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The Last Illusion of Paige White
Two women. A tragedy on the lake. And secrets beneath the surface ... The lyrical, haunting new novel from the author of The Beautiful Words
Paige White kayaked across the lake each morning at dawn. Someone was watching her. Many someones watched her online. But was anyone with her the day her body was discovered?
Paige has always lived a picture-perfect life, documented closely on her social media. The world she has curated exudes an old-fashioned, wholesome lifestyle. Her page is littered with lakeside breakfasts with her daughter, sunny afternoons in the family van, and romantic picnics with her husband. So when she posts an ominous, brooding image and is shortly after discovered drowned, everyone immediately wonders - suicide or foul play?
Jane Masters was one of Paige's childhood best friends, who left her behind to pursue a bigger life in Sydney. When Paige's death makes national news, Jane, a journalist, reluctantly travels home. Struggling with the morality of covering her friend's death, Jane will confront the town she left behind and the dark undercurrents that she's always known run underneath.
Paige White kayaked across the lake each morning at dawn. Someone was watching her. Many someones watched her online. But was anyone with her the day her body was discovered?
Paige has always lived a picture-perfect life, documented closely on her social media. The world she has curated exudes an old-fashioned, wholesome lifestyle. Her page is littered with lakeside breakfasts with her daughter, sunny afternoons in the family van, and romantic picnics with her husband. So when she posts an ominous, brooding image and is shortly after discovered drowned, everyone immediately wonders - suicide or foul play?
Jane Masters was one of Paige's childhood best friends, who left her behind to pursue a bigger life in Sydney. When Paige's death makes national news, Jane, a journalist, reluctantly travels home. Struggling with the morality of covering her friend's death, Jane will confront the town she left behind and the dark undercurrents that she's always known run underneath.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2024
256 people are currently reading
11235 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
June 22, 2025
4.5⭐️ When celebrity influencer Paige White’s death makes national news, her childhood friend Jane Masters, now a successful journalist, returns home to investigate. As Paige’s death is declared a suicide, Jane will question friends and family, and stir up long-held secrets in her pursuit of the truth.
It is so hard to say much in this review, for fear of giving anything away, so I will keep this short and to the point. This is a fantastic story that merges the classic thriller with literary fiction, and sets it in the very modern world of social media mania.
In the vein of literary fiction, the pacing is slightly slower, as the author builds our characters’ backstories and helps us understand what brought them to such a pivotal point. The setting is picturesque and oh so eerie; the lake very much a character at the forefront of this story.
There are quite a few perspectives, which at first, felt as though didn’t quite vibe for me, but as I hit the midway point, and the secrets began to unravel and connections started to be made, it all began to click. And the twists, they were a plenty, and at least for me, unpredictable. This book is haunting, in every sense of the word, and one that will linger in your subconscious long after finishing it.
🎧 Narrated by a full cast, the audio definitely adds even more gritty atmosphere to the already intense story. However, given the various perspectives and larger cast of characters, I highly recommend having the physical or ebook alongside the audio, if you go that route.
Read if you like:
▪️literary mysteries
▪️social media landscape
▪️friendship dramas
▪️character-driven
▪️dual perspectives/timelines
▪️Australia setting
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Crown Publishing and PRH Audio for the advanced copies.
It is so hard to say much in this review, for fear of giving anything away, so I will keep this short and to the point. This is a fantastic story that merges the classic thriller with literary fiction, and sets it in the very modern world of social media mania.
In the vein of literary fiction, the pacing is slightly slower, as the author builds our characters’ backstories and helps us understand what brought them to such a pivotal point. The setting is picturesque and oh so eerie; the lake very much a character at the forefront of this story.
There are quite a few perspectives, which at first, felt as though didn’t quite vibe for me, but as I hit the midway point, and the secrets began to unravel and connections started to be made, it all began to click. And the twists, they were a plenty, and at least for me, unpredictable. This book is haunting, in every sense of the word, and one that will linger in your subconscious long after finishing it.
🎧 Narrated by a full cast, the audio definitely adds even more gritty atmosphere to the already intense story. However, given the various perspectives and larger cast of characters, I highly recommend having the physical or ebook alongside the audio, if you go that route.
