I'm going to start this review by referring back to 'Bad Apples', one of Will Dean's Tuva Moodyson's books. In that story, we got to see what happens when Will lets his imagination run riot. He's done something similar in 'The Last Passenger'.

Caz Ripley is being whisked away by her partner, Pete, on a once-in-a-lifetime trip – crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the UK to New York. But after the first night on the ocean liner, Caz wakes up to find Pete gone, along with everyone else. Caz is the last passenger on board.

What follows is confusing and terrifying but Will Dean knows how much to give away and when to do so. It certainly wasn't a calming read before bedtime! I don't want to give away any of the plot though because it's so important that readers find this out for themselves. What I will say though is, in the same vein of 'Bad Apples', Will Dean has written a controlled descent into chaos and madness. It's deliciously clever, terrifically tense and has an ending that I hate him for. But this really is Will Dean at his absolute best.

OMG! WOW! OMG!
...
...
I literally have no words. I'm completely speechless...
... I had absolutely no idea what to expect from my first Will Dean novel....
... but that was amazing, x a million.
... From the first chapter I realised this was the sort of book I needed to clear my schedule and read in one sitting.
.... and Wowser, I was right. There are twists and turns galore and I literally had absolutely no idea what would happen next at any point.

I do know that I'm rather glad I was not reading this while on holiday or a cruise ship, as that would probably have spoilt my ability to relax for the rest of it. As it is, I dread to think how I'll sleep tonight as I suspect this might stay with me for a long time.

And there is within the pages an excellent social commentary about elements of life many of us indulge in. But to say anymore about just about anything and I risk a spoiler.

And that ending... OMG! That is going got be playing on my mind for days too.

I had heard this author was good, but I don't think I realised just what I had been possibly missing out on until this point. This is one excellent storyteller and the way he was able to get inside the readers head is fabulous.

It's claustrophobic, it's full of drama, and twists and turns, and I will say I felt for Caz and her backstory. And it was due to that that I was willing her on at all times, even while completely terrified at some points.

If you read just one exhilarating unputdownable psychological thriller this year, make it this one. It is that amazing!

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

It's taking me forever to gather my thoughts on this book, I can't remember the last time I was so divided. Let's give it a try.

The premise is brilliant. With very little build up to Caz waking up alone on the cruise liner, I was truly at a loss to explain how and why.
I do love survival stories and I'd yet to encounter one set on a boat adrift at sea. Dean leverages the usual threats of starvation and hypothermia to an all new level; no land, no naturally occurring resource, no fixed location.

Reading from Caz perspective in first person, present -as is Dean's strength- we can only ever know as much as the main character does, a vital format for a thriller such as this.

However, this meant a ridiculous amount of repetition. Whilst I found Caz a sympathetic character, I quickly grew bored of her inner monologue. I'd estimate a third of the novel is her whining about the decade old betrayal of her deceased gambling-addict father or worrying about her mentally ill mother and ex druggy sister.

There is plenty of action in The Last Passenger Those scenes are tense and fast paced, the motive is well thought out and the story is within an inch of being plausible in a horrifying way. I was completely blindsided a few times, something I relish in a well written thriller.

But then there was the ending. The absolutely awful, cheesy trope of an ending. I hated it.
The characters were stereotypical, not a jot of diversity in sight and no development save for the slow changing of the American oldboy from selfish narcissism to a glimmer of empathy.

It's hard not to review without spoiling the surprises in store, it's hard to review full stop. Half the time I loved The Last Passenger, the rest I despised. Fully on the fence but rating above average for ingenuity and decent writing.

I am a big fan of Will Dean and I wait for his Tuva novels with anticipation and while I enjoyed his 1st stand alone novel this one was kind of a disappointment. At first I was enjoying the premise of the story and it was quite gripping but as it went on I found the constant back story of Cazs Dad got on my nerves, as well as the cafe and even Pete and sister Gemma, it just went on and on and on, then the ending, I actually said out loud “oh come on, no way”, I will still look out for Wills future writing as I do like him very much but this was def not my favourite. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this early copy.

I am genuinely stumped on how to review this: on the one hand, I found it compelling enough to read the whole thing in a day (though, to be honest, it was because I found it so unsettling and creepy reading in bed last night that I was determined to finish it before bedtime tonight!) but on the other hand, I found some of the writing impossibly clunky and some of the plot holes were cavernous.

I’m not saying it wasn’t an interesting premise and gave me plenty of food for thought at the beginning as I tried to work out what was going on. But I found the characters wooden and unlikable and I got sick to the back teeth of hearing about Caroline’s dad’s gambling problems every 20 pages- though that was at least slightly more interesting than hearing about how she ran the café…

Ultimately, it seemed like this was the same idea as The Truman Show but what if more extreme? Meh.

Don’t miss this one it’s out of this world !!
I just finished this uniquely stunning book and I am desperately trying to pick my jaw up from the floor I just can’t believe what I just read, what a book and OMG what an amazing ending!!
I knew as soon as I started to read that the story would be good I mean this is Will Dean right and I have read every book he has written and all were 5 star reads but this one just blew my mind it was just so damn clever, scary and totally addictive.
Im not going to rehash the plot as I feel it’s better read with no preconceptions as to what is going on and believe me there is a hell of lot going on in this story.
I loved the characters, I loved the whole concept of the story it kept me gripped but it was the ending that just made it my favourite read of the year so far.
So thank you Mr Will Dean I always thought you was a genius and after reading this amazing book you just confirmed it,
So as I said in my opinion this deserves more than 5 stars and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a fabulous mystery with a difference.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Well this book has put me off going on a cruise or a ship.
This is one of those book you want to keep reading to see what is going on.
A whole ship of passengers go missing except a few what is going on?
Read it to find out great read.

This was a second standalone book by Will Dean and I enjoyed both far less than his Tuva Moodison series. It’s almost is as they have been written by a different author.
The premise of The Last Passenger is intriguing and the beginning of the book is absolutely gripping. However, once we begin to find out more, the pace slows down and the plot becomes boring and repetitive, with occasional ridiculous twists. The ending was quite disappointing too.
Nevertheless, this book is memorable and unusual, and is worth a read if you are after something out of the ordinary.

Caz and Pete join a luxury ocean liner for a trip across the Atlantic to New York. Caz is so excited, it’s a dream voyage for her.

This is the first book I have read by this author was keen to see what all the hype was about, and from the reviews this is a well received book.

Having done transatlantic cruises, the author was spot on with the boarding process, the muster, the cabins (though the crew prefer to call them staterooms, no matter how small!) and the restaurants, so I was interested to see how the plot developed and how the “mystery” was explained.

Now I know I’m in the minority, but it all seemed a bit naive and the writing nothing special. I think more could have been done with the plot, and all a bit of a let down, after my expectations.

The premise was really good, but the characters were dire. The amount of filler given about Caz’s background was a joke (Pete, birdsong, Dad, gambling, Gemma, mum, and repeat!) yet nothing really about the others. How come someone as young as Frankie knew so many obscure facts and figures? Again, boring! What happened to Daniel’s eye? Did it miraculously recover without treatment? And what happened to his leg being kinked at an unnatural angle ?

Some of the dialogue was strange too - “Because the dark web is the shadiest part of the internet”, what? I think the clue is in the title, we don’t need it explained.

Despite all this I was interested enough to read to the end, but really shouldn’t have bothered. What a cop out, did the ideas run out?

I’m sure this author’s fans will love the story, but for me all very bizarre and predictable, a disappointing read.

Thank you NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a fast-paced thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story begins with Cat, the main character, on a supposedly idyllic holiday with her partner Pete. However, things take a terrifying turn when she wakes up to find herself alone on a cruise ship that is steaming out to sea. The plot is gripping and the tension never really lets up, as readers are kept guessing about what has happened to everyone else on board.

Alex North's writing style is vivid and immersive, making it easy for readers to feel as though they are right there with Caz on the deserted ship. However, this immersive experience also makes the book incredibly scary, and it may not be suitable for readers who are easily frightened. The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end, and the sense of urgency and danger is palpable throughout.

Overall, is a thrilling and terrifying read that will appeal to fans of suspense and horror. However, readers who are looking for a more lighthearted or relaxing read may want to look elsewhere. This book gave me nightmares, and while I can appreciate its quality and intensity, I'm not sure if it was really for me. But if you're looking for a heart-pumping, page-turning read, this book is definitely worth picking up.

It’s so hard to fully review this book without spoiling it. It’s definitely a book to go into without knowing anything other than what’s in the synopsis. All I can really give you is 100 different adjectives for BLOODY AMAZING. And even that doesn’t give it enough credit.

When I read Will’s book First Born last year, I said that he was the author I was missing from my life. This was backed up by my reading of The Last Things To Burn (yes, I know I read them in the wrong order). So, I was so excited to be given an early copy of his new book. If his past books were anything to go by, I knew I’d be in for a treat.

Each book of his is so brilliant, and you can’t think it can possibly get any better, but then he releases another, and it’s even better. It’s unbelievable how brilliant his writing is. And if we’re going on that train of thought, his next one must be even better and I just can’t get my head round any more excellence.

There’s no hanging about with this book. Within the first 5% of the book, we’re in it, she’s woken up alone. And it doesn’t let up until the very last page. This means we’ve got the majority of the book in this frightening place, and we have most of the book to try and figure out what’s going on. Which is exciting, as we’re following it at the characters’ pace.

I wouldn’t advise reading this when you’ve got a cruise booked. I’ve always liked the idea of a cruise – a river one, rather than the sea – but this gives you a completely different perspective, and doesn’t really promote the beauty of a cruise holiday.

Will has managed to get the feeling of terror and claustrophobia down to a T. You’re with them every step of the way. And it’s not just the physical claustrophobia of being within a ship, or being below the water line. It’s this claustrophobia of being alone in the vast ocean, with no land in sight, no other people, no animals., no signal, no boats, no lights, no help.

