I have to admit that I am most likely not the desired audience for this particular book, as I am not generally a fan of cult books or vacation trailers, and this is both of those, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I only picked this up because I really liked clemency’s last book, it was probably my favorite read of that year, so I was willing to take a chance on those tropes because I wanted to have faith, the authors, writing abilities, but unfortunately, I was disappointed in the end.

I find myself gravitating towards the literary thriller more than the typical beach read thriller, I’d prefer that very well written kinds with cleverly crafted characters and a mystery that makes sense and with an ending that is not too insanely unrealistic. I ended up being pretty disappointed with this one, especially as a follow-up to what felt like an excellent debut, the quiet tenant was filled with dread and tension that kept you turning the pages, even as you feared what you would find. Our last resort is much more of a typical beach read, in fact, I really felt that so many elements of this book paled in comparison to the quiet tenant. It almost made me wonder how it could possibly be the same author. Our last resort south elementary and someone juvenile and nothing about it felt realistic, it’s one of those fillets that is so outlandish that it’s not even mysterious, because nothing about it it’s some thing you might guess I figure out as you read, because so much is just out of left field. It’s not really a “thriller“ when you just throw a bunch of weird stuff into the blender and blend it up, I like my mysteries and thrillers to have a cohesive and natural storyline, that in the end comes together in a way that makes sense.

I was very disappointed in this, considering I was looking forward to it very much, but I liked the quiet tenant enough to be willing to overlook this one and try again, let’s just hope she chooses a trope that is better suited for her writing style

Clémence Michallon follows up her gripping debut, The Quiet Tenant, with Our Last Resort, a suspenseful psychological thriller set in a stunning yet isolating luxury resort in Escalante, Utah. The story revolves around estranged siblings Frida and Gabriel, who come together to try to fix their broken relationship after a shared tragedy. Their efforts hit a snag when a young woman on vacation with her much older, powerful husband is found murdered at the resort. Suddenly, they’re caught up not just in the investigation, but also in the messy fallout from their childhood spent in a cult led by a controlling figure.

Michallon’s writing is tight and engaging, mixing deep psychological themes with an increasing sense of discomfort. The alternating timelines keep you guessing as Frida and Gabriel confront their troubling past. The desert heat adds to the brewing tension, turning the luxury resort from a getaway into a creepy trap.

What makes Our Last Resort stand out is its focus on trauma and survival, especially through Frida, who's determined yet deeply affected by her past. As the plot races toward its shocking conclusion, Michallon throws in twist after twist, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. This slow-burn suspense story showcases her talent in the thriller world, making it a must-read for fans of authors like Gillian Flynn and Lucy Foley. It's a psychological thriller that sticks with you long after you close the book.

Gripping and suspenseful. There's both past and present timelines and that really enhanced the story to me. There is cult indoctrination, so being aware of that.

I couldnt get into this it was weird the brother and sister dynamic and the cult stuff wasn't very interesting, disappointed since her last book was so good

Our last resort was such an amazing read. Living in NY myself I'm always into books with NY ties. Thank you for letting me read this in advance.

Clemence Michallon has officially cemented her place as one of the most compelling voices in the thriller genre with Our Last Resort. After The Quiet Tenant—one of my favorite thrillers of all time—I wondered how she’d follow up such a powerful debut. The answer? With a stunning, propulsive novel that avoids the dreaded sophomore slump entirely. This book is phenomenal.

Our Last Resort is a masterclass in tension, atmosphere, and layered storytelling. Michallon expertly weaves together past and present, unraveling the complex bond between estranged siblings Frida and Gabriel. What starts as an attempt to reconnect at a luxe desert resort quickly spirals into something far darker when a young woman is found murdered, and the resort is thrust into lockdown. Suddenly, the idyllic escape turns claustrophobic, dredging up painful memories from their shared past—one rooted in a cloistered cult and an escape that shaped their lives forever.

The dual timelines are seamless, with each chapter peeling back another layer of secrets and trauma. The slow burn of the cult backstory adds incredible depth, while the present-day mystery keeps the stakes sky-high. It’s sharp, intense, and atmospheric, with characters so vividly drawn they practically step off the page. Michallon doesn’t just craft a thriller; she builds an experience—one that’s haunting, gripping, and impossible to look away from.

This is storytelling at its finest: taut, character-driven, and brimming with tension that doesn’t let up until the final reveal. If The Quiet Tenant made you a fan, Our Last Resort will seal the deal. Clemence Michallon isn’t just a standout author—she’s a force.

I loved Clemence Michallon's previous novel "The Quiet Tenant," so I was very excited to get my hands on her newest novel. There are many great pieces of this work. We have cults, a secluded resort in the desert, and the murder of one of the guests. These sound like great ingredients to a recipe, but unfortunately the book fell flat. The first 30% did hook me as we have both the past (the 2 main characters growing up in a cult) and the present (both of them at the resort). The writing felt a little lackluster as it was a lot of telling rather than showing. I would consider this a slow-burn mystery, as it did not feel as thrilling as it should have. There were also parts in the story that seemed important, but then were not brought up again or actually mattered to the story. Also pretty predictable as there weren't many "suspects" to choose from. I just had so much hope for this novel but it did not give me the thriller I was expecting.

This was a great and quick read that kept my attention throughout. I am not always a fan of books that alternate between one or more time periods but it did not feel disjointed here. It was a necessary tool to move the plot forward and provide insight to the two main characters. I was surprised with the way the book ended but not in a way that frustrated me (as often happens) because a plot twist was introduced just to shock the reader. After thinking back to earlier chapters, the information was there but I didn't put it all together. This is what I'm always hoping for in a mystery.