Read if you like:
▪️literary mysteries
▪️social media landscape
▪️friendship dramas
▪️character-driven
▪️dual perspectives/timelines
▪️Australia setting
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Crown Publishing and PRH Audio for the advanced copies.
February 10, 2025
I have been discovering new to me authors and I came across this author. Im thrilled to say she has a backlist for me to work my way through.
* unpredictable ending
* social media /influence'
* trials and tribulations of teenagers
* relationship breakdowns
* past/present timeline
* atmospheric
* small town mystery
* multiple POV
* character driven.
This is a book about family, friendships and the past.
* unpredictable ending
* social media /influence'
* trials and tribulations of teenagers
* relationship breakdowns
* past/present timeline
* atmospheric
* small town mystery
* multiple POV
* character driven.
This is a book about family, friendships and the past.
January 10, 2025
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland was one of those haunting books that is beautifully written and feels ethereal and mysterious and will leave you thinking about it long after.
The story follows Paige White and how her past, the lake and her social media presence had such an effect on her life and her death.
Paige’s childhood friend and now journalist Jane Masters is drawn back to her hometown for Paige’s funeral and her boss is pressuring her to cover the story.
This book will have you so engaged wondering how Paige White died as we dive back into her past.
I loved the twist at the end, I didn’t see that coming! A beautifully dreamy and atmospheric read I can highly recommend and isn’t that cover gorgeous too!
Publication Date 04 December 2024
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
A huge thanks to the fabulous team at Harpercollins Australia for a copy of the book.
The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland was one of those haunting books that is beautifully written and feels ethereal and mysterious and will leave you thinking about it long after.
The story follows Paige White and how her past, the lake and her social media presence had such an effect on her life and her death.
Paige’s childhood friend and now journalist Jane Masters is drawn back to her hometown for Paige’s funeral and her boss is pressuring her to cover the story.
This book will have you so engaged wondering how Paige White died as we dive back into her past.
I loved the twist at the end, I didn’t see that coming! A beautifully dreamy and atmospheric read I can highly recommend and isn’t that cover gorgeous too!
Publication Date 04 December 2024
Publisher Harper Collins Australia
A huge thanks to the fabulous team at Harpercollins Australia for a copy of the book.
December 11, 2024
Perfect Book Club Read. Setting is on a Lake near Sydney in a bushland area with a mixture of dubious characters.
There are many twists and turns which will have you wondering towards the end.
Save this one for your Summer holidays in the Australian bush.
There are many twists and turns which will have you wondering towards the end.
Save this one for your Summer holidays in the Australian bush.
July 7, 2025
This is a character driven, friendship drama filled literary fiction mixed with mystery. Although it took me a bit to get into and it's a slower paced read, I did enjoy it. Paige White is a celebrity influencer who's page curates her life as a perfect, beautiful life, living on an Australian lake. When she passed away, the news spread fast across national news. Her childhood friend, Jane, that had moved away to Sydney, and is now a journalist, heads back to the hometown to cover her friend's passing, and do some digging. Paige's death was ruled a homicide, and Jane is just not convinced. This is a look into Paige's past and how social media has affected her and her family. Towards the end, the mystery of her death starts coming together and there are some unexpected twists too. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
July 10, 2025
3.5 stars. I liked the suspense in this book and the location of it - a lake steamed with mystery. But, it fell short in a couple areas - I just didn’t care about Paige White’s death. That was a problem. Also didn’t really like Janie, her supposed best friend. No reason for the husband to act the way he did. I guess I felt like the author was trying to mage absolutely everyone weird and mysterious.
December 23, 2024
4.5 *
I have read and enjoyed all Vanessa’s books and was thrilled to read her latest offering, The Last Illusion of Paige White. This is an exceptionally haunting and lyrical tale as only Vanessa can write as she proves, yet again, that she is a skilful writer capable of creating truly atmospheric stories with locations that will draw readers in.
Set in two timelines (which Vanessa handles seamlessly) a mystery slowly unfolds. This is a book with a number of themes such as families, small towns, grief, religion, bullying, marriages, infidelity and more. However, at its heart this is a very compelling read about the impact of social media - our illusions about it and how the lines may become blurred concerning online and reality living. Vanessa frames the story in such a way that will give readers pause for some serious considerations of their own and others use of this medium.
