The author possesses a beautiful style of writing, offering powerful, relatable, and real qualities throughout the story. Working with words in this way felt comforting and inviting, yet suspenseful simultaneously. ‘Into the Fall’ carries a true ‘grab a cuppa, get cozy, and read to your heart’s content’ aesthetic.

All the way through I thought I could see where the story would go, but I was quite surprised to find the ending was nothing like I had anticipated. I did not want to “put the book down”, so “just one more chapter” became my mantra right up until I finished it.

I appreciated the author’s knack for drawing the reader into a space where they felt like they were part of the story, as a character themselves or sitting on the sidelines watching this situation unfold and forming assumptions about everything. I struggle with aphantasia, so the author’s ability to provide me the opportunity to “imagine” beyond what I am normally capable of is a respectful and aspirational art in itself. The animation of scenery and the development of characters into such relatability was so exciting for me. I felt emotionally attached throughout the story. I also enjoyed the differing perspectives of multiple characters across time and place.

One of my favourite aspects was the author’s ability to fill space with deep, meaningful, and intricately descriptive sentiments which always felt perfectly placed, avoiding the potential to become superficial entirely. For example, "It was like that, grief. Dormant, but always ravenous, waking in its own time to steal away moments of contentment” – there were so many of these moments which each felt relevant and important. This added another layer of comfort and offered numerous qualifiers for ‘favourite quotes’ – often difficult to stumble across in thriller/mystery books.

What felt most thrilling, anxiety-inducing, and nerve-racking, is the potential for this story to become anyone’s story. The fact that it’s not so unrealistic adds an atmosphere of eeriness to the story. The author’s careful navigation at the intersections of ‘grieving or guilty wife’ and ‘sympathetic or suspicious law enforcement’ was an added novelty that is rare to find executed with such articulation and balance. Aspects like this will, for sure, leave a lasting impression.

About 75% through, the book became more about the journey through the story than the final outcome. The past and present intricately woven together to envelope the reader in a sense of reality and relatability in which they feel as though they have more insight than the characters and for which they can be wholly present is desirable. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s ability to draw the reader in so deeply. Most certainly, the journey became much more outstanding and impressionable than the ending, and the tidbits of wisdom shared throughout the story will surely remain impressionable for time to come.

***SPOILERS HERE:***
The only downfall for me was that the last 3 or 4 chapters felt at times unnecessarily drawn out, however, I do appreciate the author’s consistency here in remaining to draw the reader into their explicable descriptions and developments of scenery and characters all the way up to the end. The outcome or finality of the story, i.e., what happened to Matthew, did fall a little flat for me. I did expect a little more of a plot twist toward the end, although I still appreciated the consistency in remaining realistic, leaning more toward the butterfly effect in action (a series of unfortunate events) leading up to Matthew’s final moments rather than something more sinister and unbelievable. And so although there was no satisfaction in terms of Matthew being murdered in some fantastical way, I believe I am happier with this ending rather than some alternate, far-out, and unrealistic ending. Sarah was an interesting character throughout and I, at times, questioned whether she was grieving, guilty, or both, only to find her experiences ran so much deeper than the reader could have ever anticipated. I found it quite thought-provoking in terms of assuming one would/should act some way in such a situation, yet realising that 99% of the time we only ever see the surface and cannot anticipate, assume, or generate our own beliefs about how they should act nor speculate based off the way they do act. It was an articulate and just demonstration of how complex and textured people are and how they act and carry themselves are dependent upon so much more than a situation, rather a lifetime of entire experiences. Sarah felt complicated and at times I wasn’t sure if I should feel any sympathy for her until it all hit and we learnt all the inner turmoil, anger, and overwhelm she was suppressing within while trying to remain a "good mother" and do what was required of her regardless of how she was struggling to cope emotionally, mentally, and physically, thus finding that, at least to some degree, her actions and reactions were innocent all along. That was quite mind-blowing for me and made this feel much more like a psychological thriller.

