The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda is an intriguing slow-burn thriller.
Synopsis
Abigail Lovett has lived in Cutter’s Pass for the last ten years. It’s a close-knit community, but Abby finally feels like she belongs, except when she doesn’t.
Although the town is popular among tourists for its great outdoors, it is also notorious for the number of visitors that have disappeared, either in the town proper or on its hiking trails. The last person to vanish was an investigative journalist looking into these numerous disappearances over the last twenty-odd years.
Some months later, the journalist’s brother, Trey West, checks into the inn that Abby works at and is determined to uncover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Abby finds herself simultaneously drawn into the missing persons’ cases and feeling that the locals are slowly shutting her out.
Review of The Last to Vanish
This thriller has lots of descriptive writing about the setting, mountains, hiking trails, and isolation. It was supposed to be atmospheric and bristling with tension, but it didn’t feel that way to me. Some parts did, especially the scenes at night, but for the most part, it felt slightly underwhelming.
Abby’s character grated on the nerves a bit too. It’s no secret that her imagination runs away with her, but it did induce some eye-rolling from this reader. Her tendency to accuse people without evidence and beg for the truth was a bit irksome. When she wasn’t doing that, I did like her character.
Even with those gripes, I did enjoy this novel on the whole. I felt compelled to keep reading. I guessed one twist correctly, but not the final one.
Although I didn’t completely love this one, there are many favourable early reviews already, so you may want to check those out. I recommend it if you enjoy slower-paced small-town thrillers.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Expected Publication: 26 July 2022
Thank you to Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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