I am such a fan of Vanessa’s work and she is an auto buy author for me. Her books are not only atmospherically consuming but the themes she tackles are paramount and powerful. If you have never read any of Vanessa’s books before, I highly recommend you immerse yourself not only in a place of beauty but also in a well paced mystery that impacts all social media users in today’s day and age.
I have read and enjoyed all Vanessa’s books and was thrilled to read her latest offering, The Last Illusion of Paige White. This is an exceptionally haunting and lyrical tale as only Vanessa can write as she proves, yet again, that she is a skilful writer capable of creating truly atmospheric stories with locations that will draw readers in.
Set in two timelines (which Vanessa handles seamlessly) a mystery slowly unfolds. This is a book with a number of themes such as families, small towns, grief, religion, bullying, marriages, infidelity and more. However, at its heart this is a very compelling read about the impact of social media - our illusions about it and how the lines may become blurred concerning online and reality living. Vanessa frames the story in such a way that will give readers pause for some serious considerations of their own and others use of this medium.
I am such a fan of Vanessa’s work and she is an auto buy author for me. Her books are not only atmospherically consuming but the themes she tackles are paramount and powerful. If you have never read any of Vanessa’s books before, I highly recommend you immerse yourself not only in a place of beauty but also in a well paced mystery that impacts all social media users in today’s day and age.
November 24, 2024
Big thanks to Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
As I’ve read the last page and closed this book, I sit and reflect……
Vanessa is one of those talented authors that writes beautifully and makes the reader unwind and ponder what they have just read.
A soulful, moving and engaging piece of storytelling.
Paige White is found dead.
In a kayak on a lake.
Someone was watching…..
Her online presence was tremendous and when a post is eerily familiar, there are questions.
Her death makes the headlines, making childhood friend and journalist Jane return to their hometown.
Is there secrets from the past that will have answers for the present…..
A haunting twisty mystery awaits.
There’s much here to stimulate all the senses and be totally drawn in and be kidnapped to Vanessa’s creative mind.
I won’t say much more as I can definitely recommend to mark this book as your next read.
Descriptive, emotive and intoxicating.
As I’ve read the last page and closed this book, I sit and reflect……
Vanessa is one of those talented authors that writes beautifully and makes the reader unwind and ponder what they have just read.
A soulful, moving and engaging piece of storytelling.
Paige White is found dead.
In a kayak on a lake.
Someone was watching…..
Her online presence was tremendous and when a post is eerily familiar, there are questions.
Her death makes the headlines, making childhood friend and journalist Jane return to their hometown.
Is there secrets from the past that will have answers for the present…..
A haunting twisty mystery awaits.
There’s much here to stimulate all the senses and be totally drawn in and be kidnapped to Vanessa’s creative mind.
I won’t say much more as I can definitely recommend to mark this book as your next read.
Descriptive, emotive and intoxicating.
November 27, 2024
So atmospheric and thoughtful. I was absolutely in the small coastal town, with the bad coffee, beautiful bush and people who have known you your whole life…I’ve also never wanted to disengage more from social media; so much to think about from this critique….nor re-examine my teenage friendships…all wrapped up in the mystery of what happened to Paige White….I feel like I’ve just woken up from a dream, this is beautiful
July 1, 2025
3.75 stars
Thank you Crown for sending me a free copy!
THE LAST ILLUSION OF PAIGE WHITE has a bit of a haunting vibe to it which worked in the story’s favor as it’s a mystery. Jane Masters left her small town in Australia to pursue a career in journalism. After years away, Jane comes back to uncover the truth about the death of her childhood friend, Paige White, a wife and mother and popular social media influencer. Was it murder or suicide? One thing is for certain, there’s a lot of secrets in this town.
An ideal reading experience for a book of this genre is one in which you aren’t entirely sure which direction the story is going in and need to wait until the end when the author reveals all. While I picked up on bits and pieces that I knew had significance, I just couldn’t put it all together to see the big picture. A solid read in that regard as I’d much rather be on the clueless side than a know it all when reading a mystery.
The pacing is pretty good as you alternate between a few characters and are getting both the past and present day. Not necessarily the most likable bunch of people but it works well in this mystery rather than against.
Thank you Crown for sending me a free copy!
