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The Unknown
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30 copies available
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In 1926, five women disappeared from a remote island in Vermont. Now, one hundred years later, it’s happening again.
Struggling actress Marin Keane is shocked when she lands a role in a major motion picture about the unsolved mystery of New Avalon, an island on sprawling Lake Faraday in Vermont. She’s even more surprised when she learns that the role requires a weeklong research trip to that very spot.
Because New Avalon isn’t your ordinary island. A century ago, it was a commune for spiritual mediums—until they all vanished in 1926. The only trace of them was five dresses hanging from the branches of an old oak tree in the middle of the island, one for each missing woman. Some locals say they simply left. Others think they were murdered. But the prevailing opinion, thanks to a diary left behind by one of the vanished, a young woman named Daisy Rue, is that a séance gone wrong conjured something supernatural that took them all one by one.
Not long after arriving, Marin and her castmates, including legendary actress Violet Wright and white-hot director Ronan Peters, begin to realize all is not right with New Avalon. They hear strange noises in the night and notice mysterious symbols left behind by the island's previous occupants. And after a sudden health emergency leaves Marin, Ronan, and the other actors stranded on the island, the disappearances begin again.
Is it the work of someone trying to derail the movie? Or is the island’s alleged supernatural past catching up with the present? As fear and suspicion mount, Marin turns to Daisy’s diary, hoping it holds the key to figuring out what really happened to the women of New Avalon—and how to keep the island’s terrible history from repeating itself.
Struggling actress Marin Keane is shocked when she lands a role in a major motion picture about the unsolved mystery of New Avalon, an island on sprawling Lake Faraday in Vermont. She’s even more surprised when she learns that the role requires a weeklong research trip to that very spot.
Because New Avalon isn’t your ordinary island. A century ago, it was a commune for spiritual mediums—until they all vanished in 1926. The only trace of them was five dresses hanging from the branches of an old oak tree in the middle of the island, one for each missing woman. Some locals say they simply left. Others think they were murdered. But the prevailing opinion, thanks to a diary left behind by one of the vanished, a young woman named Daisy Rue, is that a séance gone wrong conjured something supernatural that took them all one by one.
Not long after arriving, Marin and her castmates, including legendary actress Violet Wright and white-hot director Ronan Peters, begin to realize all is not right with New Avalon. They hear strange noises in the night and notice mysterious symbols left behind by the island's previous occupants. And after a sudden health emergency leaves Marin, Ronan, and the other actors stranded on the island, the disappearances begin again.
Is it the work of someone trying to derail the movie? Or is the island’s alleged supernatural past catching up with the present? As fear and suspicion mount, Marin turns to Daisy’s diary, hoping it holds the key to figuring out what really happened to the women of New Avalon—and how to keep the island’s terrible history from repeating itself.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Riley Sager
21 books61k followersRiley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, most recently WITH A VENGEANCE and MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. His books have been published in more than 40 countries and have sold over 5 million copies worldwide. His latest novel, THE UNKNOWN, will be published in August.
A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is "Rear Window." Or maybe "Jaws." But probably, if he's being honest, "Mary Poppins."
A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is "Rear Window." Or maybe "Jaws." But probably, if he's being honest, "Mary Poppins."
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
➳ 4.5/5 stars
The Unknown by Riley Sager was genuinely one of my most anticipated reads of this year. I’m not exaggerating when I say I almost screamed when I received the e-ARC. I truly did not expect it at all, and that’s what made it so special. One moment I was just going about my day, and the next I was sitting there in complete disbelief, smiling like an idiot. Cloud nine doesn’t even begin to cover it. Getting this ARC felt surreal, and I was incredibly grateful, especially because this book had already been living rent-free in my head long before I even opened the first page.
Going in, I knew I would love it. I just had that feeling. And thankfully, I was right. This book wasn’t just good, it was marvelous. Everything worked. The storyline, the atmosphere, the setting, the characters each piece fit together so perfectly that I was completely locked in. It was sharp, eerie, and so well paced that I kept thinking, how is this getting better with every chapter? And let me say this: my brain is pretty desensitized at this point. Not a lot rattles me anymore. But this book? It gave me chills. Actual chills. I caught myself looking around my room, half-expecting something to be lurking in the shadows.
I didn’t expect anything less from Riley Sager, honestly.. He’s an author I trust, someone whose work I’ve loved consistently, so my expectations were high, and somehow, he still exceeded them. The tension, the unease, that creeping sense of dread… it all landed exactly where it should have. This book didn’t just deliver; it overdelivered. And I’m so glad it did.
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK
Riley Sager’s novel revolves around a film being made by a director named Ronan Peters . His idea is unsettling from the very start. He gathers five women to act in his movie and takes them to an isolated island called New Avalon not exactly to shoot, but more like to rehearse and immerse themselves in the story. The catch is that New Avalon already has a dark past. Decades ago, five women disappeared there overnight. Just vanished. No bodies, no clues, nothing. One of them, Ruth Semple, even owned the island, which only made the mystery deeper and more disturbing.
Because there were no answers, people created their own. Rumors spread that these women were witches, that they practiced seances, tried to contact spirits, and accidentally summoned something evil. The island slowly gained a paranormal reputation, and the story became more legend than fact. Years later, Ronan Peters decides to turn this chilling mystery into a movie, and that’s where things start getting really unsettling.
As the story progresses, the creepy factor doesn’t just build, it creeps. Slowly. Quietly. Until you’re sitting there questioning everything. I genuinely reached a point where I wondered if what was happening was actually real.
The plot twists? Completely unpredictable.
And I don’t say that lightly. I didn’t guess a single one. Not even close. I was shocked again and again, right up until the very last page. I was hooked from page one, and honestly, I finished the book in two or three days because I physically could not put it down. Every chapter ended with that feeling of okay, just one more, and suddenly hours had passed.
What made it even more haunting was how history began to repeat itself. The women involved in the film started experiencing the same things the women from past had experienced, seeing the same visions, feeling the same presence, reliving the same fear. It felt like déjà vu wrapped in dread, as if the island itself was pulling them into the past. New Avalon felt alive, paranormal, and deeply unsettling, as though the spirits of what happened before were still watching, still waiting.
I truly loved almost every aspect of this book. The atmosphere, the tension, the slow unraveling of the truth, it all worked so well. That said, there was one particular turn the story took that I didn’t fully love. It wasn’t bad, and I understand why it was there, it helped move the story forward, but I personally felt the book could have done without it. That single moment is the only reason I didn’t give it a full five glorious stars. Still, I’m not really complaining. The overall experience was intense, gripping, and unforgettable. This book had me chilled, intrigued, and completely consumed, and honestly, that’s exactly what I wanted.
➳ FINAL THOUGHTS
That being said, I’ve always been a fan, actually, a big fan of Riley Sager’s work, and this book just solidified that love for me. I know I might sound a little biased, but honestly, I don’t even care. I’ll let you be the judge. What I do know is that I genuinely want people to read this book. Like, really read it. For me, it felt like an absolute piece of art, and I loved every single second I spent with it.
This is one of those books that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go. It immerses you so deeply that your mind stays stuck in the story even after you close the book. And I’m not exaggerating when I say it occupied my thoughts for days. I was obsessed. Genuinely obsessed. Capital letters, no shame O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D. I was in love with this book.
Every character felt layered and intentional. Each one had their own story, their own creep factor, their own flaws, and somehow, Riley Sager wrote them all perfectly. His writing has always felt less like reading and more like someone sitting across from you, telling you a story. It’s flowy, easy to read, and incredibly immersive. It never felt like I was reading a book. It felt like I was inside it, living alongside the characters, seeing everything unfold in real time.
Maybe it was the writing, maybe it was my mood, or maybe I really am biased, but this book felt real. It was exactly what I needed at the right moment. And yes, I loved almost every single aspect of it. I’m really not complaining. There was one particular turn, one twist, that I didn’t enjoy as much because it wasn’t what I expected, but even then, it didn’t ruin the experience for me. Especially because there were so many other plot twists that completely caught me off guard.
And that final twist near the very end WOWW. I won’t spoil anything, don’t worry, this review is entirely spoiler-free. But that moment genuinely blew my mind. I just sat there, staring into space, trying to process what had just happened.
⚘ "Overall, if you’re looking for a book that will hook you, consume you, and stay with you long after you’ve finished it, this is the one. If you want something that will completely mess with your mind, in the best way possible, this book is an absolute, undeniable catch." 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 26 January , 2026
ahhh, did I just get the ARC for my most anticipated read of the year??? YES OMGGGGG I’m crying 🤧🤧
The Unknown by Riley Sager was genuinely one of my most anticipated reads of this year. I’m not exaggerating when I say I almost screamed when I received the e-ARC. I truly did not expect it at all, and that’s what made it so special. One moment I was just going about my day, and the next I was sitting there in complete disbelief, smiling like an idiot. Cloud nine doesn’t even begin to cover it. Getting this ARC felt surreal, and I was incredibly grateful, especially because this book had already been living rent-free in my head long before I even opened the first page.
Going in, I knew I would love it. I just had that feeling. And thankfully, I was right. This book wasn’t just good, it was marvelous. Everything worked. The storyline, the atmosphere, the setting, the characters each piece fit together so perfectly that I was completely locked in. It was sharp, eerie, and so well paced that I kept thinking, how is this getting better with every chapter? And let me say this: my brain is pretty desensitized at this point. Not a lot rattles me anymore. But this book? It gave me chills. Actual chills. I caught myself looking around my room, half-expecting something to be lurking in the shadows.
I didn’t expect anything less from Riley Sager, honestly.. He’s an author I trust, someone whose work I’ve loved consistently, so my expectations were high, and somehow, he still exceeded them. The tension, the unease, that creeping sense of dread… it all landed exactly where it should have. This book didn’t just deliver; it overdelivered. And I’m so glad it did.
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK
Riley Sager’s novel revolves around a film being made by a director named Ronan Peters . His idea is unsettling from the very start. He gathers five women to act in his movie and takes them to an isolated island called New Avalon not exactly to shoot, but more like to rehearse and immerse themselves in the story. The catch is that New Avalon already has a dark past. Decades ago, five women disappeared there overnight. Just vanished. No bodies, no clues, nothing. One of them, Ruth Semple, even owned the island, which only made the mystery deeper and more disturbing.
Because there were no answers, people created their own. Rumors spread that these women were witches, that they practiced seances, tried to contact spirits, and accidentally summoned something evil. The island slowly gained a paranormal reputation, and the story became more legend than fact. Years later, Ronan Peters decides to turn this chilling mystery into a movie, and that’s where things start getting really unsettling.
