If you have ever enjoyed suspense this is the book for you.

I really enjoyed this book and I loved finding out what happened to Mari.

Fans of documentaries and podcasts will love this.

This was an intoxicating, thrilling read that had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the character of Cassidy Chambers, a documentary maker with her own story to tell. Cassidy is a fantastic character to tell this story and I liked her as a person and seeing her in work mode, as well as learning about the dangerous exploits she gets up to for filming.
I adored the concept for the plot, returning to the scene of a crime, 20 years on, with the only suspect, to discover what really happened. It made for intense and enjoyable reading. Freud really throws in some twists throughout this book, there were some that surprised me which is hard to do!
I loved everything about this, from the setting to the characters and plot. This is a must read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy.

#HerLastSummer #NetGalley
Nice.
Twenty years ago, Mari vanished while backpacking through Thailand with her boyfriend, Luke. He was accused of murder, but has always insisted he's innocent. Besides, her body was never found. Now, he's finally ready to talk. And filmmaker Cassidy Chambers wants to be the one to uncover what really happened, back then, in the dark of the jungle. But as she delves deeper into the past, Cassidy begins to fear what lies ahead, and the secrets buried along the way.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for giving me an advance copy.

Twenty years ago, Mari(Marigold) Castle vanishes, while backpacking in Thailand with her boyfriend, Luke Speed. He’s found alive after spending months in the snake infested jungle. He’s accused of murdering her in the large expanse of the Khao Soon National Park but maintains his innocence. In the present day, it now seems he’s ready to tell his side of the story and successful crime filmmaker Cassidy Chambers of Songbird Productions is the perfect fit for his did he/didn’t he story. This is Cassidy’s big one, the Big Story she’s been waiting for. What really happens in Thailand? Will Cassidy’s investigations reveal anything that sheds light on Mari‘s disappearance?

For much of the novel I find this a fascinating, reflective story of an attractive young couple in a terrific setting. The palm trees, the white sand beaches, the turquoise waters versus THAT jungle which is such a contrast and matches the fluctuating moods of Mari and Luke. Luke paints an attractive portrait of them as teens, but is the image he’s presenting of Mari the truth or a mirage? She becomes more and more of a conundrum as the initial wholesome image is cast in doubt. As for Luke, it’s hard to weigh him up. On the one hand he seems a nice guy who has cast off his demons but is he playing a cat and mouse game with Cassidy? Is the ambitious filmmaker being manipulated for reasons not yet visible?

I really like the changing mood of the book, there’s Cassidy’s excitement of her big chance, but there are some frissons of something you can’t quite grab hold of right from the start and the sense of dread builds, especially on arrival in Bangkok. The apprehension grows, it becomes nightmarish and sinister, not helped by some destructive behaviour. When the small film crew arrives at the Khao Soon National Park the Thai jungle exudes an excellent atmosphere to accompany the increasingly suspenseful storytelling. There’s almost permanent tension, the edge of your seat kind, and a palpable sense of menace. There are a couple of big plot twists towards the end which I’m personally not keen on but I’m sure others will like better than I do. Once you get the first twist, the second is predictable. However, the ultimate end is a really good one.

Overall, this is a well written psychological thriller, which is very easy to read as the writing flows with ease, and there are occasions where you feel as if you are on a set as the filming gets underway. I like the references to The Beach which works well.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Twenty years ago, Mari and her boyfriend Luke vanished while backpacking through Thailand. While Luke was found, Mari has never been seen since and Luke was accused of her murder. Out of the blue, Luke calls filmmaker Cassidy Chambers, as he is ready to talk and he wants to bring Mari home. Cassidy needs to delve into his story and what happened in the jungle where it all went wrong but she also has her own dark secrets.

Oh the twists and turns!! Mysterious and such a page turner. I was absorbed in this story from the very beginning. The plotting was masterful and this one really took me by surprise. How have I not found this author sooner?! I am off to check out her backlist. 4.5*

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this gifted review copy.

Absolutely addictive page turner! This is new author for my and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

Cassidy has just completed a true crime masterpiece called “missing” which uncovered the body of a little girl and freed an innocent man and jailed the real killer. She is itching for something new to get stuck into when she receives a call from Luke.

Twenty years ago Luke and his girlfriend Mari went on a trip to Thailand and got lost in the jungle. Luke was the only one who made it out. Luke wants Cassidy to tell his story through his eyes.

The story follows Cassidy as she investigates with her team and tried to uncover hidden truths.

The twists in this book are fantastic and this should be made into a movie!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for my ARC

Wow, loved every bit of this book, a fantastic page turner I struggled to put down.

"Her Last Summer" delivers a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of loss, love, and the relentless pursuit of closure. The story follows Cassidy, a TV true crime producer, as she unravels the mystery surrounding Mari and Luke's tumultuous relationship, particularly Mari's unexplained disappearance during a trip to Thailand.

Cassidy is telling the story from Luke's perspective and we navigate through layers of suspense with unexpected twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Luke's recounting of events adds depth to the storyline, offering insight into the intricacies of his relationship with Mari and the haunting aftermath of her disappearance.

The author, Freud, masterfully crafts a tale that not only explores the haunting mystery at its core but also delves into the emotional turmoil experienced by those left behind. As Cassidy delves deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking revelations that challenge everything she thought she knew about Mari and Luke's relationship.

What sets "Her Last Summer" apart is its ability to keep readers guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another unexpected twist throws you off balance, heightening the suspense and intrigue.

Moreover, the characters in the novel are exceptionally well-developed, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. From Cassidy's determined yet vulnerable demeanour to Luke's enigmatic and complex nature, every character adds depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, "Her Last Summer" is a captivating read that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, suspense, and romance. With its compelling narrative and well-drawn characters, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. Whether you're a fan of thrillers or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, "Her Last Summer" is a must-read that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Book review ✨Her last summer by @emilyfreud_ .
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Overview of book✨:.
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Twenty years ago, Mari vanished while backpacking through Thailand with her boyfriend, Luke. He was accused of murder, but has always insisted he’s innocent. Besides, her body was never found.

Now, he’s finally ready to talk. And filmmaker Cassidy Chambers wants to be the one to uncover what really happened, back then, in the dark of the jungle.

But as she delves deeper into the past, Cassidy begins to fear what lies ahead, and the secrets buried along the way.

No body. No crime?.
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I have read all the books my @emilyfreud_ but this is by far my favourite of all time .
It was such a fast paced book that keep me on my toes from start to finish , I honestly did not know where it was going at all.
The settings of this book were amazing I felt I was there with the story .
The ending I honestly had to lift my jaw from the ground , not read a book as twisty as this for a long time . Can see this book being a best seller summer read . If you can please go and read as you will not be disappointed one bit..
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Thank you @emilyfreud_ and @netgalley for advance reader copy .

This was brilliant I really really enjoyed it. I’m gutted I didn’t have a holiday to enjoy it on the beach I think it would be a perfect beach read. It was full of twists and turns a crazy thriller which amazing characters and a brilliant story plot I couldn’t love it more.

Where to start, this book was amazing and completely blew me away!

The story cleverly tells the tale of Luke and Mari, young teenage backpackers through Thailand, whose tragic story ended with Mari disappearing never to be found. Cassidy Chambers, an ambitious filmmaker hears Luke's story and hopes to finally uncover the truth of what happened to Mari. But is she ready to discover what really happened out there?

Luke's descriptions of the past are expertly intervoven into the story and the author's portrayel of Luke means you're never entirely sure whether to trust him. Cassidy is another strong, likeable protagonist and I really empathised with her and her determination to find out the truth.

When the action moved to Thailand, the underlying tension increases almost unbearably and the details of the trios efforts to make it through the jungle is brilliantly portrayed and I loved this element of the story. This then turns to unimaginable horror and fear and we share Cassidy's every struggle and terror, willing her to make it through. The tension and increasing menace is palpable and the more I read, the more anxious I became!

The remoteness and wilderness of the jungle is brilliantly described, adding to the overall terrifying story.

This is an accomplished atmospheric thriller, I would highly recommend it to everyone. I've loved all of Emily's books and will be eagerly awaiting her next one.

Thanks to author Emily Freud, publishers Quercus Books and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love love love everything about this book and author. She sure knows how to bring the suspense in. I could not get enough of this book. Highly recommend.

This book definitely had me hooked from the very beginning with the build up of tension and suspense throughout.

Omg this book blew me away it was such a gripping well written thriller which had me gripped throughout. From start to finish it had that tense atmosphere which I didn’t know how it was going to end. I will definitely be recommending this fantastic thriller. Thanks to netgallery and the publisher for my advanced copy.

