| Title | : | The Last to Vanish |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1982147318 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781982147310 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 323 |
| Publication | : | First published July 26, 2022 |
Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job she loves, managing The Passage Inn, a cozy, upscale resort nestled in the North Carolina mountain town of Cutter’s Pass. Cutter’s Pass is best known for its outdoor offerings—rafting and hiking, with access to the Appalachian trail by way of a gorgeous waterfall—and its mysterious history. As the book begins, the string of unsolved disappearances that has haunted the town is once again thrust into the spotlight when journalist Landon West, who was staying at the inn to investigate the story of the vanishing trail, then disappears himself.
Abby has sometimes felt like an outsider within the community, but she’s come to view Cutter’s Pass as her home. When Landon’s brother Trey shows up looking for answers, Abby can’t help but feel the town closing ranks. And she’s still on the outside. When she finds incriminating evidence that may bring them closer to the truth, Abby soon discovers how little she knows about her coworkers, neighbors, and even those closest to her.
Megan Miranda brings her best writing to The Last to Vanish, a riveting thriller filled with taut suspense and shocking twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.
The Last to Vanish Reviews
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Megan Miranda is back with her latest mystery, The Last to Vanish!
In The Last to Vanish, we find Abigail Lovett, Abby, working in Cutter’s Pass at the local inn. Cutter’s Pass is haunted by a series of disappearances over the years. A journalist, Landon West, appears at the inn, asking questions, digging around, until he too goes missing. Then, Landon’s brother shows up, trying to find some answers as to what happened to Landon.
What caused all of these disappearances? Does Abby know her fellow townspeople as well as she thinks she does?
Well, this was my first Megan Miranda book, and I have a bit of a mixed reaction. The first 50-66% of the book is so, so, so slow. I kept putting the book down. It took me several extra days to read this book, because I just could not get into it. I even had to put it down, read a couple of other books, and come back to it.
The book does really pick up during the last half. There is a twist that I didn’t see coming which personally I loved (although I know some reviewers will be angry at this familiar trope).
There is one portion of the book where there were too many extreme coincidences. Seriously, what are the odds that my car would not start, I just happened to borrow a ride, discover a keychain, immediately identify a random key from a storage facility, and then as luck would have it the owner would just randomly allow me to view their records (which conveniently just so happened to be stored in a physical book)?
Why would a storage facility not have a computer?
In my opinion (for what that’s worth), the book would have been more engaging if it flashed to each individual disappeared person. It could even fade to black at the end of each section until leading up to a big reveal at the end.
As to my overall rating, the first half of the book is 2 stars. The second half of the book would be 5 stars. This would average 3.5 stars. So rounding comes into play for those of you who are mathematically challenged. In this case, I am going to round down to 3 stars because The Last to Vanish didn’t pick up until well into the second half.
Overall, I am looking forward to reading more from Megan Miranda!
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
2024 Reading Schedule
Jan Middlemarch
Feb The Grapes of Wrath
Mar Oliver Twist
Apr Madame Bovary
May A Clockwork Orange
Jun Possession
Jul The Folk of the Faraway Tree Collection
Aug Crime and Punishment
Sep Heart of Darkness
Oct Moby-Dick
Nov Far From the Madding Crowd
Dec A Tale of Two Cities
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An Atmospheric and Moody Read
3.5 stars
The Last to Vanish is about tourists who have disappeared over the last 25 years in the most dangerous town in North Carolina.
Abby Lovett has been working at an inn in Cutters Pass, NC for over 10 years, but she is still considered an outsider by townies. Tourists visit for hiking adventures even though 6 have vanished without a trace. When the brother of a missing guest makes a surprise visit to the inn, Abby’s desire to learn the truth behind the mystery of the vanished tourists is fueled, further ostracizing her from the locals while also putting her life in danger.
The best thing about this book is the atmosphere. Cutter’s Pass is portrayed as dark, isolated, moody, and cold, and the atmosphere comes through in almost every chapter. It plays a central role in the plot and the characters, as it adds a layer of deceitfulness and distrust that permeates the town.
Abby is the sole narrator. I never love MM’s heroines, but I found Abby the most likable of them all. Even though the plot is focused on events from the past, the narrative takes place in the present, which worked well to stoke the tension and suspense as the reader isn’t quite sure what is going on in Cutter’s Pass, as the town exists in a history built of myth, rumors, and reality.
There is one surprising twist that I didn’t see coming, but I probably should have. The reveal of the killer was a bit anti-climactic, but because I identified them early on.