As the story progresses, the creepy factor doesn’t just build, it creeps. Slowly. Quietly. Until you’re sitting there questioning everything. I genuinely reached a point where I wondered if what was happening was actually real.
The plot twists? Completely unpredictable.
And I don’t say that lightly. I didn’t guess a single one. Not even close. I was shocked again and again, right up until the very last page. I was hooked from page one, and honestly, I finished the book in two or three days because I physically could not put it down. Every chapter ended with that feeling of okay, just one more, and suddenly hours had passed.
What made it even more haunting was how history began to repeat itself. The women involved in the film started experiencing the same things the women from past had experienced, seeing the same visions, feeling the same presence, reliving the same fear. It felt like déjà vu wrapped in dread, as if the island itself was pulling them into the past. New Avalon felt alive, paranormal, and deeply unsettling, as though the spirits of what happened before were still watching, still waiting.
I truly loved almost every aspect of this book. The atmosphere, the tension, the slow unraveling of the truth, it all worked so well. That said, there was one particular turn the story took that I didn’t fully love. It wasn’t bad, and I understand why it was there, it helped move the story forward, but I personally felt the book could have done without it. That single moment is the only reason I didn’t give it a full five glorious stars. Still, I’m not really complaining. The overall experience was intense, gripping, and unforgettable. This book had me chilled, intrigued, and completely consumed, and honestly, that’s exactly what I wanted.
➳ FINAL THOUGHTS
That being said, I’ve always been a fan, actually, a big fan of Riley Sager’s work, and this book just solidified that love for me. I know I might sound a little biased, but honestly, I don’t even care. I’ll let you be the judge. What I do know is that I genuinely want people to read this book. Like, really read it. For me, it felt like an absolute piece of art, and I loved every single second I spent with it.
This is one of those books that completely pulls you in and refuses to let go. It immerses you so deeply that your mind stays stuck in the story even after you close the book. And I’m not exaggerating when I say it occupied my thoughts for days. I was obsessed. Genuinely obsessed. Capital letters, no shame O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D. I was in love with this book.
Every character felt layered and intentional. Each one had their own story, their own creep factor, their own flaws, and somehow, Riley Sager wrote them all perfectly. His writing has always felt less like reading and more like someone sitting across from you, telling you a story. It’s flowy, easy to read, and incredibly immersive. It never felt like I was reading a book. It felt like I was inside it, living alongside the characters, seeing everything unfold in real time.
Maybe it was the writing, maybe it was my mood, or maybe I really am biased, but this book felt real. It was exactly what I needed at the right moment. And yes, I loved almost every single aspect of it. I’m really not complaining. There was one particular turn, one twist, that I didn’t enjoy as much because it wasn’t what I expected, but even then, it didn’t ruin the experience for me. Especially because there were so many other plot twists that completely caught me off guard.
And that final twist near the very end WOWW. I won’t spoil anything, don’t worry, this review is entirely spoiler-free. But that moment genuinely blew my mind. I just sat there, staring into space, trying to process what had just happened.
⚘ "Overall, if you’re looking for a book that will hook you, consume you, and stay with you long after you’ve finished it, this is the one. If you want something that will completely mess with your mind, in the best way possible, this book is an absolute, undeniable catch." 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 26 January , 2026
ahhh, did I just get the ARC for my most anticipated read of the year??? YES OMGGGGG I’m crying 🤧🤧
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My absolute favorite kind of mystery—locked room, except make it a locked island, drenched in gothic atmosphere, paranoia, and enough supernatural unease to make you question every shadow in the room. And from one of my favorite thriller authors? Even better. This book didn’t just deliver one compelling psychological spiral—it served up two eerily layered, paranormal-laced timelines in a single story, then sat back and let readers absolutely lose their minds trying to piece everything together.
And trust me, I did.
This was the kind of novel that practically demands you become a conspiracy theorist by chapter three. Every new revelation sent me spiraling into increasingly unhinged theories, only for the author to casually dismantle them with twist after twist after twist. By the final third, my brain was no longer functioning normally. It was doing full Exorcist-level acrobatics. Reagan herself would have looked at me and said, “You okay?” My head was spinning, my soul temporarily left my body, and I was metaphorically crawling backward through my house trying to process what had just happened.
In other words: I had a fantastic time.
Before even diving into the plot, I have to applaud how addictive this reading experience was. Fast-paced, sinister, immersive, and dripping with dread, this story wastes absolutely no time pulling you into its chilling premise. While one of the earlier twists didn’t hit quite as hard for me as I hoped, the final cascade of reveals more than made up for it. The conclusion was sharp, satisfying, and deliciously unsettling in exactly the right way.
One small challenge was occasionally keeping track of the mirrored characters across both timelines. With names like Katrina, Jonquil, and Phoebe paralleling Susie, Heather, and Julianne, there were moments where certain personalities felt like eerie reflections of one another—particularly the sharper, more antagonistic female dynamics. At times, it almost felt like one character was being reimagined through another lens, like some sinister alternate-universe casting choice. But rather than feeling accidental, the story ultimately reveals intentionality behind these parallels, which made me appreciate the structural intelligence even more. By the end, I was genuinely in awe of how cleverly it all connected.
Now, onto the premise—because wow.
This plot is spooky. Blanket-fort, lights-on, every-floorboard-creak-is-suspicious spooky.
In 1926, five women vanished from a remote Vermont island called New Avalon, disappearing one by one without explanation. Each time, the missing woman’s clothing was found hanging ominously from an oak tree. No bodies. No answers. Just an enduring mystery soaked in folklore and fear.
Naturally, a century later, a filmmaker decides this is the perfect material for a movie.
Director Ronan Peter becomes obsessed with the haunting case and sets out to create a film based on the disappearances, using the diary of Daisy Rue—potentially the final girl of the original tragedy—as his blueprint. Enter Marina, an unexpected lead actress better known for eczema cream commercials than prestige horror, who is suddenly thrust into a career-defining opportunity when she’s cast alongside major star Violet Wright.
But this isn’t a normal production.
The actresses are isolated on the same island. They wear replicas of the vanished women’s clothing. They live in recreated primitive conditions—cottages, no electricity, no outside communication—all in pursuit of authenticity.
Which, naturally, is a horrifying idea.
As Marina begins receiving cryptic warnings and the eerie similarities between Daisy’s diary and present events become impossible to ignore, fiction and reality begin collapsing into one another. Women start disappearing. Clothes appear on trees. And Marina realizes she may not just be playing the role of the final girl—she may actually be becoming her.
It’s eerie, cinematic, psychologically rich, and absolutely binge-worthy.
Overall, I had an incredible time with this one. A brilliantly executed concept, genuinely creepy atmosphere, layered storytelling, and an ending that rewards your investment. This is exactly the kind of ambitious, unsettling thriller that reminds me why I love this genre so much.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for sharing one of the year’s most anticipated thrillers with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
And trust me, I did.
This was the kind of novel that practically demands you become a conspiracy theorist by chapter three. Every new revelation sent me spiraling into increasingly unhinged theories, only for the author to casually dismantle them with twist after twist after twist. By the final third, my brain was no longer functioning normally. It was doing full Exorcist-level acrobatics. Reagan herself would have looked at me and said, “You okay?” My head was spinning, my soul temporarily left my body, and I was metaphorically crawling backward through my house trying to process what had just happened.
In other words: I had a fantastic time.
Before even diving into the plot, I have to applaud how addictive this reading experience was. Fast-paced, sinister, immersive, and dripping with dread, this story wastes absolutely no time pulling you into its chilling premise. While one of the earlier twists didn’t hit quite as hard for me as I hoped, the final cascade of reveals more than made up for it. The conclusion was sharp, satisfying, and deliciously unsettling in exactly the right way.
One small challenge was occasionally keeping track of the mirrored characters across both timelines. With names like Katrina, Jonquil, and Phoebe paralleling Susie, Heather, and Julianne, there were moments where certain personalities felt like eerie reflections of one another—particularly the sharper, more antagonistic female dynamics. At times, it almost felt like one character was being reimagined through another lens, like some sinister alternate-universe casting choice. But rather than feeling accidental, the story ultimately reveals intentionality behind these parallels, which made me appreciate the structural intelligence even more. By the end, I was genuinely in awe of how cleverly it all connected.
Now, onto the premise—because wow.
This plot is spooky. Blanket-fort, lights-on, every-floorboard-creak-is-suspicious spooky.
In 1926, five women vanished from a remote Vermont island called New Avalon, disappearing one by one without explanation. Each time, the missing woman’s clothing was found hanging ominously from an oak tree. No bodies. No answers. Just an enduring mystery soaked in folklore and fear.
Naturally, a century later, a filmmaker decides this is the perfect material for a movie.
Director Ronan Peter becomes obsessed with the haunting case and sets out to create a film based on the disappearances, using the diary of Daisy Rue—potentially the final girl of the original tragedy—as his blueprint. Enter Marina, an unexpected lead actress better known for eczema cream commercials than prestige horror, who is suddenly thrust into a career-defining opportunity when she’s cast alongside major star Violet Wright.
But this isn’t a normal production.
The actresses are isolated on the same island. They wear replicas of the vanished women’s clothing. They live in recreated primitive conditions—cottages, no electricity, no outside communication—all in pursuit of authenticity.
Which, naturally, is a horrifying idea.
As Marina begins receiving cryptic warnings and the eerie similarities between Daisy’s diary and present events become impossible to ignore, fiction and reality begin collapsing into one another. Women start disappearing. Clothes appear on trees. And Marina realizes she may not just be playing the role of the final girl—she may actually be becoming her.
It’s eerie, cinematic, psychologically rich, and absolutely binge-worthy.
Overall, I had an incredible time with this one. A brilliantly executed concept, genuinely creepy atmosphere, layered storytelling, and an ending that rewards your investment. This is exactly the kind of ambitious, unsettling thriller that reminds me why I love this genre so much.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for sharing one of the year’s most anticipated thrillers with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
REVIEW TO COME
April 30, 2026
HOLY HELL ON AN ISLAND!!! This was an all-out-banger!!! Riley Sager has written his best novel yet!!! It was AMAZING!!!! Damn that was good!
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the arc.
Out 8/26
Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the arc.
Out 8/26
Read
December 24, 2025How did no one tell me there was a new Riley Sager book coming out???
Currently Reading
July 10, 2026An island on Lake Faraday in Vermont, women have been disappearing. It used to be a commune for spiritual mediums back in 1920s until they all vanished, leaving only 5 dresses hanging from branches of an old oak tree. A diary left behind by one of the women revels that a séance gone wrong had conjured something supernatural that took all the women. When a struggling actress lands a role in an upcoming major motion picture that would take place on that island, she uses that dairy to figure out what has really happened.
