"The Last Straw" by William J. Smith is a suspenseful mystery novella written in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around an aviation accident involving a plane crash, delving into the extensive investigations that attempt to uncover the truth behind it. The likely topic of the book is the exploration of human error and the complexities involved in understanding catastrophic events that defy explanation. The story follows investigator Kessler as he grapples with the baffling details surrounding the crash, including the peculiarities of the passengers and crew aboard the ill-fated flight. As Kessler meets with Senator Brogan, they discuss the various individuals involved, revealing their mundane concerns and personal histories. Despite meticulous research and interviews with acquaintances, Kessler uncovers the unsettling number of "accident-prone" characteristics among those on board, which may illuminate a darker, more bizarre explanation for the disaster. Driven by a need for clarity, Kessler embarks on a personal quest to connect the dots, ultimately suggesting that the coincidence of shared vulnerabilities might have played a significant role in the tragedy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)