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The Final Chapter
Benjamin Stevenson meets Nine Perfect Strangers in a story about writerly ambition, self-discovery and - of course - revenge. Sharp, fresh, bold, thrilling and gothic - gripping suspense from a spectacular new Australian talent.
An opportunity a writer would die for ...
Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She's won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains. Only instead of feeling creative, Desley finds her insecurity increases while the ghost stories about the house have her jumping at shadows.
This secluded house is the last place anyone will think to look for high-profile author Colette Halifax, which is perfect as she hides from a looming scandal. Unfortunately, someone here is threatening to ruin the one part of her life that isn't already a shambles.
Meanwhile, Maia McKenzie has plans that don't involve writing at all. She's schemed to ensure the one person she wants to see is here - the man who almost killed her mother.
All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden. And they're not alone. The retreat is perched on the edge of a forest steeped in the horrors of Australia's worst serial killer - and no one knows just who is watching.
When a storm unleashes its fury and they're trapped, a body is left in the snow ... and any one of them could be next.
'Gilchrist hooked me good and proper. Creepy closed-in setting? Enough secrets and suspense to fill a body bag? Twisty narratives and the twisted psyches of we writers who weave them? Yes, don't mind if I do! I could check out from The Final Chapter any time I liked, but I could never leave. What a cracking mystery debut!' Trent Dalton
'A pacy and unpredictable thriller, dripping with atmosphere and sharp observations. With an eerie isolated house and the deteriorating relationships between a cast of distinct and nuanced characters, each with their own agenda, the stage is set for a page-turning, chill-inducing gallop to the finish line.' - Jo Dixon, author of A Shadow at the Door and The House of Now and Then
'This story of writers-behaving-badly on a deadly retreat from hell gripped me from the start with its intensely dramatic setting and ghostly goings on. Gilchrist is a bold and confident new voice in the world of gothic fiction - her prose leaps off the page like the storms that plague the retreat. Strap yourself in for a thrilling ride.' - Cassie Hamer, author of The Stranger at the Table
'Deviously clever and wickedly sharp - this is one writer's retreat you'll be glad you only visited on the page.' - Kylie Orr, Australian author of The Eleventh Floor
An opportunity a writer would die for ...
Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She's won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains. Only instead of feeling creative, Desley finds her insecurity increases while the ghost stories about the house have her jumping at shadows.
This secluded house is the last place anyone will think to look for high-profile author Colette Halifax, which is perfect as she hides from a looming scandal. Unfortunately, someone here is threatening to ruin the one part of her life that isn't already a shambles.
Meanwhile, Maia McKenzie has plans that don't involve writing at all. She's schemed to ensure the one person she wants to see is here - the man who almost killed her mother.
All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden. And they're not alone. The retreat is perched on the edge of a forest steeped in the horrors of Australia's worst serial killer - and no one knows just who is watching.
When a storm unleashes its fury and they're trapped, a body is left in the snow ... and any one of them could be next.
'Gilchrist hooked me good and proper. Creepy closed-in setting? Enough secrets and suspense to fill a body bag? Twisty narratives and the twisted psyches of we writers who weave them? Yes, don't mind if I do! I could check out from The Final Chapter any time I liked, but I could never leave. What a cracking mystery debut!' Trent Dalton
'A pacy and unpredictable thriller, dripping with atmosphere and sharp observations. With an eerie isolated house and the deteriorating relationships between a cast of distinct and nuanced characters, each with their own agenda, the stage is set for a page-turning, chill-inducing gallop to the finish line.' - Jo Dixon, author of A Shadow at the Door and The House of Now and Then
'This story of writers-behaving-badly on a deadly retreat from hell gripped me from the start with its intensely dramatic setting and ghostly goings on. Gilchrist is a bold and confident new voice in the world of gothic fiction - her prose leaps off the page like the storms that plague the retreat. Strap yourself in for a thrilling ride.' - Cassie Hamer, author of The Stranger at the Table
'Deviously clever and wickedly sharp - this is one writer's retreat you'll be glad you only visited on the page.' - Kylie Orr, Australian author of The Eleventh Floor
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
19 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
August 3, 2025
Initially this sounded really interesting - writers retreat, haunted house, a murderer lurking, locked room mystery. All the things needed to make an exciting read. However despite the many five star ratings it received I just couldn't buy into this one.
Certainly everyone was a suspect and the house was creepy enough. The characters were a little strange. However it ended up being slow going for most of the book and only really got some speed up in the last part. For me that certain something that pulls you into a good story was not there. Maybe it was just me having a bad day.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Certainly everyone was a suspect and the house was creepy enough. The characters were a little strange. However it ended up being slow going for most of the book and only really got some speed up in the last part. For me that certain something that pulls you into a good story was not there. Maybe it was just me having a bad day.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 16, 2025
Oh my goodness, there is so much to love about The Final Chapter!! Thank you so much to January Gilchrist for reaching out to me and sending me an early copy of this amazing books. Guys, you have to read this book, you are going to love it.
I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but there are so many of my favourite elements of a thriller in this book. We have:
A old house with a dark history
A secluded location in the Blue Mountains, which was once the home to a notorious serial killer
A snow storm
A bunch of writers at a retreat, all of whom are keeping secrets
See what I mean? You know things are not going to go well at all. It is so fun, so wild and so addictive.
The other big thing that I loved about this book was a character called Lily Raiti. The first mention of her brought tears to my eyes. Lily is a writer who features quite regularly in this story. The author was so lovely to name this character after our beautiful and very much missed friend when she heard how ill she was. It is a beautiful tribute to her and I just know that Lily would love this book and her part in it. I just wanted to message her and tell her all about this fantastic book like we used to do all the time, I miss you Lily.
Mark July 29th in your calendars and grab your copy of this book. I need a physical copy for my shelf too. Aussie friends, I did see this pop up on NetGalley too so go request it now. You can all thank me later.
I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone but there are so many of my favourite elements of a thriller in this book. We have:
A old house with a dark history
A secluded location in the Blue Mountains, which was once the home to a notorious serial killer
A snow storm
A bunch of writers at a retreat, all of whom are keeping secrets
See what I mean? You know things are not going to go well at all. It is so fun, so wild and so addictive.
The other big thing that I loved about this book was a character called Lily Raiti. The first mention of her brought tears to my eyes. Lily is a writer who features quite regularly in this story. The author was so lovely to name this character after our beautiful and very much missed friend when she heard how ill she was. It is a beautiful tribute to her and I just know that Lily would love this book and her part in it. I just wanted to message her and tell her all about this fantastic book like we used to do all the time, I miss you Lily.
Mark July 29th in your calendars and grab your copy of this book. I need a physical copy for my shelf too. Aussie friends, I did see this pop up on NetGalley too so go request it now. You can all thank me later.
August 29, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
❄️Published in July, The Final Chapter is a resolute, daring and addictive new novel from mystery enthusiast January Gilchrist. A secretive tale of locked truths, self-deception and distortions in reality with a focus on the ambitions of a writer all form part of The Final Chapter. This was an excellent read leaving me with lots of questions and answers to work through.
❄️The Final Chapter is relayed through the viewpoints of key cast members of Desley, Collette and Maia. Gilchrist’s narrative moves swiftly and is a solid example of a locked-room thriller that kept me reading and flipping the chapter over of this one at breakneck speed. The intensity level is set high from the opening and the story is filled with a constant sense of dread that is heightened as we encounter each guest at the exclusive Blue Mountains retreat. What I appreciated about this one was the format it takes. Gilchrist segments the narrative into daily sections. Each new day and chapter carried a wedge of anxiety. The reader becomes fully aware of something terrible that is clearly impending but the timing level that Gilchrist applies to her novel ensures that we are kept in the dark. This was one unpredictable and gripping read!
❄️For me the setting is what won me over. The Final Chapter is situated in an isolated, storm-lashed house with a dark past. It is also the location of a killer, which works well to extend the sense of claustrophobic unease. Gilchrist compounds things further thanks to her protagonist set. Each person in this story comes with their own secrets. This ranges from Desley, who is a steadfast pathway to prove her talent. There is Collette who is shielding a scandal. Meanwhile Maia has some motives that may not innocent. But the events in the books are further complicated by the presence of a storm which cuts everyone off from the world. It is then that the atmosphere takes a real dive and we recognise that it must be only a matter of time before someone else is struck off.
Personally I’ve been a fan of locked room style secluded thrillers, especially those where to weather tasks in insane dip. The Final Chapter hit the spot for me just perfectly. The featured character set were colourful and engaging. They also came complete with their flaws which made me more invested in observing their fates unfold. The Final chapter defined pure entertainment! Another highlight for me was seeing a character named after much loved and respected booksta friend Lily, this was a lovely tribute and that definitely brought something important to the reading experience of the Final Chapter.
The Final Chapter is a dark, puzzling and entertaining read that announces January Gilchrist as a voice to follow in mystery fiction.
Again a very big extension of thanks and gratitude to the lovely ladies and friends who embraced me in our buddy read group. I found the support and our exchanges so valuable while reading this one. You are the best!
❄️Published in July, The Final Chapter is a resolute, daring and addictive new novel from mystery enthusiast January Gilchrist. A secretive tale of locked truths, self-deception and distortions in reality with a focus on the ambitions of a writer all form part of The Final Chapter. This was an excellent read leaving me with lots of questions and answers to work through.
❄️The Final Chapter is relayed through the viewpoints of key cast members of Desley, Collette and Maia. Gilchrist’s narrative moves swiftly and is a solid example of a locked-room thriller that kept me reading and flipping the chapter over of this one at breakneck speed. The intensity level is set high from the opening and the story is filled with a constant sense of dread that is heightened as we encounter each guest at the exclusive Blue Mountains retreat. What I appreciated about this one was the format it takes. Gilchrist segments the narrative into daily sections. Each new day and chapter carried a wedge of anxiety. The reader becomes fully aware of something terrible that is clearly impending but the timing level that Gilchrist applies to her novel ensures that we are kept in the dark. This was one unpredictable and gripping read!
❄️For me the setting is what won me over. The Final Chapter is situated in an isolated, storm-lashed house with a dark past. It is also the location of a killer, which works well to extend the sense of claustrophobic unease. Gilchrist compounds things further thanks to her protagonist set. Each person in this story comes with their own secrets. This ranges from Desley, who is a steadfast pathway to prove her talent. There is Collette who is shielding a scandal. Meanwhile Maia has some motives that may not innocent. But the events in the books are further complicated by the presence of a storm which cuts everyone off from the world. It is then that the atmosphere takes a real dive and we recognise that it must be only a matter of time before someone else is struck off.
Personally I’ve been a fan of locked room style secluded thrillers, especially those where to weather tasks in insane dip. The Final Chapter hit the spot for me just perfectly. The featured character set were colourful and engaging. They also came complete with their flaws which made me more invested in observing their fates unfold. The Final chapter defined pure entertainment! Another highlight for me was seeing a character named after much loved and respected booksta friend Lily, this was a lovely tribute and that definitely brought something important to the reading experience of the Final Chapter.
The Final Chapter is a dark, puzzling and entertaining read that announces January Gilchrist as a voice to follow in mystery fiction.
Again a very big extension of thanks and gratitude to the lovely ladies and friends who embraced me in our buddy read group. I found the support and our exchanges so valuable while reading this one. You are the best!
September 5, 2025
RTC 3.5 ⭐️’s!!!
December 1, 2025
3.5★
Review to follow.
Review to follow.
June 19, 2025
So atmospheric, so twisted, so much ambition, entitlement, secrets and agendas…I knew this was what a writers retreat would be like!!!!!!!
I’m not giving any spoilers, it’s out late July..thanks so much for my arc Harper Collins!!
I’m not giving any spoilers, it’s out late July..thanks so much for my arc Harper Collins!!
October 23, 2025
Definitely did not see that ending coming!
September 27, 2025
The Final Chapter by January Gilchrist was a spontaneous purchase when I went to buy a print copy of Tenderfoot, which I raved about recently and I needed a print copy so my mother could read it. I'd seen The Final Chapter launched and tried to recall if I'd submitted a failed request for it. Nevertheless, it jumped out at me as I appreciated that it was centred around writing and writers and takes place at a writers' retreat in the Blue Mountains.
Of course this is crime fiction so a crime (or three) is committed, kicking off with the death of one of the residents. Gilchrist gives us a locked-room-by-default mystery here as the writers are snowed-in and police can't get to them... which gives them time to point fingers and share suspicions and the rich tapestries of backstories gives us fodder as secrets and weaknesses are uncovered.
I guess ultimately I was a little disappointed with where we ended here as we weren't really given clues that allowed us to guess the who, what and why. I would have liked to have gotten to know them better and been more invested in their motivation.
That said, we're kept guessing until the end and - happily - Gilchrist offers us a epilogue so we know how things work out for the remaining guests.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Of course this is crime fiction so a crime (or three) is committed, kicking off with the death of one of the residents. Gilchrist gives us a locked-room-by-default mystery here as the writers are snowed-in and police can't get to them... which gives them time to point fingers and share suspicions and the rich tapestries of backstories gives us fodder as secrets and weaknesses are uncovered.
I guess ultimately I was a little disappointed with where we ended here as we weren't really given clues that allowed us to guess the who, what and why. I would have liked to have gotten to know them better and been more invested in their motivation.
That said, we're kept guessing until the end and - happily - Gilchrist offers us a epilogue so we know how things work out for the remaining guests.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
August 23, 2025
Maia is an insufferable cunt sorry.
April 12, 2025
A cracker of a book, filled with unreliable narrators so you never know who to trust.
When a bunch of writers are stuck together a retreat, their personalities unravel along with their secrets.
Binged this in one sitting.
When a bunch of writers are stuck together a retreat, their personalities unravel along with their secrets.
Binged this in one sitting.
September 11, 2025
Who had the audacity to compare this Benjamin Stevenson? This book was rather stupid and doesn't deserve to be in a category with Stevenson. The reveal was boring and it's embarrassing to have subject-object confusion when the story revolves around a bunch of authors. 1.5 stars?
June 4, 2025
A secluded writer's retreat in a creepy (and possibly haunted) old house on the edge of a forest known to be Australia's worst serial killer's old stomping ground. What could go wrong?! 👀
Well... obviously lots!
