Starred review from May 9, 2022
In this superb thriller from bestseller Miranda (Such a Quiet Place), Cutter’s Pass, known as “the most dangerous town in North Carolina” because of a string of missing persons cases over the years, has been a refuge for the past decade for Abby Lovett. Abby loves her position as manager of the upscale Passage Inn, though the mountain resort town’s permanent residents still treat her as an outsider. She has never been frightened by the urban legend surrounding the disappearances, the most recent being that of journalist Landon West, who came to Cutter’s Pass to write about those who were lost without a trace before vanishing himself. Four months later, Landon’s brother, Trey, arrives, determined to get some answers. Trey’s questions stir up the town sheriff, the local tavern’s owners, and a young man who leads ghost tours, making Abby feel even more like an outsider because she’s constantly left out of conversations and others don’t take her questions seriously. The tension rises after Abby discovers what may be a key piece of evidence. Evocative descriptions of such activities as hiking and rafting contain an underlying sense of dread, and realistic characters match the tight plotting. Miranda is writing at the top of her game. Agent: Jennifer Joel, ICM.