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The Final Scene
An edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller about a kidnapped woman trapped in a deadly game of twisted “roles”—where the only way to survive her captor’s final, blood-soaked scene is to break every rule.
The cabin is unlocked, but there’s no escape.
When Brooke was kidnapped on her way home from work, she thought her life was over.
That was ten years ago.
She’s been held captive in an isolated cabin on the Oregon coast ever since, scrambling to follow her kidnappers’ twisted instructions to the letter. Because the price of a mistake is death.
But when a new victim shows up, everything changes. Including the rules. And this time, the only way to survive is to break them.
The cabin is unlocked, but there’s no escape.
When Brooke was kidnapped on her way home from work, she thought her life was over.
That was ten years ago.
She’s been held captive in an isolated cabin on the Oregon coast ever since, scrambling to follow her kidnappers’ twisted instructions to the letter. Because the price of a mistake is death.
But when a new victim shows up, everything changes. Including the rules. And this time, the only way to survive is to break them.
Audible Audio
First published February 27, 2024
3451 people are currently reading
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About the author
Steph Nelson
16 books490 followersA lifelong PNW girl, Steph currently lives in Boise, Idaho.
Her books have been reviewed in the New York Times and Library Journal.
She loves long walks by the Boise River, thrifting for vintage clothing, yoga, traveling just about anywhere, and devouring books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
Her books have been reviewed in the New York Times and Library Journal.
She loves long walks by the Boise River, thrifting for vintage clothing, yoga, traveling just about anywhere, and devouring books.
Find her on Instagram/Threads: @stephnelsonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,849 reviews
October 14, 2024
Hey so that was insane! 😃
February 28, 2024
Ugh this started out so good! It was something new and not just an average kidnapping story. It was creepy and insane! Got me hooked on the first few pages. Until it went downhill and I completely lost interest.
Probably because of the lack of chemistry between Brooke and Derek. Their mutual attraction seemed forced and out of place. There is no character development for Brooke and considering the situation they're in, the villains weren't developed enough, not sinister enough, not unhinged enough.
Also, can somebody explain why the author had to include romance and stuff in this narrative? I mean, they're being captive for pete's sake! Who got time for that? They're supposed to survive, escape and chase freedom, not end up together. Nope.
This book has a lot of potential to be a hit and I'm hoping the right readers would give this a chance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ticking Clock Press, LLC for the advanced copy! 👍🏻
Probably because of the lack of chemistry between Brooke and Derek. Their mutual attraction seemed forced and out of place. There is no character development for Brooke and considering the situation they're in, the villains weren't developed enough, not sinister enough, not unhinged enough.
Also, can somebody explain why the author had to include romance and stuff in this narrative? I mean, they're being captive for pete's sake! Who got time for that? They're supposed to survive, escape and chase freedom, not end up together. Nope.
This book has a lot of potential to be a hit and I'm hoping the right readers would give this a chance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ticking Clock Press, LLC for the advanced copy! 👍🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2024
Absolutely loved. It's so twisted, but in the best way, and suspenseful from the very first line. With characters as intricately crafted as its twists, a breakneck pace, and unrelenting tension, THE FINAL SCENE is as gripping as it is terrifying.
June 2, 2024
This won’t be for everyone but my low budget horror loving ass was here for it.
March 2, 2024
4 Stars
This book was intense—start to finish, gripped to the page, couldn’t put it down, INTENSE.
Brooke was kidnapped on her way home from work… ten years ago. She’s been held prisoner in an isolated cabin, playing by her captor’s twisted rules to stay alive, watching time and again as other victims fail where she, so far, has not.
But when a new victim shows up, changing the rules of the game, it becomes painfully clear time is running out for all of them, and Brooke must work out how to break the rules she’s followed so desperately to this point, in order to survive another day, and hopefully, get her life back, whatever the cost.
This wasn’t a perfect read. I had issues with bits of the dialogue and aspects of the writing structure and with some of the plot details. But… but I was so totally invested from page one, that I never really slowed down in my consumption of the story long enough to truly grasp onto any of the smaller elements that (could have) bothered me.
I was simply in it. And I had blast while there.
So, if you enjoy fast-paced suspense-thrillers, with multi-pov narratives and do-or-die high-stakes plots, this story will likely be right up your alley, too.