I did notice quite a few spelling/grammar issues throughout the book which I’m happy to share with the author if they welcome this kind of engagement, though I also understand this was the un-proofed version and those issues may have been straightened out by the time of my posting.

I would 100% recommend this book to anyone interested in mystery/thriller stories and actually look forward to buying a copy and re-reading it myself when it is released.

Kindest and most genuine thanks to all those who made it possible for me to partake in an advanced reading of this story. It was a hugely honourable experience to read and offer a review for this story, particularly as the author's first novel. The author absolutely smashed it, this being their debut is exciting. I absolutely cannot wait to read more from them! Thank you!

This book was really well written and it made it so easy and enjoyable to read. The setting and the mystery of a missing husband meant I was hooked almost from the beginning, I enjoyed all the characters in this, it's a really good debut novel.

Little lies lead to big lies and big lies lead to serious problems for Sarah Anderson. On one of the many attempts to save their shaky marriage, Matthew plans an early Fall canoe and camping trip for Sarah and their children, Bella and Charlie. The first morning of their campout, Sarah awakes to find her tent empty. Matthew and the canoe are missing. The police are involved and a futile search for Matthew turns to the realization that he has left, walking away from his family. For the next few years, Sarah meets with the police. She is sometimes believed and sometimes challenged but, changed though it may be, life goes on.

Sarah and Matthew’s relationship was troubled from the start by Matthew’s unexplained disappearances that he explains as getting away by camping by his favorite lake. She becomes convinced that he is having an affair. What is wrong with their marriage was there from the start. Sarah will eventually discover the truth but not before the trajectory of their lives turns into tragedy.

Tamara L. Miller delivers a pitch perfect novel combined with mystery in Into the Fall. Vivid characterization propels the story. Each time Sarah is ready to break off the relationship, Matthew arrives with gifts, begging forgiveness. She always gives in to him but her anger simmers just below the surface. Her children are so visibly frightened and hurt that you want to protect them. Izzy, Sarah’s sister, arrives just in time to do that. The final chapters of Into the Fall are heartbreaking and show the horrible results of a lack of communication between the couple. 5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Tamara L. Miller for this ARC.

Sarah Anderson seems to have a typical family life but things aren’t always what they seem. From the beginning of the book I loved how descriptive the author was. I could picture Sarah and her husband, Matthew in my head with ease. They do have 2 small children, it took me a few chapters to really understand the plot. I wouldn’t say that I had a hard time connecting with the main character initially (which is what I was thinking) but the more I read the more the story drew me in because I wanted to know so bad what secrets were being kept. This is definitely a thriller and one I wouldn’t mind rereading. The plot took time to build up but by the end I did not see the ending coming and I doubt anyone that reads this book will either. Talk about shocked, I was shocked!

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley, the Publisher, and the Author for this ARC. This is a solid 4.5 stars from me, as I was instantly hooked. The book was my style of read, grabbed me from the first page and the ending didn’t disappoint!

Into the Fall is the debut novel by Tamara L Miller. Billed as a "thriller," it reads more as a mystery, although it is a very well written mystery with well developed, relatable characters and an interesting, intriguing plot.

Sarah and her husband, Matthew, along with their two kids are going on a camping trip in a remote area that is well known to Matthew and somewhat so to Sarah. It's bordering on winter and the weather isn't great but the family needs some "time away." On the first morning, Sarah wakes to find Matthew and the canoe missing. Whether he has left her, has been murdered or has been in an accident is the plot for the remainder of the book, told in multiple timelines and through various perspectives.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself, I was utterly deflated at the ending of the book. It wasn't that I expected something different, it was just rather long and drawn out and, well, dull. Surely there is time to give that ending a second glance before publication, eh?

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Net Galley for the ARC of this novel
This is Tamara L. Miller’s debut novel - a suspenseful psychological thriller set in the Canadian wilderness.
Wow - this book grabbed me right from the onset. Sarah Anderson has a successful career, two kids, house in suburbs in Ottawa and as we come to learn a marriage coming unravelled.
Her husband, Matthew, has been keeping secrets from her On a late fall camping trip Matthew disappears.
Secrets are unearthed as the search for Matthew goes on without any answers as to where he is. More questions are raised - has he just walked away from his family , is Sarah somehow responsible for his death or has he just succumbed to the perils in the wilderness.
I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy a tightly woven suspenseful thriller.

This was an okay read I like the story okay and loved the setting but felt it was like a lot of books out nowdays with the same trope of remote cabin , murder etc but it was an ok read
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher fir letting me read the book

So let’s start with the elements of the book that I enjoyed. The setting up of the atmosphere was done really well. I felt like I was actually out there camping with them and could feel the eeriness of the woods. I also enjoyed that we got multiple points of views. The author also gave us clues throughout the book and it wasn’t just one huge plot twist at the end which was nice.
What I didn’t love was the pacing felt off, sometimes I felt we were getting a lot shared with us but then there was a lull of just hearing about Sarah’s daily life. Also, only the first 30% felt like a thriller, where the rest felt more like a mystery which is fine but when it’s marketed as a thriller, I expect the whole thing to feel like a thriller. And then on that note, the end was very anticlimactic. All this suspense was built up and I had so many theories and then when I got to the end, I felt just like “oh..”
Overall, I would definitely be interested in reading more of this author’s books in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC!

☆ I’d recommend this book if you love:
🔍mysteries
🏕 camping
🕰 multiple timelines

☆ Spice: some mild talk of spice
☆ Language: some explicit language
☆ When to read: anytime of the year

A fabulous debut!

Sarah Anderson has a wonderful life with two young children but her relationship with her husband is on rocky ground. Her husband suggests a weekend away, camping, in one of his favourite places. Then one morning he vanishes without a trace. A storm is brewing and she and the children are left in the wilderness alone. When he is rescued, the police try to track her husband and Sarah tries to unravel some clues herself. But the more she looks, the more puzzling the situation becomes.

I absolutely loved the setting and the backstory of the characters, weaved into the story. It was so intriguing and while I may have had my suspicions about one small part, there were lots of surprises in store!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this gifted copy. I look forward to more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this creative, mysterious, and unique book.
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of Into The Fall. I wasn't quite sure what to expect and I think that was the best way to to into the book, unsure of the exact plot.
Without giving too much away, the book centers on Sarah, a married mother of two, who runs a theater company in Canada. One fall weekend she joins her husband and children on a camping trip in the Canadian forest. The second morning Sarah and her children wake up to find her husband Matthew missing from their campsite with no evidence where he went. After calling the police, a forest-wide search starts, leading to more questions than answers.
The book is told back and forth in time between the present during the search, and the past in their relationship.
It was a very intriguing plot. The time jumps added to the mystery. The Canadian forrest was its own character. It sounds both stunning and dangerous.
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't quite sure where it would lead or what to expect. The book takes turns and changes in different and interesting ways I didn't expect.
It reminded me of The Last Thing He Told Me. The plot is not the same but it held the same type of mystery and intrigue of a missing husband and a wife and family trying to discover what happened.
I highly recommend it if you're looking for a fun and creative mystery!

Into The Fall is one of the greatest books I have ever read. It usually takes me a couple of weeks to finish a book, but I couldn't put this one down. As a child therapist in training, I just wanted to reach through the pages of the book and hug the children. Tamara L. Miller did a phenomenal job of making you feel a connection to every character as well as making you feel what they were feeling. I'm looking forward to gifting this book to a few book loving friends when it becomes available for purchase. I know they will love it as much as I did. Tamara L. Miller is a wonderful writer and a fantastic storyteller, and I hope to see more from her in the future.

John Fallow's "Into the Fall" is a complex story, set against the backdrop of an isolated small town during an unseasonable first winter The story weaves together several different perspectives, each one creating a mysterious a including obviousness. While Fallow’s story is interesting and his characters are well drawn, the book has flaws that merit a three-star rating.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its setting. Fallow excels at creating a sense of foreboding and suspense. The descriptions of relentless harsh weather and suburban landscapes are vivid and immersive. This atmospheric writing keeps the reader engaged, drawing them deeper into the story as the story progresses.