The pacing is slow, and the plot focuses as much on Abby’s character as it does on the vanished tourists. The tone is muted, which I have come to associate with MM’s writing. The pacing and the plot worked for me, but I found the last 10% to be a little bland and boring when it should have been quite the opposite. I also wanted to know more about some of the characters.
I wish the characters were a little more fleshed out, especially the townies, but, overall, I enjoyed the mystery, Abby, and, most of all, the pervasive atmosphere of Cutler's Pass.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda
Narrated by Alex Allwine
My traitorous brain, which always says that there is no way I'd go on a cruise, spend time on a deserted island, or go down into a dark basement, none of those dumb book character choices for me...it kept wanting to go hiking, as I listened to this book. Of course, not hiking at the book's location since seven people had gone missing there. Hiking somewhere else, safe and not in a town that seems to be holding in secrets.
The resort town of Cutter’s Pass has access to the great outdoors. The area and the nearby inn are as famous for what went missing from here as for the rafting and hiking, with access to the Appalachian trail. Abigail Lovett has lived and worked here for ten years now and she never wants to leave Cutter's Pass. But despite ten years of seeing the citizens of Cutter Pass just about every single day, she still can tell she is considered an outsider. She's not sure she will ever break through whatever armor these people are wearing. Holding back from her when she has questions. Acting suspicious about why she is here and never left.
Now the brother of the latest missing person has shown up at the inn and is asking questions, snooping around, making accusations. With the brother lumping her in with the Cutter Pass old timers, Abby almost feels like she is one of them. But she still has questions, too, and she can't let them go.
This is a quiet, slow moving story for most of the book and might be too slow for many people. But I enjoyed the time the story took and the threat of something bad lurking, of something going to happen, the pressure of things left unsaid. Everyone seems to have secrets and it's impossible to know who to trust. Phones lines keep going down, things keep going missing, people show up where they shouldn't be. See why I wouldn't want to go hiking there?
Pub July 26, 2022 -
Thrillers should not be this boring.
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I've tried a couple Miranda novels and I haven't been all that impressed so I wrote her off as an author that isn't for me but the reviews for her latest book were so intriguing and positive that I felt it only fair to give her another shot.
I should have listened to my gut. This is the worst one I've read yet.
This book is downright boring. 🥱😴🥱😴
So the gist is that a bunch of people over the years have disappeared without a trace from the idyllic mountain community of Cutters Pass, NC. Abbie, who runs the local Inn, sets out to find the truth when the brother of the latest guy to disappear shows up in town.
I get that Miranda was trying to set the atmosphere but the descriptions of the town, the inn, the hiking trails went on and on and on. It didn't create atmosphere for me but it did get really monotonous to the point that my eyes were glazing over. Then we have all the characters, from the people that live in the town to the random guests staying at the inn, and I didn't care one iota about any of them. Most of this novel we spend inside Abbie's head with all her thoughts and imaginings. Honestly, I hated Abbie. She was such a drag of a main character. I read straight through to the 50% mark then skim read the rest because I was desperate to be done with this. The ending really sealed the deal though. Miranda and I are officially parting ways. 2 stars!
I have many good friends that have loved this novel so please check out their reviews before you write this one off.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for my complimentary copy. -
Brrr… I’m just shivering incessantly! You’re just getting lost inside the slow tension building, feeling the creepy sensation of getting locked in an inn when the storm comes out, lights and phone lines are out! The mysteries about the place and missing persons are getting in your nerves, you keep flipping the pages to find out how those mysteries will unfold, who will be the perpetrator, squirming in your seat, restraining your panic attacks, breathing heavily. That’s how I devoured the best book of the author!
I loved this mystery! This is my kind of dark, creepy, claustrophobic, haunted small town story I seriously enjoyed!
Cutter's Pass, North Carolina: The town covers
roughly four square miles of a valley, tucked against the base of a mountain. Six visitors have gone missing in the last twenty-five years. As a result,some have called it the most dangerous town in the state. It's easy to believe, if you want. It's just as easy to disbelieve.
BUT THE TRUTH IS…
Those are the last words written by Landon West, a famous reporter, disguising his identity to write a special article about missing persons and joined them by being labeled as number seven: last missing person!
Now his brother Trey checked in to stay at inn, the place where Abby has been working for 10 years. She came here after losing her mother at the age of 18. The inn’s owners Vincent and Celeste accepted her to stay and help with them. How can they say no to their family? She’s the niece of Vincent, grieving her mother.
After Vincent’s passing away, Celeste acted like her as a daughter she never had.