One of my most anticipated books of 2026! Here we go ❤️
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publisher and the author, Riley Sager for an early copy.
Publication date: August 4, 2026
One of my most anticipated books of 2026! Here we go ❤️
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publisher and the author, Riley Sager for an early copy.
Publication date: August 4, 2026
May 6, 2026
The Unknown – is it unknown actor Marin Keane who lands a role in a major motion picture to be filmed on New Avalon, a small island in Lake Faraday, Vermont or the events that take place in 1926 when five women disappear? Do they simply leave or are they murdered as locals believe? One thing becomes crystal clear in the present day when Marin, the director Ronan Peters, legendary actress Violet Wright and others arrive on the island, that all is most definitely not well. Perhaps the islands truth lies in the diary of Daisy Rue, who is present during the events of 1926.
Right from the beginning there’s an aura of foreboding surrounding the island with a strong sense of dread. The author creates a very atmospheric and ominous novel, it’s as if New Avalon is watching and waiting and so it’s little wonder that Marin Keane is full of anxiety, she stressed, vulnerable and certainly naive as things turn out. There are plenty of warning signs not least in the supposedly protective Daisy wheels carved all over the island. I would run a mile never mind take part in a seance as the characters do!
As the novel progresses, there are multiple sinister happenings, which are horrifying harbingers of what is to come. At times the pace slows but that only serves to highlights events when things really ramp up. There’s acute tension between characters with short sharp sentences to highlight their increasing terror and panic. It’s eerie, spooky, creepy, chilling and unpredictable and I enjoy how it all plays out.
Overall, it’s a suspenseful and compelling read from a very talented author. I look forward to reading what his creative brain conjures up next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Right from the beginning there’s an aura of foreboding surrounding the island with a strong sense of dread. The author creates a very atmospheric and ominous novel, it’s as if New Avalon is watching and waiting and so it’s little wonder that Marin Keane is full of anxiety, she stressed, vulnerable and certainly naive as things turn out. There are plenty of warning signs not least in the supposedly protective Daisy wheels carved all over the island. I would run a mile never mind take part in a seance as the characters do!
As the novel progresses, there are multiple sinister happenings, which are horrifying harbingers of what is to come. At times the pace slows but that only serves to highlights events when things really ramp up. There’s acute tension between characters with short sharp sentences to highlight their increasing terror and panic. It’s eerie, spooky, creepy, chilling and unpredictable and I enjoy how it all plays out.
Overall, it’s a suspenseful and compelling read from a very talented author. I look forward to reading what his creative brain conjures up next.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
May 25, 2026
An isolated island with no electricity, a secret diary and group of women that held seances? Say LESS!
I loved the setting of this, loved the dual timeline and the IMMEDIATE sense of dread. Very atmospheric and creepy which I love in my books. A tad repetitive in places because you already know the story of the disappearing women, then it’s retold via Daisy’s diary and the present day actresses are also talking about it but apart from that I really enjoyed it! Also loved the ending!
I loved the setting of this, loved the dual timeline and the IMMEDIATE sense of dread. Very atmospheric and creepy which I love in my books. A tad repetitive in places because you already know the story of the disappearing women, then it’s retold via Daisy’s diary and the present day actresses are also talking about it but apart from that I really enjoyed it! Also loved the ending!
July 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
So I genuinely had a lot of fun with this one! I'm not a huge thriller person as I find that the genre is so polluted by the same few authors who churn our one book after another with little character to distinguish them between themselves; also I have tried RS books before and I didn't always enjoy the paranormal speculation in the books BUT crucially I thought this one was great.
I enjoyed the character cast, the background story and especially the atmosphere! There were times when genuinely I felt creeped out and I thought the book was super effective - it keeps you turning the pages, holding your breath, waiting for the penny to drop.
Equally I thought the ending was clever, one I didn't expect and well executed - it did not cheapen or dimish the build-up in the story.
I would definitely recommend picking this up if you enjoy thrillers, or if you're looking for a gripping read in general!
So I genuinely had a lot of fun with this one! I'm not a huge thriller person as I find that the genre is so polluted by the same few authors who churn our one book after another with little character to distinguish them between themselves; also I have tried RS books before and I didn't always enjoy the paranormal speculation in the books BUT crucially I thought this one was great.
I enjoyed the character cast, the background story and especially the atmosphere! There were times when genuinely I felt creeped out and I thought the book was super effective - it keeps you turning the pages, holding your breath, waiting for the penny to drop.
Equally I thought the ending was clever, one I didn't expect and well executed - it did not cheapen or dimish the build-up in the story.
I would definitely recommend picking this up if you enjoy thrillers, or if you're looking for a gripping read in general!
Want to Read
January 8, 2026For Riley Sager - I'm in!
But that synopsis sounds amazing! Can't wait for this one in 2026!! 🥳🎉🎊
*** UPDATE: That cover! OMG! I love it!!
But that synopsis sounds amazing! Can't wait for this one in 2026!! 🥳🎉🎊
*** UPDATE: That cover! OMG! I love it!!
Want to Read
January 19, 2026I'm intrigued.... I think.... 💭💭💭
Want to Read
November 21, 2025I don't care what everyone says, I'm seated for this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Unknown gathers a handful of people on New Avalon, a small island with a bad reputation because of the disappearance of five woman a century ago. Now, the handful of people consists of Ronan, who’s come up with the idea to make a movie about what happened then, a producer, an assistant and five actresses.
The main character is Marin, a young woman who desperately wants to be an actress, but so far only landed a tiny role in a bad commercial. So why was she chosen to accompany Ronan and the others? All other actresses are more or less famous, and one of them is actually very famous. To her surprise, Marin is casted for the main role, that of Daisy Rue, who was one of the women who disappeared – but she left a diary. Can the solution to what happened be found in this diary?
When things start to get awkward on the island, and the tension builds, there is no need for the actresses anymore to act their fear. The fear becomes real, very real. And when people get ill and disappear, and clothing is found hanging in a tree, just as a hundred years ago, it seems that the group awakened something wicked. Will they survive or disappear without a trace?
We see the story unfold from the eyes of Marin, but we also get glimpses of what Daisy Rue shared all that time ago. It gets really creepy when Marin discovers the similarities between then and now.
Leave it to Riley Sager to build up the tension slow but steady, and throw in some surprises. Of course it is obvious that there is no unknown presence on the island, not then and not now, but how to explain then some of the things Marin and the others discover during the story?
Well-written, with good characters and a tense plot.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this review copy.
The main character is Marin, a young woman who desperately wants to be an actress, but so far only landed a tiny role in a bad commercial. So why was she chosen to accompany Ronan and the others? All other actresses are more or less famous, and one of them is actually very famous. To her surprise, Marin is casted for the main role, that of Daisy Rue, who was one of the women who disappeared – but she left a diary. Can the solution to what happened be found in this diary?
When things start to get awkward on the island, and the tension builds, there is no need for the actresses anymore to act their fear. The fear becomes real, very real. And when people get ill and disappear, and clothing is found hanging in a tree, just as a hundred years ago, it seems that the group awakened something wicked. Will they survive or disappear without a trace?
We see the story unfold from the eyes of Marin, but we also get glimpses of what Daisy Rue shared all that time ago. It gets really creepy when Marin discovers the similarities between then and now.
Leave it to Riley Sager to build up the tension slow but steady, and throw in some surprises. Of course it is obvious that there is no unknown presence on the island, not then and not now, but how to explain then some of the things Marin and the others discover during the story?
Well-written, with good characters and a tense plot.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this review copy.
March 25, 2026
Wow. I feel like I held my breath through most of this book. It gave me actual goosebumps and chills. Truly a Riley Sager at his best! You need to pre-order this one. It felt like a perfect mix of my two favourite of his books: The Only One Left and Last Time I Lied.
Thank you Dutton Books for the early copy.
Thank you Dutton Books for the early copy.
March 31, 2026
“Sometimes we are forced to listen to things we don’t want to hear.”
Tell me a ghost story…
Lately, Sager seems like a different author from his first couple of releases (Final Girls, Last Time I Lied, etc). Where he would release horror that would make you feel as if you heard your name being called in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s almost as if he’s lost his edge. I've been desperately waiting for his dark return.
I can officially say that he is back to scaring the living daylights out of you. Scaring you enough to induce nightmares and making you sleep with the lights on. I can attest that I may have (most definitely) had a few nightmares while reading this book.
This book has you on the edge of your seat the entire damn time. You think you know what's happening or going on. I am here to tell you that you're all dead wrong. Like, completely wrong. I thought that I pieced this all together and was so proud of myself. How wrong and cocky I was. Being so off the mark made me love this story even more.
The atmosphere was incredibly perfect. The isolated island, things that go bump in the night, and Azra are what terrifying nightmares are made of. I'm still haunted by this story and I love it.
Tell me a ghost story…
Lately, Sager seems like a different author from his first couple of releases (Final Girls, Last Time I Lied, etc). Where he would release horror that would make you feel as if you heard your name being called in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s almost as if he’s lost his edge. I've been desperately waiting for his dark return.
I can officially say that he is back to scaring the living daylights out of you. Scaring you enough to induce nightmares and making you sleep with the lights on. I can attest that I may have (most definitely) had a few nightmares while reading this book.
This book has you on the edge of your seat the entire damn time. You think you know what's happening or going on. I am here to tell you that you're all dead wrong. Like, completely wrong. I thought that I pieced this all together and was so proud of myself. How wrong and cocky I was. Being so off the mark made me love this story even more.
The atmosphere was incredibly perfect. The isolated island, things that go bump in the night, and Azra are what terrifying nightmares are made of. I'm still haunted by this story and I love it.
Did Not Finish
June 21, 2026Putting this one down, at least for now... I'm just not into the whole cult thing. 🥴
April 15, 2026
Riley Sager!!!!! My guy, I think you may have just knocked it out of the park with this one. When I say this is the PERFECT SPOOKY SEASON READ - just take my word for it. Now I grew up watching horror movies, and it’s no secret I’ve become somewhat desensitised to them now but boy, did this still manage to give me the chills!!!!!
I started reading it at around midnight (which perhaps was my first mistake) with the rain thrashing at my window combined with the utter eeriness of those diary entries, not only was I SO HOOKED but I was immediately transported to 1926 and then back to present time with our characters. I know this won’t be for everyone, but for someone who LOVES a good ghost story - this was incredible. Those seance scenes literally had me hiding under my covers (with my kindle of course) but I genuinely just have no words for how much it spooked me out. I’m 100% sure I had a nightmare last night after falling asleep whilst reading this, but thankfully I already cannot remember it.
