ARC Review: The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis

The Last Time We Saw Her
Author: Jaclyn Goldis
Publication: Atria/Emily Bestler Books (June 16, 2026)

Description: Ten years ago, a teenage summer camper disappeared while searching for a rumored treasure on a remote island. Now, the long-buried truth of what happened to her and the long-lost gold threatens the lives of her friends in this thriller from the critically acclaimed author of The Chateau.

Ten years ago, a group of American teenage summer campers went to a lush and isolated Azores island for a hiking and heritage trip. But when a clue to a local legend of buried treasure emerged, the summer devolved into a frenzied hunt and culminated in the disappearance—and rumored murder—of “it girl” camper, Sydney. She was never seen again and the treasure never found.

Now, a decade later, Sydney’s closest circle returns to honor her memory: Sydney’s sister and fellow camper, Olivia; a group of childhood camp friends; and their beloved counselors. They’ve all agreed to participate in a documentary probing what really happened to Sydney.

The group reunites in paradise and retraces their old haunts, hiking along crater lakes and submerging in thermal hot springs. But not everyone has innocent motives for returning to the island. And when the documentary filming reveals explosive truths and fresh hints resurrect the tantalizing treasure hunt, the group begins to implode. Old feuds reignite—and then one of them turns up dead.

Which means that a murderer has surfaced...again.

My Thoughts: This mystery takes place on the Azores. Ten years after Sydney disappeared, her fellow campers and their counselors gather the remember her and, maybe, finally learn what happened to her. 

Olivia was Sydney's sister. She was accused, at the time, of killing her sister but there wasn't enough evidence to try her. She's spent the past ten years becoming a bestselling author who writes mysteries loosely based on that summer trip. She also suffers from anxiety and sometimes has blackouts which means she doesn't know what she knows about Sydney's death. 

Lexa was Sydney's best friend. Over the past ten years, she's married Olivia's rich former boyfriend and built a life for herself. 

Eli is the rich boyfriend. He's an easy-going type and what his wife refers to as a Happy Baby.

Reuben was another scholarship kid at the camp. He is a failed businessman keeping up appearances.

Jules was one of the counselors. Now, she's trying to secure her financial future by making a documentary about the events of the past ten years and her efforts to find out what happened.

Aiden was the other counselor on the trip. He's a marine biologist now who is studying sharks,

Cass was Reuben's little sister who tagged along with the older teens when she could. Now, she is a medaled Olympic gymnast training for the next Olympics.

Ten years earlier, the camping trip turned into a treasure hunt when one of the campers found a clue that had them all running all over the island and dreaming of being rich. The treasure was never found but that doesn't mean that some of them are still looking.

This is a story of tangled relationships and secrets. It is told from multiple viewpoints and includes sections of the documentary. This was a twisty story. I enjoyed the setting and the information about a Jewish presence on the Azores. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.