With friends like these, who needs enemies? A twisting psychological thriller about what lies behind a marriage's façade--and the deadly results . . .
Hazel and Jamie are happily married. Or so it would seem. Behind closed doors, things are far from normal. Jamie has an unhealthy obsession, and Hazel is more worried about herself than her husband.
So when Millicent injects herself into their lives, with Jamie firmly in her sights, the trio end up on a path that will end in death.
Everyone has secrets. Everyone has a dark side.
But who is good, who is bad, and who is going to get away with murder?
NJ Moss worked as a fiction ghostwriter for ten years before he turned his skills to his own work. His latest novel is The Husband Trap.
When he is not working on his next thriller, you can normally find him walking his dogs (Loki and Gizmo, a Jack Russell terrier and a Chihuahua), rollerblading up and down the promenade of Weston-super-Mare, or spending time with his lovely wife.
I don’t think I have ever read a 2nd book that is so different to the authors debut, in writing style, content, story and well everything, it certainly shows this authors diversity Now this is not at times an easy read, there isen’t many LOL moments and it does cover unsavoury, difficult and at times hard to read subjects Without giving too much away we meet a completely damaged woman who was raised in a cult and is now seeking revenge on men, pretty much all men until she reaches her goal, her final victim……..the final victim being totally unaware of her intentions and who she is It is written with intention to be ‘to the point’ and it doesn’t waver from this for one second, be prepared to be shocked, really shocked as you are swept headling into a world that doesn’t give an inch It leaves you a bit shaken and knowing it is a book you wont forget for a long time There is also a section dealing wuth social media and the ‘likes’ we all errr like and it was very poignant 9/10 5 Stars
This was amazing, it was so addictive and I just had to read it in one session. There were so many twists and turns and I really needed to know what Millie was after. The ending was just perfect, apart from one niggle which to me wasnt explained, but it was really minor in the scheme of things.
What an amazing author and mind to create this plot. It was so well written. Do yourself a favour if this is your genre.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for this advance copy but the review is entirely my own.
Another great read from N.J. Moss. This book centres around three main characters - Jamie, Hazel and Millicent (Millie). Jamie is married to Hazel and on the surface their marriage is good but underneath it there are some deep flaws. Hazel is obsessed with Instagram followers and Jamie has a stalker tendency and is turned on by watching women while they sleep. Millie storms into their lives and it’s clear she has it in for Jamie. She was born and raised in a cult and following sexual, physical and mental abuse, she’s suffering later in life. She thinks all men are evil and goes about killing ten men before moving onto her final victim. I won’t say much more as I don’t want to spoil it but this is a gripping a read but at times may be too graphic for some. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.
I’ve struggled reading this year for one reason or another but I certainly did not struggle with this book. It gripped me from the start and had an ending I definitely was not expecting.
Jamie is at a nightclub and sees a woman he takes a fancy to. After not touching the drink he bought for her, she takes a call and makes her excuses to leave. Jamie, rather intrigued, follows her to the point of finding her front door unlocked when she has gone through it a few minutes beforehand. When he then explores the house, he finds rather more than he ever expected. Millie has had her sights on Jamie and knows his secret, however she has more than a few of her own. She expertly pops up in front of Jamie and his wife Hazel when he least expects it- at his bosses dinner partly. Just who is hunting and plotting against who? This is a difficult and dark read in some early parts ( and perhaps *trigger warning* for some ) as Millicent had rather a depraved upbringing as part of a cult type group where “no one belongs to anyone but did” and “where nothing was wrong or right it just was”. Occasional chapters take us back to Millie's upbringing and the very strange and dark ways of the cult group. Other chapters are from Millie, Jamie’s and Hazel’s perspectives. A macabre tale of deceit and how easily some can be influenced by others and the need to be popular. Of how “like” does not have to be included in every sentence ( thank you!),of cults and conditioning . A tale of characters from deceitful and despicable to naive and trending-a wonderful second book from NJ Moss that through all the darkness comes into….. I won’t spoil anything- you’ll need to read it to find out! A cleverly thought out- very well plotted read with twists and turns along the way. Captivating, despicable but a real page turner.
NJ Moss has achieved what most authors take a lifetime to discover in Her Final Victim. It's one of the best psychological thriller/horror books I have read in a very long time.
The characters are people that you really would love to hate but you just can't and they feel alive and extremely real.
