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The Last Place You Look
Leo thought he knew his wife. Until she disappeared.
Leo Kennedy has it money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in the UK and South Africa. But when his wife Addison goes missing, his immaculate life detonates.
48 hours later, Leo arrives at their safari lodge to retrace her steps. Only there's no sign of Addison. Instead, Leo is met with a scene of blood and chaos, and on the wall a missing poster, with his face, his name and his details.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too . . .
From the author of The Beach Party comes a deliciously dark sunlounger thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Lucy Clarke's The Hike.
Leo Kennedy has it money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in the UK and South Africa. But when his wife Addison goes missing, his immaculate life detonates.
48 hours later, Leo arrives at their safari lodge to retrace her steps. Only there's no sign of Addison. Instead, Leo is met with a scene of blood and chaos, and on the wall a missing poster, with his face, his name and his details.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too . . .
From the author of The Beach Party comes a deliciously dark sunlounger thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Lucy Clarke's The Hike.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
About the author
Nikki Smith
6 books140 followersNikki Smith worked in finance until 2017, when a 'now or never' moment prompted her to apply for the Curtis Brown Creative writing course. She is the author of five novels and co-host of the podcast In Suspense. She lives in Guildford with her family and loves to travel, ideally somewhere hot and sunny.
You can find out more about her on her website www.nikkismithauthor.com & she's on twitter/X as @mrssmithmunday
You can find out more about her on her website www.nikkismithauthor.com & she's on twitter/X as @mrssmithmunday
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 25, 2026
If you love a wild ride, full of shocking surprises and twists then you need to meet Nikki Smith.
This is the kind of book that you pick up and lose all sense of the time. A quick read with nothing being as it seems. There were no characters with any redeeming qualities in this story and that was part of the fun. The ending was so satisfying, really made me smile.
I loved the South Africa setting. I would love to go on a safari one day and see all those amazing animals. The party’s of the story set at the lodge were my favourites. Imagine being surrounded by lions and elephants. I could picture it in my head, the stunning views and the dangers both inside and outside the lodge.
Thanks so much to Penguin UK for my early copy of this book to read. Out on July 2nd.
This is the kind of book that you pick up and lose all sense of the time. A quick read with nothing being as it seems. There were no characters with any redeeming qualities in this story and that was part of the fun. The ending was so satisfying, really made me smile.
I loved the South Africa setting. I would love to go on a safari one day and see all those amazing animals. The party’s of the story set at the lodge were my favourites. Imagine being surrounded by lions and elephants. I could picture it in my head, the stunning views and the dangers both inside and outside the lodge.
Thanks so much to Penguin UK for my early copy of this book to read. Out on July 2nd.
July 13, 2026
Leo and Addison are a wealthy couple with homes in London and South Africa. When Addison fails to return on her flight back from South Africa, Leo begins to worry and it's not long before he starts receiving cryptic messages from Addison. Sensing she's in danger, Leo heads out to South Africa to try to figure out what is going on. From Addison's point of view, events in South Africa have taken a dramatic turn...and I'm not going to say much else because that would spoil things!
This is another fabulous destination thriller from Nikki Smith (I do believe I have read all of Nikki's books and none of them have disappointed). Fast paced, tense and with a twist I genuinely did not see coming (I never know whether to say this because I know some people then say it constantly has them looking for the twist. Well anyway, I'm saying it!).
Nikki's destination thrillers are excellent holiday reads and often make me wonder what everyone else is getting up to on holiday whilst I'm there sipping on my cocktail!
This is another fabulous destination thriller from Nikki Smith (I do believe I have read all of Nikki's books and none of them have disappointed). Fast paced, tense and with a twist I genuinely did not see coming (I never know whether to say this because I know some people then say it constantly has them looking for the twist. Well anyway, I'm saying it!).
Nikki's destination thrillers are excellent holiday reads and often make me wonder what everyone else is getting up to on holiday whilst I'm there sipping on my cocktail!
June 27, 2026
The easiest 5⭐️ I have given this month!!!!
Fuck me this was good (sorry not sure if I can put that but yeah 🤭) wow this bloody book had me gripped from page 1, I read this in one sitting as I just needed to know what was happening. I absolutely loved the multiple POV and the ending of this book… let me tell you I gasped. Immediately need to yap with someone about this book 🤣
Fuck me this was good (sorry not sure if I can put that but yeah 🤭) wow this bloody book had me gripped from page 1, I read this in one sitting as I just needed to know what was happening. I absolutely loved the multiple POV and the ending of this book… let me tell you I gasped. Immediately need to yap with someone about this book 🤣
July 2, 2026
Is an engrossing psychological thriller that grabs your attention from its opening chapters and rarely lets go. The story begins with the disappearance of Addison, whose husband, Leo, travels to their luxury safari lodge in South Africa to find her—only to discover a blood-stained scene and a missing-person poster bearing his own face instead. It’s an irresistible premise that immediately raises more questions than answers.
Smith expertly weaves together multiple perspectives and shifting timelines, creating an atmosphere of constant uncertainty. Just when you think you’ve worked out the truth, another revelation changes everything. While the structure demands close attention, it rewards readers with a series of satisfying twists that keep the suspense high until the final pages.
The South African wilderness is vividly brought to life, providing both breathtaking scenery and an underlying sense of danger that perfectly complements the psychological tension. The contrast between the glamorous lifestyle of the protagonists and the increasingly sinister events unfolding around them adds another layer of intrigue.
The characters are complex, flawed, and often difficult to trust, making it impossible to know whose version of events is accurate. Fans of unreliable narrators and destination thrillers will find plenty to enjoy here.
Smith expertly weaves together multiple perspectives and shifting timelines, creating an atmosphere of constant uncertainty. Just when you think you’ve worked out the truth, another revelation changes everything. While the structure demands close attention, it rewards readers with a series of satisfying twists that keep the suspense high until the final pages.
The South African wilderness is vividly brought to life, providing both breathtaking scenery and an underlying sense of danger that perfectly complements the psychological tension. The contrast between the glamorous lifestyle of the protagonists and the increasingly sinister events unfolding around them adds another layer of intrigue.
The characters are complex, flawed, and often difficult to trust, making it impossible to know whose version of events is accurate. Fans of unreliable narrators and destination thrillers will find plenty to enjoy here.
June 28, 2026
Another one of those books that I found very hard to put down while reading, though it frustrated me no end.
Leo and his wife Addison have a good life. Wealthy, multiple homes and free to pursue their interests as they please, this is the kind of couple that you just can’t help feel are too good to be true. And so it is.
When Addison fails to arrive on her flight Leo wonders what is going on. He receives some cryptic messages from her and suddenly finds himself flying out to South Africa to try and put right the wrongs he believes have taken place.
Over the course of the novel we are shown a number of viewpoints and given the background to what is happening. We slowly piece together just how everything fits…and it is crazy.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication. An ideal holiday read.
Leo and his wife Addison have a good life. Wealthy, multiple homes and free to pursue their interests as they please, this is the kind of couple that you just can’t help feel are too good to be true. And so it is.
When Addison fails to arrive on her flight Leo wonders what is going on. He receives some cryptic messages from her and suddenly finds himself flying out to South Africa to try and put right the wrongs he believes have taken place.
Over the course of the novel we are shown a number of viewpoints and given the background to what is happening. We slowly piece together just how everything fits…and it is crazy.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication. An ideal holiday read.
June 16, 2026
4.5⭐️💫 Leo Kennedy has it all: money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in the UK and South Africa. But when his wife Addison goes missing, his immaculate life detonates. 48 hours later, Leo arrives at their safari lodge to retrace her steps. Only there's no sign of Addison. Instead, Leo is met with a scene of blood and chaos, and on the wall a missing poster, with his face, his name and his details.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too . . .
I’m a big fan of Nikki’s writing and I always look forward to new titles by her, I know summer has begun when her book releases arrive!
Nikki has stepped up to another level of suspenseful writing in this one with the book divided into two clear parts - the first focusing primarily on Leo’s side of the story, his discovery that Addison is missing, the scene being set for what has really happened, with the second part providing the events from Addison’s POV.
I loved that the book began with what it ultimately the discovery of an event, allowing the reader the opportunity to piece all the clues together, knowing this point in time will be revealed in due course. There is so much going on in this book and the fast pacing keeps the tension at a consistent level throughout. And that ending? I really didn’t see that one coming, such an unexpected twist, bravo Nikki!👏
It’s safe to say that I think that Nikki deserves to have the Queen of Destination Thrillers, even more so after this book which has definitely become one of my faves. So don’t delay, pick this book up to read by the pool, on the sofa, in the car - honestly you won’t be able to put it down!
His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too . . .
I’m a big fan of Nikki’s writing and I always look forward to new titles by her, I know summer has begun when her book releases arrive!
Nikki has stepped up to another level of suspenseful writing in this one with the book divided into two clear parts - the first focusing primarily on Leo’s side of the story, his discovery that Addison is missing, the scene being set for what has really happened, with the second part providing the events from Addison’s POV.
I loved that the book began with what it ultimately the discovery of an event, allowing the reader the opportunity to piece all the clues together, knowing this point in time will be revealed in due course. There is so much going on in this book and the fast pacing keeps the tension at a consistent level throughout. And that ending? I really didn’t see that one coming, such an unexpected twist, bravo Nikki!👏
It’s safe to say that I think that Nikki deserves to have the Queen of Destination Thrillers, even more so after this book which has definitely become one of my faves. So don’t delay, pick this book up to read by the pool, on the sofa, in the car - honestly you won’t be able to put it down!
January 21, 2026
This is the second novel I’ve read by Nikki Smith, after They Had It Coming, and I was excited to see what this one had in store.
Another compelling destination thriller, the story is set between a stunning safari lodge in South Africa and a millionaire’s mansion in the UK. It follows married couple Addison and Leo, centering on the mystery surrounding Addison’s disappearance when she fails to return from the lodge. The chapters alternate between Addison and Leo, covering both the lead-up to her disappearance and its aftermath. I really enjoyed this structure, as it allowed the story to unfold from both perspectives. It also created that sense of potentially unreliable narration, which I always find especially engaging in a thriller.
For me, the first half of the book was more of a slow burn, while the second half picked up the pace considerably, which I preferred. The direction the story took genuinely caught me off guard, and I loved being blindsided by the twists.
I thought the ending was strong. Although a couple of elements felt slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author — The Guests is already sitting on my TBR pile!
Thank you to Penguin General and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Another compelling destination thriller, the story is set between a stunning safari lodge in South Africa and a millionaire’s mansion in the UK. It follows married couple Addison and Leo, centering on the mystery surrounding Addison’s disappearance when she fails to return from the lodge. The chapters alternate between Addison and Leo, covering both the lead-up to her disappearance and its aftermath. I really enjoyed this structure, as it allowed the story to unfold from both perspectives. It also created that sense of potentially unreliable narration, which I always find especially engaging in a thriller.
For me, the first half of the book was more of a slow burn, while the second half picked up the pace considerably, which I preferred. The direction the story took genuinely caught me off guard, and I loved being blindsided by the twists.
I thought the ending was strong. Although a couple of elements felt slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from this author — The Guests is already sitting on my TBR pile!
Thank you to Penguin General and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2026
The Last Place You Look by Nikki Smith is an engaging psychological mystery that balances suspense with an evocative sense of place. From the opening chapters, it’s clear this is going to be an easy to read page turner, the kind of book you pick up for a few minutes and suddenly realise you’ve flown through half of.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths lies in its shifting perspectives and the sense that not everything is as it seems. The characters are layered and complex, and the story plays with the idea of unreliable narrators (or are they?) in a way that keeps you constantly second-guessing what you think you know. It’s cleverly done.
The setting is another standout element. The beautifully described South African bush provides a vivid and atmospheric backdrop, with its landscapes woven naturally into the plot. It adds depth and texture to the mystery.
While the pacing occasionally dips in the middle, and a few twists may feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre, the novel more than makes up for it with its strong sense of place..
Overall, this is a compelling and enjoyable read, perfect for fans of character-driven mysteries with a rich setting and a clever narrative voice. A solid four-star novel. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.
One of the novel’s biggest strengths lies in its shifting perspectives and the sense that not everything is as it seems. The characters are layered and complex, and the story plays with the idea of unreliable narrators (or are they?) in a way that keeps you constantly second-guessing what you think you know. It’s cleverly done.
The setting is another standout element. The beautifully described South African bush provides a vivid and atmospheric backdrop, with its landscapes woven naturally into the plot. It adds depth and texture to the mystery.
While the pacing occasionally dips in the middle, and a few twists may feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre, the novel more than makes up for it with its strong sense of place..
Overall, this is a compelling and enjoyable read, perfect for fans of character-driven mysteries with a rich setting and a clever narrative voice. A solid four-star novel. Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.
April 18, 2026
Nikki Smith absolutely impresses with her latest thriller, The Last Place You Look.
When Leo’s wife, Addison, suddenly disappears, the stability of his life is thrown into doubt. What unfolds is a compelling chain of revelations, drawing together buried secrets, lingering resentment, and present-day strain.
I’m always drawn to unreliable narrators, and Smith handles this brilliantly through three distinct voices. Each perspective carries its own agenda, gradually exposing fragments of the truth. The fractured timeline and shifting viewpoints create a real sense of disorientation, intensifying the mystery in a way that feels almost like piecing together a jigsaw.
One of the standout elements for me was the setting. South Africa is vividly brought to life, with the oppressive heat adding a claustrophobic edge that complements the central narrative.
A richly atmospheric slow burn, threaded with sharp twists and culminating in a powerful, darkly shocking conclusion.
When Leo’s wife, Addison, suddenly disappears, the stability of his life is thrown into doubt. What unfolds is a compelling chain of revelations, drawing together buried secrets, lingering resentment, and present-day strain.
I’m always drawn to unreliable narrators, and Smith handles this brilliantly through three distinct voices. Each perspective carries its own agenda, gradually exposing fragments of the truth. The fractured timeline and shifting viewpoints create a real sense of disorientation, intensifying the mystery in a way that feels almost like piecing together a jigsaw.
One of the standout elements for me was the setting. South Africa is vividly brought to life, with the oppressive heat adding a claustrophobic edge that complements the central narrative.
A richly atmospheric slow burn, threaded with sharp twists and culminating in a powerful, darkly shocking conclusion.
July 17, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the UK publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It all started with a bang, and i was hooked. It cut back then to show a sequence of events leading up to the opening, which i enjoyed for the most part, but i did admittedly find myself impatient to get back to the initial action.
However, the ending made the payoff worth it. I thought it was going one way, then another, then pivot again. I loved that it had me guessing and loving that characterisation played such an important role in how it all goes too.
There was a lot going on, but this helped keep me guessing. Perfect summer vibes too. Definitely recommend this much more than this authors previous release, so if you didn't enjoy that, you might want to give this a chance.
