What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Last Resort: A Novel
From the bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant comes an immersive new suspense novel: Fifteen years ago, Frida and her brother escaped a cult. Now her brother is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and it isn’t the first time.
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE SUMMER: The New York Times, USA Today, Oprah Daily, Boston Globe, Marie Claire, CrimeReads, Apple Books, Goodreads, Brit + Co, She Reads, BuzzFeed, BookBub, Tag24
“Clémence Michallon is one of the most daring, exciting new voices in psychological suspense; she writes page turners with stunning and surprising depths.” – #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell
"Thought-provoking and shocking. A perfect summer read.”—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of She's Not Sorry
Innocence doesn't bail you out; it just makes you easier to trap.
Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.
When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.
Alternating between past and present timelines, Our Last Resort builds toward a shattering climax that uncovers the fate of the murdered Ara guest and poses the question: how well do we ever really know those we love? Multi-layered, gripping, and intense, Clémence Michallon’s latest suspense novel is a nail-biter until the last page, cementing her status as a major new talent in the genre.
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE SUMMER: The New York Times, USA Today, Oprah Daily, Boston Globe, Marie Claire, CrimeReads, Apple Books, Goodreads, Brit + Co, She Reads, BuzzFeed, BookBub, Tag24
“Clémence Michallon is one of the most daring, exciting new voices in psychological suspense; she writes page turners with stunning and surprising depths.” – #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell
"Thought-provoking and shocking. A perfect summer read.”—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of She's Not Sorry
Innocence doesn't bail you out; it just makes you easier to trap.
Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.
When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.
Alternating between past and present timelines, Our Last Resort builds toward a shattering climax that uncovers the fate of the murdered Ara guest and poses the question: how well do we ever really know those we love? Multi-layered, gripping, and intense, Clémence Michallon’s latest suspense novel is a nail-biter until the last page, cementing her status as a major new talent in the genre.
432 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2025
660 people are currently reading
59946 people want to read
About the author
Clémence Michallon
7 books2,175 followersClémence Michallon is the author of The Quiet Tenant, a USA Today and international bestseller and nominee for the Dashiell Hammett Prize.
She’s also an award-nominated journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Time Magazine, The Independent, and more. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She has interviewed artists from Michael Imperioli to Ben Platt and authors such as John Green, Rumaan Alam, and Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Clémence received a master’s in journalism from Columbia University and also studied at Sciences Po in Paris and City, University of London. Born and raised near Paris, she moved to the US in 2014. She is now a dual French and American citizen and she splits her time between New York and Rhinebeck with her husband and their dog Claudine.
She can be found on Instagram at @clemencemichallon.
She’s also an award-nominated journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Time Magazine, The Independent, and more. Her essays and features have covered true-crime, celebrity culture, and literature. She has interviewed artists from Michael Imperioli to Ben Platt and authors such as John Green, Rumaan Alam, and Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Clémence received a master’s in journalism from Columbia University and also studied at Sciences Po in Paris and City, University of London. Born and raised near Paris, she moved to the US in 2014. She is now a dual French and American citizen and she splits her time between New York and Rhinebeck with her husband and their dog Claudine.
She can be found on Instagram at @clemencemichallon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,673 reviews
February 21, 2025
4.5🌟
Death seems to follow you everywhere…
Having been raised in a cult, it’s fair to say Frida and Gabriel had a different upbringing than most. Once breaking free of the cults’ grip they drifted apart, eventually living at opposite ends of the country from one another.
Now, a five-star luxury vacation is reuniting the two. But when a woman is killed at the resort, old secrets are about to bubble to the surface.
Told in both present and past timelines. We’re able to get a clear picture of the two characters growing up in the cult, and how that decisively shaped their future.
This was a griping, suspenseful read that maintained a hold on me from the start. I enjoyed both timelines equally and was thoroughly satisfied with the ending. An all-around great reading experience.
I absolutely loved Clemence Michallon’s debut novel The Quiet Tenant and was worried her follow up wouldn’t match that magic. (Always a big concern!) But this latest was just as thrilling. This author has now established herself as one of my go-to authors. Already looking forward to her next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor
Death seems to follow you everywhere…
Having been raised in a cult, it’s fair to say Frida and Gabriel had a different upbringing than most. Once breaking free of the cults’ grip they drifted apart, eventually living at opposite ends of the country from one another.
Now, a five-star luxury vacation is reuniting the two. But when a woman is killed at the resort, old secrets are about to bubble to the surface.
Told in both present and past timelines. We’re able to get a clear picture of the two characters growing up in the cult, and how that decisively shaped their future.
This was a griping, suspenseful read that maintained a hold on me from the start. I enjoyed both timelines equally and was thoroughly satisfied with the ending. An all-around great reading experience.
I absolutely loved Clemence Michallon’s debut novel The Quiet Tenant and was worried her follow up wouldn’t match that magic. (Always a big concern!) But this latest was just as thrilling. This author has now established herself as one of my go-to authors. Already looking forward to her next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor
April 28, 2025
Clemence Michalon’s unique debut, The Quiet Tenant, absolutely shook me to my core, so I eagerly dove into her brand-new thriller Last Resort without even glancing at the plot summary.
And it did not disappoint! This gripping page-turner masterfully intertwines two timelines: the past, exploring the lives of two self-declared siblings at a cult, and the present, where they reunite at a hotel in Escalante, Utah, only to find themselves entangled in a murder investigation.
The character development is exceptional, especially the bond between Frida and Gabriel, which is beautifully portrayed. The pacing is flawless, and the mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story gradually unveils layers of intrigue, making you question what happened in the cult fifteen years ago, who killed Gabriel’s wife nine years ago, and who is responsible for the present-day murder of Sabrina, the young wife of wealthy and temperamental businessman William Brenner. These three mysteries are seamlessly connected and resolved in a logical, satisfying way.
The tension builds relentlessly, culminating in a climax that left me breathless, with twists that hit you like a freight train. The poignant ending highlights the deep connection between Frida and Gabriel, proving that family isn’t always defined by blood.
Quick plot recap: Frida and Gabriel first bonded as siblings while living in a cult led by Emile, a charismatic and manipulative French leader who controlled a tight-knit community of mothers and their children. Their shared trauma created a lifelong bond.