This book didn't just blow my mind it opened up my head shoved a ton of TNT in gave it a shake for good measure before lighting the fuse. 🤪 Her Final Victim is horrifying and captivating in equal measure . This book is even better than Mr Stephen king and he would be kicking himself because he didn't write it. I was trying not to use profanity in this message but...its bloody brilliant. Millie is not your typical copywriter, she has a very interesting and shall we say sideline! Where Jamie and Hazel have what everyone is after the perfect life or so it would seem but then Jamie has a few interesting hobbies of his own. How are these three people connected and what deadly secrets are they hiding?
'Her Final Victim' is the second book by this author and...wow! What a second book it is. Completely different to his first book (which is also a brilliant read), and it stays with you long after you finish reading it. Be prepared to set some time aside to read it as once you start, you'll find it hard to stop. Brilliantly written and has a great twist that I didn't predict or see coming. Millicent is a fascinating character and whilst reading, you go through a mix of feelings towards her, at times you wither love her, hate her, or feel sorry for her. Great book, and a well deserved 5 stars from me.
Her Final Victim is a gripping, disturbing and completely compelling psychological thriller. I was hooked from the first pages. Hazel and Jamie are blissfully married … or are they? When Millicent(a deranged woman with a tragic history) forces herself into their orbit, her ambition is clear: get rid of Jamie. But why? The characters are deeply flawed and all have secrets which will ultimately be revealed with devastating consequences. Brilliant!
The second book from this author and this was true to its psychological thriller genre, and more. The book is written from the perspective of the three main characters with flashback chapters to ‘Before’. It is a fast paced read but very dark, dealing with issues that may be triggers for some - mental and physical child abuse, sexual depravity and torture. At the other end of the scale is Hazel’s obsession with her followers on Instagram, an homage to our media driven society and the affect it can have on some.
Briefly, Jamie and Hazel appear to be the perfect married couple, beautiful, successful and wealthy but both have secrets. Millicent, ‘Millie’ is damaged, deeply damaged. She was born and bought up in a cult and suffered terrible treatment but she is now determined to avenge herself on all those who abused her. When Millie comes into their lives Jamie is scared and worried for his marriage as Millie knows about his infidelities but Hazel thinks she has found a new friend… Who will survive the destructive path they are on?
This is a very well written and thought out novel. Just when I thought I had it all sussed out the author threw a spanner into the wheel. The characterisations were excellent and Millie in particular; just when I was beginning to despise her her vulnerable side came out and I wanted to hug her. All three main characters are victims of their upbringing; nature or nurture. An excellent read and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ shiny stars.
Newlyweds Jamie and Hazel have the whole of their lives ahead of them .The perfect couple ..But everyone has a moon and a dark side ..and sometimes most people aren't aware of the number of masks they are wearing ..Millicent never stays in one place for long ..She is wanton ...there is a restlessness about her ...Told through the eyes of Millicent, Jamie and Hazel ..NJ Moss captures this darkness and dark souls exceedingly well ..Her Final Victim is a Cleverly spun story ...Five Stars Deliciously Wicked Storytelling ...
The story centres around three main characters who each take turns in recounting a chapter. Millicent is on a mission to rid the world of men who could harm women and has been killing them for some time now, moving from town to town like an avenging angel in some sort of twisted practice run for the main event. For Millicent has an endgame in sight – there is one man she needs to kill most of all. When we hear about her childhood, born from a cult member and its leader, and used for the abhorrent pleasure of its members, it is no surprise that she is how she is, dangerously deranged and desperately damaged. Jamie is also a tortured soul. He likes nothing more than to pick up older “mother-figure” women in bars while working away and then to lurk secretly and silently in their homes watching them without their knowledge. And then there is Jamie's vacuous and very needy wife Hazel, a woman not even her parents hold in high esteem, who posts endless carefully posed selfies on instagram, desperate for “likes” while creating the daubs she deems artwork that nobody is interested in. So why does Millicent have this obsession with Jamie and Hazel? And what strange ties hold the married couple together? As Millicent worms her way closer into their lives and threatens Jamie's future, he seeks help to be rid of her while she is making big plans of her own. A warning, this book does feature the physical, mental and sexual abuse of a child, therefore it will not be suitable for everyone, however that said, it is a great story to simply sit back and let the action unfold, since none of the characters are what you might call likeable but are certainly fascinating. Full of horrifying revelations and shocking twists, it’s a chilling account of tormented souls that will keep the reader mercilessly glued to the pages as the awful truths are finally revealed. 4*
Almost 3.5 stars but I feel the book dragged on a bit. The character relationships and arcs were a bit surprising but nothing over the top shocking. I liked that there was a complete ending that left you questioning almost nothing. Good book overall.
