I liked the plot twist. ( )

I enjoy Megan Miranda's work and also love books about groups of people who bond over tragedy and who get together regularly. An enjoyable suspense novel! ( )

As fast paced as the river they survived, this is a multi layered plot as twisty as that very river!

Told in different parts, the days the group are at the annual retreat to The Shallows, a rented house they all make a pilgrimage to each year for the anniversary of the fatal crash, as well as taking us back to ‘Then’ from each of the survivors points of view this is a multilayered story about how each person deals with the aftermath of the crash, and for some, survivors guilt.

There were nine survivors, Amaya, Clara, Grace, Oliver, Joshua, Ian, Hollis, Brody and Cassidy, but after two of the original group take their own lives, it is just the remaining seven that make the trip this year.

The recent loss of Ian is felt by all, especially Cassidy, so right from the first day something felt off about the house and a quite unease surrounds them all.

As a storm approaches from outside they once again find themselves held captive by the elements, trapped in by rain, whilst inside another kind of storm is brewing.

With frequent hints about secrets and lies, stemming from then and now, the plot forges along at the same rate as the river did back then, sweeping them all along with it.

It accumulates with an unforeseen plot twist and an ending as equally unexpected.

This is the first book I have read by Megan Miranda and after reading this book she will definitely be an author I keep am eye out for in the future!

The Only Survivors is due for publication on the 11 April 2023 in the UK and is available to preorder now from your local bookshops, library ( )

3.5 stars. This feels a little more substantive than other dime a dozen thrillers and mysteries, but it still didn't deliver anything new. There's some unreliable memories at play, a group of friends who might not be as close as they want to project, and a mysterious person trying to tear them all apart (figuratively). The reveal at the end was unsurprising but still tied the story together nicely. ( )

Mystery. Suspenseful. Excellent! ( )