THE LAST ILLUSION OF PAIGE WHITE has a bit of a haunting vibe to it which worked in the story’s favor as it’s a mystery. Jane Masters left her small town in Australia to pursue a career in journalism. After years away, Jane comes back to uncover the truth about the death of her childhood friend, Paige White, a wife and mother and popular social media influencer. Was it murder or suicide? One thing is for certain, there’s a lot of secrets in this town.
An ideal reading experience for a book of this genre is one in which you aren’t entirely sure which direction the story is going in and need to wait until the end when the author reveals all. While I picked up on bits and pieces that I knew had significance, I just couldn’t put it all together to see the big picture. A solid read in that regard as I’d much rather be on the clueless side than a know it all when reading a mystery.
The pacing is pretty good as you alternate between a few characters and are getting both the past and present day. Not necessarily the most likable bunch of people but it works well in this mystery rather than against.
March 24, 2025
I've loved all of the author's previous novels so was really looking forward to reading this one. It's hard to comment on the story with no spoilers but I'll do my best. Paige is an online influencer who dies at the beginning of the novel; questions arise about the circumstances of her death. Her childhood friend Jane is now a journalist who returns to their home to write an article but really she returns because she is struggling to understand how Paige is dead. Utilising a dual timeline and multiple character point-of-views, readers learn about Paige's background. There's a strong message throughout the narrative about the use of social media; the obsessions it can cause, the personas people feel they need to keep up and the impact on our realities. As we gradually learn more about Paige and her history, readers are kept guessing until the very end about what exactly happened to cause her death.
Overall: a beautifully written contemporary mystery that many readers will enjoy.
Overall: a beautifully written contemporary mystery that many readers will enjoy.
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September 14, 2024Lyrical and evocative-- you can feel the sun on your skin and taste the salt of the lake-- and with a twisty whodunnit edge, this is Vanessa McCausland’s best book yet.
July 2, 2025
This is the story of a woman found dead. Except she’s not just any woman. She’s Paige White, the influencer. Now, her childhood best friend Jane is back in their hometown to figure out what exactly happened. This story is told through three POVs. Some in the past, some in the present.
Ahhh this book really didn’t work for me. It was a story of horrible people doing horrible things. Insufferable is how I would describe these girls turned women. I don’t think there was a solid human among them (except maybe Paige’s daughter, Viv.) I felt like I’ve read many different versions of this story before. It had every troupe in the book.
It also felt like it was trying to be a bit of a cult story but that never really turned into anything? And you all know how I feel about angsty teenagers-behaving-badly stories!!
Just not a Kenzie book at all unfortunately.
Thank you Crown Publishing for the gifted book!!
Ahhh this book really didn’t work for me. It was a story of horrible people doing horrible things. Insufferable is how I would describe these girls turned women. I don’t think there was a solid human among them (except maybe Paige’s daughter, Viv.) I felt like I’ve read many different versions of this story before. It had every troupe in the book.
It also felt like it was trying to be a bit of a cult story but that never really turned into anything? And you all know how I feel about angsty teenagers-behaving-badly stories!!
Just not a Kenzie book at all unfortunately.
Thank you Crown Publishing for the gifted book!!
July 29, 2025
Hi, book friends. Remember when I was slightly hating on the thriller genre a few weeks ago? To be fair, I love thrillers and have been reading them for years. I was only expressing my frustration with how authors have been handling the conclusions of them lately. It’s like there’s a competition for who can add the most twists and over-the-top scenarios. It ends up feeling super cheesy and way too far-fetched. I’m over it. Well, I think I may have found a sub-genre/alternative that works much better for me: the literary mystery. I recently read THE LAST ILLUSION OF PAIGE WHITE by Vanessa McCausland and it was everything that I was hoping for. I loved the slower pace, intriguing characters with tons of backstory, the build-up of suspense, the lakeside setting, the social media aspect, family drama, and the exploration of female friendship. Oh, and the best part? The ending was actually believable!!!! I could see it happening in real life. It wasn’t complex or overdone, and it left me feeling satisfied. I can’t end this review without mentioning the writing itself—it was absolutely stunning! So lyrical and atmospheric that it gave me chills at times. I couldn’t put this novel down.
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Slow-burning plots
- Character-driven novels
- Flip-flopping timelines
- Multiple POVs
- Female friendship
- Social media influencers
- Mystery and intrigue
- Clever whodunnits
- Family drama and dynamics
- Australian lakeside setting
5/5 stars for read THE LAST ILLUSION OF PAIGE WHITE! It’s out now! Highly recommend!
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Slow-burning plots
- Character-driven novels
- Flip-flopping timelines
- Multiple POVs
- Female friendship
- Social media influencers
- Mystery and intrigue
- Clever whodunnits
- Family drama and dynamics
- Australian lakeside setting
5/5 stars for read THE LAST ILLUSION OF PAIGE WHITE! It’s out now! Highly recommend!
December 9, 2024
One of my anticipated reads of 2024, and it did not disappoint.
This book weaves a chilling and atmospheric tale of illusion, memory, and identity, with twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. Paige White is a complex, haunting character whose journey through her past will was thought provoking.
The story is told from multiple points of view all leading to an ending you won’t see coming.
Vanessa’s evocative prose and suspenseful storytelling had me hooked from the very first page.
This is a must-read for fans of psychological mysteries with a blend emotional depth and gripping suspense! 🙌
This book weaves a chilling and atmospheric tale of illusion, memory, and identity, with twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. Paige White is a complex, haunting character whose journey through her past will was thought provoking.
The story is told from multiple points of view all leading to an ending you won’t see coming.
Vanessa’s evocative prose and suspenseful storytelling had me hooked from the very first page.
This is a must-read for fans of psychological mysteries with a blend emotional depth and gripping suspense! 🙌
December 30, 2024
Vanessa has the most beautiful, evocative, lyrical writing style. Add to this the perfect setting and characters with mysterious circumstances and it makes for a wonderful read. I was completely immersed.
July 3, 2025
An exploration of influencer/social media culture, the complex rivalries of female friendship, and the desire inside all of us to be praised, accepted, and admired. Though none of the characters in this were likable, the mystery kept me curious enough to reach the end. However, the final reveal was disappointing and the wrap-up felt shallow and pretentious. 2.5 stars
June 25, 2025
Book Review 📖
thank you so much partner @crownpublishing for gifted copy!
The Last Illusion of Paige White
by Vanessa McCausland
About the book👇🏽
Gorgeous, charismatic Paige White has always lived a picture-perfect life. Her meticulously curated social pages exude an old-fashioned, wholesome lifestyle set against a picturesque town in Australia. Images of breakfasts lakeside with her daughter, sunny afternoons in the family van, and romantic picnics with her husband are the envy of her thousands of followers.
But when a dark, brooding image pops up on Paige’s page, where she appears waterlogged and disheveled—and shortly after she’s discovered drowned—alarm bells go off.
Jane Masters, Paige’s childhood best friend, has returned for the funeral. Jane left years ago to pursue a bigger life as a journalist in Sydney, putting everyone from her early days in the rearview mirror. But as Jane sinks deeper into the community she thought she’d never return to, she begins to discover that darker things lurk beneath the sparkle of the lake.
📱 My thoughts:
That twist… I did not see coming! This book had me seated until it was over. This isn’t exactly a fast paced thriller but it hooks you all the same. It’s very character driven, and I couldn’t help but wonder… what actually happened to Paige and why does it all feel so dreadful?! The multiple point of views had me on the toes and well… the writing kept me there. This was a suspenseful read and would highly recommend this for a book club pick this summer! If you enjoy suspense, atmosphere, and mystery in your books, this is the one you gotta pick up.
Happy reading 📖 📱
thank you so much partner @crownpublishing for gifted copy!
The Last Illusion of Paige White
by Vanessa McCausland
About the book👇🏽
Gorgeous, charismatic Paige White has always lived a picture-perfect life. Her meticulously curated social pages exude an old-fashioned, wholesome lifestyle set against a picturesque town in Australia. Images of breakfasts lakeside with her daughter, sunny afternoons in the family van, and romantic picnics with her husband are the envy of her thousands of followers.
But when a dark, brooding image pops up on Paige’s page, where she appears waterlogged and disheveled—and shortly after she’s discovered drowned—alarm bells go off.
Jane Masters, Paige’s childhood best friend, has returned for the funeral. Jane left years ago to pursue a bigger life as a journalist in Sydney, putting everyone from her early days in the rearview mirror. But as Jane sinks deeper into the community she thought she’d never return to, she begins to discover that darker things lurk beneath the sparkle of the lake.