I came across this book in a Facebook Book Club. The author posted it and told a little about it. I love books with a cult vibe. So I had to grab it and start it right away. Moss delivered a brilliant story with twists and turns. These were some messed up people, with some messed up thinking. This took disfunction to a whole new level. It was sad to think how much abuse one can take before they become a raging serial killer. Just when I thought it was dragging Moss would turn up the heat and I was sucked back into this story. This book should have more hype and be pushed into many thriller loving hands. I would not recommend this book to weak stomach readers. Thriller Cultish Troubled Marriage Sibling Love Woman Serial Killers
Wow, what a gripping, twisted and awesome read. The author really develops the characters all whom are broken in some way. Jamie likes watching women while they sleep, Hazel is obsessed with how many Instagram followers she has and Millicent, well she was raised in a cult and abused beyond repair. Their lives are entwined in a way that you dont understand until the end. Excellent read, loved it.
I adored Millie, she was completely crazy but I just wanted to hug her and tell her hush hush. It'll be alright. Of course I would have been in full protective armour before approaching her and would have hidden all the knives!
Hazel is another fascinating character - so many levels to her - once you get beneath the social media veneer. But then noone is really who they appear to be online.
As for Jamie well I am still thinking about him. Who knows what he's been through to end up the person he is, but again his storyline captivated me.
Pacy, pithy and powerful writing combined with a narrative that twists and winds towards a brilliant climax makes this is a gripping read.
Wow, what a read. The plot, the way it's written and crafted together, the complexity of the characters and the nuance of it all was impressive. The more I read the more was revealed, not only about the clever and unique plot, but about the protagonists and antagonists - with each page it was like peeling off layers of an onion, and the closer to the fruit you get, the more it sure does sting your eyes.
This is NJ Moss' second book, and the second that I have had the pleasure of advance reading. It is leaps and bounds away from his first, and that's not me critiquing his first at all, I just don't think I've come across two more different books from one author, let alone when they are the only two currently published (fingers crossed there will be many more.)
It is dark, it is detailed, there are chapters that made me feel uncomfortable, but they add to the plot and are necessary, not just included to shock the reader but to actually help you understand the cause and effect of unspeakable actions by unspeakable people. Millicent is one of the most complex and interesting characters I have ever 'met' and the narrative surrounding her had me hooked from page one.
Perhaps not for the faint hearted, although I would recommended this to all and sundry - I absolutely loved it and did not want it to end. I will, in a few months, read this one again, as I am sure I missed lots of the subtlety first time round and will be keen to see what more I discover on a second read through.
A must read for lovers of dark but poignant psychological fiction.
Well, Mr N J Moss, you can definitely call yourself an author! This story held me in its grip the whole way through, although I must admit I read a lot of it through my fingers! The genre to me is a dark psychological thriller with an undertone of horror.
I have never met a character like Millicent. She appears so cold and unfeeling and leaves a trail of destruction wherever she goes. I really wanted to hate her, but somewhere I found it within myself to actually pity her, because it is what others have done to her that has turned her into a monster and a psychopath!
Jamie has his own demons, and one day someone is going to try and punish him for them. Hazel, his wife, is all sweetness and light, but she too has secrets she wants to stay hidden.
Millicent is out for revenge and no one, but no one is safe!
The author writes very descriptive scenes which unfolded in front of my eyes, some are so emotional that I had to put the book down and just let what was happening sink in. The ending is so twisted that I was left screaming OH. MY. GOD!
5 stars and highly recommended, but do not read it when you are alone!
This is one of the hairiest rollercoaster rides I’ve ever been on, without even leaving the comfort of my armchair. Dark & twisted, this is an addictive story of revenge & suffering, played out by the three main characters, Millicent, Jamie & Hazel. The plot is intense, a triangle of deceit & lies between the three, with an undercurrent of the psychotic at play, and then just when you think you’ve worked it all out, a twist to send shivers down the spine. Very well executed & an author to watch.
A definite page turner had me eagerly turning them over. Very dark psychological thriller kicking off in Maidstone. A fatal attraction in a pub in Cardiff between married man Jamie Smithson and Millicent a freelance writer, did one thing he shouldn't have and that was to follow her home as millie left her door open as an invitation but what he discovered inside is almighty twisted stuff, he flees leaving his shoes behind at the front door back home to his wife Hazel but this isn't the last he sees of this psycho woman This is one creepy book and notorious serial killers don't come any worser than this. Her Final Victim, Fatal Attraction, Psycho Woman, that is all from me, she is one weirdo, I'll let you read to find out for yourself, but you won't be disappointed, right till the slap bang ending. I'm happy with that from this author from only his second book amazing work. 5 🌟
Well what a dark, twisted psychological read that was. I read the authors debut novel and really enjoyed it and so was hoping for more the same with his second novel as I had seen and heard so much hype about it. I can safely say I was not disappointed, the author delivered for a second time. I won’t write reams and reams about the storyline as this is the job of the blurb but I will say our three leading characters Jamie, Hazel and Millicent (Millie) take us on a journey of lies, deceit and the aftermath of dysfunctional families as children now taking its toll as adults. What you see is not necessarily what you get with our 3 characters, an illusion of a perfect life is just that for Jamie and Hazel, an illusion. Millicent’s recollection of her childhood seems traumatic from the start, but dig a little deeper and you find the truth, a whole new level of depravity and deep dark secrets for them all.
After reading All My Fault by N J Moss, I was looking forward to his next book. I wasn't expecting this! Her Final Victim is so different and shows the versatility of this writer. The first few chapters are so shocking. If it was a film I would be watching from behind the sofa. Millicent is a brutal killer but what is her motive and what has happened in her past to make her want to kill? Jamie , also has a secret, he likes to enter houses and watch the women who live there. Hazel, Jamie's wife is obsessed with image and more interested in the number of followers she has on social media than her husband's strange proclivities. Millicent, Jamie and Hazel are three very damaged individuals but even so once you find out why they act as they do, as a reader, you begin to understand why. Such excellent character portrayal, a shocking ending and a book you won't want to put down. Congratulations N J Moss on Her Final Victim.
This book should come with a public health warning........ Be prepared for a lack of sleep as you will not be able to put this book down until you've finished reading it! You will be taken to the edge of depravity, shaken to your very core and enthralled with the storyline and twists. It is pulsating, fast paced and thrilling. Do not read if you're easily offended.
The book is based on three main characters, all of which are wonderfully written about. Millicent (Millie) is seriously deranged having been brought up in a cult and abused from a young age, Hazel is married to Jamie but is obsessed with increasing her social media followers and Jamie himself has the most unusual pastime! When their paths cross it is obvious that all will not end well.
The author has created a fantastic book that will stay with you long after you have read it. It truly is a must read!
An absolutely gripping book from the warped mind of NJ Moss. 😁 I found myself pulled into the story very quickly. As the backgrounds of Jamie, Hazel and Millie were revealed, it was hard not to feel some kind of sympathy for all of them. Millie's character (my favourite) was a stroke of genius; her many faces and personalities (whether false or real) had me second guessing her next move until the very end; though I never would have unraveled the story's twist. Overall, an incredibly brilliant read from the first page to the very last. A must read for any fan of psychological thrillers. Or anyone else for that matter...
First off, this cover is so simple, yet I love it! Love how the hair goes over and under words, making Final really POP!
I think that overall this was an enjoyable read. If you don't like erotic dialogue, then maybe you shouldn't choose this book. My two biggest cons was the amount of erotic dialogue and vulgarity, which is why my rating is as it is. Other than that, great twist at the end, really well developed characters, and a great 3-way triangle plot between characters! If you're okay with some sexual details that are pretty graphic, and you want a psychological thriller, you would probably like this book.
“Her Final Victim” is a book that left me breathless. All I could think at first was”Wow” It takes considerable skill and talent to write a character’ like Millicent that I can feel sympathy for, understand, and even like at times. Yes, she’s terrifying, but also human. Nathan handles difficult subjects with sensitivity and humanity. A definite five stars from me. With a warning to clear your schedule before you begin reading it, because once you start you won’t be able to stop until you finish it.
This book was fast paced and action packed! It really grabs on from the beginning and it gets darker and darker as we progress. The reader is pulled down a deep rabbit hole of murder and stalking, and it is terrifying.
The characters were well-written, Millie with her hidden side, and Hazel with her goodness and I found myself invested in their stories.
Fast paced and full of tension this book will not disappoint the reader.
The book has a lot of twists and turns, a chiling psychological thriller that will leave you thinking about it long after finishing reading.
Without giving much away I feel all of the main character have psychological issues, and for sure there's one psychopath, or maybe two? Read the book and find for yourself.
This is a dark thriller that uses the perspective of three main characters to recount the story and has flash backs to "before". The three main characters are well developed and flawlessly written involved in a story that has many twists and turns. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.