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The Unknown
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40 copies available
U.S. only
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, Hardcover
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Riley Sager
24 books59.5k 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.
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???
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.
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
May 2, 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.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publisher and the author, Riley Sager for an early copy.
Publication date: August 4, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publisher and the author, Riley Sager for an early copy.
Publication date: August 4, 2026
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!!!!
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.
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!
April 19, 2026
It’s no secret that I typically don’t enjoy this author’s books. I was quite surprised when I picked this one up and just couldn’t put it down.
A group of actors travel to a remote island to live like the characters in the film they’re about to make, a group of women who vanished under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s.
I really liked the mix of supernatural and realistic suspense in this one, and wasn’t sure which direction the book was going to take. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming.
This one was a bit slower than some of his others, but the creepiness and tension was high. There were some parts that I flew through.
There wasn’t a ton of character development in this one, you just kind of had to accept everyone for what they were.
The ending and especially the answer to what happened to the women back in the 1920’s really calls for you to suspend some beliefs. I think it would have been more believable if it was further back in time. It’s just not that long ago to believe that there wouldn’t be actual records of people.
Overall, it was a popcorn thriller that got me out of a reading slump. It was fun enough, but don’t expect it to entirely make sense.
A group of actors travel to a remote island to live like the characters in the film they’re about to make, a group of women who vanished under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s.
I really liked the mix of supernatural and realistic suspense in this one, and wasn’t sure which direction the book was going to take. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming.
This one was a bit slower than some of his others, but the creepiness and tension was high. There were some parts that I flew through.
There wasn’t a ton of character development in this one, you just kind of had to accept everyone for what they were.
The ending and especially the answer to what happened to the women back in the 1920’s really calls for you to suspend some beliefs. I think it would have been more believable if it was further back in time. It’s just not that long ago to believe that there wouldn’t be actual records of people.
Overall, it was a popcorn thriller that got me out of a reading slump. It was fun enough, but don’t expect it to entirely make sense.
May 2, 2026
Honest review given for an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley.
4.5 stars. Holy spooky vibes. This is going to be such a good haunted read in the fall!! It had the jump scares I love and hate in a book. Riley Sager is known for the twists, and The Unknown is no different. I truly had no idea where the story was going. At some points I thought it was going to go a completely different direction, and I was scared because it was not going to be what I wanted to read. However, he didn’t go that direction and stuck with the creepiest storyline of them all. It was a little predictable at times in the end, but overall I loved it!! I think the half star comes from so many characters made me confused at times.
4.5 stars. Holy spooky vibes. This is going to be such a good haunted read in the fall!! It had the jump scares I love and hate in a book. Riley Sager is known for the twists, and The Unknown is no different. I truly had no idea where the story was going. At some points I thought it was going to go a completely different direction, and I was scared because it was not going to be what I wanted to read. However, he didn’t go that direction and stuck with the creepiest storyline of them all. It was a little predictable at times in the end, but overall I loved it!! I think the half star comes from so many characters made me confused at times.
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. 😅
April 28, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me the arc! 🫶🏻 riley sager you are my favorite mystery/thriller author of all time… this was so unsettling and creepy, i loved every second of it. just when i thought i figured out the ending, i was shocked like 3 different times which is exactly what i’m looking for when i read a thriller. i did find some of the dialogue cringey every so often, and about halfway it was getting hard to differentiate the characters from what timeline we were in, so that is the only reason it’s not a 5 star read for me. but wow!!! i had so much fun with this i can’t wait to buy the physical copy that looks just as creepy
Want to Read
January 8, 2026so seated for this one. sounds so good
Want to Read
March 12, 2026OMG I CAN'T WAIT!!!
May 6, 2026
Review of the advanced copy received from NetGalley.
Riley Sager did it again with his new psychological thriller! I read all the books by this author. The Unknown fits at the top, next to the best 3 of his books.
