I really enjoyed this author’s previous book, so I was excited for Our Last Resort, but unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat for me. I’m usually all in for a good cult storyline, and while that element was intriguing, I actually found myself wanting more of it—the present-day timeline dragged a bit and lacked the urgency I expected from something billed as suspense. To me, this read more like a slow-burn literary mystery, and while the writing was solid, I never felt fully connected to the characters. That said, Saskia Maarleveld’s audiobook narration was excellent (as always), and I’ll absolutely keep reading whatever this author writes next. Not bad by any means—just not one that’ll stick with me for long.

I absolutely loved this author's debut, The Quiet Tenant, so I was really excited to hear about her new book - especially with those cultish vibes that immediately drew me in.

Siblings Frida and Gabriel, who escaped a dangerous cult as children, reunite years later at a luxury resort hoping to heal. But when a murder occurs and Gabriel is accused, long-buried secrets resurface, and Frida must face the truth about their past and what really happened the night they fled.

The story moves at a much slower pace than I expected. The tension builds very gradually, and at times the plot feels a bit padded out. It definitely lacked the gripping suspense and urgency that made The Quiet Tenant such a standout for me.

Sadly, the mystery and twist felt a little underwhelming. The reveal didn’t quite land with the impact it needed, and some of the plot threads felt underdeveloped or unresolved.

While the themes of trauma and sibling dynamics were compelling, I struggled to connect emotionally with the characters, something just felt like it was missing.

After such a powerful and unique debut, this one didn’t quite deliver the same punch. That said, the writing is thoughtful and the premise strong, it just didn’t hit the emotional or suspenseful highs I was hoping for.

I enjoyed the dual timelines, and the complicated relationship between Frida and Gabriel. It added to the complex plotting as the story unfolded and shocking truths are revealed. Fans of psychological cult thrillers will enjoy this one.

Frida and her brother Gabriel haven’t been close in years — not since they escaped the cult they grew up in, and not since the tragedy that drove them apart. But a luxury desert getaway at the exclusive Ara Hotel might be their chance to reconnect. That is, until another guest is found dead and Gabriel becomes the prime suspect. As the resort goes into lockdown, Frida is determined to prove his innocence — even if it means unearthing long-buried secrets from their past.

What follows is a fast-paced, psychologically driven mystery with Frida as our scrappy, smart, and fiercely protective lead. Her dogged loyalty to Gabriel keeps things moving — even if I couldn't quite get behind her decision to not lawyer up when things get dicey (especially given their very dramatic shared history). The cult backstory adds some juicy intrigue, but it doesn’t fully tie into the main mystery, which felt a bit flimsy and predictable in places. That said, the desert setting is a vibe — even if it mostly serves as a clever pun for the title.

The ending isn’t earth-shattering, but it delivers an emotionally satisfying conclusion that suits the book’s quieter focus on sibling bonds and trauma.

If you want a breezy beach read that blends tension with trauma and loyalty — and you don’t mind a few loose threads — Our Last Resort does the job. Just don’t expect it to outshine The Quiet Tenant.

When Gabriel and his sister Freda meet at a hotel to vacation and reconnect, they are mixed into the death of a rich man's wife. Coming from a cultish background they escaped from not much is known about them beyond what they tell people. When the police come they realize that Gabriel has once been involved in the death of his wife but no evidence has been found.
The story is very dark and at times hard to follow. It's not really a favorite of mine since I found the characters to be unlikable, I couldn't connect to them at all. Others may love it but it's not for me. I have already bought The Quiet Tenant by this author so will give it a try. Thanks Netgalley and Elliot and Thompson for the ARC.

3.25/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Elliott&Thomson for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent thriller that worked well as a summer read!

You should pick this one up if you enjoy:
- Summer resort settings ☀️
- Murder investigations 🫆
- Main characters who were once part of a cult 🕯️
- Dual timelines ↔️
- Slow-paced, character-focused thrillers 🔍

While I found this book enjoyable and easy to binge, some sections dragged a little. I really liked the exploration of the cult and the way it shaped the FMC’s life. One of the twists was especially well done. Overall, I liked it, but it probably won’t be a particularly memorable read for me.

This story unfolds across two timelines: the past, where our two main characters are growing up in a cult, and the present, where they reconnect as adults on vacation at a desert resort. When a young woman is murdered at the resort, they become suspects, forcing them to confront buried memories from their pasts. It’s a slow burn, but beautifully written. I enjoyed the story and the unexpected twists along the way. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

After loving The Quiet Tenant, I couldn't wait to dive into Clémence Michallon's newest novel - and Our Last Resort absolutely delivered.

Set in the stark beauty of the Utah desert, this story follows Frida and Gabriel - two people bound not by blood, but by a haunting shared past in a cult they barely escaped as teens. Years later, they're at the Ara, a remote luxury resort, debating whether to take part in a documentary about their traumatic upbringing. But when Frida overhears a violent fight between a tabloid mogul and his glamorous young wife - and that wife turns up dead the next day - their already fragile peace begins to unravel.

As suspicion falls on Gabriel (not for the first time), Frida is forced to confront how much she really knows about her brother figure, and how much she’s willing to protect him. The story weaves seamlessly between past and present, building a slow, smoldering tension that kept me flipping pages late into the night.

Michallon writes trauma with nuance and compassion, and her characters - especially Frida - are incredibly complex. At its core, Our Last Resort is more than a murder mystery. It’s about survival, chosen family, and the ways we desperately try to outrun our pasts.

If you loved The Quiet Tenant, this one will hit just as hard - maybe even harder. I’ll read whatever Clémence Michallon writes next, no questions asked.

Read this if you enjoy: Cult trauma, murder mystery, emotional depth, slow-burn suspense.
Setting: A hauntingly gorgeous resort in the Utah desert.
Themes: Loyalty, survival, trauma, memory, and the fragility of truth.
Favorite line: “This is who we are.…We start over together. Again. And again.”

After reading their other book I was excited to read more from them.
While I did enjoy this. Overall I wasn't wowed. It didn't stand out as anything different to books ive read before.

Definitely an Author I'll continue to check out in the future though.

Really enjoyed this one! Clémence’s writing is so compelling. I loved the dual timelines and settings. Felt very isolated and intimate. Can’t wait to read more by her!

I had high hopes for this novel, but I just didn't care for the characters and the dual timeline story of two siblings' upbringing in a cult in the past and a murder mystery in the present. I don't really like cults and how revolting they are (to me), and it's just depressing to read about children forced to grow up in one. The murder storyline was more interesting, and while there were parts of the story that dragged, I kept reading to find out what was going to happen.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Knopf for the eARC and the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved Clémence's debut and had high hopes for this one but it wasn't my favorite. This was a very slow burn and more about a cult than a resort which I didn't know or expect. If you like cult stories you'll likely enjoy this but it wasn't for me! Thanks to NetGalley & Elliot & Thomas for an advance copy

This was a locked room/cult thriller that was great for lovers of the genre.
Two siblings that escape a cult of reunite at a resort to reconnect but when a guest is murdered their vacation is no longer relaxing.

The dual timeline worked really well and gave readers an accurate picture of life in the cult before and life after. I love books that have an emotional theme as well and this had just that as it addressed the theme of overcoming trauma.

Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon is a very highly recommended mystery/thriller following two cult survivors embroiled in a murder investigation. This is an excellent second novel after her debut novel, The Quiet Tenant.

Frida and Gabriel are on a vacation at the luxurious Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. The two shared a traumatic childhood as they live in a cult under fanatical leader Émile until they escaped fifteen years ago when they were 18. They consider each other brother and sister. Ten years earlier Gabriel's wife Annie went missing and was found dead. He was the main suspect. Nothing connected him to the crime, but tabloids had a field day trying to indict him. The two drifted apart after this but are trying to reconnect.

Late one night Frida overhears a fight between wealthy, aging tabloid tycoon William Brenner and his very young, beautiful wife, Sabrina. The next morning Sabrina is found dead. Frida tells a deputy about the argument she overheard. William is arrested but is soon released and the focus seems to be on Gabriel.

The writing is exceptional in this engrossing literary mystery/thriller which unfolds through Frida's point-of-view. The pace is fast, allowing the narrative to build suspense and tension with each page and each new twist. Chapters alternate between the present day murder investigation and Frida and Gabriel's life growing up in the cult. There are actually several different mysteries within the plot.

The dual timelines work very well, are equally compelling, and help develop and provide insight into the characters. Frida is a fully realized, complex character with both her strengths and weaknesses displayed. Growing up in the cult helped shape both Frida and Gabriel's personalities. Understandably, they are both deeply flawed individuals who had to overcome a lot to learn how to live in the world. The final denouement was a shocking surprise.

Our Last Resort is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a well-written mystery/thriller. Thanks to Knopf/Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This had a promising premise. Exclusive resort, cults, sibling relationships…however it fell short. This didn’t feel like the same author as The Quiet Tenant which was a 4.5 star best thriller read for me. While TQT felt like thriller lit OLD felt a little more basic and pedestrian. Probably a sophomore slump and I still look forward glad future books by this author. 3.5 stars if Good Reads allowed half stars.

The desert setting and luxe resort backdrop made for an intriguing contrast with the dark themes of cult trauma and buried secrets. The dual timeline and sibling dynamic offered plenty of potential, and the cult storyline added a fascinating layer. Unfortunately, the suspense fizzled out too early, and the emotional impact never quite landed. While the setup was strong, the overall execution felt flat. A decent read with a memorable premise, but not as gripping as it could have been.

Frida and Gabriel were raised in a cult and managed to escape together. Over the years they have drifted apart but reunite at an exclusive resort only to find themselves embroiled in a murder investigation. The story moves between the past and the present. I am torn on this one. There is a neat twist. But found I could not get engaged with the characters. Thanks to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley for the free copy.

I enjoyed this quick paced thriller that followed Frida and Gabriel during their time being brought up in a cult, and the time after they escaped. There were twists and I was invested in the story. It didn’t measure up to The Quiet Tenant though, in my opinion.

I was hoping for so much more. I loved her previous book but this didn’t do it for me. The two storylines were very disjointed. Def wanted to see the two timelines intersect somehow.

Thank you Netgalley and Elliott & Thompson for this digital advance copy.
Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I really didn’t like the cult aspect POV and the current timeline wasn’t engaging enough for me to carry on reading. The plot was very slow and unfortunately not interesting to me.