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The Final Episode
When a true crime series chronicles the tragic childhood summer that changed her life forever, a young woman must grapple with the truth about her father…and herself.
Jennifer Jones and her best friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, and this summer, Jennifer will finally turn eleven. She hopes to gain the “second sight” foretold by family legend and fulfill her destiny. Instead, the swamp serves up dangers greater than the gators lurking on Halfway Creek. Little Francie Farrow vanishes—and Jennifer’s father goes to prison.
Twenty years later, Jennifer has almost shed the label of Paul Jones’s daughter when her past comes barreling back. Inspired by True Events, a TV series that solves the unsolvable, is recreating that fateful summer. As the series plays out, Jennifer Did the show finally find Francie Farrow? And is Jennifer’s father truly guilty?
Someone else wants answers even more than Jennifer does, and they won’t let her forget it.
As the series nears its finale and the long-awaited truth, Jennifer must come to terms with who her family is…and what that makes her.
Jennifer Jones and her best friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, and this summer, Jennifer will finally turn eleven. She hopes to gain the “second sight” foretold by family legend and fulfill her destiny. Instead, the swamp serves up dangers greater than the gators lurking on Halfway Creek. Little Francie Farrow vanishes—and Jennifer’s father goes to prison.
Twenty years later, Jennifer has almost shed the label of Paul Jones’s daughter when her past comes barreling back. Inspired by True Events, a TV series that solves the unsolvable, is recreating that fateful summer. As the series plays out, Jennifer Did the show finally find Francie Farrow? And is Jennifer’s father truly guilty?
Someone else wants answers even more than Jennifer does, and they won’t let her forget it.
As the series nears its finale and the long-awaited truth, Jennifer must come to terms with who her family is…and what that makes her.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
653 people are currently reading
5375 people want to read
About the author
Lori Roy
14 books303 followersLori Roy’s debut novel, Bent Road, was awarded the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. Her work has been twice named a New York Times Notable Crime Book and has been included on various “best of” and summer reading lists. Until She Comes Home was a New York Times Editors’ Choice and a finalist for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel.
Let Me Die in His Footsteps was included among the top fiction of 2015 by Books-A-Million and named one of the best fifteen mystery novels of 2015 by Oline Cogdill. The novel also received the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel, making Lori the first woman to receive an Edgar Award for both Best First Novel and Best Novel—and only the third person ever to have done so. Gone Too Long was named a People magazine Book of the Week, was named one of the Best Books of Summer 2019, and was excerpted by Oprah magazine.
Lori's latest, THE FINAL EPISODE, will hit stores June 25, 2025.
Lori lives with her family in west central Florida.
Let Me Die in His Footsteps was included among the top fiction of 2015 by Books-A-Million and named one of the best fifteen mystery novels of 2015 by Oline Cogdill. The novel also received the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel, making Lori the first woman to receive an Edgar Award for both Best First Novel and Best Novel—and only the third person ever to have done so. Gone Too Long was named a People magazine Book of the Week, was named one of the Best Books of Summer 2019, and was excerpted by Oprah magazine.
Lori's latest, THE FINAL EPISODE, will hit stores June 25, 2025.
Lori lives with her family in west central Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
May 20, 2025
I will always give a murder mystery genre that ties into a podcast a try, because on multiple occasions they’ve been some of my favourite books. This is a new author for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The premise starts out with the events that take place the night a young girl goes missing from her home. This situation is definitely unsettling, the thought of being a parent who sleeps through the apparent abduction of their child from their bed down the hallway is just unthinkable. We then get the perspective of another child whose father becomes the prime suspect for the abduction.
After this introduction there is a jarring catapult into the future where the second girl is now fully grown up and still being harassed by the mother of the missing child. We learn that there is currently a podcast covering the events which is soon due to air its final episode. The final episode typically solves the case so to say everyone is on edge is understating it.
Overall the book was interesting, although the pacing is definitely a slow burn and as you know you’re waiting for the entire book for the big reveal it can make things feel like they are dragging on at times.
I definitely felt sorry for the main characters, this one event effectively shaped the rest of their lives, unable to move on either from grief, loss or being constantly reminded or accused of having involvement.
The ended definitely gave answers although I feel like it could have given a little more than it did, it felt like some things were maybe missing or not quite wrapped up in a satisfying way.
I’d recommend giving it a go if you enjoy podcast style books / true crime etc
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publish date 📆 June 24th
The premise starts out with the events that take place the night a young girl goes missing from her home. This situation is definitely unsettling, the thought of being a parent who sleeps through the apparent abduction of their child from their bed down the hallway is just unthinkable. We then get the perspective of another child whose father becomes the prime suspect for the abduction.
After this introduction there is a jarring catapult into the future where the second girl is now fully grown up and still being harassed by the mother of the missing child. We learn that there is currently a podcast covering the events which is soon due to air its final episode. The final episode typically solves the case so to say everyone is on edge is understating it.
Overall the book was interesting, although the pacing is definitely a slow burn and as you know you’re waiting for the entire book for the big reveal it can make things feel like they are dragging on at times.
I definitely felt sorry for the main characters, this one event effectively shaped the rest of their lives, unable to move on either from grief, loss or being constantly reminded or accused of having involvement.
The ended definitely gave answers although I feel like it could have given a little more than it did, it felt like some things were maybe missing or not quite wrapped up in a satisfying way.
I’d recommend giving it a go if you enjoy podcast style books / true crime etc
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publish date 📆 June 24th
June 13, 2025
If Lucinda Berry's "The Perfect Child" and Delia Owen's "Where the Crawdad's Sing" had a crossover, this would be that book. The imagery of the swamp, The Old Man, these four wildly different children was evocative and the mystery of what happened to Franny was heartbreaking. Even as the story unfolded and you knew what the terrible conclusion was going to be you don't want it to end.
I was spellbound listening to this audiobook. Top notch storytelling and narration that brings the story to life.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Lori Roy, and Brilliance Audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
I was spellbound listening to this audiobook. Top notch storytelling and narration that brings the story to life.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Lori Roy, and Brilliance Audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
December 30, 2024
”Being like someone must be better than being like no one. Because being like no one is lonely.”
I'm notoriously picky when it comes to mystery-thrillers - so often they promise everything, only to leave me disappointed on the final page. The Final Episode by Lori Roy, however, is a rare exception. The pacing was spot on, the mystery gripping enough to make me want to devour it in one sitting, and most importantly, every plot point was resolved by the end. No loose threads, no unanswered questions - just a solid, satisfying conclusion.
”People can be hateful towards things they don’t understand.”
That said, I wish the true crime series aspect had been more central to the story. It felt like a distant backdrop rather than a key part of the characters' lives.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
January 3, 2025
4.5/5
Woah.
This book is incredible. I couldn’t put it down. The book is told in two different timelines. The twist and turns are excellent. The book is told in Jenny’s point of view in during a tragic childhood summer and her adult life. A show digs up her past and each chapter in the book is an episode of the show.
This book is 100% worth the read.
Woah.
This book is incredible. I couldn’t put it down. The book is told in two different timelines. The twist and turns are excellent. The book is told in Jenny’s point of view in during a tragic childhood summer and her adult life. A show digs up her past and each chapter in the book is an episode of the show.
This book is 100% worth the read.
January 4, 2025
The Last Episode by Lori Ray is a novel I was genuinely excited to read. However, much like the setting, it felt as though I was slogging through a sticky swamp—struggling to make progress. I had to skim to finish the novel; while I couldn’t bring myself to DNF it, I came dangerously close several times. The mystery and pursuit of the truth kept me slightly gripped, but the novel lacked crucial elements needed for me to fully understand the events leading up to the climax.