We have a dual timeline of stories that seemingly repeat themselves 100 years apart. 100 years ago, 5 women staying on a remote island vanished without a trace, leaving only dreadfully hanging dresses on the trees and the diary with the torn pages. No bodies were ever discovered. They simply vanished. One by one.
During present days, the main character, who dreams to become a movie star, was cast into a movie based on the events of that story. Before production starts, the director insists that all 5 actresses spend a week on the same island off the grid to live the way that women used to in order to prepare themselves to get into their roles.
As a part of a training exercise, they conduct a spiritual seance afterward, with the reality shifting and blending with supernatural elements that can or cannot be real.
The plotting is very clever. It makes it into almost gothic horror at some point. For the readers who are not familiar with this author’s work, it will be a hard work to guess if any of the supernatural elements are real, second-guessing everything just like the main character does.
For me, it was very entertaining, and I at times even found myself second-guessing the plot. I had my theories, some of them proved to be correct, and other twists were surprises.
I didn’t like the diary entries because they were too polished and too obvious for me. I know it was probably intentional. Still, they felt not like the diary entries but rather a too-polished script - too many details, too well-written like a novel itself. It was a foreshadowing on its own.
I was frustrated by the gullible main character, but I also understand why she was reacting this way.
Overall, it kept my interest, and I wanted to continue reading to find out if the ghosts were real, what happened 100 years ago, and where people disappear.
One of the reasons it’s 4 stars and not higher is the plot holes. First was the relationship of one of the actresses with her husband - there is no way they didn’t see each other at all for this long and way overstretched reason behind it. It undermined the whole story. Second was the simple fact that medical examiner’s report would make the ending very different. In no way the it would back up the story. That’s a huge plot hole.
Riley Sager did it again with his new psychological thriller! I read all the books by this author. The Unknown fits at the top, next to the best 3 of his books.
We have a dual timeline of stories that seemingly repeat themselves 100 years apart. 100 years ago, 5 women staying on a remote island vanished without a trace, leaving only dreadfully hanging dresses on the trees and the diary with the torn pages. No bodies were ever discovered. They simply vanished. One by one.
During present days, the main character, who dreams to become a movie star, was cast into a movie based on the events of that story. Before production starts, the director insists that all 5 actresses spend a week on the same island off the grid to live the way that women used to in order to prepare themselves to get into their roles.
As a part of a training exercise, they conduct a spiritual seance afterward, with the reality shifting and blending with supernatural elements that can or cannot be real.
The plotting is very clever. It makes it into almost gothic horror at some point. For the readers who are not familiar with this author’s work, it will be a hard work to guess if any of the supernatural elements are real, second-guessing everything just like the main character does.
For me, it was very entertaining, and I at times even found myself second-guessing the plot. I had my theories, some of them proved to be correct, and other twists were surprises.
I didn’t like the diary entries because they were too polished and too obvious for me. I know it was probably intentional. Still, they felt not like the diary entries but rather a too-polished script - too many details, too well-written like a novel itself. It was a foreshadowing on its own.
I was frustrated by the gullible main character, but I also understand why she was reacting this way.
Overall, it kept my interest, and I wanted to continue reading to find out if the ghosts were real, what happened 100 years ago, and where people disappear.
One of the reasons it’s 4 stars and not higher is the plot holes. First was the relationship of one of the actresses with her husband - there is no way they didn’t see each other at all for this long and way overstretched reason behind it. It undermined the whole story. Second was the simple fact that medical examiner’s report would make the ending very different. In no way the it would back up the story. That’s a huge plot hole.
May 7, 2026
“I cant decide which scenario is worse— being stalked by the ghosts of our loved ones or being stalked by a demon pretending to be them.”
In 1926, five women vanished from the remote island of New Avalon in Vermont, leaving behind only their dresses hanging from an old oak tree and rumors of a séance gone terribly wrong. One hundred years later, struggling actress Marin Keane travels to the island to prepare for a film about the unsolved mystery, only to discover that New Avalon is far more unsettling than she expected. Strange noises, eerie symbols, and growing tension begin to surround Marin and her castmates after they become stranded on the island. As disappearances start happening again, Marin turns to the diary of one of the missing women in hopes of uncovering the truth before history repeats itself.
I loved everything about this book from the dual timelines to the paranormal elements and nonstop suspense. The atmosphere was so moody, creepy, and tension filled that several scenes genuinely unsettled me. I especially loved switching between Marin’s present day POV and Daisy’s diary entries because it added so much mystery and tension to the story. With so many twists throughout, I could barely put this book down and ended up finishing it in two sittings!! Loved everything about this book and definitely will recommend it to everyone!
Thank you to Dutton books for the gifted copy!
In 1926, five women vanished from the remote island of New Avalon in Vermont, leaving behind only their dresses hanging from an old oak tree and rumors of a séance gone terribly wrong. One hundred years later, struggling actress Marin Keane travels to the island to prepare for a film about the unsolved mystery, only to discover that New Avalon is far more unsettling than she expected. Strange noises, eerie symbols, and growing tension begin to surround Marin and her castmates after they become stranded on the island. As disappearances start happening again, Marin turns to the diary of one of the missing women in hopes of uncovering the truth before history repeats itself.
I loved everything about this book from the dual timelines to the paranormal elements and nonstop suspense. The atmosphere was so moody, creepy, and tension filled that several scenes genuinely unsettled me. I especially loved switching between Marin’s present day POV and Daisy’s diary entries because it added so much mystery and tension to the story. With so many twists throughout, I could barely put this book down and ended up finishing it in two sittings!! Loved everything about this book and definitely will recommend it to everyone!
Thank you to Dutton books for the gifted copy!
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.
April 19, 2026
5 young women disappeared on island in the middle of a lake in Vermont in 1926, and a hundred years later, history repeats itself when a production crew stays on the island to acclimate the actors into their respective characters when making a film based off events a hundred years earlier. What does this have to do with witches, mediums and seances? Why is history repeating itself? Why was a struggling young actress, with no acting credits to her name, picked to play the lead role? What mysteries will be uncovered from 1926, but directly reflect shocking twists in 2026?? Riley Sager has done it again! Creepy houses, dark locales and a mysterious cast of characters who are once again haunted by ghosts of their past. Maybe we never get over them, and history repeats itself.
April 28, 2026
First five stars of the year and what a 5 stars!! This is my perfect thriller, from start to finish everything was absolutely perfect. The atmosphere was so spooky I was literally terrified reading the book, my heart rate was so funny to see change! I loved the fact that there’s a historical context and timeline and then a modern one, the fact that it’s on an island where no one can escape. And guys… this book gaslighted me over and over and over again. There’s a plot twist and then Riley is like gotcha 😉 BOOM other plot twist and another one and wait here’s another one. It was INSANE!!!!! I was going crazy, if my jaw could’ve gone lower than the floor it would’ve. And that final plot twist? the most perfect plot twist in the history of plot twist. You can’t guess it but once you know? how it all makes sense!!
You think you know what’s going on but trust me you don’t !
You think you know what’s going on but trust me you don’t !
April 30, 2026
This was an amazing, binge worthy thriller! I loved the atmospheric, isolated island setting and overall storyline of this one. I liked how the book incorporated pages of Daisy’s journal throughout the story, going along perfectly with what was happening in the present timeline. I loved the twists and turns this book took as well as the hints of paranormal elements. This was a book I didn’t want to put down and I had no clue as to which direction the ending was going to go. This may be my new favorite book of Riley Sager’s, it is definitely worth the read!
Read this if you like:
📖 Locked room settings
📖 Dual timelines
📖 Atmospheric settings
📖 Twists and turns
Thank you to @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the gifted arc.
Read this if you like:
📖 Locked room settings
📖 Dual timelines
📖 Atmospheric settings
📖 Twists and turns
Thank you to @netgalley and @duttonbooks for the gifted arc.
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
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