This is a quick, don’t need to think too hard murder mystery thriller that does the job of entertaining you on a weekend or vacation. I’m not a huge fan of Michallon’s writing style, and I think that’s why I couldn’t rate it higher than 3 stars. She writes in a very simple style that is easy to read but seems formulaic. There’s so many thrillers out there, and this one just didn’t stand out to me.

I was a bit confused going into this one as to how it would all play together. HOWEVER, the twist threw me because I did not see it coming. The author’s ability to tie together the intricacies of the lifestyle of a cult with the beauty of an upscale resort is so well done. It did take me a while to get engrossed in the book but once pulled in I couldn’t get out until I got to the finish line!

🏜️I'd like to extend a gigantic thank you to Clémence Michallon, Knopf, and NetGalley for the chance to read a digital copy of Our Last Resort. I will share my review to Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble upon release.

🏜️This book hooked me right away! Frida & Gabriel, siblings by circumstance, are visiting a resort in the Utah desert, many years after they managed to escape an oppressive cult in which they were raised. Their dreams of relaxation are dashed as they quickly become entangled in a murder mystery involving the young wife of another guest. Questions still swirl around certain elements of Gabriel's past relationships. Frida's hard-earned skepticism (cult leaders lie!) clashes with her loyalty and devotion to Gabriel. Evidence mounts against her brother, and it does seem as though Gabriel may have been involved. How well does she really know him after all?

🏜️A luxury resort in the middle of the desert is an excellent locale for a tense, simmering whodunit. The characters are complex, with backstories balanced against their current events in a really thoughtful way, revealing just enough to keep you enthralled. By the end, I was blown away by how seamlessly the themes of trauma, trust, and survival tied together to push the characters to the brink.

🏜️Perfect for fans of: Liane Moriarty, Mary Kubica, Lisa Jewell, Grady Hendrix, Laura Dave & White Lotus (TV show). In my opinion, a great book club or poolside read - a good combo of plot & emotional depth.

Major Themes & Tropes:

🔍murder mystery
🏜️ desert resort, isolated setting
❤️‍🩹 trauma, healing, survival
👥 found family
🗣 escaping from a cult
💵 class, privilege
🤥 unreliable narrator

4.3/5 stars!

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I was craving a really good thriller when I picked this one up, and honestly, I really enjoyed it. I was hooked from the start and eager to see where the story would go. That said, I wanted much more from the cult timeline. I love books with a culty vibe and find them so fascinating, so I was hoping for a deeper dive into that aspect. None of the twists felt particularly shocking or surprising, but I still had a good time reading it. Not my favorite thriller, but definitely a fun read.

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🔪Psychological thriller
⚫️Cult culture
🔎Murder mystery
🤐Secrets
🌴Isolated setting
🔄Dual timelines

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault.

🔪𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🔪
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E: “𝐼𝓉'𝓈 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒, 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝒹.
𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓇𝓅𝒾𝑜𝓃.”

🙏 Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕

I have recommended Ms. Michallon's debut novel, The Quiet Tenant, to my law clinic and political science students, and, candidly, to just about anyone who loves books, since its publication, for its searing critique of marginalization in our society.

I am pleased to say that Ms. Michallon has done it again. This book is a powerful meditation upon policing, bias, false accusation and its attendant reputational harm, and the depths to which two people will go to protect one another, especially in the context of a traumatic bond. It is also a commentary on the will to survive, and the power of emotional connection in even the darkest hours. Side note: on a personal level, I was born, raised and still reside in the Hudson Valley, so the geographic references were also relatable. Perhaps my only regret is that I picked it up around six last night and was so deeply enthralled that I now need ample caffeine before I teach a Bar Examination review course this afternoon. Fittingly enough, Evidence and Criminal Procedure are on the agenda today.

Clémence Michallon has quickly become one of those authors who is an instant buy, instant "drop everything you're doing and read" for me. The Quiet Tenant was such a powerful debut, but this thriller, in my opinion, was far more tense and terrifying. I'm a sucker for a slow burn and this really kept me on edge, on a horribly tense simmer.

In a stark contrast to the secluded setting of The Quiet Tenant, Our Last Resort takes us on a five-star luxury vacation! Our two main characters, siblings Frida and Gabriel were raised together in a cult, but since their escape, as adults they have drifted apart. Now they are reuniting in what is supposed to be paradise, but the veneer is shattered when a woman at their resort is murdered.


I liked the split timeline; it really helped me get an understanding for the cult. This is more murder mystery than the thriller that was TQT, but it still felt immersive if not as propulsive as I was anticipating due to Michallon's previous work. I really do love a good cult story, and I would have preferred a bit more from that aspect. Overall, this was a gripping journey that I would recommend for someone looking for a vacation/summer mystery.

