Last to Vanish, by Megan Miranda

The Book

Abby Lovett  came to Cutter's Pass after her mother's death looking for answers. She knows the story of the missing hikers, five in total when she got there. The famous "Frat Four" the moniker given to four young men on a summer trip together who had dinner in Cutter's Pass, told everyone they were hiking the Appalachian Trail, and then vanished into the night, never to be seen again. The story was so big, so legendary, it brought in tourists, and the tiny tavern in the middle of town changed it's name to Last Stop Tavern. The owners are the ones who found the disposable camera with the famous last photo. The printed it, hung it above the bar. 

When Abby checks in Trey West, the brother of the latest victim, Landon West, she knows it will stir up hard feelings. She knows the town will do what it feels it must to preserve the mystic. But genuinely, she wants to help Trey find closure, if she can. And she's a sucker for a guy like him, who had been overseas when the action went down. 

Together Trey and Abby work to figure out what happened to Landon. Since Landon was a journalist, he left behind clues, subtle, but there for anyone smart enough to see them. Between Trey's understanding of Landon and Abby's memories they might be able to figure it out. If the town will let them, and if they don't become the next to vanish....

My Thoughts

What I loved most about the book? The solve was great. The twist came early, but it was satisfying. No after the main twist plot twists, and no unexplained, illogical, or character breaking endings. (cough cough, Riley Sager, cough cough).

What I liked least about the book? The final twist came early. While I found it interesting, when I’m trying do to the solve, I like for my denouement to be in the last few pages. Having said that, the traditional action ending does stick to the formula used by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so even though I thought I had more time to theorize, the ending was satisfying. Very satisfying.

Verdict: I will be reading Megan Miranda again. In fact, I might just read her entire oeuvre. 

How Much My Library Card Saved Me

This book was purchased for me by Andromeda as a Blind Date with a Book at This Old Book, Grayslake. They spent $7.00 for a book that was in great condition. The 318 page novel was supplemented with book club questions at the back, which is quite useful to me. I'll likely keep this book, but I'm likely to check out more by Megan Miranda at my library. 

Library Books

This Book                                                         $00.00

Library Items Reviewed This Year                 $340.83

Private Books

This Book                                                          $7.00

Total of Private Books                                     $55.75

Total of All Items Reviewed This Year          $415.58

Still Here? 

 I am now a published author. You can pick up a *FREE COPY* of my novella The Big Intersection here.