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Careful what you wish for…

Winter has settled over the island of Martha’s Vineyard, and newspaper columnist Kyra Gibson is relieved when her partner, forensic profiler Tarek Collins, returns home. As a birthday surprise, she arranges a meet and greet with the hosts of his favorite true-crime podcast while they’re on island to investigate a notorious cold case.

Forty years ago, a beautiful young actress was brutally murdered and her enigmatic bunkmate disappeared from the prestigious Oak Bluffs summer theater camp. Nothing about the podcasters’ attitude, their lack of preparation, or disdain for the island makes sense. When they disappear, leaving behind a bloody mess, Kyra and Tarek are ensnared in a decades-long web of intrigue. To find the podcasters, they must untangle the historic crime, but someone wants to keep the case cold. Someone willing to kill.

Every islander holds tight to their secrets, and each question leads down a dark and twisted path. When a lead draws Tarek off the island, Kyra embarks on a perilous rescue before the final curtain claims them both.

374 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2025

17 people are currently reading
3619 people want to read

About the author

Raemi A. Ray

7 books93 followers
Raemi Amanda Ray is the author of the Martha's Vineyard Murders, set on Martha’s Vineyard. Her travels to the island and around the world inspire her stories. She lives in Boston.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Helen.
2,878 reviews53 followers
June 7, 2025
We are back on Martha’s Vineyard with Kyra and Tarek, it is winter and freezing, Kyra really isn’t used to this weather, but it is Tarek’s birthday soon and she wants to give him something that she is sure he will love she organises a meet and greet with two of his favourite true crime podcaster Murder and MayFemme, they are here to investigate a years old murder cold case.

Forty years ago a teenage actress at a summer theatre camp is found bludgeoned to death and her roommate vanishes, the case seemed to have been closed very quickly and the podcasters want to get the answers, but at their first meeting Kyra and Tarek are not convinced that this is true, do they want answers or something else?

Kyra and Tarek are right onto this and the more they investigate the more they uncover, then both the podcasters are found murdered and Kyra and Tarek must uncover the truth and find out what happened all those years ago, and who is trying to keep I unresolved, of course Chase is in there helping out and then one of them is in series danger, will they come out alive, will they get the answers to what?

This is another awesome story in this fabulous series, they are so well written and plotted out, the author pulls her readers into tales of mystery, murder and mayhem and I do highly recommend this one and the series and I am thrilled that there are going to more in this series, I can’t wait to read them, I love Kyra, Tarek, Chase, Grace and Charlie and all of the fabulous characters who live on Martha’s Vineyard.

My thanks to Tule Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
Profile Image for Kristin.
991 reviews79 followers
June 5, 2025
We are back with Kyra and Tarek! For his birthday, she surprises him with a meet and greet with his favorite true crime podcast hosts. They are on the island investigating a cold case, and Kyra and Tarek get to tag along! The case? 40 years ago at a performing arts camp, a little girl is murdered and another little girl disappears. The case was closed so quickly and the police seemed to have messed the case up. The podcasters don’t seem as into the case as they ought to be. Then they disappear and in order to find them, Kyra and Tarek begin to investigate the cold case. Someone doesn’t want the case investigated, and when Tarek goes off island, he finds himself in danger.

Whew! This is by far my favorite installment in this series thus far! I used to listen to true crime podcasts all the time, so that aspect of the book really drew me in. I *thought* that this was going to go one way when I saw the podcasters introduced. But this book took a turn that I just didn’t see coming! Really, it took a bunch of turns that I didn’t see coming.

I love how smart and experienced Kyra is. A former lawyer and now journalist, Kyra is essential to solving the crimes. Reading her mind at work and piecing things together is utter perfection. I think Tarek would agree with me!

This is full of action and suspense. It felt like you didn’t know what was going to come around the corner and you had to prepare yourself for it. Otherwise, something was going to jump out at you and you were going to get scared. The author’s writing just flows so effortlessly and this story is really fast paced.

It really seems like each book is better and better. If this is any indication of what is to come, I’m really excited. Thriller readers, get your hands on this book now! You won’t regret it!
910 reviews30 followers
June 2, 2025
I love this series more and more with each new book. This time, it’s Tarek’s birthday, and Kyra surprises him with what she thinks will be a slam dunk gift. She can’t foresee just how badly things will go wrong.

This book was entertaining. It was interesting to watch Kyra and Terek get drawn into investigating a 40 year old cold case. As they delve deeper and deeper into the murder of one summer camper at an arts center, and the disappearance of another, something is definitely rotten on Martha’s Vineyard.

