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St. Just Mystery #7
Death and the Final Cut
A fading Hollywood star is back in the spotlight – but for deadly reasons!
Hollywood descends on Cambridge when the historic Round Church becomes a film set for Viking Bride, starring famous – albeit fading – actress Agnes Dermont.
But Agnes’ big comeback quickly descends into farce due to the woeful script and acting, not to mention the general disregard for historical authenticity – although a Viking knife turns out to be a little too real when Agnes is found with it buried in her chest.
Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just encounters bitter rivalries, simmering tensions and devastatingly dark secrets among the cast and crew as he investigates, but can he work out who was so determined that Agnes wouldn’t make the film’s final cut?
This page-turning cosy mystery series is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Simon Brett, Richard Osman, Janice Hallett, Faith Martin and Fiona Leitch.
Hollywood descends on Cambridge when the historic Round Church becomes a film set for Viking Bride, starring famous – albeit fading – actress Agnes Dermont.
But Agnes’ big comeback quickly descends into farce due to the woeful script and acting, not to mention the general disregard for historical authenticity – although a Viking knife turns out to be a little too real when Agnes is found with it buried in her chest.
Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just encounters bitter rivalries, simmering tensions and devastatingly dark secrets among the cast and crew as he investigates, but can he work out who was so determined that Agnes wouldn’t make the film’s final cut?
This page-turning cosy mystery series is perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Simon Brett, Richard Osman, Janice Hallett, Faith Martin and Fiona Leitch.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
16 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
G.M. Malliet
48 books693 followersG.M. Malliet is the author of three mystery series; a dozen or more short stories published in The Strand, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine; and WEYCOMBE, a standalone suspense novel.
Her Agatha Award-winning Death of a Cozy Writer (2008), the first installment of the DCI St. Just mysteries, was named one of the ten best novels of the year by Kirkus Reviews. Subsequent Max Tudor novels were Agatha finalists.
Her Agatha Award-winning Death of a Cozy Writer (2008), the first installment of the DCI St. Just mysteries, was named one of the ten best novels of the year by Kirkus Reviews. Subsequent Max Tudor novels were Agatha finalists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 9, 2025
I’m going to be honest here: I will never like Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just as much as I like MI-5 agent-turned-Anglican vicar Max Tudor, who features in another of author G.M. Malliet’s mystery series. Tudor and his eccentric parishioners in Nether Monkslip prove simultaneously humorous and testimonies to the flaws of human nature. I adore each book!
But should I let the perfect be the enemy of the good? I found myself doing just that. Death and the Final Cut started out very compelling, but St. Just is a bit too perfect and the characters who people his mystery series eventually prove too over the top to be believable and too stereotypical to be interesting. I guessed the suspect before Sergeant Fear found out, and the plot was a bit implausible. Not a bad way to spend a few hours, but not up to the standard of Malliet’s two other really excellent series, the one with Tudor and the other featuring Augusta Hawke.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review.
But should I let the perfect be the enemy of the good? I found myself doing just that. Death and the Final Cut started out very compelling, but St. Just is a bit too perfect and the characters who people his mystery series eventually prove too over the top to be believable and too stereotypical to be interesting. I guessed the suspect before Sergeant Fear found out, and the plot was a bit implausible. Not a bad way to spend a few hours, but not up to the standard of Malliet’s two other really excellent series, the one with Tudor and the other featuring Augusta Hawke.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2025
Got the audiobook for review.
I hadn't read any of the other books so missed the back story of some of the main characters. It was an fun sett up being on a movie set and all the drama with that. It was a very solid 3 star read.
I hadn't read any of the other books so missed the back story of some of the main characters. It was an fun sett up being on a movie set and all the drama with that. It was a very solid 3 star read.
August 23, 2025
Another well-written and engaging installment to the St. Just mysteries. I enjoyed the backdrop of the making of a movie. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.
December 6, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The story is told by multiple characters or should I say actors. I think this works well as it gives you the big picture and a greater understanding of the film industry that Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just finds himself caught up in as he investigates a murder. This means there are plenty of cast members and suspects to keep you guessing. With St Just being a Detective Chief Inspector instead of the usual amuther slueth bumbling along and stumbling over the killer when there life is threatened, he works out who is responsible using logic and skill. The story was focused on the mystery and I didn't really feel like we got to know the main character that well, especially with so many characters involved. Although having said that this is my first case with the detective but it won't be my last.
Cambridge might not be the first place you think of to host a Viking wedding but when you have a famous actress in the lead role it opens doors. Even church doors. That is until her shining star is cut short and she is found dead. Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. and his sergeant Fear are assigned the case. Can they battle the bright lights of fame and Viking history to uncover the killer as the show just go on.
