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The Unknown
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9 days and 03:05:48
20 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.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Riley Sager
19 books58.9k followersRiley Sager is the New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, most recently THE ONLY ONE LEFT and THE HOUSE ACROSS THE LAKE. His first thriller, FINAL GIRLS, won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and has been published in more than thirty-five countries. His latest novel, MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, will be published in June.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
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 🤧🤧
Read
December 24, 2025How did no one tell me there was a new Riley Sager book coming out???
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.
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.
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!!!!
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.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Damn!
That was a whirlwind! I grabbed this one from my NetGalley shelf on Friday night and sped through it over two sittings until Sunday night.
I had my suspicions about various scenes and explanations but there were more than enough details that caught me off guard. By the end, I counted at least two audible gasps, a couple of "whaaaat?!" exclamations, and one sideways glance from my husband on the other end of the couch. (he asked if I was shocked, haha!)
This is a good one, folks.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
That was a whirlwind! I grabbed this one from my NetGalley shelf on Friday night and sped through it over two sittings until Sunday night.
I had my suspicions about various scenes and explanations but there were more than enough details that caught me off guard. By the end, I counted at least two audible gasps, a couple of "whaaaat?!" exclamations, and one sideways glance from my husband on the other end of the couch. (he asked if I was shocked, haha!)
This is a good one, folks.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
March 17, 2026
This was a lot. So many things are happening. Riley Sager has done it again—another gothic horror to keep us up at night.
Multi-layered and ever evolving…there is more than one story line going on here. Together and separately.
Five stars. I need my brain to catch up with my feelings and maybe I can write a more coherent review. 😅
Multi-layered and ever evolving…there is more than one story line going on here. Together and separately.
Five stars. I need my brain to catch up with my feelings and maybe I can write a more coherent review. 😅
Want to Read
January 8, 2026so seated for this one. sounds so good
March 31, 2026
I’m pleased to report that Riley Sager is back, and boy, has he delivered!
In the summer of 1926, five women mysteriously disappeared from a remote island in Vermont. All that remained of them were five dresses hanging in a large oak tree. Where did they go? Did they just quietly leave? Or did something more sinister take place?
But exactly one hundred years later, the truth will finally be found when Miran, a young struggling actress, gets her big break. The movie in question is a reenactment of that summer of 1926. And the rehearsals require her to spend an entire week living on the infamous island, exactly as the missing women did. What could go wrong?
Suspenseful, creepy, and packed full of twists, this is definitely up there with some of the best of Sager’s novels. I loved the dual timeline and especially the epistolary narrative of 1926. There’s a great mix of unreliable characters, and the setting was extremely atmospheric. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and pretty much devoured it in two sittings!
Kind thanks to the folks over at @HodderBooks for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
In the summer of 1926, five women mysteriously disappeared from a remote island in Vermont. All that remained of them were five dresses hanging in a large oak tree. Where did they go? Did they just quietly leave? Or did something more sinister take place?
But exactly one hundred years later, the truth will finally be found when Miran, a young struggling actress, gets her big break. The movie in question is a reenactment of that summer of 1926. And the rehearsals require her to spend an entire week living on the infamous island, exactly as the missing women did. What could go wrong?
Suspenseful, creepy, and packed full of twists, this is definitely up there with some of the best of Sager’s novels. I loved the dual timeline and especially the epistolary narrative of 1926. There’s a great mix of unreliable characters, and the setting was extremely atmospheric. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and pretty much devoured it in two sittings!
Kind thanks to the folks over at @HodderBooks for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25⭐️
I am a big fan of Riley Sager and haven’t met a book of his I haven’t liked yet and I wanted to go into this one completely blind to the storyline for fun.
At the start I was a little hesitant thinking is this going to be another movie set slasher book that has been over done and because of that took me a little longer to get into the story than it normally does for a Riley Sager book but Riley did not disappoint at all. When I hit that 50% mark I was SAT until the end! And that ending . . gave me so much satisfaction.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC of this book for my honest review. It is always appreciated to get to read an early copy of book for one of your auto-buy authors.
I am a big fan of Riley Sager and haven’t met a book of his I haven’t liked yet and I wanted to go into this one completely blind to the storyline for fun.
At the start I was a little hesitant thinking is this going to be another movie set slasher book that has been over done and because of that took me a little longer to get into the story than it normally does for a Riley Sager book but Riley did not disappoint at all. When I hit that 50% mark I was SAT until the end! And that ending . . gave me so much satisfaction.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC of this book for my honest review. It is always appreciated to get to read an early copy of book for one of your auto-buy authors.
February 17, 2026
When I was a kid, sometimes I’d find an amazing book. I’d start reading it at school or the library, then come home and just dive head-first into it, reading through the entire afternoon completely absorbed. There are very, very few books that do that for me now. This one did. Addicting, spooky, and atmospheric... so so much fun.
I was enthralled from the start and stayed fully invested through to the end. Marin's journey - from clueless spectator to determined detective - was classic and thrilling. Sager does a wonderful job (as always) of setting the scene and bringing readers along for the ride. There are plenty of twists and turns, and you never quite know where things will end up.
*Review of an ARC from NetGalley
I was enthralled from the start and stayed fully invested through to the end. Marin's journey - from clueless spectator to determined detective - was classic and thrilling. Sager does a wonderful job (as always) of setting the scene and bringing readers along for the ride. There are plenty of twists and turns, and you never quite know where things will end up.
*Review of an ARC from NetGalley
April 5, 2026
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Riley Sager certainly is back with a vengeance with this spooky thriller . Set in New Avalon where a group of actresses go to a deserted island to get them ready for a new film that tells the story of disappearing women in the 1920’s from the very same island.
Queue spooky woods,mysterious thumps and scratching in the night and the same disappearing women. Twists and turns at every chapter - so quick and easy to read . Demolished it in 24 hours 4.25⭐️
Riley Sager certainly is back with a vengeance with this spooky thriller . Set in New Avalon where a group of actresses go to a deserted island to get them ready for a new film that tells the story of disappearing women in the 1920’s from the very same island.
Queue spooky woods,mysterious thumps and scratching in the night and the same disappearing women. Twists and turns at every chapter - so quick and easy to read . Demolished it in 24 hours 4.25⭐️
April 5, 2026
4.25 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this ebook. A mystery, spooky psychological thriller set on a remote island in Vermont about an unknown actress cast in an independent film telling the story of a group of women in 1926 who disappeared from the island. Twist after twist with atmospheric haunting and spooky seances give the book a really great vibe and the story kept me guessing throughout. One of the Riley’s better books.
March 18, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up because I hate one of the twists as a trope in general but it was sosososo good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2026
NetGalley Review: Definitely a suspenseful storyline. Just when I thought I’d figured it out there was a new twist. I liked the character development and depth of each character. The writing style, flipping back and forth between eras, added to the intrigue between past and current stories. Riley is definitely one of my favorite most recently discovered authors.
Want to Read
March 4, 2026THAT COVER!!! This comes out the day before my birthday, soooo happy early birthday to me😩❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒇𝒇 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒔. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍.
THE UNKNOWN takes us to New Avalon, a remote Vermont island where five women vanished in 1926, leaving behind nothing but their dresses hanging from an oak tree. Popular opinion, thanks to a diary left behind by Daisy Rue, one of the vanished young women, is that a séance gone wrong conjured something supernatural that took them all one by one. Now, one hundred years later, history is starting to echo. Struggling actress Marin Keane lands a role in a film about the infamous mystery and travels to the island for research, expecting moody inspiration, not actual dread. But New Avalon has a weight to it, the kind of place where the air feels thick with old secrets, and once Marin and the cast are stranded there, the past stops feeling distant very quickly.
One of my favorite things about this was the dual timeline structure, with Marin’s present-day experience colliding with the haunting fragments of Daisy Rue’s diary. Those epistolary segments added such an eerie intimacy, like you were holding something forbidden in your hands. The atmosphere is oppressive in the best way, steeped in themes of witchcraft, spiritualism, and the long history of women being labeled dangerous or delusional when they step outside what society wants them to be. And honestly? I was pleasantly surprised by how the female characters avoided easy stereotypes. They felt layered, sharp, and human, which made the tension crackle with anticipation.
This came so close to five stars. The only thing holding it back was one plot device that felt a little too convenient, and there were moments where the story leaned into telling instead of letting the horror unfold naturally on the page. Even so, this story was atmospheric, moody, and genuinely unsettling in several places. New Avalon is the kind of setting that will linger in your mind long after you’ve left the island behind. Many thanks to Dutton Books for the early copy. Look for this one August 4, 2026.