NOTE: I found the bonus epilogue (available via a QR code at the end of the book) to be vital to my satisfaction and resolution to the story. The book itself ends on a bit of a jarring note, as so many thrillers/mysteries often do, but the 5 page epilogue did wonders to wrap up the story and give me and the characters some relief and hope for the future. Don’t skip it.
***A special thanks to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was intense—start to finish, gripped to the page, couldn’t put it down, INTENSE.
Brooke was kidnapped on her way home from work… ten years ago. She’s been held prisoner in an isolated cabin, playing by her captor’s twisted rules to stay alive, watching time and again as other victims fail where she, so far, has not.
But when a new victim shows up, changing the rules of the game, it becomes painfully clear time is running out for all of them, and Brooke must work out how to break the rules she’s followed so desperately to this point, in order to survive another day, and hopefully, get her life back, whatever the cost.
This wasn’t a perfect read. I had issues with bits of the dialogue and aspects of the writing structure and with some of the plot details. But… but I was so totally invested from page one, that I never really slowed down in my consumption of the story long enough to truly grasp onto any of the smaller elements that (could have) bothered me.
I was simply in it. And I had blast while there.
So, if you enjoy fast-paced suspense-thrillers, with multi-pov narratives and do-or-die high-stakes plots, this story will likely be right up your alley, too.
NOTE: I found the bonus epilogue (available via a QR code at the end of the book) to be vital to my satisfaction and resolution to the story. The book itself ends on a bit of a jarring note, as so many thrillers/mysteries often do, but the 5 page epilogue did wonders to wrap up the story and give me and the characters some relief and hope for the future. Don’t skip it.
***A special thanks to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2024
Sometimes a book grabs you by the neck and refuses to let you leave its perimeter (you see what I did there?). I blew through this in a day and I loved every minute of it.
It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it had some serious oomph. Once you get beyond your frustration about why these events hadn’t transpired, I don’t know, say ten years earlier, this book is a joy to consume.
You just have to suspend a little belief and turn off part of your brain. I know that sounds bad, but I promise it isn’t. I don’t always want to use my brain. Thinking hurts
It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it had some serious oomph. Once you get beyond your frustration about why these events hadn’t transpired, I don’t know, say ten years earlier, this book is a joy to consume.
You just have to suspend a little belief and turn off part of your brain. I know that sounds bad, but I promise it isn’t. I don’t always want to use my brain. Thinking hurts
January 1, 2025
4/5 ⭐️
- Omg I loved this thriller SO MUCH!! If you like the fast paced feel of Verity by Colleen Hoover with a dash of spice, you’ll really love this one!! It’s such a fast paced read that I didn’t want to put it down after reading the first few pages.
- This book is less than 300 pages so you’ll finish it really fast. I can’t believe this book is a debut!! I definitely am going to pick up another book by this author.
- So wild how so few reviews this book has because it’s definitely going to be in my top thrillers of the year. Such a unique storyline, but also really fast paced and enjoyable from start to finish. A perfect thriller for new readers too!
- Omg I loved this thriller SO MUCH!! If you like the fast paced feel of Verity by Colleen Hoover with a dash of spice, you’ll really love this one!! It’s such a fast paced read that I didn’t want to put it down after reading the first few pages.
- This book is less than 300 pages so you’ll finish it really fast. I can’t believe this book is a debut!! I definitely am going to pick up another book by this author.
- So wild how so few reviews this book has because it’s definitely going to be in my top thrillers of the year. Such a unique storyline, but also really fast paced and enjoyable from start to finish. A perfect thriller for new readers too!
March 19, 2024
⭐️ 2 stars ⭐️
The idea behind The Final Scene was pretty thrilling - prisoners forced to be ‘characters’ acting out scenes for a twisted psychopath. Cool, right?
Too bad the execution didn’t really live up to my expectations.
The cast
The characters were unlikeable and weirdly volatile. They kept changing personality, acting one way and then acting the opposite way a moment later. I feel like it was trying to give off what people would usually be like in situations like this and trying to give the readers the same feelings of untethered-ness and hopelessness, but it just pulled me out of the story.
The villains were entirely too simple and certainly not scary enough for what this story needed. I mean, what’s scary about an old lady? And how is it that in ten years no one has managed to overpower her?
The unnecessary romance
The growing romance between Brooke and Derek felt forced into the plot line. There was no need for a romance to achieve a happy ending, and it went against Brooke’s whole narrative and her view of men.
