I didn't go into this with high expectations given that it reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel that I have dnf'ed every attempt to read it, but I hoped that it would be similar but pull me in the way I want with that one. It was better. I managed to read it and it did interest me. But it never fully pulled me in. I didn't get lost or invested in the plot. It was good but not one I would re-read

Wow. I had expected this to be a classic mystery with the characters set on an island they can’t escape, but then it took a sci-fi twist. Sci-fi isn’t a genre I normally enjoy reading but this kept me turning the pages to see what happens. As seven strangers take up an offer to test a new luxury product from a mysterious company, their deepest, dark secrets begin to be revealed to one another via a new technology. I won’t go any further so as not to spoil the story, but it’s well worth the read. Not all of our memories are completely accurate, and despite how hard people may try to bury them, they can still be a powerful influence.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy, this review is my unbiased opinion.

This book was so dumb. I was so bored. Thrillers are supposed to be page turners but this was just dull. I didn’t care about the characters, didn’t care about the situation and thought the ending was laughable. I’m so disappointed, this is such a good premise but for me nothing about this book worked.

A decent premise with interesting characters which disintegrates rapidly towards a nonsensical ending. Cannot recommend.

Review posted on Goodreads.

The cover of this book was errie and beautiful. The book had a great plot. A Group of 7 strangers were invited to a getaway at a new resort. Each guest had a guilty secret. Each guest was forced to wear a memory tracking device that would reveal their secrets to their fellow resort guests.

I enjoyed reading about the characters perspectives and seeing the secrets unfold but that was about it. I was confused by the ending. There was no plot twist. The characters seemed to be going around in circles with no real outcome. .

This book had so much potential. The characters could of been fleshed out better. Several plot holes could of been filled. I was really disappointed

Fast paced book and I really enjoyed it. Good story line and I think people are gonna love it. I would definitely read again and recommend

When seven strangers, one of whom is Amelia, are invited to a private island for all-expenses-paid retreat, the offer is too good to pass up. The group are there to test a brand-new product but from the start, things are not as they appear or go horribly awry...

In a switching narrative, aid worker Amelia is central to the plot. The many twists and turns in this book kept me guessing and I didn't want to put this novel down between chapters! Susi Holliday's characters were well fleshed out and all were totally credible in their portrayal. Even though I didn't like them all - some were annoying, whilst others I found to be bewildering - I still needed to know their connection.

Tense in parts and rather creepy in others there were one or two surprises that ambushed me. I couldn’t get enough of this pacy, dystopian, techy tale with its shades of Blyton's Famous Five. Susi Holliday's menacing storytelling skills were impressive and the finale was shocking and entertaining. Well worth a look.😁

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

‘The last resort’ really appealed to me as the plot has the Agatha Christie classic premise of a group of strangers being invited to a mysterious island all with their own hidden secrets. Holliday brings this novel right up to date with memory tracking devices all ready to expose the guests one by one. The whole setup was really clever and although I felt that the plot got a bit off track in the middle I did appreciate all of the little clues along the way as to who was really in charge on the island.
In true crime novel tradition I do love a bit of a drawn out conclusion as to the ‘who’ and ‘why’ and I wish the big reveal hadn't been so rushed through but that is a personal preference. I think the characters were well thought through and devised to make an interesting group. It also breathes new life into a classic crime thriller because in modern times with everyone living their lives online how much can we really keep secret?

The ending was the biggest point of contention for me reading this book. Yes, the character reveal has been being telegraphed throughout, but the motivation was quite ridiculous and didn't match the action for me.

This was in no way what I had imagined it to be when reading the synopsis. It had a dystopian and a “Hunger Games Catching Fire” feel to it. Seven strangers promised a luxury getaway embark on an adventure. Although hey all have secrets to hide, and they all hope they make it to the big party.

I liked the writing style, being quick chapters and overall easy to read, however, that’s about all I enjoyed. The story was ridiculous. I feel like I wasted time reading it as nothing at all happened.

I advise you to not waste your time.

