Andrea Bartz is a great writer with so much potential, but this one pissed me off. It opens with promise as we’re introduced to the protagonist, struggling to come to terms with the untimely death of her fiancée months prior. Initially, I liked Abby and cared about what happened to Eszter, but by the end, I felt totally manipulated, and ultimately like I had wasted my time. This is not a thriller I would recommend, unfortunately, though I remain a fan of this author in general.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I read this book. I found myself being unable to remain focused on the story, although there were multiple twists. I liked the setting of the island, and the idea of meeting a group of new people added to to mystery. I definitely felt concerned about Abby and Eszter's relationship at various times throughout the book, and I was concerned about safety (no spoilers here!) during several parts. The author wrote in a style that reflected the different points of view of characters, so it was a bit longer than I thought it had to be, but it also provided feedback for the reader that you wouldn't get otherwise regarding the mystery that unfolds.

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed The Last Ferry Out more than Bartz's previous two novels (We Were Never Here, the Spare Room). Beautiful setting (tropical paradise) and interesting characters (both locals and expats). Abby decides to visit the island where her fiancée, Eszter, died in a tragic accident, to try and find a sense of closure. Instead, Abby begins to suspect that Eszter's death may not have been an accident after all. After one of her new expat acquaintances disappears, Abby finds herself wading through friends, foes, and the mysteries of the island in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth. But is she herself now at risk, too? The Last Ferry Out is a well-paced thriller that will keep you turning its pages, and layers of twists will keep your head spinning.

Ok, so for the positive... nice cover!

And the rest? Where to begin? As a gay person myself, there was a trigger for "queerphobia" in the book. Where was the "queerphobia"? This white woman bisexual author is so privileged this is queer phobia??? I should have known when i saw this note.

What a BORING story. Lame. Nothing new. Tired. Could have done so much with it. Felt like a lecture on privilege, class, and the environment! Everything felt forced. Like in high school, when you have to fill in pages. This book is already getting mediocre reviews from people who got FREE copies. If I paid for this it would get 1 star.

I was so excited to receive this ARC as I love Andrea’s previous books and this one did not disappoint!

Abby travels to a secluded island where her fiancée, Eszter, tragically passed away, hoping to find the answers surrounding her death. As she befriends expats on the island, details surrounding Eszter’s death start to come out and Abby soon realizes she doesn’t know who she can trust or if she will make it home alive. Andrea is an expert when it comes to the fine details and I could picture the island and characters so vividly.

The book really drew me in as Abby started to learn the real reason behind Abby’s visit to the island and we learned more details of Abby and Eszter’s relationship and I felt a real connection to them.

If you love a book with multiple timelines, multiple points of view, and unexpected twists, then this book is for you!

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine| Ballentine Books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Last Ferry Out is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. Andrea Bartz masterfully crafts a fast-paced, mysterious, and eerie tale that keeps readers on edge.
If you’re looking for a page-turner that keeps you up at night, The Last Ferry Out is an absolute must-read!

Are you ready for a new thriller? Check out The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz. It was a page turner!

This book was so, so good. It was fast paced, mysterious and eerie. I did feel like Abby was a little paranoid and too suspicious from the get go. But I loved the direction this book went in and the twists were fresh and not easily guessed.

4—Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me early access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After losing her fiancé, Eszter, Abby travels to the secluded island where Eszter died, determined to uncover the truth. Convinced that Eszter's family is withholding information, Abby begins her investigation. However, as she digs deeper, she starts to suspect that Eszter's friends on the island may also be hiding secrets. Caught on the island during a storm and without phone service, the truth begins to unfold

The suspense kept me guessing until the end. While it wasn’t my favorite from Bartz, I recommend it to fans of thrillers/Bartz.

I tried my best but I couldn’t connect with this one. I am very appreciative of the ARC, but was so slow and disjointed for me. I know others enjoyed it. It just wasn’t for me.

The Last Ferry Out is so much more than a thriller. The story grabbed my attention from the start, as Abby tries to find out the truth behind her fiancées sudden death, and the ending had me nearly in tears as we learned more about Abby and Eszter's relationship, the sacrifices they each made, and the missing pieces that they did not get a chance to communicate.

Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Wow! Just wow! What a book. I could not stop talking about this book for days after. Just so gripping and suspenseful. Absolutely great! Add it to your TBR lists.

This book was mesmerizing. The beauty in the descriptions was a treat for my minds eye. From the beginning, I was in love with the island and the characters. This was an excellent mystery that will allow you to leave reality for a little while and keep you guessing til the very end, literally.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up. I really appreciate Andrea’s ability to write thrillers where I’m never quite sure what the twist is going to be and where it comes from. Her plot pacing is always excellent. I struggled a bit with this main character but I still enjoyed this & read it in just a couple days.