THE UNKNOWN takes us to New Avalon, a remote Vermont island where five women vanished in 1926, leaving behind nothing but their dresses hanging from an oak tree. Popular opinion, thanks to a diary left behind by Daisy Rue, one of the vanished young women, is that a séance gone wrong conjured something supernatural that took them all one by one. Now, one hundred years later, history is starting to echo. Struggling actress Marin Keane lands a role in a film about the infamous mystery and travels to the island for research, expecting moody inspiration, not actual dread. But New Avalon has a weight to it, the kind of place where the air feels thick with old secrets, and once Marin and the cast are stranded there, the past stops feeling distant very quickly.
One of my favorite things about this was the dual timeline structure, with Marin’s present-day experience colliding with the haunting fragments of Daisy Rue’s diary. Those epistolary segments added such an eerie intimacy, like you were holding something forbidden in your hands. The atmosphere is oppressive in the best way, steeped in themes of witchcraft, spiritualism, and the long history of women being labeled dangerous or delusional when they step outside what society wants them to be. And honestly? I was pleasantly surprised by how the female characters avoided easy stereotypes. They felt layered, sharp, and human, which made the tension crackle with anticipation.
This came so close to five stars. The only thing holding it back was one plot device that felt a little too convenient, and there were moments where the story leaned into telling instead of letting the horror unfold naturally on the page. Even so, this story was atmospheric, moody, and genuinely unsettling in several places. New Avalon is the kind of setting that will linger in your mind long after you’ve left the island behind. Many thanks to Dutton Books for the early copy. Look for this one August 4, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A ginormous thank you to Dutton for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: child drowning, sexual assault and abuse, non-consensual pornography.
OH, WE ARE SO BACK.
Honestly, a book of his hasn’t hit this hard for me since my ultimate favorite 'Home Before Dark', and that comparison makes sense with 'The Unknown' sharing a lot of similar elements. For starters, I love a Hollywood/movie-making backdrop. The island setting felt immersive and I felt connected with the main character's dreams and aspirations, As someone who’s always been interested in acting, I enjoyed that aspect a lot.
The characters were engaging, and it was fun to imagine them as real life actors. (Meryl Streep for Violet, right?) I also didn’t expect the story to explore the darker side of Hollywood, including themes tied to the #MeToo movement, which added more depth than I anticipated.
One of the most compelling parts was how the dual timelines overlapped. Daisy’s diary from 100 years ago felt eerily relevant to what the women in the present were experiencing, and that mirroring was done really well. The pacing kept me hooked and I never felt bored. Getting to the final stretch was easy because I kept wanting answers.
Around the last 20%, the twists really start coming, one after another. It’s the kind of book where you’re completely stumped until the reveals, and I love that feeling. Everything was wrapped up in a satisfying way, with answers that made sense. Yes, there’s some suspension of disbelief required, as there is with anything that includes supernatural elements, but it’s part of the fun.
This felt like a return to form for Sager. After DNF'ing his last novel and feeling underwhelmed by a few before that, I was starting to worry. But this reminded me of why I loved his books like 'Final Girls' and 'Lock Every Door' in the first place. At his best, he's a master of fast-paced, twisty, really fun and creepy thrill rides.
I honestly wish I could wipe my memory and read it again.
Trigger warnings: child drowning, sexual assault and abuse, non-consensual pornography.
OH, WE ARE SO BACK.
Honestly, a book of his hasn’t hit this hard for me since my ultimate favorite 'Home Before Dark', and that comparison makes sense with 'The Unknown' sharing a lot of similar elements. For starters, I love a Hollywood/movie-making backdrop. The island setting felt immersive and I felt connected with the main character's dreams and aspirations, As someone who’s always been interested in acting, I enjoyed that aspect a lot.
The characters were engaging, and it was fun to imagine them as real life actors. (Meryl Streep for Violet, right?) I also didn’t expect the story to explore the darker side of Hollywood, including themes tied to the #MeToo movement, which added more depth than I anticipated.
One of the most compelling parts was how the dual timelines overlapped. Daisy’s diary from 100 years ago felt eerily relevant to what the women in the present were experiencing, and that mirroring was done really well. The pacing kept me hooked and I never felt bored. Getting to the final stretch was easy because I kept wanting answers.
