Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
** A copy of Final Cut was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **
What a ride! Probably shouldn’t have read this right before going to bed. You’ll enjoy this if you’re into dark and twisty slashers that keep you guessing till the end.
What a ride! Probably shouldn’t have read this right before going to bed. You’ll enjoy this if you’re into dark and twisty slashers that keep you guessing till the end.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you NetGalley for the E-Arc!!
Oh my god??? I was immediately hooked when Haze talked about how much she loved slasher movies. I am a sucker for fans of slashers. And oh my god, Olivia really knows how to make such a compelling story.
I was on the edge of my seat for this story. I thought I had the killer thought out, but?? I was caught off guard at the killer reveal. Learning about the Pines Spring Slasher was sooo good too. Bro, I was eating this shit up.
And I loved when the chapters turned into script pages when they were filming the movie. Such a good way to translate the acting vs the actual story!!
I will definitely be buying this when it comes out and putting it on my fall TBR!
challenging
dark
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really liked this nostalgic slasher mystery. We get a few perspectives, but mainly follow Haze (not Hazel), a young actor who is cast as the "final girl" in a slasher film. There's a few layers of intrigue here: first, she's the daughter of a man who was convicted for the real-life murders of several high school students when Haze was a toddler. She never really knew her dad, but has always been drawn to the horror genre, which makes her feel like maybe there's something a little twisted inside her. On top of that history, the film she's in is actually being shot in the town she and her mom left, where the murders happened -- and the plot are characters are sounding eerily familiar. Once the cameras start rolling it becomes clear that there is a new murderer on the loose, and the targets are the actors of the film -- cast in roles that mimic the teens who died fifteen years ago. Haze is determined not only to survive (as the final girl is written) but figure out who the murderer is this time. And maybe it's not a copycat killer... maybe it's the same killer as before, meaning her dad could be innocent??
What I think worked best about this book is the layers: not only is it a book that honors the genre (perfect for fans of Stephen Graham Jones' Indian Lake trilogy or Riley Sager's The Final Girls, or obviously Scream, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc.) -- but it is an interesting take on how a series of murders continues to affect the community years later. Haze isn't the only character who has a connection to the town or the murders, and of course the folks in town all have memories and trauma. The mystery played out with a satisfying series of twists and turns and just enough suspense to keep me reading past my bedtime. Thanks Olivia Worley!
What I think worked best about this book is the layers: not only is it a book that honors the genre (perfect for fans of Stephen Graham Jones' Indian Lake trilogy or Riley Sager's The Final Girls, or obviously Scream, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc.) -- but it is an interesting take on how a series of murders continues to affect the community years later. Haze isn't the only character who has a connection to the town or the murders, and of course the folks in town all have memories and trauma. The mystery played out with a satisfying series of twists and turns and just enough suspense to keep me reading past my bedtime. Thanks Olivia Worley!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
As a fan of slashers, the "Final Cut" by Olivia Worley was a treat to dive into! Set in the town of Pine Springs, LA years after the tragedy caused by the infamous Pine Springs Slasher, a film crew is slowly being picked off one by one. Is it a sick homage to the man that sits behind bars or was the real killer never caught? That is the underlying mystery that is presented throughout this book.
Following the perspective of Hazel Lejeune (the daughter of the infamous killer), the reader is given a unique insight. You rarely get to see how such a heinous and disgusting crime affects the life of the loved ones that had to live with the consequences of the killer's actions. While there were moments where she frustrated me with just how naive she was in the situation, I did feel like she was portrayed pretty realistically.
The only thing that was hard to really follow was the intermittent movie scripts and how long was spent shooting. It really seemed like everything was pretty condensed for what was supposedly a feature film. While it is common to film things out of order, this made it seem like most sets only needed 2 to 3 takes before moving on, weather was ideal, and equipment worked perfectly each time. Although this can be the case, it would have made more sense to kind of stretch it out just a little bit. Especially with the situation surrounding the script itself.
All in all, the book was very well-written and I could see how this could potentially be made into a movie in a style a la 'Scream'.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this early.
Book Release: 28 October 2025
Following the perspective of Hazel Lejeune (the daughter of the infamous killer), the reader is given a unique insight. You rarely get to see how such a heinous and disgusting crime affects the life of the loved ones that had to live with the consequences of the killer's actions. While there were moments where she frustrated me with just how naive she was in the situation, I did feel like she was portrayed pretty realistically.
The only thing that was hard to really follow was the intermittent movie scripts and how long was spent shooting. It really seemed like everything was pretty condensed for what was supposedly a feature film. While it is common to film things out of order, this made it seem like most sets only needed 2 to 3 takes before moving on, weather was ideal, and equipment worked perfectly each time. Although this can be the case, it would have made more sense to kind of stretch it out just a little bit. Especially with the situation surrounding the script itself.
All in all, the book was very well-written and I could see how this could potentially be made into a movie in a style a la 'Scream'.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this early.
Book Release: 28 October 2025
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Final Cut is a solid thriller bringing to life the teen slasher vibes of the late 90s/early 00’s. It’s gory, it’s dark and extremely entertaining. This novel may be YA, but it doesn’t shy from the darker aspects of the genre. While not necessarily revolutionary as a thrill, there are enough twists to keep the momentum going.
This novel was an absolute surprise and perfect read for the beach or a dark and stormy night.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
This novel was an absolute surprise and perfect read for the beach or a dark and stormy night.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Final Cut is like a slasher flick you’d sneak-watch at a sleepover in middle school, but maybe not the one you’d pick for movie night now. It’s solid, (like something you’d watch on Netflix as you’re ignoring your everlasting queue) not spectacular, but it’s got its moments.
The setup is pure teen horror catnip: a group of kids making a low-budget horror movie in the middle of nowhere, only to realize there’s a real killer on set. It’s like Scream decided to cosplay as a Goosebumps episode, complete with creepy vibes and a body count that escalates faster than my anxiety during a work deadline. The main character, Haze, is a scrappy wannabe actress trying to keep her horror debut (and her newfound friends) from falling apart, which I respect. I mean, I can barely keep my laundry from piling up, so props to her for trying to wrangle friends and a murderer.
The good? I’ll give Worley credit: the big reveal of the killer caught me off guard. I was smugly thinking I had it all figured out, sipping my tea like some armchair detective. Well played, Olivia. The twist gave me that delicious “oh, dang!” moment that makes you forgive a book’s sins for a hot second. It’s got this fun, campy energy that screams “tween sleepover hit.” If I were 12, I’d be clutching my flashlight, whispering about this book under the covers, convinced I could solve the mystery faster than Haze. It’s got that R.L. Stine feel—spooky, but not too spooky, perfect for kids who love a thrill without nightmares.
But here’s where the three-star rating kicks in: some of the plot devices were so obvious they might as well have been neon signs. The red herrings? More like red whales, flopping around in plain sight. I could see the “shocking” betrayals coming from a mile away, like when my cat pretends he’s not about to knock over my water. The pacing’s a bit wobbly too—starts off snappy but drags in the middle like a horror movie sequel that didn’t need to exist.
I’m an adult, and I suspect my age is part of the problem. This book feels tailor-made for the 12-16 crowd, with its earnest teen drama and just-scary-enough stakes. Reading it as an adult, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at some of the clichés—like, yes, we getit, the creepy swamp is creepy. But if I were a tween, I’d eat this up like Halloween candy. It’s got that nostalgic Goosebumps vibe, where the scares are real but you know you’re safe under the blanket fort. It’s also refreshingly tween-friendly— good old-fashioned whodunit suspense.
Sometimes it tries too hard to be clever, and the dialogue can feel like it’s auditioning for a CW show—but it’s a fun ride. It’s like a B-movie you secretly love despite the cheesy effects.
In short, Final Cut is a decent popcorn read. If you’re a teen or a nostalgia junkie, you might bump it up to four stars. For me, it’s a solid three—enjoyable, but I’m too old to be fully bewitched by its charms. Still, I’d recommend it for a spooky weekend read, especially if you’ve got a tween in your life who needs a stop along the way between Goosebumps and Stephen King.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc!
Final Cut follows the daughter of a murderer going back to the town where the murders were committed so she can film a serial killer movie.
I found this to be a really interesting book. And it was FULL of twists. I was constantly trying to guess the murderer, and I actually ended up guessing it around 10 percent in. I ended up being doubtful around the 70 percent mark before it came true, but it was always in the back of my brain.
The way the author handled relationships also felt realistic. Everyone has flaws. Although some people were a bit idealized, it still fit well. My main complaint was that it was hard to keep track of everyone in the book. It introduces so many names around the same time that it's hard to feel connection to any one person. In the book, there are also some POV shifts to other characters. While it felt a bit random, I still enjoyed knowing more than some of the characters at certain points. It allowed a certain level of dramatic irony.
The ending to the book felt like it could have been a little longer. I still had questions, that while hinted at, didn't provide much substance for me. Everything was resolved a little too quickly, and while this is a very fast-paced book, the action felt like it went from a hundred to zero. There was also a romance in this book. I typically don't like romance in my horror or mystery books because I feel like in some cases, it can end up ruining it. However, this book handled it well. I found myself liking it, and god forbid, wanting a bit more of it.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book and I'm glad to have read it. It kept me on my toes, and I actively looked forward to being able to sit down and read.
Final Cut follows the daughter of a murderer going back to the town where the murders were committed so she can film a serial killer movie.
I found this to be a really interesting book. And it was FULL of twists. I was constantly trying to guess the murderer, and I actually ended up guessing it around 10 percent in. I ended up being doubtful around the 70 percent mark before it came true, but it was always in the back of my brain.
The way the author handled relationships also felt realistic. Everyone has flaws. Although some people were a bit idealized, it still fit well. My main complaint was that it was hard to keep track of everyone in the book. It introduces so many names around the same time that it's hard to feel connection to any one person. In the book, there are also some POV shifts to other characters. While it felt a bit random, I still enjoyed knowing more than some of the characters at certain points. It allowed a certain level of dramatic irony.
The ending to the book felt like it could have been a little longer. I still had questions, that while hinted at, didn't provide much substance for me. Everything was resolved a little too quickly, and while this is a very fast-paced book, the action felt like it went from a hundred to zero. There was also a romance in this book. I typically don't like romance in my horror or mystery books because I feel like in some cases, it can end up ruining it. However, this book handled it well. I found myself liking it, and god forbid, wanting a bit more of it.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book and I'm glad to have read it. It kept me on my toes, and I actively looked forward to being able to sit down and read.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The FMC, Haze, described another character as Billy Loomis early on and my Scream loving heart said, “Say no more! I’m in!”
What a fun homage to cult slashers. I loved every minute of this book! I thought I had the killer figured out multiple times and I was wrong every single one them.
Thank you Netgalley for the eArc
What a fun homage to cult slashers. I loved every minute of this book! I thought I had the killer figured out multiple times and I was wrong every single one them.
Thank you Netgalley for the eArc
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated