Ah, <I>The Last Ferry Out</I>. You could have been good. But you weren’t, though.

So why didn’t this work?

One might be tempted to blame the slow beginning, but the story does pick up considerably around the 25% mark. Just enough of me wanted to keep reading; to figure out what was happening, that it wasn’t a chore. It didn’t take me a million years.

No, the major snag was a lot more basic than that. Even early on, I remember thinking that Abby’s plight, her grief for her dead fiancee, should have been incredibly affecting. So why wasn’t it? Well, perhaps it was because I could not bring myself to like or care about Abby.

The narrative shills her as a bright, friendly extrovert. What we get on the page instead is neurotic, controlling, and jumping at any conclusion dangled in front of her. For someone, again, shilled as smart and methodical, Abby in action proved not very bright.

One might argue that grief brings out the worst in everyone and we simply meet Abby at a bad time. But why shill her better traits, if we never see them in action. In a battle of telling vs. showing, showing will always win.

Moreover, the way she behaves toward and thinks about Eszter is so freaking condescending 100% of the time, I was cheering for a twist where Eszter faked her death just to get away from her. Shame that’s not what happened. She also proved jealous to the point of volatility and boy were her priorities out of wack. So your fiancee kept some secrets from you before her death. So what? She’s freaking dead. Maybe refocus on that, eh? And even living people are allowed boundaries! Yes, that includes not telling you everything! That she immediately jumps to assuming Eszter was cheating on her speaks more to Abby than to Eszter. As for the reveals of what Eszter was up to? Honey, it’s not like she was brewing meth in your basement and using your credit cards to do it. Get over yourself.

To Bartz’s credit, she does have Abby realize she’s been a massive tool by the end, but by that point, I’ve had to spend a whole book with her being a massive tool. Hell, the whole climax wouldn’t have even happened if Abby hadn’t jumped to conclusions and acted like a rash dumbass.

The supporting characters were better. I did, in fact, like Eszter a fair bit, what little we saw of her in flashbacks. She felt like a far more complex and interesting person than Abby, stuck between a controlling family, a fiancee who was, honestly, just as controlling, and a laudable if questionable desire to love them both anyway. The expats weren’t as well developed, but they were just interesting enough to serve as a somewhat colorful bunch of suspects and red herrings.

The prose was occasionally nice and actually quite vivid in its descriptions of the island. Unfortunately it also had a tendency toward convoluted metaphors, especially every time someone suffered a heart palpitation or two. Every. Damn. Time.

Then there was the ending. First let’s talk about the extremely pat, tacked-on moral. Blah, blah, blah, rat race bad. Blah, blah, blah. I thought I had more to say, but honestly, it was just trite. And then, there was the final reveal. Sure, it answered some unanswered questions, but it was poorly foreshadowed and came out of nowhere. I’m not quite qualified to say whether it hovers over the racist line or plunges right over it. I am qualified to say that it was stupid. Not helped by the fact that Abby didn’t even figure it out. No, we needed a culprit-POV chapter to learn what actually happened.

There were just enough smatterings of promise and good bits that I will give <I>The Last Ferry Out</I> two stars rather than one. But it’s not what I would call a good effort.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.

THE LAST FERRY OUT by Andrea Bartz was a thrill ride from start to finish.

Four months ago, Abby’s fiancé, Eszter, died from an apparent allergic reaction while on Isla Colel, a once bustling tourist destination in the Mexican rainforest that was decimated by a hurricane. Even the ferry to the island now only runs every week or so. Abby decides she needs to visit the place where Eszter died and learn about the investigation. Just prior to death, Eszter sent Abby a six word text that she is trying to unravel.

When she gets to the island, she meets a group of residents who are all there for their own reasons. When one of the Group tells Abby that he knows what happened to Eszter and wants to tell her the truth about it, he also goes missing. As Abby attempts to find the truth she also encounters the dismissive attitude of the rest of the Group regarding Bradley‘s disappearance. How could he have gotten off the island when the ferry is not running? As she searches for answers, the truth slowly unfolds and possibly devastating secrets are revealed about her relationship.

