What do you think?
The Final Second
Not yet published
Expected 12 Oct 26At midnight the state of Georgia executed the Blood Smile Killer, who carved Grin into his victims. But a new act was already in motion…
Minutes after the execution, Sheriff Parker Chord receives a package. a mason jar containing the missing eye of the killer’s last victim—and a note accusing law enforcement of murder.
The case was closed. The killer is dead. Who’s finishing Grin’s work?
Desperate, Parker reaches out to the only person capable of understanding the mind behind the madness—his estranged sister, profiler Dr. Cassidy Chord.
A former army helicopter pilot, Cassie’s hunted killers before, but she’s late to the investigation, and Grin’s had years to prepare and perfect his revenge. While Cassie and Parker play cat and mouse chasing the twisted killer, one by one, the people involved in the original trial—a judge, an FBI agent, a retired sheriff, and a witness–are terrorized or killed.
Does Grin have a copycat? An accomplice? Or worse, did her brother help kill an innocent man leaving an apex predator free to target Cassie as his final victim?
Minutes after the execution, Sheriff Parker Chord receives a package. a mason jar containing the missing eye of the killer’s last victim—and a note accusing law enforcement of murder.
The case was closed. The killer is dead. Who’s finishing Grin’s work?
Desperate, Parker reaches out to the only person capable of understanding the mind behind the madness—his estranged sister, profiler Dr. Cassidy Chord.
A former army helicopter pilot, Cassie’s hunted killers before, but she’s late to the investigation, and Grin’s had years to prepare and perfect his revenge. While Cassie and Parker play cat and mouse chasing the twisted killer, one by one, the people involved in the original trial—a judge, an FBI agent, a retired sheriff, and a witness–are terrorized or killed.
Does Grin have a copycat? An accomplice? Or worse, did her brother help kill an innocent man leaving an apex predator free to target Cassie as his final victim?
- GenresMystery
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 25, 2026
I received a giveaway copy from the publisher and Goodreads.
This book was really entertaining until about 84% when it started to go off the rails for me. I appreciated the author taking chances with his twists and turns, but I had to look past so many things that I normally don’t like to suspend my disbelief for.
That said, this would have made an excellent episode of something like “Criminal Minds” or similar mind hunter shows (with some tweaks).
This is told in multiple third-person POVs.
This book was really entertaining until about 84% when it started to go off the rails for me. I appreciated the author taking chances with his twists and turns, but I had to look past so many things that I normally don’t like to suspend my disbelief for.
That said, this would have made an excellent episode of something like “Criminal Minds” or similar mind hunter shows (with some tweaks).
This is told in multiple third-person POVs.
Review of advance copy
*I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK!!*
Hold on to your hats everyone! The Final Second by Jim De La Vega is coming on October 12th and will have you spinning the entire time!
I received an ARC of this book and when I say I couldn’t breathe while reading it…I’m being so serious!! When the clock strikes midnight, the state of Georgia executed the Blood Smile Killer..so named cause he carved a grin into his victims. Everything should be good now..right?! Wrong! A few minutes after the execution was complete, Sheriff Chord, receives a package containing items that items and even a note that has him wondering if they got the right man or what this could mean if the Blood Smile Killer had help! So, he turns to his sister, Dr. Cassidy Chord, to help him get to the bottom of all this! But things keep getting worse, as people close to the case start getting targeted..can Sheriff Chord save the people involved? Is there a copy cat killer out there? Or did Sheriff Chord help kill an innocent man??
I’m telling you, this is a very twisty and fast paced! The character development was amazing and the story line keeps you entertained and wanting to keep reading! Definitely add this to your TBR!
#arcreview #crimethriller #suspense #kindle #thrillerbooklovers
Hold on to your hats everyone! The Final Second by Jim De La Vega is coming on October 12th and will have you spinning the entire time!
I received an ARC of this book and when I say I couldn’t breathe while reading it…I’m being so serious!! When the clock strikes midnight, the state of Georgia executed the Blood Smile Killer..so named cause he carved a grin into his victims. Everything should be good now..right?! Wrong! A few minutes after the execution was complete, Sheriff Chord, receives a package containing items that items and even a note that has him wondering if they got the right man or what this could mean if the Blood Smile Killer had help! So, he turns to his sister, Dr. Cassidy Chord, to help him get to the bottom of all this! But things keep getting worse, as people close to the case start getting targeted..can Sheriff Chord save the people involved? Is there a copy cat killer out there? Or did Sheriff Chord help kill an innocent man??
I’m telling you, this is a very twisty and fast paced! The character development was amazing and the story line keeps you entertained and wanting to keep reading! Definitely add this to your TBR!
#arcreview #crimethriller #suspense #kindle #thrillerbooklovers
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're looking for a pulse-pounding thriller that is full of twists and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, then you need to pick this one up. From the very first page until the very last sentence, The Final Score packs a punch. I don't think I once came up for a breath of air while I was reading this one. In chapter one, we witness a man being put to death because he was convicted of being the notorious serial killer known as Grin. Only minutes after his death, Grin strikes again. From there, brother and sister team Parker and Cassidy pair up to follow Grin's calling cards from his new murders and look into the clues from his past murders to try to catch him. This is a wild game of cat and mouse that is incredibly intense, and just when you think you've got it figured out, you don't. I had so many speculations on who Grin was, and I was wrong every time! Then that ending! I will be needing the next book ASAP, please! This has just topped my list of favorite thrillers of the year.
Review of advance copy
The Final Second is book 2 in the Mind Hunter Series. While you don't need to have read book 1 in order to read book 2, I think it's necessary for context to what's happening in this one.
This story was really entertaining. Just when they think it's all over, they realize it's only just begun. Minutes after they execute the person they believe is the Blood Smile Killer, they learn they may have executed the wrong person. Sheriff Parker receives a jar with the eye of the last victim and a note. A not accusing law enforcement of murder.
This story was very procedural, but not in a boring way. I love the possibility that the killer had an accomplice but could be a different person all together. I think the twist in this was great, I never saw it coming. Definitely recommend giving this a read.
This story was really entertaining. Just when they think it's all over, they realize it's only just begun. Minutes after they execute the person they believe is the Blood Smile Killer, they learn they may have executed the wrong person. Sheriff Parker receives a jar with the eye of the last victim and a note. A not accusing law enforcement of murder.
This story was very procedural, but not in a boring way. I love the possibility that the killer had an accomplice but could be a different person all together. I think the twist in this was great, I never saw it coming. Definitely recommend giving this a read.
Review of advance copy
I am grateful to have received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I enjoyed the book and the detail but, for me, it was a little far fetched and convenient. Nonetheless, the character development was fun, the subplots keep your attention, and there were numerous plot twists that will keep you wondering and curious. Again, for me, it just felt unrealistic which kept me from being completely invested in the story and characters. However, I also respect that unrealistic is wonderful for many readers, and if wild twists are your thing, this book is definitely for you!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews