The setup of The Last Ferry Out had so much potential: a remote, storm-ravaged island, a mysterious death, and an expat community full of secrets. Unfortunately, for me, the execution just didn’t deliver.

The pacing dragged, especially in the middle, and the twists felt more confusing than shocking. Abby’s grief and determination started off compelling, but she quickly became hard to root for. The side characters blurred together, and the atmosphere that should have felt tense and claustrophobic just came off flat.

I kept waiting for that big payoff, but when it finally came, it felt rushed and unearned. I’ve enjoyed Bartz’s earlier work, but this one left me disappointed.

Thank you to Andrea Bartz, Random House Publishing Group,  Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ (2/5)

Author: Andrea Bartz

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Publication Date: May 20, 2025