📱 My thoughts:
That twist… I did not see coming! This book had me seated until it was over. This isn’t exactly a fast paced thriller but it hooks you all the same. It’s very character driven, and I couldn’t help but wonder… what actually happened to Paige and why does it all feel so dreadful?! The multiple point of views had me on the toes and well… the writing kept me there. This was a suspenseful read and would highly recommend this for a book club pick this summer! If you enjoy suspense, atmosphere, and mystery in your books, this is the one you gotta pick up.
Happy reading 📖 📱
December 6, 2024
The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland is a thought-provoking read from the Aussie journalist-turned-author. I've read three of McCausland's previous books and she seems to enjoy unpicking or examining relationships between friends and families. Here we meet Jane, a journalist who returns to her childhood hometown after a former best friend dies. We learn however, though the pair were once close, events from the past split them apart but also left Jane wondering if they really did have anything in common after all.
This is a thought-provoking read on several levels. There are some obvious messages about social media, but also a strong theme of regret - past mistakes we can't reverse no matter how much we try. A reminder I guess to think (long and hard) about the consequences of our actions. And we see (ultimately) that sometimes those we love can remind us why we need to be the best versions of ourselves.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
This is a thought-provoking read on several levels. There are some obvious messages about social media, but also a strong theme of regret - past mistakes we can't reverse no matter how much we try. A reminder I guess to think (long and hard) about the consequences of our actions. And we see (ultimately) that sometimes those we love can remind us why we need to be the best versions of ourselves.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
August 10, 2025
I really did not expect to love this one as much as I did. The audio drew me in, I enjoyed the multiple POVs, the flashbacks, the anonymous voice, trying to piece everything together, all of it. This was on the slower burn side as it is a character focused story, but it worked for me. It is an eerie and haunting read that is also twisty and got me at the end, which I always love.
Thank you to Crown and PRH Audio for the copies to review.
Thank you to Crown and PRH Audio for the copies to review.
December 12, 2024
Vanessa McCausland is one of my autobuy authors, so I was very excited to pick up her latest release The Last Illusion of Paige White. Thought provoking and beautiful, the story looks at the perils of living your life through social media and its effects on relationships, family and self worth.
“I’m sorry to make this a photo opportunity, but you know I need to post something today.”
When social media star, Paige White, is found dead after a particularly haunting final post, it creates a media frenzy. Enter Paige’s childhood best friend and now journalist, Jane Masters, who has been estranged from Paige in recent years. Drawn back to her family home for the funeral, she is under pressure from her boss to use her closeness to the family for a story. However, being back here is bringing all sorts of long buried emotions and secrets to the surface. How did Paige die and who wanted her dead?
At times touching and poignant but always with that dark undercurrent, The Last Illusion of Paige White was a compelling and timely read. Vanessa’s flowing and lyrical writing called out to be savoured and so I read this one slowly, hanging on every word. The mystery surrounding Paige’s death also kept me guessing and the different POVs and timelines added another layer of suspense to this tense novel.
“Could you ever leave behind the person you were, or did they remain trapped inside you like a sad old song?”
The Last Illusion Of Paige White is another winner from this hugely talented Aussie author. If you have yet to read Vanessa’s books, do not delay any longer.
“I’m sorry to make this a photo opportunity, but you know I need to post something today.”
When social media star, Paige White, is found dead after a particularly haunting final post, it creates a media frenzy. Enter Paige’s childhood best friend and now journalist, Jane Masters, who has been estranged from Paige in recent years. Drawn back to her family home for the funeral, she is under pressure from her boss to use her closeness to the family for a story. However, being back here is bringing all sorts of long buried emotions and secrets to the surface. How did Paige die and who wanted her dead?
At times touching and poignant but always with that dark undercurrent, The Last Illusion of Paige White was a compelling and timely read. Vanessa’s flowing and lyrical writing called out to be savoured and so I read this one slowly, hanging on every word. The mystery surrounding Paige’s death also kept me guessing and the different POVs and timelines added another layer of suspense to this tense novel.
“Could you ever leave behind the person you were, or did they remain trapped inside you like a sad old song?”
The Last Illusion Of Paige White is another winner from this hugely talented Aussie author. If you have yet to read Vanessa’s books, do not delay any longer.
April 17, 2025
The Last Illusion of Paige White is an atmospheric and haunting read, that weaves its way mysteriously through dual timelines. I found it to be very thought provoking.
It’s a beautifully written mystery that explores friendship, family dynamics and really gets you thinking about the complexities and impacts social media can have on your relationships and self identity.
It is written in a way that makes it hard to predict what happened to Paige White because it twists and turns in unexpected ways.
It’s a beautifully written mystery that explores friendship, family dynamics and really gets you thinking about the complexities and impacts social media can have on your relationships and self identity.
It is written in a way that makes it hard to predict what happened to Paige White because it twists and turns in unexpected ways.
April 14, 2025
I absolutely love this author’s style … beautifully written and captivating from the first few pages.
July 25, 2025
I really liked this lovely, atmospheric thriller. It took a little while to get going, as there are multiple POVs, so for the first third of the book it felt like just the tiniest breadcrumbs were being dropped. But not in a bad way. Each POV was interesting, so I was content with the story taking its time.
The Australian lake setting was beautiful, I loved the influencer aspect to the story, and the writing was nice too. I don’t really have anything negative to say about it; the only reason it’s getting three stars is because while I liked it and enjoyed reading it, I just wasn’t fully in love with it. But if you’re looking for a quick, well-written, atmospheric thriller, this could be a good choice.
Thank you @crownpublishing for the free book!
The Australian lake setting was beautiful, I loved the influencer aspect to the story, and the writing was nice too. I don’t really have anything negative to say about it; the only reason it’s getting three stars is because while I liked it and enjoyed reading it, I just wasn’t fully in love with it. But if you’re looking for a quick, well-written, atmospheric thriller, this could be a good choice.
Thank you @crownpublishing for the free book!
August 30, 2025
Influencer Paige White posts a cryptic photo of herself and then one hour is found murdered. Her childhood best friend who is also a reporter returns to their hometown for the services and to find out what happened. Very slow burn more literary suspense than thriller. It was good but I wasn’t obsessed.
May 23, 2025
4.75! Wow I LOVED this. Some may find this a bit slow, but I enjoyed the build and was GOBSMACKED at the big reveal. I was expecting it to be a bit cringy about influencer culture, but it had so much depth throughout. My only qualms preventing it from being that oh-so-elusive 5-star thriller were super minor (and would be pseudo spoilers).
If you’re looking for a mystery book to add to your summer tbr, make it this.
If you’re looking for a mystery book to add to your summer tbr, make it this.
October 24, 2025
The Last Illusion of Page White
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Thriller
🎶 The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
Short synopsis:
The story of Paige, a social media influencer whose mysterious death shocks her small town. Her childhood friend, Jane, a journalist, returns home to uncover the truth behind Paige's death, revealing secrets about their past and the impact of social media on identity.
Book Review:
I don’t have much to say about this. It was pretty interesting for a bit but about half way through it got boring. This was the most mediocre thriller I’ve read in a while. I’ll probably forget all about it tomorrow.
✨Thank you @harpercollins for my #gifted copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Thriller
🎶 The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
Short synopsis:
The story of Paige, a social media influencer whose mysterious death shocks her small town. Her childhood friend, Jane, a journalist, returns home to uncover the truth behind Paige's death, revealing secrets about their past and the impact of social media on identity.
Book Review:
I don’t have much to say about this. It was pretty interesting for a bit but about half way through it got boring. This was the most mediocre thriller I’ve read in a while. I’ll probably forget all about it tomorrow.
✨Thank you @harpercollins for my #gifted copy!
April 11, 2025
A beautiful mystery. Or is it?
The beautiful writing disguises the depth of the story for a while, as much like Paige, you only see the surface at first.
It's a book that slowly meanders along, a bit like the kayak on the water, and it's only later you realize how some of the beauty is fading to show ugly realities.
It's one I will ponder over for a while and re-read down the track to enjoy the writing once again.
The beautiful writing disguises the depth of the story for a while, as much like Paige, you only see the surface at first.
It's a book that slowly meanders along, a bit like the kayak on the water, and it's only later you realize how some of the beauty is fading to show ugly realities.
It's one I will ponder over for a while and re-read down the track to enjoy the writing once again.
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