This plot feels familiar but the author manages to make it feel fresh. With lots of intrigue and suspense, it’s a real page turner by an author new to me. A great read.

This was not I was expecting I thought it would told in a podcast type format it wasn't it was told in standard Nobel format whist I was little disappointed by this the opening was strong and drew me but there after I wasn't drawn.

The plot of the book begins really well, and the idea of the film/series that is going be made has amazing back story. From the opening chapter I thought the book as going make a larger point about society obsession about true crime entertainment and examine the morals of that among the story this wasn't the case. What started off strong soon fell into a far fetched thriller with weak characters. Whilst I really liked the sub plot of the missing backpackers I found the main story into the making of the movie boring and I found the characters stereotypical without much development. I soon worked the big twist and kept reading merely to be proved correct however the epilogue did make my reading on worth it. All in all this book wasn't one I loved it was okay and didn't require deep thinking. Would make a good holiday read to zone out with

This outstanding destination thriller cements Emily Freud as the queen of psychological suspense: Slip this into your travel bag for take off, and I defy you not to finish it before landing!
I was fully immersed the whole time I was reading: the pages drip with claustrophobic tropical heat, and I could practically smell and taste Thailand on every page. I loved the novelty and escapism of the setting - comparisons to Alex Garland’s The Beach are well worth making, and Freud’s subtle eye wink to the reader with carefully positioned nods to it really pays off!
What Freud does so well is capture the essence of the character and their internal struggles on the page: I really ‘got’ who Cassidy was, and as the layers of her are stripped back throughout the book you realise how deeply Freud has got under the skin of her. Coupled with this, I was fascinated with the world of factual documentary making Freud paints such a vivid picture of: it so clear she knows her stuff, and she weaves in facts and terminology so effortlessly that is is never baggy and just sits beautifully layered over the intricate plot.
With rich and vivid prose and a stunningly crafted plot, there is simply nothing not to like about this fine example of the genre:
Someone buy the tv rights now!

Quite a bit of this went exactly where I thought it was going. It was going to be one of those I think of as "perfect beach read".
Then it threw me off completely, and Needless to say, I liked it more because it did so.
On top of all that excitement, you have the never knowing what the truth of the cold case is.
I sped through this one Sunday afternoon, and it made the afternoon fly by, and the housework get neglected.
It was worth it though, to get to the end, and get the answers.
Enjoyable stuff.

Several years ago, Mari and Luke were backpacking in Thailand when she went missing. Despite the search, Mari's body was never found, and Luke returned home, still insisting that he was innocent.

Needless to say, not everyone believed him. Twenty years later, he has now finally and unexpectedly agreed to tell his side of the story, and filmmaker Cassidy Chambers is excited at the prospect of being the one to bring the story to a wider audience that is as eager for answers as she is.

But has Cassidy bitten off more than she can chew? Because the past may quite literally be a different country, but jungles of Thailand have their own ways of protecting their secrets...

This is an excellent, well-written and original take on a familiar trope. The story almost feels as though it has been ripped from the headlines, and the writer does a great job of maintaining the pace throughout, and delivering in terms of suspense and unpredictability. All in all, a compelling read

I finished this book and my immediate thought was: If one of the streaming services don’t snap this up for a movie, it’s a travesty.

The story was so captivating from the get go. I picked the book up before bed and intended to read a few chapters… before I knew it, I’d read 100 pages and didn’t want to go to sleep. The writing is excellent, original, full of suspense, easy to follow, and honestly, addictive.

As opposed to a traditional whodunnit, this is one of those novels where you’re left questioning everything and anxiously awaiting what’s going to happen next. When you think you know what’s going on, you’re wrong. The final chapter was just chefs kiss, it really couldn’t have ended any better for me.

My only gripe: As the story began picking up, I felt like I didn’t really get to know Cassidy as much as I would’ve liked. Her character was equally as interesting as it was frustrating, but I felt like Emily had portrayed her brilliantly as a human being who makes mistakes and follows her heart. That being said, I won’t deny there were definitely times I wanted to reach into the book and shake her.

If anyone knows how picky I am with books, they’ll understand what a gem this one truly is. I’m giving it 5 stars, and swiftly adding it to my favourites list.

The book will be published on April 11th 2024, and I’d highly recommend ordering it asap!

Thank you to NetGalley & Quercus Books for the ARC ⭐️