In the present, they reunite for a getaway in Escalante, Utah, seeking solace from their troubled pasts. However, trouble follows them when William Brenner’s wife, Sabrina, is found dead, and suspicion falls on Gabriel, whose own wife, Annie, died under mysterious circumstances nine years earlier. Though he was never charged, Gabriel’s evasiveness about his whereabouts raises red flags, even for Frida, who begins to doubt her loyalty to him. As secrets from their past resurface, Frida must grapple with the possibility that her brother’s darkness may be more dangerous than she imagined.
Overall: Last Resort is a fast-paced, heart-pounding, twist-filled thriller that firmly establishes Michalon as one of my must-read authors. Highly recommended for fans of the genre—grab a blanket, settle in, and prepare for a wild, twisty ride!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for sharing this stunning thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter
And it did not disappoint! This gripping page-turner masterfully intertwines two timelines: the past, exploring the lives of two self-declared siblings at a cult, and the present, where they reunite at a hotel in Escalante, Utah, only to find themselves entangled in a murder investigation.
The character development is exceptional, especially the bond between Frida and Gabriel, which is beautifully portrayed. The pacing is flawless, and the mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story gradually unveils layers of intrigue, making you question what happened in the cult fifteen years ago, who killed Gabriel’s wife nine years ago, and who is responsible for the present-day murder of Sabrina, the young wife of wealthy and temperamental businessman William Brenner. These three mysteries are seamlessly connected and resolved in a logical, satisfying way.
The tension builds relentlessly, culminating in a climax that left me breathless, with twists that hit you like a freight train. The poignant ending highlights the deep connection between Frida and Gabriel, proving that family isn’t always defined by blood.
Quick plot recap: Frida and Gabriel first bonded as siblings while living in a cult led by Emile, a charismatic and manipulative French leader who controlled a tight-knit community of mothers and their children. Their shared trauma created a lifelong bond.
In the present, they reunite for a getaway in Escalante, Utah, seeking solace from their troubled pasts. However, trouble follows them when William Brenner’s wife, Sabrina, is found dead, and suspicion falls on Gabriel, whose own wife, Annie, died under mysterious circumstances nine years earlier. Though he was never charged, Gabriel’s evasiveness about his whereabouts raises red flags, even for Frida, who begins to doubt her loyalty to him. As secrets from their past resurface, Frida must grapple with the possibility that her brother’s darkness may be more dangerous than she imagined.
Overall: Last Resort is a fast-paced, heart-pounding, twist-filled thriller that firmly establishes Michalon as one of my must-read authors. Highly recommended for fans of the genre—grab a blanket, settle in, and prepare for a wild, twisty ride!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for sharing this stunning thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
September 16, 2025
Frida and Gabriel escape a cult, but most of this book focuses on what happens after they leave. We get a few glimpses of their time inside, though not enough to fully satisfy the cult lust. There’s a lot going on here, their personal growth, Gabriel being accused of murdering his wife, and then a new murder at the hotel he and Frida are staying at.
It’s quite a lot to take in, but the pacing is solid and keeps things moving. The characters felt a bit average, without anything that really made them stand out. It was a good read, just not one of my favorites.
It’s quite a lot to take in, but the pacing is solid and keeps things moving. The characters felt a bit average, without anything that really made them stand out. It was a good read, just not one of my favorites.
July 22, 2025
With hypnotic character development and an original plot that pulled me in deep, Our Last Resort was a unique trip into the depths of friendship and love. From the introspective poignancy to the palpable tension, all sides of this novel won me over in spades. It wasn’t quite the propulsive thriller that I had been expecting, however. Instead, the suspense-laden tale was mixed deftly with a heart-stopping sibling drama. Despite the lack of adrenaline-fueled action, though, there was no end to the building unease as I waited for disaster to strike. And let me tell you, when disaster finally did descend, it did so via a pulse-pounding climax that had me ripping through the pages with glee.
The biggest win in this unputdownable read, however, was easily the combination of fully fleshed out personas and relentless intrigue. Unwinding layers of secrets from the siblings’ enigmatic past, the dual timelines delivered a perfectly paced storyline filled with anxiety-inducing cliffhangers and well-timed reveals. By the time I reached the somewhat open-ended conclusion, I very well could’ve been holding my breath for the entire time I was reading. After all, I felt as if I’d been immersed in Frida and Gabriel’s world thanks to the evocative descriptions and thought-provoking prose. Besides, with twist after twist that left me gasping out loud, how on earth could I have ever put this book down?
All said and done, while I wouldn’t classify this novel as a fast-paced thriller, it certainly kept me spellbound from beginning to end. In fact, I was so hypnotized by the cult-centered mystery and modern-day intrigue that I finished the book in one single sitting. With a complex relationship between the two main characters and an equally intricate plot that kept me riveted throughout, I was blown away by the deep exploration of friendship, identity, history, and trauma. Add in the underlying locked room mystery vibe, and there wasn’t much missing from these thrilling yet pensive pages. Atmospheric, bingeable, and with teasing plot twists, I couldn’t get enough of this mesmerizing tale. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.
When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.
Thank you to Clémence Michallon, Alfred A. Knopf, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 8, 2025
Content warning: cults, panic attack/anxiety disorder, sexual assault, arson, infidelity
The biggest win in this unputdownable read, however, was easily the combination of fully fleshed out personas and relentless intrigue. Unwinding layers of secrets from the siblings’ enigmatic past, the dual timelines delivered a perfectly paced storyline filled with anxiety-inducing cliffhangers and well-timed reveals. By the time I reached the somewhat open-ended conclusion, I very well could’ve been holding my breath for the entire time I was reading. After all, I felt as if I’d been immersed in Frida and Gabriel’s world thanks to the evocative descriptions and thought-provoking prose. Besides, with twist after twist that left me gasping out loud, how on earth could I have ever put this book down?
