The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda came out in 2022 but I only read it a couple of weeks ago. It’s a great quality book, with an intriguing cover that grabbed my interest even though I try not to judge a book by the cover. This is a gripping thriller that kept me on my toes. A journalist goes missing while he’s investigating a string of vanishings in a small town. No one knows anything it seems. The journalist disappears himself and his brother shows up to solve the mystery. The secrets of this small town hooked me right from the start. The characters were well written, relatable and easy to envision. I could get the feeling something was off with one character, who I thought was guilty, but there was a twist! Plot easy to follow and kept me interested even once I was shocked, and it was so well done that I went back and re-read that part again. The book was set in the Passage Inn, a cozy upscale resort in North Carolina. I could picture the resort and the walking trail, the bar and the scenery. I loved how easily I could place myself there. I got that eerie feeling from the setting alone, and it’s a testament to the author’s talent they were able to evoke that. When the Inn’s owner began to share the mystery, I felt shocked at how easily I put myself in the character’s position. I don’t want to give away too much and spoil the fun, but the thrills and how everything comes together left me saying wow. I even said “what” out loud twice because I was so deeply entrenched in this story! This book kept me wanting to read to the point that I even put off doing housework. Also it gave me literal chills at some parts. I thought I knew how it would end and who was guilty, but there was a twist – again quite well done – that left me satisfied and impressed. I read this book In two days. I would highly recommend it.
Ashley’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book columnist Ashley White is a mother of two and a self-confessed bookworm. She is passing on her love of reading to her children, and is active in local book groups and her community, including through volunteer work at the Port aux Basques Salvation Army. You can email Ashley at info@wreckhousepress.com.
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