I love the fact that Sager’s books frequently lean into those supernatural/paranormal themes because he absolutely nails it every single time in my opinion. Although, there’s always a more logical, albeit TWISTY explanation for everything in the end, I still always finish his books feeling totally creeped out.
There’s A LOT of twists in this one and just when you think you’ve figured it out - like I did multiple times - the entire plot spins on you again and you’re left feeling disorientated. So if you’re a fan of good old ghost stories and are willing to suspend your disbelief definitely put this on your lists! 5 FREAKING stars!!!!
I started reading it at around midnight (which perhaps was my first mistake) with the rain thrashing at my window combined with the utter eeriness of those diary entries, not only was I SO HOOKED but I was immediately transported to 1926 and then back to present time with our characters. I know this won’t be for everyone, but for someone who LOVES a good ghost story - this was incredible. Those seance scenes literally had me hiding under my covers (with my kindle of course) but I genuinely just have no words for how much it spooked me out. I’m 100% sure I had a nightmare last night after falling asleep whilst reading this, but thankfully I already cannot remember it.
I love the fact that Sager’s books frequently lean into those supernatural/paranormal themes because he absolutely nails it every single time in my opinion. Although, there’s always a more logical, albeit TWISTY explanation for everything in the end, I still always finish his books feeling totally creeped out.
There’s A LOT of twists in this one and just when you think you’ve figured it out - like I did multiple times - the entire plot spins on you again and you’re left feeling disorientated. So if you’re a fan of good old ghost stories and are willing to suspend your disbelief definitely put this on your lists! 5 FREAKING stars!!!!
July 8, 2026
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads and Netgalley.
It was a solid read. It started quite slowly, but then the pace picked up. It was a very atmospheric novel, it was gloomy and grim. The plot was interesting, with some twists at the end that were satisfying. The cast of characters had some depth to it, and some relationship dynamics were intriguing. The narrator of the past timeline was more interesting than the narrator of the present timeline. I did like the past timeline slightly more than the present timeline; it felt even more eerie and bleak. I definitely recommend this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
It was a solid read. It started quite slowly, but then the pace picked up. It was a very atmospheric novel, it was gloomy and grim. The plot was interesting, with some twists at the end that were satisfying. The cast of characters had some depth to it, and some relationship dynamics were intriguing. The narrator of the past timeline was more interesting than the narrator of the present timeline. I did like the past timeline slightly more than the present timeline; it felt even more eerie and bleak. I definitely recommend this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
July 3, 2026
Netgalley ARC - 4.5 ⭐
incredible. I absolutely loved this.
VERY spooky, I loved the vibes, the intensity & the story was just written so well!
I loved the past & present timeline. I loved the twists. I didn’t see anything coming. I’m not usually into horror/paranormal stories but this was just so intriguing I couldn’t put it down! Riley Sager absolutely has you feeling like you’re in the woods with this 👻
incredible. I absolutely loved this.
VERY spooky, I loved the vibes, the intensity & the story was just written so well!
I loved the past & present timeline. I loved the twists. I didn’t see anything coming. I’m not usually into horror/paranormal stories but this was just so intriguing I couldn’t put it down! Riley Sager absolutely has you feeling like you’re in the woods with this 👻
June 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
First it should be known that I love Riley Sager. His books are always fun and fast paced. This book was no different. I could not put it down. I fell asleep reading it and was waking up early to read it before work.
This was genuinely creepy and suspenseful. He did a great job at introducing just enough information at all the right times. I enjoyed the slow burn and the build of the characters. I was rooting for some characters, and shaming others. I tried making educated guesses based on what I knew in the story and previous books that I have read by Sager but I was surprised every time.
I questioned my reality and the narrator throughout the entire book and felt a lot of dread. I would say this is probably one of my favorite books by Sager so far.
I am 100% recommending and have no critiques. 10/10.
First it should be known that I love Riley Sager. His books are always fun and fast paced. This book was no different. I could not put it down. I fell asleep reading it and was waking up early to read it before work.
This was genuinely creepy and suspenseful. He did a great job at introducing just enough information at all the right times. I enjoyed the slow burn and the build of the characters. I was rooting for some characters, and shaming others. I tried making educated guesses based on what I knew in the story and previous books that I have read by Sager but I was surprised every time.
I questioned my reality and the narrator throughout the entire book and felt a lot of dread. I would say this is probably one of my favorite books by Sager so far.
I am 100% recommending and have no critiques. 10/10.
May 1, 2026
Wow! This book was amazing! It had me hooked from the first page until the very end. I loved the eerie and atmospheric vibes, the unreliable characters, and the overall theme of the story. I love books that have paranormal elements tied into to the story and this one did it perfectly. This just might be my new favorite book by this author.
Thank you @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the gifted copy of the book.
Thank you @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the gifted copy of the book.
June 10, 2026
Holy. Smokes. Where do I begin?!?! First, thank you to Penguin Group| Dutton and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel. Riley Sager is always a force to be reckoned with. I impatiently wait for these novels to appear every year, and this was not a disappointment in the slightest. I was sooooo eager to see what he had in store for his readers with his 10th novel, but he remained consistent in the twist and turns of this adventure. The characters were unsuspecting, and the structure of the text itself was genius. I didn't want it to end, yet I couldn't put it down!!! Thank you, THANK YOU Mr. Sager, for blessing us with another spooky, page-turning masterpiece!