All said and done, while I wouldn’t classify this novel as a fast-paced thriller, it certainly kept me spellbound from beginning to end. In fact, I was so hypnotized by the cult-centered mystery and modern-day intrigue that I finished the book in one single sitting. With a complex relationship between the two main characters and an equally intricate plot that kept me riveted throughout, I was blown away by the deep exploration of friendship, identity, history, and trauma. Add in the underlying locked room mystery vibe, and there wasn’t much missing from these thrilling yet pensive pages. Atmospheric, bingeable, and with teasing plot twists, I couldn’t get enough of this mesmerizing tale. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.
When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.
Thank you to Clémence Michallon, Alfred A. Knopf, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 8, 2025
Content warning: cults, panic attack/anxiety disorder, sexual assault, arson, infidelity
August 13, 2025
3.5⭐️ While this has very much been the year for debuts and contemporary and lit fiction, it’s very much not been the year for thrillers. After absolutely devouring Michallon’s debut, The Quiet Tenant, I was crazy excited to dive into her newest, Our Last Resort. And although still enjoyable, I did not feel the same connection to the characters, nor feel as immersed in the story as I had hoped to.
Let me preface this by saying, cultist thrillers are not my favorite sub-genre. Cults have never really interested me and have generally been overdone, and all in an almost cookie-cutter fashion. I cannot say the same about the cult featured in this story. Feeling quasi true to life especially considering current events, à la Epstein and his island, the cult, while important, is only a small fraction of this story. And yet it did set the tone of the story to me, whether fair or not.
The story was also insanely slow burn. With such an action-backed beginning, it surprised me just how much the pace of the story slowed until we neared the end. In a sense, this is good— it allows for more character exploration. However, I still struggled to see these characters as fully three-dimensional. It felt as though they kept slipping through my fingers; their story not as meaningful to me as I had envisioned it would be going into it. By the time I reached the end, I felt more disconnected than enmeshed, leaving me feeling a little disappointed.
Is this bingy? Yes. Is it atmospheric, fairly. Can it be enjoyed, especially on audio narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, one of the best in the business? For sure. That said, for me, though not bad, this one missed the mark.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️cultish vibes
▪️resort setting
▪️slow burn
▪️complex “family” dynamics
▪️dual timelines
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Knopf and PRH Audio for the advanced copies.
Let me preface this by saying, cultist thrillers are not my favorite sub-genre. Cults have never really interested me and have generally been overdone, and all in an almost cookie-cutter fashion. I cannot say the same about the cult featured in this story. Feeling quasi true to life especially considering current events, à la Epstein and his island, the cult, while important, is only a small fraction of this story. And yet it did set the tone of the story to me, whether fair or not.
The story was also insanely slow burn. With such an action-backed beginning, it surprised me just how much the pace of the story slowed until we neared the end. In a sense, this is good— it allows for more character exploration. However, I still struggled to see these characters as fully three-dimensional. It felt as though they kept slipping through my fingers; their story not as meaningful to me as I had envisioned it would be going into it. By the time I reached the end, I felt more disconnected than enmeshed, leaving me feeling a little disappointed.
Is this bingy? Yes. Is it atmospheric, fairly. Can it be enjoyed, especially on audio narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, one of the best in the business? For sure. That said, for me, though not bad, this one missed the mark.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️cultish vibes
▪️resort setting
▪️slow burn
▪️complex “family” dynamics
▪️dual timelines
Check out my Bookstagram post here ♥
Thank you Knopf and PRH Audio for the advanced copies.
December 24, 2024
Pain. Pain is what I feel reviewing this book after loving Michallon’s previous work so much.
Whereas The Quiet Tenant was more literary thriller, Our Last Resort is more murder mystery, making it—I think—much more accessible and enjoyable to those who enjoy the genre. However, it felt underdeveloped and elementary compared to Michallon’s debut. Our two main characters were uninteresting and I failed to ever connect with them (and therefore, care about them); they didn’t feel real to me but rather read like the fictional characters that they are.
The story is written in two timelines, past and present, but I’m not sure that was needed as it felt like reading two different stories. When I read a story about a cult, I am immediately interested because there is so much fascinating and terrifying psychological horror that can be explored. In the case of Our Last Resort, the past timeline about the cult felt lackluster and, frankly, was not all that necessary to tell the rest of the story in the present timeline. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, especially in the past, and it led to a story that read flat and dry.
Is it worth reading? For plenty, it will be. Many will find this book enjoyable but let's just say that I will not be running out to buy a copy.
Thank you Knopf for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Jul 08 2025
Whereas The Quiet Tenant was more literary thriller, Our Last Resort is more murder mystery, making it—I think—much more accessible and enjoyable to those who enjoy the genre. However, it felt underdeveloped and elementary compared to Michallon’s debut. Our two main characters were uninteresting and I failed to ever connect with them (and therefore, care about them); they didn’t feel real to me but rather read like the fictional characters that they are.
The story is written in two timelines, past and present, but I’m not sure that was needed as it felt like reading two different stories. When I read a story about a cult, I am immediately interested because there is so much fascinating and terrifying psychological horror that can be explored. In the case of Our Last Resort, the past timeline about the cult felt lackluster and, frankly, was not all that necessary to tell the rest of the story in the present timeline. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, especially in the past, and it led to a story that read flat and dry.
Is it worth reading? For plenty, it will be. Many will find this book enjoyable but let's just say that I will not be running out to buy a copy.
Thank you Knopf for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Jul 08 2025
July 13, 2025
Our Last Resort is a book that slowly simmers and oozes as the story of Frida and Gabriel, two individuals raised in a cult, deal with trauma and murder in their lives. This book, which is told in two timelines, has a mesmerizing feel as we learn about the siblings and their time spent growing up in a cult and their lives after the cult. There is something intriguing to me about cults. The how's and whys about why people join, why they stay, and what it must be like to live under the control of another.
Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and eventually escape and have a very rough couple of years trying to survive and make their way in a world they were raised to mistrust. They eventually drift apart but come back together when Gabriel is questioned for murder - for a second time!!!
This book was a bit slow in spots and usually I struggle with slow burns but this one grabbed and held my attention. I wanted to know about the murders and their past growing up in the cult. This book is told through Frida's POV, and readers are privy to her thoughts, concerns, emotions, doubts, and belief in her brother.
I enjoyed the quiet tension in this book. The deaths that seem to happen around Gabriel. The wondering what is going on, why is this occurring, and why? This book asks the question of how well do we know those in our lives? What secrets do those we love keep?
I thought I knew where this book was going and found that I was way off base. I loved The Quiet Tenant, and although this book did not grab my attention or shock me in the way that book did, this book is more lowkey yet manages to tip toe up behind the reader, give a gentle tap on the shoulder, before the books ending.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and foreboding scenes which occurred in the past timeline. The time spent in the cult has a very ominous feel promoted unease and dread. The time in the present feels very different as that time is behind them, but they are still in a risky high stake's situation.
Overall, an enjoyable, gripping, well thought out, and thought-provoking book.
Thank you to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and eventually escape and have a very rough couple of years trying to survive and make their way in a world they were raised to mistrust. They eventually drift apart but come back together when Gabriel is questioned for murder - for a second time!!!
This book was a bit slow in spots and usually I struggle with slow burns but this one grabbed and held my attention. I wanted to know about the murders and their past growing up in the cult. This book is told through Frida's POV, and readers are privy to her thoughts, concerns, emotions, doubts, and belief in her brother.
I enjoyed the quiet tension in this book. The deaths that seem to happen around Gabriel. The wondering what is going on, why is this occurring, and why? This book asks the question of how well do we know those in our lives? What secrets do those we love keep?
I thought I knew where this book was going and found that I was way off base. I loved The Quiet Tenant, and although this book did not grab my attention or shock me in the way that book did, this book is more lowkey yet manages to tip toe up behind the reader, give a gentle tap on the shoulder, before the books ending.
I enjoyed the atmosphere and foreboding scenes which occurred in the past timeline. The time spent in the cult has a very ominous feel promoted unease and dread. The time in the present feels very different as that time is behind them, but they are still in a risky high stake's situation.
Overall, an enjoyable, gripping, well thought out, and thought-provoking book.
Thank you to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
July 21, 2025
A first for me by this author. Not sure I'd be inclined to read another. 🤷
July 14, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up. I was interested in this one mainly for it’s Utah desert setting in a fancy resort (which is like Amangiri) and it really delivered on that. I also liked the murder mystery of a trophy wife guest just fine too and I liked the big twist here & guessed it just a bit before that page, LOL. But I found the MC Frida and her “brother” Gabriel’s back story much less intriguing and I really didn’t care for the cult chapters at all - lots of trauma to unpack there. Still a quite serviceable domestic suspense novel & will keep any eye out for this author’s future releases.
October 18, 2025
Frida and “her brother” Gabriel aren’t related by blood, but they’re tied together by secrets, trauma, and a past that’s left them relying only on each other. Now, while they’re reconnecting at a remote resort and a woman ends up murdered Frida starts to question Gabriel and their bond is tested
What Lit My Mood
Frida narrates, and the chapters flow between past and present as we slowly learn of their shared past as children in a cult, their escape and adjusting to life outside the cult.
Clémence Michallon does a good job creating suspense with questions I need to know the answers to as the layers unfold well and I managed to figure out a couple reveals just before they landed.
Where My Mood Flickered
This wasn’t perfect and it’s not a book I’d run around screaming for people to read… but nothing actively pulled me out either. No real flicker.
Witchy Mood Meter
Mood Aligned — strong, steady, kept me engaged.
Audiobook or Book?
Audiobook all the way. Saskia Maarleveld narrates and she nailed the pacing. I kept promising myself “just one more chapter” and then… didn’t stop.
Verdict
A gripping, slow-unfolding trauma story that hits steady instead of loud worth reading when you want layered, not flashy.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
What Lit My Mood
Frida narrates, and the chapters flow between past and present as we slowly learn of their shared past as children in a cult, their escape and adjusting to life outside the cult.
Clémence Michallon does a good job creating suspense with questions I need to know the answers to as the layers unfold well and I managed to figure out a couple reveals just before they landed.
Where My Mood Flickered
This wasn’t perfect and it’s not a book I’d run around screaming for people to read… but nothing actively pulled me out either. No real flicker.
Witchy Mood Meter
Mood Aligned — strong, steady, kept me engaged.
Audiobook or Book?
Audiobook all the way. Saskia Maarleveld narrates and she nailed the pacing. I kept promising myself “just one more chapter” and then… didn’t stop.
Verdict
A gripping, slow-unfolding trauma story that hits steady instead of loud worth reading when you want layered, not flashy.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
July 13, 2025
Non-memorable, too slow.. but I was still interested (and a gluttony for punishment apparently).. to do all the listening and get a lackluster ending, as always. 😢
May 4, 2025
First things first, a big THANK YOU to NetGalley, Clémence Michallon, and Elliot & Thompson Publishing for the eARC of Our Last Resort in exchange for my honest review 🙏💌 I'm thrilled to be sharing this one with you early because when it hits shelves in Summer 2025, you’re going to want to grab a copy!
✨Initial Thoughts: As someone who loved The Quiet Tenant, I was super excited to see what Michallon would deliver next—and she didn’t disappoint. Our Last Resort is a psychological thriller told in my favorite narration style: first person! 👁️💭 We follow Frida, a woman with a haunting past. She and her self-proclaimed brother, Gabriel, escaped a cult as teenagers. But life after escape hasn't exactly been smooth...
🕵️♀️Plot Breakdown (No Spoilers): Frida and Gabriel have been estranged for years, ever since the mysterious death of Gabriel’s wife—who also happened to be Frida’s best friend, Annie. 😬 The two reconnect when they’re approached about a documentary... but the mystery simmers: is it about the cult or the death? 🤔
To talk things over, they reunite at a luxe desert resort 🌵—but not long after their arrival, a young woman is found dead. And guess who ends up in the middle of the investigation? Yep. Frida and Gabriel. 😨 The suspense builds quickly, and while I found some of the plot turns a bit predictable 🧩, I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
🎭Characters & Themes: The dynamic between Frida and Gabriel is so complex—it’s hard to tell if you trust him, even when Frida wants to. That tension kept me invested the whole way. Michallon does a great job exploring themes of trauma, identity, and sibling loyalty (even when that “sibling” status is... a bit questionable 👀).
That said, I would have loved more depth on the cult background. That thread was super compelling and felt like it could’ve gone even deeper into the psychology and manipulation aspects 🧠🕳️.
⏳Pacing & Final Thoughts: I flew through this one in two days! 🏃♀️📖 That’s the beauty of a thriller—sometimes even when the character development isn’t fully fleshed out, the story still absolutely slaps. And this one did! 🙌 I wasn’t bored for a second, and while it may not have packed the same gut-punch as The Quiet Tenant, it definitely delivered on suspense and atmosphere.
📚Would I Recommend? Absolutely! If you love atmospheric thrillers with cult undertones, sibling drama, and locked-room resort vibes, this will be a great summer read to add to your TBR pile ☀️🕶️
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
Stay tuned for its official release in Summer 2025—I’ll definitely be shouting about it again closer to pub day! 🗓️💥
✨Initial Thoughts: As someone who loved The Quiet Tenant, I was super excited to see what Michallon would deliver next—and she didn’t disappoint. Our Last Resort is a psychological thriller told in my favorite narration style: first person! 👁️💭 We follow Frida, a woman with a haunting past. She and her self-proclaimed brother, Gabriel, escaped a cult as teenagers. But life after escape hasn't exactly been smooth...
🕵️♀️Plot Breakdown (No Spoilers): Frida and Gabriel have been estranged for years, ever since the mysterious death of Gabriel’s wife—who also happened to be Frida’s best friend, Annie. 😬 The two reconnect when they’re approached about a documentary... but the mystery simmers: is it about the cult or the death? 🤔
To talk things over, they reunite at a luxe desert resort 🌵—but not long after their arrival, a young woman is found dead. And guess who ends up in the middle of the investigation? Yep. Frida and Gabriel. 😨 The suspense builds quickly, and while I found some of the plot turns a bit predictable 🧩, I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
🎭Characters & Themes: The dynamic between Frida and Gabriel is so complex—it’s hard to tell if you trust him, even when Frida wants to. That tension kept me invested the whole way. Michallon does a great job exploring themes of trauma, identity, and sibling loyalty (even when that “sibling” status is... a bit questionable 👀).
That said, I would have loved more depth on the cult background. That thread was super compelling and felt like it could’ve gone even deeper into the psychology and manipulation aspects 🧠🕳️.
⏳Pacing & Final Thoughts: I flew through this one in two days! 🏃♀️📖 That’s the beauty of a thriller—sometimes even when the character development isn’t fully fleshed out, the story still absolutely slaps. And this one did! 🙌 I wasn’t bored for a second, and while it may not have packed the same gut-punch as The Quiet Tenant, it definitely delivered on suspense and atmosphere.
📚Would I Recommend? Absolutely! If you love atmospheric thrillers with cult undertones, sibling drama, and locked-room resort vibes, this will be a great summer read to add to your TBR pile ☀️🕶️
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4 ⭐️
Stay tuned for its official release in Summer 2025—I’ll definitely be shouting about it again closer to pub day! 🗓️💥
Read
June 28, 2025*3.5 stars
I absolutely loved Clémence’s debut novel, The Quiet Tenant so I was super excited to dive into her sophomore novel.
Similar to The Quiet Tenant, Our Last Resort is not a traditional popcorn thriller but more of a literary thriller. The story is centered around a mystery with plenty of suspenseful and atmospheric parts. Similar to The Quiet Tenant, this one is well written with vivid settings and realistic characters.
My favorite part of the book was the cult aspects. I loved learning about Frida and Gabriel’s backstory of growing up in the cult. My only issue with this one is that I wanted more of the cult! But overall, I enjoyed Our Last Resort and I think readers will really enjoy it too. I look forward to reading whatever else Clémence writes next.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the fantastic Saskia Maarleveld who as always, did an amazing job. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format.
Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon will be available on July 8 from AA Knopf. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
I absolutely loved Clémence’s debut novel, The Quiet Tenant so I was super excited to dive into her sophomore novel.
Similar to The Quiet Tenant, Our Last Resort is not a traditional popcorn thriller but more of a literary thriller. The story is centered around a mystery with plenty of suspenseful and atmospheric parts. Similar to The Quiet Tenant, this one is well written with vivid settings and realistic characters.
My favorite part of the book was the cult aspects. I loved learning about Frida and Gabriel’s backstory of growing up in the cult. My only issue with this one is that I wanted more of the cult! But overall, I enjoyed Our Last Resort and I think readers will really enjoy it too. I look forward to reading whatever else Clémence writes next.
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the fantastic Saskia Maarleveld who as always, did an amazing job. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format.
Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon will be available on July 8 from AA Knopf. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
June 27, 2025
Clémence Michallon is an incredible storyteller and writer, and OUR LAST RESORT has cemented her in the thriller realm. The cover immediately hooked me in, but then when I read the synopsis, I knew that this would be a perfect summer read for me!
Frida and Gabriel arrive at the remote, luxurious Ara Hotel in Escalante, Utah, hoping to heal their fractured bond after a devastating tragedy, but their plans for renewal are shattered when a young woman is found dead at the resort. As suspicion falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to confront haunting memories of their childhood in a cult, their desperate escape, and the scandal that changed everything—while grappling with the possibility that Gabriel may not be the man she thought he was.
This book hooked me right from the beginning. I loved the dynamics between siblings, the mystery behind whether Gabriel is innocent or not, and the cult backstory that has affected the twosome. I read this book via audio (thank you @prhaudio) and it was an incredible way to immerse myself in Michallon's world in OUR LAST RESORT. I really enjoyed the pivot Michallon took with this from her debut, The Quiet Tenant, as this one is less gritty and more in-your-face tense. The mystery had me dabbling on who I should root for at times and I loved being able to question my own thoughts on how to proceed, which is a testament to the suspenseful storytelling Michallon provides here. This story kept me on the edge of my seat and if you are a fan of cults, psychological thrillers, family sagas, and The Quiet Tenant, then OUR LAST RESORT is a must read!
Frida and Gabriel arrive at the remote, luxurious Ara Hotel in Escalante, Utah, hoping to heal their fractured bond after a devastating tragedy, but their plans for renewal are shattered when a young woman is found dead at the resort. As suspicion falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to confront haunting memories of their childhood in a cult, their desperate escape, and the scandal that changed everything—while grappling with the possibility that Gabriel may not be the man she thought he was.
