What do you think?
The Last to Drown
FIVE DAYS. TWENTY STRANGERS. NO PHONE SIGNAL.
The rafting trip was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. But now that Kaia's on the river, she's having second thoughts. Especially once the whispers about Camas Creek begin.
Seven years ago, a guide murdered a group of rafters on this same isolated stretch of water. And while the killer’s body was recovered downstream, the true-crime community has never stopped asking questions. And for good reason.
The accidents start innocently enough—but the pattern is sickeningly familiar. A flipped raft. Missing supplies. Sheer canyon walls on all sides. And eighty-four miles of whitewater until any sign of civilization.
Kaia begins to suspect that one of the guides is lying. One of the guests knows more than they're saying. And somewhere on this river, someone is planning to finish what started at Camas Creek.
The rafting trip was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. But now that Kaia's on the river, she's having second thoughts. Especially once the whispers about Camas Creek begin.
Seven years ago, a guide murdered a group of rafters on this same isolated stretch of water. And while the killer’s body was recovered downstream, the true-crime community has never stopped asking questions. And for good reason.
The accidents start innocently enough—but the pattern is sickeningly familiar. A flipped raft. Missing supplies. Sheer canyon walls on all sides. And eighty-four miles of whitewater until any sign of civilization.
Kaia begins to suspect that one of the guides is lying. One of the guests knows more than they're saying. And somewhere on this river, someone is planning to finish what started at Camas Creek.
Paperback
First published July 16, 2026
About the author
Noelle W. Ihli
16 books15.2k followersNoelle’s two great passions are murder and horses (separately, never together).
She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she's not plotting her next thriller, she's scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).
She lives in Idaho with her husband, two sons, and two cats. When she's not plotting her next thriller, she's scaring herself with true-crime documentaries or going for a trail ride in the foothills (with her trusty pepper spray).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,196 reviews
August 22, 2026
Heart-pounding, emotional, INTENSE. PLEASE no one ever make me go whitewater rafting omg.
August 25, 2026
3 predictable ⭐️s
Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here hanging out on Outlier Island. 🏝️
I’m going to start with the positives. This was a quick and engaging read/listen, and I loved the premise of the story. I thought Kaia was a reasonably capable FMC, and I also really liked the inclusion of Third Man Syndrome, which I found fascinating and thought added an interesting element to the story.
My biggest issue is that my detective skills are terrible, and I was still able to predict the main twist and figure out the culprit by chapter 6. As you can imagine, this took away most of the tension for me, making the book less thrilling and that eighty-four-mile white-water journey seem a little too long. I went into this one with pretty high expectations, which also could have been part of the problem. There are tons of glowing reviews, though, so maybe check some of those out before deciding.
I alternated between the audiobook and reading on my Kindle, and both formats worked well for me. It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited.
This was my first Noelle Ihli novel, and while I didn’t love it, I’m still looking forward to reading Ask for Andrea, which is already on my TBR.
Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here hanging out on Outlier Island. 🏝️
I’m going to start with the positives. This was a quick and engaging read/listen, and I loved the premise of the story. I thought Kaia was a reasonably capable FMC, and I also really liked the inclusion of Third Man Syndrome, which I found fascinating and thought added an interesting element to the story.
My biggest issue is that my detective skills are terrible, and I was still able to predict the main twist and figure out the culprit by chapter 6. As you can imagine, this took away most of the tension for me, making the book less thrilling and that eighty-four-mile white-water journey seem a little too long. I went into this one with pretty high expectations, which also could have been part of the problem. There are tons of glowing reviews, though, so maybe check some of those out before deciding.
I alternated between the audiobook and reading on my Kindle, and both formats worked well for me. It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited.
This was my first Noelle Ihli novel, and while I didn’t love it, I’m still looking forward to reading Ask for Andrea, which is already on my TBR.
January 28, 2026
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ Kaia went on the rafting trip for an adventure. But when talk about what happened at Camas Creek, where a guide murdered a group of rafters, keeps circulating among the guests, she begins to wonder if she made a mistake. But the dread she feels somewhat dissipates with the knowledge that the killer’s body was found and that she and the other guests have nothing to worry about. That is, until small things start to happen. Terrified screams in the night, a flipped-over raft, and supplies suddenly going missing. And with civilization so far away, it becomes clear that somewhere someone has different plans for the group, hoping to finish what started seven years ago.
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ Holy cow! I knew this was going to be so good! Noelle W. Ihli has done it again, and I am not in the least bit surprised because her books are always bangers.
What I absolutely love the most in the books I’ve read from this author is how freaking inspiring and empowering the women are. Even though the world and/or men try to make them victims and silence them, the women rise and take charge, beating evil at its own game because they refuse to go down without a fight. And, oh my gosh, I am almost screaming and crying as I root for them, hoping and praying they will make it out alive. And it was no different with this one.
I honestly don’t know what to say without spoiling anything, but just know that it will make your jaw drop. If it won’t keep you guessing, it will keep you on the edge of your seat because Cara and I were TERRIFIED. 😱 I was about ready to go on my hands and knees and beg the book gods that nothing would happen to Kaia and the rest of the innocent lives embarking on the rafting trip. Just know that you will suspect one thing, but it will be shattered into a million pieces once the truth comes out and you're left feeling like you know absolutely nothing. (Which is a common occurrence for me, by the way. 😂)
Even though I loved the mystery and suspense of it all, what I really, really loved was the emotional aspect of the story concerning Kaia and her late husband, Parker. You could really feel her grief and loss through her words, actions, and thoughts, and I just wanted to give her a hug. 😭🫂❤🩹 But he was always there for her, like he promised!!! Okay, wow, I’m literally a sobbing mess right now. My heart is broken.
I love, no, I FREAKING love when stories have deceased loved ones being there for those they left behind, whether it be supernatural/spiritual or not. It elevates any story for me. 🥹
I honestly don’t have anything else to say. The writing was fantastic. The plot was insane and kept me wanting to know more. The characters felt human, and I didn’t dislike anyone…except the psychopath. Obviously, I didn’t like him. AT ALL. Stay away! Just stay away, or I will make you stay away, istg. 😤👊🏼
Anyways, as you can tell, I loved this book, and it is easily one of my favorite books of the year! I totally recommend this. 🙂↕️🫶🏼 I also had soooo much fun reading and reacting to it with my bestie and twin, Cara. Thank you so so much for reading this with me, my lovely girl!!! 😘💖💐
-‘๑’- Thank you to Dynamite Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. -‘๑’-
❗Content Warnings❗
Murder, death, violence, blood, gore, & loss of a spouse (off-page).
