Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and of course Andrea Bartz for sharing this advance copy with me in exchange for my honest review. The Last Ferry Out will be available May 20th, 2025.

Fun cover! I really thought I was going to get into this one, but I found it to be just... fine? There were absolutely enjoyable parts (island life, right!) but I found the many characters lacking depth - or maybe I just didn't connect to any of them, especially the main character Abby, well enough. Somehow I found it slow, even though many of the chapters ending in dramatic cliff hangers. A little 'meh' I guess.

A solid if slightly slow-burn thriller about Abby, a grieving woman who’s fiancé Eszter has tragically died of a severe allergic attack. The story takes place on a scenic, atmospheric island off the coast of Cancun and centers around a number of expats living on the island who knew Eszter before she died. Abby arrives after Eszter's death, hoping to resolve what happened and move on. The timeline moves back and forth from past to present, offering both Abby and Eszter's POV. With plenty of twists and the usual unpeeling of layers, this is an intriguing, slow-burn story about two women as they explore their identities and learn about secrets they each hold.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to preview The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz in exchange for my honest review. This was my first time reading Bartz; I requested this based on the good reviews of her previous books. The story takes place on a small island off the coast of Cancun with a cast of locals and visitors from around the world (the "expats") following the death of one of the visitors. The main narrator, Abby, travels to Isla Colel to spend time where her fiance, Ezster, recently died after a severe allergic reaction.

I had a hard time connecting with Abby, which made it difficult for me to empathize with her grief. Outside of that one issue, I enjoyed the twists and turns that led Abby to discover what happened on the island and learn more about what Ezster was planning for their future. This isn't the type of thriller where you're constantly guessing what will happen next or unpeeling layers of mystery surrounding previous events. It's overall pretty straightforward events and mistakes that led to Ezster's tragic death.

The Last Ferry Out is a solid read for fans of a good mystery, especially one that takes place in a stunning island locale.

This might be my new favorite by Andrea Bartz! Eszter was on vacation when she suffered an anaphylactic reaction. After the passing of her fiancé, Abby goes to Isla Colel to retrace Eszter’s last few days. She meets a group of expats who knew Eszter and it seems that Abby’s version of events isn’t exactly how things played out. Determined to get to the truth, Abby starts digging a little deeper and finds herself not knowing who she could trust.

I think this was a little nostalgic for me, since I used to travel a lot and meet up with random groups of people and could relate to the fluidity of the lifestyle and the feeling the island gave the expats. I was engaged from the start and the little twists kept me intrigued. I was not able to guess the twists either, but found them plausible, which is something I need in a thriller. While there were a couple things a little far fetched, the pace of the storyline allowed me to overlook those details, though did knock the rating down a tad. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it!

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

3.75 stars

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this book. I enjoyed the story and meeting this cast of characters on this secluded island. The mystery did feel predictable to me (both the red herrings and how it all played out in the end), and the dialogue felt very fake especially in the first half of the book. Overall a fun ride but after loving The Herd by the same author, I was a bit disappointed by this one.

The plot sounded intriguing. It began with a remote island that attracts expats trying to get away from it all. Each of the expats have secrets of their own Of course there’s a death. It’s a remote island. Ezster was found dead in her room. . Was it an accident or was it murder? Abby, Eszter’s fiancé, takes the ferry to the island to get closure by speaking to the other expats. She finds more questions than answers as she talks with the islands inhabitants. . Who can she trust? Why did Ezster select this particular island to regroup? Was there a deadly secret that Ezster was keeping from Abby? The plot comes together at the end with a bit of a surprising twist. It took too long to get there.

The Last Ferry Out was just a 3.5 read for me. Nothing spectacular. A slow start that began to pick up the pace as pieces fell together

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The timeline of this story moves back and forth from past to present, offering multiple POVs- Abby and Eszter’s. The book was decent, with plenty of twists, but the pacing was too slow for my liking.

I did love the character development and the “who done it” aspect. Unfortunately I wasn’t a big fan of Abby; I never felt connected to her.

Although there were twists, none of them floored me. The twist that revealed what happened to Eszter fell flat for me. Overall, this was not a book I’d read again. 2.5⭐️

This is the first book I have read by Andrea Bartz. Honestly, I don’t know if I will try another. This just falls flat. The plot sounded interesting, however the characters were simply boring and whiny. By the end, which I struggled to reach, I didn’t really care what happened on the island to any of them.