From one book about a cult and the desert and past trauma to another… sometimes my books just end up pairing up like that, it’s weird.

I had really liked this author’s debut, so was glad I could get this ARC from NetGalley.

Gabriel and Frida spent their childhoods in a cult and they’ve reunited at a desert resort, where a fellow guest is murdered. I really enjoyed this. Super fast, easy read, interesting story… my kind of beach read.

Our Last Resort is the story of Frida and Gabriel. The two of them grew up in a cult. They were incredibly sheltered from the outside world and dealt with harsh punishments inside of their "family". When they turn 18, they realize that they need to get out. Frida and Gabriel take drastic measures and then hop a train far away from the commune. They have to build their lives completely from scratch. Through it all, they remain close. A vacation brings them together but the time is marred by the murder of one of the resort guests. Frida and Gabriel become persons of interest and have to figure out what really happened.

I really enjoyed the dual timelines in Our Last Resort. I found the flashbacks to the time being in the cult to be the most interesting part of the story. I had a harder time connecting with the main characters in the present day for some reason. And despite being one of the main characters, I really didn't feel like Gabriel added a ton to the story. He almost seemed to just be a shadow of Frida. Melting into the background and rather forgettable. The story didn't necessarily have HUGE twists and turns (although the ending did get me!) but it was a captivating read. I would give a solid 3.5 stars but feel comfortable rounding to 4 :)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent. I literally read this in one day and into the night. I’ll have to try Clemence Michallon’s earlier book.

Fast paced and easy read!
Frida and Gabriel are brother and sister. They found each other while being raised in a cult. They formed an unbreakable bond. As they grew up and escaped the cult, they bonded together in the real world. They learned about life while living in NYC. The story goes between their time in the cult and the current day murder investigation they are a part of. Some of the twists you see coming. Overall, a good read!

This was a really fast easy read. The dual timelines were done really well and drove the story forward in a meaningful way. I loved the cult elements and thought that it provided a significant backstory and understanding for the two main characters. I enjoyed the relationship between Frida and Gabriel. I did think that the resolution of the primary "mystery' was a little rushed. The twist elements were surprising and well done. This was a good read though I did want a little more development in regards to the murder that was driving the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Frida and her brother Gabriel were born and grew up in a cult. Now they are adults who have drifted apart. Currently, they are trying to reconnect at a luxurious resort in Utah. Sounds nice right? Well, it was for about five minutes. Until a guest is found dead… Murdered, and Frida and Gabriel are soon under suspicion
Told by Frida in the past and in the present. We learned what it was like growing up, and never being exposed to the outside world. In the present, Frida starts to wonder what Gabriel might have done, and their once unshakable bond may not survive this murder.
I thought I made a pretty good guess regarding who was guilty. I got half right, but wound up totally wrong on where the author was headed.
This book was quite different than The Quiet Tenant.I think you’d be best to put that idea right out of your head.😁

I loved “The Quiet Tenant” so much that I signed up to read this with no idea what the plot was about. This author HOOKS ME every time. I could not put this book down. I was immediately and totally invested. It was such a great story, the characters were good, the plot flowed well between alternate time lines. I actually don’t have any complaints.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC! This will be out in July of 2025.

A super fast read again, which I love, but fell a bit flat after her first book. This one didn't really have much to it. Obviously it kept my attention just wanted more to it.

I simply could not put this thriller down. This was my first experience with Michallon, but it certainly won’t be my last. I loved the alternating timelines and learning about Frida and Gabriel’s tragic cult upbringing. The ending was superb!

"Here's the truth about committing murder: There are no perfect crimes. Only lucky ones. Only a hundred cursed stars aligning just so."

Follows a dual timeline of Frida growing up in a cult with her brother and of the present timeline where someone was dead in the resort they were staying in.

This book was so bingeable and page-turner, that I can read it in one-sitting. But I did not.

I don't really classify this as a thriller because it's not exactly thrilling, but more of a murder mystery.

I do love reading about fictional cults and I was so intrigued by this plot that it kept me going, it gave me the ick and my heart broke for the main characters and what they went through.

HOWEVERRRR

The present timeline was a bit stagnant imo. I didn't really care for what happened or who was murdered, or whatever, but I was curious as who did it.

There's a lot of internal monologues which is not a favorite of mine, so I guess that kinda took my reading experience down, but overall it was okay read. I still love The Quiet Tenant compared to this.

Thank you to NetGalley for this book!

This was such an incredible book, that I stayed home all day, and devoured the whole thing! Finished it just as the sun set!
Loved the light mystery, the theme of surviving a childhood raised in a cult. Truly felt the author did a phenomenal job explaining unusual family ties, and the sacrifice we make for our chosen family.
Highly recommend, and can't wait for this authors next work!

3.5 stars, rounded down for goodreads. I think I had high expectations for this one, because I LOVED the Quiet Tenant so much. This one just didn’t measure up for me.

We follow Frida & Gabriel in past and present… their growing up in a cult together and their vacation at a hotel in Utah, where a fellow guest turns up dead. I felt this was a quick read, but it was just so predictable. Some of the plot points were just so random… the coyotes? And I felt like I had a lot of unanswered questions… the whole trip was to discuss a documentary that was rarely mentioned, what came of the cult… I don’t know. this was just not it for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review