Around the last 20%, the twists really start coming, one after another. It’s the kind of book where you’re completely stumped until the reveals, and I love that feeling. Everything was wrapped up in a satisfying way, with answers that made sense. Yes, there’s some suspension of disbelief required, as there is with anything that includes supernatural elements, but it’s part of the fun.
This felt like a return to form for Sager. After DNF'ing his last novel and feeling underwhelmed by a few before that, I was starting to worry. But this reminded me of why I loved his books like 'Final Girls' and 'Lock Every Door' in the first place. At his best, he's a master of fast-paced, twisty, really fun and creepy thrill rides.
I honestly wish I could wipe my memory and read it again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
With a name like Marin Keane, she was bound to be famous, right? Not so much. Marin is an aspiring actress who works as a waitress in New York. She has done some theater but her only experience on film was as the bridesmaid with a skin condition. Which is why when her agent calls her in for a casting in a new Ronan Peters film starring the Violet Wright, she expects it to just be great experience. When she finds out that she actually got the part and that the weeklong research trip starts in 3 days, she’s completely floored.
The movie is about the unsolved disappearance of 5 women on the island of New Avalon which is an island on Lake Faraday in Vermont. The disappearance took place in 1926 and all that were remaining of the women were the 5 dresses hanging from an old oak tree - one for each woman. It wasn’t until the reading that Marin finds out that her character, Daisy Rue, isn’t a small part with minimal lines, but the main character.
Soon after arriving, strange things start to happen on New Avalon and they are alarmingly similar to the events of 1926. Ronan Peters has a history of being a director who likes to dive deep into the atmosphere of the time with actors living in the same conditions as their characters. Are the disappearances of the cast all part of the plan to fully immerse themselves into the lives of the women who disappeared? Is someone trying to prevent the movie from happening? Is it possible that they accidentally unleashed the supernatural entity that caused the women to disappear 100 years ago?
Each year since 2017, Riley Sager comes out with a new book and this is quite possibly my favorite book of his - just edging out Survive the Night. He’s known for his wild twists and turns that no one would expect, and this one does not disappoint! Similar to his book Middle of the Night, he keeps you wondering throughout whether the mysterious occurrences are real or supernatural and the ending was a complete surprise.
The movie is about the unsolved disappearance of 5 women on the island of New Avalon which is an island on Lake Faraday in Vermont. The disappearance took place in 1926 and all that were remaining of the women were the 5 dresses hanging from an old oak tree - one for each woman. It wasn’t until the reading that Marin finds out that her character, Daisy Rue, isn’t a small part with minimal lines, but the main character.
Soon after arriving, strange things start to happen on New Avalon and they are alarmingly similar to the events of 1926. Ronan Peters has a history of being a director who likes to dive deep into the atmosphere of the time with actors living in the same conditions as their characters. Are the disappearances of the cast all part of the plan to fully immerse themselves into the lives of the women who disappeared? Is someone trying to prevent the movie from happening? Is it possible that they accidentally unleashed the supernatural entity that caused the women to disappear 100 years ago?
Each year since 2017, Riley Sager comes out with a new book and this is quite possibly my favorite book of his - just edging out Survive the Night. He’s known for his wild twists and turns that no one would expect, and this one does not disappoint! Similar to his book Middle of the Night, he keeps you wondering throughout whether the mysterious occurrences are real or supernatural and the ending was a complete surprise.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Riley Sager’s The Unknown swept me straight into its eerie, atmospheric world from the moment Marin Keane steps onto New Avalon, an island that feels steeped in secrets and silence. There’s something wonderfully unsettling about a place defined by the disappearance of five women in 1926, their dresses left hanging from an oak tree like a warning the land itself refuses to forget.
Marin is such an engaging guide through this mystery—ambitious, uncertain, and suddenly immersed in a film project that blurs the line between performance and danger. The island’s history presses in on her from the start, and the inclusion of Daisy Rue’s diary adds a haunting, intimate thread that feels like a voice reaching across a century with truths no one has ever fully faced.
What I loved most about The Unknown is the atmosphere: dense woods, strange symbols, whispers in the night, and that creeping sense that the island is watching. When Marin and the cast become stranded, the tension tightens beautifully. The disappearances begin again, and suspicion settles over every interaction. Sager leans into that claustrophobic fear without ever losing the emotional undercurrent that makes the story feel grounded.
The dual timelines echo each other in clever, unsettling ways, and the question of whether something supernatural is at play lingers just enough to keep you deliciously off balance. It’s a thriller that pulls you in with mood as much as mystery, the kind you read in long, breathless stretches because you need to know what the island is hiding.
Creepy, addictive, and wonderfully atmospheric, The Unknown is perfect for readers who love their thrillers with a touch of the uncanny and a setting that refuses to let you go.
With thanks to Riley Sager, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Marin is such an engaging guide through this mystery—ambitious, uncertain, and suddenly immersed in a film project that blurs the line between performance and danger. The island’s history presses in on her from the start, and the inclusion of Daisy Rue’s diary adds a haunting, intimate thread that feels like a voice reaching across a century with truths no one has ever fully faced.
What I loved most about The Unknown is the atmosphere: dense woods, strange symbols, whispers in the night, and that creeping sense that the island is watching. When Marin and the cast become stranded, the tension tightens beautifully. The disappearances begin again, and suspicion settles over every interaction. Sager leans into that claustrophobic fear without ever losing the emotional undercurrent that makes the story feel grounded.
The dual timelines echo each other in clever, unsettling ways, and the question of whether something supernatural is at play lingers just enough to keep you deliciously off balance. It’s a thriller that pulls you in with mood as much as mystery, the kind you read in long, breathless stretches because you need to know what the island is hiding.
Creepy, addictive, and wonderfully atmospheric, The Unknown is perfect for readers who love their thrillers with a touch of the uncanny and a setting that refuses to let you go.
With thanks to Riley Sager, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Unknown follows a group of actresses and filmmakers as they begin work on a film based upon the diary of a woman who disappeared, along with 4 others, on a Vermont Island called New Avalon in the 1920s. When unexplained things start happening during their prep week on the very same island, they begin to fear that the past is repeating. Is something evil really on the island? Is it some kind of messed up forced method acting? You have to read to find out.
This book honestly feels like a return to form for Riley Sager, blending paranormal and traditional thriller elements that has the characters (and the reader) second guessing everything. Riley Sager has been an auto-read author for me since I read Home Before Dark in 2021, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with some of his more recent works (With A Vengeance and The House Across the Lake particularly). This book recaptures some of that old magic that made me a fan in the first place.
My primary critique of this book is that the diary entries interspersed read far more like flashbacks than they did true diary entries. Though some late-revealed details may explain this tone/format a bit (not going to spoil it here), it felt strange that none of the characters who read the diary themselves felt that way. I don't personally find myself able to recall full interactions with direct quotes for any sort of post-hoc journaling. Ultimately I was able to suspend disbelief despite some initial stumbles with the format.
This is a great book for any traditional or paranormal thriller fan to pick up.
The Unknown follows a group of actresses and filmmakers as they begin work on a film based upon the diary of a woman who disappeared, along with 4 others, on a Vermont Island called New Avalon in the 1920s. When unexplained things start happening during their prep week on the very same island, they begin to fear that the past is repeating. Is something evil really on the island? Is it some kind of messed up forced method acting? You have to read to find out.
This book honestly feels like a return to form for Riley Sager, blending paranormal and traditional thriller elements that has the characters (and the reader) second guessing everything. Riley Sager has been an auto-read author for me since I read Home Before Dark in 2021, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with some of his more recent works (With A Vengeance and The House Across the Lake particularly). This book recaptures some of that old magic that made me a fan in the first place.
My primary critique of this book is that the diary entries interspersed read far more like flashbacks than they did true diary entries. Though some late-revealed details may explain this tone/format a bit (not going to spoil it here), it felt strange that none of the characters who read the diary themselves felt that way. I don't personally find myself able to recall full interactions with direct quotes for any sort of post-hoc journaling. Ultimately I was able to suspend disbelief despite some initial stumbles with the format.
This is a great book for any traditional or paranormal thriller fan to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found The Unknown to be another absolute knockout from Riley Sager honestly, as a regular reader of his books I went in with high expectations and he STILL managed to blow them out the water. This is an absolutely must read without question.