I liked the narrator. She worked her own showbiz magic and brought not only the story but also the characters to life, even went so far to give a few characters accents.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Cambridge might not be the first place you think of to host a Viking wedding but when you have a famous actress in the lead role it opens doors. Even church doors. That is until her shining star is cut short and she is found dead. Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. and his sergeant Fear are assigned the case. Can they battle the bright lights of fame and Viking history to uncover the killer as the show just go on.
I liked the narrator. She worked her own showbiz magic and brought not only the story but also the characters to life, even went so far to give a few characters accents.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
August 30, 2025
Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was my first time reading any books by this author or in this series, but I had no problem picking up the storyline. A Hollywood production company is filming a historical drama about the Vikings in England and set in the area around Cambridge. It features film star Agnes Dermond, an actress past her prime and in a role meant for a younger actress. Poor acting and an anachronistic script lead to tensions on the set of what is for most a make or break project. The complaints are centered around Agnes and when she is found murdered with a Viking dagger through her heart Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just and Sergeant Fear arrive to begin interviewing cast and crew. They are a colorful group, all quick to point fingers, and motives are numerous. It was fascinating learning about the inter workings of making a movie and all of the characters were well drawn and interesting. My only complaint is that St. Just announced the identity of the killer too soon and the last quarter of the book was mostly a discussion of motives and timelines which was a bit anticlimactic. I think it would have been better to have held the identity from the reader until the final chapter and made the announcement more of a surprise. It would have also been good to feature more of the atmosphere of old Cambridge. Overall though, I enjoyed the book for its characters and the inside look at movie making.
October 21, 2025
I hadn't read any of G. M. Malliet's novels before, and even though Death and the Final Cut is book seven in the St. Just mysteries, it was pretty easy to jump straight in.
The story follows what happens when Hollywood comes to Cambridge to film Viking Bride, a chaotic production that turns deadly when its leading lady, Agnes Dermont, is found murdered on set with a Viking knife in her chest.
The book begins from the perspective of a young caterer working her way into the film’s orbit, and it’s through her eyes that we glimpse the various tensions and egos before the murder occurs.
Once Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just arrives, the story shifts, and we see everything through his methodical investigation. It definitely allows you to play the guessing game a bit more than in some other mystery books.
My only real issue is that St. Just feels like a detective from another era, like he stepped out of the 1950s, which is a bit jarring and sometimes too polished for the modern setting.
I couldn't quite get past that, so while I appreciate why some readers loved it, it was just ok for me.
With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.
The story follows what happens when Hollywood comes to Cambridge to film Viking Bride, a chaotic production that turns deadly when its leading lady, Agnes Dermont, is found murdered on set with a Viking knife in her chest.
The book begins from the perspective of a young caterer working her way into the film’s orbit, and it’s through her eyes that we glimpse the various tensions and egos before the murder occurs.
Once Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just arrives, the story shifts, and we see everything through his methodical investigation. It definitely allows you to play the guessing game a bit more than in some other mystery books.
My only real issue is that St. Just feels like a detective from another era, like he stepped out of the 1950s, which is a bit jarring and sometimes too polished for the modern setting.
I couldn't quite get past that, so while I appreciate why some readers loved it, it was just ok for me.
With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.
October 19, 2025
3.25 stars
I found this to be a somewhat disappointing outing by a favorite author and series. I enjoy the St. Just mysteries and this one was fairly readable until about the last quarter of the book when things became unfocused. Some unrelated and seemingly random elements were introduced, the killer was sort of anticlimactically revealed, and the story just abruptly stopped, running out of steam.
The mystery concerns the death of a cast member of a film crew filming in England. There are lots of eccentric personalities and rivalries on the set. As St. Just and Fear explore everyone's pasts and relationships, lots of secrets emerge. St. Just is now engaged to Portia, and there is some unrelated and sort of irrelevant musing on his personal past and marital philosophy which is not well-integrated in the story. We'll hope for a return to better days in the next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I found this to be a somewhat disappointing outing by a favorite author and series. I enjoy the St. Just mysteries and this one was fairly readable until about the last quarter of the book when things became unfocused. Some unrelated and seemingly random elements were introduced, the killer was sort of anticlimactically revealed, and the story just abruptly stopped, running out of steam.
The mystery concerns the death of a cast member of a film crew filming in England. There are lots of eccentric personalities and rivalries on the set. As St. Just and Fear explore everyone's pasts and relationships, lots of secrets emerge. St. Just is now engaged to Portia, and there is some unrelated and sort of irrelevant musing on his personal past and marital philosophy which is not well-integrated in the story. We'll hope for a return to better days in the next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2025
Let me just start by saying this: nothing, and I mean nothing, will emotionally prepare you for the experience of hearing a Viking-themed rom-com filmed inside a historic Cambridge church… starring a washed-up diva who gets shanked with a prop dagger before she can even nail the climax. This book said, “You want Hollywood glamor? You’ll get death by historically inaccurate cutlery instead.” And honestly? Fair.
Death and the Final Cut is book seven in the St. Just series. Yes, we’re rolling in mid-series like the unhinged chaos goblins we are, and no, I will not apologize. The murder takes place mid-filming of Viking Bride (Oscar bait for people with head injuries), and the victim is none other than Agnes Dermont: fading starlet, chaos magnet, and professional line-forgetter. When she gets stabbed on set with a real-deal Viking knife, everyone’s shocked, but also like… not that shocked. The woman was two tantrums away from being publicly exorcised.
Enter Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just, who feels less like a modern cop and more like he time-traveled here from 1952 wearing a perfectly pressed tweed coat and a judgmental stare. He’s methodical, polished, and exactly the kind of man who says things like “a rather unfortunate development” when someone gets murdered in front of a camera crew.
Now, I did listen to this one, so let’s talk about the real MVP: Lorna Bennett. Her narration was smooth, elegant, and bless her, she gave every character just enough flair to tell them apart without going full improv night at the Renaissance Fair. She gave Agnes the exact kind of dramatic, overly-enunciated grandeur of a woman who thinks every take is her Oscar moment, and I loved her for that.
Here’s the thing. I didn’t hate it. In fact, the setup was delightful. There’s an entire buffet of suspects, bitter co-stars, scorned directors, one exhausted caterer just trying to make it through the shoot without becoming the next victim. It’s giving Knives Out if everyone had to wear Viking cosplay from Spirit Halloween. But after all that delicious setup, the mystery itself lands with a shrug. You can spot the killer like... weirdly early. Like, “oh, we’re doing that” early. And then the last quarter of the book just sort of... wanders off into motive monologues and timeline math and loses the pulse a bit. Not dead, just napping.
And while St. Just is technically the lead, the book is so ensemble-heavy that he feels like a guest star on his own show. I wanted more of him, more of Sergeant Fear (yes, that’s his real name, and no, he is not in a metal band), and less of the side characters who felt like they wandered in from a local theater production of Murder on the High Seas. A lot of them blurred together, even with Bennett’s solid narration, and I kept forgetting who was jealous of who, or who got blackballed in what decade.
But here's the real tea. Even though it was kind of mid, I will keep listening to this series. Because this is cozy mystery brain candy, a little stale, a little weird, but still enjoyable if you’re in the mood for something familiar that doesn’t ask too much of your remaining brain cells. Like a Hallmark movie, but British and with more blood.
Whodunity Award: For Most Dramatic Death Caused by a Misused Prop Since Phantom of the Opera
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the early access to this audiobook. I felt like an underpaid extra who somehow snuck onto the murder set before the body dropped. An absolute delight.
Death and the Final Cut is book seven in the St. Just series. Yes, we’re rolling in mid-series like the unhinged chaos goblins we are, and no, I will not apologize. The murder takes place mid-filming of Viking Bride (Oscar bait for people with head injuries), and the victim is none other than Agnes Dermont: fading starlet, chaos magnet, and professional line-forgetter. When she gets stabbed on set with a real-deal Viking knife, everyone’s shocked, but also like… not that shocked. The woman was two tantrums away from being publicly exorcised.
Enter Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just, who feels less like a modern cop and more like he time-traveled here from 1952 wearing a perfectly pressed tweed coat and a judgmental stare. He’s methodical, polished, and exactly the kind of man who says things like “a rather unfortunate development” when someone gets murdered in front of a camera crew.
Now, I did listen to this one, so let’s talk about the real MVP: Lorna Bennett. Her narration was smooth, elegant, and bless her, she gave every character just enough flair to tell them apart without going full improv night at the Renaissance Fair. She gave Agnes the exact kind of dramatic, overly-enunciated grandeur of a woman who thinks every take is her Oscar moment, and I loved her for that.
Here’s the thing. I didn’t hate it. In fact, the setup was delightful. There’s an entire buffet of suspects, bitter co-stars, scorned directors, one exhausted caterer just trying to make it through the shoot without becoming the next victim. It’s giving Knives Out if everyone had to wear Viking cosplay from Spirit Halloween. But after all that delicious setup, the mystery itself lands with a shrug. You can spot the killer like... weirdly early. Like, “oh, we’re doing that” early. And then the last quarter of the book just sort of... wanders off into motive monologues and timeline math and loses the pulse a bit. Not dead, just napping.
And while St. Just is technically the lead, the book is so ensemble-heavy that he feels like a guest star on his own show. I wanted more of him, more of Sergeant Fear (yes, that’s his real name, and no, he is not in a metal band), and less of the side characters who felt like they wandered in from a local theater production of Murder on the High Seas. A lot of them blurred together, even with Bennett’s solid narration, and I kept forgetting who was jealous of who, or who got blackballed in what decade.
But here's the real tea. Even though it was kind of mid, I will keep listening to this series. Because this is cozy mystery brain candy, a little stale, a little weird, but still enjoyable if you’re in the mood for something familiar that doesn’t ask too much of your remaining brain cells. Like a Hallmark movie, but British and with more blood.