Before I proceed with the rest of the review, I would like to note a few triggers:
- alcoholism
- kidnapping
If any of the aforementioned triggers may be unsettling for you, please approach this novel with caution.
Moving along, the story follows Jennifer Jones and her best friends, who spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp. As she turns eleven, Jennifer hopes to gain the “second sight” foretold by her family legend and fulfill her destiny. Instead, the swamp reveals dangers greater than the lurking gators on Halfway Creek. Little Francie Farrow vanishes—and Jennifer’s father, Paul Jones, is imprisoned. Fast forward twenty years, and Jennifer has almost managed to shed the label of “Paul Jones’s daughter.” However, her past comes rushing back when Inspired by True Events, a TV series that solves unsolvable cases, recreates that fateful summer. As the series airs, Jennifer begins to wonder: Has the show finally uncovered the truth about Francie Farrow? And is her father truly guilty? As the finale looms, Jennifer must confront the reality of her family’s legacy and what it means for her.
Within the first 40 pages, I sensed that this novel was going to be a struggle. And I was right. While the ending provided a satisfying resolution, I couldn’t enjoy the story because I spent most of my time rewinding pages, trying to figure out whether I was in the past or present, and who was narrating. By page 100, I gave up and began skimming. Even then, nothing juicy had occurred. If Ray had provided clear distinctions between timelines and characters—perhaps using chapter headers or transitions—it would have helped immensely. Instead, the narrative frequently flipped between past and present in the middle of chapters without warning, leaving me utterly lost.
For me, once I can’t understand what’s happening—despite going back to reread—the book loses me entirely. A wave of frustration washes over, and it’s difficult to recover. While novels can feature complex characters and timelines, they need to be executed with clarity, and unfortunately, this one was not. Additionally, Jennifer often referred to “you” in her narration, which the context eventually revealed to mean her father. However, it was poorly established, making it feel more confusing than mysterious.
That said, the setting of Big Cypress Swamp was haunting and atmospheric, and I appreciated the chilling energy of the characters. It felt like the framework for a blood-curdling mystery was there, but the execution fell flat.
Overall, The Last Episode earned a 2/5 because I was unable to enjoy the investigative adventures or the mystery itself, as I was too preoccupied with distinguishing past from present and deciphering who was speaking. While I did partially enjoy the appalling denouement, I was left with lingering confusion that dulled its impact.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for providing me with this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Before I proceed with the rest of the review, I would like to note a few triggers:
- alcoholism
- kidnapping
If any of the aforementioned triggers may be unsettling for you, please approach this novel with caution.
Moving along, the story follows Jennifer Jones and her best friends, who spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp. As she turns eleven, Jennifer hopes to gain the “second sight” foretold by her family legend and fulfill her destiny. Instead, the swamp reveals dangers greater than the lurking gators on Halfway Creek. Little Francie Farrow vanishes—and Jennifer’s father, Paul Jones, is imprisoned. Fast forward twenty years, and Jennifer has almost managed to shed the label of “Paul Jones’s daughter.” However, her past comes rushing back when Inspired by True Events, a TV series that solves unsolvable cases, recreates that fateful summer. As the series airs, Jennifer begins to wonder: Has the show finally uncovered the truth about Francie Farrow? And is her father truly guilty? As the finale looms, Jennifer must confront the reality of her family’s legacy and what it means for her.
Within the first 40 pages, I sensed that this novel was going to be a struggle. And I was right. While the ending provided a satisfying resolution, I couldn’t enjoy the story because I spent most of my time rewinding pages, trying to figure out whether I was in the past or present, and who was narrating. By page 100, I gave up and began skimming. Even then, nothing juicy had occurred. If Ray had provided clear distinctions between timelines and characters—perhaps using chapter headers or transitions—it would have helped immensely. Instead, the narrative frequently flipped between past and present in the middle of chapters without warning, leaving me utterly lost.
For me, once I can’t understand what’s happening—despite going back to reread—the book loses me entirely. A wave of frustration washes over, and it’s difficult to recover. While novels can feature complex characters and timelines, they need to be executed with clarity, and unfortunately, this one was not. Additionally, Jennifer often referred to “you” in her narration, which the context eventually revealed to mean her father. However, it was poorly established, making it feel more confusing than mysterious.
That said, the setting of Big Cypress Swamp was haunting and atmospheric, and I appreciated the chilling energy of the characters. It felt like the framework for a blood-curdling mystery was there, but the execution fell flat.
Overall, The Last Episode earned a 2/5 because I was unable to enjoy the investigative adventures or the mystery itself, as I was too preoccupied with distinguishing past from present and deciphering who was speaking. While I did partially enjoy the appalling denouement, I was left with lingering confusion that dulled its impact.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for providing me with this Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2025
The Final Episode by Lori Roy. Thanks to @kayepublicity for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A new podcast investigation takes on a twenty year old case of a missing child. Will it validate the charges of Jenny’s father who is imprisoned, or set him free?
This was a great mystery that kept me hooked. I read it in one day. There’s some back and forth with the timeline and we get a look at the lives of adolescent teens and how that played into the mystery. There’s a lot of moving pieces that all come together in the end, but it’s never confusing. The past scenes are cleverly done as podcast episodes. This is a unique story, which is not always the case with this genre.
“I didn’t understand how I saw no sign of anger and the hatred that must live inside someone who could do the things you did.”
The Final Episode comes out 6/24.
A new podcast investigation takes on a twenty year old case of a missing child. Will it validate the charges of Jenny’s father who is imprisoned, or set him free?
This was a great mystery that kept me hooked. I read it in one day. There’s some back and forth with the timeline and we get a look at the lives of adolescent teens and how that played into the mystery. There’s a lot of moving pieces that all come together in the end, but it’s never confusing. The past scenes are cleverly done as podcast episodes. This is a unique story, which is not always the case with this genre.
“I didn’t understand how I saw no sign of anger and the hatred that must live inside someone who could do the things you did.”
The Final Episode comes out 6/24.
December 27, 2024
Fue una historia adictiva; una vez que empecé, no solté el libro hasta terminarlo. Disfruté del estilo de escritura, la trama y la forma en que estaba narrado.
Mi reseña será breve porque no quiero dar spoilers, y definitivamente los thrillers deben leerse sin tener idea de lo que está sucediendo.
Hay una parte en donde todas las piezas del rompecabezas están en la mesa y se vuelve obvio lo que ocurrió, lo cual debería haber hecho que perdiera el interés, pero la autora logró mantenerme atenta.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mi reseña será breve porque no quiero dar spoilers, y definitivamente los thrillers deben leerse sin tener idea de lo que está sucediendo.
Hay una parte en donde todas las piezas del rompecabezas están en la mesa y se vuelve obvio lo que ocurrió, lo cual debería haber hecho que perdiera el interés, pero la autora logró mantenerme atenta.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2025
Loved the alternating timelines that showed a steady progression to the end! It was an edge of your seat story. Well told, well thought out. Not a sentence was wasted. I especially appreciated all of the chapters after the final episode explaining what happened.
July 15, 2025
'The Final Episode' by Lori Roy (2025).
"It is a book about empathy" - Lori Roy
Twenty years ago, Francie Farrow, a nine-year-old, went missing from her Florida bedroom one evening. According to 12-year-old Nora Banks, who was at Francie's for a sleepover, a man took her and claimed he was bringing her to a nearby swamp.
In the present day, Jennifer is adapting to life on her own, complicated by her father, Paul Jones's conviction in connection with Francie's disappearance. A father whom she never visits. The tragic event intertwines the fates of three families.