Abby still feels like an outsider of the place. She feels like there are big secrets in town including the truth about what happened to the missing 7 people.
It starts with Fraternity Four’s vanishing into the thin air 25 years ago. Then Alice Kelly has lastly seen at the town’s Tavern and she also vanished just like nature photographer Farrah Jordan did. The reporter Landon West suspected something fishy was going on at the town. Could he be the last victim of the person who has been hunting the people for unknown reason? Did he get closer to the truth?
Abby wants to be part of town’s union but that means she has to let it go, prevent Trey dig out more! But her curiosity gets the better of her: she has to find the truth behind incidents in expanse of exposing the dirty secrets of townies had buried for years!
Overall: Giving my five chilling stars! This is freaking exciting and unputdownable!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner/ Marysue Rucci Books for sharing this amazing digital copy with me in exchange my honest opinions. -
***NOW AVAILABLE***
Cutter’s Pass, NC is a small town in the mountains, near the Appalacian trails. The residents are a close knit group (aren’t all small towns?) and have a love/hate relationship with the tourists and hikers who come to their town. They need them to keep the town going but don’t like when they ask TOO MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE VANISHED!!
The town is known for the Fraternity Four, a group of 4 young men who vanished 20+ years ago, the bodies have never been recovered – it’s as though they just VANISHED!!
The strange disappearance of these four may have faded with time, except that there have been MORE THAN THESE FOUR WHO HAVE VANISHED!!! Most recently a journalist, Landon West!
Brief plot summary; from the blurb:
Abigail Lovett had come to the inn ten years ago. Her mother had passed away and she wasn’t sure what to do next with her life. She ended up at Cutter’s Pass and fell in love with the town and her job at the inn. She worked the reception desk, greeting visitors, making sure they had a great time.
“When Landon’s brother Trey shows up looking for answers, Abby can’t help but feel the town closing ranks. And she’s still on the outside. When she finds incriminating evidence that may bring them closer to the truth, Abby soon discovers how little she knows about her coworkers, neighbors, and even those closest to her “
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK:
The beautiful atmosphere of this picturesque town in the mountains of North Carolina. Ms. Miranda always gives us a great atmosphere!!
The characters were intriguing. We know that they are all hiding something, but we don’t know what?? How are they connected to the vanished guests?? Are all of these disappearances connected?
The twists in the plot that come quickly towards the end of the book, NOTHING THAT I SAW COMING!!
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK:
I thought the story took a while to get going, a bit of a slow start.
The characters remain a mystery until the last third of the book. I would have liked to know more about them.
MY THOUGHTS: I would recommend this novel to those who don’t mind a bit of a slower start and enjoy a great mystery. PUT ON YOUR DETECTIVE HATS!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel!! -
“The Disappearances are just a coincidence. It’s easy to believe, if you want to. It’s just as easy to disbelieve. But, whichever person you are, believer or disbeliever, Cutter’s Pass welcomes you equally.”
The Truth is…….
Cutter’s Pass seemed like a place where nothing bad could happen, with it’s touristy, downtown which offered snowflake shaped lights and hot chocolate in Winter, Farmer’s Markets, and ice cream on outdoor patios in Summer and The Last Stop tavern year round for food and libations.
It also seemed like a place where you could easily disappear, with its tunnel of trees, icy weather and dangerous hiking trails-the most treacherous being “The Shallow Falls Trail”-the trail which gave the town its notorious history-it’s entrance conveniently located just behind The Passage Inn.
This book is dripping with atmosphere! My favorite!
Six Visitors have gone missing in the last twenty five years-beginning with the Fraternity Four in 1997. Here one moment-gone the next-no clues-no leads-just vanished.
Alice Kelly was next in 2012, Farrah Jordan in 2019, and most recently, in 2022, Landon West, a journalist who was trying to link all of the disappearances together.
Told in 5 parts, each focusing on a disappearance, the book opens with the most recent and works backwards in time.
I got goosebumps when I got to Part Five!
Arriving at the cozy Passage Inn, on a rainy night, exactly 4 months after his brother’s disappearance, is Trey Landon-looking for answers.
Abby Lovett, the manager, reluctantly checks him into Cabin 4-knowing that just as the whispers had died down-his questions would bring focus back to the town.
It’s become home over the past 10 years, and she feels protective of it-even if the town still treats her as an outsider much of the time…
Yet, she becomes drawn into the mystery despite her reservations.