Whodunity Award: For Most Dramatic Death Caused by a Misused Prop Since Phantom of the Opera
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the early access to this audiobook. I felt like an underpaid extra who somehow snuck onto the murder set before the body dropped. An absolute delight.
December 30, 2025
The audiobook format was a delight. The narrator did a fantastic job of capturing the various British accents and quirky personalities of the village residents. Their pacing was excellent, allowing the tension and gentle humour of the story to unfold naturally. The production quality was superb and made for a very easy listening experience, perfect for long commutes or cosy evenings in. The narration truly enhanced the immersive quality of Malliet's descriptive writing.
The novel takes us to the fictional village of Widsham, where the local dramatic society is preparing for a Christmas production of A Christmas Carol. The atmosphere is immediately engaging, a wonderful blend of cosy village life and simmering local rivalries. The central plot kicks off when a prominent, universally disliked TV producer is found dead in the theatre, leading the amateur sleuth Max Tudor (vicar and former M15 spy) to step in.
The book is a classic 'whodunnit' in the very best Agatha Christie tradition. The cast of characters is colourful, and everyone seems to have a secret or a motive. I really enjoyed the subtle humour and the sharp observations about village life and the theatrical world. The mystery itself is intricate and clever. Malliet provides plenty of red herrings and clues, keeping me guessing right until the reveal. I appreciate a mystery that respects the reader enough to lay out all the pieces, and this one certainly does that.
Death and the Final Cut is a charming, clever, and highly enjoyable read. It perfectly balances the cosy English village setting with a genuine, well-plotted mystery. Max Tudor is a delightful protagonist, calm, insightful, and very British.
If you are a fan of traditional British mysteries, particularly those in the vein of Agatha Raisin or classic Christie, this book is an absolute must-read/listen. It is comforting, witty, and expertly crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back to Widsham and look forward to the next instalment from G. M. Malliet.
The novel takes us to the fictional village of Widsham, where the local dramatic society is preparing for a Christmas production of A Christmas Carol. The atmosphere is immediately engaging, a wonderful blend of cosy village life and simmering local rivalries. The central plot kicks off when a prominent, universally disliked TV producer is found dead in the theatre, leading the amateur sleuth Max Tudor (vicar and former M15 spy) to step in.
The book is a classic 'whodunnit' in the very best Agatha Christie tradition. The cast of characters is colourful, and everyone seems to have a secret or a motive. I really enjoyed the subtle humour and the sharp observations about village life and the theatrical world. The mystery itself is intricate and clever. Malliet provides plenty of red herrings and clues, keeping me guessing right until the reveal. I appreciate a mystery that respects the reader enough to lay out all the pieces, and this one certainly does that.
Death and the Final Cut is a charming, clever, and highly enjoyable read. It perfectly balances the cosy English village setting with a genuine, well-plotted mystery. Max Tudor is a delightful protagonist, calm, insightful, and very British.
If you are a fan of traditional British mysteries, particularly those in the vein of Agatha Raisin or classic Christie, this book is an absolute must-read/listen. It is comforting, witty, and expertly crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back to Widsham and look forward to the next instalment from G. M. Malliet.
December 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I really wanted to like Death and the Final Cut, but unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me, which is why I ultimately landed on two stars.
To start with the positives: there were moments of wit and insight that I genuinely enjoyed. Lines like “Casual visitors to a murder scene were frowned upon” gave me a small chuckle, and “We can’t look back using today’s lens… History becomes invisible without imagination” was genuinely thoughtful. I was also very fond of the dry humor in “According to my wife, the woman who cuts her hair is as good as any psychiatrist. And judging from the bills, she charges much the same rates.” These flashes showed real charm and reminded me why I picked the book up in the first place.
That said… the rest of the experience was a struggle.
First, and I know this is petty, but the name St. Just completely took me out of the story. Every time it appeared, it pulled my focus in the worst way. On top of that, the POV shifts were confusing rather than clever—switching from St. Just’s internal thoughts to St. Fear’s perspective within the same chapter made the narrative feel messy and disorienting, instead of layered.
I also never quite settled into the rhythm of the book. The pacing felt uneven, and I often found myself disconnected from what was happening. By the time the ending arrived, it felt rushed, even though it was clearly meant to be a big, dramatic twist. Yes, it was a twist—but it didn’t feel satisfying or expansive enough to really land. It wasn’t conclusive enough to feel resolved, nor open-ended enough to linger in my thoughts afterward.
Overall, this was a case of a book I simply didn’t get along with. There were clever moments and lines I appreciated, but they weren’t enough to outweigh the structural issues and my general sense of disconnect.
I really wanted to like Death and the Final Cut, but unfortunately this one just didn’t work for me, which is why I ultimately landed on two stars.
To start with the positives: there were moments of wit and insight that I genuinely enjoyed. Lines like “Casual visitors to a murder scene were frowned upon” gave me a small chuckle, and “We can’t look back using today’s lens… History becomes invisible without imagination” was genuinely thoughtful. I was also very fond of the dry humor in “According to my wife, the woman who cuts her hair is as good as any psychiatrist. And judging from the bills, she charges much the same rates.” These flashes showed real charm and reminded me why I picked the book up in the first place.
That said… the rest of the experience was a struggle.
First, and I know this is petty, but the name St. Just completely took me out of the story. Every time it appeared, it pulled my focus in the worst way. On top of that, the POV shifts were confusing rather than clever—switching from St. Just’s internal thoughts to St. Fear’s perspective within the same chapter made the narrative feel messy and disorienting, instead of layered.
I also never quite settled into the rhythm of the book. The pacing felt uneven, and I often found myself disconnected from what was happening. By the time the ending arrived, it felt rushed, even though it was clearly meant to be a big, dramatic twist. Yes, it was a twist—but it didn’t feel satisfying or expansive enough to really land. It wasn’t conclusive enough to feel resolved, nor open-ended enough to linger in my thoughts afterward.
Overall, this was a case of a book I simply didn’t get along with. There were clever moments and lines I appreciated, but they weren’t enough to outweigh the structural issues and my general sense of disconnect.
December 11, 2025
Death and the Final Cut AUDIO by G M Mallet finds Chief Inspector Arthur St Just in the midst of planning for his wedding when he is called to a movie set. The star of the movie, a Viking tome, is Agnes Dermont, who is beyond her prime and now, sadly, dead. The has been stabbed with a Viking knife or a good replica. There are no real knives on the set as they are too dangerous so it appears that someone purchased this with murder in mind. St Just and Sergeant Fear were about to learn just how difficult it was to make a movie and just how odd movie people are. Checking for alibis proved to be interesting in itself.
St Just is a conservative man, not prone to enjoying surprises, but there have been many in this investigation. Discoveries of secrets, uncovering of feuds, and so much more. Everyone was united in the opinion that casting Agnes had been a huge mistake, but not cause for murder. As the movie filming changed locations, St Just and Fear followed, only to be called to a second murder. St Just was worrying. Two is a coincidence, three is a serial killer, and he didn’t want that. But, he kept his head down and investigated, and eventually came upon interesting news from his past as well as uncovering a murderer.
The narrator is Lorna Bennett and she did an admirable job with a plethora of personalities,, including a private detective from Los Angeles, USA, that had an interesting voice. She did a fine interpretation of this lovely novel.
I was invited to listen to Death and the Final Cut by Dreamscape Media. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #DreamscapeMedia #LornaBennett #GMMalliet #DeathAndtheFinalCut
St Just is a conservative man, not prone to enjoying surprises, but there have been many in this investigation. Discoveries of secrets, uncovering of feuds, and so much more. Everyone was united in the opinion that casting Agnes had been a huge mistake, but not cause for murder. As the movie filming changed locations, St Just and Fear followed, only to be called to a second murder. St Just was worrying. Two is a coincidence, three is a serial killer, and he didn’t want that. But, he kept his head down and investigated, and eventually came upon interesting news from his past as well as uncovering a murderer.
The narrator is Lorna Bennett and she did an admirable job with a plethora of personalities,, including a private detective from Los Angeles, USA, that had an interesting voice. She did a fine interpretation of this lovely novel.
I was invited to listen to Death and the Final Cut by Dreamscape Media. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #DreamscapeMedia #LornaBennett #GMMalliet #DeathAndtheFinalCut
November 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ Death and the Final Cut is a stronger outing than the previous St. Just mystery, though I still find this series lacks some of the charm of Malliet’s Max Tudor books. The St. Just novels lean more toward classic police procedural than quirky cozy, with less emphasis on eccentric small-town characters and more on straightforward detection.
In this book, a Hollywood romance film about the Vikings is being filmed in Cambridge. An aging, though famous, actress has been cast (most would say miscast) as the romantic lead, but her horrible acting could be enough to cause the potential blockbuster to be an embarrassing flop. When she is killed, St. Just and his trusty sergeant Fear discover cast and crew had motives for wanting her dead -- from her co-star to the young ingenue who will step into the role, to the screenwriter, who is horrified with what is happening to his script, and the Viking expert, who worries his academic reputation will be in jeopardy thanks to the ludicrous plot.
I flew through the first three-quarters of the novel, but the final section lost momentum. A major coincidence adds little to the plot, and the reveal of the killer felt anticlimactic. Still, it’s a solid, entertaining mystery that stands on its own, even if you haven’t read the earlier six books in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC.
In this book, a Hollywood romance film about the Vikings is being filmed in Cambridge. An aging, though famous, actress has been cast (most would say miscast) as the romantic lead, but her horrible acting could be enough to cause the potential blockbuster to be an embarrassing flop. When she is killed, St. Just and his trusty sergeant Fear discover cast and crew had motives for wanting her dead -- from her co-star to the young ingenue who will step into the role, to the screenwriter, who is horrified with what is happening to his script, and the Viking expert, who worries his academic reputation will be in jeopardy thanks to the ludicrous plot.
I flew through the first three-quarters of the novel, but the final section lost momentum. A major coincidence adds little to the plot, and the reveal of the killer felt anticlimactic. Still, it’s a solid, entertaining mystery that stands on its own, even if you haven’t read the earlier six books in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC.
November 6, 2025
I read the first three books in this series some years ago and hadn't realised that the author has restarted the series and added more - this is the fourth after that ten year hiatus. And despite having missed three books in the series, it was pretty easy to pick up the threads of the main characters. This is an interesting mystery and I love the Cambridge setting.
My main issue with it was that I felt that the solution was a bit rushed and there seemed to be information appearing in that that the reader hadn't previously been given to help them work it out/follow along and this disrupted the flow a bit. There was also a bit of a continuity/editing slip at one point with Portia swapping from fiancee to wife, so perhaps it just needed another proof/editing run.
That said it didn't annoy me so much that I won't be looking back for the three that I haven't read to fill in the gap in the series.
*****Copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.*****
My main issue with it was that I felt that the solution was a bit rushed and there seemed to be information appearing in that that the reader hadn't previously been given to help them work it out/follow along and this disrupted the flow a bit. There was also a bit of a continuity/editing slip at one point with Portia swapping from fiancee to wife, so perhaps it just needed another proof/editing run.
That said it didn't annoy me so much that I won't be looking back for the three that I haven't read to fill in the gap in the series.
*****Copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.*****
August 19, 2025
*Thank you for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
I consider myself an avid mystery reader. My favorite thing to do is figure out "whodunnit?" This book had some turns that I was not expecting, and I could not figure out who was guilty! I was worried reading part of a series that I'm not familiar with, but the author does an excellent job introducing main characters so new readers don't feel out of the loop. I'll have to check out the rest of the series!
My only drawback with this book was that it was sometimes difficult to keep track of who was talking. I'm sure the more I read, the more familiar I'll get with the author's style! All in all, "Death and the Final Cut" was pretty on track for those who like Agatha Christie or Sue Grafton.
I consider myself an avid mystery reader. My favorite thing to do is figure out "whodunnit?" This book had some turns that I was not expecting, and I could not figure out who was guilty! I was worried reading part of a series that I'm not familiar with, but the author does an excellent job introducing main characters so new readers don't feel out of the loop. I'll have to check out the rest of the series!
My only drawback with this book was that it was sometimes difficult to keep track of who was talking. I'm sure the more I read, the more familiar I'll get with the author's style! All in all, "Death and the Final Cut" was pretty on track for those who like Agatha Christie or Sue Grafton.
December 5, 2025
I’ve read a few of G. M. Malliet’s books, but this is the first book I’ve read (actually listened to - publishing December 16, 2025) in the St. Just series. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Publishing for calling me to listen to this book.
The premise is a film crew coming to Cambridge to work on a Viking movie based on a best seller, Viking Bride. However the cast is rather a motley crew of failed actors: Ernie Eastman, producer; Alain Vernon, director; Devon Ashleigh, properly master; and Agnes Dermont, the worst of them all. When Agnes is killed, enter Arthur St Just. As the investigation is pursued jealousies, rivalries, secret romances, and blackmail attempts emerge. But this isn’t a twisty murder case, you will figure out the murderer fairly easily. But that’s the thing with cozy mysteries - it’s more about the characters than the plot.
This is a fairly simple whodunit. It’s perfect for a cozy relaxing day.
The premise is a film crew coming to Cambridge to work on a Viking movie based on a best seller, Viking Bride. However the cast is rather a motley crew of failed actors: Ernie Eastman, producer; Alain Vernon, director; Devon Ashleigh, properly master; and Agnes Dermont, the worst of them all. When Agnes is killed, enter Arthur St Just. As the investigation is pursued jealousies, rivalries, secret romances, and blackmail attempts emerge. But this isn’t a twisty murder case, you will figure out the murderer fairly easily. But that’s the thing with cozy mysteries - it’s more about the characters than the plot.
This is a fairly simple whodunit. It’s perfect for a cozy relaxing day.
December 15, 2025
Hollywood descends on Cambridge , filming is taking place for Viking Bride .
The leading lady is the famous actress Agnes Dermont , who is not the sparkling starlet she once was .
This is the first issue with the production , that along with the script and authenticity.
Agnes is found dead and most of the cast and crew are on the suspect list .
DCI Arthur St. Just along with his trusty sergeant are investigating the death and as you’d expect there are plenty of egos and secrets to unearth .
Can the detecting duo find the killer before they kill again?
I enjoy the authors style of writing it makes for an easy read .
I didn’t enjoy this story as much as some of the previous titles in the series, but it still makes for an enjoyable cosy mystery .
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House .
The leading lady is the famous actress Agnes Dermont , who is not the sparkling starlet she once was .
This is the first issue with the production , that along with the script and authenticity.
Agnes is found dead and most of the cast and crew are on the suspect list .
DCI Arthur St. Just along with his trusty sergeant are investigating the death and as you’d expect there are plenty of egos and secrets to unearth .
Can the detecting duo find the killer before they kill again?
I enjoy the authors style of writing it makes for an easy read .
I didn’t enjoy this story as much as some of the previous titles in the series, but it still makes for an enjoyable cosy mystery .
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House .
July 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
After reading 2 prior St. Just mysteries and loving them, I was so looking forward to this one. It started out well: a Hollywood film crew is filming a Scandi historical movie in Edinburgh and we get to meet the players and their foibles. When the controversial leading lady is murdered and then there's another killing, St. Just and Detective Fear lead the case. But as the investigation continues I felt less and less invested in the read. The last 3rd of the book seems to harp on about the the minutiae of the motive and actions of the killer.
It became boring and tedious.
On a happy note, the ending mentioned St. Just's upcoming marriage to Portia.
After reading 2 prior St. Just mysteries and loving them, I was so looking forward to this one. It started out well: a Hollywood film crew is filming a Scandi historical movie in Edinburgh and we get to meet the players and their foibles. When the controversial leading lady is murdered and then there's another killing, St. Just and Detective Fear lead the case. But as the investigation continues I felt less and less invested in the read. The last 3rd of the book seems to harp on about the the minutiae of the motive and actions of the killer.
It became boring and tedious.
On a happy note, the ending mentioned St. Just's upcoming marriage to Portia.
October 2, 2025
St. Just investigates when an aging actress is killed while in Cambridge filming a movie. The actress was attempting her comeback but had been cast in a role meant for a much younger woman. There are plenty of suspects since her lousy acting skills were threatening the success of the film and the jobs of all the cast and crew. The writer is unhappy with the screenwriter, the screenwriter is unhappy with the director, the Viking expert is unhappy with the anachronisms being used, and no one is happy with the aging actress.
The story moves at a leisurely pace, but kept my interest. I like St. Just as an investigator and his sidekick, Detective Fear. Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.
The story moves at a leisurely pace, but kept my interest. I like St. Just as an investigator and his sidekick, Detective Fear. Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 15, 2025
Death and the Final Cut by G.M. Malliet
Narrator Lorna Bennett
St. Just series book seven
I really enjoyed the first three books in this series but then I thought book four was kind of a dud. So I skipped the next two books and picked back up with this one. These books are set in the present day but they have a kind of Golden Age vibe which I like. There is not a lot of gore or violence but there is a huge array of suspects, including the entire cast and crew so it does get a bit convoluted at times. Then there is a bit of a twist at about 80% which sort of complicates things further. Until the explanation I was a little confused. It did seem to wrap up really fast. Portia is pretty much never to be seen but is mentioned a few times.
Narration was excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley
Narrator Lorna Bennett
St. Just series book seven
I really enjoyed the first three books in this series but then I thought book four was kind of a dud. So I skipped the next two books and picked back up with this one. These books are set in the present day but they have a kind of Golden Age vibe which I like. There is not a lot of gore or violence but there is a huge array of suspects, including the entire cast and crew so it does get a bit convoluted at times. Then there is a bit of a twist at about 80% which sort of complicates things further. Until the explanation I was a little confused. It did seem to wrap up really fast. Portia is pretty much never to be seen but is mentioned a few times.
Narration was excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley
December 3, 2025
Cozy Mysteries are a gift to the busy life. You read them, enjoy them, and then file it somewhere in the back of your muddled mind. Or you don’t. Either way.
“Death and the Final Cut” fits nicely in that category. It’s enjoyable. It has a good mystery. There are interesting characters. And it is completely forgettable when you put it down. And that is not a bad thing.
The true joy for this novel is listening to the audiobook. Lorna Bennett is fabulous as the narrator. Her work and the incredible voices are completely memorable and a work of art.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
“Death and the Final Cut” fits nicely in that category. It’s enjoyable. It has a good mystery. There are interesting characters. And it is completely forgettable when you put it down. And that is not a bad thing.
The true joy for this novel is listening to the audiobook. Lorna Bennett is fabulous as the narrator. Her work and the incredible voices are completely memorable and a work of art.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 26, 2025
Received an ARC of this book on NetGalley.
3.75 stars. This is the first book in the series I read, but, even with that, it felt very easy getting into it. I loved the character descriptions at the beginning and how much easier they made it to follow the plot in a book with so many characters. While the pace felt slow at times in the middle of the book and the dialogue was occasionally hard to digest, the pace picked up toward the last third of the book and the amount of information and characters it contains in such a short time didn't make it unnecessarily overwhelming or hard to comprehend. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and had very Agatha Christie vibes which I LOVED.
