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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Haze, the daughter of the infamous Pine Springs Slasher, is invited to audition for the lead role in a slasher film set in Pine Springs. It's a dream come true as she's always been a slasher fan, but as gruesome accidents occur on the set of the film, she starts to wonder if her father was wrongly convicted and the killer is still out there... looking for her.
I'm a big fan of thrillers and murder mysteries, less so slasher movies, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. My most recent exposure to slashers is the visual novel Terror Fest, so I was anticipating that Final Cut would likely be somewhat similar. It was, but it was better in my opinion. A lot of the characters were a bit stereotypical, but that worked for the genre that it was in. I enjoyed watching the mystery unravel of what really happened on that day fifteen years ago that the Pine Springs Slasher claimed his victims, and I didn't expect the conclusion. At first, I was wondering if it would really be a true slasher-inspired book as there were only accidents and not deaths, but there were plenty of deaths in the end. I can say that from my limited knowledge of the slasher genre, it did end up true to the genre.
The romance was cute and compelling as well. I liked the complicated nature of Haze's relationships with the other members of the cast, and of her relationship with her mother. It was interesting to see the "final girl" be a bit of an unreliable narrator, it rounded out her personality. There was some representation of minorities amongst the side characters — a lesbian couple, one of them Vietnamese, and a nonbinary character — which was good. One of Haze's co-stars, Nina, is Latina and there was some good representation there. She was definitely more important than the non-binary side character in general, but that makes sense as she was one of the main five cast members.
I also enjoyed the way the story was told, with alternate chapters from the perspectives of side characters. One of them was a little misleading, but I think that's pretty typical for murder mysteries. The way that certain portions of the book was told in screenplay format was also fun.
Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday Books and Olivia Worley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I'm a big fan of thrillers and murder mysteries, less so slasher movies, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. My most recent exposure to slashers is the visual novel Terror Fest, so I was anticipating that Final Cut would likely be somewhat similar. It was, but it was better in my opinion. A lot of the characters were a bit stereotypical, but that worked for the genre that it was in. I enjoyed watching the mystery unravel of what really happened on that day fifteen years ago that the Pine Springs Slasher claimed his victims, and I didn't expect the conclusion. At first, I was wondering if it would really be a true slasher-inspired book as there were only accidents and not deaths, but there were plenty of deaths in the end. I can say that from my limited knowledge of the slasher genre, it did end up true to the genre.
The romance was cute and compelling as well. I liked the complicated nature of Haze's relationships with the other members of the cast, and of her relationship with her mother. It was interesting to see the "final girl" be a bit of an unreliable narrator, it rounded out her personality. There was some representation of minorities amongst the side characters — a lesbian couple, one of them Vietnamese, and a nonbinary character — which was good. One of Haze's co-stars, Nina, is Latina and there was some good representation there. She was definitely more important than the non-binary side character in general, but that makes sense as she was one of the main five cast members.
I also enjoyed the way the story was told, with alternate chapters from the perspectives of side characters. One of them was a little misleading, but I think that's pretty typical for murder mysteries. The way that certain portions of the book was told in screenplay format was also fun.
Thank you to Netgalley, Wednesday Books and Olivia Worley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Christopher Pike’s books were my favorites as a teenager, starting a lifelong love for scary stories and movies. Olivia Worley has written a suspenseful tale that kept me guessing throughout! Although the beginning was a bit slow, once the book gained momentum, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. It brought back memories of the books I read when I was younger.
Worley introduces us to Haze Lejeune, an aspiring actress working on a movie set in a small Louisiana town. The same town her mother left when Haze was a toddler, as it is where her father was convicted of a crime that still haunts the locals. The plot unfolds as the cast and crew struggle to survive amidst a series of mysterious deaths.
I wish there had been more development of some supporting characters, but I believe the story and Haze’s journeys of finding the truth about her father and coming to terms with her past were the primary focus.
Readers who enjoy horror and slasher fiction will find this story appealing. I look forward to exploring more of Olivia Worley’s work!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own
Worley introduces us to Haze Lejeune, an aspiring actress working on a movie set in a small Louisiana town. The same town her mother left when Haze was a toddler, as it is where her father was convicted of a crime that still haunts the locals. The plot unfolds as the cast and crew struggle to survive amidst a series of mysterious deaths.
I wish there had been more development of some supporting characters, but I believe the story and Haze’s journeys of finding the truth about her father and coming to terms with her past were the primary focus.
Readers who enjoy horror and slasher fiction will find this story appealing. I look forward to exploring more of Olivia Worley’s work!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions are my own
This book follows Haze, she lands the lead role in a new thriller film. One that just so happens to be shooting in her hometown. The same town where, fifteen years ago, her father was convicted of a string of brutal murders. As filming begins, “accidents” start piling up… and then people start dying. It doesn’t take long to realize the killer is on set. And no one knows who to trust.
Let me just say: this book had me stressed TF out. Every time I thought I had it figured out? WRONG. It kept me guessing, kept me flipping pages, and I finished it in one sitting. I’m not even a thriller girly, but this one had me hooked from start to finish.
And that ending??? I’m begging for more. Please. I need answers.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An exceptional page-turner of a thriller that brings the slasher subgenre in horror to life with true sensory writing and characters who question everything they think they know.
I love the alt chapters that give extra insight into the story and distinct POVs aside from Haze's. The dramatic irony created by that somehow increases the sense of foreboding when scenes jump back to Haze and the other cast and crew members of Swamp Creatures. Suspicions for who could be killed next or who might be behind everything also raised, thanks to those little alt chapters. Repeatedly, I found myself fussing at the characters because of information I had that they lacked.
Authors like Worley who are from southern Louisiana bring the unique setting to life like others cannot. Everything from the drive time traveling between Pensacola and Pine Springs to the humid environment's impact on how quickly characters sweat is accurate. I felt like I was there in the little town at the edge of swampland and could easily imagine sitting in the old diner.
Overall, the book moves along very quickly. Titling each chapter as a movie scene, even the ones outside of the scripted parts, drops the reader directly into the action with little need for basic explanations for transitions between locations and times of day. I love how the only times we move with characters from one place to the next is when tension builds for understanding what is happening or restructuring memories of the past. Nearly all characters being unknown to each other gives great opportunity to learn who everyone is gradually and wonder who is hiding what. Cameron, Nina, Brooke, and Lucas felt the most friendly for Haze as part of the core cast, but between the weird phone calls, events in the alt chapters, and strange occurrences on set with ample chances for the perpetrator to hide in secluded areas, like Haze, I kept wondering who to trust until the very end...including motivations for the original murders and confession.
Much thanks to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and Netgalley for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love the alt chapters that give extra insight into the story and distinct POVs aside from Haze's. The dramatic irony created by that somehow increases the sense of foreboding when scenes jump back to Haze and the other cast and crew members of Swamp Creatures. Suspicions for who could be killed next or who might be behind everything also raised, thanks to those little alt chapters. Repeatedly, I found myself fussing at the characters because of information I had that they lacked.
Authors like Worley who are from southern Louisiana bring the unique setting to life like others cannot. Everything from the drive time traveling between Pensacola and Pine Springs to the humid environment's impact on how quickly characters sweat is accurate. I felt like I was there in the little town at the edge of swampland and could easily imagine sitting in the old diner.
Overall, the book moves along very quickly. Titling each chapter as a movie scene, even the ones outside of the scripted parts, drops the reader directly into the action with little need for basic explanations for transitions between locations and times of day. I love how the only times we move with characters from one place to the next is when tension builds for understanding what is happening or restructuring memories of the past. Nearly all characters being unknown to each other gives great opportunity to learn who everyone is gradually and wonder who is hiding what. Cameron, Nina, Brooke, and Lucas felt the most friendly for Haze as part of the core cast, but between the weird phone calls, events in the alt chapters, and strange occurrences on set with ample chances for the perpetrator to hide in secluded areas, like Haze, I kept wondering who to trust until the very end...including motivations for the original murders and confession.
Much thanks to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and Netgalley for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Stalking
Minor: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Grief
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Amazing homage to slashers while telling a great story itself too!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you're a fan of old-school slasher flicks, you know the ones-basically anything that involves a masked maniac and a lot of poor decisions in the dark-you NEED this book in your life. Olivia Worley clearly worships at the altar of horror greats, and the Easter eggs sprinkled throughout had me grinning like a Final Girl who just found a working phone and some cell service.
Reading "Final Cut" felt like being dropped onto a horror movie set...except surprise! The blood might actually be real, and the killer isn't following the script. The meta-horror vibes? Chef's kiss. The whodunnit twists? Had me side-eyeing everyone- including myself-until the final page. And let's be honest, I still don't trust anyone.
It's a love letter to the genre, written with just enough camp, tension, and scream-worthy moments to keep any horror fan up past their bedtime. I'm still riding the adrenaline high.
Pub Date: October 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books and Olivia Worley for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Reading "Final Cut" felt like being dropped onto a horror movie set...except surprise! The blood might actually be real, and the killer isn't following the script. The meta-horror vibes? Chef's kiss. The whodunnit twists? Had me side-eyeing everyone- including myself-until the final page. And let's be honest, I still don't trust anyone.
It's a love letter to the genre, written with just enough camp, tension, and scream-worthy moments to keep any horror fan up past their bedtime. I'm still riding the adrenaline high.
Pub Date: October 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books and Olivia Worley for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Wow! This book had me hooked from page one and guessing along with every twist! Just when I thought I knew who the killer was, a new piece of info switched it up. I was with Haze the whole time jumping from one suspect to the next.
I wish some of the POV changes had been separated out a little more clearly, but after a sentence or two I knew whose eyes we were seeing the story through. I loved the snippets of film dialogue mixed in!
Overall; though sometimes a little too campy for my taste (though I know that’s a hallmark staple of any good slasher) Final Cut kept me on my toes and binge reading all night to find who the killer was.
A big thank you to Olivia Worley and her teams at St. Martins Press and Wednesday Books for gifting me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I wish some of the POV changes had been separated out a little more clearly, but after a sentence or two I knew whose eyes we were seeing the story through. I loved the snippets of film dialogue mixed in!
Overall; though sometimes a little too campy for my taste (though I know that’s a hallmark staple of any good slasher) Final Cut kept me on my toes and binge reading all night to find who the killer was.
A big thank you to Olivia Worley and her teams at St. Martins Press and Wednesday Books for gifting me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Wowwwww! This book is everything you want a teen slasher to be. There were some parts I audibly gasped at.
While you’ll have your suspicions about who the killer is, Worley redirects your attention to another suspect, making the book full of twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and felt just like watching all of those slasher movies I love.
While you’ll have your suspicions about who the killer is, Worley redirects your attention to another suspect, making the book full of twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and felt just like watching all of those slasher movies I love.
This book grabbed me by the throat from page one. We start with a kill from the killer’s POV, and it just never lets up from there. The pacing? Impeccable. That second half? Injected with NOS. It’s fast, twisty, and so much fun.
I loved how it played with slasher tropes—it tricked me specifically because I thought I knew how a slasher was “supposed” to go. I was wrong, and I loved being wrong. Haze was a great lead, and the whole "movie-within-a-book" setup actually worked really well.
Is the ending super original? No. But did it work? Absolutely. Satisfying, a little open-ended, and very “final girl.” I finished this in a single day because I physically couldn’t stop reading. YA thriller fans, especially those who love a good slasher, this one’s for you.
Received as ARC
I loved how it played with slasher tropes—it tricked me specifically because I thought I knew how a slasher was “supposed” to go. I was wrong, and I loved being wrong. Haze was a great lead, and the whole "movie-within-a-book" setup actually worked really well.
Is the ending super original? No. But did it work? Absolutely. Satisfying, a little open-ended, and very “final girl.” I finished this in a single day because I physically couldn’t stop reading. YA thriller fans, especially those who love a good slasher, this one’s for you.
Received as ARC