3.5 rounded up

Andrea Bartz is honestly a hit or miss author for me- I have both hated and loved her previous works. This one was solidly in the middle!

If you need a super quick page turner, this is the book to pick up. I didn’t want to put it down and the little looks into the past kept me guessing as to what was happening and added to the story. The main character was often making some questionable choices which was hard to watch but I could see why her grief was affecting her decision making.

The end was a little out there and if you don’t mind that, I think you’ll enjoy this one. I was definitely surprised by a lot of the twists!

I look forward to reading the author’s next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Overall I liked the book but the story moved very, very slow. It took until about 80% of the way through for anything exciting to actually happen, and when the twist was revealed it was a bit lackluster. I did really like the author’s writing style so I’d definitely want to read more by her, this one just missed the mark a bit for me.

This is a bit slow. It is also classified as a thriller. I would classify it as a mystery. There is not a lot of intensity until towards the end. I did enjoy the setting of the remote island off the coast of Mexico. It is full of lies and who did what to whom!

Andrea Bartz's *The Last Ferry Out* is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth. Set on the hauntingly desolate Isla Colel, the narrative follows Abby, who journeys to the island seeking closure after her fiancée Eszter's mysterious death. The island's eerie atmosphere and a tight-knit expat community shrouded in secrets create a palpable sense of unease.

Bartz's prose is vivid and immersive, painting the island as almost a character in itself, with its post-hurricane desolation and enigmatic inhabitants. The story unfolds through multiple timelines and perspectives, adding layers to the mystery and keeping readers engaged. Themes of grief, identity, and the complexities of relationships are explored with nuance, offering more than just a conventional whodunit.

While some readers have noted a slow start and underdeveloped secondary characters, the novel's latter half delivers compelling twists and revelations that reward patient readers. The emotional resonance and atmospheric setting make it a standout in the genre.

Overall, *The Last Ferry Out* is a compelling read that balances suspense with introspective storytelling, earning a solid four-star rating.

This book offers a heartfelt exploration of grief that, while challenging to read at times, provides an honest and meaningful perspective on loss. The subject matter is heavy and emotional, which made it difficult for me to fully get into the story.

However, the author’s raw and sincere portrayal of the grieving process is commendable. It captures the complexity and depth of mourning in a way that feels genuine and relatable.

Overall, while it wasn’t an easy read for me, I found it to be a worthwhile and thoughtful experience. It’s a meaningful book for anyone looking to gain insight into the many facets of grief.

So fell in love with the vibe of Isla Colel with all its mysterious eeriness and beauty. The pacing had me reading quickly completely engrossed at times and then it seemed to put the brakes on and slow down at others. I keep rethinking what seemed to cause this roller coaster effect. I honestly did not find any of the characters very likable- they all seemed to have their own issues and hangups , which explains why they all ended up there. The ending did answer some of the questions I had about why some acted the way they did.
The cliff climbing section was brilliant as I found myself tensing up as I continued to read. Also loved the descriptions of the hotel. Abby finding the brochure was the perfect hook. Great idea for a novel with a fantastic setting.which afforded me hours of enjoyment.
Many thanks to Andrea Bartz, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this novel and keeping me entertained as I floated in the pool. Great summer read!

A deep and twisty mystery surrounds Isla Colel and Eszter Farkas’s death, one that her fiancée Abby is determined to bring closure to. After Eszter dies of a fatal allergic reaction alone on the island off the coast of Cozumel, Abby takes a trip there to bring closure to her grief and relive her last few days. What she finds instead is more questions that have Abby questioning who her fiancé really was and who she can trust on the island. The author does a fabulous job with the multiple point of view narrative, and it doesn’t become a distraction from the story, but rather enhances it.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the arc of this story in exchange for my review.

The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz is set on a remote island recovering from a hurricane. Abby is mourning her fiancée’s sudden death, which grows more suspicious as she investigates. The island’s atmosphere is vividly drawn, making you feel right there. The story moves at a steady pace—slow for some, but rewarding for fans of character-driven mysteries. Bartz keeps the answers elusive, adding to the suspense.

After the death of her fiancée, Abby travels to a remote island off the coast of Mexico in hopes of finding closure. I enjoyed the premise and setting of this story. It was well constructed and very atmospheric. It features multiple POVs and a somewhat variable timeline which helps pull the story forward and creates a more twisty plot line. The pacing was a bit off- very slow to start and then more rushed towards the end. I also felt like a few plot points felt more repetitive than necessary. Overall this was a fun read that I would absolutely recommend for anyone who enjoys thrillers!

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

The Last Ferry Out is the latest dark and twisty suspense novel from Andrea Bartz. I’ve enjoyed every one of this author’s books and this one was no exception.
This thriller is the definition of a page-turner!
An impossible to put down, fast paced suspense.
Bartz has created phenomenal depth, intriguing characters, tense suspense, compelling mystery, a fun whodunit.
A slow burn story with a satisfying ending.
This one kept me up long past my bedtime!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Random House & Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was good once I got into it. I had a hard time getting into it at the beginning and then it picked up and I really enjoyed it. The setting and the descriptions were really wonderful. There was a murder and a few twists and turns that will keep you reading to find out what is going to happen. Thanks to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. Out on May 20th.