The characters in "Into the Fall" are another strong point. Falo has created a variety of artists, each with their own secrets and inspirations. The interactions between these characters add depth to the story and make their interactions feel real and emotional. The hero’s journey is particularly interesting, as they navigate external threats and internal conflicts.

However, the book is not without flaws. One of the major issues is pacing. The story starts off strong but starts to lag in the middle sections. Some chapters can feel unnecessarily drawn out, which can frustrate the reader. Strengthening these parts would have added to the complexity of the plot and increased the overall suspense.

Another area where "Into the Fall" fails is its resolution. While building a solid plot, the ending and finale feel a bit rushed. It’s not too hard to tie up some plot threads and a few questions remain unanswered.

"The woods were savage, dark, and deep. And they kept their secrets."

Sarah's marriage is falling apart. Now her husband is missing and the investigation turns up new, alarming information about him. Can she help find a man she might not have ever known? Does she even want to?

Tropes:
Going missing during a trip/vacation
rural mystery
missing person
things are not as they seem

Content warnings:
this is a thriller--so anticipate most of the CWs that would normally come with that. Police, missing persons, betrayal, death, etc.
In addition, pregnancy loss is briefly mentioned (occurs off page).

What I liked:
This novel was so well written that I almost don't believe it's a debut. The build of tension was excellent, and, for the most part, the plot believable. The I-couldn't-put-it-down factor was strong! I read this book in every free moment I had over the course of about 12 hours.
Sarah is a compelling, flawed character that I both empathized with and, at times, wanted to throttle.
Other reviewers have criticized the ending, but I liked it. It's not what I expected but was still believable. I closed the book feeling wholly satisfied that there were no loose ends or unanswered questions or absurd red herrings.

"Grief can do that: transport you to a moment where hope is stronger than reality."


What I didn't like:
The police don't question the children. Literally at all . That struck me as strange.
Otherwise, I spotted literally only one grammar mistake in the whole piece (scared mistyped as sacred towards the very end of the book). I have very few complaints overall.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Impressive! I picked up this book on a cross-country flight - the minutes just raced by as I was totally engrossed in this book (a welcome distraction on such a long flight!). The author does a great job of building suspense and keeps you hooked throughout. The initial premise of the book is that of a husband and father suddenly disappearing on a family camping trip in the middle of the night... with his wife and children left behind. The book moves quickly and kept me hooked - I finished it on the flight! If you like thrillers, give this one a try - you won't be disappointed.


I received a advance reader copy via NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

The ending was both not at all where I expected it to go, and completely right for the story. I'd recommend this to fans of character-driven mystery plots exploring the quiet tragedies that can upend a seemingly ordinary life. Thank you Netgalley for my ARC!

Without repeating what is already in the book description I think this was really well written. I really enjoyed this read, and def want to find other similar books. I am glad to have closure but also all the feels.

This book was a quick read, it was enjoyable and I felt invested in Sarahs storyline. The author did a very good job conveying Sarahs emotions and I could feel her grief and frustrations right along with her. The suspense is kept up well through out the book, keeping my wanting to come back to it as soon as I could, but I give it 4 starts only because the ending was quite the letdown. I was expecting to have a big climax but it never came. It left me feeling more sad than shocked.
I also felt like some of the themes (mythic legend) felt unnecessary for the plot and felt like it was just a filler.
Overall I do recommend this book
Thank you to NetGalley to allow me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The story starts out with Susan and Matthew and their children camping, out of season in challenging conditions. Susan awakes to find Matthew missing. His canoe has gone and his lifejacket is lying nearby. A search then follows. The story continues and it is obvious that Susan and Matthew's relationship is not what it seems and the lawman leading the search probes deeper. She reunites with her sister for support and it becomes clear that she is hiding something and memories concealing mysteries emerge. This is slow going and tedious reading. Nothing really happens for a lot of the story and it is difficult to maintain any interest or even to care about what has happened to Matthew.