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
︵‿︵‿︵‿︵︵‿︵‿︵‿︵
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ Holy cow! I knew this was going to be so good! Noelle W. Ihli has done it again, and I am not in the least bit surprised because her books are always bangers.
What I absolutely love the most in the books I’ve read from this author is how freaking inspiring and empowering the women are. Even though the world and/or men try to make them victims and silence them, the women rise and take charge, beating evil at its own game because they refuse to go down without a fight. And, oh my gosh, I am almost screaming and crying as I root for them, hoping and praying they will make it out alive. And it was no different with this one.
I honestly don’t know what to say without spoiling anything, but just know that it will make your jaw drop. If it won’t keep you guessing, it will keep you on the edge of your seat because Cara and I were TERRIFIED. 😱 I was about ready to go on my hands and knees and beg the book gods that nothing would happen to Kaia and the rest of the innocent lives embarking on the rafting trip. Just know that you will suspect one thing, but it will be shattered into a million pieces once the truth comes out and you're left feeling like you know absolutely nothing. (Which is a common occurrence for me, by the way. 😂)
Even though I loved the mystery and suspense of it all, what I really, really loved was the emotional aspect of the story concerning Kaia and her late husband, Parker. You could really feel her grief and loss through her words, actions, and thoughts, and I just wanted to give her a hug. 😭🫂❤🩹 But he was always there for her, like he promised!!! Okay, wow, I’m literally a sobbing mess right now. My heart is broken.
I love, no, I FREAKING love when stories have deceased loved ones being there for those they left behind, whether it be supernatural/spiritual or not. It elevates any story for me. 🥹
I honestly don’t have anything else to say. The writing was fantastic. The plot was insane and kept me wanting to know more. The characters felt human, and I didn’t dislike anyone…except the psychopath. Obviously, I didn’t like him. AT ALL. Stay away! Just stay away, or I will make you stay away, istg. 😤👊🏼
Anyways, as you can tell, I loved this book, and it is easily one of my favorite books of the year! I totally recommend this. 🙂↕️🫶🏼 I also had soooo much fun reading and reacting to it with my bestie and twin, Cara. Thank you so so much for reading this with me, my lovely girl!!! 😘💖💐
-‘๑’- Thank you to Dynamite Books and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. -‘๑’-
❗Content Warnings❗
Murder, death, violence, blood, gore, & loss of a spouse (off-page).
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No
July 25, 2026
Judging by all the glowing reviews, I might be one of the few readers who didn't connect with this one.
It started off so well, and Noelle W. Ihli certainly has a knack for writing openings that grabs your attention and make you want to keep reading. There were definitely moments of genuine suspense throughout, but after such a strong start, the story quickly lost momentum for me. I kept hoping it would pull me back in, but instead I found myself becoming less invested as it went on and ultimately struggled to make it to the end.
My biggest issue was my connection to the protagonist, Kaia. At first, I really felt for her and the grief and trauma she was carrying, but as the story progressed those same emotions were revisited so often that they began to lose their impact. Rather than deepening my investment in her journey, they started to feel repetitive. I also found the overall direction of the story fairly predictable, so I spent much of the book waiting to see whether it would unfold the way I expected.
I don't want to dwell too much on the negatives because it's clear this book has really resonated with so many other readers, which makes me think it was probably more a case of wrong book, wrong reader than a bad book. I certainly wouldn't let my experience put anyone off picking it up if the premise appeals to you. Unfortunately, though, it just never came together for me, and as much as I hate giving out 2-star ratings, that's ultimately where this one landed.
It started off so well, and Noelle W. Ihli certainly has a knack for writing openings that grabs your attention and make you want to keep reading. There were definitely moments of genuine suspense throughout, but after such a strong start, the story quickly lost momentum for me. I kept hoping it would pull me back in, but instead I found myself becoming less invested as it went on and ultimately struggled to make it to the end.
My biggest issue was my connection to the protagonist, Kaia. At first, I really felt for her and the grief and trauma she was carrying, but as the story progressed those same emotions were revisited so often that they began to lose their impact. Rather than deepening my investment in her journey, they started to feel repetitive. I also found the overall direction of the story fairly predictable, so I spent much of the book waiting to see whether it would unfold the way I expected.
I don't want to dwell too much on the negatives because it's clear this book has really resonated with so many other readers, which makes me think it was probably more a case of wrong book, wrong reader than a bad book. I certainly wouldn't let my experience put anyone off picking it up if the premise appeals to you. Unfortunately, though, it just never came together for me, and as much as I hate giving out 2-star ratings, that's ultimately where this one landed.
January 27, 2026
EXCUSE ME WHILE I TRY AND CATCH MY BREATH
The Last to Drown is a survival thriller following twenty strangers on an isolated river rafting trip who realize someone is trying to recreate a horrific mass murder that happened on the same water seven years earlier. Will anyone make it out alive?
Ms. Noelle is back with another book to take my breath away and have me on the absolute edge.
We get into the nitty gritty straight away and I was buckled up for the wild ride ahead.
There are a lot of characters. Although I could appreciate the claustrophobic intensity of it all, it also took away feeling quite connected to all the characters. Especially as the book was written in third person and those are not always my favourite.
The perpetrator is revealed early on but it didn’t stop the book from still being nerve wrecking and giving me goosebumps!
This is one of those books that you will start and struggle to put down.
It is easy to read, fast paced and adrenaline driven!
Ms. Ihli I am already anticipating your next read!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
OH MS IHLI!!
SPOILING US WITH ANOTHER ONE?!
OH YOU ARE JUST TOO GOOD TO US!!
LETSSSS GOOOO!
💙🤍💙🤍
The Last to Drown is a survival thriller following twenty strangers on an isolated river rafting trip who realize someone is trying to recreate a horrific mass murder that happened on the same water seven years earlier. Will anyone make it out alive?
Ms. Noelle is back with another book to take my breath away and have me on the absolute edge.
We get into the nitty gritty straight away and I was buckled up for the wild ride ahead.
There are a lot of characters. Although I could appreciate the claustrophobic intensity of it all, it also took away feeling quite connected to all the characters. Especially as the book was written in third person and those are not always my favourite.