I was immediately hooked and ate up the pages. The writers were all so intriguing and I was so invested to know their secrets.
Plus ... locked door thrillers are my favourite. I am always suspicious of everyone ... and happy to say I was surprised by the twist!
My verdict: Loved it and I now want to read everything January Gilchrist writes!
Well... obviously lots!
I was immediately hooked and ate up the pages. The writers were all so intriguing and I was so invested to know their secrets.
Plus ... locked door thrillers are my favourite. I am always suspicious of everyone ... and happy to say I was surprised by the twist!
My verdict: Loved it and I now want to read everything January Gilchrist writes!
September 5, 2025
The Final Chapter
January Gilchrist
“Why would she keep saying that?' Desley's voice is little more than a whisper. 'That you're a liar.'
'Because I am one.' Colette drains her glass and arches a brow at Desley. 'Aren't we all?'
I found this book more of a character study than plot driven. It felt like we learnt their characters, their motivations and histories but without much external conflict added. Until very close to the end when things happened.
‘I'll never know the truth. The past is always a mysterious beast, both malleable and unshapeable, but now ….. it is nothing.
I am free to make of it whatever I wish.’
There were numerous narrators with the POV changing rapidly. Overall I wished for more; more drama, more action and more attachment on my end.
‘And Maia is about to find out how dangerous a woman with nothing to lose can be.’
An opportunity a writer would die for… Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She’s won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains, along with other authors. All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden.
‘Visualise your success, her counsellor had said in one of their sessions. See yourself doing the thing. Feel yourself doing the thing. And then do the thing.’
When a storm unleashes its fury and they’re trapped, a body is left in the snow… and any one of them could be next.
‘Her life flashes before her eyes. Only it's not her life. It's the life she could have lived if she was brave.’
January Gilchrist
“Why would she keep saying that?' Desley's voice is little more than a whisper. 'That you're a liar.'
'Because I am one.' Colette drains her glass and arches a brow at Desley. 'Aren't we all?'
I found this book more of a character study than plot driven. It felt like we learnt their characters, their motivations and histories but without much external conflict added. Until very close to the end when things happened.
‘I'll never know the truth. The past is always a mysterious beast, both malleable and unshapeable, but now ….. it is nothing.
I am free to make of it whatever I wish.’
There were numerous narrators with the POV changing rapidly. Overall I wished for more; more drama, more action and more attachment on my end.
‘And Maia is about to find out how dangerous a woman with nothing to lose can be.’
An opportunity a writer would die for… Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She’s won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains, along with other authors. All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden.
‘Visualise your success, her counsellor had said in one of their sessions. See yourself doing the thing. Feel yourself doing the thing. And then do the thing.’
When a storm unleashes its fury and they’re trapped, a body is left in the snow… and any one of them could be next.
‘Her life flashes before her eyes. Only it's not her life. It's the life she could have lived if she was brave.’
July 4, 2025
This right here is a fantastic locked room mystery.
Set in the forest of the Blue Mountains, at an old house that purely operates as a writers retreat. It is very exclusive with limited spots available
As everyone checks in we meet five writers and the custodian to the property who will look after them. There is a strict timeline everyone must adhere to and immediately you feel the uneasy tension building between some big personalities
Known for once being the home to a serial killer, when a storm sets in and isolates everyone even further, a dark haunting feeling sets it
Told from the perspective of three of the writers, Colette, Maia & Delsey. Who are each very different writers at very different stages in their careers, it begs the question they there for the right reasons?
I could not put this down and read it in two sittings! It has that fantastic eerie location, unreliable narrators and twists galore! I didn’t see any of it coming and loved it
And the fabulous character named in honour of Booksta Lily brought tears. Such a lovely tribute ♥️
Thank you so much January Gilchrist & HarperCollins for my gifted ARC copy 🫶
Set in the forest of the Blue Mountains, at an old house that purely operates as a writers retreat. It is very exclusive with limited spots available
As everyone checks in we meet five writers and the custodian to the property who will look after them. There is a strict timeline everyone must adhere to and immediately you feel the uneasy tension building between some big personalities
Known for once being the home to a serial killer, when a storm sets in and isolates everyone even further, a dark haunting feeling sets it
Told from the perspective of three of the writers, Colette, Maia & Delsey. Who are each very different writers at very different stages in their careers, it begs the question they there for the right reasons?
I could not put this down and read it in two sittings! It has that fantastic eerie location, unreliable narrators and twists galore! I didn’t see any of it coming and loved it
And the fabulous character named in honour of Booksta Lily brought tears. Such a lovely tribute ♥️
Thank you so much January Gilchrist & HarperCollins for my gifted ARC copy 🫶
July 31, 2025
Big thanks to Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A secluded writers retreat where a group of writers are trapped in a haunted remote house as a heavy storm is coming.
Read this book to find out what happens next…..
The Final Chapter is January Gilchrist’s debut locked room mystery thriller and boy oh boy, what a way to leave your mark in the book world.
A narrative that’s sturdy, obsessive and totally entertaining.
Desley Barron wins a spot at a private writing retreat in the Blue Mountains.
She wants to prove her critics wrong and build her creative inspirations.
The exclusive list includes the very famous Colette Halifax, Maia McKenzie, the digital wiz, Laurie the poet and Travis the gatecrasher.
All have secrets that they do not want exposed and the reason they are really there is a mystery too.
Not only is there danger on the mountain but it’s the stomping grounds for a notorious serial killer.
With a chaotic storm approaching and a body found, who is the culprit……
The story opens with a bang and continues with a hooking, very atmospheric drama filled tale.
An unreliable cast, a creepy location, loaded with secrets, and plenty of twists, what could possibly go wrong…. right!
Prepare to stay up late as this story is a more chapter read.
A secluded writers retreat where a group of writers are trapped in a haunted remote house as a heavy storm is coming.
Read this book to find out what happens next…..
The Final Chapter is January Gilchrist’s debut locked room mystery thriller and boy oh boy, what a way to leave your mark in the book world.
A narrative that’s sturdy, obsessive and totally entertaining.
Desley Barron wins a spot at a private writing retreat in the Blue Mountains.
She wants to prove her critics wrong and build her creative inspirations.
The exclusive list includes the very famous Colette Halifax, Maia McKenzie, the digital wiz, Laurie the poet and Travis the gatecrasher.
All have secrets that they do not want exposed and the reason they are really there is a mystery too.
Not only is there danger on the mountain but it’s the stomping grounds for a notorious serial killer.
With a chaotic storm approaching and a body found, who is the culprit……
The story opens with a bang and continues with a hooking, very atmospheric drama filled tale.
An unreliable cast, a creepy location, loaded with secrets, and plenty of twists, what could possibly go wrong…. right!
Prepare to stay up late as this story is a more chapter read.
August 20, 2025
What a masterful mystery!
Characters both venomous and relatable. Secrets vile and vapid. The creepiest of closed houses.
And I couldn't pick the murderer.
Characters both venomous and relatable. Secrets vile and vapid. The creepiest of closed houses.
And I couldn't pick the murderer.
dnf
September 8, 2025RIP, this wasn’t very good and life is too short to read bad books
May 24, 2025
Part ghost story, part isolated murder mystery this book had me biting my nails by the final chapter (brilliantly titled).
With a larger portion of the book being plot and character development, the climax of the book is really concentrated into such a heart pounding moment that felt perfectly timed. Nothing about this book felt slow. The differing P.O.V.'s were really well done and each character had a defined voice, even those who didn't get a p.o.v. or didn't have a voice.
The location was unsettling with the history adding to that chill plus an added snow storm made this a locked door murder mystery that felt anxious and frantic in the best possible way.
With a larger portion of the book being plot and character development, the climax of the book is really concentrated into such a heart pounding moment that felt perfectly timed. Nothing about this book felt slow. The differing P.O.V.'s were really well done and each character had a defined voice, even those who didn't get a p.o.v. or didn't have a voice.
The location was unsettling with the history adding to that chill plus an added snow storm made this a locked door murder mystery that felt anxious and frantic in the best possible way.
July 24, 2025
Such an impressive debut.
A great cast of characters, impossible to decide who could kill when it could actually be any one of them.
The house and the setting were so eerily portrayed, the perfect amount of creepiness.
4.5 rounded up to 5.
A great cast of characters, impossible to decide who could kill when it could actually be any one of them.
The house and the setting were so eerily portrayed, the perfect amount of creepiness.
4.5 rounded up to 5.
August 25, 2025
A group of writers descend onto the Blue Mountains to attend an exclusive writing retreat. When a storm traps them in and a body is found, no one knows who is to be trusted. This Aussie locked room mystery was fabulous! It kept me guessing throughout. I can't not mention reading the character of Lily Raiti making me a little teary but she would have loved having been in the book.
August 25, 2025
The fact that I finished this in just days, is a testament to the page turner that this book was.
A twisty mystery “who dunnit” that had me considering all options but not settling on any one, right to the end.
Characters that were unlikeable but I liked (most) of them all the same, mixed in with humor and “hold your breath” moments make for an all rounded fantastic read.
I also loved the chapters getting shorter as the tension built to keep the pace going.
5* debit novel, I can’t wait to see what is next cab off the rank from this author!
A twisty mystery “who dunnit” that had me considering all options but not settling on any one, right to the end.
Characters that were unlikeable but I liked (most) of them all the same, mixed in with humor and “hold your breath” moments make for an all rounded fantastic read.
I also loved the chapters getting shorter as the tension built to keep the pace going.
5* debit novel, I can’t wait to see what is next cab off the rank from this author!
August 6, 2025
A strong debut into the thriller world!
No likeable characters but by the end you accept them with their flaws and for why they are the way they are!
No likeable characters but by the end you accept them with their flaws and for why they are the way they are!
July 6, 2025
4.5 stars.
Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She's won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains. This secluded house is the last place anyone will think to look for high-profile author Colette Halifax, as she hides from a looming scandal. Meanwhile, Maia McKenzie has plans that don't involve writing at all. All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden. And they're not alone.
This was such a ride! I really liked the storytelling format over the four parts, one for each day at the retreat. This made character introductions immediately interesting. It was fun to try guessing what connected the writers as they didn’t seem to have commonalities at all - from personality, family background, financial situation, to the genres they wrote.
The house itself was a character on its own. I loved all the creepy moments in the different parts of the house. I kept waiting for Evelyn’s ghost to actually appear and terrorise everyone! Some of the scenes were so good, they sent chills down my spine.
One highlight for me was how different each ‘Day’ was. The first two days read like domestic psychological thrillers, Day Three was pretty much popcorn thriller and Day Four gave me downright slasher-thriller feeling. Honestly, by Day Two I had ‘forgotten’ someone was supposed to die in the story. I was enjoying getting to know each character too much! But by Day Three, I had suspected everyone.
I’d recommend this highly to anyone wanting a twisty thriller with strong characters, lots of drama and a dash of romance!
(Thanks to January Gilchrist and HarperCollins Australia for a gifted ARC)
See my bookstagram review.
Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She's won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains. This secluded house is the last place anyone will think to look for high-profile author Colette Halifax, as she hides from a looming scandal. Meanwhile, Maia McKenzie has plans that don't involve writing at all. All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden. And they're not alone.
This was such a ride! I really liked the storytelling format over the four parts, one for each day at the retreat. This made character introductions immediately interesting. It was fun to try guessing what connected the writers as they didn’t seem to have commonalities at all - from personality, family background, financial situation, to the genres they wrote.
The house itself was a character on its own. I loved all the creepy moments in the different parts of the house. I kept waiting for Evelyn’s ghost to actually appear and terrorise everyone! Some of the scenes were so good, they sent chills down my spine.
One highlight for me was how different each ‘Day’ was. The first two days read like domestic psychological thrillers, Day Three was pretty much popcorn thriller and Day Four gave me downright slasher-thriller feeling. Honestly, by Day Two I had ‘forgotten’ someone was supposed to die in the story. I was enjoying getting to know each character too much! But by Day Three, I had suspected everyone.
I’d recommend this highly to anyone wanting a twisty thriller with strong characters, lots of drama and a dash of romance!
(Thanks to January Gilchrist and HarperCollins Australia for a gifted ARC)
See my bookstagram review.
October 11, 2025
I'll be honest—I dove into The Final Chapter with sky-high expectations. After devouring Julia Bartz's The Writing Retreat, I was hungry for another atmospheric writers' retreat mystery with that delicious locked-room tension. The premise had everything I wanted: creative egos clashing in isolation, dark secrets lurking beneath polite smiles, and a remote Blue Mountains setting steeped in Australia's most chilling criminal history. Unfortunately, what promised to be a page-turner ended up feeling more like a rough draft than a polished final manuscript.
The setup is undeniably intriguing. Three women converge at an exclusive retreat, each carrying secrets heavier than their luggage. Desley Barron, struggling to revive her dying writing career, arrives desperate to prove herself. High-profile author Colette Halifax is hiding from a career-threatening scandal. And Maia McKenzie isn't there to write at all—she's hunting the man who nearly killed her mother. When a snowstorm traps them inside and a body appears, the stage is set for psychological thriller gold.
The problem? The execution doesn't match the promise. While some characters intrigued me, most left me frustrated—none more than Desley. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her. Her relentless self-deprecation and doormat tendencies were maddening. Stop playing the victim and do something, I found myself muttering repeatedly. A protagonist wrestling with insecurity can be compelling, but Desley's passivity tested my patience until the final pages.
Ultimately, this retreat fell short of the destination I'd hoped for. It's an average thriller that fans of the genre might enjoy despite its flaws—but it won't haunt you long after closing the cover.
The setup is undeniably intriguing. Three women converge at an exclusive retreat, each carrying secrets heavier than their luggage. Desley Barron, struggling to revive her dying writing career, arrives desperate to prove herself. High-profile author Colette Halifax is hiding from a career-threatening scandal. And Maia McKenzie isn't there to write at all—she's hunting the man who nearly killed her mother. When a snowstorm traps them inside and a body appears, the stage is set for psychological thriller gold.
The problem? The execution doesn't match the promise. While some characters intrigued me, most left me frustrated—none more than Desley. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her. Her relentless self-deprecation and doormat tendencies were maddening. Stop playing the victim and do something, I found myself muttering repeatedly. A protagonist wrestling with insecurity can be compelling, but Desley's passivity tested my patience until the final pages.
Ultimately, this retreat fell short of the destination I'd hoped for. It's an average thriller that fans of the genre might enjoy despite its flaws—but it won't haunt you long after closing the cover.
August 21, 2025
.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....
The Final Chapter is the debut novel by Australian author January Gilchrist. This atmospheric thriller blends writerly ambition, buried secrets, and psychological suspense into a gripping narrative set in the haunting Blue Mountains of Australia.
Three women—Desley Barron, Colette Halifax, and Maia McKenzie—arrive at an exclusive writing retreat, each carrying secrets and motives far darker than their manuscripts. Desley, a stay at home mother, is desperate to revive her faltering career, Colette, a best selling author, is hiding from scandal, and Maia, an edgy young prodigy, has orchestrated a confrontation with the man who nearly destroyed her family. But the retreat’s eerie setting, perched near the forest where Australia’s worst serial killer once roamed, becomes a character in itself.
When a storm traps them in and a body is found in the snow, paranoia and past traumas erupt into deadly consequences.
Well developed characters always help me connect with a book, and the flawed yet complex female leads in this one worked, even if none were particularly likeable. Their tangled relationships and hidden agendas drive the tension, and the closed room, atmospheric setting adds to the feel. It slowed a little in the middle, but this is where we learn more about the back stories of the writers at the retreat, so it did feel necessary. I look forward to seeing what's next from this author
The Final Chapter is the debut novel by Australian author January Gilchrist. This atmospheric thriller blends writerly ambition, buried secrets, and psychological suspense into a gripping narrative set in the haunting Blue Mountains of Australia.
Three women—Desley Barron, Colette Halifax, and Maia McKenzie—arrive at an exclusive writing retreat, each carrying secrets and motives far darker than their manuscripts. Desley, a stay at home mother, is desperate to revive her faltering career, Colette, a best selling author, is hiding from scandal, and Maia, an edgy young prodigy, has orchestrated a confrontation with the man who nearly destroyed her family. But the retreat’s eerie setting, perched near the forest where Australia’s worst serial killer once roamed, becomes a character in itself.
When a storm traps them in and a body is found in the snow, paranoia and past traumas erupt into deadly consequences.
Well developed characters always help me connect with a book, and the flawed yet complex female leads in this one worked, even if none were particularly likeable. Their tangled relationships and hidden agendas drive the tension, and the closed room, atmospheric setting adds to the feel. It slowed a little in the middle, but this is where we learn more about the back stories of the writers at the retreat, so it did feel necessary. I look forward to seeing what's next from this author
June 23, 2025
Do you like locked room thrillers? Do you like isolated settings? Do you like stories where everyone’s a suspect with a secret? The Final Chapter by January Gilchrist has all of these, and more.
Five writers are attending an exclusive writers retreat in the Blue Mountains. They all have a secret that they’d do anything to keep, and while they are there someone is going to die. Who is going to die, and why?
I loved how multifaceted each of the characters were, and I loved that I found something to like about or relate to with almost all of them. The story is set in four parts, across four days- making it super fast paced. The setting was atmospheric, the story kept me on my toes and the last day was like a fever dream in the best way.
I went into reading this one with super high expectations, and not only were they met but they were also surpassed. I was lucky enough to read this was a fab group of buddy readers AND the author herself, who shared so many fun and interesting tidbits that made the reading experience even more layered and fun.
A big thank you to January Gilchrist for gifting me a copy of this book in return for my honest thoughts, and to my buddy readers for such a fun shared reading experience.
Five writers are attending an exclusive writers retreat in the Blue Mountains. They all have a secret that they’d do anything to keep, and while they are there someone is going to die. Who is going to die, and why?
I loved how multifaceted each of the characters were, and I loved that I found something to like about or relate to with almost all of them. The story is set in four parts, across four days- making it super fast paced. The setting was atmospheric, the story kept me on my toes and the last day was like a fever dream in the best way.
I went into reading this one with super high expectations, and not only were they met but they were also surpassed. I was lucky enough to read this was a fab group of buddy readers AND the author herself, who shared so many fun and interesting tidbits that made the reading experience even more layered and fun.
A big thank you to January Gilchrist for gifting me a copy of this book in return for my honest thoughts, and to my buddy readers for such a fun shared reading experience.
