The Last to Drown
Author: Noelle W. Ihli
Genre: Thriller, Mystery Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)
Synopsis
A five-day rafting retreat through one of the most remote stretches of wilderness should be an unforgettable adventure.
Instead, it becomes a nightmare.
Seven years earlier, a guide murdered an entire group of rafters along the same river before supposedly dying himself. Ever since, Camas Creek has become the subject of countless theories and true crime discussions.
Now, another group has arrived.
As accidents begin piling up, supplies disappear, and terrifying events echo the crimes of the past, it quickly becomes clear that history may be repeating itself.
With eighty-four miles of dangerous river separating them from the nearest help, escape isn't an option.
The only question is...
Who can still be trusted?
My Thoughts
I genuinely did NOT expect this book to be this good.
The premise itself is actually quite straightforward.
A group of women heads into the wilderness for a multi-day rafting retreat, and from the very beginning it's obvious that something is going to go terribly wrong.
The novel doesn't try to hide that.
And honestly, it doesn't need to.
Because the execution is absolutely fantastic.
One thing I immediately appreciated was the group itself.
The retreat brings together women of different ages and backgrounds, which made the cast feel far more realistic than if everyone had been at the same stage of life. Those different personalities and experiences added another layer to the relationships, especially once fear and suspicion began creeping into the group.
What truly made this book stand out for me, though, was the tension.
Once the story finds its rhythm, it simply refuses to let go.
Every chapter ended in a way that convinced me to read just one more... until I suddenly realized I'd stayed up the entire night because I couldn't bring myself to stop.
That's always a good sign.
The wilderness setting only adds to the suspense.
With no easy way to leave, no reliable communication and miles of river separating the group from civilization, every dangerous situation feels amplified. The isolation creates a constant sense of vulnerability that lingers throughout the novel.
The suspense never lets up.
Between the mounting panic, the uncertainty about who can be trusted, and the increasingly violent events unfolding around the group, I found myself completely immersed in the story.
And yes...
There are a few moments that are surprisingly brutal.
The violence isn't excessive (or ...oh well...), but when it happens, it hits hard. A couple of scenes genuinely made me wince, reminding me that this book isn't afraid to go to some very dark places.
Without spoiling anything, I'll simply say this:
If you enjoy thrillers that keep your heart racing from beginning to end, The Last to Drown absolutely delivers.
Final Thoughts
The Last to Drown is a tense, fast-paced survival thriller that combines an isolated wilderness setting, a compelling mystery, and relentless suspense into one incredibly addictive read.
Even though the overall premise seems straightforward at first, it's the execution that makes this book shine.
I flew through it because I simply couldn't put it down.
The very first thought I had after finishing?
"I need more books like this."
⭐️ 5 stars
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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