I had high hopes for this one having been a super fan of Michallon's debut, A QUIET TENANT, but I must say I found this to be wholly disappointing. I kept waiting for something to happen and it just never got off the ground. It almost felt like the author was trying to do ~too much~ at times. She should've picked between the cult plot line and the murder plot line because ultimately they didn't really mesh or have anything to do with each other so we weren't able to dive fully into either. Even what I assume were supposed to be the "twists" of this story were predictable - I think I spotted what was going to ultimately happen within the first quarter of the book.

I felt like AQT was more of a literary thriller and drew the reader in with the chilling twists and turns and suspense of the story, whereas this book almost felt like a cozier murder mystery, perfect for a reader first wading into the thriller genre. I think the general reader will enjoy this, but it wasn't for me.

I loved The Quiet Tenant so I was super excited to read this new book and it did not disappoint. I flew through it. It was definitely a page turner. I love dual timelines and they were intertwined perfectly here. The character development and the tension buildup is also great here!

After loving The Quiet Tenant, I was psyched to dive into Clémence Michallon’s newest thriller, Our Last Resort. It didn’t disappoint! This twisty page-turner delivers everything I crave in a psychological suspense novel: a dual timeline, two chilling murder cases (one cold, one active), a mysterious cult, and a luxurious, remote desert hotel that made me itch for a vacation. What’s not to love?

Michallon balances a slow-burn mystery with fast-paced reveals. The way the past and present unfold in tandem kept me flipping pages late into the night and before my morning alarm. Her characters are flawed, and fascinating, the way I like them! The cult element adds an extra dose of unease and depth, without ever feeling over-the-top.

I loved how the settings, the desert and the Hudson Valley made we want to go for a hike. You feel the tension mounting like heat off the desert sand.

If you’re a fan of smart thrillers with unpredictable twists, female leads, and morally gray territory, this book is a must-read. I didn’t expect the ending! Our Last Resort proves that Michallon isn’t a one-hit wonder she’s a new psychological suspense author to follow!

Once inseparable, Frida and Gabriel now find themselves estranged. They were once close as siblings, having grown up in and escaped a cult together, but drifted apart after a tragedy. They reunite at a remote resort to attempt to reconnect, but a shocking murder throws things into chaos, dredging up old memories for them both.

This was a very deft, well executed suspense novel. It's not an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, but a slower, more contemplative sort of book that slowly unspools. The author does a great job of utilizing differing timelines to give information about Frida and Gabriel's life in the cult, their lives afterwards, and the events currently unfolding at the resort. The ending felt a little bit rushed but the story was nonetheless gripping. I would agree with some other reviewers that it wasn't as strong as the author's previous book (The Quiet Tenant) but still worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Clémence Michallon’s Our Last Resort is a sharp, psychological slow-burn that weaves together a locked-room mystery, the long shadow of cult trauma, and the tangled, often dangerous bond between two people who have only ever had each other to trust—and to fear. Following the success of her chilling debut The Quiet Tenant, Michallon pivots from serial killer terror to a different kind of haunting: the emotional aftermath of a stolen childhood, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried.

Frida and Gabriel arrive at the high-end Ara Hotel in the remote Utah desert hoping to reconnect after years of distance. Once inseparable, they were raised in the same cult, surviving isolation, control, and a charismatic leader whose grip on their childhood still lingers in their bones. Now adults, they’re reunited for what’s meant to be a peaceful getaway. But that plan crumbles when a young woman—vacationing at the same resort with her older, powerful husband—is found dead. Suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, whose name has quietly followed whispers of tragedy before, including the mysterious death of his wife nine years ago.

The novel shifts between timelines with precision and purpose. The present-day murder investigation builds steadily in suspense, while flashbacks to the cult compound unfold in chilling detail. Together, they sketch out a relationship between Frida and Gabriel that’s intimate, messy, and laced with trauma-fueled loyalty. Michallon forces the reader into murky emotional terrain—what does it mean to protect someone? How far can love stretch before it turns into complicity? And what if the person you’ve built your life around has been hiding more than just pain?

This book is less about high-octane twists and more about mounting tension. There are surprises, yes, but it’s the psychological depth that carries the weight here. Michallon excels at atmosphere, whether it’s the sun-scorched stillness of the resort or the claustrophobic world of the cult, where fear masquerades as devotion. The writing is spare and tight, but the emotions behind it cut deep.

Some readers may want more exploration of the cult itself, or feel the pacing lags in places. A few characters outside the main pair don’t get much dimension. But the emotional center—Frida’s increasingly uneasy faith in Gabriel, her reckoning with the past, and the choices she’s forced to make in the present—stays gripping. The final act doesn’t rely on a cheap reveal; it hits because it earns its resolution. The ending leaves you unsettled in all the right ways, questioning how much of anyone we ever really know.