The perpetrator is revealed early on but it didn’t stop the book from still being nerve wrecking and giving me goosebumps!
This is one of those books that you will start and struggle to put down.
It is easy to read, fast paced and adrenaline driven!
Ms. Ihli I am already anticipating your next read!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
OH MS IHLI!!
SPOILING US WITH ANOTHER ONE?!
OH YOU ARE JUST TOO GOOD TO US!!
LETSSSS GOOOO!
💙🤍💙🤍
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Dynamite Books for an ARC of The Last to Drown by Noelle W. Ihli.
If you want fast-paced thrills, this is one author that should be high on your list. She writes books that seriously make you question whether or not books should come with warnings for those with high blood pressure and/or cardiac issues along with the trigger warnings. She's another great example of an author who understands there's a fine line between consistency and repetitiveness. And she struts down that line in her highest heels with her head held high.
I always look forward to her books because I know I'm going to get that constant thrill without feeling as if I'm getting the same repetitive story just in different fonts. The storylines are always original and addicting. I don't think there's a book of hers that I didn't finish in one sitting.
This was no exception and definitely worth the read!
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
If you want fast-paced thrills, this is one author that should be high on your list. She writes books that seriously make you question whether or not books should come with warnings for those with high blood pressure and/or cardiac issues along with the trigger warnings. She's another great example of an author who understands there's a fine line between consistency and repetitiveness. And she struts down that line in her highest heels with her head held high.
I always look forward to her books because I know I'm going to get that constant thrill without feeling as if I'm getting the same repetitive story just in different fonts. The storylines are always original and addicting. I don't think there's a book of hers that I didn't finish in one sitting.
This was no exception and definitely worth the read!
Until next time,
Hades
🩵
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
REVIEW TO COME💕😱💕😱!!!!!!!!
🎀👯🧸♡Buddy reading with my bestie girl Sarah🎀👯🧸♡!!!!!!!!
🎀👯🧸♡Buddy reading with my bestie girl Sarah🎀👯🧸♡!!!!!!!!
August 30, 2026
2.67 disappointing stars ⭐️⭐️💫
I usually LOVE Noelle W. Ihli, so this one was a pretty big letdown for me. 😩 This book fell super flat, and unfortunately, the suspense just wasn’t suspenseful. 🥱
I guess it slowly floated away with the current.
Right from the beginning, we pretty much know who the killer is, and by around 35% in, it felt like we already knew exactly where everything was going. It’s really hard to stay invested in a thriller when there’s no mystery left to figure out.
The plot had SO much potential, though. I really loved the originality of having a group of women go rafting together, especially with the connection to what had happened on the river before. The setup in the beginning had me thinking this was going to be GOOD. But once the story got going, it became repetitive, and I found myself predicting way too much of what was coming.
The one part I genuinely loved was Kaia’s connection with her deceased husband. Those moments where she felt like he was helping guide her through such a traumatic experience brought some much-needed emotion to the story. ❤️🩹 Those scenes were probably my favorite part because they gave the book a depth that was otherwise missing for me.
Sadly, this just wasn’t the thrilling, twisty read I was hoping for. I’ll definitely still pick up Noelle W. Ihli’s next book because I’ve enjoyed her work before, but this one was a miss for me. 😬
I usually LOVE Noelle W. Ihli, so this one was a pretty big letdown for me. 😩 This book fell super flat, and unfortunately, the suspense just wasn’t suspenseful. 🥱
I guess it slowly floated away with the current.
Right from the beginning, we pretty much know who the killer is, and by around 35% in, it felt like we already knew exactly where everything was going. It’s really hard to stay invested in a thriller when there’s no mystery left to figure out.
The plot had SO much potential, though. I really loved the originality of having a group of women go rafting together, especially with the connection to what had happened on the river before. The setup in the beginning had me thinking this was going to be GOOD. But once the story got going, it became repetitive, and I found myself predicting way too much of what was coming.
The one part I genuinely loved was Kaia’s connection with her deceased husband. Those moments where she felt like he was helping guide her through such a traumatic experience brought some much-needed emotion to the story. ❤️🩹 Those scenes were probably my favorite part because they gave the book a depth that was otherwise missing for me.
Sadly, this just wasn’t the thrilling, twisty read I was hoping for. I’ll definitely still pick up Noelle W. Ihli’s next book because I’ve enjoyed her work before, but this one was a miss for me. 😬
July 18, 2026
── ᝰ .ᐟ 🍄: 5 stars.
My first book by Noelle W. Ilhi and definitely not my last one. This was a whole from the beginning and I was HOOKED. I couldn't stop reading because, yeah, things started agitated and got even better!
Kaia goes to this rafting trip along with other women who were looking to connect with nature. However, there was a massacre a few years ago at Camas Creek, which starts to raise interest and questions among the women. And when weird things start to happen, Kaia starts wondering if she made the right decision of attending to this trip.
When I tell you I was hooked from the start, I am not lying. This was an absolute roller coaster and Noelle was messing with my emotions the whole time.
I enjoyed the writing style, the pace, the characters and their relationships. I love how different they all are and how they all bond, even if it's trauma bonding at some point. They all are so strong in their own way and refuse to give up.
I loved the way Noelle portrayed grief, love and hope. I loved how Parker was always present with Kaia, how she kept fighting over and over and refused to give up, following Parker's voice.
Not gonna lie, at some point, I doubted of everything and everyone. And even though I quickly guessed who the killer was, I enjoyed every aspect of it.
I've never read a book like this one before, and I'm completely sure it won't be my last one. I'm really glad I applied to this book because I was crying towards the last few chapters and the epilogue, haha.
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ read.
what a terrible idea reading the last few chapters of the book while listening Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens because I’m sobbing on the bus to work. 😭😭 RTC
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
i've seen many great reviews of this book and the premise seems really interesting!
thanks to netgalley and noelle ihli for the arc
My first book by Noelle W. Ilhi and definitely not my last one. This was a whole from the beginning and I was HOOKED. I couldn't stop reading because, yeah, things started agitated and got even better!
Kaia goes to this rafting trip along with other women who were looking to connect with nature. However, there was a massacre a few years ago at Camas Creek, which starts to raise interest and questions among the women. And when weird things start to happen, Kaia starts wondering if she made the right decision of attending to this trip.
When I tell you I was hooked from the start, I am not lying. This was an absolute roller coaster and Noelle was messing with my emotions the whole time.
I enjoyed the writing style, the pace, the characters and their relationships. I love how different they all are and how they all bond, even if it's trauma bonding at some point. They all are so strong in their own way and refuse to give up.
I loved the way Noelle portrayed grief, love and hope. I loved how Parker was always present with Kaia, how she kept fighting over and over and refused to give up, following Parker's voice.
Not gonna lie, at some point, I doubted of everything and everyone. And even though I quickly guessed who the killer was, I enjoyed every aspect of it.
I've never read a book like this one before, and I'm completely sure it won't be my last one. I'm really glad I applied to this book because I was crying towards the last few chapters and the epilogue, haha.
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ read.
what a terrible idea reading the last few chapters of the book while listening Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens because I’m sobbing on the bus to work. 😭😭 RTC
⌗ ──🍋🟩🐈⬛ᝰ .ᐟ pre-read.
i've seen many great reviews of this book and the premise seems really interesting!
thanks to netgalley and noelle ihli for the arc
July 16, 2026
So many beautiful, terrible things.
So much fear and kindness and grief and love.
A white water rafting thriller that will make you feel like you've been dumped into the rapids of the Garnet River.
Twenty women will start the trip just above The Devil's Stairs.
How many will make it the 84 miles to Splinter Ridge?
Here's what I loved about this adrenaline-rush of a read:
🚣♀️Ever been on a white water rafting tour? I have only been on two in Colorado. Both were in June and we were issued wetsuits for one of them. We never experienced a fraction of the chills and spills this group does. I was holding my breath for pages!
💔Our narrator Kaia was supposed to have been on this trip with her husband Parker. He was killed in a cave accident two years before. Can she get through this experience and find joy in doing the things they used to do together?
🐈🐁Love the cat-and-mouse chase that ensues down the river. Can the women on this trip outwit their pursuer?
3️⃣Ever heard of the "3rd Man Syndrome?" For Kaia, this will be her key to survival. It's a bit of magic and love that elevates the read.
📚If you have read other titles from Noelle W. Ihli, you will recognize her signature "girl power" narrative. I think this may be one of my favorites.
Happy Publication Day (July 16, 2026). Thank you to Dynamite Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
So much fear and kindness and grief and love.
A white water rafting thriller that will make you feel like you've been dumped into the rapids of the Garnet River.
Twenty women will start the trip just above The Devil's Stairs.
How many will make it the 84 miles to Splinter Ridge?
Here's what I loved about this adrenaline-rush of a read:
🚣♀️Ever been on a white water rafting tour? I have only been on two in Colorado. Both were in June and we were issued wetsuits for one of them. We never experienced a fraction of the chills and spills this group does. I was holding my breath for pages!
💔Our narrator Kaia was supposed to have been on this trip with her husband Parker. He was killed in a cave accident two years before. Can she get through this experience and find joy in doing the things they used to do together?
🐈🐁Love the cat-and-mouse chase that ensues down the river. Can the women on this trip outwit their pursuer?
3️⃣Ever heard of the "3rd Man Syndrome?" For Kaia, this will be her key to survival. It's a bit of magic and love that elevates the read.
📚If you have read other titles from Noelle W. Ihli, you will recognize her signature "girl power" narrative. I think this may be one of my favorites.
Happy Publication Day (July 16, 2026). Thank you to Dynamite Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another KNOCK OUT from Noelle, incredibly impressed with this author this year she's rapidly becoming one of my favourites of all time. She doesn't write in a classic plot twist reveal way, which a couple of years ago would have been a dealbreaker for me, but now my reading taste has matured slightly this was PERFECT. Cannot wait for you guys to read this (July 2026)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Pardon me while I catch my breath.
Kaia is on a once in a lifetime white water adventure. This isn't exactly how she planned this vacation but she needs to take a deep breath and move forward. It will be a time to refocus and maybe bond with her fellow rafters. But Kaia has a niggling feeling that something isn’t right.
Maybe it’s the troubling fact that this river trip includes staying one night at very same campsite where seven years ago, was the scene of a grizzly mass murder of another group of rafters.
But come on…that’s all in the past though, right!?
Once we board the raft, it’s non-stop action. A pulse pounding rush as Kaia and her group try to outrun a killer through a relentless torrent of rapids. Hold on tight, this is one wild ride!
Time for survival mode!
I loved how Noelle Ihli pulled in paranormal elements similar to her previous books. She manages to do this in a loving and caring manner that’s not the least bit frightening. I found it beautiful and comforting.🥺 It’s what draws me to her books!❤️🩹
White water rafting is something I’ve always wanted to do. A bucket list item. Well, I’ll be removing that from my list right now!
✍️ Noelle Ihli
📄 290 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: July 16, 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Survival Thriller
Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books
Pardon me while I catch my breath.
Kaia is on a once in a lifetime white water adventure. This isn't exactly how she planned this vacation but she needs to take a deep breath and move forward. It will be a time to refocus and maybe bond with her fellow rafters. But Kaia has a niggling feeling that something isn’t right.
Maybe it’s the troubling fact that this river trip includes staying one night at very same campsite where seven years ago, was the scene of a grizzly mass murder of another group of rafters.
But come on…that’s all in the past though, right!?
Once we board the raft, it’s non-stop action. A pulse pounding rush as Kaia and her group try to outrun a killer through a relentless torrent of rapids. Hold on tight, this is one wild ride!
Time for survival mode!
I loved how Noelle Ihli pulled in paranormal elements similar to her previous books. She manages to do this in a loving and caring manner that’s not the least bit frightening. I found it beautiful and comforting.🥺 It’s what draws me to her books!❤️🩹
White water rafting is something I’ve always wanted to do. A bucket list item. Well, I’ll be removing that from my list right now!
✍️ Noelle Ihli
📄 290 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: July 16, 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Survival Thriller
Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books
July 30, 2026
I could not wait for this book to come out, and it absolutely did not disappoint. It even ventured into some uncharted territory. IYKYK.
Noelle Ihli is an auto-buy author for me because I know her books are going to keep me turning pages and deprive me of sleep, and I’m completely okay with that.
What starts as a white-water rafting trip quickly turns into a nightmare. I found myself rooting for these characters from the beginning. Kaia, in particular, felt incredibly real, and her emotional journey added another layer to an already gripping thriller.
This book was intense, unhinged chaos from start to finish, and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend adding The Last to Drown to your TBR.
