Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately this one failed to grab my attention. It was way too wordy and felt like the words used were just not natural. Like the author used a thesaurus to find bigger words.

The pacing was too slow as well.

Sarah Anderson, her husband Matthew, and their two children went camping in a wilderness area called the Canadian Shield. Sarah and her husband and their two children shared the tent. When Sarah woke up the next morning, Matthew was gone.

Sarah was initially not upset about Matthew missing - he had a habit of going off for hikes by himself. When he didn't come back after the second day, she called the rangers. They set up searches for Matthew in various places but with no success, and eventually called off the searches.

Her husband's disappearance made Sarah reevaluate their marriage, and wonder if the rangers could be right - did her husband leave her? All along there were little clues that Sarah did not put together until later. I highly recommend this book - it was suspenseful and kept me guessing until the end.

I received an e-arc from publisher Thomas and Mercer, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Book Review: Into the Fall by Tamara L. Miller

Rating: 4 Stars

Tamara L. Miller's debut novel, Into the Fall, is a gripping psychological thriller that takes you deep into the wild, rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield. The story centers around Sarah Anderson, whose seemingly perfect life—a successful career, a lovely home in Ottawa, and two young children—is thrown into chaos when her husband, Matthew, mysteriously disappears during a family trip up north.

What follows is a tense and atmospheric journey through the vast wilderness filled with lakes, cliffs, and dense forests that feel both breathtaking and menacing. As Sarah struggles to keep her family safe amid an approaching storm, she finds herself caught between the help of a compassionate local lawman and the skepticism of a city cop. Beyond the search for Matthew, the novel digs into the shadows lurking in Sarah’s marriage and forces her to confront painful truths about herself and her past, including reconnecting with her estranged sister.

I have to say, the cover caught my eye immediately—it’s beautiful and perfectly sets the tone for the story inside. I ended up reading this book in just two sittings because it was so engaging. Miller’s writing is sharp and well-paced, successfully balancing suspense with emotional depth. The setting is vividly portrayed, making you feel the isolation and raw power of the Canadian wilderness alongside the characters.

Overall, Into the Fall is a strong debut novel with a compelling plot and atmospheric setting that kept me hooked. It’s not quite perfect—there were moments I wanted a bit more depth in character development—but it’s definitely a solid read that I’d recommend to fans of psychological thrillers and nature-infused mysteries alike. Four stars from me!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Sarah is in the theater. She has made a nice home for herself in Canada and has two young children. Then it all falls apart when her husband Matthew disappears. Sarah will do anything to find her husband. She starts to find out some information about her husbands past. The book alternates between the past and present. I enjoyed the writing style and pace and found myself wanting to get to the end quickly.

Very much enjoyed this book. It is interesting, a page turner and haunting. My interest was piqued throughout the whole book.

The story was more of a slow-burn mystery than a thriller. The atmosphere was mysterious with a touch of thriller. Many thanks to the author and Netgalley for providing me with a copy for an honest review. As a debut book, it is promising for this Canadian author (happy to read about familiar sites), and I look forward to more books from her.

The story flips between present-day and flashbacks, which gives you a better look at Sarah and Matthew’s complicated relationship. It adds a lot of depth to the characters and keeps you hooked as you try to figure out what’s really going on. The wilderness setting also brings this eerie, isolated vibe that fits the story perfectly.

The twists come out of nowhere which can keep you on your toes! The characters feel real, and the emotional tension builds in a way that keeps you turning pages. The middle dragged a bit or that a few twists felt a little too convenient, but overall, it’s a solid, chilling read.

If you're into thrillers with emotional depth and a few surprises up their sleeve, this one's definitely worth checking out.*

Unfortunately this was not my favourite read, i was able to push through and finish it but very forgetable for me

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. There were some strong aspects The story is there, however, I felt it was missing something. There were some minor plot holes, pacing issues, and a disappointing end.

I went back and forth on my rating, however I decided ultimately to give it 3 solid stars.

**4-Star Review for "Into the Fall" by Tamara L. Miller**

"Into the Fall" by Tamara L. Miller is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of life, loss, and self-discovery. The story follows Sarah Anderson, who appears to have it all— a successful career, a beautiful home in Ottawa, and a loving family—until her husband, Matthew, vanishes during a family vacation.

Miller masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative that pulls you in from the very beginning. The descriptions of the stunning yet haunting landscapes of the Canadian Shield serve as a fitting backdrop for Sarah’s emotional journey, amplifying the sense of isolation and urgency she experiences as she seeks her missing husband.

Sarah is a well-developed character, navigating the challenges of motherhood while grappling with the unraveling of her marriage. Her quest not only leads her to confront the mystery surrounding Matthew's disappearance but also to reconnect with her estranged sister and unearth the dark secrets hidden within her life. The supporting characters, particularly the compassionate rural lawman and the slick city police officer, add dimension and intrigue to the unfolding story.