I really enjoyed this one. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I could feel the ocean spray hitting the rocks and the tension ratcheting up as Abby searched for answers. The writing was clear and concise which led to a very enjoyable read. It was one of those ‘one more chapter’ books that had me reading well past my bedtime. This is my first Andrea Bartz book, but she will be an author I follow and watch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

Abby has travelled to a remote island to seek answers concerning her late husband’s mysterious death. Whilst there she befriends an interesting group of expats, things aren’t really going as planned and when extreme weather leaves them stranded things go from bad to worse.

Think tense moody unsettling atmosphere with a picturesque setting,secrets and surprises and a potential killer on the loose.

I understand the desperate desire Abby has to gain information and knowledge, if I was told my husband was dead but didn’t have any answers as to how or why I would definitely lose my mind. Her stubbornness does lead to some questionable decision making but who are we to judge someone in that situation.

I loved the island setting, the sensation of being trapped and isolated is always one that gives me a rush when reading.

This is a good choice for a moody summer read either on a sunny day or overcast weather, both will do nicely 😆

I want to thank the Author Andrea for gifting me a copy of this book, I had a fun time reading and can’t wait to see what you release next!

OK this book was a little eerie, tense and it kept me on my toes! I actually really enjoyed it. It was a slow burn, but it kept me interested! Thank you NetGalley for my ARC!

This twisty mystery, told via dual POV, had me suspicious of every character right out of the gate. Abby travels to a remote island off of Mexico in order to feel closer to her fiancé Eszter after her untimely death. While there, she meets a group of friends that she thinks will help her come to terms with Eszter’s death. However, all they do is heighten her concerns about their relationship and ultimately what really happened to Eszter. Abby’s spiral into the story really causes the reader to question everything, the setting only enhances that, and the fact that there’s only one way off the island really makes for some paranoia. It was a good read that held my attention!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC,
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was unique and kept me glued to it. The story was interesting and the protagonist did a great job in her own investigations to solve what happened to her fiance. While somewhat far fetched, it still kept me interested and wanting to find out what is next..
The only gripe I have with this book, why are there so many books now that have to have a gay/lesbian couple these days. While I love a great mystery, authors having to "shove" that in our face all the time gets tiring and annoying.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Abby has been unmoored by the unexpected death of her fiance, Eszter, who was on a solo trip to a remote island when she died of an apparent allergic reaction. Having suffered from severe allergies her entire life, Eszter was always careful. Abby doesn't understand how it could've happened and is unable to move past her many questions.

As the days pass, Abby decides she is going to need to go there, to Isla Colel, to the place where Eszter died. Perhaps there, she'll finally be able to find some closure. Upon arrival though, the island isn't quite what she expected. Once a bustling tourist destination, a hurricane decimated the island a few years back, and only a few hearty locals and expats remain. With ferry service sporadic, at best, it's about as remote a location as you can get, but Abby slowly begins to understand the pull it has on people.

She ends up locating a small group of expats who she believes hung out with Eszter in her last days; recognizing them from a photo Eszter had shared with her. Abby introduces herself and becomes friendly with them, gently pushing for information when she can. When one of the men, who seemed to have something he really wanted to tell Abby, ends up disappearing before he can, Abby grows suspicious. Is this some sort of cover-up? Is there more to Eszter's death than what's she been told?

We follow Abby as her quest for the truth reveals lies and dangers around every turn. Will she find out what happened to Eszter, or will she become another victim of the island?

This is a compelling Travel Thriller. I was drawn in from the start. I loved the small island setting, and our MC, Abby. Abby is an easy protagonist to get behind. By the time she reaches the island, she's practically bubbling over with questions, so when she ends up meeting the expats, she's quite forthright about her reason for being there. I appreciated how open she was about everything. It made me actually care about her getting the answers. I also liked how smart and determined she was.