The idea of having the opportunity of a paid vacation turns into a nightmare for 7 people. Flown in to a remote island, on arrival they are  implanted with a neuro chip that tracks their every thought and move. Sounds interesting until the worst moment in life (and they are terrible scenarios) is displayed for all to see. I can see this book being made into a movie because of all the fascinating technical details they invented for the storyline, the audience would love it. The interactions of the characters stuck on an island without communication to the outside world brings the usual chain of events. I didn’t think the whole premise for this justice adventure was worth the trip.

Okay, the description has me intrigued!!! Sounds like THE GUEST LIST meets ONE BY ONE and I could not be more excited to read.

Fast paced thriller - a lot of action that keeps your interests and keeps you guessing until the end.

Strange yet elaborate.

I kept waiting and waiting for something big and mysterious to come spasming slamming at me, but it just casually crept up and then it was there.

This island actually sounded like a pretty good vacation spot.

The people were really horrible people, they really show you how despicable humanity can be.

Definitely a good read.

This book had such a promising premise but fell completely flat! I had to really push myself to get through it.

The idea of a mysterious offer and guilty secrets is definitely an attention grabber. Unfortunately, the read is less so. The characters are rather shallow (and I guess this is to be expected based on some of their secrets). Also, they completely lack development. I felt like I was just getting a glimpse of who they are. There was no build up. As a reader, I didn't get to know a character and fully form an opinion about them before I learned what their terrible deed was. As a result, I had little reaction when they were outed to the others.

I really wanted to like this book. Great idea. Poor execution.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Seven strangers chosen to enjoy an all-expenses paid getaway at a luxury resort on a private island. When they arrive at the island the guests are told they will be testing out a new technology invented by the getaway’s sponsor, Timeo Technologies. The story starts to take a dark turn when the strangers start to realize why they were really chosen.

“Agatha Christie meets Black Mirror,” sounds intriguing, right? One of my favorite authors and one of my favorite TV shows, I was really excited for The Last Resort. Unfortunately this book should have been a DNF but I pushed on hoping that the ending would redeem the story. It didn’t. The beginning started out strong but ultimately the book was roughly 250 pages of unlikable characters stumbling around the island trying to find the resort while discovering dirty secrets about each other. Throw in a few plot holes and an underwhelming ending and you have a two-star read with an exciting, but poorly-executed, premise.

Agatha Christie meets Black Mirror! A super modern high tech version of a locked room mystery, 7 strangers are brought together on an island for a supposedly luxury break, but who has brought them there and what secrets are they hiding? An enjoyable mystery, felt the ending slightly let it down but thoroughly enjoyed 90%!

I really enjoyed this, as it was a different type of book than I've read. It was fast paced, not excessive narrative, and it had interesting characters. I liked the way it followed a timeline, and was told from different perspectives throughout. ***Spoiler***
I was expecting a twist, or a shock of some kind after the epiloge. There was none. It was a bit of a letdown, as the story had raced to the ending only to find nothing exciting.

The book started fine with intrigue of locked room but then after mid half it went nowhere. The tight plotline became plot holes. Intrigue and suspense were dashed. All that I expected it to be was for nothing. Could have been so much better.

The Last Resort by Susi Holliday is the first book I’ve read from this author.

If you enjoy watching reality tv shows, you will enjoy this story. A story about seven strangers, secrets, a luxury island, and a large prize. Enticed by an all-expense-paid retreat along with a mysterious offer, Amelia rides with 6 strangers to a private island to test Timeo Technologies’ new state-of-the-art product. Strange things start happening after they are forced to wear this device that is attached to their heads. The device has deadly consequences and is controlled by the Creator of the island. As time goes on, their deepest and darkest secrets are revealed to everyone.
The description and book cover pulled me in but it fell flat for me, especially the ending.

Pros:
**This book started off as a good concept and seemed promising.
**There are some creepy scenes and learning each person’s secrets kept me reading till the end.

Cons:
**The character’s jobs off the island were good choices but the character development was lacking. Most of the characters fell flat to me. If they were developed like the people in the Lost series or similar to the contestants on Survivor, readers would be biting their fingernails to read what happens next to their favorite character.
**The ending.

I’d love to try more from this author in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for my copy. In return I am submitting my voluntary opinion and review.