The Last to Vanish: Megan Miranda

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What caused all of these disappearances? Does Abby know her fellow townspeople as well as she thinks she does? Many different forms of “reality” appear in The Last to Vanish . Characters divulge rumors, talk about myths, and share practical (as well as comforting) explanations for the vanishings of past visitors. What does the novel suggest about truth and its relationship to myth?

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda | Goodreads The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda | Goodreads

Celeste, the owner of the inn, had been there when the Fraternity Four disappeared. She offered to guide them to the AT through Cutter’s Pass. She realized they were staging an intervention for one of their friends. When things went south, a gun was drawn and Brian killed all his friends. One of whom was Abby’s father. Celeste managed to get the gun and shoot Brian. Her husband and the sheriff helped her hide the bodies and get rid of the evidence. Synopsis: Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job at 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 like access to the Appalachian trail by way of a gorgeous waterfall, but also its mysterious history. It starts with Fraternity Four’s vanishing into the thin air 25 years ago. Then Alice Kelly has lastly seen at the town’s Tavern and she also vanished just like nature photographer Farrah Jordan did. The reporter Landon West suspected something fishy was going on at the town. Could he be the last victim of the person who has been hunting the people for unknown reason? Did he get closer to the truth? What does “haunting” mean in the context of Trey’s role in the novel, and what does the word mean for the inhabitants of Cutter’s Pass at large? Are the longtime residents, like Celeste and Cory, haunted by different things than Georgia or Abby are? Discuss. A serial killer? A bear? A sinkhole? Something paranormal, Lost style? Is the Last to Vanish a paranormal?Ten years ago, Abigail Lovett fell into a job she loves, working at the Passage Inn, nestled in the resort town of Cutter's Pass, just off the Appalachian Trail. 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 Lovett arrived in Cutter’s Pass ten years ago, she’s now the manager of the Passage Inn, the place Landon West was last seen. He disappeared a few months ago and his trail has since gone cold. When his brother Trey arrives looking for answers, he turns to Abby. What does it mean to be part of a community, and what does it mean to be an outsider? Consider the fact that Abby has lived in Cutter’s Pass for ten years but still feels (at times) like a stranger. Do you think she’d be more accepted as a member of the community if she didn’t start seeking out the truth with Trey? Why or why not?

The Last to Vanish Quotes by Megan Miranda - Goodreads The Last to Vanish Quotes by Megan Miranda - Goodreads

Overall, even though this was a bit of a closed door mystery, it was dull, many times going nowhere that was frustrating and wearisome.(in other words BORING) The characters were also annoying and it didn't help that I didn't like a one of them. After finishing, I truly felt I was the one driving that car round and round with no escape button.

A painfully slow read (audio) that just felt too long with too little action. I needed so much more from the characters, the storyline, just more in general! Despite its appearance as a cozy resort town, Cutter’s Pass is portrayed—to the reader—as a cold, isolated, and moody place. Considering the fact that Abby is the book’s sole narrator, how might you read this characterization, and what implications does it have regarding her presence within Cutter’s Pass? Abby is the sole narrator. I never love MM’s heroines, but I found Abby the most likable of them all. Even though the plot is focused on events from the past, the narrative takes place in the present, which worked well to stoke the tension and suspense as the reader isn’t quite sure what is going on in Cutter’s Pass, as the town exists in a history built of myth, rumors, and reality. It’s become home over the past 10 years, and she feels protective of it-even if the town still treats her as an outsider much of the time…

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda - Publishers Weekly The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda - Publishers Weekly

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 overall premise is totally my catnip story: The small mountain town of Cutter's Pass, gateway for hikers to the Appalachian Trail, has seen more than its share of disappearances. Over the past twenty-five years, seven tourists have disappeared without a trace after visiting the town. What happened to them? Ten years ago, after losing her mom and with nowhere else to go, Abby Lovett came to the Passage Inn in Cutter's Pass and has worked there ever since. The last person to vanish, Landon West, was staying at the Inn when he disappeared. Now Landon's brother Trey has arrived, wanting to know what happened to his brother and why. Can he figure out what no one else has been able to over the years? Abigail is employed at a resort in North Carolina. A bucolic, inspiring spot people come to hike and enjoy the outdoors. But this resort also is known for one other particular amenity…customers that have vanished without a trace.The next morning, the front desk information binder is misplaced. That, in addition to the phone line tempering and a lost guest key, has Abby on edge. There were a lot of rumors about us here, as a collective about the things we knew, the secrets we kept. But they ignored the obvious." Don't miss this one!! I'm still reeling in it. Great job, Megan Miranda! You are still one of favorites!

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda | Waterstones

I did suspect one specific person from the very beginning, but the MOTIVES and the EXECUTION were way off! Megan Miranda certainly threw dust in my eyes more than once. But I also think that Abby’s connection to the Fraternity Four should have been revealed sooner, to give the reader time to absorb this and understand what happened a bit better. Abigail Lovett had come to the inn ten years ago. Her mother had passed away and she wasn’t sure what to do next with her life. She ended up at Cutter’s Pass and fell in love with the town and her job at the inn. She worked the reception desk, greeting visitors, making sure they had a great time. I loved the setting of this one - a small town, Cutter's Pass, adjacent to the Appalachian Trail in the mountains of North Carolina, which is notorious for at least six missing hikers over the years. Protagonist Abby, works at an inn at the base of the mountains that has connections with several of the missing hikers. Abby recalls odd things about a couple of the hikers, but Celeste, the owner of the inn and a mother figure to Abby, has encouraged her to keep things to herself. When Trey, the brother of the last man to vanish shows up with hard questions, Abby finds herself wondering what she really knows about the people and the town she has adopted as her home. Yet, it's not as "unputdownable" as I had hoped. There are no major twists or surprises...which is fine...but I think my expectations were super high after declaring her last two novels 5-star stunners.

The characters remain a mystery until the last third of the book. I would have liked to know more about them. He also stopped by the police department and tried to get information, which chills Abby a bit since she realizes the police knew why Landon was there before he disappeared. So the gist is that a bunch of people over the years have disappeared without a trace from the idyllic mountain community of Cutters Pass, NC. Abbie, who runs the local Inn, sets out to find the truth when the brother of the latest guy to disappear shows up in town. A new guest arrives on a stormy night. He's got a connection to Landon. In fact, he's Landon's brother Trey. Abby feels unsettled with him there giving off vibes that darken the reputation of the inn. But soon she realizes that Trey may be on to something. And that something may be putting herself in danger. If you have thoughts on this book, opinions on the best Megan Miranda book, or ideas for readalikes, talk to me in the comments!