This book hooked me right from the beginning. I loved the dynamics between siblings, the mystery behind whether Gabriel is innocent or not, and the cult backstory that has affected the twosome. I read this book via audio (thank you @prhaudio) and it was an incredible way to immerse myself in Michallon's world in OUR LAST RESORT. I really enjoyed the pivot Michallon took with this from her debut, The Quiet Tenant, as this one is less gritty and more in-your-face tense. The mystery had me dabbling on who I should root for at times and I loved being able to question my own thoughts on how to proceed, which is a testament to the suspenseful storytelling Michallon provides here. This story kept me on the edge of my seat and if you are a fan of cults, psychological thrillers, family sagas, and The Quiet Tenant, then OUR LAST RESORT is a must read!
July 7, 2025
Loved "The quiet tenant", Story kept me on the edge of my seat, not knowing how it would end!
This one I'm on the fence; i did like the suspense around the story, as it kept me guessing as to what was the red herring in the story.
So a pair of teenagers escape a compound; a cult and navigate their way in the new world. It seems though that suspicious deaths keep happening around the brother and then the straw finally breaks the camel's back, we see the TRUTH of everything's that's happened from the beginning and who the real victim and perpetrators really are!
Solid 3.5 Stars !!!!
Thanks to NetGalley & Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC! Grateful 🙏🏾
OUR LAST RESORT out July 8th 2025
This one I'm on the fence; i did like the suspense around the story, as it kept me guessing as to what was the red herring in the story.
So a pair of teenagers escape a compound; a cult and navigate their way in the new world. It seems though that suspicious deaths keep happening around the brother and then the straw finally breaks the camel's back, we see the TRUTH of everything's that's happened from the beginning and who the real victim and perpetrators really are!
Solid 3.5 Stars !!!!
Thanks to NetGalley & Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this ARC! Grateful 🙏🏾
OUR LAST RESORT out July 8th 2025
June 15, 2025
15 years ago, Frida and Gabriel fled a cult in upstate New York. They took a train to New York City and began to rebuild their lives one step at a time. Fast-forward to present day and they meet up at a very exclusive resort in Utah, with the intent of telling their story to a documentary team. After a few nights, another guest, a high profile wife is murdered. Gabriel and Frida fall in the police crosshairs of persons of interest in the case.
This book is told between both the present timeline as well as the past showing their lives in the cult as well as their time spent directly afterwards. This is where I think the book lost a little potential. The past timeline tells us who Frida and Gabriel are, and the circumstances in which they live, but never gets into the nitty-gritty of it. You know who the characters are, but you don’t really know them. This by far was my favorite timeline and I feel like it could’ve focused entirely on this and not even brought in the present day murder investigation. The present day murder investigation just reminded me of a cut and dry Law and Order episode.
This one did take me a little bit to get into, but I believe that’s because I I wasn’t fully invested in the characters.
Overall, this was a good book, however, I prefer The Quiet Tenant over this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
This book is told between both the present timeline as well as the past showing their lives in the cult as well as their time spent directly afterwards. This is where I think the book lost a little potential. The past timeline tells us who Frida and Gabriel are, and the circumstances in which they live, but never gets into the nitty-gritty of it. You know who the characters are, but you don’t really know them. This by far was my favorite timeline and I feel like it could’ve focused entirely on this and not even brought in the present day murder investigation. The present day murder investigation just reminded me of a cut and dry Law and Order episode.
This one did take me a little bit to get into, but I believe that’s because I I wasn’t fully invested in the characters.
Overall, this was a good book, however, I prefer The Quiet Tenant over this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
May 13, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Siblings Frida and Gabriel escaped from a cult fifteen years ago. They drifted apart after the mysterious death of Gabriel’s wife, but have been brought back together at a luxurious resort. It’s not long before another guest has been found dead and Gabriel is once again a suspect. Death seems to follow him everywhere he goes.
It was entertaining and quick read but not my favorite. I wish we had gotten more background on their cult upbringing.
Siblings Frida and Gabriel escaped from a cult fifteen years ago. They drifted apart after the mysterious death of Gabriel’s wife, but have been brought back together at a luxurious resort. It’s not long before another guest has been found dead and Gabriel is once again a suspect. Death seems to follow him everywhere he goes.
It was entertaining and quick read but not my favorite. I wish we had gotten more background on their cult upbringing.
August 9, 2025
Our Last Resort was more of a character driven thriller than I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. It is a slower paced book as we learn about our 2 main characters in the past and the present. For me there weren’t any twists that I didn’t see coming, it was more of a story of friendship and that unbreakable connection between these characters.
Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and know each other back to front and inside out. They have been through some dark times and had that unconventional upbringing that only they understand. In a bid to reconnect after being estranged for a little while they travel to a high end resort in Utah. Nothing to do but relax, swim and talk. But when a guest is murdered, the pair find themselves persons of interest and puts their relationship in jeopardy.
I enjoyed how we see everything through the point of view of Frida, both in the present day and in the past. These two had a connection that was hard for outsiders to understand but made perfect sense to them. It shows just how far they would go for each other.
Thank you to Elliot and Thompson for my advanced copy of this book on NetGalley to read. Out on August 7th.
Frida and Gabriel grew up in a cult and know each other back to front and inside out. They have been through some dark times and had that unconventional upbringing that only they understand. In a bid to reconnect after being estranged for a little while they travel to a high end resort in Utah. Nothing to do but relax, swim and talk. But when a guest is murdered, the pair find themselves persons of interest and puts their relationship in jeopardy.
I enjoyed how we see everything through the point of view of Frida, both in the present day and in the past. These two had a connection that was hard for outsiders to understand but made perfect sense to them. It shows just how far they would go for each other.
Thank you to Elliot and Thompson for my advanced copy of this book on NetGalley to read. Out on August 7th.
October 22, 2025
3.5 stars? Here’s my brain dump for now, full RTC. So many layers to this book which I both loved and didn’t care for. I was still able to binge this one in a day but felt it was missing that hook I crave. The plot is interesting and I did like the dual timeline.
July 4, 2025
"Fifteen years ago, Frida and her brother escaped a cult. Now, her brother is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and it isn’t the first time."
Frida and Gabriel are currently at a luxury resort in Escalante , Utah. When an uber wealthy client's wife is found murdered, they are caught up in a web where their past collides with the present. Told in dual timeline, Michallon does a great job of intertwining them together to tell a seamless story with shocking revelations and twists along the way. The story took a bit of time to gain momentum while the characters are developed, but once it did, it was propulsive, and I was hooked! This is more murder mystery than The Quiet Tenant, and I enjoyed it very much.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and Clemence Michallon for the advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
Frida and Gabriel are currently at a luxury resort in Escalante , Utah. When an uber wealthy client's wife is found murdered, they are caught up in a web where their past collides with the present. Told in dual timeline, Michallon does a great job of intertwining them together to tell a seamless story with shocking revelations and twists along the way. The story took a bit of time to gain momentum while the characters are developed, but once it did, it was propulsive, and I was hooked! This is more murder mystery than The Quiet Tenant, and I enjoyed it very much.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor, and Clemence Michallon for the advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 25, 2025
I really liked this author’s writing style. The words just flowed off the page.
The story, told in dual timelines, was interesting, particularly the one about the main characters’ time in a cult when they were children. I liked that the story, although revolving around a murder, also was a story about the bonds of friendship, found family, and the impact of childhood trauma. The two main characters were well developed and their relationship was as interesting, if not more so, than the actual mystery about the murder.
The novel kept my interest throughout. In addition to the characters, I loved the short chapters, the pacing was good, and there was an unexpected reveal in the last quarter of the book.
A very enjoyable character-driven mystery read!
The story, told in dual timelines, was interesting, particularly the one about the main characters’ time in a cult when they were children. I liked that the story, although revolving around a murder, also was a story about the bonds of friendship, found family, and the impact of childhood trauma. The two main characters were well developed and their relationship was as interesting, if not more so, than the actual mystery about the murder.
The novel kept my interest throughout. In addition to the characters, I loved the short chapters, the pacing was good, and there was an unexpected reveal in the last quarter of the book.
A very enjoyable character-driven mystery read!
July 29, 2025
Can’t believe this is the same author who wrote the Quiet Tenant, a book that I absolutely loved when I first read it. This was such a weak book and it read like a first draft. None of the characters are care worthy and by the time the “twist” is revealed, there’s just so much fodder to get through that I frankly didn’t give a shit about who killed Annie and Sabrina. Super unbelievable plot too.
When you forget the main character’s name after 3 chapters, it’s usually a sign that the reading isn’t going well.
When you forget the main character’s name after 3 chapters, it’s usually a sign that the reading isn’t going well.
January 23, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback! I have only good things to say about this book but for some reason it didn’t work for me, but still recommend
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2LkPuEo/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2LkPuEo/
April 17, 2025
1.5⭐️
I really enjoyed The Quiet Tenant and was so excited to receive this ARC but this book wasn’t for me. I felt like there wasn’t much to the story and it dragged on. I didn’t find it very thrilling or had any twists. I also found it hard to connect with the characters. I believe many others would enjoy this book even though it wasn’t for me.
This novel following Frida and Gabriel, siblings who seek to reconnect at a luxurious hotel after a past trauma. Their attempt at reconciliation is shattered when a murder occurs, forcing them to confront a dark past involving a cult and their escape, while grappling with mounting evidence against Gabriel. The story unfolds in alternating timelines, revealing the complex dynamics of their relationship and the secrets they carry.
Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC.
Publication date : Aug 7, 2025
I really enjoyed The Quiet Tenant and was so excited to receive this ARC but this book wasn’t for me. I felt like there wasn’t much to the story and it dragged on. I didn’t find it very thrilling or had any twists. I also found it hard to connect with the characters. I believe many others would enjoy this book even though it wasn’t for me.
This novel following Frida and Gabriel, siblings who seek to reconnect at a luxurious hotel after a past trauma. Their attempt at reconciliation is shattered when a murder occurs, forcing them to confront a dark past involving a cult and their escape, while grappling with mounting evidence against Gabriel. The story unfolds in alternating timelines, revealing the complex dynamics of their relationship and the secrets they carry.
Thank you NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for the ARC.
Publication date : Aug 7, 2025
November 19, 2025
Gabriel and Frida escape from a cult in their late teens. Gabriel gets married a few years later. His wife is murdered. He’s the only suspect. Years later, Gabriel and Frida are at a desert resort. Someone is murdered.
The cult storyline is told entirely in flashbacks. The resort murder is told in the present. Neither storyline is interesting. The cult story doesn’t work because the reader already knows they escaped. It’s not exciting. It’s not thrilling. Pretty bland cult too.
The resort murder doesn’t work either. You instantly know who did it. Everything gets resolved far too easily and quickly near the end.
Felt like the author had two different ideas for this book, then realized neither was any good. Tried to salvage it by putting both ideas together. It failed. This book is a mess.
The cult storyline is told entirely in flashbacks. The resort murder is told in the present. Neither storyline is interesting. The cult story doesn’t work because the reader already knows they escaped. It’s not exciting. It’s not thrilling. Pretty bland cult too.
The resort murder doesn’t work either. You instantly know who did it. Everything gets resolved far too easily and quickly near the end.
Felt like the author had two different ideas for this book, then realized neither was any good. Tried to salvage it by putting both ideas together. It failed. This book is a mess.
October 15, 2025
While this was extremely good and packed a punch, it just didn’t pack the same punch as the debut novel, “The Quiet Tenant”.
March 29, 2025
Siblings Frida and Gabriel grew up in a a cult. At the beginning of this story, we find them as adults and reuniting at the bougie Ara hotel in Utah. Soon, someone at the hotel will be dead and Frida may have been the last to see them alive…
I’m am so sorry and sad to say, I honestly just thought this was a bad book. I rarely if ever say that, but this just wasn’t good. I really liked this author’s previous book (THE QUIET TENENT) which was more of a literary suspense read. But this was was very much a basic thriller, like the author has to churn something out for a deadline. It felt so formulaic to many other thrillers I’ve read and never once was it surprising or thrilling.
