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The Infection #3
The Final Cut
Infection turned the world into a slaughterhouse. Months later, America is exhausted and dying, its military stalled in the fight to save what’s left.
In the ruins of a West Virginia town, a band of survivors count their losses after a horrific battle to secure a pure sample of Infection. Their “Fort Doom,” USAMRIID, the Army’s germ warfare laboratory, which is under siege.
With humanity facing the possibility of extinction, the Army wants to use the sample to build a doomsday weapon against Infection. One scientist hopes to control Infection; another believes she can cure it. And outside the fort’s walls, a lone survivor offers a new way to survive what’s coming. Each will choose how far they’ll go to survive and what they’re willing to lose to save humanity.
In The Final Cut, Craig DiLouie’s brutal vision of the apocalypse concludes with a revelation of the final mysteries of Infection. Will humanity survive the end of days?
In the ruins of a West Virginia town, a band of survivors count their losses after a horrific battle to secure a pure sample of Infection. Their “Fort Doom,” USAMRIID, the Army’s germ warfare laboratory, which is under siege.
With humanity facing the possibility of extinction, the Army wants to use the sample to build a doomsday weapon against Infection. One scientist hopes to control Infection; another believes she can cure it. And outside the fort’s walls, a lone survivor offers a new way to survive what’s coming. Each will choose how far they’ll go to survive and what they’re willing to lose to save humanity.
In The Final Cut, Craig DiLouie’s brutal vision of the apocalypse concludes with a revelation of the final mysteries of Infection. Will humanity survive the end of days?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2021
72 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Craig DiLouie
62 books1,535 followersCraig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 21, 2022
DiLouie's 'The Final Cut' is a fantastic ending to The Infection trilogy series - and not at all what I was expecting as I began this book. Lots of action and amazing character dialogue which made for a super exciting, clever and satisfying conclusion - with all loose ends seamlessly tied together.
Narrator Garrett Michael Brown did a fantastic job and kept pace with the numerous transitions all throughout. There was never a dull moment, as I sat riveted, eager to find out what the future holds - not only for the remaining survivors - but for humanity as a whole.
Narrator Garrett Michael Brown did a fantastic job and kept pace with the numerous transitions all throughout. There was never a dull moment, as I sat riveted, eager to find out what the future holds - not only for the remaining survivors - but for humanity as a whole.
January 2, 2025
I had to listen to this book at 1.55 to really get into it. I’m not sure if it was the voice actor or if this story just took me a minute to get into. The end for this trilogy really gave a clean end of what is likely to happen after everything else.
May 2, 2023
Bleh.
December 20, 2021
It was a long wait for the last book in The Infection Trilogy but it was definitely worth the wait for this character driven masterpiece from the mind of DiLouie. A must read for fans of the undead horror genre.
March 7, 2023
Gratifying and exciting conclusion to DiLouie's Infection series.
October 26, 2022
Lots of merps & wuh?s with this one, too, but more than the others, so one less star. Nonetheless, I read this series from start to finish in a week, so the author definitely does something right. I would not at all say his characters are strong or deep—nope. I think for me it was the constant high pace of action & the creativity of pushing the apoca-zombie genre in a new direction. Which kinda worked for me. Again, I read them all even as I groaned through schmaltz & thin science. The mayhem & violence carry the books, and it is well done.
This got really kooky with the Amazon/Amazombie twist. “Dream of large women,” as Westley purred to Andre the Giant. For some reason, the author wanted this to happen—giant, and importantly hot, warrior women. For something that was portrayed as a sketchy risk early in the book—“the change”—it becomes matter of fact by the end when it happens perfectly. You become a mega awesome giant. With apparently 100% certainty. Despite the vaunted volatility of the Infection. And all it takes is a kiss—awwww! (Vomiting in mouth)
So, characterization & relationships… Erin & Todd are in love because the author says so, that’s it. Wendy & Sarge a sliver deeper. Anne & the crude asshole military guy? Both are tough so…they end up together. Dr. Price, the mad scientist, just disappears, poof… and I must emphasize again—no way that he is in charge of Eve. Just being a Scientist doesn’t qualify you, Mr. Nuclear Nonproliferation Expert!
Steve remains a cipher to the bitter end. Just smiling loyal driver-guy… Like, why does Steve not even get mentioned as a possible mate for Rod’s defecting daughter?! At least give him that for all the time put in anonymously behind the wheel of the Bradley, my dude-author!
And Lockwood and Janet are like props moved about from scene to scene rather than individuals with personality or agency. So I must put a fork—very emphatically—in the blowsy author bio about “strong characters.” Unless all those “reviewers”—book reviewers or Amazon readers??—are referring to physical strength, in which case—yeah, undoubtedly.
This got really kooky with the Amazon/Amazombie twist. “Dream of large women,” as Westley purred to Andre the Giant. For some reason, the author wanted this to happen—giant, and importantly hot, warrior women. For something that was portrayed as a sketchy risk early in the book—“the change”—it becomes matter of fact by the end when it happens perfectly. You become a mega awesome giant. With apparently 100% certainty. Despite the vaunted volatility of the Infection. And all it takes is a kiss—awwww! (Vomiting in mouth)
So, characterization & relationships… Erin & Todd are in love because the author says so, that’s it. Wendy & Sarge a sliver deeper. Anne & the crude asshole military guy? Both are tough so…they end up together. Dr. Price, the mad scientist, just disappears, poof… and I must emphasize again—no way that he is in charge of Eve. Just being a Scientist doesn’t qualify you, Mr. Nuclear Nonproliferation Expert!
Steve remains a cipher to the bitter end. Just smiling loyal driver-guy… Like, why does Steve not even get mentioned as a possible mate for Rod’s defecting daughter?! At least give him that for all the time put in anonymously behind the wheel of the Bradley, my dude-author!
And Lockwood and Janet are like props moved about from scene to scene rather than individuals with personality or agency. So I must put a fork—very emphatically—in the blowsy author bio about “strong characters.” Unless all those “reviewers”—book reviewers or Amazon readers??—are referring to physical strength, in which case—yeah, undoubtedly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
Wow! The only way this trilogy could have ended! During the first two books, I kept thinking, “There is no way this book can end properly. A happy ending will feel forced, a morbid ending will leave me feeling hopeless.”
So… DiLouis decided to give us the happiest ending we could hope for. One of hope but not promising tomorrow. A reminder that humans tend to walk a fine line between survival and self destruction. Human nature is to conquer, lean towards greed, and live with a sense of immortality. We feel entitled and believe that the worst won’t happen to us. At least… not to me.
Can humanity change its nature or will they keep pushing their race to self extinction? Perfect ending to a really riveting trilogy.
So… DiLouis decided to give us the happiest ending we could hope for. One of hope but not promising tomorrow. A reminder that humans tend to walk a fine line between survival and self destruction. Human nature is to conquer, lean towards greed, and live with a sense of immortality. We feel entitled and believe that the worst won’t happen to us. At least… not to me.
Can humanity change its nature or will they keep pushing their race to self extinction? Perfect ending to a really riveting trilogy.
January 1, 2026
ZOMBIES! Honestly, you can't go wrong with a good zombie book and this one delivers on all fronts. If you want to sit back and read something in a tried and tested genre crafted by a tried and tested author, then put yourself in Craig DiLouie's hands. I wouldn't call it fine literature, but that's not what it's pretending to be. It's much more like hopping on a rickety rollercoaster than strolling through an art gallery, but sometimes that's exactly what I'm looking for in a book!
I highly recommend it!
The ending of the trilogy was just fine. I thought he could have landed it a little more decisively, which is the only reason I knocked a star off of this third book. Honestly, it's still absolutely worth the read though!
I highly recommend it!
The ending of the trilogy was just fine. I thought he could have landed it a little more decisively, which is the only reason I knocked a star off of this third book. Honestly, it's still absolutely worth the read though!
December 11, 2022
Been waiting for this finale for a long time. I've bugged the DuLouie forever for it, so I'll take credit that this series got a finale. 😁
I enjoyed this finale, despite the fact that I longed for the original narrator from The Infection and Killing Floor. Todd is facing a dilemma, because you know ... its Todd. Infection has taken on a "different" form, which gives mankind a chance. Maybe.
Lots of figting.
Lots of dying.
Lots of the Bradley kicking butt.
As one of my first and favorite zombie books I enjoyed this book tremendously as not only does DiLouie wrap up the series, but he gives us an outlook on the future.
I enjoyed this finale, despite the fact that I longed for the original narrator from The Infection and Killing Floor. Todd is facing a dilemma, because you know ... its Todd. Infection has taken on a "different" form, which gives mankind a chance. Maybe.
Lots of figting.
Lots of dying.
Lots of the Bradley kicking butt.
As one of my first and favorite zombie books I enjoyed this book tremendously as not only does DiLouie wrap up the series, but he gives us an outlook on the future.
January 8, 2022
Outstanding apocalyptic and post apocalyptic fiction.
I had Covid this week, a relatively minor case but I had to stay home. I started reading the first book on Monday and now, Saturday, just finished the third. Have to say these are some of the best books in this genre I’ve ever read, and I’ve read many. I won’t repeat what other people have said other than to say, it’s good.
I had Covid this week, a relatively minor case but I had to stay home. I started reading the first book on Monday and now, Saturday, just finished the third. Have to say these are some of the best books in this genre I’ve ever read, and I’ve read many. I won’t repeat what other people have said other than to say, it’s good.
September 17, 2022
Don’t read until you have read the two prequels
An Excellent conclusion. No unresolved plot holes. Thanks for revisiting the series and providing closure to these characters in a fitting fashion.
An Excellent conclusion. No unresolved plot holes. Thanks for revisiting the series and providing closure to these characters in a fitting fashion.
October 15, 2024
Meh. I’m probably not giving this series the credit it deserves, as it was wide in scope and very ambitious, but it just didn’t do it for me. Too much of the same, lots of cliches, and very little character development. Not bad, but not for me. 2.5⭐️
December 28, 2021
A great conclusion to the trilogy that's well worth the wait!
August 10, 2022
Anne wasn't a char that I really liked by book 2, but by the end of book 3... I loved the ending!
September 22, 2022
It was alright
February 22, 2024
Amazing trilogy!! Loved all 3 books. I hated to see it end! 🔥❤️
December 27, 2024
Where I felt the last book meandered and lost some of the thrill of the first, this final in the series evolved (pun intended) and gave a pretty satisfying conclusion.
August 30, 2025
4.5
I think there's room for one more book. Just sayin'
I think there's room for one more book. Just sayin'
January 21, 2022
Thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the Infection trilogy. Full review at https://www.davidmoody.net/2022/01/21....
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews