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mnboyer's review
2.0
There were moments where I was enjoying this novel, there were moments where I hated the novel, and these two extremes just went back-and-forth until I reached the end. I could argue there is a good plot here, but it really is overshadowed by some lackluster execution. A religious cult, murdered child, and cover-ups has all the makings of a really interesting crime novel. But then you are lulled into a stupor throughout the low points of the novel. Unlikeable characters, and I mean, so unlikeable that I really did not care at one point, are all trying to deceive one another in ways that aren't even crafty. I had this solved long before the detective on the case and somehow was expected to see the shocking reveal towards the end... no, not that shocking. Not that amazing. Again -- good ideas, but not executed well.
karenreads1000s's review
4.0
Police/FBI procedural. So many twists and turns. Ineptitude and assumptions play large roles. I'll happily avoid these "frontier" towns.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"There was a lot someone could miss because they couldn’t bear the truth."
What a compelling, well written story! As soon as I started, I couldn't stop reading! The author does such a great job of really building the tension in a room - all just through words. Conversations felt real, the suspense was well done and I was left guessing until the very end. I absolutely loved this one!
What a compelling, well written story! As soon as I started, I couldn't stop reading! The author does such a great job of really building the tension in a room - all just through words. Conversations felt real, the suspense was well done and I was left guessing until the very end. I absolutely loved this one!
hoganbreathesinink's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Brianna Labuskes’ bestselling novel Girls of Glass, so when I had the opportunity to read this ARC of Her Final Words, I jumped at the chance. I was hoping for something similar to her previous novel I’d read, something that would seize me from the beginning and keep me interested—and more importantly, something that would have an ending that I wouldn’t have seen coming.
About the book:
After a young girl confesses to the murder of a 12-year-old boy, Agent Lucy Thorne becomes entangled in a case set in a small town with big secrets.
Lucy feels that there is much more going on than just a simple cut and dry murder, especially when it quickly becomes clear that the small town of Knox Hollow carries an undercurrent of dark, cult-like activity.
My thoughts:
When it comes to Her Final Words, I was constantly left wanting more.
The story itself is well thought out, but I found myself wishing there was more action to mix in with all of the dialogue and information that we are constantly being fed. And there is a lot of information. Names, connections, personal feelings...it was a lot to keep up with when there really wasn’t much else going on to balance it all out.
The characters did not seem nearly as fleshed out as her bestselling novel, Girls of Glass, and the lead up to the climax and subsequent ending certainly did not surprise me.
When it comes to Labuskes, she is a wonderful writer. Her plot development is on point, and she’s shown with her other books that she is capable of throwing her readers for a loop and giving shocking endings. I know she tried to do the same with this novel, but there was something about the story overall that just fell flat.
The majority of the issue may have been the setting: a small town with an ominous Church, where the believers hold many secrets—some of them dark and unsettling, but all deeds are done in the name of God and the greater good.
This type of stereotype is difficult to keep fresh and exciting, as it’s been done over and over. The whole “Christians are twisted and do bad things in the name of God” spiel is unimaginative. I know things like this happen in real life, sure. But what about other religions? It’s not only Christians that can be kooky and unbalanced—and they’re not that way just because they’re Christians.
But even with all of that, the motive for the killer never packed the punch that I wish it had. We had so much build up to the reveal that, when it was all said and done, I felt a little disappointed in the ending.
While I didn’t enjoy Her Final Words as much as Labuskes’ other works, that certainly does not mean I don’t recommend her books. She has a very unique way of telling her stories; the multiple timelines and perspectives makes you feel like a detective yourself as you try to piece it all together. Overall, her writing is unique and fresh in that way.
So while this one didn’t capture me as well as I’d hoped it would, I’m just one person. And I know there are many people out there that I would highly recommend read Labuskes’ books.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this ARC!
About the book:
After a young girl confesses to the murder of a 12-year-old boy, Agent Lucy Thorne becomes entangled in a case set in a small town with big secrets.
Lucy feels that there is much more going on than just a simple cut and dry murder, especially when it quickly becomes clear that the small town of Knox Hollow carries an undercurrent of dark, cult-like activity.
My thoughts:
When it comes to Her Final Words, I was constantly left wanting more.
The story itself is well thought out, but I found myself wishing there was more action to mix in with all of the dialogue and information that we are constantly being fed. And there is a lot of information. Names, connections, personal feelings...it was a lot to keep up with when there really wasn’t much else going on to balance it all out.
The characters did not seem nearly as fleshed out as her bestselling novel, Girls of Glass, and the lead up to the climax and subsequent ending certainly did not surprise me.
When it comes to Labuskes, she is a wonderful writer. Her plot development is on point, and she’s shown with her other books that she is capable of throwing her readers for a loop and giving shocking endings. I know she tried to do the same with this novel, but there was something about the story overall that just fell flat.
The majority of the issue may have been the setting: a small town with an ominous Church, where the believers hold many secrets—some of them dark and unsettling, but all deeds are done in the name of God and the greater good.
This type of stereotype is difficult to keep fresh and exciting, as it’s been done over and over. The whole “Christians are twisted and do bad things in the name of God” spiel is unimaginative. I know things like this happen in real life, sure. But what about other religions? It’s not only Christians that can be kooky and unbalanced—and they’re not that way just because they’re Christians.
But even with all of that, the motive for the killer never packed the punch that I wish it had. We had so much build up to the reveal that, when it was all said and done, I felt a little disappointed in the ending.
While I didn’t enjoy Her Final Words as much as Labuskes’ other works, that certainly does not mean I don’t recommend her books. She has a very unique way of telling her stories; the multiple timelines and perspectives makes you feel like a detective yourself as you try to piece it all together. Overall, her writing is unique and fresh in that way.
So while this one didn’t capture me as well as I’d hoped it would, I’m just one person. And I know there are many people out there that I would highly recommend read Labuskes’ books.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this ARC!
kristyshaw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tiffanysbookshelf96's review against another edition
4.0
Kept you guessing for sure! However multiple few points which for me was difficult to line out but it was very interesting how everything came together and definitely wasn't what I expected! Page turner.
reytru1065's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a fan of the shows "The Killing" and the "The Sinner" then you'll enjoy this book. I was only able to give the book four stars simply based on the fact that the story drags and took me longer to read than I normally should, but was worth my time.
Lucy Thorne is an FBI agent sent to Knox Hollow in Idaho to solve the death of 12 year old Noah Dawson after teen Eliza travels to Seattle to confess to his murder. While looking into the case the local Sheriff Hicks informs Lucy that Eliza is from a religious sect in Knox Hollow who are protected by what are known as Shield Laws allowing for them to not provide adequate medical care to their parishioners. This plays a major role in unearthing the deep secrets this religious sect holds, and assisting Lucy in solving Noah's murder.
All in all it was a great story line but I felt it dragged way more than it needed to. I am all for developing settings and back stories but when they require me to reread what I just read due to the lack of appeal it's really hard to keep trudging along. I'm glad I didn't give up on this book but I cannot give it 5 stars knowing it slowed a lot.
Lucy Thorne is an FBI agent sent to Knox Hollow in Idaho to solve the death of 12 year old Noah Dawson after teen Eliza travels to Seattle to confess to his murder. While looking into the case the local Sheriff Hicks informs Lucy that Eliza is from a religious sect in Knox Hollow who are protected by what are known as Shield Laws allowing for them to not provide adequate medical care to their parishioners. This plays a major role in unearthing the deep secrets this religious sect holds, and assisting Lucy in solving Noah's murder.
All in all it was a great story line but I felt it dragged way more than it needed to. I am all for developing settings and back stories but when they require me to reread what I just read due to the lack of appeal it's really hard to keep trudging along. I'm glad I didn't give up on this book but I cannot give it 5 stars knowing it slowed a lot.
thatonebookishmama's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0