I was surprised when we ended up getting short stints of other perspectives in addition to Abby's. They were fun though and ended up adding a lot to the overall puzzle. The biggest was Eszter's, who we get to follow during her time on the island. Eszter was harder to figure out than Abby. She wasn't as straight forward with her feelings and intentions, and I felt like I had as many questions as Abby regarding Eszter.

The small group of expats were also very mysterious. There was something almost cultish about the vibes they were giving off. They seemed so obsessed with the island, but did seem happy enough to bring Abby along to explore it. As stranger things started happening, I was so ready for Abby to pack her bags and go. It does feel dangerous. You don't know why, but you know something is off.

Then inclement weather sweeps in, as it does, and Abby is unable to leave the island, even if she wanted to. I liked how the author increased the intensity towards the end by using the weather issue to work against our protagonist.

It did have a slight lull for me around the mid-way point, where I was getting a little bored, but she definitely bounced back, and the concluding portion was absolutely gripping; featuring twist-after-demented-twist. Overall, I had a fun time reading this. I thought Bartz did a fabulous job with the setting, the use of the inclement weather, and with the cast of untrustworthy characters.

I definitely recommend this to Readers looking for a strong Travel Thriller to add to their Summer TBR. This one should definitely keep you guessing. Thank you to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Of course, I'm looking forward to more from Andrea Bartz!!

When Abby’s finance, Eszter, takes a trip to a small, secluded island off of Mexico’s coast, things don’t quite go to plan. Before Abby was able to travel to join her, she gets a call that Eszter has died. Months later, searching for answers, Abby takes a trip of her own to the island. A twisty tale full of characters who can’t be trusted that will leave wondering if Abby will make it off the island alive.

Another well written novel by Bartz, but unfortunately this one let me down a bit at the end. This one left me wishing I was on the beach watching the sunset with friends while trying to slowly piece together the mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC of The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz. Abby’s girlfriend has died on a small Mexican Island. Abby cannot move on with her life as she loved Eszter very much. Eszter’s family wouldn’t even let Abby go to the funeral, as they didn’t approve of their relationship. So, Abby decides to visit the island where Eszter died and get some answers for herself. Abby befriends the group of Expats that live on the Island. The more she connects with them, the more she has a sense of unease. What really happened to Eszter. I really liked the atmosphere of this book, a small isolated island that you can only get to by ferry. It was definitely a slow burn thriller. However, I felt it was a bit too long, and there were some twists and turns that never really went anywhere. 3.5 stars

There was no big bang to draw me in so I was worried about sticking with it. It alternates between now and then with now being so much more engaging. The old hotel on top of the hill was very intriguing. Everyone has secrets on the island so very unclear on who may have been involved. The final reveal was a doozy. Was worth sticking with..

Oof—this one quickly pulled me in! I mean - a remote island, a dead fiancée, and secrets lurking in every corner? Umm, yes please!

Months after her fiancée Eszter dies from a severe allergic reaction, Abby travels to Isla Colel, the quiet little island where Eszter spent her final days. Abby wants to walk the same path as Eszter and hopes to find people Eszter interacted with.

Because it just doesn’t add up…Eszter was always SO careful about what she ate. It doesn’t make sense that Eszter consumed something she shouldn’t have and it especially doesn’t make sense she wouldn’t have immediate access to her epi-pen. So Abby is determined to find answers and won’t stop to get them.

But what she finds is a hurricane devastated island leaving little opportunities for the locals, a group of expats with a little too much history and who seem to be holding each other’s secrets, and someone who hints that maybe Eszter’s death wasn’t an accident after all.

When that person disappears, Abby’s grief takes a back seat as she realizes she doesn’t know anything about the people she’s been talking to. They originally seemed willing to help Abby find answers but now things begin to feel more sinister especially when Abby finds evidence of someone breaking into her room.