I LOVED this story! ❤️
You could cut the tension with a knife in the opening scenes where the weather, the downed phone lines and the arrival of Trey West, brought a palpable sense of foreboding to the pages! It’s a slow burn, but never boring mystery that captivated me from the first page through the last.
I prefer plausible to twists that come out of left field, and the revelations were surprising without being OTT, which was much appreciated by this reader!
This is sure to make my favorites list this year, and I am already looking forward to seeing what Megan Miranda dreams up for us next!
AVAILABLE July 26, 2022!
Thank You to the Publisher for the gifted ARC provided through Edelweiss!
It was my pleasure to offer a candid review! -
A little slow, not enough surprises for the enticing missing persons story. Not a bad read though.
The overall premise is totally my catnip story: The small mountain town of Cutter's Pass, gateway for hikers to the Appalachian Trail, has seen more than its share of disappearances. Over the past twenty-five years, seven tourists have disappeared without a trace after visiting the town. What happened to them? Ten years ago, after losing her mom and with nowhere else to go, Abby Lovett came to the Passage Inn in Cutter's Pass and has worked there ever since. The last person to vanish, Landon West, was staying at the Inn when he disappeared. Now Landon's brother Trey has arrived, wanting to know what happened to his brother and why. Can he figure out what no one else has been able to over the years?
There's a great sense of foreboding and isolation in this story. The phones go out, there's no cell service, they are in the woods away from "civilization." What didn't work so much for me was how disjointed the storyline was, in the end I could see what the author was trying to accomplish, but the exposition of the story was overall too slow to keep me really interested. Also, there were some loose ends that I didn't feel were completely tied up , or to me were tied up either too quickly or in an unsatisfactory way.
There were long, long stretches where nothing really happened, and it served to slow down the narrative. Too many characters that didn't really have anything to do with the story made it drag as well. Spoilers ahead:
Overall it's not a bad book, but definitely not the book I was expecting from this author. I've enjoyed her other books much more.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. -
I had a tough time with this book. It moved too slowly and wasn't the kind of thriller I was hoping for.
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The Passage Inn, located in a small town in NC, is a popular place for visitors who hike the Appalachian Trail. It’s also the place where a number of hikers have vanished without a trace. The last person to vanish was an investigative reporter looking into the disappearances. A few months later his brother arrives in town, begins to ask questions, and shakes things up. Abby, the manager of the Inn, who is still an outsider despite living there for 10 years, begins to do a bit of sleuthing on her own and discovers there are a lot of secrets in this small town.
This book gives new meaning to the phrase slow burn, as it moved at glacial speed with literally nothing happening of interest until the last 20% of the book. Quite apt, given I’ve been out of the country for the last few weeks and actually spent time on and in a glacier (sorry, I couldn’t resist!)
The author attempted to write a tension-filled atmospheric tale, but I found myself irritated and bored, despite the appealing setting. The characters were not fully developed enough to make me care what happened to them.
The novel is told from the POV of Abby and honestly, she was boring and it wasn’t that interesting to be in her head the entire time. The first person POV didn’t work here.
Things picked up the last 20% but none of it was satisfying. It was filled with characters doing dumb things, a resolution that required a massive suspension of disbelief, and plot threads left dangling. I had more questions than answers when I turned the last page, and was left wondering if I had missed something.
It gives me no pleasure to write a 2-star review, but this slow burn never developed a spark. Sadly, this is not a read I’d recommend.
The person who wrote the synopsis calling it “gripping and propulsive”, “riveting”, and filled with “taut suspense” has some explaining to do!
A buddy read with my friend Marialyce, do check out her review to see what she thought!
· I received a digital copy of this book via Edelweiss. All opinions are my own. -
The Appalachian Trails "A.T." painted with "blazes" along the way is one of my favorite hikes with over 71 miles in the Great Smokey Mountains. Hiking is a hobby I like to do alone with concerned family and friends giving out warnings not to do it. After reading this amazing mysterious thriller and unsolved disappearances, I'm hesitate now..... I was concerned after reading a few negative reviews that Megan Miranda would not come through on this book, but WOW!!!!!!...She went above and beyond with this incredible thriller.
This setting drives the story with excursions along the never ending winding trails designed closely to the beautiful waterfalls. I could envision all the images described with the crisp mountain air, walking sticks, mountain souvenir shops filled with local crafts, and the little cabins built into nature.
