Is Abby a reliable narrator? Why or why not? How do her interactions with other characters embody one of the novel’s central concerns: that is, the inability to truly “know” another person? The characters remain a mystery until the last third of the book. I would have liked to know more about them. 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. 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. 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.

He also stopped by the police department and tried to get information, which chills Abby a bit since she realizes the police knew why Landon was there before he disappeared. 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. What does “haunting” mean in the context of Trey’s role in the novel, and what does the word mean for the inhabitants of Cutter’s Pass at large? Are the longtime residents, like Celeste and Cory, haunted by different things than Georgia or Abby are? Discuss. As the novel progresses, Miranda slowly gives readers more information about Abby, which only leads to more questions: Where did she come from before she, rather suddenly, arrived in Cutter’s Pass, and why did she decide to live and work at the inn in the first place? She’s not quite an unreliable narrator but rather one whose personal details are revealed with careful precision by Miranda, who ensures that Abby is fascinating, not frustrating. Explore the role that “outsiders” play in The Last to Vanish , as well as in real life. Are they, like Landon and Trey West, able to pierce through the secrets that close-knit communities hide? Consider, in your evaluation, the role that Abby (who is both an outsider and not) plays in this novel. What kinds of revelations is she privy to as someone who occupies this unique position?Abby sneaks into The Last Stop after hours to look at an old photo of the Fraternity Four. She thinks Landon was wondering who took the picture. In the reflection of one of the guys’ glasses she can see a shirt with the logo of the Passage Inn. Abby wonders if either Celeste or Vincent took the photo. 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.

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! 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.Synopsis: Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job at 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 like access to the Appalachian trail by way of a gorgeous waterfall, but also its mysterious history. 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 🤨 Yes, everything got tied up without any loose ends. But I wasn’t really buying it all 100% either. If you have read the book and want to discuss, come over to my Spoiler Discussion for The Last To Vanish. Once you start reading, The Last to Vanish becomes un-put-downable and it exceeded all my expectations. Another winning novel by Megan Miranda!

If you have thoughts on this book, opinions on the best Megan Miranda book, or ideas for readalikes, talk to me in the comments! 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.

Megan Miranda

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!! 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.