Last One Taken

A Novel

Hannah Richell

A propulsive psychological thriller set against the seductive backdrop of Australia’s wine country, where a journalist infiltrates the inner circle of a powerful family in search of her missing best friend.

A vivid, high-energy thriller set against the seductive backdrop of Australia’s Mornington Peninsula wine country, where unchecked power creates the perfect conditions for something to go very wrong.

It is here that journalist Libby Thompson infiltrates the inner circle of a powerful winery family, posing as a romantic interest to get close to the heir. Her real motive: to find her missing best friend, who vanished while working the harvest. What begins as a covert investigation quickly exposes a far more sinister truth—one that connects a pattern of disappearances among young backpackers to the estate itself.

As Libby digs deeper, her story intersects with two other women searching for answers: Emma, a backpacker trapped in a terrifying system she can’t escape, and Yvonne, who is determined to uncover what happened to her stepdaughter.

Hannah Richell is the international bestselling author of six novels, including The Search Party and One Dark Night, both published by Atria. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, she worked in the book publishing and film industries. She is the co-founder of the Richell Prize and has been shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards, the Indie Book Awards, and multiple ABIAs. Richell's work often explores the fault lines within families and the darker edges of human behavior. She lives in the southwest of England.

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Endorsements & Reviews

Praise for Hannah Richell:

“Cleverly doles out key details in increments. A diverting puzzle." Publishers Weekly

“Richell cleverly plants numerous red herrings and skillfully juggles the multiple points of view and timelines to build white-knuckled suspense and keep readers guessing . . . an engrossing, twisty read.” Kirkus Reviews

“Filled with atmosphere and a closed-set mystery worthy of Agatha Christie, fans of Lucy Foley will love The Search Party!” Catherine McKenzie, author of Have You Seen Her and I'll Never Tell

“A weekend for old friends on the rugged Cornish coast devolves into mayhem and murder in this deliciously sinuous thriller brimming with atmosphere. Hannah Richell is masterful, deploying white-knuckle pacing, pitch-perfect prose, and characters whose emotional depth is fully mined. Gripping, clever, and as enjoyable to curl up with as a Christie—I inhaled it in a day!” Jaclyn Goldis, author of The Chateau

“The Search Party pitches you forward from the first page, sending you rushing headlong towards its thrilling conclusion. I loved this novel for its multifaceted, multi-voiced take on a single weekend, and a satisfying and emotionally honest portrayal of what we see in others, and ourselves. Hannah Richell’s first foray into the thriller genre is simply not to be missed!” Hayley Scrivenor, bestselling author of Dirt Creek

“The Search Party is a dexterous blend of best and worst case scenarios, a chillingly relatable journey into the unexpected. With her cast of expertly crafted characters, evocative setting and taut prose, Richell has written a standout page-turner, thoroughly gripping from start to finish. Fans of Lucy Foley and Sarah Pearse will not want to miss this.” - Anna Downes, bestselling author of The Safe Place

“Richell delivers a well-executed whodunit that culminates in a darkly satisfying reveal.” Publishers Weekly

“Thrilling and page-turning!” - Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister

“Hannah Richell is the new master of the atmospheric thriller.” Ali Lowe, author of The School Run

“Dark and twisty small-town noir at its very best—I couldn't look away!” - Pip Drysdale, author of The Close Up

"Immersive and twisty, One Dark Night has a brilliantly realised sense of place and fully realised characters. One Dark Night is a poignant exploration of grief, and a chilling exploration of the unkindness teenage girls can inflict on each other. Highly recommended." Sarah Vaughan, bestselling author of Anatamoy of a Scandal

"Evocative and haunting, One Dark Night delves into the complexities of human nature and relationships. This gothic thriller had me on edge through its clever twists and turns, and kept me reading late into the night to the spine-chilling climax." Petronella McGovern, bestselling author of The Last Trace