The Last Illusion of Paige White

“Compelling, haunting, and beautifully written, The Last Illusion of Paige White is a clever, page-turning modern mystery as well as a thoughtful exploration of female friendship, family dynamics, and the complex impact of social media on self-identity. You’ll be thinking about it long after you turn the last page!”—Liane Moriarty, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“McCausland expertly weaves together multiple strands of a multilayered story, including the burdens of Paige’s social-media persona and Jane’s unsatisfying relationship with her boss-with-benefits in Sydney. . . . McCausland is a thoughtful, subtle writer with a deep understanding of her characters’ psyches. What lends a special poignancy to the story are the chapters narrated by Paige, reflecting deep regret for her life’s mistakes.”—The New York Times

“A compelling, gothic-tinged novel . . . expertly portrays influencers’ obsession with beauty and perfect photos . . . McCausland examines with a fresh eye the complicated and competitive relationships among teenage girls and their messy relationships with their parents. . . . It’s an emotional mystery that McCausland fires up with forbidden romance, the heartbreak of a motherless child, and a surprising denouement. Social media takes a dark turn in this intriguing tale of regret.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Sizzling . . . The death of an influencer shakes up a small Australian town in this mesmerizing whodunit from McCausland. . . . When the truth finally comes out, it’s a gut punch. This works equally well as a mystery and a warning cry against the dangers of social media.”—Publishers Weekly

“Vanessa McCausland probes boundaries between reality and illusion in this psychological crime, delivering both small-town mystery and an unnerving excursion into the hall of mirrors that is the world of social media.”—The Sydney Morning Herald

“A compellingly gritty underbelly. . . . This is a perfect summer read.”—The Daily Telegraph

“What an addictive read. Vanessa McCausland nimbly combines a twisty small-town mystery with a thoughtful critique of influencer culture, all set against the wild, irresistible beauty of the Australian coastal landscape.”—Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover

“An original concept, poetic writing, and an astute commentary on the trap of social media, this book will haunt you long after you turn the last page. I loved it.”—Pip Drysdale, author of The Sunday Girl and The Close-Up