September 14, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ fiction for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. After reading the synopsis, writers retreat, haunted house, a murderer lurking, locked room mystery it had me dying to plunge into it. Initially, I started it and after 3 chapters DNF'd it, but then after reading a few more books, I decided it maybe I was just a bit burned out on thrillers when I initially tried this one, so I gave it another chance- not something I usually do-I did end up completing it, but it just didn't hit any of my thriller sweet spots for me and it just left me kind of feeling unsatisfied. It felt too slow of a burn for me and I only got interested in it once a plot twist was revealed but by that stage I was so far into the book I was determined to finish it, given that I had seen so many other readers give it 4 and 5 stars. It just didn't have the atmospheric feel for me that I was expecting with the characters being isolated at their writing retreat. Judging by the amount of glowing reviews thought, I think it just wasn't the right book for me at the right time. It just felt too bland for my reading tastes. #thefinalchapter #januarygilchrist #hqfiction #thriller #goodreads #getlisty #fable #thestorygraph #tea_sipping_bookworm #bookqueen #bookstagram
September 17, 2025
Cleverly plotted thriller getting inside the head of writers, their motivations (and demotivators) with rich character studies. The situation for all three of these women trying to make a living as a writer feels all too real, with realistic portrayals - all of them with faults that made them compelling to see what would happen next but also with redeemable features too that carried them through giving the reader reasons for empathy. Having met male poets and how cocky they can be it felt like an accurate portrayal - even Tavis, although younger and much more in control of his ego - felt like a character study in privilege (although Maia too) with the automatic given that if you're young, attractive and know how to market yourself on social media that means you automatically must be a great author/poet (says the bitter old hag in me! :DD)
The character studies were the highlight of this novel for me (with the house itself being a great starring character in its own right) but there were also enough twists and turns that had me guessing until the end.
This is the authors first foray into contemporary thrillers and can't wait to see what they work on next!
The character studies were the highlight of this novel for me (with the house itself being a great starring character in its own right) but there were also enough twists and turns that had me guessing until the end.
This is the authors first foray into contemporary thrillers and can't wait to see what they work on next!
September 8, 2025
2.5/5 ⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Slow Burn, Snowy Retreat
- - -
This snowy cover had me intrigued as it kept popping up on my social feed. I went in blind as usual expecting a chilling snowbound murder mystery but the story didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
January’s writing style was easy to read but while the writing delivered, the plot melted away for me faster than a snowflake.
The alternating character chapters teased suspense and red herrings which kept me flicking pages early on but by the halfway mark not much had actually happened and it started to feel like one very long introduction.
The murders (yes, spoiler alert, they do arrive!) came a little too late and the overall ending felt rushed and underwhelming. Add in the writing retreat setting, which might be fun for authors but it just wasn’t my cup of tea for scene setting.
That said, if you enjoy gothic houses, snowy isolation and locked room energy, this could be your cup. Fans of Riley Sager’s With A Vengeance or Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect might enjoy the vibes here more than I did (no trains in this one though!)
Vibes: Slow Burn, Snowy Retreat
- - -
This snowy cover had me intrigued as it kept popping up on my social feed. I went in blind as usual expecting a chilling snowbound murder mystery but the story didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
January’s writing style was easy to read but while the writing delivered, the plot melted away for me faster than a snowflake.
The alternating character chapters teased suspense and red herrings which kept me flicking pages early on but by the halfway mark not much had actually happened and it started to feel like one very long introduction.
The murders (yes, spoiler alert, they do arrive!) came a little too late and the overall ending felt rushed and underwhelming. Add in the writing retreat setting, which might be fun for authors but it just wasn’t my cup of tea for scene setting.
That said, if you enjoy gothic houses, snowy isolation and locked room energy, this could be your cup. Fans of Riley Sager’s With A Vengeance or Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect might enjoy the vibes here more than I did (no trains in this one though!)
July 3, 2025
This book had me side-eying everyone! Twisty and darkly addictive, The Final Chapter is a locked-room thriller full of flawed people, buried secrets, and a body… but who committed the crime? Tense, creepy, and smart - I devoured it.
Every character is deeply, unapologetically flawed. They’re jealous, bitter, manipulative and painfully real. These are women trying to survive the world and the men in it. Some are battling grief, others guilt, and all of them are hiding something. And let’s not pretend the men are any more innocent... creepy, controlling, off. It's just what I love
The addition of Lily brought a tear to my eye! I love that I’m seeing her pop up in something she loved so much – in books. Such a touching tribute.
🪵 Vibes:
✔️ Locked room mystery
✔️ Blue Mountains setting
✔️ Women on the edge
✔️ Serial killer lore
✔️ Tension so thick you could carve it with a penknife
✔️ A very satisfying ending
Every character is deeply, unapologetically flawed. They’re jealous, bitter, manipulative and painfully real. These are women trying to survive the world and the men in it. Some are battling grief, others guilt, and all of them are hiding something. And let’s not pretend the men are any more innocent... creepy, controlling, off. It's just what I love
The addition of Lily brought a tear to my eye! I love that I’m seeing her pop up in something she loved so much – in books. Such a touching tribute.
🪵 Vibes:
✔️ Locked room mystery
✔️ Blue Mountains setting
✔️ Women on the edge
✔️ Serial killer lore
✔️ Tension so thick you could carve it with a penknife
✔️ A very satisfying ending
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