Enter a TV series called “Inspired by True Events,” which presents a dramatic recreation and comprehensive investigation into the Farrow/Jones case. The series is known for uncovering facts that investigators might have missed. As the final episode approaches its scheduled broadcast, everything revolves around the forthcoming revelations. Has the series found new clues?
Roy has concocted a compelling plot characterized by its intricate structure and dynamic timelines. Readers are likely to make many inferences, and the conclusion is likely to surprise. It makes for a captivating reading experience.
This is the first of Roy's books I've read, and it was recommended by Lisa Ungar, an author whose work I also admire.
"It is a book about empathy" - Lori Roy
Twenty years ago, Francie Farrow, a nine-year-old, went missing from her Florida bedroom one evening. According to 12-year-old Nora Banks, who was at Francie's for a sleepover, a man took her and claimed he was bringing her to a nearby swamp.
In the present day, Jennifer is adapting to life on her own, complicated by her father, Paul Jones's conviction in connection with Francie's disappearance. A father whom she never visits. The tragic event intertwines the fates of three families.
Enter a TV series called “Inspired by True Events,” which presents a dramatic recreation and comprehensive investigation into the Farrow/Jones case. The series is known for uncovering facts that investigators might have missed. As the final episode approaches its scheduled broadcast, everything revolves around the forthcoming revelations. Has the series found new clues?
Roy has concocted a compelling plot characterized by its intricate structure and dynamic timelines. Readers are likely to make many inferences, and the conclusion is likely to surprise. It makes for a captivating reading experience.
This is the first of Roy's books I've read, and it was recommended by Lisa Ungar, an author whose work I also admire.
June 7, 2025
This was the perfect summer read, quick moving, and un- put downable!
It is a great storyline with lots of twists and turns.
Jenny has not had the best childhood, her mom died giving birth to her and as loving as her dad is, she feels like an outsider except when summer rolls around and they pack up to spend time together at their cottage near the swamp, where Tia and Mandy spend summers as well, Tia is Jenny's best and only friend but everything changes when Nora and her mom show up trying to outrun the media frenzy surrounding them because of their connection to a local missing little girl named Francie who is about the same age as the girls. This summer will be very different for many reasons, danger, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Fast-forward 20+ years later, a television series about Francie is causing Jenny to relive the summer that changed her life forever, and not everyone involved is happy about it.
I truly enjoyed the way the author made you feel you were 11 again how it felt to want to have a friend, to fit in, the anxiousness of it all, being a kid is tough and the author was able to transport me right back to that time. I felt the butterflies, the anticipation, fear, and pure joy right along with those girls. I enthusiastically recommend "The last episode" by Lori Roy
It is a great storyline with lots of twists and turns.
Jenny has not had the best childhood, her mom died giving birth to her and as loving as her dad is, she feels like an outsider except when summer rolls around and they pack up to spend time together at their cottage near the swamp, where Tia and Mandy spend summers as well, Tia is Jenny's best and only friend but everything changes when Nora and her mom show up trying to outrun the media frenzy surrounding them because of their connection to a local missing little girl named Francie who is about the same age as the girls. This summer will be very different for many reasons, danger, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Fast-forward 20+ years later, a television series about Francie is causing Jenny to relive the summer that changed her life forever, and not everyone involved is happy about it.
I truly enjoyed the way the author made you feel you were 11 again how it felt to want to have a friend, to fit in, the anxiousness of it all, being a kid is tough and the author was able to transport me right back to that time. I felt the butterflies, the anticipation, fear, and pure joy right along with those girls. I enthusiastically recommend "The last episode" by Lori Roy
June 24, 2025
This is not an ending I was expecting...or was I?
Told from two timelines, the past and the present, offers another look at the crime, those involved, and what might have really happened to Francie Farrow.
The past is told from the viewpoint of each episode of the show, Inspired by True Events. They look at unsolved crimes to see if they can uncover what might have happened, or with new technology, does it change how evidence is viewed? The past and present are interwoven, and I felt for several characters. There are others who are unlikable, which adds to the story's tension.
The story is told primarily from Jennifer's point of view, from how she handled events as a child—she was only eleven—to how things are going for her as an adult. While some characters might make you suspicious, the truth surprised me in the end.
I thought the author did a great job with the imagery of the swamp. I could picture the murky water, the wildlife, and the hopes that Jennifer left there.
There were times when the book felt a little slower than others, and sometimes, I got confused with the names because they would be called Mr or Mrs in the book, but sometimes by their first name. So keeping those straight took a little effort. However, I understand the why for Mr and Mrs because that is how children were raised to respect their elders.
This was a highly enjoyable book; we give it 4 1/2 paws.
Told from two timelines, the past and the present, offers another look at the crime, those involved, and what might have really happened to Francie Farrow.
The past is told from the viewpoint of each episode of the show, Inspired by True Events. They look at unsolved crimes to see if they can uncover what might have happened, or with new technology, does it change how evidence is viewed? The past and present are interwoven, and I felt for several characters. There are others who are unlikable, which adds to the story's tension.
The story is told primarily from Jennifer's point of view, from how she handled events as a child—she was only eleven—to how things are going for her as an adult. While some characters might make you suspicious, the truth surprised me in the end.
I thought the author did a great job with the imagery of the swamp. I could picture the murky water, the wildlife, and the hopes that Jennifer left there.
There were times when the book felt a little slower than others, and sometimes, I got confused with the names because they would be called Mr or Mrs in the book, but sometimes by their first name. So keeping those straight took a little effort. However, I understand the why for Mr and Mrs because that is how children were raised to respect their elders.
This was a highly enjoyable book; we give it 4 1/2 paws.
June 2, 2025
Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ & Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟
The final episode by Lori Roy, unfortunately, wasn't for me. I should have DNF'd this book, but I just wanted to see what was going to happen, but not in a happy or good way. Just to say, I finished it. I felt like a lot of nothing happened in this story. I did like the episode-style writing and the dual timeline.
I don't know; I just felt like something was missing and was kind of confused.
The audiobook is narrated by P.J. Morgan, and she did a good job telling the story. She was easy to listen to and understand. Listened at 2x speed.
Thank you, NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, for the audiobook, and Thomas & Mercer for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.
🌟🌟🌟
The final episode by Lori Roy, unfortunately, wasn't for me. I should have DNF'd this book, but I just wanted to see what was going to happen, but not in a happy or good way. Just to say, I finished it. I felt like a lot of nothing happened in this story. I did like the episode-style writing and the dual timeline.
I don't know; I just felt like something was missing and was kind of confused.
The audiobook is narrated by P.J. Morgan, and she did a good job telling the story. She was easy to listen to and understand. Listened at 2x speed.
Thank you, NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, for the audiobook, and Thomas & Mercer for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.
January 28, 2025
Thank you to Lori Roy, Thomas & Mercer, and netgalley for the arc copy of The Final Episode! Loved all the details, the author painted the atmosphere well! This novel switches between past and present time. Some chapters were long but kept your attention and wanting to read more! Multiple twists. Kept me guessing and unable to figure out the ending! This book publishes 6/24/25!
Want to read
March 26, 2025The Final Episode releases on the 24th June, 2025!
— ★ southern gothic mystery, true crime-inspired fiction ★ —
thank you so much to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a free e-ARC in exchange for my review.
— ★ southern gothic mystery, true crime-inspired fiction ★ —
thank you so much to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a free e-ARC in exchange for my review.
June 22, 2025
I knew it. I mean I'm sure WE ALL KNEW IT. But my god, the lives that were taken/destroyed because of someone wanting revenge. Revenge, mind you, that WASN'T EVEN ON THE CORRECT PERSON. And then realizing your mistake and destroying even more lives in the process?! Diabolical.