It all started with a bang, and i was hooked. It cut back then to show a sequence of events leading up to the opening, which i enjoyed for the most part, but i did admittedly find myself impatient to get back to the initial action.
However, the ending made the payoff worth it. I thought it was going one way, then another, then pivot again. I loved that it had me guessing and loving that characterisation played such an important role in how it all goes too.
There was a lot going on, but this helped keep me guessing. Perfect summer vibes too. Definitely recommend this much more than this authors previous release, so if you didn't enjoy that, you might want to give this a chance.
March 21, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
You just cannot go wrong with a Nikki Smith novel and a go to author for me has once again delivered. This multi layered story is cleverly constructed and nothing is as it seems. The descriptive narrative of South Africa is sublime and adds to the atmosphere of this well written story. The shifting perspectives of the three complex characters works really well. I did guess one of the twists but the others completely blindsided me. Another excellent read from this talented author. 4.5⭐️
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026This book jumps about too much for me and isn’t interesting enough to make me want to try to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I've only read one Nikki Smith before - They Had It Coming - but she's already become a name I look out for for unique, intelligent thrillers.
You need your wits about you because it flits backwards and forwards in time and whilst I quite enjoy books that do that, it did take me a little while to get my head around it. Would I have preferred if it had been in chronological order? From an ease perspective, yes. But I can see why she's chosen to write it this way and it does make it ore intense and chaotic, which is the vibe this book needs.
It's very prose heavy and dialogue light which is my preference. I find it's easier for the reader to insert themselves in the scene and makes it easier to follow.
The first 1/3 or so is slower, a slow burn. It's setting the scene, introducing the characters, dripping in the red herrings and whatnot, so that when it starts to gain pace in the second half you are really thrown into it. But no matter the pacing, it felt quick to read and I had it read in less than a day.
I didn't find any of the three main characters likeable, but I actually think that worked in its favour. I can't really explain why, but there's this grittiness about it that would feel at odds with peppy, upbeat, likeable people.
This is set between London and South Africa, and I don't think I've read any, or at least many, books set in South Africa and it's described so beautifully, it really helps add to the atmosphere.
A few of the twists felt familiar. If you're like me and read a lot of thrillers (my most read genre) then some tropes do feel familiar but it's what I want and expect from a thriller. And she's got enough differences to make it feel fresh and original and enjoyable so you're not just reading the same story over again.
I am notoriously rubbish at working out the end of a thriller so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I didn't get the big one in this. I really tried, working out all the clues she's given us, but the big TA-DA moment? No clue.
She drip feeds you cliff-hangers at the end of each chapter that grab you and make you want to read the next one - not that I needed any persuasion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I've only read one Nikki Smith before - They Had It Coming - but she's already become a name I look out for for unique, intelligent thrillers.
You need your wits about you because it flits backwards and forwards in time and whilst I quite enjoy books that do that, it did take me a little while to get my head around it. Would I have preferred if it had been in chronological order? From an ease perspective, yes. But I can see why she's chosen to write it this way and it does make it ore intense and chaotic, which is the vibe this book needs.
It's very prose heavy and dialogue light which is my preference. I find it's easier for the reader to insert themselves in the scene and makes it easier to follow.
The first 1/3 or so is slower, a slow burn. It's setting the scene, introducing the characters, dripping in the red herrings and whatnot, so that when it starts to gain pace in the second half you are really thrown into it. But no matter the pacing, it felt quick to read and I had it read in less than a day.
I didn't find any of the three main characters likeable, but I actually think that worked in its favour. I can't really explain why, but there's this grittiness about it that would feel at odds with peppy, upbeat, likeable people.
This is set between London and South Africa, and I don't think I've read any, or at least many, books set in South Africa and it's described so beautifully, it really helps add to the atmosphere.
A few of the twists felt familiar. If you're like me and read a lot of thrillers (my most read genre) then some tropes do feel familiar but it's what I want and expect from a thriller. And she's got enough differences to make it feel fresh and original and enjoyable so you're not just reading the same story over again.
I am notoriously rubbish at working out the end of a thriller so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I didn't get the big one in this. I really tried, working out all the clues she's given us, but the big TA-DA moment? No clue.
She drip feeds you cliff-hangers at the end of each chapter that grab you and make you want to read the next one - not that I needed any persuasion.
July 2, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ rounded to 5:
Leo thought he knew his wife. That was until she disappeared …
From the prologue alone, you know this is gonna be a good one and the queen of destination thrillers is back with a bang! ☀️
Leo Kennedy has it all: money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in London and South Africa. But when his wife Addison doesn’t arrive on her planned return flight from a solo visit to their Safari Lodge, his perfect life detonates.
When he begins receiving strange messages from Addison, Leo knows he needs to complete the quests she fives him and travel to SA and retrace her steps as soon as possible. He is even more concerned given how different she has been acting since a recent car accident.
Forty eight hours later, he arrives at their holiday home but there is no sign of his wife. Instead, he is met with a bloody scene and a missing poster, of his face and information.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants him to disappear too …
This cleverly constructed, dual timeline, multiple POV story follows the weeks running up to and the days after ‘Leo’s Arrival’ at the Wilderness Lodge in South Africa from the narration of Leo, Addison and a third character, Jake. My opinion changed continuously about who I should trust and the shifting perspective described by each.
The use of the vast wilderness and panic of the unpredictable wild animals at The Kennedy’s Lodge is an amazing metaphor to highlight the isolation and danger that Addison experienced within this environment. The claustrophobia is palpable!
The ending was excellent and I was shocked!! The twists that NS was able to put into this book was fab and several revelations completely through me off where I thought the book was headed! 🤩
An atmospheric and gripping psychological thriller set in an incredible destination and so much tension. With complex characters, layered relationships and continuous deception, betrayal and lies, this is a summer must read and I just couldn’t stop reading it!
I am so desperate to go on safari and see all the animals and environment described in this book! 🦓🦁🐘
With thanks to NetGalley, Penguin General and Nikki Smith for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Leo thought he knew his wife. That was until she disappeared …
From the prologue alone, you know this is gonna be a good one and the queen of destination thrillers is back with a bang! ☀️
Leo Kennedy has it all: money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in London and South Africa. But when his wife Addison doesn’t arrive on her planned return flight from a solo visit to their Safari Lodge, his perfect life detonates.
When he begins receiving strange messages from Addison, Leo knows he needs to complete the quests she fives him and travel to SA and retrace her steps as soon as possible. He is even more concerned given how different she has been acting since a recent car accident.
Forty eight hours later, he arrives at their holiday home but there is no sign of his wife. Instead, he is met with a bloody scene and a missing poster, of his face and information.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants him to disappear too …
This cleverly constructed, dual timeline, multiple POV story follows the weeks running up to and the days after ‘Leo’s Arrival’ at the Wilderness Lodge in South Africa from the narration of Leo, Addison and a third character, Jake. My opinion changed continuously about who I should trust and the shifting perspective described by each.
The use of the vast wilderness and panic of the unpredictable wild animals at The Kennedy’s Lodge is an amazing metaphor to highlight the isolation and danger that Addison experienced within this environment. The claustrophobia is palpable!
The ending was excellent and I was shocked!! The twists that NS was able to put into this book was fab and several revelations completely through me off where I thought the book was headed! 🤩
An atmospheric and gripping psychological thriller set in an incredible destination and so much tension. With complex characters, layered relationships and continuous deception, betrayal and lies, this is a summer must read and I just couldn’t stop reading it!