Noelle Ihli is an auto-buy author for me because I know her books are going to keep me turning pages and deprive me of sleep, and I’m completely okay with that.
What starts as a white-water rafting trip quickly turns into a nightmare. I found myself rooting for these characters from the beginning. Kaia, in particular, felt incredibly real, and her emotional journey added another layer to an already gripping thriller.
This book was intense, unhinged chaos from start to finish, and I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, I highly recommend adding The Last to Drown to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love this author so much that at this point picking up one of her books should probably come with a complimentary blood pressure monitor! Every single time I tell myself, "This one will be different. I'll read a few chapters, go to bed at a reasonable hour, make responsible life choices..." Five minutes later I'm sitting on the edge of my couch, forgetting to breathe, whispering, "Just one more chapter." Famous last words.
This woman doesn't write thrillers. She engineers panic attacks.
What starts as an adventurous five-day whitewater rafting expedition quickly mutates into one of the most nerve-shredding survival stories I've read this year. Imagine being trapped in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by strangers, miles away from civilization, with no phone signal, no escape route, and a horrifying local legend hanging over every ripple of the river. Every splash sounds suspicious. Every whisper carries a threat. Every smile feels like a lie. I became suspicious of literally everyone...and yes, that absolutely included people who had done absolutely nothing wrong. Congratulations, book. You successfully destroyed my trust issues.
The wilderness itself becomes one of the deadliest characters in the story. The roaring rapids, freezing water, endless forests, nighttime silence, and overwhelming isolation create a suffocating atmosphere where Mother Nature seems just as eager to kill you as the person hiding among the group. I honestly felt cold while reading this book. My heart was racing through every rafting sequence, and several scenes had me physically clenching my Kindle like it was somehow going to save the characters.
What impressed me most was that beneath all the relentless action, this is also a story about grief, resilience, and discovering strength when life has already taken everything from you. Kaia isn't simply running for survival—she's carrying emotional wounds that make every decision, every risk, and every victory feel deeply personal. Watching the relationships evolve under unimaginable pressure added surprising emotional weight to all the chaos. When survival depends on trust, but trust might get you killed...that's exactly my kind of nightmare.
The pacing is absolutely feral. There isn't a single moment where the story allows you to relax. Every chapter ends with another reason to keep reading, another danger lurking around the bend, another twist that completely destroys whatever theory you convinced yourself was correct five pages earlier. Even when I thought I had figured things out, the author kept pulling the rug out from under me in the most satisfying way.
If you're looking for a slow-burning mystery...keep paddling.
If you're looking for a thriller that hijacks your evening, ruins your sleep schedule, spikes your anxiety, leaves your pulse somewhere around Olympic sprint levels, and makes you question whether you'll ever accept another outdoor adventure invitation again...welcome aboard.
Needless to say, I have officially crossed whitewater rafting off my bucket list. I'll happily admire rivers from a safe distance...preferably from inside a hotel with room service.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for sharing this extra-exciting, hyperventilating, lightning-fast mystery's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This woman doesn't write thrillers. She engineers panic attacks.
What starts as an adventurous five-day whitewater rafting expedition quickly mutates into one of the most nerve-shredding survival stories I've read this year. Imagine being trapped in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by strangers, miles away from civilization, with no phone signal, no escape route, and a horrifying local legend hanging over every ripple of the river. Every splash sounds suspicious. Every whisper carries a threat. Every smile feels like a lie. I became suspicious of literally everyone...and yes, that absolutely included people who had done absolutely nothing wrong. Congratulations, book. You successfully destroyed my trust issues.
The wilderness itself becomes one of the deadliest characters in the story. The roaring rapids, freezing water, endless forests, nighttime silence, and overwhelming isolation create a suffocating atmosphere where Mother Nature seems just as eager to kill you as the person hiding among the group. I honestly felt cold while reading this book. My heart was racing through every rafting sequence, and several scenes had me physically clenching my Kindle like it was somehow going to save the characters.
What impressed me most was that beneath all the relentless action, this is also a story about grief, resilience, and discovering strength when life has already taken everything from you. Kaia isn't simply running for survival—she's carrying emotional wounds that make every decision, every risk, and every victory feel deeply personal. Watching the relationships evolve under unimaginable pressure added surprising emotional weight to all the chaos. When survival depends on trust, but trust might get you killed...that's exactly my kind of nightmare.
The pacing is absolutely feral. There isn't a single moment where the story allows you to relax. Every chapter ends with another reason to keep reading, another danger lurking around the bend, another twist that completely destroys whatever theory you convinced yourself was correct five pages earlier. Even when I thought I had figured things out, the author kept pulling the rug out from under me in the most satisfying way.
If you're looking for a slow-burning mystery...keep paddling.
If you're looking for a thriller that hijacks your evening, ruins your sleep schedule, spikes your anxiety, leaves your pulse somewhere around Olympic sprint levels, and makes you question whether you'll ever accept another outdoor adventure invitation again...welcome aboard.
Needless to say, I have officially crossed whitewater rafting off my bucket list. I'll happily admire rivers from a safe distance...preferably from inside a hotel with room service.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for sharing this extra-exciting, hyperventilating, lightning-fast mystery's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
July 26, 2026
OMG! This is wild and intense! If you want adrenaline-pumping, action-packed horror with strong characters, this book is the perfect choice! I was holding my breath during the intense chase! WOOHOO!
This is one of Noelle Ihli’s most graphic books, and I loved that she went all the way with it. Some of the attack scenes were a bit uncomfortable because of the violence and brutality, but they were all necessary to drive the plot to its fullest extent.
I have never read a book with this kind of chase. I’ve read about killers chasing victims in cars, on airplanes, and through the typical means of transportation, but in this book, the characters are being chased through a miles-long maze of rivers on a raft, battling strong currents and a minefield of small boulders. Imagine rafting and paddling with a killer close behind you. This is another level of fear and dread.
And Splinter Ridge? The way it was described? I felt like I was transported onto the raft with the women, paddling for my life. I was holding my breath the entire time.
I loved this. Noelle never disappoints. I’ve loved most of her books, and this new release will definitely be a fan favorite.
READ THIS NOW! NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
This is one of Noelle Ihli’s most graphic books, and I loved that she went all the way with it. Some of the attack scenes were a bit uncomfortable because of the violence and brutality, but they were all necessary to drive the plot to its fullest extent.
I have never read a book with this kind of chase. I’ve read about killers chasing victims in cars, on airplanes, and through the typical means of transportation, but in this book, the characters are being chased through a miles-long maze of rivers on a raft, battling strong currents and a minefield of small boulders. Imagine rafting and paddling with a killer close behind you. This is another level of fear and dread.
And Splinter Ridge? The way it was described? I felt like I was transported onto the raft with the women, paddling for my life. I was holding my breath the entire time.
I loved this. Noelle never disappoints. I’ve loved most of her books, and this new release will definitely be a fan favorite.
READ THIS NOW! NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
July 17, 2026
I was so excited when I saw this author was coming out with a new book! I loved Run On Red and Ask For Andrea. This book fell flat for me in so many ways. I kept waiting for a twist that never came. Instead of a “whodunnit” the entire book was a chasing scene down the river. It got very repetitive and dragged out. No background on Leo and his “why” other than his track record with another killing 7 years prior. I never got a sense of reason and/or closure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2026
౨ৎꨄ︎ 4 stars
this was so much fun! honestly more thrillers should be this action packed. i got hooked in right from the start, then the introduction to kaia was done so well! and finally when the book moves to the main plot, it just keeps on delivering. i was at the edge of my seat. and the audiobook production?? so well done!!!
the only thing that makes me a bit sad is how obvious it was whom the killer was going to be. like i just knew the minute the person was introduced…
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: already 18% in and i’m sooo invested. can it remain being this good pls 😭🙏🏼
this was so much fun! honestly more thrillers should be this action packed. i got hooked in right from the start, then the introduction to kaia was done so well! and finally when the book moves to the main plot, it just keeps on delivering. i was at the edge of my seat. and the audiobook production?? so well done!!!
the only thing that makes me a bit sad is how obvious it was whom the killer was going to be. like i just knew the minute the person was introduced…
────୨ৎ────
౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: already 18% in and i’m sooo invested. can it remain being this good pls 😭🙏🏼
June 19, 2026
The Last to Drown isn’t your typical “who is the killer”/detective type thriller. It’s more adventurous, heart-pounding expedition of “can they escape the killer”? This boisterous tale rows you through Camas Creek, navigating river of kills, by a revived, legendary serial killer.
We start out meeting a group of ladies on a white water rafting adventure vacation. They don’t all know each other, and our main focus is on Kaia, who is grieving the loss of her husband, who perished a Floyd Collin’s-like death. Stories of a serial killer from the exact white water rafting experience soon emerge, and then we are off into a turbulent chase.
I flew through this book. I was intrigued by the setting, and enjoyed the exploration of the waters. Their plan of escape was a little hard to understand, but for the most part, I could picture these ladies and their fear. My heart was pounding, and it felt like I was watching a horror movie and many times found myself thinking “no, no, no! The killer is going to jump out from behind”. That’s the first time I’ve felt like I’ve read a true “jump scare”.
I loved that many of the chapters ended with a quote, usually from the river almanac. It brought a certain ominous tone to the chapter and made me want to read on. If you’re looking for an adventurous, fast-paced thriller, I would highly recommend this one!
We start out meeting a group of ladies on a white water rafting adventure vacation. They don’t all know each other, and our main focus is on Kaia, who is grieving the loss of her husband, who perished a Floyd Collin’s-like death. Stories of a serial killer from the exact white water rafting experience soon emerge, and then we are off into a turbulent chase.
I flew through this book. I was intrigued by the setting, and enjoyed the exploration of the waters. Their plan of escape was a little hard to understand, but for the most part, I could picture these ladies and their fear. My heart was pounding, and it felt like I was watching a horror movie and many times found myself thinking “no, no, no! The killer is going to jump out from behind”. That’s the first time I’ve felt like I’ve read a true “jump scare”.
I loved that many of the chapters ended with a quote, usually from the river almanac. It brought a certain ominous tone to the chapter and made me want to read on. If you’re looking for an adventurous, fast-paced thriller, I would highly recommend this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved The Last to Drown by Noelle W. Ihli. This was an easy five-star read for me and exactly the kind of thriller I can’t get enough of: fast, intense, creepy, and impossible to put down. Noelle has such a talent for dropping you straight into the chaos from page one and keeping the tension high the entire time. Even when I started to piece together some of the bigger reveals early on, it didn’t lessen the experience at all because the real thrill was in watching everything unfold.
The setting and atmosphere were perfect. A women’s whitewater rafting trip already feels intense, but adding the history of a brutal murder on that same stretch of river made everything feel even more unsettling. Once things start going wrong, the story turns into a full-on survival nightmare in the best way. There were several scenes that genuinely had my heart racing. The whole book played out like a movie in my head. I especially loved the little details from The River Guides Almanac woven throughout the story because they added so much to the reading experience.
The pacing is classic Noelle W. Ihli: relentless, anxiety-inducing, and so addictive. There’s no filler, no overdone descriptions, just sharp writing and nonstop momentum. I also really appreciated that underneath all the terror and suspense, there was still something deeper here about survival, healing, and finding the strength to keep going. The female characters were strong, believable, and so easy to root for.
This is my first read by Noelle W. Ihli and already she has earned her place on my auto-read author list, and The Last to Drown is another absolute hit. If you love survival thrillers, wilderness horror, strong character work, and books that make you feel like you’re holding on for dear life right alongside the characters, definitely pick this one up.
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com
The setting and atmosphere were perfect. A women’s whitewater rafting trip already feels intense, but adding the history of a brutal murder on that same stretch of river made everything feel even more unsettling. Once things start going wrong, the story turns into a full-on survival nightmare in the best way. There were several scenes that genuinely had my heart racing. The whole book played out like a movie in my head. I especially loved the little details from The River Guides Almanac woven throughout the story because they added so much to the reading experience.
The pacing is classic Noelle W. Ihli: relentless, anxiety-inducing, and so addictive. There’s no filler, no overdone descriptions, just sharp writing and nonstop momentum. I also really appreciated that underneath all the terror and suspense, there was still something deeper here about survival, healing, and finding the strength to keep going. The female characters were strong, believable, and so easy to root for.
This is my first read by Noelle W. Ihli and already she has earned her place on my auto-read author list, and The Last to Drown is another absolute hit. If you love survival thrillers, wilderness horror, strong character work, and books that make you feel like you’re holding on for dear life right alongside the characters, definitely pick this one up.