3.75 stars. This is the first book in the series I read, but, even with that, it felt very easy getting into it. I loved the character descriptions at the beginning and how much easier they made it to follow the plot in a book with so many characters. While the pace felt slow at times in the middle of the book and the dialogue was occasionally hard to digest, the pace picked up toward the last third of the book and the amount of information and characters it contains in such a short time didn't make it unnecessarily overwhelming or hard to comprehend. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and had very Agatha Christie vibes which I LOVED.
October 26, 2025
I'm enjoying the St Just series by G. M. Malliet. This latest book in the series was a bit disappointing, however. I didn't feel like we saw enough of St Just and his fiancee, and the plot fell a little flat in the last third of the book. The movie set setting was interesting enough, but the motivation of the characters was not very convincing.
Still, I'll pick up the next in series to see where things go!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Still, I'll pick up the next in series to see where things go!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 4, 2025
All the theatrics of a 1920's mystery but in a 'modern' setting.
I don't think this was for me, I seriously debated about DNF'ing around 13% in. It had all of the awkward and uncomfortable metaphors that were unfortunately normalized 100 years ago but shouldn't really have a place being published. I finished it, and it got better around 70% through - but I just don't think it was able to overcome all of the issues established.
The audio recording was good, but some of the accents were inconsistent.
I don't think this was for me, I seriously debated about DNF'ing around 13% in. It had all of the awkward and uncomfortable metaphors that were unfortunately normalized 100 years ago but shouldn't really have a place being published. I finished it, and it got better around 70% through - but I just don't think it was able to overcome all of the issues established.
The audio recording was good, but some of the accents were inconsistent.
December 9, 2025
*Netgalley arc*
The premise of this book was quite appealing, a murder committed in the scenario of a film making.
But, even though the beginning was interesting, presenting you the characters and what may have caused this crime, I found the investigation a little bit boring.
It is a short mystery book, I would say it is similar to Agatha Christie's style but the resolution was too soon, not creating a good cliffhanger at any point of the book.
As I said, it was okay but nothing spectacular for me.
The premise of this book was quite appealing, a murder committed in the scenario of a film making.
But, even though the beginning was interesting, presenting you the characters and what may have caused this crime, I found the investigation a little bit boring.
It is a short mystery book, I would say it is similar to Agatha Christie's style but the resolution was too soon, not creating a good cliffhanger at any point of the book.
As I said, it was okay but nothing spectacular for me.
September 10, 2025
This book was okay. Nothing more, nothing less. I think there were far too many characters to make it interesting. If they shrunk the character list and thus the list of suspects it might have been more engaging. They’d speak to on person and by the end of their interview they knew they weren’t involved. And then again and again. The only players with real motive ended up being the real culprits in the end. No real twist or suspense. It was a little too formulaic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy of this story. More rounded to 3.5
This was my first story that I have read of the St Jude series and I enjoyed it and am likely to read more of the series. It had a unique plot, and it was a cosy mystery, with witty characters. I did find the plot to be a bit predictable towards the end, and found the pacing was a bit slow in the middle. Asides from this I very much enjoyed the story.
This was my first story that I have read of the St Jude series and I enjoyed it and am likely to read more of the series. It had a unique plot, and it was a cosy mystery, with witty characters. I did find the plot to be a bit predictable towards the end, and found the pacing was a bit slow in the middle. Asides from this I very much enjoyed the story.
October 22, 2025
I didn't think a story with multiple murders could be a cozy, but darn if this one is! I blame this on the calmness of the investigating officers and on the "such a shame, let's get on with the movie" attitudes of the cast. St Just and Sgt Fear manage to piece together motives and suspects despite all the characters throwing each other under the bus. Entertaining with lots of Hollywood trivia thrown in.
October 28, 2025
Although this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. The story centres on the making of a film in Cambridge seen through the eyes of Becky, a student working as a caterer to the film crew. There are plenty of tensions and then of course there is murder. This is where the main characters of the series enters the story St Just is the detective to solve the murder.
A fairly good cosy murder mystery, a bit slow to get going though. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
A fairly good cosy murder mystery, a bit slow to get going though. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
September 15, 2025
The perfect cozy mystery to spend a cold night with. G. M. gives us another of their St. Just mysteries that brings a whole new set of suspects and motives for the murder. It is also a great way to see the inner workings of a film, as this mystery is set on a movie set. The characters are well written, and the mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing who did it and why.
November 26, 2025
Frustrating plot. Movie in progress makes a travesty of Viking history, but the scholars who know this have no power to correct the script, and thus will be forever tainted by their association with this film. The victims by the time of the final cut are the wrong individuals, innocent of everything but the determination to rewrite the script yet powerless to do so.
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