I am so desperate to go on safari and see all the animals and environment described in this book! 🦓🦁🐘
With thanks to NetGalley, Penguin General and Nikki Smith for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
July 7, 2026
Thank you to Ellie @vikingbooksuk for sending me this early copy of The Last Place You Look.
My Thoughts:
My first novel by this author and it most definitely will not be my last. I picked this book up thinking, i’ll just read a chapter or two now, to get the vibes, and before I knew it I was 100 pages in and unable to put the book down.
I was knees deep in suspense, twists and turns and a completely unpredictable thriller.
An addictive multi-timeline, multi-POV narrative that starts with a bang! Leo arrives at his remote South African lodge, looking for his wife Addison, and finds chaos. The story then jumps back two days to when he is meant to collect his wife from the airport, but she never arrives. From here everything unravels.
We then travel back a further two months to meet Jake, whose perspective adds a whole other layer of intrigue. Snippets from Addison’s journal also reveal a little bit about the missing woman. Each chapter builds on the last, creating a completely compelling and suspenseful story.
In part two, Addison’s voice come to the forefront, adding to the intrigue and tying threads together in an superbly plotted thriller.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to be honest. There were so many twists to sink your teeth into, as well as completely unreliable characters, complicated relationships, and some African animals to boot.
If you love twists, drama, untrustworthy characters, a spot of crazy, and a story set in the African wilderness, this is for you. I highly recommend this unputdownable thriller.
Blurb:
Leo Kennedy has it all: money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in the UK and South Africa. But when his wife Addison goes missing, his immaculate life detonates.
48 hours later, Leo arrives at their safari lodge to retrace her steps. Only there’s no sign of Addison. Instead, Leo is met with a scene of blood and chaos, and on the wall a missing poster, with his face, his name and his details.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too …
My Thoughts:
My first novel by this author and it most definitely will not be my last. I picked this book up thinking, i’ll just read a chapter or two now, to get the vibes, and before I knew it I was 100 pages in and unable to put the book down.
I was knees deep in suspense, twists and turns and a completely unpredictable thriller.
An addictive multi-timeline, multi-POV narrative that starts with a bang! Leo arrives at his remote South African lodge, looking for his wife Addison, and finds chaos. The story then jumps back two days to when he is meant to collect his wife from the airport, but she never arrives. From here everything unravels.
We then travel back a further two months to meet Jake, whose perspective adds a whole other layer of intrigue. Snippets from Addison’s journal also reveal a little bit about the missing woman. Each chapter builds on the last, creating a completely compelling and suspenseful story.
In part two, Addison’s voice come to the forefront, adding to the intrigue and tying threads together in an superbly plotted thriller.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to be honest. There were so many twists to sink your teeth into, as well as completely unreliable characters, complicated relationships, and some African animals to boot.
If you love twists, drama, untrustworthy characters, a spot of crazy, and a story set in the African wilderness, this is for you. I highly recommend this unputdownable thriller.
Blurb:
Leo Kennedy has it all: money, looks, the perfect marriage and luxury homes in the UK and South Africa. But when his wife Addison goes missing, his immaculate life detonates.
48 hours later, Leo arrives at their safari lodge to retrace her steps. Only there’s no sign of Addison. Instead, Leo is met with a scene of blood and chaos, and on the wall a missing poster, with his face, his name and his details.
His wife may be missing, but someone wants Leo gone too …
July 9, 2026
Leo Kennedy appears to have the perfect life: a happy marriage, plenty of money, and luxury homes in both the UK and South Africa. He's on the verge of closing a major business deal that will allow him and his wife, Addison, to retire early. But everything falls apart when Addison disappears during a trip to their South African home.
Leo drops everything and flies out to find her, only to discover a bedroom covered in blood, a burnt-out car, and a missing-person poster bearing his own name and face. It quickly becomes clear that Addison isn't the only one in danger—someone wants Leo gone too.
Nikki Smith is the queen of thrillers set in exotic locations, and this time South Africa is the destination. While it's not somewhere I've had the pleasure of visiting, the vivid descriptions made it easy to picture myself there and really brought the setting to life.
I was hooked almost immediately. Off the back of myprevious book which was a real slog, it was incredibly refreshing to pick up something that grabbed my attention from the very first page. "Enjoy" doesn't quite feel like the right word for a thriller centred around serious crime, but I was completely engrossed and found it very difficult to put down.
As for the characters, none of them are especially likeable. They're self-centred, entitled, and privileged, and you'll probably find yourself struggling to care what happens to most of them. That said, they certainly provoke a reaction, which added to the reading experience. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the ending. It was satisfying in some respects, but I couldn't shake the feeling that not everyone got their just desserts.
Overall, this was a great read. With a gripping plot, an immersive setting, and characters that constantly pushed my buttons, I found myself racing through to find out what happened. Nikki Smith has firmly cemented herself as a must-read author for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton and Viking for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Leo drops everything and flies out to find her, only to discover a bedroom covered in blood, a burnt-out car, and a missing-person poster bearing his own name and face. It quickly becomes clear that Addison isn't the only one in danger—someone wants Leo gone too.
Nikki Smith is the queen of thrillers set in exotic locations, and this time South Africa is the destination. While it's not somewhere I've had the pleasure of visiting, the vivid descriptions made it easy to picture myself there and really brought the setting to life.
I was hooked almost immediately. Off the back of myprevious book which was a real slog, it was incredibly refreshing to pick up something that grabbed my attention from the very first page. "Enjoy" doesn't quite feel like the right word for a thriller centred around serious crime, but I was completely engrossed and found it very difficult to put down.
As for the characters, none of them are especially likeable. They're self-centred, entitled, and privileged, and you'll probably find yourself struggling to care what happens to most of them. That said, they certainly provoke a reaction, which added to the reading experience. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the ending. It was satisfying in some respects, but I couldn't shake the feeling that not everyone got their just desserts.
Overall, this was a great read. With a gripping plot, an immersive setting, and characters that constantly pushed my buttons, I found myself racing through to find out what happened. Nikki Smith has firmly cemented herself as a must-read author for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton and Viking for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Leo Kennedy is a very successful man, he has plenty of money and owns properties in the UK and Wilderness Lodge in South Africa. He’s married to Addison, although it’s fair to say she hasn’t been herself lately. Leo flies out to South Africa to join her at their lodge only to find she’s missing, not only that he’s confronted by a horrifying, chaotic and bloody scene. He shocked to the core but also incredulous to find on the wall of the lodge, a missing poster with his name and details. What an earth is going on? Where is Addison and who seems to want Leo gone too?
This is so good and has my attention glued to the narrative from start to finish, scratching my head at all the strange, off kilter, puzzling events, trying to make sense of what seems insoluble whilst nobody is what they appear to be at first glance. What game are they playing? None of the characters are especially likeable, one is creepy, others are one giant chameleon like puzzle or at the very least wolves wearing sheep’s clothing. This is a multilayered mystery thriller and as each one gets peeled back, it reveals yet another tantalising mystery or conundrum. The non-linear timelines add to that, building the tension and suspense which escalates towards the end where there’s plot twist after plot twist leaving me a tad breathless. There are cliffhanger chapter endings that keep me ploughing on – not that I need the incentive, I’m 100% in. The ending is very dramatic as all the gameplay reveals its truth.