While the plot maintains a gripping pace, some elements may feel familiar to seasoned readers of suspense fiction, but Miller’s skillful writing and emotional depth elevate the narrative. The themes of love, betrayal, and redemption resonate throughout, making the story both compelling and relatable.

"Into the Fall" is an engaging read that expertly combines elements of mystery and personal reflection. It's a poignant reminder of how crises can lead to profound self-discovery. This book is highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers and emotional journeys alike!

This was an ARC from NetGalley. An atmospheric debut that was a bit fluffy for my taste. All in all not a bad plot.

Could have lived up to the thriller genre a little bit more, but I never saw where the story was going next!

Special thank you to NetGalley, Tamara L. Miller and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this mysterious tale! Firstly, as a fellow Ontarian 🍁, I greatly enjoyed a plot that was close to home and mentioned several Canadian staples throughout. Second, the story itself was definitely engaging and captivates the reader. I like how the author switches from various aspects in time and multiple povs to tell the story. Overall, a great read. I would recommend.

This was a really good debut from Tamara, it kept me guessing the whole time. I really enjoyed it and read in just two days, because I needed to know what happened. I was knee deep in it and it is one of those stories I will think about long after I read it. I can't wait for what Tamara does next, she has proven herself a great storyteller and impressive writer.

On paper Sarah Anderson has it all a great job, two beautiful kids and perfect marriage, or is it? On camping trip in Canadian wilderness Sarah husband suddenly disappears. Has he done this before, yes, he has, but he always comes back. The marriage feels toxic now that she looks at from the point of view from strangers and her estranged sister. Is she ready to face what is hiding in her marriage and herself?

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for copy of this book for my honest review.

**Book Review: *Into the Fall* by Tamara L. Miller**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Into the Fall* by Tamara L. Miller is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that draws you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go. Miller’s storytelling is both captivating and poignant, weaving a tale of love, loss, and the complexities of personal growth with such authenticity that you can't help but feel deeply connected to the characters and their journey.

The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery is both relatable and heart-wrenching, as they navigate through life’s challenges, relationships, and the bittersweetness of moving on. Miller does an incredible job of capturing the nuances of emotions, making the characters feel like real, flawed people who are navigating their way through difficult circumstances. The depth and richness of their development are truly remarkable, and their struggles and triumphs are written with a rawness that resonates deeply.

The pacing of the book is perfectly balanced—enough tension to keep you turning the pages while allowing for moments of reflection and emotional depth. Miller’s prose is lyrical, almost poetic, adding to the immersive experience of the novel. The setting, which beautifully mirrors the emotional landscape of the characters, creates a vivid backdrop for the story, enhancing the overall atmosphere and tone.

While the book touches on heavy themes, it also offers moments of hope, redemption, and growth, making it a truly uplifting read despite its challenges. The relationships in the book, especially the emotional ones, are written with such care and honesty that it’s impossible not to be moved by them.

*Into the Fall* is an unforgettable, heartfelt novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Tamara L. Miller has created a masterpiece that beautifully explores life’s ups and downs, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates well-crafted stories filled with emotion, depth, and heart. It’s a five-star read through and through.

Great story! I really enjoyed the setting since I live in Ottawa it was really enjoyable reading the various Canadian locations mentioned in the book. Pulling in nature in a mystery is always fun and can be very intense. Enjoyable read!

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a fairly slow but entertaining thriller. It held my attention throughout while it built up the tension. The characters felt realistic to me and I liked seeing different sides of the case. I thought the ending fizzled out a bit, but the overall story was twisty and atmospheric.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Into the Fall by Tamara L. Miller is a decent thriller with a solid premise and a few tense moments. The atmosphere is well-crafted, adding to the suspense, but the pacing feels uneven at times. Some plot twists are predictable, and the characters could have been more deeply developed. While it’s an entertaining read, it doesn’t fully deliver the intensity I was hoping for. A solid 3 star

3 out of 5 stars! Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC of Into the Fall by Tamara L. Miller.

Although I was sad to be rejected for the audiobook, I'm so glad I got the chance to get this as an eARC instead. I actually enjoyed this book and wonder if the audiobook would've given me the same response. Although the build-up was slow, I promise there was a point to it! Haha. There were times when it was flat for me, but it made up for it.

Overall, it was an easy read, but I can't say that it will stick with me. Hopefully, the audiobook had a different effect than reading it. I do like this author, so I figured it was maybe just not a big hit with me.

I was surprised by how much I did enjoy this book. It’s a gentler sort of mystery; there are lots of twists and turns, but they are not sharp and sudden. They build up slowly, and for me, this was very effective. The story itself is familiar in a lot of ways, and being completely honest, I guessed where the story was going quite early on. But, I did enjoy seeing how it played out.

I thought the characters were well-drawn and the ending really got to me, it was haunting and emotional. I thought the writing in general was very good, very engaging, and for someone who doesn’t normally like flashbacks, I thought they were utilised in this book very well.

I enjoyed reading it a lot, it kept me interested from the beginning. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Missing persons, head injuries, death, death of a loved one, death of a parent, grief.