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com
September 18, 2026
➼ 2.75 ✰ it was quite disappointing and predictable.
male death rate is way too low
male death rate is way too low
July 23, 2026
“The Last to Drown”, by Noelle W. Ihli
A generous 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my sixth book by this author and my least favourite.
I do confess that I had high expectations for this work, and I was disappointed that it didn’t work for me.
I did appreciate the concept and the writing, (except the weak and juvenile dialogues) hence my ratings, but the development of the story wasn’t thrilling enough for me, never mind all the action and some gory details.
The story dragged on for too long, and some events and descriptions seemed very repetitive.
Although the story is told in first person, it was hard to feel any connection with the characters, as I thought that they were not fully developed. The main character mentioned “Parker” 131 times, which, in my opinion, made the story feel very superficial.
I had moments that I thought about quitting, especially during the first 20%, but I didn’t want to add another unfinished book to my dnf shelf. I do think this novel could have been reduced to a novella.
The conclusion was so chaotic that I thought the main character was going to wake up from a nightmare.
Anyways… there are plenty of 5 stars, so please don’t mind my experience. And I will keep reading this author.
E-book (Kindle Unlimited): 290 pages (default)
A generous 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my sixth book by this author and my least favourite.
I do confess that I had high expectations for this work, and I was disappointed that it didn’t work for me.
I did appreciate the concept and the writing, (except the weak and juvenile dialogues) hence my ratings, but the development of the story wasn’t thrilling enough for me, never mind all the action and some gory details.
The story dragged on for too long, and some events and descriptions seemed very repetitive.
Although the story is told in first person, it was hard to feel any connection with the characters, as I thought that they were not fully developed. The main character mentioned “Parker” 131 times, which, in my opinion, made the story feel very superficial.
I had moments that I thought about quitting, especially during the first 20%, but I didn’t want to add another unfinished book to my dnf shelf. I do think this novel could have been reduced to a novella.
The conclusion was so chaotic that I thought the main character was going to wake up from a nightmare.
Anyways… there are plenty of 5 stars, so please don’t mind my experience. And I will keep reading this author.
E-book (Kindle Unlimited): 290 pages (default)
Want to Read
September 30, 2026I just keeping adding all these interesting thrillers to my tbr...I gotta get to all of them.
July 22, 2026
╰┈➤ 𝟺.𝟸𝟻 ✰ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
❝𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆’𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏.❞
📚: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝑫𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒐𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝑾. 𝑰𝒉𝒍𝒊
📜: 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 𝟸𝟿𝟶
🏷️: 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝚂𝚞𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚕 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛
📖: 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎
📆: 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟽/𝟸𝟶/𝟸𝟼-𝟽/𝟸𝟸/𝟸𝟼
💬: 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 ”The rafting trip was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. But Kaia's starting to think she made a mistake. Because ever since the whispers about Camas Creek began, all she feels is dread. Seven years earlier, a guide murdered a group of rafters on this same isolated stretch of water. The killer's body was recovered downstream, but the true crime community has never stopped asking questions. The incidents start small— a flipped raft, missing supplies, and screams in the night, but the pattern is sickeningly familiar. And with eighty-four miles of whitewater until any sign of civilization, safety has never felt so far away. Kaia suspects that one of the guides is lying. One of the guests knows more than she's saying. And somewhere on this river, someone is planning to finish what started at Camas Creek.”」
─•──── ᯓ★ ─•──── ᯓ★ ─•──── ᯓ★
July 8, 2026
Parker, help me write this review because I really thought I was going to love this book... and I didn't!!
Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, but the execution, in my opinion, fell way short of what I expected from a thriller set in the wild. I honestly think I would've loved this as a short story.
My problem with this book was this: as someone who loves a good surviving-in-the-wild story, I found this book, for the most part, way too boring. It definitely had a few heart-stopping moments, but everything in between felt repetitive and dragged on to the point where I caught myself yawning every time I thought about picking it back up (I even considered DNFing it!!). The depth of this story, unlike Parker, stayed very much on the surface...
The twist shouldn't even be considered a twist because it felt way too easy to see coming if you spent even a little time thinking about the story. which, by the end, takes away a lot of the tension.
Ok and I know this one is probably a me problem, BUT... mentioning Parker four or five times would be a bit much, but I could've gone with it. was a BIG no for me!!
This is the second surviving-in-the-wild book I've read by this author, and I have to admit my opinion is exactly the same as it was after the first one. So I'll definitely keep reading this author, but I think I'll be skipping this particular type of story from her.
ps. sorry for being a little sassy while writing this review. 😭 There's just something about books I was so convinced I was going to love... and then didn't... that brings out this side of me.
My rating: ☆ ☆ .5
Read in: 9 days & 🇬🇧 & 📱& Arc
Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, but the execution, in my opinion, fell way short of what I expected from a thriller set in the wild. I honestly think I would've loved this as a short story.
My problem with this book was this: as someone who loves a good surviving-in-the-wild story, I found this book, for the most part, way too boring. It definitely had a few heart-stopping moments, but everything in between felt repetitive and dragged on to the point where I caught myself yawning every time I thought about picking it back up (I even considered DNFing it!!). The depth of this story, unlike Parker, stayed very much on the surface...
The twist shouldn't even be considered a twist because it felt way too easy to see coming if you spent even a little time thinking about the story. which, by the end, takes away a lot of the tension.
Ok and I know this one is probably a me problem, BUT... mentioning Parker four or five times would be a bit much, but I could've gone with it. was a BIG no for me!!
This is the second surviving-in-the-wild book I've read by this author, and I have to admit my opinion is exactly the same as it was after the first one. So I'll definitely keep reading this author, but I think I'll be skipping this particular type of story from her.
ps. sorry for being a little sassy while writing this review. 😭 There's just something about books I was so convinced I was going to love... and then didn't... that brings out this side of me.
My rating: ☆ ☆ .5
Read in: 9 days & 🇬🇧 & 📱& Arc
July 25, 2026
I had to take breaks while reading The Last to Drown, not because I was bored, but because the author built tension so well, I was crawling out of my skin. This is such an intense, harrowing read.
I live in the mountain state region where Ihli sets her stories and have done my share of whitewater rafting, but not in such high rapids and never with a psychopathic serial killer chasing after me.
This book is part outdoor adventure, part suspense/thriller, and part women's fic.
The story is narrated by Kaia, a woman in her 20s who lost her husband in a terrible accident two years back. Kaia isn't living; she's just going through the motions. She and her husband signed up for a couple's rafting trip years before, which Kaia reluctantly changed to a women's only trip.