July 23, 2025
Twisty, Turney. A bit hard to follow at times
August 30, 2025
Kept me guessing and involved.
September 3, 2025
Kept me on my toes
So good!!! Twists and turns throughout, it kept me hooked the entire way! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
So good!!! Twists and turns throughout, it kept me hooked the entire way! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
December 17, 2025
Though the premise was quite intriguing, the character development and how the plot was presented didn’t engage me.
September 22, 2025
Good read
I enjoyed this - more of a mystery than a thriller and completely heartbreaking.
It is told from many POVs and a bit confusing bc part is suppose to be the show. Other parts Jenny writing letters to her dad, but not all the pov seemed like a letter.
Good story. Good plot. Would make a good movie.
I enjoyed this - more of a mystery than a thriller and completely heartbreaking.
It is told from many POVs and a bit confusing bc part is suppose to be the show. Other parts Jenny writing letters to her dad, but not all the pov seemed like a letter.
Good story. Good plot. Would make a good movie.
August 11, 2025
A great who done it, and I love the true crime documentary aspect of it. I did feel like the story dragged a little bit and a few places, but overall it was a pretty good read with a satisfying ending.
July 17, 2025
This was… so obvious. I am shocked that it’s rated 4 stars
August 10, 2025
OMG, this was so sloooooow. And booooring. And did I mention sloooow? The idea behind it was okay, but the execution was just not up to snuff. At. All. The multiple POVs were just gimmicky, you can basically skip every single chapter that had Beverley in it and not miss a single thing. Seriously. I'm not even exaggerating.
Also, feel free to skim your way through this interminable thing (I certainly skimmed the hell out of it), because it's repetitive AF as well. Everything gets said over and over and over again, and then there'll be another character saying it once more from their point of view, adding nothing at all, it's like the author was getting paid by the word. (Maybe she was? I don't know how those Amazon imprints work. I just know that quality-wise, Thomas & Mercer has yet to deliver a single decent read for me.)
Also, am I really supposed to believe that Grown-Up Jen's narrative is this one super long letter to her imprisoned dad?!? Like, who writes letters like that? It's always chunks of general mystery-novel prose interspersed with some boo-hoo sentimental BS addressed to some jarring "you", to make things deep and poignant or whatever. Really got on my nerves.
"I hoped you were the man I thought you were" , "I still loved the man you were before and didn't know what to do with the man you were after"-- what kid thinks like that of their dad? What kid even sees their parent as a man or a woman?! But of course in this book the female children all think of themselves as "little girls", too. Oh please. Show me one kid that refers to herself that way.
And what was up with MC Jenny referring to every mother in this book as a "mama", even as a thirty-something lady?? I mean, what are you, a toddler? Ugh.
This novel isn't even exciting or scary or whatever, what tension there is always comes from grown-up Jenny invariably hearing nightly noises around her house and/or being alerted to movement in her backyard by her security camera. It's like the author knows of no other way to create tension. The novel even starts out with a scene like that. Is it relevant to the plot? Not really; it's just there to set the mood. Or rather, to fool you into believing this might be an action-packed read instead of a never-ending snooze fest. (On a related note, this book starts out with pages and pages and pages and pages of "Praise for Lori Roy" -- seriously, this stuff went on forever, it was like something out of Monty Python. Apparently every. Single. One of this lady's about 724 books is just a hands-down masterpiece for the ages that left reviewers and their dogs, neighbors and passing alien spaceships panting with ecstasy and ready to sacrifice their firstborn. Let us all praise Lori! Hallelujah!)
That whole bit with the TV show was little more than a gimmick as well, it never really played a role. It was just a device to add massive heaps of backstory to this thing. Like reading about a trio of ten-year-olds and their summer vacation? Cool, this is what you get! Just a bunch of girls running around, looking for orchids, hanging out at the pool, trying to impress the new girl on their godforsaken swamp road. Who is supposedly 12, but about as worldly and jaded as someone twice her age. Oh, and she has "curves". "Grown-up curves", to be exact. Or rather, she "is all curves". I have no clue why the author is so intent on sexualizing a tween, but apparently this twelve-year-old's body shape is something she felt she had to go into detail with. Might I also add: ewwww.
I never got a sense of when exactly that backstory is supposed to take place either; it is said that Francie disappeared twenty-plus years ago, but the parts set in the past never mention anything that would actually pin things down, time-wise -- no pop cultural details like the music those kids liked to listen to or what TV shows were popular, no quirks of fashion, nothing. So those parts pretty much fell flat for me. I mean, like the whole book really.
Never heard of Lori Roy before; will not read Lori Roy again. Also, should really stay away from Amazon-published books. Oh well.
My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Also, feel free to skim your way through this interminable thing (I certainly skimmed the hell out of it), because it's repetitive AF as well. Everything gets said over and over and over again, and then there'll be another character saying it once more from their point of view, adding nothing at all, it's like the author was getting paid by the word. (Maybe she was? I don't know how those Amazon imprints work. I just know that quality-wise, Thomas & Mercer has yet to deliver a single decent read for me.)
Also, am I really supposed to believe that Grown-Up Jen's narrative is this one super long letter to her imprisoned dad?!? Like, who writes letters like that? It's always chunks of general mystery-novel prose interspersed with some boo-hoo sentimental BS addressed to some jarring "you", to make things deep and poignant or whatever. Really got on my nerves.
"I hoped you were the man I thought you were" , "I still loved the man you were before and didn't know what to do with the man you were after"-- what kid thinks like that of their dad? What kid even sees their parent as a man or a woman?! But of course in this book the female children all think of themselves as "little girls", too. Oh please. Show me one kid that refers to herself that way.
And what was up with MC Jenny referring to every mother in this book as a "mama", even as a thirty-something lady?? I mean, what are you, a toddler? Ugh.
This novel isn't even exciting or scary or whatever, what tension there is always comes from grown-up Jenny invariably hearing nightly noises around her house and/or being alerted to movement in her backyard by her security camera. It's like the author knows of no other way to create tension. The novel even starts out with a scene like that. Is it relevant to the plot? Not really; it's just there to set the mood. Or rather, to fool you into believing this might be an action-packed read instead of a never-ending snooze fest. (On a related note, this book starts out with pages and pages and pages and pages of "Praise for Lori Roy" -- seriously, this stuff went on forever, it was like something out of Monty Python. Apparently every. Single. One of this lady's about 724 books is just a hands-down masterpiece for the ages that left reviewers and their dogs, neighbors and passing alien spaceships panting with ecstasy and ready to sacrifice their firstborn. Let us all praise Lori! Hallelujah!)
That whole bit with the TV show was little more than a gimmick as well, it never really played a role. It was just a device to add massive heaps of backstory to this thing. Like reading about a trio of ten-year-olds and their summer vacation? Cool, this is what you get! Just a bunch of girls running around, looking for orchids, hanging out at the pool, trying to impress the new girl on their godforsaken swamp road. Who is supposedly 12, but about as worldly and jaded as someone twice her age. Oh, and she has "curves". "Grown-up curves", to be exact. Or rather, she "is all curves". I have no clue why the author is so intent on sexualizing a tween, but apparently this twelve-year-old's body shape is something she felt she had to go into detail with. Might I also add: ewwww.
I never got a sense of when exactly that backstory is supposed to take place either; it is said that Francie disappeared twenty-plus years ago, but the parts set in the past never mention anything that would actually pin things down, time-wise -- no pop cultural details like the music those kids liked to listen to or what TV shows were popular, no quirks of fashion, nothing. So those parts pretty much fell flat for me. I mean, like the whole book really.