Within the first 10 minutes of this book I had a strong feeling of dislike towards Eszter... I HATED that Abby felt so in the dark about who her fiancé was... but as I continued on I started to realize that Eszter wasn't as bad as my original reaction... And this is one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book - I love when a character can make me feel something about them immediately. The feeling of unknowing and hating all the secrets that were being kept stayed with me throughout the book... I could not put it down until I know what happened. I felt like I was on that island with Abby. The writing had me right there with her - holding my breath and my heart racing... highly recommend this one!

Andrea Bartz delivers another gripping psychological thriller in The Last One. The story pulls you in from the start with its eerie island setting and a cast of characters that feel both familiar and suspicious in all the right ways. Bartz excels at capturing the complexities of female friendships and layering them with just enough tension and unease to keep the reader guessing.

The pacing is tight, the twists are unexpected (though not entirely shocking for seasoned thriller readers), and the final act delivers a satisfying punch. The themes of isolation, trust, and self-deception are explored thoughtfully, and the writing is sharp as ever.

My only critique—and what kept it from being a 5-star read—is that a couple of the twists felt a touch rushed or convenient. Still, it’s a chilling, smartly written thriller that I’d absolutely recommend to fans of locked-room mysteries and dark, character-driven suspense.

I enjoyed the author’s previous novel, “We Were Never There” but I’m sad to say I did not enjoy this one as much. The first half was very slow. It is quite noticeable Andrea Bartz did a lot of research of the Caribbean culture, locals, cuisine, and environment/land. The descriptions were very vivid. Though some of the flashbacks were unnecessary to the story and the twist was anticlimactic. Unfortunately, this story did not quite work for me as well as her other.

2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrea Bartz and Ballantine Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Ferry Out has an intriguing premise and a strong atmospheric setting that initially pulled me in. Andrea Bartz does a solid job creating suspense and tension, and the isolated island backdrop adds a nice layer of urgency to the mystery.

However, the pacing felt inconsistent, with a slower middle section that made it tough to stay fully engaged. While the twists were surprising, a few stretched believability, and the characters, especially the protagonist, didn’t always feel fully developed or relatable.

Overall, it’s a decent read with some gripping moments, but it didn’t quite hit the mark in terms of emotional depth or character connection. Worth a try if you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with a moody, isolated vibe.

Abby heartbroken and mourning the lost of her fiancé goes to the place the love of her life died tragically and all alone in a tiny island of the Mexican coast. She flys down and stay in the same place her fiancé was last seen. She slowly starts unraveling the truth of what happen and the horror of what happen, and the secrets that weren’t ever suppose to come out.


This was good I enjoyed

After her fiancée Eszter dies of an allergic reaction while on vacation in the Mexican Caribbean, Abby travels to the tiny island of Isla Colel to try to make sense of her death. She finds herself welcomed by the same ex-pat community that Eszter befriended, but the more questions Abby asks, the more she finds herself questioning what really happened to her fiancée, putting herself in a dangerous position along the way.

The Last Ferry Out is a compelling, atmospheric, queer mystery/thriller. The lush tropical paradise of Isla Colel is so vivid it feels like you’re right there with Abby and the ex-pats. The queer representation is on point, with queer characters seamlessly integrated into the plot rather than feeling like a token. Most of the plot is delivered at a slow burn or simmering pace, but that’s all the better to absorb Bartz’s prose. Her imagery is enthralling, with beautifully crafted similes and metaphors and deeper themes that give off a literary feel. I love a thriller with a deeper meaning, getting me thinking about love, grief, acceptance, and the impacts of tourism, all while trying to figure out the mystery of what really happened to Eszter.

The audiobook is narrated by Dani Martineck, Imani Jade Powers, and Natasha Soudek. The narration for Abby’s POV (which is most of the book, really) is particularly powerful, giving Abby’s inner thoughts a haunted vibe as well as using accents and intonations to differentiate among the characters.

Abby travels to Isla Colel, an island off the coast of Cancun, Mexico and the place where her finance Eszter died. The story is told with multiple POV. I loved the setting and the way Andrea Bartz describes Isla Colel. The pacing of the Last Ferry Out was too slow for me and I struggled to stay invested in any of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for letting me read this ARC.

The pace was a little slow for my taste but the premise was interesting. The story explores, love, grief, heartache, and the anxiety surrounding unanswered questions. The supporting cast was well developed and every one was flawed. Abby contacts the ex-pat group that her fiancé had befriended to help her work through her grief and found a lot of surprising information. All in all, a good read!

I liked the book and the setting. Itched all the right scratches for a thriller, even if the MC was literally way too trusting and dumb sometimes.