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The Unknown: A totally gripping, unputdownable and heart-pounding thriller
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26In 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.
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Expected publication August 4, 2026
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About the author
Riley Sager
18 books56.8k 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
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December 24, 2025How did no one tell me there was a new Riley Sager book coming out???
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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!!
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November 21, 2025I don't care what everyone says, I'm seated for this.
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January 19, 2026I'm intrigued.... I think.... 💭💭💭
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January 8, 2026so seated for this one. sounds so good
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January 8, 2026THAT COVER!!! This comes out the day before my birthday, soooo happy early birthday to me😩❤️
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November 20, 2025the fact that this is tagged as fiction first should probably set my expectations.
and it probably wont 😂
and it probably wont 😂
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January 7, 2026Hmmm…I’m interested 🧐
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January 13, 2026**pre-order**
How the hell did I not know this was a thing till today!? Diabolical…
How the hell did I not know this was a thing till today!? Diabolical…
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews