Review: The Only Survivor by Megan Miranda

Author: Megan Miranda
Publisher: Marysue Rucci Books
Publication Date:  April 2023

Seven hours in the past. Seven days in the present. Seven survivors remaining. Who would you save?

A decade ago, two vans filled with high school seniors on a school service trip crashed into a Tennessee ravine—a tragedy that claimed the lives of multiple classmates and teachers. The nine students who managed to escape the river that night were irrevocably changed. A year later, after one of the survivors dies by suicide on the anniversary of the crash, the rest of them make a pact: to come together each year to commemorate that terrible night.

To keep one another safe.
To hold one another accountable.
Or both.

Their annual meeting place, a house on the Outer Banks, has long been a refuge. But by the tenth anniversary, Cassidy Bent has worked to distance herself from the tragedy and from the other survivors. She’s changed her mobile number. She’s blocked the others’ email addresses. This year, she is determined to finally break ties once and for all. But on the day of the reunion, she receives a text with an obituary attached: another survivor is gone. Now they are seven—and Cassidy finds herself hurling back toward the group, wild with grief—and suspicion.

Almost immediately, something feels off this year. Cassidy is the first to notice when Amaya, the annual organizer, slips away, overwhelmed. This wouldn’t raise alarm except for the impending storm. Suddenly, they’re facing the threat of closed roads and surging waters…again. Then Amaya stops responding to her phone. After all they’ve been through, she wouldn’t willfully make them worry. Would she?

And—as they promised long ago—each survivor will do whatever he or she can do to save one another. Won’t they

The Only Survivors is a thriller involving 7 survivors.  Years before, seven teens were the only survivors of a tragic accident.  Every year they get together to remember those who were lost.  This year, Cassidy has had enough of that and wants to move on.  She reluctantly goes to the reunion.  But things quickly turn out to be more than she bargained for.

I really enjoyed this one right up until the ending.  I wasn't s fan of that.  It's definitely a story that you are better off not knowing much about.  It goes between the present and years before on the day of the accident.  Those parts are told through each survivor's point of view.  I did like how the author chose to tell the story  this way.  It kept up the suspense.  I was surprised at  the reveals.  I just didn't love the ending.  Still , I do recommend giving it a try.

Review: The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda

Author: Megan Miranda

Publisher: Scribner

Publication Date: July 2022

Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job she loves, managing The Passage Inn, a cozy, upscale resort nestled in the North Carolina mountain town of Cutter’s Pass. Cutter’s Pass is best known for its outdoor offerings—rafting and hiking, with access to the Appalachian trail by way of a gorgeous waterfall—and its mysterious history. As the book begins, the string of unsolved disappearances that has haunted the town is once again thrust into the spotlight when journalist Landon West, who was staying at the inn to investigate the story of the vanishing trail, then disappears himself.

Abby has sometimes felt like an outsider within the community, but she’s come to view Cutter’s Pass as her home. When Landon’s brother Trey shows up looking for answers, Abby can’t help but feel the town closing ranks. And she’s still on the outside. When she finds incriminating evidence that may bring them closer to the truth, Abby soon discovers how little she knows about her coworkers, neighbors, and even those closest to her.

The Last to Vanish is a mystery that involves town secrets, missing people and a brother looking for answers.  I have read a few of this author's books and I have to say this one is by far my favorite so far.  It's a slow burn in the beginning but I was really intrigued to find out what happened. It was more than worth sticking it out.

This is a very twisty story with a few mysteries and solutions that tie together in the end.  I was genuinely surprised at each one of the reveals.  I really liked the main character Abby.  Her own story was interesting and she has her own secrets.  She was willing to do what it took to find out the truth of the multiple disappearances that plagued the inn.  Even when it meant her own life was in danger.  I definitely recommend this one. 

Review: Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

Author: Megan Miranda
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: July 2021

Hollow’s Edge used to be a quiet place. A private and idyllic neighborhood where neighbors dropped in on neighbors, celebrated graduation and holiday parties together, and looked out for one another. But then came the murder of Brandon and Fiona Truett. A year and a half later, Hollow’s Edge is simmering. The residents are trapped, unable to sell their homes, confronted daily by the empty Truett house, and suffocated by their trial testimonies that implicated one of their own. Ruby Fletcher. And now, Ruby’s back.

With her conviction overturned, Ruby waltzes right back to Hollow’s Edge, and into the home she once shared with Harper Nash. Harper, five years older, has always treated Ruby like a wayward younger sister. But now she’s terrified. What possible good could come of Ruby returning to the scene of the crime? And how can she possibly turn her away, when she knows Ruby has nowhere to go?

Within days, suspicion spreads like a virus across Hollow’s Edge. It’s increasingly clear that not everyone told the truth about the night of the Truett’s murders. And when Harper begins receiving threatening notes, she realizes she has to uncover the truth before someone else becomes the killer’s next victim.

Such a Quiet Place is a domestic thriller that takes place in a small private community.  The neighbors all know each others business and use their porch cameras to spy.  A year ago Ruby was convicted of killing the couple next door.  After her conviction was overturned, she is back in the neighborhood.    Harper isn't so sure they know the truth of what happened that night. Everyone is on edge because everyone has secrets.

I wouldn't exactly call this a "thriller".  It was more like a sleepy murder mystery.  I was engaged and kept guessing.  I will admit that the solution was a surprise, so there is that.  I just didn't love the characters.  They were all very self-centered and horrible people.  It's neighbors like these that make you want to keep to yourself.  I had a hard time finding someone to root for.  The story is told through the perspective of Harper and even she was kind of awful.  I'd recommend this one if you don't' mind unlikable characters.  

Review: The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

Author: Megan Miranda
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: June 2020

Everyone knows the story of “the girl from Widow Hills.”

Arden Maynor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Strangers and friends, neighbors and rescue workers, set up search parties and held vigils, praying for her safe return. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. The girl from Widow Hills was a living miracle. Arden’s mother wrote a book. Fame followed. Fans and fan letters, creeps, and stalkers. And every year, the anniversary. It all became too much. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and disappeared from the public eye.

Now a young woman living hundreds of miles away, Arden goes by Olivia. She’s managed to stay off the radar for the last few years. But with the twentieth anniversary of her rescue approaching, the media will inevitably renew its interest in Arden. Where is she now? Soon Olivia feels like she’s being watched and begins sleepwalking again, like she did long ago, even waking outside her home. 

I've been looking for a good mystery and The Girl from Widow Hills did not disappoint.  The story involves Olivia who went missing when she was 6 years old and was rescued a few days later in a drain pipe.  She remembers very little of her ordeal, and has spent a most of her life trying to hide from the fame of it.  Now as an adult, her sleepwalking tendencies have resumed.   That's all I'm going to say about the plot.  

The story is told through Olivia's perspective with news articles and 911 transcripts from when she was a child.  I did like Olivia as a character.  Although, there was a point where I had to wonder if she was a reliable character. I love when that happens.  I also loved how I didn't know who I could really trust.  There was a lot of twists and surprises.  I did not see the ending coming.   As I said, to say more would give too much away.  I highly recommend this one.

Review: The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

Author: Megan Miranda
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication date: June 2019

Littleport, Maine is like two separate towns: a vacation paradise for wealthy holidaymakers and a simple harbour community for the residents who serve them. Friendships between locals and visitors are unheard of - but that's just what happened with Avery Greer and Sadie Loman.

Each summer for a decade the girls are inseparable - until Sadie is found dead. When the police rule the death a suicide, Avery can't help but feel there are those in the community, including a local detective and Sadie's brother Parker, who blame her. Someone knows more than they're saying, and Avery is intent on clearing her name before the facts get twisted against her.

The Last House Guest is the third book I have read by this author.  I really enjoyed the first two and this one was no exception.  It's definitely another 4-star read for me.  The story is told between two time lines, the summer when Sadie died and the summer after.  Avery is not so convinced that Sadie committed suicide and someone seems to be setting her up to take the fall for murder.

As I said, I really enjoyed this mystery.  I seriously had no idea what the solution was going to be.  There are some red herrings and a potentially unreliable narrator, so I was kept guessing throughout.  I do enjoy stories where I'm not sure if I should trust the person telling it.  The characters were great and the atmosphere was really mysterious.  My only complaint was the epilogue.  It was a bit abrupt.  I have been avoiding talking plot, because I feel like it's best to go into this book knowing very little.  I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good thriller/mystery.

Fragments of the Lost by Megan Miranda

Author: Megan Miranda
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Date of publication: November 2017

Jessa Whitworth knew she didn't belong in her ex-boyfriend Caleb's room. But she couldn't deny that she was everywhere--in his photos, his neatly folded T-shirts, even the butterfly necklace in his jeans pocket . . . the one she gave him for safe keeping on that day.

His mother asked her to pack up his things--even though she blames Jessa for his accident. How could she say no? And maybe, just maybe, it will help her work through the guilt she feels about their final moments together.

But as Jessa begins to box up the pieces of Caleb's life, they trigger memories that make Jessa realize their past relationship may not be exactly as she remembered. And she starts to question whether she really knew Caleb at all. 

Each fragment of his life reveals a new clue that propels Jessa to search for the truth about Caleb's accident. What really happened on the storm-swept bridge?

I actually almost DNF'd this book in the beginning.  Fragments of the Lost is kind of slow to start.  I was afraid I was going to get a really depressingly sappy look back at love.  Instead I ended up with a pretty cool mystery.  Jessa's ex-boyfriend is presumed dead when he car is found having gone over a bridge during a flash flood.  His mother takes her with packing up his room.  As she goes through his room, she begins to realize that their relationship may not have been what she thought it was.

I ended up liking this book quite a bit.  Each chapter opens with an object that she finds in the room.  The object ends up connecting with a memory giving the reader insight into what happened.  I'm not going to go through the details of the mystery because I don't want to give anything away.  I did call on of the twists but not the other ones.  Jessa was a pretty strong character.  She was a little wish-washy in the beginning,, but she ends up having a good deal of growth by the end. 

I definitely recommend this one.  It was an entertaining and fast read.  Great for a rainy day with a cup of tea.

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

by:  Megan Miranda
published by:  Walker Children
publish date:  February 5, 2013

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

I read Megan Miranda's first book Fracture and thought it was great spooky story.  I figured Hysteria would be at least as good, maybe even better.  I was disappointed.  While this book wasn't bad, I got frustrated with it at times.

Mallory killed her boyfriend.  That fact we know throughout the entire book.  The how and why of it are murky and the details are given out sporadically.  The entire picture isn't clear until the end and the big reveal.  This was the aspect of the book that I didn't care for.  All the guessing and wondering and going back and forth about a really key part of the story was a little annoying. 

It wasn't all bad though.  In general, I liked Mallory.  I appreciated the relationship she had with her best friend.  It was interesting to see that dynamic change over time with the boyfriend and then his death and then Mallory's going away to school.  YA girls will probably appreciate that part of the story the most.

Hysteria, while a bit of a letdown, won't put me off Megan Miranda for good.  The second Fracture book is set to come out next year so it'll be interesting to see where that story goes.

Fracture by Megan Miranda

by:  Megan Miranda
published by:  Walker and Co.
publish date:  January 17, 2012

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

This book ended up taking a bizarre little path I wasn't expecting.  That's not to say it was a bad thing, because I found this book really impossible to put down.  Fracture is a dark story, but it pulls you under and holds you to the end.

Delaney was an interesting character.  I liked her.  I was appropriately frustrated with the relationship between Delaney and Decker.  I felt like there wasn't enough explanation about what was going on with her brain injury.  There was, but maybe I'm spoiled by books like Left Neglected by Lisa Genova that give detailed information.

Overall, I thought this was a good YA book.  Maybe not for the youngest YA readers, there's a few mentions of sex and language.  Nothing horribly bad, but not something you might want to hand like a 12 year old.  Couple that with the dark feel of the book, I think it's for the older YAs.