Set on the eerie isolated island of New Avalon, this book had everything I love! an unsolved historical mystery, a creepy film set, and that constant sense that something is very very wrong. Marin arriving to research her role quickly turns into something far more sinister as strange happenings escalate and history starts repeating itself. The past and present timelines weave together brilliantly especially through Daisy’s diary, which added such an unsettling and haunting edge to the story.
The atmosphere was unreal claustrophobic, tense and dripping with unease. You’ve got the classic locked island setup, a cast of characters who all feel like they’re hiding something, and that signature Sager pacing that makes it impossible to stop reading. Every time I thought I had it figured out… boom … another twist. And then another. And THEN another.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Alice Feeney and classic Agatha Christie style mysteries with a dark edge
This was fast, addictive and completely unputdownable and I flew through it and loved every second. The blend of psychological tension with that almost supernatural mystery kept me hooked right to the final page.
A twisty, atmospheric, edge of your seat thriller that proves yet again why Riley Sager is a must read author for me.
📚✨
Set on the eerie isolated island of New Avalon, this book had everything I love! an unsolved historical mystery, a creepy film set, and that constant sense that something is very very wrong. Marin arriving to research her role quickly turns into something far more sinister as strange happenings escalate and history starts repeating itself. The past and present timelines weave together brilliantly especially through Daisy’s diary, which added such an unsettling and haunting edge to the story.
The atmosphere was unreal claustrophobic, tense and dripping with unease. You’ve got the classic locked island setup, a cast of characters who all feel like they’re hiding something, and that signature Sager pacing that makes it impossible to stop reading. Every time I thought I had it figured out… boom … another twist. And then another. And THEN another.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Alice Feeney and classic Agatha Christie style mysteries with a dark edge
This was fast, addictive and completely unputdownable and I flew through it and loved every second. The blend of psychological tension with that almost supernatural mystery kept me hooked right to the final page.
A twisty, atmospheric, edge of your seat thriller that proves yet again why Riley Sager is a must read author for me.
📚✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Riley Sager and Dutton Books for my copy of his new one, The Unknown. It was a spooky story about Marin, a struggling actress who lands a major role that seems too good to be true. The director is unorthodox, and asks that the actresses come to a weeklong research trip to a small island where the movie is based.
But New Avalon isn't just a regular island. In the past, it was a commune for witches and wayward women, resulting in missing women and five dresses hanging on a tree. Locals are unsure if they just disappeared, or if something much more sinister was going on. All they have left is a diary by one woman, that grows increasingly darker. As Marin and the other women arrive, they feel a dark presence around them. Then, the woman start disappearing one by one, just like the past.
Thoughts: The longer I think about this book, the more I love it. It has distinct Simone St. James vibes, mixing a historical drama with a current real life thriller. After sitting on the masterful way Sager wove this story into the past and present, I have to say I LOVED IT. There were so many little details that made this book so good, especially with the diary pages. Daisy was so complex and interesting, and I truly loved the ending of this book.
It was hard to feel satisfied with Marin's ending, but it did feel right. Sager is always a fantastic writer, and I think this book will take readers on a journey that is interesting and complex. I didn't see the ending coming, and that is one of the hallmarks of a wonderful book. 4.5 stars for this one!
But New Avalon isn't just a regular island. In the past, it was a commune for witches and wayward women, resulting in missing women and five dresses hanging on a tree. Locals are unsure if they just disappeared, or if something much more sinister was going on. All they have left is a diary by one woman, that grows increasingly darker. As Marin and the other women arrive, they feel a dark presence around them. Then, the woman start disappearing one by one, just like the past.
Thoughts: The longer I think about this book, the more I love it. It has distinct Simone St. James vibes, mixing a historical drama with a current real life thriller. After sitting on the masterful way Sager wove this story into the past and present, I have to say I LOVED IT. There were so many little details that made this book so good, especially with the diary pages. Daisy was so complex and interesting, and I truly loved the ending of this book.
It was hard to feel satisfied with Marin's ending, but it did feel right. Sager is always a fantastic writer, and I think this book will take readers on a journey that is interesting and complex. I didn't see the ending coming, and that is one of the hallmarks of a wonderful book. 4.5 stars for this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, I truly enjoy Sager’s novels, but after his last one, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue reading his work. I’m glad I did, because this one was one of the best he has ever written. It is right up there with The Last Time I Lied, which I loved. I felt the flow of this book was perfect; it made me want to keep reading, and—wow—the ending! The characters were great in the most unlikable way. He also brought back that touch of horror that I loved in The Only One Left.
