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Our Last Resort: A Novel
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant comes an immersive new suspense novel: Fifteen years ago, Frida and her brother escaped a cult. Now her brother is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—and it isn’t the first time.
“Michallon masterfully weaves past cult abuse into a taut present-day procedural, blending psychological complexity with enough terror to make you white-knuckle your beach chair.”—Oprah Daily
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE SUMMER: The New York Times, USA Today, Oprah Daily, Boston Globe, Marie Claire, CrimeReads, Apple Books, Goodreads, Brit + Co, She Reads, BuzzFeed, BookBub, Tag24
“Clémence Michallon is one of the most daring, exciting new voices in psychological suspense; she writes page turners with stunning and surprising depths.” – #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell
Innocence doesn't bail you out; it just makes you easier to trap.
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? Multi-layered, 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.
“Michallon masterfully weaves past cult abuse into a taut present-day procedural, blending psychological complexity with enough terror to make you white-knuckle your beach chair.”—Oprah Daily
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE SUMMER: The New York Times, USA Today, Oprah Daily, Boston Globe, Marie Claire, CrimeReads, Apple Books, Goodreads, Brit + Co, She Reads, BuzzFeed, BookBub, Tag24
“Clémence Michallon is one of the most daring, exciting new voices in psychological suspense; she writes page turners with stunning and surprising depths.” – #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell
Innocence doesn't bail you out; it just makes you easier to trap.
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? Multi-layered, 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.
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Community Reviews
Comparable to The Quiet Tenant, Our Last Resort departs from the conventional popcorn thriller, instead positioning itself as a literary thriller. The narrative focuses on a mystery enriched with suspenseful and atmospheric elements. Like The Quiet Tenant, this work is distinguished by its strong writing, vivid settings, and well-developed, realistic characters.
The book features cult-related themes, including the background stories of Frida and Gabriel and their experiences growing up in the cult. While there is a notable emphasis on these aspects, some readers may wish for further exploration of the cult elements. Overall, "Our Last Resort" presents an engaging narrative that many readers are likely to appreciate. The author, Clémence, has demonstrated strong storytelling skills that may appeal to a broad audience in future works.
Our Last resort offers a compelling exploration of human connection, resilience, and emotional vulnerability through the evolving relationship between its central characters, Frida and Gabriel. While the story touches on external conflicts, the real heart of the novel lies in the quiet, consistent ways these two characters show up for each other.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the emotional intelligence built into Frida and Gabriel’s dynamic. Their ability to communicate — not always through words, but through actions, presence, and an intuitive understanding of each other’s needs — speaks to a bond that feels authentic and earned. Their relationship isn’t built on grand gestures or melodrama, but on subtle, mutual care. This makes their connection feel both deeply intimate and believable, which can be rare in character-driven fiction.
Overall, Our Last Chance is more than a love story — it’s a meditation on trust, timing, and emotional healing. The relationship between Frida and Gabriel anchors the narrative and gives readers a thoughtful lens through which to consider their own definitions of care, connection, and what it really means to be someone’s safe place.
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