The story is intricate in its plotting, and it will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. This book is well written, and the characters keep getting more and more relatable and likable. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,685 reviews28 followers
May 30, 2025
Final Exit is is an exciting and masterful book! It is the fourth book in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders by Raemi A. Ray. As with the previous books, this is well written with many intricate details to the plot. The location is very interesting. I have never been to Martha’s Vineyard or the other islands and towns up in that area. After reading this series, it is on my bucket list. The book includes many of my favorite characters that we’ve seen in the previous books. Kyra Gibson, Tarek Collins, and Chase Hawthorn figure prominently in this story as well.

As the book begins, we learn it is Tar’s birthday. His girlfriend Kyra has acquired permission for the couple to join his favorite true crime podcast couple, Murder and MayFemme, for a day while they investigate a cold case on the island. The old case involved a murder of a young teenage actress who was attending a drama camp on the island one summer 40 years ago. She was brutally murdered and her roommate at camp had vanished. It was assumed the missing girl had murdered her roommate and had drowned trying to escape. Tar and Kyra visit the old camp which has been acquired by a new company, to see where everything happened. The place was scheduled to be demolished shortly. They found the podcasters’ attitudes weird - they seemed unprepared and uninterested in the case. After learning more about the case themselves, Tar and Kyra begin investigating what took place forty years ago and to find if anyone was around back then and knew anything about it.

The podcasters and their technical guy suddenly disappear. No one is able to locate them or determine their whereabouts. Tar uses his work contacts as an investigator to gain information. They discover that the town council back when the murder happened, was involved in keeping the facts hidden. Then they locate one of the team’s missing vehicles and find a dead body. It is obvious that someone wants to keep the old crime unsolved and the podcasters silenced. They realize there is a link somewhere but even with all their resources, are unable to figure it out. As the criminal activity escalates, Tar, Kyra and Chase are forced to revisit old contacts and relationships. With time ticking away and the bad weather being a factor, will the trio solve the cases without further harm to themselves?

I loved this book. I enjoy the suspense and mystery the author incorporates in every one of the books. The clues are included and the way they are incorporated into the story makes for a fascinating read. I am so impressed by the way the story unfolds and then is eventually solved by the characters. They are all genuine and likable. Each has tragedy in their pasts and they make such good friends and partners. I love Tar and Kyra as a couple and Chase as their best friend. I enjoy the inclusion of the neighbors Charlie and Grace as well. I give this book 5 stars out of 5 and highly recommend it.

I was fortunate to receive this ARC from Tule Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for David Mitchell.
64 reviews
May 28, 2025
Final Exit, the. fourth book in Raemi A. Ray's Martha's Vineyard Murders series, continues the captivating evolution of both Ms. Ray as a writer, and Kyra Gibson as a protagonist. Kyra is more self-assured and more focused, as she navigates both a long cold case of a murder in the early 1980's at a Martha's Vineyard theater camp. Kyra, of course, remains Kyra, and she can be impetuous and impatient, but now she embraces it, and that makes her a more powerful character. She is no longer swept along with the tide but willfully swims with it or against as she chooses.

One of the things that I love about Ray's writing, and this book in particular, is that Ray does not describe the strengths and weaknesses of her characters as noteworthy or remarkable. The characters are the characters just as we are the characters in our own stories. That we are who we are, or they are who they are, is not remarkable as much as it just is. That makes the story telling all the more natural because the characters are all the more relatable. Indeed, when Kyra makes a cup of coffee, I feel I know her well enough, and relate to her well enough, that I can be full of disdain for her use of coffee pod systems. Subtlety like that does not usually stand out in most books but Ray makes all of Kyra's decisions reflective of Kyra and I love that aspect of my experience as a reader. I can almost judge Kyra as a real person in ways that I cannot judge other fictional characters because in Kyra's case, every aspect of the book offers us a reflection on who Kyra is as a person.

Assessing the book as a whole, it is clear that Ray's writing has matured so much in such a short period of time. From the first book, it was clear that Ray an outstanding story teller, but there are passages in Final Exit that demonstrate such a wonderfully lyrical quality that they become fine art. Her clear appreciation for the beauty of language is wonderful! This is especially the case when Ray is describing places, as -- for example - on page 295 where she describes Kyra's first perception of snow covered Northern New Hampshire. The words on the page quickly became oil paintings in my mind and I have re-read that particular passage several times already.

If you, as a reader, have read this far in this particular review, you likely already know that Ray delivers on the promise of great story telling. I won't share any spoilers except to say that there are elements of Final Exit that had me holding my breath with tension --exactly what I want in a mystery.

