Unraveling the Chills: A Review of ‘The Unknown’ by Riley Sager

Riley Sager, widely celebrated by mystery fans as the “King of Plot Twists,” delivers another captivating bestseller with The Unknown: A Novel. Merging historical horror with contemporary psychological suspense, Sager’s milestone tenth novel provides a spine-tingling locked-room thriller tailored for readers who love eerie ghost stories, behind-the-scenes Hollywood drama, and dual-timeline mysteries.

Plot Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)

In 1926, five spiritual mediums vanished without a trace from New Avalon, a remote island commune located on Vermont’s Lake Faraday. The only clues left behind were five empty dresses dangling ominously from an ancient oak tree and a haunting diary penned by one of the missing women, Daisy Rue, which suggested a séance gone wrong.

Exactly one hundred years later, struggling actress Marin Keane lands her dream breakout role portraying Daisy in a major film feature about the unsolved tragedy. To prepare for production, visionary director Ronan Peters brings Marin, along with legendary cinema icon Violet Wright and the rest of the cast, to New Avalon for an intense weeklong research trip.

However, after a sudden medical emergency leaves the group stranded without communication or transport to the mainland, history begins to repeat itself. Cryptic symbols appear on cabin walls, midnight noises echo through the woods, and members of the cast start disappearing one by one. Isolated and terrified, Marin relies on Daisy’s century-old journal to survive.

The Good: Key Highlights

• Atmospheric Gothic Setting: Sager excels at crafting a suffocating, deeply immersive atmosphere. The isolated island of New Avalon feels alive, dripping with claustrophobic dread and chilling, uncanny vibes.

• Engaging Dual Timelines: Excerpts from Daisy Rue’s 1926 journal seamlessly interweave with Marin’s current-day narration, creating an engaging historical puzzle that heightens the overarching narrative suspense.

• Fast-Paced Momentum: Once the characters are stranded, the story accelerates rapidly, delivering a classic “closed-circle” mystery that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.

The Bad: Points of Critique

• Convoluted Climax: The third act packs in multiple sudden reveals and character shifts. While undeniably entertaining, some readers may feel the final twists border on improbable or melodramatic.

• Predictable Middle Act: Because present-day events closely mirror Daisy’s century-old journal entries, certain mid-book plot beats feel somewhat formulaic before the final secrets are exposed.

Final Verdict

The Unknown by Riley Sager is an engrossing, spine-chilling psychological thriller that highlights the author’s mastery of mood and locked-room tropes. Despite a slightly chaotic finale, its gripping atmosphere and clever framing make it a standout read for thriller enthusiasts.

Star Rating: ★★★★ (4 out of 5 stars)

– The Moving Words Review