Also, the spice scene was so bad. The MC kept saying down there - ”He’s touching me down there”, “I pull him down there”, “He’s entering me and his fingers find the perfect spot down there”. No. Just…. no.
The writing
The POV changes kept breaking the flow of the story, making me have to pause and figure out who’s talking. This also broke whatever tension had been building up in the meantime, leaving me unbothered and not as chilled as I wanted to be. I wanted to be terrified, on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out wtf is going on. Instead, it was a more detached reading experience, only the occasional ‘oh shit, that happened’.
There were also multiple inconsistencies and plot holes throughout. Why was Grace doing all of this? Why had no one tried to overpower her before? How does she control an entire town’s police force?
The final scene
Extremely anticlimactic and utterly disappointing. There was this whole build up to the final scene, to the elusive escape, the takedown of the villains, only for it to end in a quick and chaotic fight scene and a dissatisfying escape.
So, again, the concept had a lot of potential, and for those wanting a thriller that packs a lighter punch this is right up their alley. I, however, was looking for something a little more brutal, more unhinged, more terrifying.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Content warnings (spoilers):
- Themes of child loss
- Mentions of body shaming
- Death
- Mention of suicide attempt
- Non-con/Dub-con (not between MCs)
- HEA
The idea behind The Final Scene was pretty thrilling - prisoners forced to be ‘characters’ acting out scenes for a twisted psychopath. Cool, right?
“What’s the trick to staying alive? How have you done it for so long?” Kinsey asks as if she has questions lined up. Brooke shrugs. “I follow the rules. It’s the only way.”
Too bad the execution didn’t really live up to my expectations.
The cast
The characters were unlikeable and weirdly volatile. They kept changing personality, acting one way and then acting the opposite way a moment later. I feel like it was trying to give off what people would usually be like in situations like this and trying to give the readers the same feelings of untethered-ness and hopelessness, but it just pulled me out of the story.
The villains were entirely too simple and certainly not scary enough for what this story needed. I mean, what’s scary about an old lady? And how is it that in ten years no one has managed to overpower her?
The unnecessary romance
The growing romance between Brooke and Derek felt forced into the plot line. There was no need for a romance to achieve a happy ending, and it went against Brooke’s whole narrative and her view of men.
Also, the spice scene was so bad. The MC kept saying down there - ”He’s touching me down there”, “I pull him down there”, “He’s entering me and his fingers find the perfect spot down there”. No. Just…. no.
The writing
The POV changes kept breaking the flow of the story, making me have to pause and figure out who’s talking. This also broke whatever tension had been building up in the meantime, leaving me unbothered and not as chilled as I wanted to be. I wanted to be terrified, on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out wtf is going on. Instead, it was a more detached reading experience, only the occasional ‘oh shit, that happened’.
There were also multiple inconsistencies and plot holes throughout. Why was Grace doing all of this? Why had no one tried to overpower her before? How does she control an entire town’s police force?
The final scene
Extremely anticlimactic and utterly disappointing. There was this whole build up to the final scene, to the elusive escape, the takedown of the villains, only for it to end in a quick and chaotic fight scene and a dissatisfying escape.
So, again, the concept had a lot of potential, and for those wanting a thriller that packs a lighter punch this is right up their alley. I, however, was looking for something a little more brutal, more unhinged, more terrifying.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Content warnings (spoilers):
- Themes of child loss
- Mentions of body shaming
- Death
- Mention of suicide attempt
- Non-con/Dub-con (not between MCs)
- HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2024
I knew this was 5 stars from chapter one and it stayed riveting until the very last page. absolutely going on my top 10 of the year. this was INSANE & the exacttt amount of fucked up that I love to devour.
January 5, 2025
I was looking forward to this and I will say it started well and I was intrigued. Close to halfway through I lost interest. Once I’d finished I read a couple of reviews and I saw some readers say this was creepy and gripping which I agree with, but it also felt weird to me. I think the plot idea is certainly different and not something I’d read before, but it just didn’t work for me overall. But if this is something that sounds like you’d enjoy then why not give it a go you too like many other readers will most likely love it.
February 25, 2024
4.75 stars rounded up. WOW!!! I loved this so so much. Aside from one tiny aspect that seemed unnecessary and forced, this book was perfect. Read it in one sitting. Such a gripping, suspenseful, and majorly entertaining read. Highly recommend!