I need more, I tell you. More!! And that ending!! What??!! This would be absolutely perfect for a movie adaptation that will have you on the edge of your seat from the get-go.

At almost 500 pages I expected this to be a read that would take me a few days. but instead I managed it in one day. It’s one of the very few books that warrants its page length. I just couldn’t put it down. It’s so riveting that the pages just melt away. It’s fantastic.

This is unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Even with his previous books, this takes the biscuit. It is chilling to the bone, atmospheric, terrifying. He is just the master of dark, creepy, twisted thrillers.

I did not enjoy this at all, I found it rambling and the ending was ridiculous. Sorry but that is my honest opinion

As a regular cruise passenger I was really keen to read this and had no idea what to expect. It all started very normally with Caroline Ripley (Caz) and her boyfriend embarking the Atlantica on a transatlantic trip to New York but then things get very weird. This was a bit of a slow burner to start and I just couldn’t think what was going to happen but soon I was on the edge of my seat with the tension.

Briefly, waking up on board on the first day at sea Caz finds herself alone on the ship, all the passengers, crew and their luggage and personal belongings are gone. She is completely alone, or is she? She eventually finds three other passengers but when they hear a fifth person they have no idea just how bad things will get.

It’s hard to say anymore without giving spoilers, so you’re just gonna have to read it. I can only imagine how scary what took place must have been, it was like there was a malevolent being, something inhuman, controlling their every move. This was a dark book, full of action and suspense, with a shock end. A very good read and thankfully it hasn’t put me off cruising!

4.5⭐️

The book started out really well, a cruise ship that managed to dispose of all the passengers apart from a chosen few. Why do you ask yourself?

The story really revolved around Caz and her background telling numerous times about the events in her life. Why were the other passenger's stories not told? On that front, the book did get repetitive, but not predictable.

Survival instincts kick in and are briefly told of how the others manage this, but Caz is the main character.

Really seemed to run out of plotlines towards the end, and the last page well did we not expect that to happen?

Caz goes on a cruise and wakes up alone then finds a handful of others. Starts off a cracking read but later when you find out why it left me a little disappointed but still a very good read with good characters.
I received this book from Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley a review.

Almost impossible to review without spoilers!
The premise of waking alone on a massive ocean liner is hard to believe but Will Dean drags you right into the middle of that scenario and the fear oozes off every page as Caz tries to make sense of what has happened.
The juxtaposition of unbelievable luxury with champagne on tap to abject misery and horror are well played and the book will keep you up all night trying to find out the truth of the Marie Celeste nature of Caz's situation.

Now was a clever ending!

I was fully engaged and driven to turn just another page as I sought to grasp what exactly was going on. This enables me to relate very well to the main characters.

The author developed the story and characters very creatively. A most topical subject too. Over all the plot reminded me a lot of the Korean TV Series Squid Game. The author should be pleased with this stylish book - and very proud too.

Having just finished this novel, I'm speechless! This is a frightening thriller set aboard a cruise liner. Caz, the main character wakes up all alone and the spooky vibe begins. She is a likeable relatable character, who is essentially a good person. Her character develops quite deeply as the plot moves forwards and the spine tingling intensifies. There are some absolute hand to your throat horrible moments that I'm still reeling from. And you will not see the end coming. AT ALL. 5 stars must read. Just don't book a cruise this summer.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!

A truly scary thriller set on a cruise ship somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic….difficult to review without any spoilers! Cas has agreed to go on a cruise with her boyfriend Pete - she works hard, worries about her sister and mother and is trying to amend for financial wrongs her father committed years earlier. This is only her 13th date with Pete but she feels happy and secure with him, looking forward to maybe him proposing this holiday.

Until she wakes up. And he’s gone, The rest of the passengers have gone, the crew is gone. His luggage has gone. She is The Last Passenger.

In fact she quickly finds she’s not the only person on board but the rest is absolutely true, everyone else has gone. Things go from bad to worse as they try and stay together, it’s clear that someone or something is controlling things remotely. It feels malevolent. The ship is cold, food is scarce and trust is minimal.

It really is impossible to review the story without giving away the plot. It’s an unusual and somewhat almost inevitable progression of a society that looks for humiliation at someone else’s expense. The twists and turns leave you as confused and bewildered as Cas and I literally had to stay up to finish it as the end is nail biting.

A great read, absorbing, well plotted, twisted and genuinely quite scary, Will Dean has triumphed again. This must be a best seller…..and maybe even a movie….

Well I won't be booking a trip on an ocean liner anytime soon that's for sure. This book is super tense, dramatic, terrifying and utterly compelling. I couldn't stop reading it!!

How does an entire ship of passengers and crew go missing minus a few people and a handful of dogs? You have to read this to find out! The characters were well developed and I totally felt every feeling they felt. The fear included.

The scene was set brilliantly.. quickily switching from deluxe, luxurious and relaxing to chilling and eerie and spine tingling. I've never read anything from this author before but he definitely seems to be one of the masters of dark and twisted Thrillers.

Thank you to Netgalley, & Hodder and Stoughton for the privilege of reading this book.