With the last ferry off the island just days away, Abby starts to question who she can trust—and how far someone might go to keep the truth buried.

Thank you NetGalley, Andrea Bartz, and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to consume this thrilling four star read in exchange for a review! I can’t wait for Andrea Bartz’s next thriller!

This was a very slow moving book without a whole lot going on. While I enjoyed it in the end, I didn’t feel like it made me excited to pick it up each time I but it down.

I enjoyed this suspenseful read up until the ending. Abby’s finance Ezther dies of an apparent anaphylactic reaction while on a secluded island. When Abby heads there for answers so befriends Ezther’s group of expat friends. But were they her friends or are some of them susupexte as Abby tries to uncover what really happened. I found myself engrossed in the page turning story but I felt like the ending didn’t make sense for these characters. A good quick thriller read for summer.

I've been going through a reading slump, even with books/authors I normally read in a day, for a couple of months now. With this book, I was curious from the first chapter.

Set on an isolated island, Abby travels to understand more around the passing of her fiancée Eszter. No one can be trusted, and she finds that's even the case for Eszter as she digs... it's moderately paced and keeps you guessing about who and what!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for a review copy.

A story of love and loss, and of finding oneself. A young traveler dies while on a remote island. The fiancé goes to the island to make peace with what happened only to find a unique expat community and begins to wonder if all is what it appears to be. Thanks to NetGalley for the read!

While I was not immediately connected, or drawn in to the character, I grew to enjoy it. A solid suspence/mystery

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher's The Last Ferry Out and Andrea Bartz for the opportunity to listen to and review this book!

I thought the plot and story line sounded interesting. A definite slow burn, I kept thinking something more was going to happen. And, throughout the read I kept thinking, I wish it would have taken different directions and explored the wonderful possibilities and scenario's a woman trapped on an island could have encountered and endured. Predictable but enjoyable. I was left wishing it was more than it was. Still 3 stars.

"The Last Ferry Out" gets you pretty invested right from the start.

I felt like Andrea Bartz did a good job of creating a captivating setting. However, it was definitely a slow burn-type of thriller and that made it harder to continue to care at times. I felt as though the side characters weren't very likable either.

All in all, I feel like readers will enjoy it, particularly if they are a fan of remote settings with mysterious deaths.

Thank you to Ballantine for selecting me for this ARC.

Abby finds herself traveling to Isla Colel to see where her fiancée Eszter tragically died, and try to better understand what lead up to her death. The island has become a shell of its once tourist filled self, but maintains some devoted locals and expats. Abby finds herself drawn to this group of expats whom Eszter had also become friendly with during her stay. One of the members mentions to Abby that he knows the truth about Eszter's last days, but mysteriously disappears overnight before he can tell her more. As Abby's time on the island passes, she discovers more secrets in the groups past, and suspects someone was involved with Eszter's death.

This book was an ok one for me. The beginning was a bit slow for my taste, so it took me a while to even get into the story. I did enjoy the multiple perspectives, but the different timelines sometimes felt unnecessary to the main story. The thriller aspects of the the story did feel a bit lacking throughout and the twist wasn't as riveting as I was hoping it would be. But, there is an interesting layer throughout the story around relationships and dealing with loss and grief that I didn't consider until after I was finished and thought about it less as a thriller.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books, NetGalley, and Andrea Bartz for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved THE LAST FERRY OUT! It starts with a gripping prologue that sat in the back of my mind as I was reading the book. There are multiple POVs and timelines, as well as multiple mysteries unfolding.

I have been a big fan of Andrea Bartz's books for a while now, so I wasn't surprised that this was a big hit for me. I love her writing style and that she tends to explore topics that I don't always see in mystery/thrillers.

I had the chance to be in conversation with Andi at one of her events for THE LAST FERRY OUT's release, and it was SO wonderful being able to pick her brain about it!!