Never heard of Lori Roy before; will not read Lori Roy again. Also, should really stay away from Amazon-published books. Oh well.
My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lori Roy’s “The Final Episode” is a haunting, atmospheric suspense book that masterfully combines past and present, revealing the long shadows that youthful mistakes and family secrets can cast over a lifetime. Roy delivers an immersive story full of rich character work, slow-burning tension, and a setting so vivid you can almost feel the humid press of Big Cypress Swamp.
The story follows Jennifer Jones, who spent her childhood summers playing with friends among the dangers of the swamp, dreaming of tapping into her family’s fabled "second sight." But when she was eleven, her world cracked apart—young Francie Farrow vanished, and Jennifer’s father was imprisoned for a crime he may or may not have committed. Twenty-two years later, Jennifer has worked hard to escape her past. But when Inspired by “True Events”—a popular true crime TV series—decides to revisit the case, Jennifer is pulled back into the swamp of half-truths, suspicions, and buried trauma.
Told through two different timelines—one a contemporary letter from Jennifer to her incarcerated father, the other a series of dramatized “TV episodes” reconstructing that fateful summer—"The Final Episode” cleverly plays with narrative form and your own expectations for how the story is delivered. You will either enjoy the experimental structure or you may find it confusing/uneven (the "episodes" often read more like introspective flashbacks than believable televised reenactments), the overall effect builds a layered mystery that mirrors the way memory and media can distort reality.
Roy’s greatest strength lies in her evocative writing. The swamp setting becomes a character in its own right—haunting, claustrophobic, and unforgettable. Her characters, too, are vividly drawn: flawed, haunted, and achingly human. Jennifer’s struggle to reconcile her memories with the new revelations dredged up by the show feels poignant and real, and her fraught relationship with her father underpins the emotional heart of the story.
That said, the pacing was a bit of a challenge. “The Final Episode” moves deliberately, allowing suspense to build slowly like the rising swamp water. While the mystery unravels gradually, the emotional payoff is well worth it. The final chapters tie up the mystery in a satisfying, bittersweet way, even if the ultimate revelations may not shock seasoned mystery readers.
Overall, “The Final Episode” is a thoughtful, slow-burn thriller that lingers long after the final page. While its experimental narrative structure may be a bit unexpected, those willing to immerse themselves in its richly atmospheric world and complex emotional landscape will find a rewarding story about guilt, memory, and the struggle to claim your own identity beyond the shadows of your past. Highly recommended for fans of literary mysteries, dark southern settings, and character-driven suspense novels with a psychological twist.
Lori Roy’s “The Final Episode” is a haunting, atmospheric suspense book that masterfully combines past and present, revealing the long shadows that youthful mistakes and family secrets can cast over a lifetime. Roy delivers an immersive story full of rich character work, slow-burning tension, and a setting so vivid you can almost feel the humid press of Big Cypress Swamp.
The story follows Jennifer Jones, who spent her childhood summers playing with friends among the dangers of the swamp, dreaming of tapping into her family’s fabled "second sight." But when she was eleven, her world cracked apart—young Francie Farrow vanished, and Jennifer’s father was imprisoned for a crime he may or may not have committed. Twenty-two years later, Jennifer has worked hard to escape her past. But when Inspired by “True Events”—a popular true crime TV series—decides to revisit the case, Jennifer is pulled back into the swamp of half-truths, suspicions, and buried trauma.
Told through two different timelines—one a contemporary letter from Jennifer to her incarcerated father, the other a series of dramatized “TV episodes” reconstructing that fateful summer—"The Final Episode” cleverly plays with narrative form and your own expectations for how the story is delivered. You will either enjoy the experimental structure or you may find it confusing/uneven (the "episodes" often read more like introspective flashbacks than believable televised reenactments), the overall effect builds a layered mystery that mirrors the way memory and media can distort reality.
Roy’s greatest strength lies in her evocative writing. The swamp setting becomes a character in its own right—haunting, claustrophobic, and unforgettable. Her characters, too, are vividly drawn: flawed, haunted, and achingly human. Jennifer’s struggle to reconcile her memories with the new revelations dredged up by the show feels poignant and real, and her fraught relationship with her father underpins the emotional heart of the story.
That said, the pacing was a bit of a challenge. “The Final Episode” moves deliberately, allowing suspense to build slowly like the rising swamp water. While the mystery unravels gradually, the emotional payoff is well worth it. The final chapters tie up the mystery in a satisfying, bittersweet way, even if the ultimate revelations may not shock seasoned mystery readers.
Overall, “The Final Episode” is a thoughtful, slow-burn thriller that lingers long after the final page. While its experimental narrative structure may be a bit unexpected, those willing to immerse themselves in its richly atmospheric world and complex emotional landscape will find a rewarding story about guilt, memory, and the struggle to claim your own identity beyond the shadows of your past. Highly recommended for fans of literary mysteries, dark southern settings, and character-driven suspense novels with a psychological twist.
February 25, 2025
Jennifer Jones and her childhood friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, hoping for a magical sense of belonging and purpose. As Jennifer turns eleven, she’s expecting a connection to her family's mysterious past, something her mother passed down to her like a gift—or maybe a curse. But the swamp offers up far more danger than any teen girl dreams of when Francie Farrow vanishes, and Jennifer’s father ends up behind bars. The weight of that summer lingers, and Jennifer tries to move on.
Fast forward two decades, and just as Jennifer thinks she’s left her father’s shadow behind, Inspired by True Events—a TV show that thrives on solving long-forgotten mysteries—revisits the case that shaped her childhood. Did the show finally discover what happened to Francie? And is her father really guilty? The closer they get to the truth; the more Jennifer starts to wonder whether she’s ready for the answers.
Roy’s writing taps into that universal feeling of “what do they know about me, really?” A sense of unease flows through Jennifer’s journey as she grapples with family secrets, public perceptions, and the truth about her father. This isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s a meditation on what it means to inherit more than your appearance, especially when the inheritance is a reputation you don’t want.
For readers who were once the odd girl out, the one trying to fit in with a tight-knit group or feeling misunderstood, Jennifer’s struggle to redefine herself resonates. It’s that perfect storm of youthful naivety colliding with harsh realities of lift and the truth that is often more painful than fiction.
Roy excels at building suspense and tension, weaving in both the past and the present with seamless precision. The mystery unfolds slowly, like the murky waters of Big Cypress Swamp, and you’ll find yourself just as curious to learn the answers as Jennifer is.
While the pacing sometimes lingers in the shadows of introspection, it only serves to make the revelations all the more impactful when they finally arrive. And the ending? It’s one of those that leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page, pondering what you really know about yourself—and what you still need to discover. But it is neatly tied up with no questions lert unanswered.
For readers who enjoy books that are as much about the journey inward as they are about solving an outward mystery, The Final Episode delivers. A thoughtful, suspenseful tale about coming to terms with your past and uncovering the truth in unexpected ways. Highly recommended for anyone who's ever been trapped in the limbo between who they were and who they are meant to be.
The Final Episode hits shelves on June 24th, 2025. Don’t miss it!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
Fast forward two decades, and just as Jennifer thinks she’s left her father’s shadow behind, Inspired by True Events—a TV show that thrives on solving long-forgotten mysteries—revisits the case that shaped her childhood. Did the show finally discover what happened to Francie? And is her father really guilty? The closer they get to the truth; the more Jennifer starts to wonder whether she’s ready for the answers.