With all the beauty surrounding Shallow Falls Trailhead, a shadow is cast of mysterious disappearances of hikers which have lingered over the town for 25 years. A visitor Trey West checks into The Passage Inn during Abby's Shift. She realizes he is the brother of the last hiker missing on April 2, 2022...Landon West. The evidence is resurfacing for Missing hikers:
01-16-19 Farrah Joiner
09-02-12 Alice Kelley
06-06-97 Fraternity Four....4 guys from the same fraternity even had a bar named after their disappearance with a snapshot of them hanging above the bar The Last Stop.
Abby's POV leads us in and out of danger with her sleuthing sometimes stepping on locals' toes. So many suspicious characters with questionable motives enter the scene.
"There were a lot of rumors about us here, as a collective about the things we knew, the secrets we kept. But they ignored the obvious." Don't miss this one!! I'm still reeling in it. Great job, Megan Miranda! You are still one of favorites!
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for this title in exchange for my review! Thanks also to Scribner for my physical Advanced Copy! -
I have really been loving Megan Miranda's recent books. While this one was enjoyable and there was nothing wrong with it, it won't rank as one of my 2022 faves.
The atmosphere is palpable, and that alone gets points in my book. The mystery is enticing. The characters and "close-knit" community are intriguing.
Yet, it's not as "unputdownable" as I had hoped. There are no major twists or surprises...which is fine...but I think my expectations were super high after declaring her last two novels 5-star stunners.
This is still worth a read, and 4 stars from me = pretty darn great! I can't WAIT to see what else she has in store! -
Insiders don't often have the advantage that outsiders do. It's all in the position of seeing life from the peripheral edge.
Abigail Lovett never seemed to quite fit in. She came upon Cutter's Pass in North Carolina nestled along the Appalachian Trail. At eighteen, she didn't have many options. So she stayed. Luck smiled upon her when she found a job at The Passage Inn owned by Celeste. Ten years later, Abby is now the manager and a valued member of the staff.
Cutter's Pass is filled with small businesses and bars that serve the throngs of tourists mostly in the Spring and Summer and those who venture out in the snowy months. The town's people keep to themselves and have never really embraced Abby as one of their own. Without a family of her own, Abby's position at the inn is everything.
The Passage Inn has quite the reputation......not just for cute, rustic cabins and fresh sheets. In its 25 year history, there have been 6 missing individuals who seem to have fallen off the face of the Earth. They all took to the trail leading to the treacherous waterfall. But the most recent was just a few months ago. Landon West, a journalist, who was in the process of interviewing some of the people of the town. Georgia, one of the staff members, went to his cabin when he failed to check out. His car and his gear were all there, but no Landon. It's been months with no clues.
A new guest arrives on a stormy night. He's got a connection to Landon. In fact, he's Landon's brother Trey. Abby feels unsettled with him there giving off vibes that darken the reputation of the inn. But soon she realizes that Trey may be on to something. And that something may be putting herself in danger.
I enjoyed The Last to Vanish and have read everything Megan Miranda. But this wasn't my favorite of all her novels. It seemed to be simmering on the back of the stove for quite some time before things began to ratchet up. In the beginning there was a lack of dialogue as the story and the previous events were told by Abby. A lot of fill-ins of the history that took place years ago through the missing hikers. They seemed to be phantoms with no real connection to the readers. I rated this as 3.5 Stars and kicked it up to 4 Stars because of Miranda. Still a worthy read.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Megan Miranda for the opportunity. -
Megan Miranda’s books are always a hit or miss for me. This one falls into the latter category. Failing to capture my interest, leaving my mind to drift away throughout the audio.
Abigail is employed at a resort in North Carolina. A bucolic, inspiring spot people come to hike and enjoy the outdoors. But this resort also is known for one other particular amenity…customers that have vanished without a trace.
Now Trey, the brother of one of those missing has arrived to find answers for himself. Abigail’s curiosity has gotten the best of her, deciding to help Trey and maybe turn up some answers of her own.
A painfully slow read (audio) that just felt too long with too little action. I needed so much more from the characters, the storyline, just more in general!
2.5⭐
A buddy 🎧 with Susanne.
Thank you to libro.fm -
The Last to Vanish is an intriguing slow-burn thriller.
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.
This thriller has lots of descriptive writing about the setting, mountains, hiking trails, and its remote location. 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.
Thank you to Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com -
4 to 5 stars
Cutters Pass in North Carolina is near the Appalachian Trail, its population a mere 1000 but in summer its numbers swell with visitors arriving to hike and enjoy the beautiful area. The town is labelled the most dangerous in the state because six visitors have disappeared over the last 25 years, the last to vanish being journalist Landon West who goes missing on the 2nd of April 2022. Abby Lovett is the manager of the Passage Inn, she is a relative newcomer arriving 10 years ago. When Landon‘s brother Trey arrives seeking answers, Abby feels like the locals are closing ranks and she too is determined to try to find answers. Abby narrates, how reliably only time will tell.