May 23, 2025
interesting concept, poor execution? i was hooked from the beginning, but about 3/5 of the way in it hit a lull. overall insane plots but the ending was wayyyy rushed and fell so flat. i read it in a day but idk how to rllly feel abt this tbh
April 25, 2024
I enjoyed almost nothing about this book
March 26, 2024
This was one of the silliest things I've ever read. An author I love recommended it so I was expecting it to be really good. It has all the ingredients to be good but it just comes off Lifetime movie crazy.
Also, the romantic angle added to a kidnapping situation made it weird. It wasn't a one-off. There were several *relations* so to speak and a 4-5(I skimmed) page sex scene in captivity. A lot of it just gave me the ick.
I did appreciate how the characters intertwined but the villain in this story is just so cartoonish that it's hard to look past.
Also, the romantic angle added to a kidnapping situation made it weird. It wasn't a one-off. There were several *relations* so to speak and a 4-5(I skimmed) page sex scene in captivity. A lot of it just gave me the ick.
I did appreciate how the characters intertwined but the villain in this story is just so cartoonish that it's hard to look past.
June 23, 2025
This book is unlike anything I’ve read before, and not something I would normally gravitate towards based on the synopsis. But I liked it. It’s probably best not to overthink this one. I have some unanswered questions but it was a fun ride nonetheless. “Gripping” is the perfect way to describe it.
March 20, 2024
TOMATO TOMATO TOMATO. While this didn’t turn out to be a romance, it did turn out to be a big pile of dog shit. None of the plot was interesting and it really was boring. i don’t have a lot to say besides ✨don’t read this book✨
February 27, 2024
Steph Nelson taking readers hostage with her new kidnap novel however this is not your average kidnapping story, a pulse pounding page turner yes, but also an examination and insight into the very real fears women have, often women have to play a role in order to survive and I think this book perfectly depicts this, though in an exaggerated setting I could still relate, rooted in the truth makes this all the more terrifying and creepy, this was nerve shreddingly good, one of those thrillers that just *smacks book* HAS OOMF dya know what I mean? I thought the concept was utterly unique I've never come across another thriller like it, as the plot unfolds it becomes somewhat unbelievable but Nelson pulls it off rather convincingly, this was fast paced and rather fun, like doing yoga in the dark, I didn't see things coming and we had some unexpected twists, was that too weird an analogy? Promise I don't do my yoga in the dark 👀 A multi layered thriller with complex characters that shines a light on the resilience and strength of women and their will to survive, intense and chilling, loved it!
October 10, 2024
Omgggg I thought I would love this book! 😱😩😩 but I was so wrong I fell for the premise and to be fair the first 10-20% of the book was so damn good and then wtf just happened? And also why with the romance throwing in the kidnapping book? 😒🙄 like WHAT?!!! And the ending wtf?!!!!
November 3, 2024
I need to stop reading books that tiktok recommends
May 10, 2024
Y’all sometimes a reading slump isn’t you… it’s the book. Case in point: I binged this entire thing in a day. An explosive first chapter, a fascinating setup, characters you cared for, and nonstop action and plot progression—and a couple of reveals I didn’t see coming! Also, there’s a scene near the end where someone recounts the fate of a deceased character that pulled at my heart strings. This book is like a PG13 version of What Good Girls Do, but it’s also such a refreshing treat! Psychological suspense done right. Reading this was like watching a movie!
August 6, 2024
I did not hate this, but it was a simple indulgence that I will never think of ever again.
February 12, 2024
“The Last thing she thought was, This is it. This is how I die. That was ten years ago.”
Brooke is snatched on her way home from work one evening and ten years later she is still being held at a cabin by her kidnappers. She has stayed alive by being vigilant and following rules while other victims have not. When a new victim arrives, the dynamic changes drastically and now the only way for Brooke to survive is to break the rules.
This was not at all what I expected it to be going in and I mean that in the best way. The Final Scene is such a unique premise while being wholly believable given the good, the bad, and the truly deranged things some people do. This is a dark and terrifying yet thrilling story, but it’s not without light. Steph Nelson brilliantly captures the fears women have daily simply because they are women, but also inner strength, fortitude and what it takes to be a survivor.