Kaia and a group of women, of all ages and skill levels, plus four guides, are going to spend multiple days rafting and camping. The first night the satellite phone, their only link to civilization, disappears. The next morning, the women wake up to screams of terror, and it only gets worse from there.
There is a spiritual element here, as there is in many of Ihli's novels, but it didn't feel overly hokey.
However, I think the book would have been stronger had it been told from multiple POVs. Some scenes (like Macy's self-rescue) were summarized because they didn't happen to/around Kaia, which was a little frustrating.
Even so, this book had me in its clutches from the first page to the last. I teared up at the end and was elated beyond reason that
I live in the mountain state region where Ihli sets her stories and have done my share of whitewater rafting, but not in such high rapids and never with a psychopathic serial killer chasing after me.
This book is part outdoor adventure, part suspense/thriller, and part women's fic.
The story is narrated by Kaia, a woman in her 20s who lost her husband in a terrible accident two years back. Kaia isn't living; she's just going through the motions. She and her husband signed up for a couple's rafting trip years before, which Kaia reluctantly changed to a women's only trip.
Kaia and a group of women, of all ages and skill levels, plus four guides, are going to spend multiple days rafting and camping. The first night the satellite phone, their only link to civilization, disappears. The next morning, the women wake up to screams of terror, and it only gets worse from there.
There is a spiritual element here, as there is in many of Ihli's novels, but it didn't feel overly hokey.
However, I think the book would have been stronger had it been told from multiple POVs. Some scenes (like Macy's self-rescue) were summarized because they didn't happen to/around Kaia, which was a little frustrating.
Even so, this book had me in its clutches from the first page to the last. I teared up at the end and was elated beyond reason that
[Maybe] we all just turn into dirt and stardust when we die. But I don't think we do ... there's too many beautiful and terrible things in this world for it not to be a little bit magic.
June 23, 2026
The Last to Drown 5 ⭐️
Huge Noelle W Ihli fan here. I fly through every book she writes and The Last to Drown did not disappoint. This book had elements that had me thinking back to Run On Red (detailing every second in a short period of time of a deadly cat-and-mouse game) and None Left To Tell (slasher massacre). This is an action packed thriller about 20 people on a rafting trip, taking the same path that led to the demise of another rafting group 7 years earlier, only for history to start repeating itself.
This was extra spooky for me because, for some reason, I always worry about being part of a campground mass murder when I tent camp… There’s no reason for me to fear this, but it’s always what pops in my head once the campground goes quiet. So to watch my irrational fear play out on paper was…something.
As always, Noelle is a brilliant writer and fully engulfs me in the story. One of the few authors that literally makes me hold my breath in anticipation of the next page…next sentence…next word.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Jul 16 2026
Huge Noelle W Ihli fan here. I fly through every book she writes and The Last to Drown did not disappoint. This book had elements that had me thinking back to Run On Red (detailing every second in a short period of time of a deadly cat-and-mouse game) and None Left To Tell (slasher massacre). This is an action packed thriller about 20 people on a rafting trip, taking the same path that led to the demise of another rafting group 7 years earlier, only for history to start repeating itself.
This was extra spooky for me because, for some reason, I always worry about being part of a campground mass murder when I tent camp… There’s no reason for me to fear this, but it’s always what pops in my head once the campground goes quiet. So to watch my irrational fear play out on paper was…something.
As always, Noelle is a brilliant writer and fully engulfs me in the story. One of the few authors that literally makes me hold my breath in anticipation of the next page…next sentence…next word.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Jul 16 2026
July 21, 2026
What a stupid book.
August 22, 2026
⭐⭐⭐1/4 A Strong Popcorn Thriller That Peaks Too Early
Selected by my Here for the Plot Twist book club on Fable, The Last to Drown by Noelle W. Ihli turned out to be an almost ideal vacation thriller. I had wanted to read it for quite some time, and the fact that I was on vacation and had recently gone rafting made the setting feel especially fitting. This is very much a popcorn thriller. It is brisk, accessible, and compulsively readable. I finished it quickly because the pacing rarely slows, and there is enough tension to keep the story moving with real momentum.
My main reservation is that the mystery reveals too much too early. The central twist arrives at roughly the 40% mark, and while the reveal itself works, it is then expected to sustain the suspense for most of the remaining novel. Once that happens, the direction of the story becomes increasingly easy to anticipate. I do not need a thriller overloaded with constant reveals, but one or two additional meaningful twists later in the book would have preserved the uncertainty more effectively. Characterization is another limitation. Kaia is really the only character who receives meaningful development. The rest of the cast function largely as plot devices, appearing when necessary to propel her story forward rather than emerging as fully realized characters in their own right.
Even so, The Last to Drown succeeds as a fast, tense, and highly readable thriller. I would recommend it to readers looking for an entertaining one-sitting read rather than a densely layered mystery. I simply wish the novel had held a little more back for its second half. Reading The Last to Drown felt like flying through a tense thriller that hooked me immediately, even if it showed most of its hand too early.
Selected by my Here for the Plot Twist book club on Fable, The Last to Drown by Noelle W. Ihli turned out to be an almost ideal vacation thriller. I had wanted to read it for quite some time, and the fact that I was on vacation and had recently gone rafting made the setting feel especially fitting. This is very much a popcorn thriller. It is brisk, accessible, and compulsively readable. I finished it quickly because the pacing rarely slows, and there is enough tension to keep the story moving with real momentum.
My main reservation is that the mystery reveals too much too early. The central twist arrives at roughly the 40% mark, and while the reveal itself works, it is then expected to sustain the suspense for most of the remaining novel. Once that happens, the direction of the story becomes increasingly easy to anticipate. I do not need a thriller overloaded with constant reveals, but one or two additional meaningful twists later in the book would have preserved the uncertainty more effectively. Characterization is another limitation. Kaia is really the only character who receives meaningful development. The rest of the cast function largely as plot devices, appearing when necessary to propel her story forward rather than emerging as fully realized characters in their own right.
Even so, The Last to Drown succeeds as a fast, tense, and highly readable thriller. I would recommend it to readers looking for an entertaining one-sitting read rather than a densely layered mystery. I simply wish the novel had held a little more back for its second half. Reading The Last to Drown felt like flying through a tense thriller that hooked me immediately, even if it showed most of its hand too early.
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