The reader jumps back and forth in time to the days these two lived in a cult as children and then present day at the hotel and there was so much telling and not showing.
This book was very readable and for that reason I’ll give it two stars but *sad face*
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the gifted egalley!!
I’m am so sorry and sad to say, I honestly just thought this was a bad book. I rarely if ever say that, but this just wasn’t good. I really liked this author’s previous book (THE QUIET TENENT) which was more of a literary suspense read. But this was was very much a basic thriller, like the author has to churn something out for a deadline. It felt so formulaic to many other thrillers I’ve read and never once was it surprising or thrilling.
The reader jumps back and forth in time to the days these two lived in a cult as children and then present day at the hotel and there was so much telling and not showing.
This book was very readable and for that reason I’ll give it two stars but *sad face*
Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the gifted egalley!!
April 16, 2025
ARC for review. To be published August 7, 2025.
4 stars
Frida and Gabriel were raised as self-selected siblings in a cult led by Emile. They ran away when they were around eighteen, amid a lot of darkness.
Now, as adults, people are seeking their participation in a documentary. Gabriel has agreed to talk, but Friday doesn’t understand why. Frida is hoping to reconnect with Gabriel, since they have drifted apart, so she’s invited him for a stay at a resort in the Utah desert…where Friday witnesses what may be a prelude to a murder.
THE QUIET TENANT has been on my “to read” list forever but I haven’t gotten to it, but I was very excited to get the ARC of Michallon’s new book. This was good, both the flashback sections and those taking place in the now. A fair number of good twists and both main characters were well written. Very enjoyable.
4 stars
Frida and Gabriel were raised as self-selected siblings in a cult led by Emile. They ran away when they were around eighteen, amid a lot of darkness.
Now, as adults, people are seeking their participation in a documentary. Gabriel has agreed to talk, but Friday doesn’t understand why. Frida is hoping to reconnect with Gabriel, since they have drifted apart, so she’s invited him for a stay at a resort in the Utah desert…where Friday witnesses what may be a prelude to a murder.
THE QUIET TENANT has been on my “to read” list forever but I haven’t gotten to it, but I was very excited to get the ARC of Michallon’s new book. This was good, both the flashback sections and those taking place in the now. A fair number of good twists and both main characters were well written. Very enjoyable.
March 14, 2025
4.5 rounded up
Huge thanks to Knopf for my gifted early copy.
This book comes out in July.
----
I loved The Quiet Tenant, so when I saw the author had a new book, I hit that request button so fast!🙌🏼 After staying up til 1am to finish, I'm pleased to announce that Clémence Michallon is no one hit wonder. Our Last Resort is a gripping, intelligent, beautifully written story about a brother and sister—Gabriel and Frida— who have had their fair share of hard luck. They're not *really* siblings, but after being born and raised in a brutal cult without anyone to care for them, the pair become family. Now older, they reconnect for the first time since Gabriel's wife's tragic death. But what promises to be a week in paradise turns into more than they bargained for, when a woman is found dead on the resort property.
Our Last Resort is told in past/present timelines, alternating between their childhood years in the cult and the present day at the resort. I really enjoyed both timelines and found the author's transitions from past to present to be smooth. The author's depiction of cult life and indoctrination was well done and felt very authentic. The writing itself is quite literary at times and I was frequently impressed by Michallon's prose. For a thriller, it's quite poetic at times, and that really worked for me. As I mentioned above, I stayed up many hours past my bedtime last night to finish. And if that's not an indicator of a good book, I don't know what is! Highly recommend!
Huge thanks to Knopf for my gifted early copy.
This book comes out in July.
----
I loved The Quiet Tenant, so when I saw the author had a new book, I hit that request button so fast!🙌🏼 After staying up til 1am to finish, I'm pleased to announce that Clémence Michallon is no one hit wonder. Our Last Resort is a gripping, intelligent, beautifully written story about a brother and sister—Gabriel and Frida— who have had their fair share of hard luck. They're not *really* siblings, but after being born and raised in a brutal cult without anyone to care for them, the pair become family. Now older, they reconnect for the first time since Gabriel's wife's tragic death. But what promises to be a week in paradise turns into more than they bargained for, when a woman is found dead on the resort property.
Our Last Resort is told in past/present timelines, alternating between their childhood years in the cult and the present day at the resort. I really enjoyed both timelines and found the author's transitions from past to present to be smooth. The author's depiction of cult life and indoctrination was well done and felt very authentic. The writing itself is quite literary at times and I was frequently impressed by Michallon's prose. For a thriller, it's quite poetic at times, and that really worked for me. As I mentioned above, I stayed up many hours past my bedtime last night to finish. And if that's not an indicator of a good book, I don't know what is! Highly recommend!
April 19, 2025
I liked this book, I didn’t love it. This is a murder mystery about two people - Frida and Gabriel- that grew up in a cult and escaped as young adults. They are at a resort and a young woman ends up dead. There are mysteries about how they escaped their cultist upbringing ,, the murder itself, and his wife who died a few years earlier. He was suspected, but not charged with the crime.
The book has an interesting writing style, it is very simplistic. Very short, declarative sentences over and over. The ending was not a surprise, but it was a simple plot, and ultimately a satisfying ending. It is a quick read and I am sure I will forget this book quickly.
My favorite aspect of this book was the throwback to when they were in the cult, I actually wish they would’ve gone into more detail about their agency born cult leader Emile and What the beliefs of the cult were. It ended in a traumatic way, as many separatist cults do.
Thanks to NetGalley and Elliot and Thompson for the ARC. Book to be published August 7, 2025.
The book has an interesting writing style, it is very simplistic. Very short, declarative sentences over and over. The ending was not a surprise, but it was a simple plot, and ultimately a satisfying ending. It is a quick read and I am sure I will forget this book quickly.
My favorite aspect of this book was the throwback to when they were in the cult, I actually wish they would’ve gone into more detail about their agency born cult leader Emile and What the beliefs of the cult were. It ended in a traumatic way, as many separatist cults do.
Thanks to NetGalley and Elliot and Thompson for the ARC. Book to be published August 7, 2025.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,673 reviews