This is another riveting read from the talented author. What I enjoy the most is the superb atmospheric setting which positively oozes from the pages feeling like a character in its own right. It exudes a sense of eerie mystery which makes you feel unsettled with the sense of isolation great contributing to this . If you add in the close-knit nature of the locals it gives a claustrophobic prickle on the back of your neck.
The author cleverly works back from Landon’s disappearance to the first four known as the Fraternity Four and the answers Abby is seeking arrive a bit at a time. Along the journey to the truth is an escalating sense of fear which is disturbing, with palpable tension and a brooding suspense which sends shivers down the spine.
There’s a red herring or two, some tantalising cliffhangers and unexpected twists which are a jolt to the system which are delivered in a low-key way which I strangely like! There’s a mixed bag of characters which works well in building up a suspect pool which when all is revealed I’ve got the answer completely wrong!!
Overall, a terrific read which I greatly enjoyed.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books/Corvus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. -
I just finished reading this the other day and I already hardly remember anything about it. 😂
I’ll just use my notes I took on the book as my review. 🤷♀️
This book was so boring. Literally nothing happened until the last couple chapters. I didn’t feel like the character development led me to feel for the characters or know them and when the ending was revealed I felt like I hardly knew the character who played a part in the conclusion.
I don’t have good luck with this author though so I think it’s time to move on and admit that her work probably isn’t a good fit for me. 😖
2⭐️ -
3.5 stars: Love unexpected plot twists? If so, “The Last To Vanish” is a novel for you. Author Megan Miranda skillfully paces the story of missing hikers in a North Carolina mountain area known as Cutter’s Pass. It’s a four square mile of wilderness along the Appalachian Trail and Miranda’s prose allows the reader to be there, in the woods, wondering if there is a killer amongst the residence.
Cutter’s Pass became known as the most dangerous town in North Carolina after a series of hikers seem to vanish off the face of the earth. In 1997, four male college students, known as the Fraternity Four set out on a hike and never returned. The area was searched to no avail. Next, in 2012 a female hiker disappeared; in 2019 yet another female hiker turns up missing. A reporter, Landon West, came to the town’s hotel, the Passage Inn, to investigate the mystery of the missing hikers. He too disappeared.
The story is told by protagonist Abby Lovett in a moody atmospheric tone. Abby has a connection to the hotel and the missing hikers, but the reader doesn’t know why for most of the novel. When Landon’s brother, Trey, shows up to investigate his brother’s disappearance, Abby wonders what he’s finding.
Abby sleuths her way into the mystery of the missing hikers. She has worked at the hotel for over 10 years, yet the townsfolk treat her as an outsider. Miranda is brilliant in bringing the reader into the woods, feeling the danger and suspense and pervasive sense of unease.. She reminds me of Jane Harper in her skill in writing a beaut of an atmospheric story.
I highly recommend this story to those who love a thriller with suspense and interesting plot twists. I chose to listen to the audio version, narrated by Alex Allwine. -
Mountain Do.
I’ve been an unabashed fan of the author since reading her first adult novel, All the Missing Girls and was looking forward to reading this, her latest release.
The beautiful setting in a small mountain town famous for its proximity to the Appalachian Trail was brought to life so wonderfully that I felt that I was taking a scenic vacation. An unsettling one, but I was transported all the same.
For those desiring a high octane, adrenaline producing story, this may not suit because of the slower pace. But, if you value gorgeously written and richly imagined places where the book doesn’t leave you after the final page, I urge you to try this. I’m still thinking about it!
Thank you to Mary Beth for reading and discussing this with me.
I pre-ordered a copy from Barnes and Noble and cracked it open on receipt. Now I have to wait for her next one… -
So many missing people! An entire town of suspects? So few clues!
Did I guess who the culprit(s) were? Yes... and no.
I did suspect one specific person from the very beginning, but the MOTIVES and the EXECUTION were way off! Megan Miranda certainly threw dust in my eyes more than once.
The writing, as usual, was very good. There was a Stephen King-like tension throughout, with a few hair raising scares thrown in for good measure.
As usual, you have to pay attention to all of the clues. And that added twist at the end: it just goes to show you: if you can beat 'em, you have to join 'em, right?!?
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this thriller in exchange for an honest review. -
Yall, this book was boring.
The characters were boring.
The mystery was boring.
