The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

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🕵️‍♀️ Book Review: The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

⭐⭐½  2.5 out of 5 stars | Mystery Thriller | Set in North Carolina’s Appalachians

What’s the Deal with The Last to Vanish?

Picture this: Cutter’s Pass, a fictional North Carolina town known for its stunning Appalachian views — but also haunted by a string of disappearances spanning 25 years. We’re talking:

  • The Fraternity Four (Brian, Neil, Jerome & Toby) in 1997

  • Alice Kelly in 2012

  • Farrah Jordan in 2019

  • Landon West in 2022

No one knows what happened to any of them. The town’s got tourists fascinated by the mystery but desperately tries to keep things hush-hush.

Who’s Who & What’s What?

Enter Abigail “Abby” Lovett, manager of The Passage Inn, a local hotel where the latest missing guy, Landon West’s brother Trey, checks in undercover in Cabin #4 — the very place Landon disappeared from.

Abby’s not just your average hotel manager. She’s family to the inn’s owner, Celeste (via her late uncle Vincent), and has deep roots in town — including an ex, Cory, the shady tour guide son of local tavern owners.

The Mystery Thickens...

While digging through some dusty bedposts, Abby and Trey find a hidden jump drive with photos from one of the missing women, Farrah Jordan. Then there’s Landon’s cellphone, a cryptic notebook, and an ever-growing list of suspects:

  • Cory (he’s always lurking, always shady)

  • Abby’s coworker Georgia

  • The town’s sheriff, Patrick

Meanwhile, the inn’s phone lines keep mysteriously cutting out (who you gonna call? Not the Ghostbusters, but the local repairman Harris — who’s also a married dad, but something smells fishy).

Plot Twist Palooza — Who Killed Who?

A throwback photo of the Fraternity Four reveals Celeste (the inn owner!) was the photographer. After some heavy questioning, she spills the beans:

  • The Fraternity Four stayed at the inn for an intervention on Brian’s substance problem.

  • Things went very wrong, and Brian shot his three friends.

  • Celeste killed Brian in self-defense.

  • Neil (one of the victims) confessed he was Abby’s dad right before dying.

So, the Fraternity Four mystery is solved — but what about the other disappearances?

Enter Harris — The Quiet (Too Quiet?) Repairman

Abby reaches out to Alice Kelly’s sister, Quinn, who runs an Instagram dedicated to the missing woman. Quinn’s pics reveal Harris (aka James) lurking around Alice’s last known spots. Abby calls his wife and confirms his sketchy identity.

When Harris shows up at the inn, Abby grabs a fire poker like a boss and texts for backup. Trey flashes a phone light, and a whole cast of characters — including the sheriff, local tavern crew, and Celeste — show up way too late to save the day. Harris is arrested but claims:

  • Alice slipped and hit her head (no foul play, really)

  • He buried her to “protect” her

  • Farrah and Landon were killed when they got too close

My Two Cents: Drawn Out & Disappointing

Look, the premise had promise — mysterious disappearances, small-town secrets, and plenty of suspects. But the story drags on with way too many characters popping up at once, and the ending twist? Meh.

I’m not a fan of thrillers where the "killer is the quiet guy who changed his name" trope comes out of nowhere. Plus, the explanation about why no one was interviewed made zero sense (thanks, Cory). It felt like a half-baked mystery with a predictable “twist.”

If you’re craving a tight, edge-of-your-seat thriller, this one probably isn’t it. But if you like a slow burn and small-town drama, maybe give it a shot.

📚 Ready to Dive In? Grab Your Copy:

Love Mysteries? Check These Out:

  • The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager (another slow burn with great twists)

  • Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris (psychological suspense done right)

  • The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (classic thriller that keeps you guessing)

Final Verdict: The Last to Vanish is a bit like those “mystery dinners” where everyone talks but the reveal is underwhelming. If you love complex small-town mysteries with plenty of suspects, you might like it. For me? Just okay.

💬 Have you read The Last to Vanish? What did you think? Drop your thoughts below!


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