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Tajemnice z przeszłości, zagadkowe morderstwo i duszna atmosfera południowych bagien Luizjany, która dodaje tej historii mrocznego, gotyckiego klimatu.
Autorka świetnie przyjętego Przedsionka piekła powraca z nowym klimatycznym thrillerem o młodej kobiecie, która usiłuje rozwiązać zagadkę śmierci swojej przyjaciółki w ich rodzinnym miasteczku w Delcie Missisipi.
Rodzina Labasques zawsze trzymała się na uboczu.
Jej członkowie mieszkali w szałasie na bagnach, utrzymywali się z polowań na aligatory i inne zwierzęta. Dla porządnych mieszkańców Jacknife w Luizjanie byli awanturnikami i wyrzutkami, ludźmi, których nie chciano w społeczności.
Kiedy więc Cutter Labasque zostaje znaleziona martwa na moczarach, nikt — nawet jej dwaj bracia — nie wydaje się tym przejmować.
Jedyną osobą, która kwestionuje oficjalną wersję o samobójstwie, jest Loyal May, przyjaciółka Cutter z dzieciństwa, która właśnie wróciła do rodzinnego domu, by zaopiekować się matką.
Loyal czuje, że kiedy w wieku osiemnastu lat porzuciła to miejsce, zdradziła Cutter.
Jest jej więc winna choć tyle, by odkryć, jak i dlaczego zginęła. Wspierana przez dziennikarzy lokalnej gazety wyrusza na poszukiwanie odpowiedzi, po drodze odkrywając sieć oszustw i korupcji, która ciasno oplata to miejsce i jego mieszkańców.
Być może jest już za późno, by przeprosić Cutter, ale Loyal chyba wie, jak zadośćuczynić jej śmierci.
Autorka świetnie przyjętego Przedsionka piekła powraca z nowym klimatycznym thrillerem o młodej kobiecie, która usiłuje rozwiązać zagadkę śmierci swojej przyjaciółki w ich rodzinnym miasteczku w Delcie Missisipi.
Rodzina Labasques zawsze trzymała się na uboczu.
Jej członkowie mieszkali w szałasie na bagnach, utrzymywali się z polowań na aligatory i inne zwierzęta. Dla porządnych mieszkańców Jacknife w Luizjanie byli awanturnikami i wyrzutkami, ludźmi, których nie chciano w społeczności.
Kiedy więc Cutter Labasque zostaje znaleziona martwa na moczarach, nikt — nawet jej dwaj bracia — nie wydaje się tym przejmować.
Jedyną osobą, która kwestionuje oficjalną wersję o samobójstwie, jest Loyal May, przyjaciółka Cutter z dzieciństwa, która właśnie wróciła do rodzinnego domu, by zaopiekować się matką.
Loyal czuje, że kiedy w wieku osiemnastu lat porzuciła to miejsce, zdradziła Cutter.
Jest jej więc winna choć tyle, by odkryć, jak i dlaczego zginęła. Wspierana przez dziennikarzy lokalnej gazety wyrusza na poszukiwanie odpowiedzi, po drodze odkrywając sieć oszustw i korupcji, która ciasno oplata to miejsce i jego mieszkańców.
Być może jest już za późno, by przeprosić Cutter, ale Loyal chyba wie, jak zadośćuczynić jej śmierci.
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First published April 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
August 29, 2025
Haunting, lyrical, and dripping with Southern gothic atmosphere—Anna Bailey’s Our Last Wild Days completely consumed me.
From the moment I stepped into the sweltering, mosquito-bitten swamps of Jackknife, Louisiana, I was hooked. This is not just a thriller—this is a slow-burn character study, a meditation on guilt, grief, and the messy business of making amends.
The Labasques aren’t like anyone else in this tight-knit, judgmental town. Outcasts who survive off the land by hunting alligators and selling their meat, they’ve always been treated like misfits raised by wolves—feral, feared, and shunned. But when Cutter Labasque is found face-down in the bayou, her supposed suicide barely raises an eyebrow… except from one person: Loyal May, her estranged childhood friend who once betrayed her.
Loyal had escaped this town at eighteen, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak, her eccentric mother, and a version of herself the town refused to accept. She built a life elsewhere, only to return ten years later when her mother, showing early signs of dementia, begins digging up the garden with her bare hands in the middle of the night.
Now back in Jackknife, working a thankless job at the local paper, Loyal is assigned to cover a routine case with a phone-obsessed photographer—only to stumble upon Cutter’s body. The sheriff’s department wants it shut and buried. But Loyal can’t accept that—not with the guilt she carries, not with the gnawing instinct that this wasn’t an accident.
As she tries to reconnect with Cutter’s brothers—one numbed by addiction, the other menacing and unreadable—Loyal becomes entangled in a dangerous web of corruption, old town secrets, and smoldering resentments. Her pursuit of justice may cost her more than her peace—it could cost her her life.
Bailey’s writing is unflinching and atmospheric, painting the oppressive humidity and decay of rural Louisiana with tactile, almost cinematic detail. You feel the rot beneath the surface—of the town, of the politics, and of the people desperately trying to hold themselves together. The characters are deeply flawed, achingly human, and unforgettable. Loyal, in particular, is a brilliant creation—wounded but unyielding, driven by remorse and something close to redemption.
This story crawls under your skin like swamp heat—it’s not fast-paced, but it’s relentless. The mystery unravels in unexpected, quietly devastating ways, and the emotional stakes stay razor-sharp.
✨ Final thoughts:
If you loved Where the Crawdads Sing but wanted something darker, grittier, and more morally complex, Our Last Wild Days will absolutely deliver. This is a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, stunningly written thriller that explores what it means to be loyal—to your past, to the dead, to your own wounded self.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 rounded up because the writing deserves it!)
Endless thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
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From the moment I stepped into the sweltering, mosquito-bitten swamps of Jackknife, Louisiana, I was hooked. This is not just a thriller—this is a slow-burn character study, a meditation on guilt, grief, and the messy business of making amends.
The Labasques aren’t like anyone else in this tight-knit, judgmental town. Outcasts who survive off the land by hunting alligators and selling their meat, they’ve always been treated like misfits raised by wolves—feral, feared, and shunned. But when Cutter Labasque is found face-down in the bayou, her supposed suicide barely raises an eyebrow… except from one person: Loyal May, her estranged childhood friend who once betrayed her.
Loyal had escaped this town at eighteen, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak, her eccentric mother, and a version of herself the town refused to accept. She built a life elsewhere, only to return ten years later when her mother, showing early signs of dementia, begins digging up the garden with her bare hands in the middle of the night.
Now back in Jackknife, working a thankless job at the local paper, Loyal is assigned to cover a routine case with a phone-obsessed photographer—only to stumble upon Cutter’s body. The sheriff’s department wants it shut and buried. But Loyal can’t accept that—not with the guilt she carries, not with the gnawing instinct that this wasn’t an accident.
As she tries to reconnect with Cutter’s brothers—one numbed by addiction, the other menacing and unreadable—Loyal becomes entangled in a dangerous web of corruption, old town secrets, and smoldering resentments. Her pursuit of justice may cost her more than her peace—it could cost her her life.
Bailey’s writing is unflinching and atmospheric, painting the oppressive humidity and decay of rural Louisiana with tactile, almost cinematic detail. You feel the rot beneath the surface—of the town, of the politics, and of the people desperately trying to hold themselves together. The characters are deeply flawed, achingly human, and unforgettable. Loyal, in particular, is a brilliant creation—wounded but unyielding, driven by remorse and something close to redemption.
This story crawls under your skin like swamp heat—it’s not fast-paced, but it’s relentless. The mystery unravels in unexpected, quietly devastating ways, and the emotional stakes stay razor-sharp.
✨ Final thoughts:
If you loved Where the Crawdads Sing but wanted something darker, grittier, and more morally complex, Our Last Wild Days will absolutely deliver. This is a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, stunningly written thriller that explores what it means to be loyal—to your past, to the dead, to your own wounded self.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 rounded up because the writing deserves it!)
Endless thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
medium blog
May 15, 2025
Dark, atmospheric, with tension lurking just below the surface, Our Last Wild Days sucked me in and never let go. This book began as a bit of a slow burn for me and I do struggle with them, but the author won me over with her wonderful writing, vivid descriptions, and the mystery surrounding Cutter Labasques's death. I could almost feel the humidity of the swamp, as the family of alligator hunters in Jacknife, Louisiana, went about their business. When Cutter is found face down in the swamp, it is not her brothers but her childhood friend, Loyal May questions Cutter's death.
If you are looking for a book that is heavy on emotion with a fantastic southern setting, Our Last Wild Days may be the book for you! You could cut the tension with a knife as this gritty southern book gets closer to the reveal. The story slowly builds and readers soon get to meet several of the key characters who are flawed, damaged, and beaten down.
If you struggle with slow burns as I do, hang in there as Anna Bailey will win you over with her searing plot and vivid descriptions. This was my second book by Anna Bailey, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Wonderfully written, atmospheric, and gritty.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
If you are looking for a book that is heavy on emotion with a fantastic southern setting, Our Last Wild Days may be the book for you! You could cut the tension with a knife as this gritty southern book gets closer to the reveal. The story slowly builds and readers soon get to meet several of the key characters who are flawed, damaged, and beaten down.
If you struggle with slow burns as I do, hang in there as Anna Bailey will win you over with her searing plot and vivid descriptions. This was my second book by Anna Bailey, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Wonderfully written, atmospheric, and gritty.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
May 16, 2025
Ughhh so heart wrenching!! Being from a small town, we know the families that deal with addiction, poverty and shunned from the community. This book delivers a message about the labels in place, whether it is troublemakers, outcasts or damaged souls. It has dark underlying tones that are painful to read how neglect and hardships can either make them stronger or angrier. The Labasques family has endured as alligator hunters deep in the Louisiana Bayou. They have known their share of betrayal and have created their own chaos and corruption in the town. When their sister, Cutter, was found dead in the swamp it was as if no one cared, not even her brothers. The one person who did care was her estranged friend, Loyal. Loyal left town at 18 years old after an accident with an alligator and some harsh words that she would regret ever writing for the world to see. Those words were like salt poured deep into the Labasques' wounds. Loyal returned to the town to care for her mom suffering from dementia. She took a job as a journalist at the local newspaper. She arrives in town, as a stranger to many and notes the demise the town has suffered since she left.
The dangers are not only in the swamps infested with mosquitoes, alligators and snakes but with the people. The creepy factor is definitely there within the swamps and will have you gravitating to the end. With reminders of Where the Crawdads Sing, just not quite as humbling, because this is a dark atmospheric thriller. A great job by the author keeping it low-key and slowly building riddled implications with 4 POVs, and layers of significance. There is more than meets the surface, and exploring deeper is a worthwhile endeavor.
"How anyone survives is much as it is the mystery of how one woman didn't."
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The dangers are not only in the swamps infested with mosquitoes, alligators and snakes but with the people. The creepy factor is definitely there within the swamps and will have you gravitating to the end. With reminders of Where the Crawdads Sing, just not quite as humbling, because this is a dark atmospheric thriller. A great job by the author keeping it low-key and slowly building riddled implications with 4 POVs, and layers of significance. There is more than meets the surface, and exploring deeper is a worthwhile endeavor.
"How anyone survives is much as it is the mystery of how one woman didn't."
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2025
Loyal left her small hometown of Jacknife, Louisiana, when she was just 18-years old, after a falling out with her best friend, Cutter. When she left, she took a lot of guilt with her over what she'd done to Cutter.
Now a decade later, Loyal returns to Jacknife to help care for her Mom, who seems to be teetering on the edge of dementia. Loyal is nervous about being back. It feels like she's been on the run from her past this whole time.
Luckily, Loyal, a journalist, is able to get a job working at the tiny local paper, which she'd contributed to when she had been in high school. She hasn't burned every bridge.
Her first day on the job, she and her coworker, Sasha, get word that a body has been discovered in the swamps. They rush to the scene to see what info that can glean from the responding officers.
It's quickly revealed that the body belongs to Loyal's estranged best friend, Cutter. Loyal is devastated on so many levels. She was hoping for a chance to reconcile with her friend, to apologize for what she had done, but now she's been robbed of that chance.
Cutter's early ife had been filled with hardship and tragedy, and from what Loyal's heard, it's only gotten worse recently. Now she's been taken out just as tragically.
Many believe Cutter most likely took her own life, but Loyal isn't buying that. There's no way the girl she knew would do that, but how well did she actually know Cutter anymore?
Loyal and Sasha begin digging for answers, discovering small town corruption and dangerous dealings along the way. Will they be able to expose the truth, or will Cutter end up just being another person lost to the swamp?
Our Last Wild Days is Anna Bailey's 2nd-novel, and IMO, it's an improvement over their debut, Where the Truth Lies, which was good, but nothing about it really stood out for me.
I feel like this novel is going to stick in my mind. The characters were fantastically-developed and I thought the South Louisiana setting, the atmosphere created around that, was excellent as well.
If you enjoy gritty Crime Fiction, with a touch of a Hillbilly Noir-type feel to it, you should definitely give this one a shot. It has a nice slow burn, that definitely pays off if you stick around until the end.
And when I say slow burn, I don't mean that it feels slow. The story itself builds at a nice clip, I just feel like Bailey really invested the time in building out the story in a way that would pull the Reader in and make them care.
By the end, I needed answers as badly as Loyal did. I needed for Cutter's true story to be told. The characters felt completely realistic. I think for anyone who grew up in a small town in the U.S., you may even start to see bits and pieces of your own hometown on display here.
I'm impressed with this. I think Bailey has found their stride, and it's only going to keep getting stronger. I hope they stick in this lane. This sort of atmospheric Crime Thriller really suits their writing.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to Bailey's next novel already!!!
Now a decade later, Loyal returns to Jacknife to help care for her Mom, who seems to be teetering on the edge of dementia. Loyal is nervous about being back. It feels like she's been on the run from her past this whole time.
Luckily, Loyal, a journalist, is able to get a job working at the tiny local paper, which she'd contributed to when she had been in high school. She hasn't burned every bridge.
Her first day on the job, she and her coworker, Sasha, get word that a body has been discovered in the swamps. They rush to the scene to see what info that can glean from the responding officers.
It's quickly revealed that the body belongs to Loyal's estranged best friend, Cutter. Loyal is devastated on so many levels. She was hoping for a chance to reconcile with her friend, to apologize for what she had done, but now she's been robbed of that chance.
Cutter's early ife had been filled with hardship and tragedy, and from what Loyal's heard, it's only gotten worse recently. Now she's been taken out just as tragically.
Many believe Cutter most likely took her own life, but Loyal isn't buying that. There's no way the girl she knew would do that, but how well did she actually know Cutter anymore?
Loyal and Sasha begin digging for answers, discovering small town corruption and dangerous dealings along the way. Will they be able to expose the truth, or will Cutter end up just being another person lost to the swamp?
Our Last Wild Days is Anna Bailey's 2nd-novel, and IMO, it's an improvement over their debut, Where the Truth Lies, which was good, but nothing about it really stood out for me.
I feel like this novel is going to stick in my mind. The characters were fantastically-developed and I thought the South Louisiana setting, the atmosphere created around that, was excellent as well.
If you enjoy gritty Crime Fiction, with a touch of a Hillbilly Noir-type feel to it, you should definitely give this one a shot. It has a nice slow burn, that definitely pays off if you stick around until the end.
And when I say slow burn, I don't mean that it feels slow. The story itself builds at a nice clip, I just feel like Bailey really invested the time in building out the story in a way that would pull the Reader in and make them care.
By the end, I needed answers as badly as Loyal did. I needed for Cutter's true story to be told. The characters felt completely realistic. I think for anyone who grew up in a small town in the U.S., you may even start to see bits and pieces of your own hometown on display here.
I'm impressed with this. I think Bailey has found their stride, and it's only going to keep getting stronger. I hope they stick in this lane. This sort of atmospheric Crime Thriller really suits their writing.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to Bailey's next novel already!!!
May 4, 2025
I gave Anna Bailey's debut five stars which is a rarity for me. When I began reading her sophomore book, Our Last Wild Days, I was unimpressed or possibly not interested in the setting. A desolate Louisiana swamp setting where accents were abundant and painful, personalities were of little intrigue, and I couldn't connect to the characters' plight. But little by little, each story won me over, and halfway thru, I was suddenly so immersed in the book, I thought... she's done it again... this is gonna be five stars. By the time I got to the end, it was well above 4.5, so yes, it happened again. Bailey is amazing and slow-burn growth for people where you invest in their personal tragedies and outcome. I wish there were another few chapters to share what happened post the murderer's discovery. Big fan now!
May 31, 2025
The Labasques live in a shack out in the Louisiana swamps, scraping out a living hunting down alligators and other animals just to get by. To the good people of Jacknife, Louisiana, they are troublemakers, outcasts, the kind of people you wouldn't want living on your doorstep. When Marianne "Cutter" Labasque is found face down in the muddy swamp, no one seems to care, not even her two rough-cut brothers. The only person who questions the official verdict of suicide is Cutter's childhood friend, Loyal May, who has just returned home to care for her ageing mother.
This is yet another book that I think I would've enjoyed more if I was in a better mood but I seem to be rather grumpy. I was really impressed with how the setting was described and could almost feel the heat and humidity. The story is a good one but very slow in my opinion. Lots of information about the people who live in these small communities in Louisiana and also about alligators. The ending was a little too tidy for my liking. 3.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you to Doubleday Canada, via Netgalley, for providing early access to this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 27, 2025
This is yet another book that I think I would've enjoyed more if I was in a better mood but I seem to be rather grumpy. I was really impressed with how the setting was described and could almost feel the heat and humidity. The story is a good one but very slow in my opinion. Lots of information about the people who live in these small communities in Louisiana and also about alligators. The ending was a little too tidy for my liking. 3.5 stars rounded down.
Thank you to Doubleday Canada, via Netgalley, for providing early access to this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 27, 2025
August 16, 2025
Wow!
What a phenomenal follow-up to an impressive debut that was equally as impressive as its' predecessor in its' charm and unforgettable characters! This book had me hooked from the very beginning!
The atmosphere of the bayou was so vivid I could picture every shadowy waterway and hear the hum of the swamp — from the multitude of insects, birds and even right down to the mysterious white gator that drifted in and out like a ghost.
The characters were exceptionally developed, and even though a few of them fit some of the negative small-town stereotypes, they still felt real and complex, and most likely my favorite aspect of this read, and not only was I quite partial to Loyal, but even more so to Sasha. I just couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy for those two! It was one of those stories where the people are just as interesting as the mystery itself, and coming from a small town myself, I had little trouble picturing them and found myself chuckling, shaking my head numerous times while reading!
Even though this was technically a slow-burn mystery, it never felt slow. I was so invested in everyone’s secrets and relationships that I simply couldn’t stop reading because I had to know who killed Cutter Labasque. And when the truth came out? Totally shocked! The killer was one of the last people I would have guessed! Anna Bailey got me good with that reveal!
This is one I highly recommend for those in favor of a novel rich in atmosphere, deeply character-focused, and packed with unexpected turns — resulting in a tense, gut-wrenching mystery that trades nonstop suspense for layered storytelling, and it’s one that will stay with you long after the final page!
What a phenomenal follow-up to an impressive debut that was equally as impressive as its' predecessor in its' charm and unforgettable characters! This book had me hooked from the very beginning!
The atmosphere of the bayou was so vivid I could picture every shadowy waterway and hear the hum of the swamp — from the multitude of insects, birds and even right down to the mysterious white gator that drifted in and out like a ghost.
The characters were exceptionally developed, and even though a few of them fit some of the negative small-town stereotypes, they still felt real and complex, and most likely my favorite aspect of this read, and not only was I quite partial to Loyal, but even more so to Sasha. I just couldn't help but feel a deep sense of empathy for those two! It was one of those stories where the people are just as interesting as the mystery itself, and coming from a small town myself, I had little trouble picturing them and found myself chuckling, shaking my head numerous times while reading!
Even though this was technically a slow-burn mystery, it never felt slow. I was so invested in everyone’s secrets and relationships that I simply couldn’t stop reading because I had to know who killed Cutter Labasque. And when the truth came out? Totally shocked! The killer was one of the last people I would have guessed! Anna Bailey got me good with that reveal!
This is one I highly recommend for those in favor of a novel rich in atmosphere, deeply character-focused, and packed with unexpected turns — resulting in a tense, gut-wrenching mystery that trades nonstop suspense for layered storytelling, and it’s one that will stay with you long after the final page!
May 22, 2025
All the thanks to @atriabooks #partner @atriathrillers for my #gifted arc copy and to @scaredstraightreads for my gorgeous hardback copy giveaway win! #scaredstraightreads
Loyal May (awesome name btw) has returned to her hometown of Jacknife, Louisiana, a place she fled a decade earlier after a falling-out with her best friend, Cutter Labasque.
Days after Loyal arrives, Cutter is found face down in the muddy bayou. The police call it a drowning, but Loyal doesn’t believe them.
An atmospheric and smoldering suspense, Our Last Wild Days is an urgent examination of the secrets we keep and our fealty - to our communities, to our families, and to ourselves.
My mother’s family is from Louisiana and I could vividly picture the descriptions of the swamps and landscapes. The writing is done really well with stunning prose. What I didn’t enjoy was the pacing of the story. It honestly moved at a snails pace for me. I do enjoy slow burn mysteries, don’t get me wrong. However, it was hard to stay engaged. I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters.
Our Last Wild Days is perfect for fans of Where The Crawdads Sing, slow burn thrillers with an atmospheric setting. Small town vibes filled with secrets. So, please check out other reviews as many have loved it.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loyal May (awesome name btw) has returned to her hometown of Jacknife, Louisiana, a place she fled a decade earlier after a falling-out with her best friend, Cutter Labasque.
Days after Loyal arrives, Cutter is found face down in the muddy bayou. The police call it a drowning, but Loyal doesn’t believe them.
An atmospheric and smoldering suspense, Our Last Wild Days is an urgent examination of the secrets we keep and our fealty - to our communities, to our families, and to ourselves.
My mother’s family is from Louisiana and I could vividly picture the descriptions of the swamps and landscapes. The writing is done really well with stunning prose. What I didn’t enjoy was the pacing of the story. It honestly moved at a snails pace for me. I do enjoy slow burn mysteries, don’t get me wrong. However, it was hard to stay engaged. I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters.
Our Last Wild Days is perfect for fans of Where The Crawdads Sing, slow burn thrillers with an atmospheric setting. Small town vibes filled with secrets. So, please check out other reviews as many have loved it.
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 26, 2025
an atmospheric novel about a young woman who searches for answers after her estranged friend is found dead in the bayou of their rural Louisiana hometown.
Thank you, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy of this book.
Dark, atmospheric, tension-building, and well-written, this book will surely have you hooked from start to finish.
As always, all the thoughts are my own.
Pub Date May 20 2025
Thank you, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy of this book.
Dark, atmospheric, tension-building, and well-written, this book will surely have you hooked from start to finish.
As always, all the thoughts are my own.
Pub Date May 20 2025
May 17, 2025
Not to be missed if you’re a fan of Southern gothic thrillers - so good that I sent out for a physical copy. There’s so much I enjoyed about this book. Bailey’s attention to detail of the Louisiana bayou landscape felt surreal, and in the way she seamlessly combines eerie suspense with a fittingly dark atmospheric thriller/mystery was perfection. Our Last Wild Days is a multilayered story with messy characters that can’t help but pull at your heartstrings when a young woman’s body is found washed-up in the water and deemed a suicide. Our main character believes there is more to the story and goes in search of the truth.. and in the Labasque family. There’s so much more to the story.. poverty, small town, violence, secrets, etc.. and it’s the bayou so of course you get your alligators too. Look no further thrill seekers, this is a must add to your tbr. 5 stars — Pub. 5/20/25
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2025
Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this book, I thought the writing was a little hard to follow at times with finding it hard to keep myself invested in the story. I found the characters difficult to relate to as well and very slowed pace. When first starting this I had seen many great reviews and was excited to start this book but it fell flat for me.
Loyal May returns to her hometown after a betrayal and the death of her childhood friend, Cutter Labasque. Loyal, who left town years ago, is now determined to uncover the truth behind Cutter's death, which the local police have ruled as an accident, but Loyal suspects foul play. She teams up with a group of unlikely allies to expose a web of deceit and corruption within the small town and its hidden secrets.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC
Publication date: May 27th
Loyal May returns to her hometown after a betrayal and the death of her childhood friend, Cutter Labasque. Loyal, who left town years ago, is now determined to uncover the truth behind Cutter's death, which the local police have ruled as an accident, but Loyal suspects foul play. She teams up with a group of unlikely allies to expose a web of deceit and corruption within the small town and its hidden secrets.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC
Publication date: May 27th
May 3, 2025
This was great! Perfect for fans of Where The Crawdads Sing (but even better, IMO). Intensely atmospheric and beautifully written! Anna Bailey definitely has a new fan. I immediately ran to order their first book and can't wait to see what they write next!
Thank you to Atria Books & NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to Atria Books & NetGalley for the ARC!
April 26, 2025
This book was a very slow read for me, it kind of felt like feet dragging through mud. I do prefer more dialog, there was a lot of prose. The characters were not well developed and honestly not that likeable. There are parts of the story that are underdeveloped as well. I was able to read to the finish, but it was slow going.
Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 18, 2024
Oh my goodness Anna Bailey has done it again. What a talent. Phenomenal.
I absolutely loved Tall Bones and have been eagerly anticipating Anna Bailey’s next book. So when the publisher offered me an advance copy all my other reads had to be put on hold whilst I absorbed the claustrophobic atmosphere of the swamps and the small town of Jacknife in Louisiana.
Anna’s writing is incredibly descriptive. I could vividly visualise the setting and the characters. The absorbing storyline hooked me from page one as we join the alligator hunters who are the Labasque family. Orphaned, the three now adult brothers and sister live a meagre existence from the sale of the alligators they risk their lives to capture and kill.
When Cutter Labasque is found dead, her old reporter friend Loyal, who has recently returned to Jacknife to address her own family issues of a mother with dementia, feels she needs to investigate the death as the local police are not interested. Not many people in Jacknife are interested in the Labasques.
Many issues are explored in this story of relationships, regrets, family bonds, drug addiction and much more, set against the bleak backdrop of the swamps and the local chemical factory killing its workers and polluting the environment.
I’ll be a while moving on to my next read as my brain continues to process the depth of the narrative. An absolutely compulsive read.
Huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a proof.
I absolutely loved Tall Bones and have been eagerly anticipating Anna Bailey’s next book. So when the publisher offered me an advance copy all my other reads had to be put on hold whilst I absorbed the claustrophobic atmosphere of the swamps and the small town of Jacknife in Louisiana.
Anna’s writing is incredibly descriptive. I could vividly visualise the setting and the characters. The absorbing storyline hooked me from page one as we join the alligator hunters who are the Labasque family. Orphaned, the three now adult brothers and sister live a meagre existence from the sale of the alligators they risk their lives to capture and kill.
When Cutter Labasque is found dead, her old reporter friend Loyal, who has recently returned to Jacknife to address her own family issues of a mother with dementia, feels she needs to investigate the death as the local police are not interested. Not many people in Jacknife are interested in the Labasques.
Many issues are explored in this story of relationships, regrets, family bonds, drug addiction and much more, set against the bleak backdrop of the swamps and the local chemical factory killing its workers and polluting the environment.
I’ll be a while moving on to my next read as my brain continues to process the depth of the narrative. An absolutely compulsive read.
Huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a proof.
May 15, 2025
3.5 rounded up! Thank you atria books for an early copy in exchange for my honest feedback!!
Publishes May 20th
I love a small town mystery where everyone knows everyone and everyone is a suspect… and in this book it is so rough to distinguish who wouldn’t be capable of this crime because nearly everyone is morally corrupt.
Following Loyal in this story was how I imagine it would be if I moved back to the small conservative town I grew up in. She grew up and got away and got an opened minded perspective on the world and is thrown back into a place where everyone else stayed exactly the same with their beliefs and disapproval of anyone different than them.
The author did a very good job of setting the atmosphere and showing the uncomfortableness of the situation Loyal was in paired with the familiarity of it.
I will say I do struggle with mystery stories where there’s even a subtlety of the motive being anything other than a personal vendetta and this story does lean into some crime related aspects that sort of hindered my interest.
Overall, I would say this book is great for fans of sharp objects by Gillian Flynn and the author is also non binary so great for diversifying your reading too.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTj5kQRbq/
Publishes May 20th
I love a small town mystery where everyone knows everyone and everyone is a suspect… and in this book it is so rough to distinguish who wouldn’t be capable of this crime because nearly everyone is morally corrupt.
Following Loyal in this story was how I imagine it would be if I moved back to the small conservative town I grew up in. She grew up and got away and got an opened minded perspective on the world and is thrown back into a place where everyone else stayed exactly the same with their beliefs and disapproval of anyone different than them.
The author did a very good job of setting the atmosphere and showing the uncomfortableness of the situation Loyal was in paired with the familiarity of it.
I will say I do struggle with mystery stories where there’s even a subtlety of the motive being anything other than a personal vendetta and this story does lean into some crime related aspects that sort of hindered my interest.
Overall, I would say this book is great for fans of sharp objects by Gillian Flynn and the author is also non binary so great for diversifying your reading too.
Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTj5kQRbq/
May 5, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 27, 2025
Loyal May has left a journalism job in Texas to return to her hometown of Jacknife, Louisiana, to care for her ailing mother. Taking a job at the local paper, Loyal hopes to eventually leave the small town behind her- again. Then the body of Cutter Labasque is found in a bayou and although the police are claiming suicide, Loyal knows that Cutter would never take her own life. As childhood best friends who drifted apart, Loyal strives to make amends with Cutter by solving her murder- even if it means putting her own life at risk.
Anna Bailey is the author of “Where the Truth Lies” and their newest work, “Our Last Wild Days” is an atmospheric Southern Gothic story about the bonds of friendship, small town secrets, and whether or not you can really ever go home again. With emotional themes such as early onset dementia, struggling with homosexuality in a closeted town and drug addiction, Bailey pays tribute to the small-town life and its sense of community that never really leaves you.
“Wild” features Loyal as the main protagonist, although her reporting partner, Sasha, plays a significant role as well as Cutter’s drug addict brother. All three are connected through the dead woman, of course, but all three knew each other as children, growing up in a close-knit community. As different as all three are, they were able to elicit my empathy right from the beginning, and, despite their faults, I was hopeful they’d come out alive on the other side.
Bailey’s writing is delectable, and her depictions of small-town Louisiana are immersive and passionate, from the alligator hunting to the swamplands in the bayou. It was easy to see the town from both sides- the side that made its residents want to stick around, and the side that had them wanting to run as far away as they could.
Throughout the story itself, there were multiple plot lines but the most important is what happened to Cutter. There were many potentials and Bailey ensures that readers are left guessing until the very end. Although I had my suspicions throughout, I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong and Bailey provided a concrete solution for all the plot’s twists and turns.
I did not get the chance to read Bailey’s “Lies”, but “Days” was one I am glad I did not miss. Riveting and full of unexpected twists and turns, “Days” is an immersive experience for fans of Southern gothic murder mysteries.
Expected publication date: May 27, 2025
Loyal May has left a journalism job in Texas to return to her hometown of Jacknife, Louisiana, to care for her ailing mother. Taking a job at the local paper, Loyal hopes to eventually leave the small town behind her- again. Then the body of Cutter Labasque is found in a bayou and although the police are claiming suicide, Loyal knows that Cutter would never take her own life. As childhood best friends who drifted apart, Loyal strives to make amends with Cutter by solving her murder- even if it means putting her own life at risk.
Anna Bailey is the author of “Where the Truth Lies” and their newest work, “Our Last Wild Days” is an atmospheric Southern Gothic story about the bonds of friendship, small town secrets, and whether or not you can really ever go home again. With emotional themes such as early onset dementia, struggling with homosexuality in a closeted town and drug addiction, Bailey pays tribute to the small-town life and its sense of community that never really leaves you.
“Wild” features Loyal as the main protagonist, although her reporting partner, Sasha, plays a significant role as well as Cutter’s drug addict brother. All three are connected through the dead woman, of course, but all three knew each other as children, growing up in a close-knit community. As different as all three are, they were able to elicit my empathy right from the beginning, and, despite their faults, I was hopeful they’d come out alive on the other side.
Bailey’s writing is delectable, and her depictions of small-town Louisiana are immersive and passionate, from the alligator hunting to the swamplands in the bayou. It was easy to see the town from both sides- the side that made its residents want to stick around, and the side that had them wanting to run as far away as they could.
Throughout the story itself, there were multiple plot lines but the most important is what happened to Cutter. There were many potentials and Bailey ensures that readers are left guessing until the very end. Although I had my suspicions throughout, I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong and Bailey provided a concrete solution for all the plot’s twists and turns.
I did not get the chance to read Bailey’s “Lies”, but “Days” was one I am glad I did not miss. Riveting and full of unexpected twists and turns, “Days” is an immersive experience for fans of Southern gothic murder mysteries.
May 16, 2025
Our Last Wild Days aims for an atmospheric tale, but for this reader, it was an exercise in frustration that I couldn’t bring myself to finish. The pacing is sluggish, with every scene dragging at a slow pace. For fans of slow-burn narratives, this might hold some charm, but for those who value momentum, it can be an issue. I found myself unable to push through the molasses-like pacing.
The characters didn’t help matters. The cast, steeped in what felt like tired “backward hillbilly” stereotypes, was unappealing to me. While Bailey’s descriptive prose shows occasional promise in capturing the rural setting, it wasn’t enough to salvage the experience.
Ultimately, Our Last Wild Days failed to engage me on any level, leading to a DNF. Readers who savor the slow atmospheric pacing and don’t mind "hillbilly" sterotypes might find something here, but for me, it was a miss from start. One star DNF.
The characters didn’t help matters. The cast, steeped in what felt like tired “backward hillbilly” stereotypes, was unappealing to me. While Bailey’s descriptive prose shows occasional promise in capturing the rural setting, it wasn’t enough to salvage the experience.
Ultimately, Our Last Wild Days failed to engage me on any level, leading to a DNF. Readers who savor the slow atmospheric pacing and don’t mind "hillbilly" sterotypes might find something here, but for me, it was a miss from start. One star DNF.
April 24, 2025
"No one hates a women like a man who thinks he owns her."
A dark mystery that started as a slow burn and then completely hooked me in. Loyal has come back to town because her mom is showing troubling behavior - forgetting things, found out wandering at night. Loyal hasn't been back in this town for a while - after she fought with her best friend, was attacked and then did an unforgiveable act. The longer she was gone, the easier it was to not face it and not come back.
But within days of her arrival, her old best friend is discovered floating in the swamp. There's speculation and assumption, there's whispered words like "suicide" and "troubled family." But all Loyal knows is that she let her friend down once, she won't do it again.
This is a very deep, dark look into family, poverty, addiction, and small town rural America. We get a few POV, Loyal, Sasha, Dan and Dewall. All these POV round out the story, giving us a look into what's happening town, out of town, what the police are doing and just how things are tied together when the town is so small, everyone's known each other since elementary school.
And Anna Bailey did an amazing thing - they really made me love these flawed, terrible, human characters. I nearly wept at Cutter's funeral when they were down one. Tears in my eyes as I read about the hand on a jawline. All these little things, the little pieces, made me love this town and feel for those in it. Loyal was an insider who was now on the outside looking in because she'd left. But this story was about all of them, this town that held each other up, protected their own, and failed some in the most fundamental ways. It was a beautiful, horrible, dark story and I loved it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A dark mystery that started as a slow burn and then completely hooked me in. Loyal has come back to town because her mom is showing troubling behavior - forgetting things, found out wandering at night. Loyal hasn't been back in this town for a while - after she fought with her best friend, was attacked and then did an unforgiveable act. The longer she was gone, the easier it was to not face it and not come back.
But within days of her arrival, her old best friend is discovered floating in the swamp. There's speculation and assumption, there's whispered words like "suicide" and "troubled family." But all Loyal knows is that she let her friend down once, she won't do it again.
This is a very deep, dark look into family, poverty, addiction, and small town rural America. We get a few POV, Loyal, Sasha, Dan and Dewall. All these POV round out the story, giving us a look into what's happening town, out of town, what the police are doing and just how things are tied together when the town is so small, everyone's known each other since elementary school.
And Anna Bailey did an amazing thing - they really made me love these flawed, terrible, human characters. I nearly wept at Cutter's funeral when they were down one. Tears in my eyes as I read about the hand on a jawline. All these little things, the little pieces, made me love this town and feel for those in it. Loyal was an insider who was now on the outside looking in because she'd left. But this story was about all of them, this town that held each other up, protected their own, and failed some in the most fundamental ways. It was a beautiful, horrible, dark story and I loved it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 15, 2024
I know I’ve already raved about this one a bit, but obviously a five star read as good as this gets a permanent spot on the grid too - safe to say I am officially an Anna Bailey super fan now!! I was so nervous to read this given how much I LOVED Tall Bones, but thankfully it was every bit as brilliant and exceeded my expectations!
There is so much that Anna does well, but let’s start with setting because MY GOSH she does it so well. I’ve never been to Louisiana, or anywhere near it, and yet I felt like I lived there whilst reading this novel. No one builds that claustrophobic small town atmosphere as well as Anna, and the swamps (with all the terrifying alligators) honestly become a character themselves. But the characters and plot are equally exceptional, keeping me hooked and on the edge of my seat for the whole time, as we try to unravel the messy death of Cutter and what really happened - shocker, I did not guess correctly 😂 I loved the way a crime that may have been overlooked because of the family’s background and the general ill-feeling towards them ended up tying into something on such a huge scale and led us to so many surprises. Throw in an unexpected but tender love story and you honestly have yourself a perfect read. I couldn’t put it down and I know that you are all going to go absolutely WILD for it (sorry, couldn’t resist 🤷♀️), so you might as well get ordering now!
There is so much that Anna does well, but let’s start with setting because MY GOSH she does it so well. I’ve never been to Louisiana, or anywhere near it, and yet I felt like I lived there whilst reading this novel. No one builds that claustrophobic small town atmosphere as well as Anna, and the swamps (with all the terrifying alligators) honestly become a character themselves. But the characters and plot are equally exceptional, keeping me hooked and on the edge of my seat for the whole time, as we try to unravel the messy death of Cutter and what really happened - shocker, I did not guess correctly 😂 I loved the way a crime that may have been overlooked because of the family’s background and the general ill-feeling towards them ended up tying into something on such a huge scale and led us to so many surprises. Throw in an unexpected but tender love story and you honestly have yourself a perfect read. I couldn’t put it down and I know that you are all going to go absolutely WILD for it (sorry, couldn’t resist 🤷♀️), so you might as well get ordering now!
April 29, 2025
Our Last Wild Days by Anna Bailey. Thanks to @atriabooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loyal has returned to her hometown in Louisiana. She hasn’t been there for a decade since falling out with her best friend, Cutter. She won’t get to reconcile though, as Cutter’s body is found days after her return.
I will preface this with noting that I was not a huge fan of Where the Truth Lies, but I am always willing to give an author another chance because sometimes it’s just not the book for you at that time. I am so glad that I picked this one up because I loved it. It is dark and atmospheric; you really get the feel for the swamp and the town, but it’s also got a great mystery and plot to it. The characters are all great, especially how there are some bad ass tough characters, who you think may be antagonists, but not all of them are…. I am now a huge fan of alligators and can’t wait to read Bailey’s next book!
“I think if you leave a place, it just gets worse and worse in your head, until you hate to think about it, and I don’t ever want to hate all this.”
Our Last Wild Days comes out 5/20.
Loyal has returned to her hometown in Louisiana. She hasn’t been there for a decade since falling out with her best friend, Cutter. She won’t get to reconcile though, as Cutter’s body is found days after her return.
I will preface this with noting that I was not a huge fan of Where the Truth Lies, but I am always willing to give an author another chance because sometimes it’s just not the book for you at that time. I am so glad that I picked this one up because I loved it. It is dark and atmospheric; you really get the feel for the swamp and the town, but it’s also got a great mystery and plot to it. The characters are all great, especially how there are some bad ass tough characters, who you think may be antagonists, but not all of them are…. I am now a huge fan of alligators and can’t wait to read Bailey’s next book!
“I think if you leave a place, it just gets worse and worse in your head, until you hate to think about it, and I don’t ever want to hate all this.”
Our Last Wild Days comes out 5/20.
December 1, 2024
‘People are mostly good, and the dead are just plain old people a little further down the road than us. What you should be worried about is the things that weren’t ever alive in the first place.’
Our Last Wild Days takes a microscope to a small community and the goings-on of the people who reside there. With the backdrop of an unsolved murder in Jacknife, a town deep in the Louisiana bayou, Bailey explores the various manifestations of grief and how we hold on and let go of one another. They gracefully weave subjects of reproductive health, substance abuse, the cycle of violence and more into this story. We follow multiple characters as they navigate the world without Cutter Labasque, and the truths that come to light in the wake of her death.
I am, once again, in awe of Anna Bailey's ability to unlock a singular, emotional experience with each book they write. I was lucky to get an early copy of Our Last Wild Days through NetGalley, and I sped through this story like you wouldn't imagine. I recognize that this is not the best habit, but I put most all my priorities on the back-burner to take in more and more of Bailey's words as often as I could. One thing about Bailey's writing is that I want to stay in the current moment as long as possible. Nearing the end of one of their books is like coming up on the end of a much needed trip away.
Now to the story: What beautiful and complex these characters are. I have never read a book that takes place in the Louisiana bayou until this one, and now I have a soft spot for the Labasque siblings, who also happen to be alligator hunters. I feel so strongly for these characters. They all have their own perception of what they call home in the people in it, and like most who stay in one place for a while, they come to find new truths about their home, good, bad, and ugly.
I cannot recommend this story enough. If you loved Where The Truth Lies (Tall Bones in the UK), Bailey's second book will not disappoint. Our Last Wild Days comes out April 24, 2025. Preorder, wait at the door until your local bookshop opens on pub day, whatever. Just get your hands on it asap. Thank you again to the publisher for granting me an early copy, my first one at that! Started off with a bang,
Lastly, I wish I could share every single quote I kept, and I will hold onto these dearly for a long time. Thank you Anna Bailey for a new favorite.
Our Last Wild Days takes a microscope to a small community and the goings-on of the people who reside there. With the backdrop of an unsolved murder in Jacknife, a town deep in the Louisiana bayou, Bailey explores the various manifestations of grief and how we hold on and let go of one another. They gracefully weave subjects of reproductive health, substance abuse, the cycle of violence and more into this story. We follow multiple characters as they navigate the world without Cutter Labasque, and the truths that come to light in the wake of her death.
I am, once again, in awe of Anna Bailey's ability to unlock a singular, emotional experience with each book they write. I was lucky to get an early copy of Our Last Wild Days through NetGalley, and I sped through this story like you wouldn't imagine. I recognize that this is not the best habit, but I put most all my priorities on the back-burner to take in more and more of Bailey's words as often as I could. One thing about Bailey's writing is that I want to stay in the current moment as long as possible. Nearing the end of one of their books is like coming up on the end of a much needed trip away.
Now to the story: What beautiful and complex these characters are. I have never read a book that takes place in the Louisiana bayou until this one, and now I have a soft spot for the Labasque siblings, who also happen to be alligator hunters. I feel so strongly for these characters. They all have their own perception of what they call home in the people in it, and like most who stay in one place for a while, they come to find new truths about their home, good, bad, and ugly.
I cannot recommend this story enough. If you loved Where The Truth Lies (Tall Bones in the UK), Bailey's second book will not disappoint. Our Last Wild Days comes out April 24, 2025. Preorder, wait at the door until your local bookshop opens on pub day, whatever. Just get your hands on it asap. Thank you again to the publisher for granting me an early copy, my first one at that! Started off with a bang,
Lastly, I wish I could share every single quote I kept, and I will hold onto these dearly for a long time. Thank you Anna Bailey for a new favorite.
June 18, 2025
I keep thinking about Our Last Wild Days. The more distance I get from it, the more I find myself returning in my head to the sticky haze of Jacknife, Louisiana.
After ten years away, journalist Loyal May returns to her hometown to care for her mother, who’s beginning to show signs of dementia. She picks up work at the local paper/news website, but things get complicated when she’s assigned to cover the apparent suicide of her childhood friend, Cutter Labasque. Loyal and fellow reporter Sasha Petitpas both suspect there’s more to the story. The flies in the ointment: Loyal left Jacknife under a cloud and is not well-liked; and Cutter’s semi-feral brothers, Dewall and Beau, don’t seem all that interested in what happened to her. (The names in this book are so great.)
Bailey spins magic out of this premise mainly by way of its atmosphere. Cutter Labasque’s death gives the story its shape, but the true draw is the world around it: a community so real you just feel you know it, even if you’ve never been anywhere like Jacknife in your life. Unforgettable cast, too (and I’m definitely too old to think about a fictional character the way I do about Dewall Labasque, but let’s just blame that on the power of Bailey’s writing). Bailey’s places and characters are singular; sharply drawn, yet instantly familiar. The specific setting and circumstances of this story are like nothing I’ve experienced personally – but some of these characters were absolutely people I recognised.
The lush, cinematic writing wraps it all in a Southern Gothic glow that’s hard to shake. The landscape sweats, the past festers, people return home to reckon with their sins... Honestly, I didn’t even need the mystery to be that mysterious. I’d read a whole series of Loyal May investigations. I’d watch a TV adaptation right now.
I was surprised by how much I loved this book. It’s stayed with me – I might even pick up Bailey’s previous novel Tall Bones, which I wasn’t interested in before. Between this and Alice Slater’s Let the Bad Times Roll, summer 2025 is turning out to be the season of the swampy, humid, haunted thriller.
After ten years away, journalist Loyal May returns to her hometown to care for her mother, who’s beginning to show signs of dementia. She picks up work at the local paper/news website, but things get complicated when she’s assigned to cover the apparent suicide of her childhood friend, Cutter Labasque. Loyal and fellow reporter Sasha Petitpas both suspect there’s more to the story. The flies in the ointment: Loyal left Jacknife under a cloud and is not well-liked; and Cutter’s semi-feral brothers, Dewall and Beau, don’t seem all that interested in what happened to her. (The names in this book are so great.)
Bailey spins magic out of this premise mainly by way of its atmosphere. Cutter Labasque’s death gives the story its shape, but the true draw is the world around it: a community so real you just feel you know it, even if you’ve never been anywhere like Jacknife in your life. Unforgettable cast, too (and I’m definitely too old to think about a fictional character the way I do about Dewall Labasque, but let’s just blame that on the power of Bailey’s writing). Bailey’s places and characters are singular; sharply drawn, yet instantly familiar. The specific setting and circumstances of this story are like nothing I’ve experienced personally – but some of these characters were absolutely people I recognised.
The lush, cinematic writing wraps it all in a Southern Gothic glow that’s hard to shake. The landscape sweats, the past festers, people return home to reckon with their sins... Honestly, I didn’t even need the mystery to be that mysterious. I’d read a whole series of Loyal May investigations. I’d watch a TV adaptation right now.
I was surprised by how much I loved this book. It’s stayed with me – I might even pick up Bailey’s previous novel Tall Bones, which I wasn’t interested in before. Between this and Alice Slater’s Let the Bad Times Roll, summer 2025 is turning out to be the season of the swampy, humid, haunted thriller.
June 4, 2025
This was a great read. I really enjoyed it. Loyal May heads back to her hometown Jacknife, Louisiana to care for her mother who has dimension. When her estranged childhood friend, Cutter Labasque, is found face down in the Louisiana swamp and it's ruled a suicide, Loyal can't accept that. She teams up with her group of co-workers to find the answers.
This was dark, atmospheric and had plenty of suspense. The beginning was a little slow but once it got going I was hooked, and I'm happy I stuck with it. There's plenty of secrets that get exposed and I did not guess the twist. The writing was great and I loved the descriptions of the swamps and areas around it and the small town vibes. Just overall a good mystery!
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
This was dark, atmospheric and had plenty of suspense. The beginning was a little slow but once it got going I was hooked, and I'm happy I stuck with it. There's plenty of secrets that get exposed and I did not guess the twist. The writing was great and I loved the descriptions of the swamps and areas around it and the small town vibes. Just overall a good mystery!
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
September 3, 2025
This may be the most atmospheric novel I've ever read! It's a southern, gothic, slow burn mystery and it worked for me. The writing and prose were beautiful, and it had me guessing up until the reveal at the end. It's veeeeery slow burn which I don't think will work for everyone. Super impressed with Anna Bailey's ability to set a scene and tell a story!
July 2, 2025
4.5 Stars
Loyal Mae has returned to her small hometown of Jackknife, Louisiana when it seems her mother’s memory is declining. Taking a job at the local paper, the Bayou Leader, she teams up with Sasha, another journalist, and it’s not long before they’re thrown into a dangerous investigation.
Loyal left town years earlier after an accident led to a falling out with her best friend, Cutter Lebasque. However, before Loyal can mend that fence, Cutter is discovered dead in the bayou under suspicious circumstances. Loyal is determined to get to the truth even when she comes up those who definitely want her to stop digging.
Cutter’s death impacts several and we get the POV of Cutter’s brothers, Dewall and Beau shining light on their messy and sometimes violent history.
Jackknife was a small town; parts gritty and shabby, but it held some wild appeal. Loyal and Sasha encounter prejudices and danger, but there’s also kindness and community.
The writing was beautiful without being clunky or slowing the plot. I was fully immersed in this atmospheric mystery, staying up late to find out how it all turned out!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Loyal Mae has returned to her small hometown of Jackknife, Louisiana when it seems her mother’s memory is declining. Taking a job at the local paper, the Bayou Leader, she teams up with Sasha, another journalist, and it’s not long before they’re thrown into a dangerous investigation.
Loyal left town years earlier after an accident led to a falling out with her best friend, Cutter Lebasque. However, before Loyal can mend that fence, Cutter is discovered dead in the bayou under suspicious circumstances. Loyal is determined to get to the truth even when she comes up those who definitely want her to stop digging.
Cutter’s death impacts several and we get the POV of Cutter’s brothers, Dewall and Beau shining light on their messy and sometimes violent history.
Jackknife was a small town; parts gritty and shabby, but it held some wild appeal. Loyal and Sasha encounter prejudices and danger, but there’s also kindness and community.
The writing was beautiful without being clunky or slowing the plot. I was fully immersed in this atmospheric mystery, staying up late to find out how it all turned out!
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
March 12, 2025
Small town secrets + the Bayous of Louisiana
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Our Last Wild Days {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 5.20.2025
Pages: 329
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
One of the things I love about being a reader is how every book resonates with each person uniquely. Through reading, I’ve stepped into worlds and perspectives I never considered before.
When I first finished Our Last Wild Days, I was unsure how I felt. It was a dark read, and there were moments that made me uncomfortable, leaving me questioning what I’d just experienced. But then, after reading other people’s reviews, I realized how much depth Anna Bailey infused into this book. She dives deep into heavy themes like relationships, addiction, abandonment, redemption, oppression, and social justice—all while crafting vivid, complex characters. Even though they have tough exteriors, you can’t help but grow attached to them.
CW: animal abuse, child abuse, drug abuse, gore
Read if you enjoy:
🖤 Atmospheric reads
🤫 Small towns with secrets
🗣️ Deeply flawed characters
📖 Southern Gothic literature
Our Last Wild Days is definitely one that I plan on revisiting again and taking in with a new appreciation.
______
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Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Our Last Wild Days {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 5.20.2025
Pages: 329
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
One of the things I love about being a reader is how every book resonates with each person uniquely. Through reading, I’ve stepped into worlds and perspectives I never considered before.
When I first finished Our Last Wild Days, I was unsure how I felt. It was a dark read, and there were moments that made me uncomfortable, leaving me questioning what I’d just experienced. But then, after reading other people’s reviews, I realized how much depth Anna Bailey infused into this book. She dives deep into heavy themes like relationships, addiction, abandonment, redemption, oppression, and social justice—all while crafting vivid, complex characters. Even though they have tough exteriors, you can’t help but grow attached to them.
CW: animal abuse, child abuse, drug abuse, gore
Read if you enjoy:
🖤 Atmospheric reads
🤫 Small towns with secrets
🗣️ Deeply flawed characters
📖 Southern Gothic literature
Our Last Wild Days is definitely one that I plan on revisiting again and taking in with a new appreciation.
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofc...
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofc...
February 21, 2025
In many ways, I have lived this. I have lived in rural Louisiana for most of my life, and I have seen the things poverty drives people to do. This book felt beautifully researched, and the way it was written was absolutely stunning. The lilting prose smack dab in the middle of some of the most dastardly written acts stopped me in my tracks multiple times, and was a highlight for me in reading this. The characters were 100% flawed and imperfect, sometimes brutal- but God, how I rooted for and treasured them. Truthfully, I didn't want this one to end. While the outcome was somewhat predictable, I can't name a single thing I would have done better. Justice is somewhat served and honored, and this was a perfect crime thriller. Thank you so much to the publisher for the chance to read and honestly review this eARC!
June 14, 2025
ARC/ Overall Story: 3.5/5
Audiobook/ Narration: 3/5
This book was just OK for me. It was slower than expected and fell more in line with being a family drama than a mystery thriller. The mystery itself is interesting enough to keep you tuned in to see the story through. The book does a great job of putting into perspective, grief, regret, reputation, and accountability. We see this primarily through Loyal and Cutter’s brothers. Every character feels responsible and guilty in their own way for Cutter’s tragic death. With that said, I did not connect with Loyal.
I found myself to be disinterested in Loyal as the MC. I understood the importance of her getting to the bottom of things, but I couldn’t ignore her selfish reasoning behind it. It never felt as if loyal was looking into Cutter’s death solely for the benefit of Cutter and the truth. It always traced back to being a form of redemption to allow herself to feel less guilty for what she did to Cutter so many years ago. Truthfully, Loyal is only back in town because her mother is not well. Had that not been the case, she probably wouldn’t have heard about what happened to Cutter due to their estranged relationship. It definitely made me think of the ways people fail you in life, only to show up for you in death.
What made this just OK for me was predominantly the pacing as well as some of the chosen dialogue. There was a repeated emphasis on the main characters weight that didn’t add anything to the story. Initially, I thought this was the authors choice to try to emulate the language and persona of the people they presume exist in that setting. It just didn’t work. Like many readers, I love being drawn into a Louisiana swamp and bayou scene. This book is perfectly atmospheric when it comes to that. Though part of a great setting is the people that exist within it. So that choice didn’t land for me and made some of the characters exaggerated and overly stereotypical. As it comes to pace, it starts slow and it attempts to gradually escalate to a medium middle. Sadly, even with the good bones of the narrative, I never felt that the book made that transition or created a sense of urgency.
Overall, there is a good base here. The mystery is well done, and the story itself has a lot of moving parts. The author provides thoughtful layers to the characters that create moments of reflection and offer deeper thought about how we see others. Still, I didn’t find the read memorable and it aches for more thrills and suspense. This book would make for a good summer read that won’t demand too much from the reader.
Thank you to Atria for this gifted copy.
Audiobook/ Narration: 3/5
This book was just OK for me. It was slower than expected and fell more in line with being a family drama than a mystery thriller. The mystery itself is interesting enough to keep you tuned in to see the story through. The book does a great job of putting into perspective, grief, regret, reputation, and accountability. We see this primarily through Loyal and Cutter’s brothers. Every character feels responsible and guilty in their own way for Cutter’s tragic death. With that said, I did not connect with Loyal.
I found myself to be disinterested in Loyal as the MC. I understood the importance of her getting to the bottom of things, but I couldn’t ignore her selfish reasoning behind it. It never felt as if loyal was looking into Cutter’s death solely for the benefit of Cutter and the truth. It always traced back to being a form of redemption to allow herself to feel less guilty for what she did to Cutter so many years ago. Truthfully, Loyal is only back in town because her mother is not well. Had that not been the case, she probably wouldn’t have heard about what happened to Cutter due to their estranged relationship. It definitely made me think of the ways people fail you in life, only to show up for you in death.
What made this just OK for me was predominantly the pacing as well as some of the chosen dialogue. There was a repeated emphasis on the main characters weight that didn’t add anything to the story. Initially, I thought this was the authors choice to try to emulate the language and persona of the people they presume exist in that setting. It just didn’t work. Like many readers, I love being drawn into a Louisiana swamp and bayou scene. This book is perfectly atmospheric when it comes to that. Though part of a great setting is the people that exist within it. So that choice didn’t land for me and made some of the characters exaggerated and overly stereotypical. As it comes to pace, it starts slow and it attempts to gradually escalate to a medium middle. Sadly, even with the good bones of the narrative, I never felt that the book made that transition or created a sense of urgency.
Overall, there is a good base here. The mystery is well done, and the story itself has a lot of moving parts. The author provides thoughtful layers to the characters that create moments of reflection and offer deeper thought about how we see others. Still, I didn’t find the read memorable and it aches for more thrills and suspense. This book would make for a good summer read that won’t demand too much from the reader.
Thank you to Atria for this gifted copy.
May 19, 2025
A Southern gothic mystery from Anna Bailey. I somehow missed her debut, Where the Truth Lies, so I can't comment on whether her second book lives up to her first, but I have a feeling it does her credit. I certainly enjoyed it.
The story is set in the small, rundown town of Jacknife, LA, where people lead a pretty hardscrabble existence in the swamps and bayous. Loyal May escaped all that and has been living in Houston for the past ten years but has returned now to take care of her ailing mother. She's gotten a job with the local newspaper and the first story she has to cover is the death of her former best friend, Marianne Labasque, nicknamed Cutter, someone Loyal hurt badly before she left. She had hoped to make amends but it's too late for that now.
The sheriff's working theory is the young woman's death was either from suicide or accident but Loyal can't accept either so decides to do some investigating herself, with the help of her fellow reporter, Sasha. Her boss reminds her that her job is to report, NOT investigate, but this feels too personal to let the police handle it. She owes it to Cutter to learn the truth. But it soon becomes apparent someone really doesn't want the truth to come out.
This is a slow-burn of a mystery, concentrating on the building of atmospheric dread through the dismal setting and eccentric characters. I used to think Alaska would be a scary place to live with the wildness of nature but the swamps and bayous of Louisiana have just as many scary things that can kill you, like gators and snakes. Or are humans the most dangerous creatures of all?
As I said, there's a slow pace to begin with. We don't even learn how Cutter was killed until we reach the 50% mark. But be patient--the conclusion explodes with action and drama and makes it so worth the wait.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
The story is set in the small, rundown town of Jacknife, LA, where people lead a pretty hardscrabble existence in the swamps and bayous. Loyal May escaped all that and has been living in Houston for the past ten years but has returned now to take care of her ailing mother. She's gotten a job with the local newspaper and the first story she has to cover is the death of her former best friend, Marianne Labasque, nicknamed Cutter, someone Loyal hurt badly before she left. She had hoped to make amends but it's too late for that now.
The sheriff's working theory is the young woman's death was either from suicide or accident but Loyal can't accept either so decides to do some investigating herself, with the help of her fellow reporter, Sasha. Her boss reminds her that her job is to report, NOT investigate, but this feels too personal to let the police handle it. She owes it to Cutter to learn the truth. But it soon becomes apparent someone really doesn't want the truth to come out.
This is a slow-burn of a mystery, concentrating on the building of atmospheric dread through the dismal setting and eccentric characters. I used to think Alaska would be a scary place to live with the wildness of nature but the swamps and bayous of Louisiana have just as many scary things that can kill you, like gators and snakes. Or are humans the most dangerous creatures of all?
As I said, there's a slow pace to begin with. We don't even learn how Cutter was killed until we reach the 50% mark. But be patient--the conclusion explodes with action and drama and makes it so worth the wait.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 10, 2025
Rep: gay mcs
CWs: homophobia, fatphobia, gore, violence
Actual rating 3.5
Galley provided by publisher
I picked up Our Last Wild Days because I'd enjoyed Anna Bailey's debut novel a lot, so I figured this was a good bet for an enjoyable read: I wasn't wrong. Bailey's writing is the standout of this one, bringing to life a damp cloying atmosphere, filled with fully realised characters. You dip into this one and, before you know it, you're transported to Louisiana and unable to put the book down. The mystery was full of twists and turns, with little bits of information dripfed you even as the characters themselves grappled with the truth. Bailey is definitely an author I'll be reading more of.
CWs: homophobia, fatphobia, gore, violence
Actual rating 3.5
Galley provided by publisher
I picked up Our Last Wild Days because I'd enjoyed Anna Bailey's debut novel a lot, so I figured this was a good bet for an enjoyable read: I wasn't wrong. Bailey's writing is the standout of this one, bringing to life a damp cloying atmosphere, filled with fully realised characters. You dip into this one and, before you know it, you're transported to Louisiana and unable to put the book down. The mystery was full of twists and turns, with little bits of information dripfed you even as the characters themselves grappled with the truth. Bailey is definitely an author I'll be reading more of.
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