In 1926, five women died on a remote island off the coast of Vermont. Now, 100 years later, a movie is being made about the tragedy. Marin Keane, a struggling actress, has landed a role in the production. One of the requirements is to spend a week on the island with the cast and director to live exactly as Daisy and the others did: no electricity, no plumbing, and no cell phones.
The island’s history is dark; it was once inhabited by witches and later used by mediums to commune with spirits. During the original incident, all five women disappeared, leaving behind only their dresses hanging from a tree. The only evidence of their fate is a diary written by Daisy, which details a séance that conjured something malevolent.
Now, the modern cast is reliving the experiences of those five women, and history is repeating itself. They are disappearing one by one. The survivors must figure out who—or what—is responsible before they run out of time.
For the most part, I truly enjoy Sager’s novels, but after his last one, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue reading his work. I’m glad I did, because this one was one of the best he has ever written. It is right up there with The Last Time I Lied, which I loved. I felt the flow of this book was perfect; it made me want to keep reading, and—wow—the ending! The characters were great in the most unlikable way. He also brought back that touch of horror that I loved in The Only One Left.
In 1926, five women died on a remote island off the coast of Vermont. Now, 100 years later, a movie is being made about the tragedy. Marin Keane, a struggling actress, has landed a role in the production. One of the requirements is to spend a week on the island with the cast and director to live exactly as Daisy and the others did: no electricity, no plumbing, and no cell phones.
The island’s history is dark; it was once inhabited by witches and later used by mediums to commune with spirits. During the original incident, all five women disappeared, leaving behind only their dresses hanging from a tree. The only evidence of their fate is a diary written by Daisy, which details a séance that conjured something malevolent.
Now, the modern cast is reliving the experiences of those five women, and history is repeating itself. They are disappearing one by one. The survivors must figure out who—or what—is responsible before they run out of time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Riley Sager for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Unknown in exchange for an honest review.
The Unknown is a classic Riley Sager thriller, blending an eerie historical mystery with a modern-day storyline that quickly spirals into something far more unsettling. The premise alone is compelling. A remote island, a century old disappearance involving five women, and a film crew returning to the same location only for history to seemingly repeat itself.
The atmosphere is where this book shines. The isolated setting of New Avalon, combined with the lingering presence of the past, creates a tense and claustrophobic feel that keeps the pages turning. The dual timelines and the mystery surrounding Daisy Rue’s diary add layers to the story, and I found myself questioning whether the threat was supernatural or something else.
Although while the build-up is strong and genuinely gripping, the pacing in the first half felt uneven and slow at times, and I didn’t feel fully invested in all of the characters. By the time the story reached its conclusion, I was left a little underwhelmed. The reveal didn’t quite live up to the eerie promise of the premise, and I found myself wanting something a bit more original or impactful.
That said, The Unknown is still an engaging and highly readable thriller. Fans of Riley Sager will enjoy the signature twists, atmospheric tension, and cinematic feel of the story as I did. It’s a fun, suspenseful ride—even if the destination doesn’t completely stick the landing
The Unknown is a classic Riley Sager thriller, blending an eerie historical mystery with a modern-day storyline that quickly spirals into something far more unsettling. The premise alone is compelling. A remote island, a century old disappearance involving five women, and a film crew returning to the same location only for history to seemingly repeat itself.
The atmosphere is where this book shines. The isolated setting of New Avalon, combined with the lingering presence of the past, creates a tense and claustrophobic feel that keeps the pages turning. The dual timelines and the mystery surrounding Daisy Rue’s diary add layers to the story, and I found myself questioning whether the threat was supernatural or something else.
Although while the build-up is strong and genuinely gripping, the pacing in the first half felt uneven and slow at times, and I didn’t feel fully invested in all of the characters. By the time the story reached its conclusion, I was left a little underwhelmed. The reveal didn’t quite live up to the eerie promise of the premise, and I found myself wanting something a bit more original or impactful.
That said, The Unknown is still an engaging and highly readable thriller. Fans of Riley Sager will enjoy the signature twists, atmospheric tension, and cinematic feel of the story as I did. It’s a fun, suspenseful ride—even if the destination doesn’t completely stick the landing
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