Abby's fiance has died on a small Mexican island from a food allergy. Abby travels to the island to try and find answers from the locals about Eszter's death and closure for herself. Once there, she meets an eclectic group of ex-pats who all appear to have something to hide and who all befriended Eszter. As the days go by, Abby is putting together clues that not only did Eszter lie to her about her time on the island and her intentions there but that the locals know something about her death that they are not sharing.

I found the first part of the book a bit slow going. There were too many pages devoted to Abby's crying and despondency about losing her fiance. Once the clues starting adding up, this became a fast-paced mystery with a surprise ending. Chapters switch back and forth between Abby and Eszter as well as change time periods; from "before Eszter's death to Abby's investigation. The tropical location is well depicted.

In The Last Ferry Out, Abby is visiting Isla Colel, off the coast of Mexico near Cancun, where her fiancé Eszter spent her last weeks before her sudden death due to an allergic reaction. Abby is retracing Eszter's steps in an attempt to understand both her sudden death and to cope with her tragic death by getting closer to those who were with Eszter in her last days, a group of expats who call the small island home. As Abby works to piece the puzzle together, she is able to also process and mourn Eszter's death.
I saw another reviewer for this book call this an uneven thriller, and I certainly agree. As I read the book, I kept waiting for the "thriller" part to happen. The plot never really seemed to jive with me as a thriller and nothing felt particularly mysterious either. Both Abby and Eszter are young women who appear to be struggling to understand themselves and for me this book was more about them exploring their identities, and for Abby to learn to move on from her grief over the loss of Eszter. There's a brief scene towards the last 1/4 of the book that is tense and involves some physical danger, but not enough to merit calling this a thriller, in my opinion. Overall, I just felt like this book didn't quite understand what it wanted to be, and it left me confused as a reader. The writing was just fine, and I did read the whole book fairly quickly, but it wasn't my favorite, nor do I think it will be particularly memorable. It was fine.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

ARC Review: The Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz

Andrea Bartz once again proves her mastery of the psychological thriller with The Ferry Out, a chilling and atmospheric novel that grips readers from the very first page. This is a story of grief, obsession, and the eerie isolation of paradise turned prison.

Abby’s journey to Isla Colel is meant to bring closure, but instead, it unravels a sinister mystery that refuses to stay buried. Bartz crafts an intoxicating setting—a hurricane-ravaged island with a dwindling population and a ferry that barely runs—heightening the novel’s claustrophobic tension. The island, much like its inhabitants, is steeped in secrets, and every interaction brims with unease. The expats Abby befriends are alluring yet unnervingly indifferent, and as she digs deeper into Eszter’s death, the creeping paranoia seeps into every page.

Bartz excels in creating a protagonist who is both determined and vulnerable. Abby’s grief feels raw and palpable, making her desperate need for answers all the more compelling. As the mystery deepens, so does the danger, and Bartz expertly unspools suspense with a steady hand, leading to shocking twists that will leave readers breathless.

With its evocative setting, a tightly wound plot, and a slow-burn sense of dread that crescendos into a thrilling climax, The Ferry Out is a must-read for fans of twisty, immersive thrillers. Bartz delivers another page-turner that lingers long after the final chapter, proving once again why she’s a powerhouse in the genre.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Abby travels to Isla Colel to gain closure following the death of her fiancée, Eszter. But Abby soon discovers Eszter had not been completely truthful about why she was on the island and her life. Desperate to unearth the truth, Abby digs deeper into Eszter’s visit to the island and the expats that came across her.

I love Bartz’s writing and there was potential in the plot, but throughout the book I never felt a burning suspense or urgency… from the writing or the characters. I also loved the atmospheric setting of Isla Colel; from the beaches to the cuisine to the expats, it was all fantastic. Could literally feel the ocean breeze on my face.

Unfortunately, I was waiting for the ‘AHA’ moment, once it was revealed what truly happened to Eszter, but for me it fell flat. No ‘twist’ shocked me. For everyone on the island being a suspect, any fear that was meant to be felt by the reader did not translate. I wanted to like Abby, but I really did not feel a connection to her; you’d think after losing her fiancée it would be palpable, but I was unable to garnish any sympathy. The pace was slow, picking up towards the middle-end; I think I wanted more shock and awe and this just didn’t give it to me.

Bartz presents a captivating thriller that lingers in your mind long after you've finished it. If you enjoy a narrative filled with suspense and surprises, this book is essential reading!