But please, Ms. Ray, cause Charlie and Grace to give Kyra a French Press and a coffee grinder. Kyra has been through a lot and deserves better coffee . . . .

Profile Image for Country Mama.
1,380 reviews62 followers
August 8, 2025
Final Exit by Raemi Amanda Ray is book #4 in the Martha's Vineyard series by the author. Final Exit takes place in Martha's Vineyard as do all the other books, except now it is winter and cold. The story follows Kyra and Tarek our two newest residents of Martha's Vineyard. Kyra is a journalist and Tarek is a FBI consultant/profiler. In this book Tarek gets a great birthday surprise from Kyra, to meet his favorite podcasters from Murder and Mayhem. They meet the podcasters but find that the podcasters are not all they are cracked up to be. The podcasters are on the island looking into a decades old murder about a young actress who was murdered at the local summer theater camp. And the podcasters play a big role in this book overall, and wrapping the mystery of the actress up was also well done. I had no questions at the end. The author really knows how to write an engaging story, I have read several of the series now and I am thoroughly engaged in all the books, and this was the best one yet! I loved the character of Kyra, she is very relatable to me as a reader as she has abandonment issues and so do I. That makes me want to read more of Kyra's story just in that detail. And the setting is perfectly written for a northern mystery on the island of Martha's Vineyard. I could see every detail and it does get blustery cold up there, as a former northerner I know that:) I look forward to reading the next installment in the series, coming in 2026!
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,114 followers
June 3, 2025
A forty-year-old cold case connects Kyra and Tarek with a pair of true crime podcasters who show nothing but disdain for the island. As the investigation reaches a pivotal moment, Tarek disappears. Kyra races against time to save Tarek before the greedy serial killer strikes again. Will she find him in time, or will he make his final exit?

Final Exit is a gripping mystery that will have chills run up your spine. The cold case is eerily familiar, especially for fans of the Friday the 13th movie franchise. The descriptive narration will have you on the edge of your seat. The investigation includes a pair of true crime podcasters, which was a fun twist. Once again, Raemi A. Ray uses her world-building skills to bring us an unputdownable mystery.

The characters are what make Final Exit a truly terrifying mystery. Kyra, once again, is our eyes and ears in this story. She’s such a wonderful main character. The panic and fear she feels is real, so real that the reader is drawn into the mystery.

If you’re looking for a mystery that’ll bring you nightmares, you’ll want to read Final Exit. Take my advice and read this mystery with the lights on.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy
Profile Image for Kim Wilch.
Author 6 books70 followers
June 9, 2025
Returning to Martha’s Vineyard in Final Exit feels like slipping into your favorite worn sweater—comforting, but with a few chilling drafts that remind you something’s not quite right. Raemi A. Ray delivers a mystery that’s moody, layered, and quietly intense.

Kyra and Tarek are back, and their partnership is as magnetic as ever—full of trust, tension, and those vulnerable moments that sneak up on you. What starts as a birthday surprise turns into a nightmare when their true-crime podcasting guests vanish without a trace. No big deal… just your average party-turned-missing-persons-investigation.

The island itself practically whispers secrets, becoming more than just a setting. Ray draws out the suspense and emotion with a kind of quiet intensity. The mystery winds between past and present, unearthing buried truths and emotional fallout that hit harder than expected.

Ray’s storytelling is smart and patient, with twists that don’t just shock—they make you feel. Final Exit isn’t just about solving a crime—it’s about the cost of unearthing truth, and the weight silence can carry in tight-knit communities. Thoughtful, atmospheric, and unexpectedly moving, this one’s for fans of slow-burn suspense with an emotional punch.
Profile Image for Emma Minazza.
816 reviews25 followers
April 28, 2025
I love this series so much! I'm really invested in Raemi's characters. Tarek, Chase and Kyra are a dream team. They have been through so much together and come out the other side. I love Tarek's Detective skills, Kyra's lawyer knowledge and Chase's charm!

This story follows the true crime podcasters at Murder & Mayfemme - Marjorie and Kelsey. They are trying to find out the truth about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Abigail and Elodie. A cold case that was brushed under the carpet. I wasn't keen on the tag teaming speak of Marjorie and Kelsey as they were describing the case but seems it was their shtick. Kelsey grew on me, Marjorie, not so much!

The atmosphere builds up with the suspense, the secrets and the twist! Loved it!

I love how fast paced these books are, I binged a chunk of it but didn't want it to finish! I'm excited to see that there is a book 5 and 6 planned! I'm not ready to let them go just yet!