Our Last Resort isn’t a thriller that yells. It whispers. It watches. And it gets under your skin.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC.

An interesting plot that left me wanting more, particularly in the back story of the characters. I felt like so much more could have been developed with the cult years and especially the years that immediately followed. I was left a little disappointed and wanting more of that line and less of the present day storyline. Maybe leaving room for a sequel/prequel? I'd definitely read it. Overall would recommend and worth the read.

This is a gripping page turner, locked room psychological thriller that you will enjoy.

I always enjoy an atmospheric thriller, siblings drama, cult, and secrets. How can you resist that?

This book is tense and you won’t have any spoilers from the author of what will happen, as she delivers the twists and a shocking ending.

Thank you so much to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Clemence Michallon for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The stunning cover drew me in, and the disturbing and intriguing mystery kept me up far too late reading Our Last Resort.

"Siblings" Frida and Gabriel are spending the week at a Utah resorting reconnecting after years apart when a woman is murdered and the pair are pulled into the investigation.

The book's dual timeline allows us to see the past moments that knit Frida and Gabriel together as they grew up on a cult compound in upstate New York, a past full of rules and punishment. Their relationship goes through highs and lows over the years, and the book is ultimately about their bond and the lengths we would go to for the people we love. The present day actions all feel authentic as we grow to understand the things this pair have gone through together, and I found it to be well-written and very compelling.

Book Review: The Last Resort by Clémence Michallon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

The Last Resort is a slow burn, psychological thriller that keeps you hooked. Set in the Utah desert at a fancy hotel, Our Last Resort tells the story of a sibling duo who escaped a cult and end up at a resort where yet another person is found dead.

The writing was intentional with strong character development. I also really enjoyed the dual point of view. This was not a fast paced thriller, instead, the suspense builds gradually, which works well, though it might feel a bit slow for readers expecting constant action.

Overall, The Last Resort is an exciting read. It’s not a typical thriller, but if you like slow-paced suspense with a psychological edge, you will enjoy Clémence Michallon's newest book.

Im really unsure how to characterize this book. I wouldn’t say it was thrilling as much as it was intriguing. The dynamic between our two main characters was extremely unique and captivating. Their history and how they came to be “siblings” was quite the story - arguably more interesting than the whoddunit at the resort/with Annie. It felt like two completely different novels smushed together when they each could have stood strong on their own. They layout of the chapters worked extremely well with how the story unfolds. I am left with quite a few unanswered questions, but overall I had a good time.

This novel has a slow burn vibe that really draws you in once you settle. The dark secrets lurking beneath the luxury resort setting create a tense, eerie atmosphere that I found compelling. While some character moments felt a little thin, the mystery kept me hooked enough to push through. It’s a solid psychological thriller if you don’t mind a story that unfolds gradually. I’d recommend it for fans of mood-driven suspense.
Rating: ★★★☆☆

4⭐️ purely because of the way this one was written

it takes a few chapters to get used to the writing style, but this book QUICKLY had me hooked on a combination of morbid curiosity, dread, and distrust waiting to see how events in both the past and present timelines were going to shake out

in the past, we have two “siblings” growing up in a cult in upstate New York, suffering under the rules set by their cult leader, and slowly realizing they need to get OUT ⚠️ but only having each other to rely on

in the present, we have those same chosen siblings, now adults and mostly-normal members of society, vacationing at a fancy resort to reconnect after they lost touch years ago after the brother was widely suspected of murdering his wife 🤨

but then, a young woman turns up dead at their resort, and they’re both thrown back into the spotlight

the complicated connection between our two MCs was the fire that kept this story burning tbh. they were two messed up kids, who truly had nothing but each other, and you can FEEL that through the pages. even as adults, slightly estranged, they are still the only family they’ve got

when you take these two characters, who have suffered, struggled, and survived against all odds, and drop them into yet another murder mystery, it’s truly impossible to know what (or who) to believe

without the cult sibling element, this would’ve been a pretty average thriller. the ending isn’t even that shocking. but it’s the way that it all builds up to that ending in a way that makes PERFECT sense for the characters that made it so satisfying

*i was so lucky to receive an ARC of this, it comes out july 8! thank you so much to netgalley and Knopf Publishing for the ARC*

Just wow! Another great read by Clemence Michallon! This was intense and intriguing. The characters were brilliant and jumped off the page to grab the unsuspecting reader. All round great read.
Thank you NetGalley, Clemence Michallon and Knopf Boofs for the opportunity to read and review this book.