The Last to Vanish

Substance addiction comes up several times in The Last to Vanish. In what ways does substance addiction cause different characters’ identities to change or disappear? Explore how drugs and alcohol influence their decisions and actions.

Celeste claims she protected the people of Cutter’s Pass by covering up Brian, Toby, Neil, and Jerome’s deaths. Are Celeste’s actions morally justifiable? How does the novel portray her cover-up? Consider how the business owners of Cutter’s Pass, the Passage Inn included, profit from the extra tourism procured from the disappearances.

Celeste repeatedly tells Abby that people who call Cutter’s Pass home need to be able to handle hard things. What does Celeste mean by this?

Abby is pleasantly surprised by Cory’s home renovations because she had doubted Cory’s ability to follow through on something as labor-intensive as a home remodel. How does Cory’s character change throughout the novel? Will Cory and Abby become romantically involved again? Why or why not?

The characters in The Last to Vanish spend significant time planning and guarding themselves against natural dangers (the elements, getting lost in the woods, animals, etc.). The ultimate threat to the characters is a person with a gun. How does this ironic twist play on reader expectations of the thriller genre?

Explore Georgia’s character as it relates to disappearance and grief. Georgia appears suddenly in Cutter’s Pass after the death of her father. What is she running away from? What does it say about Georgia’s character that she runs away from Cutter’s Pass after creating a problematic situation for Abby?

Trey comes to Cutter’s Pass looking for answers about Landon and closure from losing his brother. Does he find what he is looking for? Why or why not?

Keys prove to be an important symbol in The Last to Vanish. Examine how various characters in the novel gain entry to spaces or are excluded from spaces. What do keys and locks symbolize?