Roy’s writing taps into that universal feeling of “what do they know about me, really?” A sense of unease flows through Jennifer’s journey as she grapples with family secrets, public perceptions, and the truth about her father. This isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s a meditation on what it means to inherit more than your appearance, especially when the inheritance is a reputation you don’t want.
For readers who were once the odd girl out, the one trying to fit in with a tight-knit group or feeling misunderstood, Jennifer’s struggle to redefine herself resonates. It’s that perfect storm of youthful naivety colliding with harsh realities of lift and the truth that is often more painful than fiction.
Roy excels at building suspense and tension, weaving in both the past and the present with seamless precision. The mystery unfolds slowly, like the murky waters of Big Cypress Swamp, and you’ll find yourself just as curious to learn the answers as Jennifer is.
While the pacing sometimes lingers in the shadows of introspection, it only serves to make the revelations all the more impactful when they finally arrive. And the ending? It’s one of those that leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page, pondering what you really know about yourself—and what you still need to discover. But it is neatly tied up with no questions lert unanswered.
For readers who enjoy books that are as much about the journey inward as they are about solving an outward mystery, The Final Episode delivers. A thoughtful, suspenseful tale about coming to terms with your past and uncovering the truth in unexpected ways. Highly recommended for anyone who's ever been trapped in the limbo between who they were and who they are meant to be.
The Final Episode hits shelves on June 24th, 2025. Don’t miss it!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
March 23, 2025
2.5 stars out of 5
While the premise of this novel was compelling, sadly the execution fell horribly flat for me.
To begin with there are two things that stuck out to me right away. One with such as basic name as Jennifer Jones, why didn't she just move somewhere else and start over? No one would have known who she was, and when the story first started airing if people had asked she could have denied it. The second thing that stuck out to me was why, if she had clung to the belief that her father was innocent for twenty years did this show suddenly have her questioning that belief? Yes, she was too young to really understand things when they happened, but surely over the years she would have looked into what had been written about the case? I know I would have in her shoes. It would have been more interesting had the television show presented new facts, or something that went against what she knew and didn't just paint her father as the bad guy in the second to last episode something she had to expect considering he had been arrested (albeit for something else, but it still made it seem likely he was involved in Francie's disappearance as well).
Then there is the fact that the story itself was all over the place. I understood that we would likely be getting flashbacks of the past due to the television series. What I did not expect was how we would also be getting them other times. Nor did I expect how often the story would jump narratives. Sometimes these things happened mid-chapter without warning, and I was left having to go back and re-read passages more than once just to make sure I was understanding things correctly.
I had also thought that the television series was going to actually mean something to the plot. And sure it did for one final part of it, as that was the key Jennifer needed to put the whole thing together, but other than that it seemed wholly unnecessary with Jennifer's "present day" letters to her father talking about those events that happened that summer as well. Personally, I would have found it to be more interesting had the television show tried to present facts that weren't entirely truthful, lighting a fire under her to prove them wrong.
There were a few other sub-plots that I know were thrown in for shock value, but I didn't find them to be particularly shocking or entirely needed. One in particular I feel definitely could have been handled better considering everything that had happened and not only to poor Francie.
In the end, however, I do think this novel will work for other people and I would give this author another shot down the road.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
While the premise of this novel was compelling, sadly the execution fell horribly flat for me.
To begin with there are two things that stuck out to me right away. One with such as basic name as Jennifer Jones, why didn't she just move somewhere else and start over? No one would have known who she was, and when the story first started airing if people had asked she could have denied it. The second thing that stuck out to me was why, if she had clung to the belief that her father was innocent for twenty years did this show suddenly have her questioning that belief? Yes, she was too young to really understand things when they happened, but surely over the years she would have looked into what had been written about the case? I know I would have in her shoes. It would have been more interesting had the television show presented new facts, or something that went against what she knew and didn't just paint her father as the bad guy in the second to last episode something she had to expect considering he had been arrested (albeit for something else, but it still made it seem likely he was involved in Francie's disappearance as well).
Then there is the fact that the story itself was all over the place. I understood that we would likely be getting flashbacks of the past due to the television series. What I did not expect was how we would also be getting them other times. Nor did I expect how often the story would jump narratives. Sometimes these things happened mid-chapter without warning, and I was left having to go back and re-read passages more than once just to make sure I was understanding things correctly.
I had also thought that the television series was going to actually mean something to the plot. And sure it did for one final part of it, as that was the key Jennifer needed to put the whole thing together, but other than that it seemed wholly unnecessary with Jennifer's "present day" letters to her father talking about those events that happened that summer as well. Personally, I would have found it to be more interesting had the television show tried to present facts that weren't entirely truthful, lighting a fire under her to prove them wrong.
There were a few other sub-plots that I know were thrown in for shock value, but I didn't find them to be particularly shocking or entirely needed. One in particular I feel definitely could have been handled better considering everything that had happened and not only to poor Francie.
In the end, however, I do think this novel will work for other people and I would give this author another shot down the road.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
April 18, 2025
3.5 Stars
Jennifer Jones and her childhood friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, up until the summer Jennifer turns eleven. That summer a young girl, Francie Farrow, goes missing and Jennifer’s father ends up in prison. Twenty-two years later, Inspired by True Events—a TV show with a history of solving cold cases—revisits the unsolved case of Francie Farrow.
The Final Episode is told in two alternating timelines. One consists of eight dramatized episodes recreating the events of that summer twenty-two years ago, as told through multiple character POVs. The other— framed as a letter to her father who is in prison—follows Jennifer’s perspective of the events happening in the present surrounding the airing of the final episode.
Lori Roy does an excellent job immersing readers in the setting. Her vivid descriptions make you feel like you’re truly in a haunting Florida swamp town. She also excels at character development—each POV has a distinct voice, and the characters are fully fleshed out.
Narratively, I loved the concept of telling part of the story through TV episodes. However, the execution of this fell short for me. These “episode” chapters read like traditional flashbacks, and just do not make sense as TV episodes. It wasn’t believable that the characters were watching exactly what we were reading, due to the extensive inner dialogue and character introspection in these chapters. These inner dialogues are what give the reader greater insight into who these characters are and their motives—elements that would not realistically be portrayed on screen.
I had similar issues with the letter format in the present day chapters. Great in theory, poor in execution. We would get sporadic instances of Jennifer directing something to her dad (us the reader), but the majority of the writing just felt like a standard first person POV narrative in the past tense. I did not feel as if I was reading a letter. Based on how the story is told and how it ends, I’m also not even sure I understand the purpose of the letter or at what point Jennifer is even writing it.
Had these ideas been executed better, my rating would definitely be higher, because I did really enjoy Roy’s writing despite my issues with the narration style.
The plot was well thought out and tied up nicely in the end. While I personally wasn’t surprised by the plot twists (I’m rarely shocked by plot twists), they were timed and executed well. The pacing and level of detail throughout the book were also very well done.
I would recommend this book to lovers of suspenseful mysteries/thrillers with atmospheric settings and complex characters. Especially those who are open to unique narrative styles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an early digital copy.
Jennifer Jones and her childhood friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, up until the summer Jennifer turns eleven. That summer a young girl, Francie Farrow, goes missing and Jennifer’s father ends up in prison. Twenty-two years later, Inspired by True Events—a TV show with a history of solving cold cases—revisits the unsolved case of Francie Farrow.
The Final Episode is told in two alternating timelines. One consists of eight dramatized episodes recreating the events of that summer twenty-two years ago, as told through multiple character POVs. The other— framed as a letter to her father who is in prison—follows Jennifer’s perspective of the events happening in the present surrounding the airing of the final episode.
Lori Roy does an excellent job immersing readers in the setting. Her vivid descriptions make you feel like you’re truly in a haunting Florida swamp town. She also excels at character development—each POV has a distinct voice, and the characters are fully fleshed out.
Narratively, I loved the concept of telling part of the story through TV episodes. However, the execution of this fell short for me. These “episode” chapters read like traditional flashbacks, and just do not make sense as TV episodes. It wasn’t believable that the characters were watching exactly what we were reading, due to the extensive inner dialogue and character introspection in these chapters. These inner dialogues are what give the reader greater insight into who these characters are and their motives—elements that would not realistically be portrayed on screen.
I had similar issues with the letter format in the present day chapters. Great in theory, poor in execution. We would get sporadic instances of Jennifer directing something to her dad (us the reader), but the majority of the writing just felt like a standard first person POV narrative in the past tense. I did not feel as if I was reading a letter. Based on how the story is told and how it ends, I’m also not even sure I understand the purpose of the letter or at what point Jennifer is even writing it.
Had these ideas been executed better, my rating would definitely be higher, because I did really enjoy Roy’s writing despite my issues with the narration style.
The plot was well thought out and tied up nicely in the end. While I personally wasn’t surprised by the plot twists (I’m rarely shocked by plot twists), they were timed and executed well. The pacing and level of detail throughout the book were also very well done.
I would recommend this book to lovers of suspenseful mysteries/thrillers with atmospheric settings and complex characters. Especially those who are open to unique narrative styles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an early digital copy.
July 14, 2025
Edgar Award-winning author Lori Roy utilizes all of her talents in THE FINAL EPISODE, which includes not just mystery and thrills, but also the modern-day obsession with true-crime TV shows and podcasts to examine an unsolved child abduction.
Nine-year-old Francie Farrow disappeared from her room one evening 20 years ago. According to 12-year-old Nora Banks, who was having a sleepover with Francie at the time, a man took her and claimed he was bringing her to Big Cypress Swamp. Their fates were intertwined with the family of Jennifer Jones, who was about to turn 11 the summer that Francie vanished. Jennifer was highly interested, almost to the point of obsession, with the case. Little did she realize that her own father, Paul, would be accused and later convicted of the much-publicized kidnapping, even though Francie was never found.
In the present, Jennifer is still adapting to life on her own with a father in prison whom she never visits. She has a new obsession, a TV series called “Inspired by True Events,” which is doing a serial retelling that is dramatically recreated and uncovers everything known about the Francie Farrow/Paul Jones case. What intrigues Jenny and millions of others are the unknown facts that this series has become known for revealing. Jenny and all who are watching will be tuned in breathlessly as they await the revelations that may come from the final episode.
Jennifer is still being tormented by Francie's mother, Beverly, whose hatred has been reignited by the series. She calls her only friend, Arlen, the night that Beverly throws a cinder block through her front window. She does not press charges and even receives a visit from Francie’s father, Robert, who bears no ill will towards Jennifer and sees her as an unfortunate victim during the 20 years that their fates were interlocked.
The series initially puts some suspicion on a figure who was a very big suspect at the time of Francie’s abduction. Levi Banks was the husband of Elizabeth, the housekeeper for the Farrow family, and they were Nora's parents. Levi had a history of violent behavior and well-documented marital troubles with Elizabeth. When rumors that she was having an affair became known, Levi very well could have acted out in a manner that included kidnapping Francie as punishment for his duplicitous wife’s actions.
THE FINAL EPISODE not only goes back and forth in time, but also spends several chapters covering each episode of “Inspired by True Events” --- all of which will culminate in the finale, which brings an unbearable amount of tension to those who are fully invested in the outcome of this chilling exposé. This is a thriller of the highest caliber and is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Nine-year-old Francie Farrow disappeared from her room one evening 20 years ago. According to 12-year-old Nora Banks, who was having a sleepover with Francie at the time, a man took her and claimed he was bringing her to Big Cypress Swamp. Their fates were intertwined with the family of Jennifer Jones, who was about to turn 11 the summer that Francie vanished. Jennifer was highly interested, almost to the point of obsession, with the case. Little did she realize that her own father, Paul, would be accused and later convicted of the much-publicized kidnapping, even though Francie was never found.
In the present, Jennifer is still adapting to life on her own with a father in prison whom she never visits. She has a new obsession, a TV series called “Inspired by True Events,” which is doing a serial retelling that is dramatically recreated and uncovers everything known about the Francie Farrow/Paul Jones case. What intrigues Jenny and millions of others are the unknown facts that this series has become known for revealing. Jenny and all who are watching will be tuned in breathlessly as they await the revelations that may come from the final episode.
Jennifer is still being tormented by Francie's mother, Beverly, whose hatred has been reignited by the series. She calls her only friend, Arlen, the night that Beverly throws a cinder block through her front window. She does not press charges and even receives a visit from Francie’s father, Robert, who bears no ill will towards Jennifer and sees her as an unfortunate victim during the 20 years that their fates were interlocked.
The series initially puts some suspicion on a figure who was a very big suspect at the time of Francie’s abduction. Levi Banks was the husband of Elizabeth, the housekeeper for the Farrow family, and they were Nora's parents. Levi had a history of violent behavior and well-documented marital troubles with Elizabeth. When rumors that she was having an affair became known, Levi very well could have acted out in a manner that included kidnapping Francie as punishment for his duplicitous wife’s actions.
THE FINAL EPISODE not only goes back and forth in time, but also spends several chapters covering each episode of “Inspired by True Events” --- all of which will culminate in the finale, which brings an unbearable amount of tension to those who are fully invested in the outcome of this chilling exposé. This is a thriller of the highest caliber and is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
March 27, 2025
I struggled with how to rate this book. But I settled on four stars, though I’m thinking it was more like 3.5.
This book is written in the unique style, in that in some chapters, it chronicles the episodes of a true crime TV show which is depicting the events of 20 years ago when a young girl disappeared and “something bad,” happened to another young girl, so we don’t know what until the end, which and landed Jenny Jones’ father in prison for 25 years, and under the eternal suspicion that he killed young Francie. The other chapters are written in the style of a letter that Jenny is writing to her father in prison. Although most of the time these “letters” read just like chapters with intermittent fourth wall references to Jenny’s dad.
Anyway, the book chronicles, the episodes of the series which depicts the event events of the past that led to Jenny’s father’s arrest, and the events in the present day leading up to the titular final episode, which based on the previous season of the show, is believed to contain a bombshell revelation. But what that will be, no one knows. The show follows the story of what happened during a faithful summer 20 years prior when young Francie Farrow disappeared from her bed, and meanwhile the summer friendships in the swamp neighborhood where Jenny spends her time or upended when a new girl and her family move in.
This book has plenty of suspense, and the mystery of Francie’s disappearance and an additional mystery of who is seemingly stalking and threatening Jenny in the present day are both very intense and ridiculously interesting. I was definitely hooked trying to figure out what happened and anticipating reading what was going to drop in that last episode. And it was definitely worth the wait.
But there were some parts of the book that I felt dragged on a little bit too long, and that was really the only reason this wasn’t a five star read. I think some of the episode contents from the middle episodes could’ve been cut down a little. Although I have to say, they did help in terms of character development and setting up some of the final resolution.
And that final solution was really intense in that there were plenty of twists that I did not see coming. This book really is a great book in terms of how you read human nature and how the past can come back and find you at any point in your life.
I do recommend this book to anyone looking for a great summer read and a great mystery. It has a lot going for it and is plenty suspenseful.
