The Final Cut

by David Stanley

AN OLD CASE A NEW VICTIM, A SECOND CHANCE FOR JUSTICE

When human remains are unearthed in a Los Angeles park, Johnny Coombes finds himself on the trail of a killer that eluded him once before. Six years earlier, then a junior detective, Coombes investigated the murder of an actress found posed on a studio lot with echoes of LA’s famous Black Dahlia case.

With no new evidence, his superiors view the park victim as a hopeless cold case and give him another assignment. But Coombes has waited a long time to catch this evil killer and he isn’t about to let him slip away again.

The investigation opens old wounds and Coombes becomes consumed with desire to get justice for his own personal Dahlia, no matter the cost.

A desire, that is dangerously close to obsession...

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2025

About the author

David Stanley is a rising star in the world of crime fiction. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Los Angeles landscape, Stanley’s novels capture the essence of the city, drawing inspiration from the timeless works of Michael Connelly and Raymond Chandler. His writing, filled with intricate plots and vivid characters, immerses readers in the gritty mysteries of the City of Angels. With each book, Stanley cements his place as a captivating new voice in the genre. He lives in Scotland with his family.

Reviews

[Ben Twoonezero · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had 2 stories going on at the same time. It swapped between them constantly that just led to more confusion. There are no clever twists, just lots of dead ends and guessing. It goes on way too long , and by the end you stop caring if the killers are caught. The main character is 2 dimensional and boring , and his partner is just annoying. This is the3rd book of this series I have read and the worst. Probably not giving Mr Stanley any more of my time.

[Nikkie Butters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it could be the best one yet. I enjoyed the dialogue and the dynamic between Detective Coombes and his partner Sato. Having read the other two books, it was good to catch up and get closure on a cold case. There were twists and turns, red herrings and a satisfying finale. Can’t wait til the next book.