Overall, I go to bed thinking about this book trying to figure things out and can’t wait to get back to it next day. Any book that can do that is almost begging to be read. It’s a cracker of a thriller.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General U.K. For the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
This is so good and has my attention glued to the narrative from start to finish, scratching my head at all the strange, off kilter, puzzling events, trying to make sense of what seems insoluble whilst nobody is what they appear to be at first glance. What game are they playing? None of the characters are especially likeable, one is creepy, others are one giant chameleon like puzzle or at the very least wolves wearing sheep’s clothing. This is a multilayered mystery thriller and as each one gets peeled back, it reveals yet another tantalising mystery or conundrum. The non-linear timelines add to that, building the tension and suspense which escalates towards the end where there’s plot twist after plot twist leaving me a tad breathless. There are cliffhanger chapter endings that keep me ploughing on – not that I need the incentive, I’m 100% in. The ending is very dramatic as all the gameplay reveals its truth.
Overall, I go to bed thinking about this book trying to figure things out and can’t wait to get back to it next day. Any book that can do that is almost begging to be read. It’s a cracker of a thriller.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General U.K. For the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Last Place You Look is a psychological mystery that perfectly combines mounting tension with a vivid and immersive setting. I was thrilled to be able to read an early copy of Nikki’s latest book that is now available for preorder.
📘 INSIDE THE PAGES
Leo has the successful company, the wealth, and Addison, his beautiful younger wife. But how well does Leo really know her? Following a recent car accident, Addison has been showing increasingly troubling behavior, and now she has disappeared. But when Leo arrives in South Africa, the chaos waiting for him brings an even greater shock, it’s his face on the missing poster, not Addison’s.
🌟 MY THOUGHTS
I love a strong destination thriller, and this one certainly delivers on setting. From a stunning wildlife lodge in South Africa to a mega-mansion in Surrey’s exclusive Oxshott estate, where football stars are your neighbors, the backdrop feels every bit as glamorous and intriguing as the story itself.
I enjoyed the shock of the opening chapter and the way the characters’ backstories were gradually revealed. The short chapters and tight pacing kept the tension high, but with timelines moving between days and weeks before Leo’s arrival in South Africa, I had to stay alert to keep everything straight.
For a thriller, the twists matter, and this book handles them well. I guessed a couple along the way, but there were plenty more that completely blindsided me. The unreliable narrators scatter just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing, and with three main POVs, the plot feels layered, intricate, and full of surprises.
Nikki Smith once again delivers a smart, engaging thriller, set against a striking backdrop and packed with twists that keep the momentum going right through to the final page.
Huge thanks to Nikki for kindly providing a copy of this book via NetGalley.
📘 INSIDE THE PAGES
Leo has the successful company, the wealth, and Addison, his beautiful younger wife. But how well does Leo really know her? Following a recent car accident, Addison has been showing increasingly troubling behavior, and now she has disappeared. But when Leo arrives in South Africa, the chaos waiting for him brings an even greater shock, it’s his face on the missing poster, not Addison’s.
🌟 MY THOUGHTS
I love a strong destination thriller, and this one certainly delivers on setting. From a stunning wildlife lodge in South Africa to a mega-mansion in Surrey’s exclusive Oxshott estate, where football stars are your neighbors, the backdrop feels every bit as glamorous and intriguing as the story itself.
I enjoyed the shock of the opening chapter and the way the characters’ backstories were gradually revealed. The short chapters and tight pacing kept the tension high, but with timelines moving between days and weeks before Leo’s arrival in South Africa, I had to stay alert to keep everything straight.
For a thriller, the twists matter, and this book handles them well. I guessed a couple along the way, but there were plenty more that completely blindsided me. The unreliable narrators scatter just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing, and with three main POVs, the plot feels layered, intricate, and full of surprises.
Nikki Smith once again delivers a smart, engaging thriller, set against a striking backdrop and packed with twists that keep the momentum going right through to the final page.
Huge thanks to Nikki for kindly providing a copy of this book via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
We start with Leo arriving at his South African safari lodge in search of his wife, Addison, who failed to arrive home to UK. He is met by a bloody scene and a missing poster showing his own face. There's also a passport... He is worried about her anyway as she had recently been in a car accident.
We then go back 2 months and meet Jake who appears very interested in Addison. And then there's Paige who is Leo's PA, who also has a bit of an interest in him. And then there's Addison's mum and what happened to her boyfriend years ago...
And honestly, that's all I am saying as you really want to be going in as blind as you can for this one. It's deliciously convoluted and interconnected, and flits about in time, with the past complementing and progressing the present day narrative. With just enough information held back from the reader to entice and intrigue and, well, it kept me glued to the book for pretty much its entirety, only breaking when life demanded. Yes initially it's a slow burn, but that matches the story well, and reflects Leo's frustration and confusion as to what is going on. It's not too slow to be annoying and anyway, the beautiful scenery, and atmosphere really keeps you going! And it included one of my favourite birds in the lilac-breasted roller!
Yes, there were a few things I guessed early, a few eye rolly moments, but, once all the secrets and lies were exposed, and the truth all came out, it finished strongly and left me wholly satisfied. I connected well to the wonderfully created characters and was happy to engage with them and spend my time, following every delightful twist and turn the author threw at them along the way...
I have read a few books by this author already and I think this is her best yet. I do wonder what she has in store for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We then go back 2 months and meet Jake who appears very interested in Addison. And then there's Paige who is Leo's PA, who also has a bit of an interest in him. And then there's Addison's mum and what happened to her boyfriend years ago...
And honestly, that's all I am saying as you really want to be going in as blind as you can for this one. It's deliciously convoluted and interconnected, and flits about in time, with the past complementing and progressing the present day narrative. With just enough information held back from the reader to entice and intrigue and, well, it kept me glued to the book for pretty much its entirety, only breaking when life demanded. Yes initially it's a slow burn, but that matches the story well, and reflects Leo's frustration and confusion as to what is going on. It's not too slow to be annoying and anyway, the beautiful scenery, and atmosphere really keeps you going! And it included one of my favourite birds in the lilac-breasted roller!
Yes, there were a few things I guessed early, a few eye rolly moments, but, once all the secrets and lies were exposed, and the truth all came out, it finished strongly and left me wholly satisfied. I connected well to the wonderfully created characters and was happy to engage with them and spend my time, following every delightful twist and turn the author threw at them along the way...
I have read a few books by this author already and I think this is her best yet. I do wonder what she has in store for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once again Nikki Smith has transported us to a wonderfully exotic destination, and then made sure we all know just how dangerous it really is! Half set in the UK and half set in South Africa at a wildlife lodge, this is a story that had me at times on the edge of my seat and had at least one WTF moment!
In fact I'm still reeling from the finale section, where I literally didn't expect or predict anything that we were presented with. It was totally fabulous and seeing how all the various thread actually intersected in more ways than I would have ever imagined.
What starts to become really apparent quite early on is that you can never really truly know everything about your partner, and that secrets can exist even in the best of marriages. It's just sometimes they are more dangerous than others.
From the prologue, and in fact the blurb we know that when Leo gets to South Africa he is presented with a horrifying sight, from there we get lots of the lead up to his arrival in South Africa, which was really interesting.
I can't say I particularly loved Leo, he definitely had some unlikeable traits, but once we get chapters from Addison's point of view too, I could say the same about her.
What I completely loved were some of the descriptions of the African savannah, and of the animals, and later on just how dangerous the area is, before you add in humans potentially doing stupid or dangerous things.
Another totally brilliant thriller from Nikki Smith, the queen of the destination thriller. Wonder what country she will try to put us off travelling too next year!
Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
In fact I'm still reeling from the finale section, where I literally didn't expect or predict anything that we were presented with. It was totally fabulous and seeing how all the various thread actually intersected in more ways than I would have ever imagined.
What starts to become really apparent quite early on is that you can never really truly know everything about your partner, and that secrets can exist even in the best of marriages. It's just sometimes they are more dangerous than others.
From the prologue, and in fact the blurb we know that when Leo gets to South Africa he is presented with a horrifying sight, from there we get lots of the lead up to his arrival in South Africa, which was really interesting.
I can't say I particularly loved Leo, he definitely had some unlikeable traits, but once we get chapters from Addison's point of view too, I could say the same about her.
What I completely loved were some of the descriptions of the African savannah, and of the animals, and later on just how dangerous the area is, before you add in humans potentially doing stupid or dangerous things.
Another totally brilliant thriller from Nikki Smith, the queen of the destination thriller. Wonder what country she will try to put us off travelling too next year!
Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow, Nikki Smith has said that this might be her favourite book yet and its easy to see why. The Queen of destination thrillers has done it again, whisking us away to a luxury setting whilst teasing us with a crime scene that comes with more questions than answers - I loved it!
Mega-rich couple Leo and Addison own a game lodge in the remote South African countryside, where they can watch elephants, lions, hippos and more roam the countryside around them. This is one of their two luxury homes, the other being a mansion set in an exclusive gated community in Surrey. The couple divide their time between the two homes, often being on different continents from the other. When Addison seems to have missed the flight that she's meant to have caught back from South Africa and then doesn't answer Leo's anxious messages, he has little choice but to fly out to the lodge to see what's happened. When he arrives, he is confronted with a terrible scene of chaos and confusion, blood splattered all across their beautiful home showing signs that a huge fight has taken place.
The story mostly takes place before Leo's arrival in the lodge, detailing the days and weeks leading up to his gruesome discovery as we find out more about both Leo and Addison and their relationship.
There's also a fiendish sub-plot woven in; wannabe journalist Jake is obsessed with Addison and finds a way of infiltrating her life in a way that she'll never forget.
It is so well plotted and developed, I think this might be my favourite of Nikki's as well!
Mega-rich couple Leo and Addison own a game lodge in the remote South African countryside, where they can watch elephants, lions, hippos and more roam the countryside around them. This is one of their two luxury homes, the other being a mansion set in an exclusive gated community in Surrey. The couple divide their time between the two homes, often being on different continents from the other. When Addison seems to have missed the flight that she's meant to have caught back from South Africa and then doesn't answer Leo's anxious messages, he has little choice but to fly out to the lodge to see what's happened. When he arrives, he is confronted with a terrible scene of chaos and confusion, blood splattered all across their beautiful home showing signs that a huge fight has taken place.
The story mostly takes place before Leo's arrival in the lodge, detailing the days and weeks leading up to his gruesome discovery as we find out more about both Leo and Addison and their relationship.
There's also a fiendish sub-plot woven in; wannabe journalist Jake is obsessed with Addison and finds a way of infiltrating her life in a way that she'll never forget.
It is so well plotted and developed, I think this might be my favourite of Nikki's as well!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Last Place You Look takes a simple hook—perfect couple, perfect life, wife suddenly missing—and pulls it apart with delicious precision. Leo Kennedy, who seems to have everything, is thrown into chaos when Addison vanishes without a trace. But the real gut-punch arrives when he travels to their safari lodge expecting answers… and instead walks into a scene of violence, confusion, and a missing‑person poster with his face on it. From that moment, I was fully invested.
This is one of those thrillers that reads effortlessly but leaves you constantly second‑guessing everyone’s motives. The remote South African setting is vivid and atmospheric, the kind of place that feels both beautiful and deeply isolating—perfect for a mystery where trust erodes quickly and danger feels close enough to touch.
Leo is a fascinating focal point. The more he tries to understand what happened to Addison, the more the story nudges you to wonder whether he’s telling us everything. The book plays with perception and privilege in subtle, clever ways, letting the tension build naturally while keeping the emotional stakes grounded. Nothing feels overdone; the suspense flows smoothly, making it incredibly easy to binge in a single sitting.
With its crisp pacing, layered secrets, and sun-soaked-but-deadly backdrop, this is exactly the kind of escapist thriller I love: glossy on the surface, dark underneath, and twisty enough to keep me turning pages long after I meant to stop.
with thanks to Nikki Smith, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
This is one of those thrillers that reads effortlessly but leaves you constantly second‑guessing everyone’s motives. The remote South African setting is vivid and atmospheric, the kind of place that feels both beautiful and deeply isolating—perfect for a mystery where trust erodes quickly and danger feels close enough to touch.
Leo is a fascinating focal point. The more he tries to understand what happened to Addison, the more the story nudges you to wonder whether he’s telling us everything. The book plays with perception and privilege in subtle, clever ways, letting the tension build naturally while keeping the emotional stakes grounded. Nothing feels overdone; the suspense flows smoothly, making it incredibly easy to binge in a single sitting.
With its crisp pacing, layered secrets, and sun-soaked-but-deadly backdrop, this is exactly the kind of escapist thriller I love: glossy on the surface, dark underneath, and twisty enough to keep me turning pages long after I meant to stop.
with thanks to Nikki Smith, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
April 25, 2026
This is a quick, easy thriller, but unfortunately it didn’t fully land for me.
Right from the start, I found the structure confusing. The timelines and character perspectives jump around quite a bit, and instead of building intrigue, it made the story feel disjointed. I spent more time trying to figure out who was who and when things were happening than actually getting pulled into the plot.
As the story progressed, I also struggled with the characters, particularly the husband. The more I read, the more I found myself questioning him, and not in a compelling, “unreliable narrator” way. Instead, I just found him increasingly unlikeable and frustrating, to the point where I was wondering if he even knew his own wife at all.
Some of the twists felt predictable too. About a third of the way in, I had already guessed the last twist, which took away some of the suspense.
One small but recurring detail that annoyed me (and it’s not the first book I’ve seen this) - if you’re going to give characters Teslas for some reason, either commit to the detail or just stick to more generic car choices (Tesla’s don’t have key fobs or beep to lock…).
This book is a fast read, and I can see why it might appeal to readers who enjoy twisty domestic thrillers with multiple threads. For me, though, the plot became overly convoluted, with too many strands competing for attention and not all of them paying off in a satisfying way.
Overall, an engaging enough premise, but the execution didn’t quite come together.
Right from the start, I found the structure confusing. The timelines and character perspectives jump around quite a bit, and instead of building intrigue, it made the story feel disjointed. I spent more time trying to figure out who was who and when things were happening than actually getting pulled into the plot.
As the story progressed, I also struggled with the characters, particularly the husband. The more I read, the more I found myself questioning him, and not in a compelling, “unreliable narrator” way. Instead, I just found him increasingly unlikeable and frustrating, to the point where I was wondering if he even knew his own wife at all.
Some of the twists felt predictable too. About a third of the way in, I had already guessed the last twist, which took away some of the suspense.
One small but recurring detail that annoyed me (and it’s not the first book I’ve seen this) - if you’re going to give characters Teslas for some reason, either commit to the detail or just stick to more generic car choices (Tesla’s don’t have key fobs or beep to lock…).
This book is a fast read, and I can see why it might appeal to readers who enjoy twisty domestic thrillers with multiple threads. For me, though, the plot became overly convoluted, with too many strands competing for attention and not all of them paying off in a satisfying way.
Overall, an engaging enough premise, but the execution didn’t quite come together.
August 2, 2026
Another gripping, engaging read from this author, who is now firmly on my auto-buy list. If you’re looking for your next psychological thriller, look no further.