Read
June 28, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Riley Sager’s 10th novel! This was another fast-paced thriller filled with twists and turns the whole way through. The story hooks you in from the beginning and you will not be able to put it down. I was guessing wrong the whole time. I had to know what happened and did not remotely guess the ending. If you love Riley Sager’s other books, you will enjoy this one just as much.
May 25, 2026
4.5 stars
This was SO good, I went in with decent expectations as I have read all Riley Sager books by now but this truly surpassed all my expectations! This is definitely his most horror-esque book yet and it is SO gorgeously Blair Witchy. I could not stop turning the pages, IT IS SO ADDICTIVE. I was genuinely scared, I had to stop reading it before bed cause I was freaking myself out. The ending? Blew my mind, I did not see it coming, but it also made SENSE. THIS is how you do a dual timeline!! It added SO much to the story and the atmosphere was BONE CHILLING.
One of his best for SURE.
This was SO good, I went in with decent expectations as I have read all Riley Sager books by now but this truly surpassed all my expectations! This is definitely his most horror-esque book yet and it is SO gorgeously Blair Witchy. I could not stop turning the pages, IT IS SO ADDICTIVE. I was genuinely scared, I had to stop reading it before bed cause I was freaking myself out. The ending? Blew my mind, I did not see it coming, but it also made SENSE. THIS is how you do a dual timeline!! It added SO much to the story and the atmosphere was BONE CHILLING.
One of his best for SURE.
Read
February 6, 2026Review to come once I have digested this story.
This is between a 4 and 5 stars.
This is between a 4 and 5 stars.
May 6, 2026
I am absolutely blown away. A thriller hasn’t made me feel this way since I read The Only One Left, which is my favorite thriller of all time.
The characters were interesting, the setting was pretty much a character of its own, the plot was twisty, gripping, and super fast-paced. There were many points where I thought I knew everything just for another reveal to be brought upon me. Soooooo good.
Thank you to Netgalley & Dutton books for the ARC!
The characters were interesting, the setting was pretty much a character of its own, the plot was twisty, gripping, and super fast-paced. There were many points where I thought I knew everything just for another reveal to be brought upon me. Soooooo good.
Thank you to Netgalley & Dutton books for the ARC!
June 6, 2026
Wow is all I can say! This book was actually terrifying! It literally gave me chills, and I was genuinely scared at times. I was so confused trying to figure out how it could possibly end and what was actually going on. The ending was great, and honestly there were quite a few twists I did not see coming. The Last Time I Lied and The Only One Left are my top two Riley Sager books, and this honestly felt like the perfect mix of both.
**thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!!
**thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!!
April 27, 2026
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026. I absolutely devour everything Riley Sager writes, and when I saw the premise of this book, I knew I would love it. So when I received the ARC of this book 4 months early, I was SO excited.
Without giving anything away, this is my new favorite Riley Sager book. By far. All of his books have captivated me in a way of intrigue and mystery. This one captivated me through pure thrill. This is his first book that I have felt truly creeped out by. I have read so many thrillers and there’s probably been less than five that have made me feel so unsettled and genuinely scared as this one did.
I won’t say anything more because I think you should go into this book as blind as possible. But everyone should be excited for this release and I can’t wait to hear everyone else’s thoughts on it.
Without giving anything away, this is my new favorite Riley Sager book. By far. All of his books have captivated me in a way of intrigue and mystery. This one captivated me through pure thrill. This is his first book that I have felt truly creeped out by. I have read so many thrillers and there’s probably been less than five that have made me feel so unsettled and genuinely scared as this one did.
I won’t say anything more because I think you should go into this book as blind as possible. But everyone should be excited for this release and I can’t wait to hear everyone else’s thoughts on it.
April 29, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was an absolute DREAM getting an ARC of Riley Sager’s upcoming book! I absolutely loved it and could hardly put it down. Definitely check this one out!!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was an absolute DREAM getting an ARC of Riley Sager’s upcoming book! I absolutely loved it and could hardly put it down. Definitely check this one out!!
January 28, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
riley sager is always an auto buy for me, and this premise had me hooked. the idea of 5 women disappearing without a trace off this island is nothing short of intriguing. i’m not usually a person who leans towards paranormal books, but this held my attention.
it was creepy, the descriptions made me feel uneasy and i definitely don’t recommend reading at nighttime. i was a little disappointed by the plot twist, but sager has a way of making you think you know what’s going on, when he rips the run out from under you. some of the writing felt a bit shallow and the point that is being made felt weak, but i enjoyed enjoyed myself. definitely pick this one up when it releases in august!
riley sager is always an auto buy for me, and this premise had me hooked. the idea of 5 women disappearing without a trace off this island is nothing short of intriguing. i’m not usually a person who leans towards paranormal books, but this held my attention.
it was creepy, the descriptions made me feel uneasy and i definitely don’t recommend reading at nighttime. i was a little disappointed by the plot twist, but sager has a way of making you think you know what’s going on, when he rips the run out from under you. some of the writing felt a bit shallow and the point that is being made felt weak, but i enjoyed enjoyed myself. definitely pick this one up when it releases in august!
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