This book is written in the unique style, in that in some chapters, it chronicles the episodes of a true crime TV show which is depicting the events of 20 years ago when a young girl disappeared and “something bad,” happened to another young girl, so we don’t know what until the end, which and landed Jenny Jones’ father in prison for 25 years, and under the eternal suspicion that he killed young Francie. The other chapters are written in the style of a letter that Jenny is writing to her father in prison. Although most of the time these “letters” read just like chapters with intermittent fourth wall references to Jenny’s dad.
Anyway, the book chronicles, the episodes of the series which depicts the event events of the past that led to Jenny’s father’s arrest, and the events in the present day leading up to the titular final episode, which based on the previous season of the show, is believed to contain a bombshell revelation. But what that will be, no one knows. The show follows the story of what happened during a faithful summer 20 years prior when young Francie Farrow disappeared from her bed, and meanwhile the summer friendships in the swamp neighborhood where Jenny spends her time or upended when a new girl and her family move in.
This book has plenty of suspense, and the mystery of Francie’s disappearance and an additional mystery of who is seemingly stalking and threatening Jenny in the present day are both very intense and ridiculously interesting. I was definitely hooked trying to figure out what happened and anticipating reading what was going to drop in that last episode. And it was definitely worth the wait.
But there were some parts of the book that I felt dragged on a little bit too long, and that was really the only reason this wasn’t a five star read. I think some of the episode contents from the middle episodes could’ve been cut down a little. Although I have to say, they did help in terms of character development and setting up some of the final resolution.
And that final solution was really intense in that there were plenty of twists that I did not see coming. This book really is a great book in terms of how you read human nature and how the past can come back and find you at any point in your life.
I do recommend this book to anyone looking for a great summer read and a great mystery. It has a lot going for it and is plenty suspenseful.
July 12, 2025
Edgar Award-winning author Lori Roy utilizes all of her talents in a novel entitled THE FINAL EPISODE, which includes not just mystery and thrills but also the modern-day obsession with True Crime TV shows and podcasts to examine an unsolved 20-year-old child abduction case.
A sickly young girl named Francie Farrow disappeared from her room one evening twenty years earlier and the young girl sharing the room with her, Nora, said a man took her and claimed he was bringing her to the swamp. Their fates were intertwined with the family of Jennifer Jones, who was about to turn 11 the summer when Francie Farrow disappeared. She was highly interested, almost to the point of obsession, with that case. Little did she realize initially that her own father, Paul Jones, would be accused of and later convicted for the highly publicized abduction, even though little Francie was never found, alive or dead.
Now, in the current day, Jennifer is still adapting to life on her own with a father in prison whom she never visits. She has a new obsession, a TV series called “Inspired by True Events,” which is doing a serial retelling that is dramatically recreated and uncovers everything known about the Francie Farrow/Paul Jones case. What intrigues Jenny and millions of others is the unknown fact that this TV series has become known for revealing. Jenny and everyone watching this current serial saga will be tuned in breathlessly awaiting what revelations may come from the Final Episode.
Jenny is still being tormented by Dr. Beverly Farrow, whose hatred has been reignited by the new TV series involving her daughter and she aims all that vitriol at Jenny Jones. Jenny calls her only friend, Arlen, the night that Beverly Farrow threw a cinder block through her front window. She did not press charges with the police and even received a visit from Robert Farrow, Francie’s father, who bore no ill will towards Jenny and saw her as an unfortunate victim during the twenty years that their fates were interlocked.
The TV episodes initially put some suspicion on a figure who was a very big suspect at the time of the Francie Farrow abduction. Levi Banks was the husband to Elizabeth, the housekeeper for the Farrow family, and they were the parents of Nora who was a little bit older than Francie. Levi had a history of violent behavior as well as well-documented marital troubles with Elizabeth. When rumors that she was having an affair became known, Levi could very well have acted out in a manner that could have included kidnapping Francie as punishment for his duplicitous wife’s actions.
THE FINAL EPISODE not only goes back and forth in time, from present to the events of twenty years earlier, but also spends several chapters covering each individual episode of “Inspired by True Events” --- all of which will culminate in the aforementioned Final Episode, that not only provides readers with the impetus for the novel’s title but also brings about almost unbearable tension as readers will be placed within the story alongside Jenny Jones, the Farrows, and the millions of True Crime fans all eagerly awaiting the outcome of the TV expose.
The most nerve-wracking part of reading THE FINAL EPISODE was having to wait for the facts from the past history of the Francie Farrow to be revealed, in episodic fashion, which keeps the reader in a pensive position eagerly waiting to turn the pages for more answers. When it is found that the affair Elizabeth Banks had had with Paul Jones, things fall into place why he was arrested. Still, Jenny wants to believe it was someone other than her father who could have done this horrible deed. Like Jenny, we will all have to wait for the Final Episode of the TV series to hopefully have all of our questions answered. This is a thriller of the highest caliber, not to be missed!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
A sickly young girl named Francie Farrow disappeared from her room one evening twenty years earlier and the young girl sharing the room with her, Nora, said a man took her and claimed he was bringing her to the swamp. Their fates were intertwined with the family of Jennifer Jones, who was about to turn 11 the summer when Francie Farrow disappeared. She was highly interested, almost to the point of obsession, with that case. Little did she realize initially that her own father, Paul Jones, would be accused of and later convicted for the highly publicized abduction, even though little Francie was never found, alive or dead.
Now, in the current day, Jennifer is still adapting to life on her own with a father in prison whom she never visits. She has a new obsession, a TV series called “Inspired by True Events,” which is doing a serial retelling that is dramatically recreated and uncovers everything known about the Francie Farrow/Paul Jones case. What intrigues Jenny and millions of others is the unknown fact that this TV series has become known for revealing. Jenny and everyone watching this current serial saga will be tuned in breathlessly awaiting what revelations may come from the Final Episode.
Jenny is still being tormented by Dr. Beverly Farrow, whose hatred has been reignited by the new TV series involving her daughter and she aims all that vitriol at Jenny Jones. Jenny calls her only friend, Arlen, the night that Beverly Farrow threw a cinder block through her front window. She did not press charges with the police and even received a visit from Robert Farrow, Francie’s father, who bore no ill will towards Jenny and saw her as an unfortunate victim during the twenty years that their fates were interlocked.
The TV episodes initially put some suspicion on a figure who was a very big suspect at the time of the Francie Farrow abduction. Levi Banks was the husband to Elizabeth, the housekeeper for the Farrow family, and they were the parents of Nora who was a little bit older than Francie. Levi had a history of violent behavior as well as well-documented marital troubles with Elizabeth. When rumors that she was having an affair became known, Levi could very well have acted out in a manner that could have included kidnapping Francie as punishment for his duplicitous wife’s actions.
THE FINAL EPISODE not only goes back and forth in time, from present to the events of twenty years earlier, but also spends several chapters covering each individual episode of “Inspired by True Events” --- all of which will culminate in the aforementioned Final Episode, that not only provides readers with the impetus for the novel’s title but also brings about almost unbearable tension as readers will be placed within the story alongside Jenny Jones, the Farrows, and the millions of True Crime fans all eagerly awaiting the outcome of the TV expose.
The most nerve-wracking part of reading THE FINAL EPISODE was having to wait for the facts from the past history of the Francie Farrow to be revealed, in episodic fashion, which keeps the reader in a pensive position eagerly waiting to turn the pages for more answers. When it is found that the affair Elizabeth Banks had had with Paul Jones, things fall into place why he was arrested. Still, Jenny wants to believe it was someone other than her father who could have done this horrible deed. Like Jenny, we will all have to wait for the Final Episode of the TV series to hopefully have all of our questions answered. This is a thriller of the highest caliber, not to be missed!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
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