Leo and Addison are a wealthy couple with a home in a gated community in London and a business in South Africa. The first half of the book is told mainly from Leo’s point of view. When Addison doesn’t arrive back in London from her flight, despite Leo waiting at the airport to collect her, he immediately knows something isn’t right. Then the cryptic WhatsApp messages start. He tries calling her, but there’s no answer. Growing increasingly concerned, he books a flight to South Africa, although he has a few things to deal with before he can leave.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, Addison’s world has taken a dramatic turn. But what has happened? There is more to this whole story, But I am not going to go into more detail, and spoil things.
One of the things I love most about this author is how vividly she brings each setting to life. This time it’s South Africa, and the descriptions are so immersive that you can almost hear the sounds and feel the constant sense of danger from the wildlife. It’s not somewhere I’ve ever particularly wanted to visit, but while reading, I felt as though I was right there alongside the characters.
If you enjoy fast paced, tense psychological thrillers packed with twists and turns, then I highly recommend this one. I genuinely didn’t see that ending coming, it was a brilliant conclusion to an outstanding thriller.
Leo and Addison are a wealthy couple with a home in a gated community in London and a business in South Africa. The first half of the book is told mainly from Leo’s point of view. When Addison doesn’t arrive back in London from her flight, despite Leo waiting at the airport to collect her, he immediately knows something isn’t right. Then the cryptic WhatsApp messages start. He tries calling her, but there’s no answer. Growing increasingly concerned, he books a flight to South Africa, although he has a few things to deal with before he can leave.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, Addison’s world has taken a dramatic turn. But what has happened? There is more to this whole story, But I am not going to go into more detail, and spoil things.
One of the things I love most about this author is how vividly she brings each setting to life. This time it’s South Africa, and the descriptions are so immersive that you can almost hear the sounds and feel the constant sense of danger from the wildlife. It’s not somewhere I’ve ever particularly wanted to visit, but while reading, I felt as though I was right there alongside the characters.
If you enjoy fast paced, tense psychological thrillers packed with twists and turns, then I highly recommend this one. I genuinely didn’t see that ending coming, it was a brilliant conclusion to an outstanding thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m a sucker for a solid thriller, and while this was my first time picking up a Nikki Smith book, it definitely won’t be my last.
The story kicks off with Leo Kennedy—the guy who seemingly has everything—landing in South Africa to find his missing wife, Addison. Instead of finding her at their safari lodge, he finds a literal crime scene and a "missing" poster with his own face on it. Talk about a hook.
What worked for me:
• The Perspective Swaps: Jumping between Addison, Jake, and Leo kept the momentum high. It gave a much fuller picture of the "perfect" marriage disintegrating than a single POV would have.
• The Pacing: It’s a bit of a slow burn for the first few chapters, but once the fuse is lit, it moves fast. I loved that feeling of having no clue where the plot was heading next.
• Atmosphere: The shift from luxury UK life to the chaos of the South African bush added a great layer of tension.
The "Gripe":
If I'm being honest, I actually managed to guess most of the major plot beats and the "big" reveals before they happened. Usually, that’s a death knell for a thriller, but Smith’s writing is sharp enough that it didn't even matter. I was so invested in how it was going to go down that I enjoyed the ride regardless.
If you want a twisty, multi-layered read that makes you question how well you can actually know your spouse, grab this one. It’s a top-tier page-turner.
I’m a sucker for a solid thriller, and while this was my first time picking up a Nikki Smith book, it definitely won’t be my last.
The story kicks off with Leo Kennedy—the guy who seemingly has everything—landing in South Africa to find his missing wife, Addison. Instead of finding her at their safari lodge, he finds a literal crime scene and a "missing" poster with his own face on it. Talk about a hook.
What worked for me:
• The Perspective Swaps: Jumping between Addison, Jake, and Leo kept the momentum high. It gave a much fuller picture of the "perfect" marriage disintegrating than a single POV would have.
• The Pacing: It’s a bit of a slow burn for the first few chapters, but once the fuse is lit, it moves fast. I loved that feeling of having no clue where the plot was heading next.
• Atmosphere: The shift from luxury UK life to the chaos of the South African bush added a great layer of tension.
The "Gripe":
If I'm being honest, I actually managed to guess most of the major plot beats and the "big" reveals before they happened. Usually, that’s a death knell for a thriller, but Smith’s writing is sharp enough that it didn't even matter. I was so invested in how it was going to go down that I enjoyed the ride regardless.
If you want a twisty, multi-layered read that makes you question how well you can actually know your spouse, grab this one. It’s a top-tier page-turner.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An absolute gem of a novel. This fast-paced rollercoaster of a mystery keeps you guessing throughout. Leo Kennedy has just returned from South Africa, where he owns a safari lodge. His wife, Addison, has remained behind to showcase the place to a journalist who claims to be writing a feature commissioned by Condé Nast.
Written through three perspectives — Leo, Addison, and Jake — we are pulled into a series of cat-and-mouse chases. Leo receives cryptic messages from his wife, who should have returned by now, forcing him to revisit the site of her car crash a few months earlier, care for his father in a nursing home, and keep his business running. While the WhatsApp messages continue to plague him, he never actually speaks to his wife, leading us to believe she is being held somewhere.
Then we meet Jake, a loner sharing a flat with two other boys he can’t stand, who has an obsession with Addison and her perfect life. I really liked his character development as a hapless young man with dreams of turning his life around. As their lives become intertwined, we are propelled at breakneck speed into more twists and turns, tension, and suspense — you name it.
As well as a powerful storyline, there are some beautiful descriptions of Africa and its wildlife.
Yes, I loved every moment of this book, with a brilliant and deserving ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nikki Smith and Penguin UK for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.
Written through three perspectives — Leo, Addison, and Jake — we are pulled into a series of cat-and-mouse chases. Leo receives cryptic messages from his wife, who should have returned by now, forcing him to revisit the site of her car crash a few months earlier, care for his father in a nursing home, and keep his business running. While the WhatsApp messages continue to plague him, he never actually speaks to his wife, leading us to believe she is being held somewhere.
Then we meet Jake, a loner sharing a flat with two other boys he can’t stand, who has an obsession with Addison and her perfect life. I really liked his character development as a hapless young man with dreams of turning his life around. As their lives become intertwined, we are propelled at breakneck speed into more twists and turns, tension, and suspense — you name it.
As well as a powerful storyline, there are some beautiful descriptions of Africa and its wildlife.
Yes, I loved every moment of this book, with a brilliant and deserving ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nikki Smith and Penguin UK for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rounded up from 4.5⭐️
Summer hasn't started until you've read a Nikki Smith destination thriller!
I absolutely devoured The Beach Party, The Guests and They Had It Coming so was really excited to read this one and it didn't disappoint.
This was a really gripping and fast-paced thriller but at the same time, had a lot of depth and clever twists. There were some scenes that honestly made me feel tense while reading them. It also keeps you guessing- I had a lot of theories while reading it which is so fun.
Something I love in Nikki Smith's books is how well she describes different settings. South Africa was so beautifully described and I could picture it so well and felt like I was travelling through reading. The luxury safari lodge that appears safe but is also in the middle of desert with wild animals. It felt stunning and peaceful at some points and frightening at others.
The characters aren't especially likeable which I really enjoy. It's interesting to see the warped values of the super rich and the extent they'll go to to cover up the past and protect their reputation.
I honestly had no idea what direction the story was going to take and how different characters fitted into it so it was exciting seeing that revealed. Although, the chronology is a little confusing at points and I did find parts of the ending a bit too far fetched.
But overall, this was a fantastic read with so many twists and secrets and shocking moments.
