An atmospheric story set in the swamps of Louisiana where people make a living in any way they can. The backwood of Jacknife is home to those who have been there for generations and have either had no desire or the means to change their lives. Loyal is one of the success stories in that she has is a journalist in Houston. However, when her mother shows worrying signs of dementia Loyal returns home. Her childhood friend Cutter lives with her brothers Dewall and Beau who are alligator hunters. Before she has time to seek out her friend, Cutter is found dead. Loyal doesn’t believe the explanation that she drowned and sets about searching for answers with her new colleague Sasha from the local paper. The story meanders through the gloom and reveals its unpleasant secrets amid danger and violence. The despair and poverty are brought to the fore with imaginative and vivid descriptions and the threat of lurking wildlife is not far away. The real fear however, comes from humans rather than animals. A sad story of desperation, hatred and greed but also of a community and friendship. Beautifully written and I was amazed to discover the author came from Gloucestershire rather than the Deep South.

I chose to read a free eARC of Our Last Wild Days but that has in no way influenced my review.

I have been waiting nearly four years for Our Last Wild Days to be published. No exaggeration. Our Last Wild Days is the second book by super-talented author, Anna Bailey. Anna Bailey of Tall Bones fame. Anna Bailey who wrote one of my all-time favourite books (and if that wasn't enough, Tall Bones was their debut!). The excitement is real! I could not wait to see what Bailey had in store for us readers next. Would it be as epic as Tall Bones? Would I love it as much? Yes, and most definitely yes!

The Labasque family make a meagre living hunting alligators out in the Southern Louisiana swamps. They're outcasts in Jacknife and the locals will go out of their way to avoid them. They have a reputation for a reason. Particularly Dewall, the older sibling. When a body turns up in the swamp, the fact it belongs to Dewall's sister, Cutter, doesn't seem to really worry anyone. And that includes her two brothers. However, Cutter's teenage best friend, Loyal, is devastated. Having returned to Jacknife to care for her ailing mother, and having parted on bad terms with Cutter all those years ago, Loyal now realises that she will never be able to make amends for what she did. Loyal immediately dismisses the official verdict of suicide. There's more to Cutter's death than meets the eye and Loyal is going to discover exactly what...

Our Last Wild Days is a gorgeous, dark, evocative literary mystery. Full of emotion, full of regret and overflowing with beautifully written suspense. Gosh, I loved this book! The small-town setting comes to life on the page. Bailey's descriptions of Jacknife and the swampland are exquisite. The setting becomes as much a part of the story as any of the characters are. And those characters are sublime. The Labasques are secretive, brimming with aggression and drowning in poverty. Scraping a living from farming alligators and risking life and limb on a daily basis to do it! Beau, a drug addict and the younger brother, is clearly traumatised by his sister's death but isn't prepared, or willing, to show it. Especially not in front of his brother, Dewall. Dewall's reputation precedes him. Self-appointed head of the household after the horrific death of his parents years before. Could Dewall have killed his sister in a fit of rage? Loyal May is a journalist and was once, due to her friendship with Cutter, partially accepted by the family. She ended that though the moment she wrote a scathing piece on the Labasques in the 'Bayou Leader'. Turning her back on Jacknife ten years ago for Houston, and only returning to see for herself how badly her mother's health is declining, Loyal is immediately distracted by Cutter's sudden, brutal death.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Our Last Wild Days is a beautifully drawn, atmospheric mystery from an author to watch. Everything about this book worked for me. I loved the pace of the book, the slow unveiling of whodunit and why. I loved the complex, multi-layered characters, their interactions with each other and how the multiple plot threads all come together in the end. The author's descriptions of the setting transported me to Southern Louisiana, the heat, the humidity, the claustrophobia of a small-town and the ever-present threat, particularly from the primordial inhabitants of the swamp! I loved it. Every little detail. A highly immersive, hugely compelling tale. Gorgeously dark and totally unforgettable. Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Our Last Wild Days. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Review will be published on 24th April 2025]

Anna Bailey’s Our Last Wild Days is an immersive and atmospheric novel that transports readers into the heart of the Louisiana swamps, where the Labasque siblings struggle to survive.

Bailey’s incredibly descriptive writing brings the setting vividly to life - I could almost feel the oppressive heat, hear the rustling of the reeds, and see the murky waters where the alligator hunters risk everything.

