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A review by booksamongstfriends
The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda
3.0
This was almost a four star read for me! The Last to Vanish sets the scene in what is both eerie and familiar. A small town in the woods where mountains, tress, and trails are in abundance, but disappearances go unexplained. You know the kind of town where everyone knows each other, has only one of everything, and multiple people that work 2-3 different jobs to keep the town afloat? Yeah, that’s the vibe.
We are initially following Abigail, who works at the local inn. Abigail is not native to the town. Albeit she’s been there for quite a while, yet still feels a sense of otherness. The disappearances in this now notorious travel destination don’t help this feeling. Her curiosity itches at her but she doesn’t want to rock the boat of the small community she calls home. But this last disappearance of Landon West, a journalist, might kick up the kind of dust that can’t be settled.
Abigail finds herself more involved than she planned after meeting Landon’s brother, Trey. She feels his pain and hesitancy when he shows up at the inn with secrets of his own and looking for answers. Though this book is slow in the beginning, it delivers in atmosphere and monopolizing on its setting! Miranda paints a vivid picture of Cutter’s Pass, a place that feels equal parts secluded, homey, and menacing. It’s a slow burning tension that builds as Abigail becomes embroiled with solving Landon’s disappearance, discovering evidence, and bringing into question all that she knows. The book definitely picks up as more things coming to light around the disappearances, the inhabitants, and Abigail.
While I was initially along for the ride, I landed on 3 stars instead of 4. The story takes its time establishing the town’s eerie vibe, which, while effective, makes the first half feel sluggish. It’s not until the latter half that the plot starts to pick up to reveal twists and secrets. Sadly the reveals weren’t enough of a payoff for me. I was happy to see this eventual increase in pace, but I just didn’t feel as shocked as I would’ve preferred.
With that being said, I also had the audiobook for this read and enjoyed the narration. This was a decent read, but one I’m okay with reading once. I know others will enjoy it and I would pick up more from this author.
We are initially following Abigail, who works at the local inn. Abigail is not native to the town. Albeit she’s been there for quite a while, yet still feels a sense of otherness. The disappearances in this now notorious travel destination don’t help this feeling. Her curiosity itches at her but she doesn’t want to rock the boat of the small community she calls home. But this last disappearance of Landon West, a journalist, might kick up the kind of dust that can’t be settled.
Abigail finds herself more involved than she planned after meeting Landon’s brother, Trey. She feels his pain and hesitancy when he shows up at the inn with secrets of his own and looking for answers. Though this book is slow in the beginning, it delivers in atmosphere and monopolizing on its setting! Miranda paints a vivid picture of Cutter’s Pass, a place that feels equal parts secluded, homey, and menacing. It’s a slow burning tension that builds as Abigail becomes embroiled with solving Landon’s disappearance, discovering evidence, and bringing into question all that she knows. The book definitely picks up as more things coming to light around the disappearances, the inhabitants, and Abigail.
While I was initially along for the ride, I landed on 3 stars instead of 4. The story takes its time establishing the town’s eerie vibe, which, while effective, makes the first half feel sluggish. It’s not until the latter half that the plot starts to pick up to reveal twists and secrets. Sadly the reveals weren’t enough of a payoff for me. I was happy to see this eventual increase in pace, but I just didn’t feel as shocked as I would’ve preferred.
With that being said, I also had the audiobook for this read and enjoyed the narration. This was a decent read, but one I’m okay with reading once. I know others will enjoy it and I would pick up more from this author.