Summer hasn't started until you've read a Nikki Smith destination thriller!
I absolutely devoured The Beach Party, The Guests and They Had It Coming so was really excited to read this one and it didn't disappoint.
This was a really gripping and fast-paced thriller but at the same time, had a lot of depth and clever twists. There were some scenes that honestly made me feel tense while reading them. It also keeps you guessing- I had a lot of theories while reading it which is so fun.
Something I love in Nikki Smith's books is how well she describes different settings. South Africa was so beautifully described and I could picture it so well and felt like I was travelling through reading. The luxury safari lodge that appears safe but is also in the middle of desert with wild animals. It felt stunning and peaceful at some points and frightening at others.
The characters aren't especially likeable which I really enjoy. It's interesting to see the warped values of the super rich and the extent they'll go to to cover up the past and protect their reputation.
I honestly had no idea what direction the story was going to take and how different characters fitted into it so it was exciting seeing that revealed. Although, the chronology is a little confusing at points and I did find parts of the ending a bit too far fetched.
But overall, this was a fantastic read with so many twists and secrets and shocking moments.
July 2, 2026
NIKKI SMITH’s writing draws you into the story straight away from the prologue, as the protagonist Leo Kennedy, attempts to discover what’s happened to his missing wife Addison. When Leo arrives at their safari lodge in South Africa, there’s no sign of Addison, only blood and chaos. So where is she ? Perhaps Leo doesn’t know his wife as well as he thought he did. From there, the book just pulls you in deeper and deeper and I very much enjoyed how the story emerged and developed.
Told in two parts, NIKKI SMITH has crafted an intriguing mystery with a gripping and fast paced story, original concept, atmospheric setting and a satisfying conclusion. Each character has clarity and leaves a distinct impression on the reader, and I never quite knew who to trust, as they all felt unreliable.
NIKKI SMITH writes with clarity and restraint, letting tension build through quiet moments and subtle shifts, and the scenes, particularly in South Africa, come to life as you follow the story, with wonderful descriptions of the terrain and wildlife, adding depth to the narrative.
Ultimately, this is a story about trust - how we build it, how it’s broken, and what happens when everything falls apart. A must read for all of those who like a story that holds your focus until the very end.
Recommended wholeheartedly. 4.5 stars
Thank you to @netgalley and @penguingeneraluk for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
Told in two parts, NIKKI SMITH has crafted an intriguing mystery with a gripping and fast paced story, original concept, atmospheric setting and a satisfying conclusion. Each character has clarity and leaves a distinct impression on the reader, and I never quite knew who to trust, as they all felt unreliable.
NIKKI SMITH writes with clarity and restraint, letting tension build through quiet moments and subtle shifts, and the scenes, particularly in South Africa, come to life as you follow the story, with wonderful descriptions of the terrain and wildlife, adding depth to the narrative.
Ultimately, this is a story about trust - how we build it, how it’s broken, and what happens when everything falls apart. A must read for all of those who like a story that holds your focus until the very end.
Recommended wholeheartedly. 4.5 stars
Thank you to @netgalley and @penguingeneraluk for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.
July 2, 2026
Nikki's books have become a firm fixture on my summer reading list as her destination thrillers never disappoint - but I think this might be her best yet!
It does help that it is primarily set in one of my absolute favourite holiday destinations - a safari lodge in South Africa - and Nikki does a great job of bringing the bush, its residents and the searing heat to life. There is something so powerful about the bush, beautiful and threatening in equal measure and this book really does capture that so well.
It is the story of wealthy couple Leo and Addison, who divide their time between upmarket Surrey and a lodge in South Africa - and the mystery surrounding Addison's disappearance when she fails to return to England as expected. The first part of the book focuses primarily on Leo's perspective, before switching to Addison's POV - and there is also a third individual whose version we hear.
This is one of those books that has you constantly second-guessing - the timeline jumps around and as a reader you are never quite sure who - or what - to believe. Each of the three narrators has their own agenda and the shifting perspectives leaves the reader trying to piece things together as truths, secrets and underlying resentments are revealed.
It's a rollercoaster of a ride with twists I for one never saw coming - and let's just say she had me shook .... Destination thriller lovers put this one in your suitcase this summer - you won't be disappointed.
It does help that it is primarily set in one of my absolute favourite holiday destinations - a safari lodge in South Africa - and Nikki does a great job of bringing the bush, its residents and the searing heat to life. There is something so powerful about the bush, beautiful and threatening in equal measure and this book really does capture that so well.
It is the story of wealthy couple Leo and Addison, who divide their time between upmarket Surrey and a lodge in South Africa - and the mystery surrounding Addison's disappearance when she fails to return to England as expected. The first part of the book focuses primarily on Leo's perspective, before switching to Addison's POV - and there is also a third individual whose version we hear.
This is one of those books that has you constantly second-guessing - the timeline jumps around and as a reader you are never quite sure who - or what - to believe. Each of the three narrators has their own agenda and the shifting perspectives leaves the reader trying to piece things together as truths, secrets and underlying resentments are revealed.
It's a rollercoaster of a ride with twists I for one never saw coming - and let's just say she had me shook .... Destination thriller lovers put this one in your suitcase this summer - you won't be disappointed.
July 10, 2026
The Last Place You Look is a destination thriller that’s fully drenched in suspense and secrets, partly set in the wilderness of South Africa. It’s a story of revenge, of lies and betrayal, and it proves that not every relationship is as it seems on the surface.
We meet Leo and Addison, a couple who seem to have it all; the wealth, the lavish homes in the UK and South Africa, the perfect marriage, the lifestyle of dreams. But when Addison goes missing, Leo’s life starts to crumble. Upon arriving at their safari lodge, there’s no sign of Addison, but the blood and chaos he does find suggests something much more sinister is going on…
A huge highlight for me was just how atmospheric this book is. You can feel the heat (yeah, I know we are currently in a heatwave, but this made me even hotter!) and the sights and sounds of animals and nature in South Africa was vivid and beautifully written. Nikki’s writing is the kind that you just naturally sink into, her words creating something so thrilling and easy to binge.
I was pulled in by those feelings of dread and uncertainty for Leo as he tries to locate his wife, and I stayed for the unravelling of such an unpredictable plot, the characters that clearly have something to hide. The ending twists were fantastic and I would loved to have seen my face when that last one hit 😂 I completely get why Nikki has been named Queen of the destination thriller! If you like your thrillers messy, if you like them dark and maybe a little unhinged, I think you’ll love this!
We meet Leo and Addison, a couple who seem to have it all; the wealth, the lavish homes in the UK and South Africa, the perfect marriage, the lifestyle of dreams. But when Addison goes missing, Leo’s life starts to crumble. Upon arriving at their safari lodge, there’s no sign of Addison, but the blood and chaos he does find suggests something much more sinister is going on…
A huge highlight for me was just how atmospheric this book is. You can feel the heat (yeah, I know we are currently in a heatwave, but this made me even hotter!) and the sights and sounds of animals and nature in South Africa was vivid and beautifully written. Nikki’s writing is the kind that you just naturally sink into, her words creating something so thrilling and easy to binge.
I was pulled in by those feelings of dread and uncertainty for Leo as he tries to locate his wife, and I stayed for the unravelling of such an unpredictable plot, the characters that clearly have something to hide. The ending twists were fantastic and I would loved to have seen my face when that last one hit 😂 I completely get why Nikki has been named Queen of the destination thriller! If you like your thrillers messy, if you like them dark and maybe a little unhinged, I think you’ll love this!
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