Our Last Resort

Author: Clemence Michallon
Genre: Mystery Drama
320 pages
Publisher: Knopf, 2025

Synopsis
Frida and Gabriel arrive seeking a fresh start at the stunning Ara Hotel in the secluded desert of Escalante, Utah. Once so close they were able to finish each other’s sentences, they’ve grown apart in recent years after a sudden, unspeakable tragedy. Now, at the luxe resort, they are ready to reconnect between dips in the pool and hikes on spectacular desert trails. It all feels like paradise—until the dead body of a beautiful young woman who was vacationing at the Ara with her powerful, much older husband is discovered.

When the local police arrive and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel, Frida is forced to revisit memories from their upbringing in a cloistered cult in upstate New York, their dramatic escape, and the scandal that followed. Frida’s belief in Gabriel’s innocence never wavered at the time, but now even she can’t ignore the evidence mounting against him.

Alternating between past and present timelines, Our Last Resort builds toward a shattering climax that uncovers the fate of the murdered Ara guest and poses the question: how well do we ever really know those we love? Taut, gripping, and intense, Clémence Michallon’s latest suspense novel is a nail-biter until the last page, cementing her status as a major new talent in the genre.

My review
Our Last Resort by Clemence Michallon blends drama and mystery in a story about survival, loyalty, and hidden truths. The novel follows Frida and Gabriel, two individuals who escaped a cult as young adults. Years later, while vacationing at a resort to provide interviews for a documentary, a young woman is found dead. Alongside the murder investigation, the book unravels layers of mystery surrounding their escape from the cult and Gabriel’s wife’s death years earlier, a case in which he was a suspect but never charged.

Michallon’s writing style is accessible, with simple prose and dual timelines that are easy to follow. This straightforward approach keeps the story moving, though it occasionally sacrifices emotional resonance and narrative complexity.

The narrative alternates between the present and the past, offering glimpses into Frida and Gabriel’s lives within the cult and their experiences in its aftermath. While the past timeline held incredible potential, it only scratched the surface of their backstory. This was, by far, the more compelling aspect of the book, and I couldn’t help but wish it had provided more insight into the cult’s inner workings – its leader, Emile, their beliefs, and the traumatic events that shaped their lives. Adding more depth to this part of the narrative would have allowed for a richer exploration of family, loyalty, and the bonds formed in shared adversity.

The present-day murder investigation felt less impactful. The suspense was mild, and the drama often lacked the emotional depth needed to fully engage me as a reader.

Our Last Resort has an intriguing premise; unfortunately, it left me wanting more, especially when it came to the cult storyline. As a drama with a touch of suspense, it had moments of potential but ultimately fell short of delivering the depth and emotion I had hoped for. For me, it was an okay read, but not one that will linger long after the final page.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Publishing, and Clemence Michallon for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

My recommendation: in the end, I found this an average read and not one I can highly recommend.