I was bored.
But hey, people seem to like this book so don't take my word for it, read it yourself. You might like more than me. -
This book was like a circular road around a cliff, going nowhere with lots of dead end exits!
Welcome to Cutter's Pass where no one knows anything and people act weird and probably guilty of something. Into this came Abagail Lovett, who acquires a dream job as a manager of the Passage Inn, where beauty exits and also a very ugly truth. People, starting with the Fraternity Four, keep on disappearing over the years. The community, plus law enforcement seem to turn a blind eye to these weird occurrences. When Landon West, a journalist, comes to town, the turmoil existing on a low level begins to churn and the why of the disappearances comes to the surface.
Sounds good right?, only it wasn't. The many directions the author sets us upon are at times ridiculous, and then these directions ended, just ended with no explanations no reason why. There was also a plethora of characters who also wind up at that same dead end and then seem to "disappear, with no explanation for the why once again.
The main character, Abbie even though she was a young adult , makes the most stunning decisions, some of them so dumb it left me shaking my head. She's depicted like an overwrought drama queen, with coincidences piling up one upon another.
Overall, even though this was a bit of a closed door mystery, it was dull, many times going nowhere that was frustrating and wearisome.(in other words BORING) The characters were also annoying and it didn't help that I didn't like a one of them. After finishing, I truly felt I was the one driving that car round and round with no escape button.
Certainly, no recommendation for this one. It was tedious, and as Jan and I made our dreary journey through this story, we knew we had once again chosen a book that had absolutely no appeal even though we had enjoyed the author's former books. Sad to assign two stars but I feel it is exactly what I felt about this wearisome story.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this story, published in July. -
The Truth Is…. I found this Compelling and Intriguing!
This was a buddy listen with Kaceey and I will say that she disagreed (lol).
Cutter’s Pass, North Carolina is a place where people are known to disappear. In the last 25 years alone, a total of six people have disappeared. In the winter, it’s dark, cold, snowy, and treacherous, and the hiking trails are extremely dangerous. In the summer, however, it purports itself to be the kind of touristy place that makes you want to stay awhile. If only the locals were friendlier to outsiders!
Abby Lovett arrived in Cutter’s Pass ten years ago, she’s now the manager of the Passage Inn, the place Landon West was last seen. He disappeared a few months ago and his trail has since gone cold. When his brother Trey arrives looking for answers, he turns to Abby.
Slowly, the stories of each person who disappeared over the years unfold. When I got close to the end, I admit to being surprised. I do think there were a few loose ends that were not quite tied up and while that vexed me, I still enjoyed this novel as I like slow burn character-driven mystery/suspense novels. Having read all of Megan Miranda’s novels, I think this was her best since All The Missing Girls.
Thanks to Libro.fm for the alc. -
This was quite possibly my favorite Megan Miranda book to-date!
I loved the setting of this one - a small town, Cutter's Pass, adjacent to the Appalachian Trail in the mountains of North Carolina, which is notorious for at least six missing hikers over the years. Protagonist Abby, works at an inn at the base of the mountains that has connections with several of the missing hikers. Abby recalls odd things about a couple of the hikers, but Celeste, the owner of the inn and a mother figure to Abby, has encouraged her to keep things to herself. When Trey, the brother of the last man to vanish shows up with hard questions, Abby finds herself wondering what she really knows about the people and the town she has adopted as her home.
There was a lot of detail about the town and the inn, but it never felt stilted or boring, as it was necessary for the atmosphere - the more details, the more eerie and dangerous it felt. I also loved Abby's character, who despite living in Cutter's Pass for the past ten years, is still considered an "outsider", and never quite feels as if she is accepted. There is also an intriguing cast of secondary characters, who all had suspicious actions and possible motives. The who, what, and why kept me guessing until the end - it wasn't easy to figure this one out at all. Just when I thought I had things figured out, I realized I was completely off base, which is where Miranda always shines!
Overall, it was so refreshing to find a unique plot that hasn't been rehashed a hundred different times. Combine that with a fantastic twist that I never saw coming, and it's an all-the-stars read in my book! -
(2.5 stars). I’m a little disappointed as I’ve read other books by Megan Miranda which I’ve really loved. This book, not so much…
The Last to Vanish started off super slow, and the pace didn’t pick up until the last 25% of the book. Unfortunately by then, I was pretty bored. Yes, there was great character development. The setting was beautifully described and crafted. But the storyline lacked the “thrilling suspense” I was looking for (that’s also what the book is labeled as). All in all, this is just a story about people who have vanished- with a little suspense thrown in at the end.
