers, however, the novella still works surprisingly well as a standalone psychological story about ambition, resentment, and the dangerous need to reinvent oneself.

Rather than simply expanding the world of The Last Mrs. Parrish, this novella adds emotional weight to it — turning Amber into a far more layered and unsettling character than she first appears.