If you haven't started this series, it's definitely one to check out!
Profile Image for Elaine Coghlan .
1,466 reviews14 followers
May 31, 2025
FINAL Exit ~ Martha's Vineyard Murders #4 by Raemi A Ray

I've followed the Martha's Vineyard Murders series from the very beginning, and each book just keeps getting better—FINAL Exit is no exception!

This story is absolutely gripping, filled with suspense, intrigue, and a strong, well-crafted plot. I was completely engaged from start to finish. The chemistry between Tarek and Kyra continues to shine, and Chase really comes into his own in this installment.

The characters are well-developed and the pacing keeps you turning the pages. Raemi A. Ray delivers a tightly written mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. The twists and tension build perfectly as the story moves toward its shocking conclusion.

Highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers! While you could read it as a standalone, I think it’s best to start from book one to truly enjoy the journey of the characters and their relationships.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Action-packed

Easy-to-read

Informative

Original

Page-turner

Realistic

Wonderful characters
Profile Image for sammi_reads.
764 reviews20 followers
August 25, 2025
Kyra sets up a surprise for Tarek's birthday- a meeting with podcasters from Murder and MayFemme. They're in town investigating a cold case of a murder and disappearance of two girls from a theater camp decades past. However, meeting them doesn't go as expected. Then the two vanish, only leaving behind lots of blood in the house they were renting. What happened to the podcasters and what happened years ago that is coming out again?

Kyra can sometimes be a stick in the mud, but I always enjoy the books in these series. I think my favorite character is her friend, Chase, who always ends up involved in the cases.

This case has lots of twists to follow. If you like following crime paths and factual evidence, this book has a lot packed in. it's less about a narrative and story and more about following the crime with a story in the background. I think a lot of cozy mystery readers and crime buffs would enjoy this style.

Thank-you so much to Author Marketing Experts and Raemi A. Ray for my free reader copy. My review is unbiased and opinions my own.
3 reviews
May 27, 2025
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

You can tell Raemi A. Ray has been successfully writing mysteries for a while now. There were so many twists, turns, and clues so the reader can figure out where the story is going along with the characters, without making the ending too obvious.

Even though I haven’t read any of the previous books in the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series, I was able to jump into the fourth book without any issues understanding the characters and their backgrounds. The author gave enough backstory to understand each person’s motivations and thought processes without giving too much repeated information from past storylines. The characters felt real and fully fleshed out, with their own flaws, thoughts, and stories inked onto the page. The dialogue felt realistic and the relationship between Kyra, Tarek, and the other supporting characters had me wanting to go back to previous books and read more about each of them.
Profile Image for judy.
553 reviews6 followers
May 28, 2025
This is an interesting storyline. It starts a little slow but it quickly builds up. It has several twist and turns in the plot. The characters are believable and complex. Not only is this a murder mystery with another murder mystery with a who done it saga. It has all the deceptions in the plot. They are all connected by over 4 decades when the first occurrence happened and then the second with an impromptu investigation which started as a birthday gift for Tarek from his partner Kyra. It is also a continuation of their love story that they are still navigating. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is the first time I’ve read a book by this author. I will definitely want to read the other books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
490 reviews24 followers
May 26, 2025
In Final Exit we again meet Tarik a Detective , Kyra a lawyer , and their good friend Chase and the author has written a gripping mission for the friends to unravel . I found it a bit slow to start as there was a lot of information to take on board but the novel gathered pace and a few short chapters brought a riveting climax and left me feeling quite breathless.
A great read with strong characters ,a plot full of twists and turns, has ensured the author Raemi A. Ray has crafted another thriller which will be read and enjoyed by a wide age group .
I appreciate an early ARC e-copy to read and provide this review which is entirely my own opinion
4,098 reviews21 followers
May 28, 2025
The fourth book in Martha’s Vineyard Murder Series, Final Exit by Raemi A. Ray is one of the most intriguing of the mysteries in this series. A famous cold case and podcaster wanting to investigate leads Tarek, Kyra and Chase involvement. Atmospheric that leans itself to the eerie feel of this story, it will keep one reading. The podcasters are not as great as the original team of three but make a good comparison. Kyra, Tarek and Chase have grown as characters and in their relationships. For that reason, one will want to see the meeting, the growth between them from the beginning. Final Exit is a fast-paced addition to the series, not to be missed.
Profile Image for Stephanie Stoffella.
66 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2025
Book 4 of the Martha’s Vineyard Murders

I was so honored to receive an ARC from the author! Kyra and Tarek are back!

As a birthday gift to Tarek, Kyra arranges a meet and greet with one of his favorite true-crime podcasts. It quickly turns into them being asked to join in on a cold case. Things don’t stay cold for long, other than the weather (it’s winter!). While looking into a 40 year old case, Kyra and Tarek are taken on an unexpected journey and uncover more than they ever imagined. The ending had me gasping and unable to read fast enough!!!! Favorite of the series so far…2 more to come next year! Ahhhhhhhh.
Profile Image for Ann.
5,991 reviews83 followers
May 31, 2025
This is book 4 in rhe Martha's Vineyard Murders series. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books. Kyra is a newspaper columnist in and he partner, Tarek works for the FBI. Tarek's favorite podcast hosts are visiting the island looking into a coldcase from the 40's. There's not much going on in the middle of winterr so they agree to meet with Tarek as his birthday gift from Kyra. They disappear befor the meeting and the search is on. Every islander holds tight to their secrets, and each question leads down a dark and twisted path. When a lead draws Tarek off the island, Kyra embarks on a perilous rescue before the final curtain claims them both.
Profile Image for Charlotte Lynn.
2,216 reviews60 followers
June 2, 2025
This is book 4 of the Martha Vineyard Murders and my favorite so far. Each book can be read on its own with the characters and setting being the same. Each book is its own murder mystery. I am so hooked on Tarek and Kyra; I cannot wait for more.

Raemi A Ray writes a book full of intriguing realistic characters and a mystery that keeps the reader guessing. There are clues given but they do not give away the story. I like that I had to keep reading to continue to find the answers. As I kept reading, I had guesses or ideas on where the story was going to head. I never truly figured it out.
Profile Image for Emmeline Everdeen.
338 reviews13 followers
June 3, 2025
Another excellent murder mystery by one of my favorite authors!

I absolutely love Raemi Ray’s writing and story telling. She brings you in so gently and once you are invested the story kicks into high gear. The atmosphere build and the peak is always exciting.
The characters are fantastic as always and I love how everyone on the island is connected somehow. You can really feel the small isolated town vibe.
Raemi continues to be one of my favorite authors and I am eagerly waiting for the next book.
Highly recommend this whole series to anyone who loves a good murder mystery!
115 reviews
June 1, 2025
Fabulous book!

This book was so intense and involved that I couldn’t stop reading. I lived the whole story with Kyra, Tarik, and Chase, and felt like I was willing them to go on. Ms Ray is a great author. I can’t believe these are her first books. I want more!! This was a suspenseful book and very well written. I stayed up into the wee hours on two different nights until I finished it. I am in awe of these books. Ms Ray is a master.
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
3,468 reviews116 followers
June 6, 2025
A Kyra and Tarek mystery! This one kicks off with a meeting with Tarek’s favorite podcasters. They have a cold case. I love mystery novels about cold cases! The mystery seeps into present day when somebody is determined that the case not be solved.
I found Kyra and Tarek to be likable. I thought they were a believable pair and believable in their relationship. This is my first mystery by Ray, and I would definitely be interested in reading more.
Profile Image for Katie.
427 reviews
August 29, 2025
This is the 4th book in a series I have really enjoyed. There is adventure in the solving of these mysteries. I really like the main characters and their family and friends.
These are very well written books, and I can't wait for future books to come out in this series and by this author.
Profile Image for Diana Ramirez.
46 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2025
Wonderful read

I love this series and look forward to more adventures with Kyra, Tarek and Chase! It was a great adventure ride.
Profile Image for Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews).
1,296 reviews24 followers
May 31, 2025
An excellent thriller set on Martha's Vineyard. A podcaster is murdered whilst researching a forty year old case on the island and a deadly chase is on to catch the culprit.

This series has a great cast of characters and edge of your seat plots. I enjoy the way their private lives are weaved through the plots which gives everything a more realistic feel.

Can't wait for the next in the series.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,153 reviews203 followers
May 27, 2025
Final Exit (Martha's Vineyard Murders Book 4) by Raemi A. Ray
This book is about Kyra and her friend Tarek and how they investigate the town's camp grounds from long ago. A body has been found and they are able to gather a lot of information from the locals, some who were there around the time of the incident.
Tarek gets called away on another assignment and nobody hears from him so Kyra calls the special number she has and inquires about him...
There are so many twists and turns and things become complicated with Chase and visiting his sister to see if she has any further information for them.
Love hearing about all the adventures and can't wait for more.
So descriptive I found myself walking in their footsteps being just as scared as they when they are able to see whose body it is... Money is involved also and that makes the plot take a different turn. So entertaining.
Received a review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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