SYNOPSIS: When Abby steps foot on Isla Colel, she isn’t sure what—if anything—she’ll find. She only knows that she needs to see the place where her fiancée, Eszter, died to try and make sense of the tragic accident. The island is nothing like Abby expected: Though it was once a bustling tourist hub, a hurricane has left it a shell of its former self, with only a handful of residents remaining. Even the once-daily ferry to the mainland now runs every week or so. There, Abby befriends an alluring group of expats, but her sense of unease surges when one of them says he knows the truth about Eszter’s final days. Before he can tell her more, though, he vanishes from the island. Hours turn to days with no sign of him, and the others are chillingly cavalier about his disappearance. As her quest for the truth unearths dark secrets, shady pasts, and a web of lies, Abby grows more determined than ever to find out what happened to the love of her life. And the deeper she gets in the close-knit expat community, the more she suspects that one of them is Eszter’s killer—and will do anything to keep the truth buried. But will Abby discover who it is before she becomes the island’s next victim?

The setting of this book is gorgeous, and I felt like the plot was suspenseful and kept me interested the whole way through. I did find the characters a little unlikable, and there was some predictability with the story, but overall I enjoyed this read. I'll definitely keep an eye out for more books by Bartz!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Abby visits the remote island of Isla Colel, where her fiance, Eszter, spent her last days before her death. But nothing is what she imagined. The island is isolated and almost deserted, far from the vibrant tourist spot she imagined. Even the ferry now has reduced hours, not running every day. Abby meets a group of expats on the island and one of them seems to know more about Eszter's final days, but then he disappears.

I thoroughly enjoyed the setting in this one and the isolated remote island and the mystery around Eszter certainly kept the pages turning. While I didn't connect with the characters in this one as much, I will read anything this author writes and look forward to her next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this gifted review copy.

Abby comes to Isla Colel for answers. This tiny island a ferry ride from Cancun is where her fiancé Ezster suddenly died a few months previously and Abby has more questions than answers surrounding Ezster's death.

Along the way she meets the group of Ex-Pats that Ezster befriended including Amari, a beautiful gay artist, Brady from Australia and Pedro who will do anything he can to protect the nature and wildlife of this remote Island along with Rita who arrived after Ezster died along with . She knows that someone can shed light on what happened to Ezster, but in finding out - will she become the next casualty?

The book goes back and forth from before Ezster's death to Abby's dealing with it months later and along the way, you do have to read very carefully to pick up the clues, but although it was meandering, it was also engrossing and kept me coming back. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to reach this Advance Reader copy.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC of The Last Ferry Out. This is my first book by Andrea Bartz. The book takes place in a remote island in Mexico where Abby’s fiancé mysteriously died. Abby travels back to the island to try and understand what happened and she meets several expats who live there. The pace of the book was slow until just over halfway. Things quickly picked up pace and kept me interested until the end which had several surprises. Not my favorite book of 2025.

This suspenseful thriller contains some plot points that feel slightly contrived, but the overall tension makes it an adequate read for mystery lovers. Not the greatest or most original storyline, and it should have been designated as LGBT. 3/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advance copy.

I couldn’t put down The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz—I devoured it in one sitting! The eerie, tropical setting of Isla Colel combined with the layers of secrets and lies had me completely hooked from the first page to the last. Abby’s journey to uncover the truth about Eszter’s death is full of twists, suspense, and emotional depth, and I genuinely didn’t see the ending coming.

Andrea Bartz delivers another gripping thriller that’s impossible to forget. If you love a story that keeps you guessing, this one is a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Last Ferry Out.

The author is hit or miss for me, but I like her writing. I didn't know if NetGalley would approve my request but I'm grateful they did.

The premise isn't original; when her beloved fiancee, Eszter, dies of an allergic reaction a few months ago, Abby feels she can only find closure if she visits the island where she died.

But Abby soon discovers Eszter had not been entirely truthful about her life and Abby suspects her secrets may have led to her untimely death.

I like how the author describes Isla Colel, the locals, the cuisine, the relaxed vibe and atmosphere, the rocky shores and dangerous coastline.

But readers can't live on descriptions alone.

There's little to no suspense or urgency with typical tropes that include Abby thinking she's being followed and all the expats hiding something so naturally, they're all suspects.

There's unnecessary chapters from the POV of the landlady and ex-pats that read as filler and make a narrative already 100 pages too long even longer.

These additional sidebars don't add anything to the narrative.

That goes for the flashbacks into how Abby and Eszter got together and the latter's rocky relationship with her hard-working immigrant parents.

I didn't like Abby, nor did I dislike her; in fact, she seemed a bit naive and immature despite her tumultuous upbringing. You'd think she'd be more street smart.

The twist, if you can call it that, is anti-climatic and a letdown after the slow pace, lack of suspense and unmemorable supporting characters.