From page one the tension began and the anxiety, claustrophobia and sense of impending doom Did. Not. Let. Up! About half way through the story there’s a new direction introduced which puts a spin on the entire perspective. With complex characters and a twisted plot, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. When dealing with an emotionally disturbed psychopath all bets are off! Trust me, go into this blind - you won’t know what hit you!
Thank you Steph Nelson and NetGalley for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for potential spoiler trigger warnings.
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⚠️Trigger warnings: body shaming, child loss, language, sexual situations, death, violence, manipulation, menacing, mention of drug addiction & prostitution
Brooke is snatched on her way home from work one evening and ten years later she is still being held at a cabin by her kidnappers. She has stayed alive by being vigilant and following rules while other victims have not. When a new victim arrives, the dynamic changes drastically and now the only way for Brooke to survive is to break the rules.
This was not at all what I expected it to be going in and I mean that in the best way. The Final Scene is such a unique premise while being wholly believable given the good, the bad, and the truly deranged things some people do. This is a dark and terrifying yet thrilling story, but it’s not without light. Steph Nelson brilliantly captures the fears women have daily simply because they are women, but also inner strength, fortitude and what it takes to be a survivor.
From page one the tension began and the anxiety, claustrophobia and sense of impending doom Did. Not. Let. Up! About half way through the story there’s a new direction introduced which puts a spin on the entire perspective. With complex characters and a twisted plot, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. When dealing with an emotionally disturbed psychopath all bets are off! Trust me, go into this blind - you won’t know what hit you!
Thank you Steph Nelson and NetGalley for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for potential spoiler trigger warnings.
•
•
•
•
•
•
⚠️Trigger warnings: body shaming, child loss, language, sexual situations, death, violence, manipulation, menacing, mention of drug addiction & prostitution
April 5, 2025
OMG! I absolutely loved this book! It was such a dark, twisted and unique story. Highly recommend!!
July 30, 2024
the back of the painkillers i just took had a better plot line than this book. Why am I taking painkillers you ask? because i am one second away from dousing myself in gasoline and setting myself alight so i never have to think about this book again x
June 10, 2024
Surface level entertaining, but too many things that just didn’t make sense or got glossed over. The bones were there, they just had no flesh.
October 27, 2024
Started super promising ended disapointing
June 13, 2024
The final scene (the title will make sense as you get into the book) follows Brooke, a normal every day mother, who is kidnapped on her way home from work.
The beginning starts with an anxiety inducing climax as we witness the events of the kidnapping. The execution of the scene is done wonderfully and we witness every internal alarm go off in Brookes body as she is being followed by a man after getting off the bus and beginning her everyday walk home.
Brooke is sure this is the moment her life ends, and yet we flash forward to 10 years later where she is still being held captive.
We find out there are other captives with her, and the reason for this mysterious man kidnapping multiple people (it’s a weird one for sure, took me a minute to wrap my head around).
This is well written, unique and entertaining.
Publish date 27th Feb
Thank you to ticking clock press , Steph Nelson and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
The beginning starts with an anxiety inducing climax as we witness the events of the kidnapping. The execution of the scene is done wonderfully and we witness every internal alarm go off in Brookes body as she is being followed by a man after getting off the bus and beginning her everyday walk home.
Brooke is sure this is the moment her life ends, and yet we flash forward to 10 years later where she is still being held captive.
We find out there are other captives with her, and the reason for this mysterious man kidnapping multiple people (it’s a weird one for sure, took me a minute to wrap my head around).
This is well written, unique and entertaining.
Publish date 27th Feb
Thank you to ticking clock press , Steph Nelson and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
April 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had a gripping setup and definitely kept me turning pages. The tension was strong, and I liked the overall atmosphere. That said, some parts didn’t quite land for me. A solid read, but not one that fully stuck with me.
This book had a gripping setup and definitely kept me turning pages. The tension was strong, and I liked the overall atmosphere. That said, some parts didn’t quite land for me. A solid read, but not one that fully stuck with me.
August 22, 2025
Steph Nelson definitely ran with her concept (which to be fair has not been overused by thriller writers) and did everything she can with it... The Final Scene was gripping and a page turner and all that for sure... I just had some reservations with how everything wrapped up and how all the victims were on the same twisted circle like how convenient was that but yeah something that I can overlook haha
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,849 reviews