The story follows the Labasque family, three orphaned siblings who eke out a meagre living from hunting and selling alligators.

When their sister, Cutter Labasque, is found dead, her old friend Loyal, a journalist returning to Jacknife to deal with her own family troubles, feels compelled to investigate, particularly as the local authorities show little interest.

As Loyal digs deeper, long-buried secrets emerge, and the indifference of the town towards the Labasques becomes increasingly unsettling.

Bailey masterfully explores themes of family, loyalty, regret, and addiction, all set against the bleak yet compelling backdrop of a dying town poisoned by a nearby chemical plant.

The sense of injustice and decay runs deep, adding another layer to an already absorbing storyline. From the first page, I was hooked, drawn into the characters’ struggles and the dark mysteries lurking beneath the surface.

This is a gripping and beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page.

Bailey’s storytelling is raw, evocative, and utterly compelling - highly recommended for those who enjoy atmospheric, character-driven fiction.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A hugely enjoyable book. Genuinely intriguing and addictive, this a superbly formed mystery. It reads incredibly authentically, this is style of writing to appreciate.
Full of interesting characters with gritty and believable histories, this a book that gives nothing away until the end and you can't stop reading until that last page.
Very grateful to be allowed to read this early, I hope this book and author achieves every success.

While the place was beautifully written and it felt real, the characters and why one of them dies made me feel like I lost all compassion and didn't care about them anymore. Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. Maybe. some other people will enjoy it more than I did.

Our Last Wild Days is a haunting and atmospheric book set in the rural Louisiana town of Jacknife. The story follows Loyal May, a woman returning home to care for her ailing mother, who is thrust back into the web of her troubled past when her childhood friend, Cutter Labasque, is found dead in the swamps. The Labasque family, long considered outcasts in the tight-knit community, has always been a source of suspicion. Cutter’s death is initially deemed a suicide, but Loyal, driven by guilt and unresolved issues, becomes determined to uncover the truth.

As Loyal works with a small group of local reporters to investigate, the layers of deceit, corruption, and violence in the town begin to surface. The novel delves into the complexities of grief, loss, and the cycles of trauma that affect individuals and communities. Bailey expertly explores themes of reproductive health, substance abuse, and the darker impulses that shape the lives of the town’s residents.

Our Last Wild Days is an intense, suspenseful read that examines how the dead affect the living, how communities hide secrets, and the consequences of the choices we make. It is a compelling and poignant exploration of human nature, forgiveness, and the pursuit of justice.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A really unique and memorable story, this family will and mysterious story with live with me for a long time, recommended xx

I didn't finish. Reading the mainly 5* reviews I realise that this is a purely personal thing. Unfortunately I didn't like the setting, I didn't warm to any of the characters, and the story advanced at such a slow pace that I lost interest.

This was a very violent story which isn't to my taste normally but this was a very compelling story to read. Well described characters and a dark storyline. You can almost feel the heat and the damp! Great conclusion.

"Our Last Wild Days" by Anna Bailey is a captivating and atmospheric novel set in the hauntingly beautiful swamps of Southern Louisiana.

The story revolves around Cutter Labasque, a young woman found dead in the swamp, and her childhood friend Loyal, who comes back to her hometown to care for her mother and uncover the truth behind Cutter's demise. The Labasque family, known for their alligator hunting and rough attitude, are outsiders in the town of Jacknife, making Cutter's death a mystery that few are interested in solving.

Loyal's journey is both a pursuit for justice and a personal path to redemption. Her character is intricate and deeply flawed, mirroring the difficult realities of her past and the choices she's made. Supporting characters like Cutter's brothers and Loyal's journalist friend Sasha add depth to the narrative, each with their own struggles and motives. The characters are brought to life vividly, making it easy to become invested in their stories.

The novel deals with powerful themes such as atonement, family, poverty, and survival, all within the context of environmental degradation and social injustice. Bailey expertly combines these themes into a narrative that feels both pressing and timeless.

The writing is vivid and immersive, taking readers into the humid, claustrophobic world of the Louisiana bayou. The language is raw and expressive, capturing the intense emotions and harsh realities of the characters' lives.

What makes this book unique is its ability to evoke strong emotions and reflections in readers. It challenges societal norms and brings attention to the struggles of marginalized communities. While some readers may find the pacing a bit slow at times, the payoff is worth it. The novel's distinct setting and characters make it stand out in its genre, offering a fresh perspective on themes that are both deeply personal and universally relevant.

Bailey's writing style is similar to authors like Chris Whitaker, who also excel at capturing the essence of small-town America. The narrative structure is engaging, with unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the end.

Overall, "Our Last Wild Days" is a gripping read that will stay with you long after you finish it. It showcases Bailey's skill as a storyteller and her ability to create characters that feel both familiar and unique.

A really gritty dark dirty novel about Crime & Murder in the Backwaters of Louisiana, as full of characters that are as wild & colourful as the wildlife in that place.
Folklore is entwined with it all as well, so all in all it's a very colourful & imaginative Read. #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

I'm going to be repeating what one or two others have said here, but it was exactly what I was thinking as I read it.
I was a big fan of Anna Bailey's previous book, Tall Bones, and I think this one is actually even better than that one.
It did, at times remind me of Chris Whitaker's All the Colours of the Dark - not in plot terms, more in the impressive authenticity I felt it gave of the location and the depth of the characters all at various degrees of brokenness, involved.
I've seen a couple of criticisms from people saying they found it 'slow'.
It's true that this isn't an action packed type of novel, but there are plenty of those out there if that's what you're looking for.
Me? : I really appreciated the slow burn nature of the book, the atmospheric descriptions and the varied characters in it.
I'd say that if you're a fan of the aforementioned Chris Whitaker, or even US based writers like S A Cosby, El Cranor or Jordan Harper you'll really appreciate this book.

Ideal for readers who enjoy novels that spend time on evoking a distinctive, atmospheric setting, in this case the Louisianna swamps, and on developing unusual, quasi-outcast characters.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
On publication, I will post part of the blurb and this review on my blog.

Very dark, atmospheric thriller that takes you right into swampland and crocodiles. Good characters, twisty plot, quality stuff.

The Labasque family lives on the fringes of society in the rural swamps of Jacknife, Louisiana. They eke out a meager existence, hunting alligators and other wildlife to survive. To the local residents, they're outcasts, troublemakers, and a nuisance.

When Cutter Labasque's lifeless body is discovered in the swamp, the community remains indifferent, including her own brothers. However, Loyal May, Cutter's childhood friend, is not convinced by the official ruling of suicide. Loyal has returned to her hometown to care for her ailing mother, still carrying the guilt of a past betrayal against Cutter.

As Loyal seeks redemption, she may uncover the truth behind Cutter's tragic demise, and in doing so, find a path towards forgiveness and restitution.

Wow, this is a great book. I absolutely loved this author’s last book, Tall Bones, and think this is even better.
Loyal May is a journalist, who returns to the small town of Jacknife, Louisiana to help her mother who has dementia. Her childhood friend, Cutter, is found dead, there’s a child missing, and Loyal is keen to find out what has happened to both of them.
Cutter’s family are outcasts; alligator hunters who also seems to be mixed up in some very dark stuff. Loyal, and her journalist sidekick, Sasha, must work out who can be trusted when not even the good guys seems to be good guys.
This reminded me a lot of Chris Whitaker’s work. Bailey has an excellent way of transporting the reader to small town America. The characters are flawed but sympathetically written, motivations for poor decisions are believable. Likely to be one of my books of the year.

With a deep dive into the swamps and rural communities of Louisiana, Anna Bailey has stitched together a masterpiece. The heat and humidity sink into your bones as you are sucked into the lives of the people of the backwaters. There are bad things happening, a girl is dead and a couple of rookie journalists are on the case. You will be hooked!

This devastating hazy portrait of the swamps of Louisiana and the devastating poverty of those who live there. Anna Bailey is phenomenal. The scarring, painful writing flows through this novel, which seeps under the skin. Incredible.

I loved Tall Bones so this novel had quite a lot to live up to in my mind and boy did it deliver.

This author can definitely bring to vivid life that small town vibe, with its deeply drawn characters, this is atmospheric and tense, emotional and occasionally beautiful.

Mystery meets humanity with superb writing and a clever plot that draws you immediately in and holds you there to the end.

A true literary delight.

A wonderful second novel from the author of Tall Bones. A brilliant dive into rural Louisiana, following intriguing and complex characters, as perfectly written as the plot of the novel.