Andrea Bartz is a master at crafting thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats, and her latest novel, “The Last Ferry Out”, is a perfect example of this! This fast-paced story follows Abby, who is grieving the loss of her fiancé, Eszter. Since Eszter died while on an island, Abby decides to travel there, hoping to find clarity and closure regarding the circumstances of her death. However, Abby's journey opens a Pandora's box of unexpected revelations.

I was completely hooked on this addictive novel! The many twists and turns left my head spinning. In true Andrea Bartz fashion, I was kept guessing until the very end, which I love! “The Last Ferry Out” is a solid, captivating read that deserves a full five stars and will surely enthrall every mystery and thriller fan!

The Last Ferry Out is the first book I have read by Andrea Bartz. The prologue had my attention captured right away. The setting and description of the remote island was fascinating and eerie at times. I found this book to be a slow, steady read. I wasn't exactly staying up all night binge reading because I couldn't put it down, but I was curious to find out where the narrative was going. I found myself slightly bored and wanting to "fast forward" during the flashback chapters. In my opinion the questions and searching for answers dragged on a little too long. The book didn't really pick up for me until I was about 85% finished. However, the answers that we finally did get I didn't find satisfying. There was a plot twist that I didn't see coming in the epilogue and it was probably the best part about the book. Overall, not a bad read, but not my favorite. I would be interested to give another one of Bartz's books a try.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to explore a new author and read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Ballantine Books for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This 320-page hardcover thriller comes out on May 20, 2025, and will be available at major retailers for around $30. Featuring different POVs throughout the book, the story keeps you on your toes from the start.

There was a gripping prologue and a cast of unreliable characters with seemingly hidden agendas and dark pasts. Abby travels to Isla Colel, a remote island a two-hour ferry ride away from mainland Mexico, to unravel the last days of her fiancee who died there four months ago. She talks to the locals and befriends the same group of expats that her fiancee hung out with, but they all seem to be hiding something.

This book was great - until the end. The last 15% or so felt like the author took the teeth out of it and wrecked the ending. At 64%, it was obviously leading us down one path, but then it does a 180 that feels like it doesn’t even belong in the same book.

My review on gmpotter.com is live now, and my YouTube review will be live on 3/13/2025

Andrea Bartz is a stunning writer, and her descriptive prose really shines in this book. I could feel the humidity in the air, smell the seaweed choking the beaches, and sense the tangible grief that underscores the entire story. Few books are able to transplant emotions so vividly—this one had me walking around feeling its weight long after I finished reading.

I also appreciated how the book handled the isolation trope. It’s a familiar setup, but accidentally dropping your phone while hiking? That’s believable. Pair it with an island with limited access to the outside world, and it sets the perfect stage for a gripping plot.

The book explores compelling questions about land ownership, the interesting (and secretive!) friendships among expats, and the overwhelming grief of an unresolved death. These themes added depth to the story, though I wish the characters’ decisions had been explored more thoroughly. The protagonist is refreshingly direct, asking questions and piecing things together without the frustrating hesitation you often see in thrillers. That being said, she falters at the story’s climax—making inexplicable decisions, like going outside repeatedly during a tropical storm. Sit down! Stay inside! You’re not making sense!

Some of the supporting characters felt underdeveloped, even when they had POV chapters. Their decisions lacked the depth and introspection we see from the main character, leaving me wanting more context behind their actions.

At the end of the day, I simply liked this book. While it highlights Bartz’s undeniable writing talent, it didn’t quite resonate with me the way her other works have. It’s a solid story, but compared to her previous books, it feels a bit middle of the road. I wanted to love it and rate it higher, but ultimately, it just didn’t reach that next level for me. Still would recommend, though!

Thank you to: Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books & NetGalley for this ARC ebook by Andrea Bartz
Release date is set for: May 20, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Abby's fiancee dies while visiting a remote island. Abby heads to the island to get closure. While there, she met many friends that her fiancee had met and soon it became clear they were not being honest about her death & now Abby wants answers. She discovers secrets & lies & is determined to get the truth.

This book started out strong & I am sad to say, it then fell flat & was quite slow to me. There was so much about the family history that it was loosing my interest. The plot was good, which I enjoyed, but I just wish the pacing of the book was better & not so slow to get where it was going.

Once again, thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books & NetGalley for this advance ebook copy.

#RandomHousePublishing #BallantineBooks #NetGalley #TheLastFerryOut

What’s better than an island murder mystery? An island murder mystery by Bartz, of course! I love when a book delivers twists I can’t predict, and this book achieved that. Addictive and entertaining!