In this story, our main character, Abby Lovett, goes in search of all the people who have vanished from the town of Cutter’s Pass. More recent to her search were the guests from the Inn where she currently works. Along the way, we meet many long time residents of Cutter’s Pass- and all of them are suspicious 🤨
Who was involved in these disappearances? And what do they know?
If you’re a Megan Miranda fan, I say give this book a shot as you might get more out of it than I did. It’s certainly not my favorite, but others seemed to have enjoyed it more than I have. -
Good, but not GREAT...
The premise of a string of disappearances at a popular vacation community along the Appalachian Trail, known as Cutter’s Pass, really intrigued me and I was really excited about reading this most recent release of Miranda’s. While I do believe it’s quite possibly her best work yet and good, I wasn’t as thoroughly captivated by it as I hoped to be. I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly, but I do know I felt this story could have gone even further into the details of the four separate disappearances than it inevitably did, creating a more foreboding, atmospheric and chilling mystery. I found at times I wasn't fully invested in those disappearances because those characters weren't fully fleshed out. If first-hand perspectives of those four stories had been provided I believe this would have been more captivating. I did really enjoy the main protagonist, Abigail, however, and the small twist about her motivations was a shocker. Goodness, I did not see that one coming! I really think that particular storyline could have been explored more as well, but alas, it wasn't...maybe I'm too picky?! All things considered, It had great potential, and was incredibly close to getting there for me, yet fell a bit short in the end. I do believe this one may be on me, as I listened to the bulk of it via audiobook, while multitasking, so this may be one I will return to for a re-read, down the line. Regardless of this one not quite hitting the mark for me, it was still a solid 3.5-Star read, I recommend it. I believe it will undoubtedly appeal to those who don’t exclusively read this genre like I do, which I believe is the intended target audience perhaps. Please don’t roast me yet, I’m still a Miranda fan regardless of not being blown away, she’s an incredibly talented writer and I will continue to read her forthcoming work! -
This was such a slog for me. Page 1 had me hooked in and then it just went downhill from there. Absolutely nothing happened that wasn’t on the blurb. Nothing…nada…zip. The plot seemed promising but nothing seemed to move forward quickly enough to hold my attention. I loved this authors first book but haven’t found any thereafter that worked for me. Luckily it was a hoopla copy
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I have loved every one of Megan Miranda's books and this one was just as good as her others.
This story takes place in a small mountain town called Cutters Pass. Located near the Appalachian mountain's. This town holds many secrets that no one wants to talk about. What really happened to the seven people who have disappeared over the years?
I loved the slow burn of this story. The story was unique and drew me in quickly. The main setting was at a mountain Inn and was so well described that I felt I was there. The mystery was intriguing and held me glued to the pages. -
Let’s go hiking!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Cutter’s Pass, NC has a long history of missing hikers. Add one more with the disappearance of Landon West, journalist, and now his brother has shown up seeking answers. Abby Lovell has lived in the town for 10 years and feels like she will never be an insider in this small town. As the manager of the local inn at the center of the controversy, she also uncovers question upon question. Is someone in town responsible for the disappearances or is someone else out there, lurking?
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This is my 5th Miranda book and I am most definitely a fan! Enjoyed this book and most definitely recommend it. This novel is a stretch - different, slower, and less “twisty”, but still intriguing with an entertaining character dive into Abby Lovell, who I liked as the protagonist. I live in the Carolinas (nope, this is a fictional town) but I totally relate to the town because my bro is a major hiker and I’ve accompanied him on hikes before so I KNOW this town - built for hikers but the people who live there are insular and secretive. I found that plot angle engaging and enjoyable and accurate in portrayal.
The plot is slower than Miranda’s usual works, but I don’t mind that. I enjoy descriptive writing like that of the town, the inn, etc as it helps a reader understand the dynamics of small town life.
My reticence in rating this higher is mostly based on a huge plot point - where a HUGE piece of information that the protagonist storyteller KNOWS isn’t revealed until later. So in a way, it feels like a “cheat” rather than a twist. There wasn’t a REASON for this lie by omission, thus my feelings of being cheated - like “oh well if I knew THAT earlier…”. The other peevish eye-roller is that Celeste is in her 50’s but all the descriptions would have the reader believing she’s an 80 yr old with a cane and some Bengay.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Miranda fans and mystery lovers, just don’t expect the usual.
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Those seeking quick reads, those who hate descriptive writing.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for now making hiking a scary endeavor (in a good way!)
