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The Finalist
Five authors, each with their own secrets, are chosen to complete a deceased novelist’s unfinished manuscript. For single mom Risa Marr, the competition is the opportunity of a lifetime. At stake is a million dollars and a contract to continue the famous novelist’s bestselling thriller series.
Transported to the tropical paradise of Key Island, the finalists are cut off from the world and given seven days to draft their best ending for the book. But when one of them turns up dead, theories and accusations abound. Accident? Suicide? Or Murder? To what lengths will competitors go to win? And who, if anyone, will leave the island alive?
Transported to the tropical paradise of Key Island, the finalists are cut off from the world and given seven days to draft their best ending for the book. But when one of them turns up dead, theories and accusations abound. Accident? Suicide? Or Murder? To what lengths will competitors go to win? And who, if anyone, will leave the island alive?
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2022
8 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Joan Long
2 books18 followersAgatha Award-nominated author of The Finalist, a locked-room-style mystery novel set on a tropical island
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 17, 2021
When bestselling author Wyatt DeMay unexpectedly dies, his widow devises a plan to find a ghostwriter for his famous Colton Key series. Five finalists will be transported to her private island where they'll read Wyatt's unfinished manuscript and write an appropriate ending for the book. Whoever writes the best ending will be crowned the winner. And the prize....well it's worth dying for!
Not only will the winner score a lucrative publishing contract to continue the Colton Key series, he/she will also win a million dollars. This is a chance of a lifetime, and the competition is fierce.
But not everybody is who they say they are. When one of the contestants ends up dead, it's clear that they're trapped on an island with a killer. Somebody on this island doesn't belong there. And somebody is willing to do anything to win the grand prize.
I love the tropical setting-that was definitely the highlight for me. I wish some of the characters had been fleshed out more, but I still enjoyed them. Their interactions with each other and reactions to the events that unfolded were realistic.
The book was a quick read with a nice flow until around Chapter 26. It went downhill from there IMO. There were pacing issues and it took too long to get to the point. The ending was good, but I didn't like how it played out. With all the suspense/mystery writers on the island, I was expecting someone to figure out who was behind it and why as opposed to needing it narrated to them. It's a classic case of telling instead of showing which is always a disappointment for me.
This isn't the most thrilling book out there but there's decent suspense, relatable characters and a great setting. It's certainly a fun beach read for this summer.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not only will the winner score a lucrative publishing contract to continue the Colton Key series, he/she will also win a million dollars. This is a chance of a lifetime, and the competition is fierce.
But not everybody is who they say they are. When one of the contestants ends up dead, it's clear that they're trapped on an island with a killer. Somebody on this island doesn't belong there. And somebody is willing to do anything to win the grand prize.
I love the tropical setting-that was definitely the highlight for me. I wish some of the characters had been fleshed out more, but I still enjoyed them. Their interactions with each other and reactions to the events that unfolded were realistic.
The book was a quick read with a nice flow until around Chapter 26. It went downhill from there IMO. There were pacing issues and it took too long to get to the point. The ending was good, but I didn't like how it played out. With all the suspense/mystery writers on the island, I was expecting someone to figure out who was behind it and why as opposed to needing it narrated to them. It's a classic case of telling instead of showing which is always a disappointment for me.
This isn't the most thrilling book out there but there's decent suspense, relatable characters and a great setting. It's certainly a fun beach read for this summer.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2022
The Finalist started out very promising and the first half of the book was very interesting. The second half of the book just kind of went on and on and nothing much happened, until its rather predictable conclusion. Still, I found it an okay read.
April 8, 2022
This book started out with a really cool premise! It sounded like a mix of Survivor the TV show and Verity by Colleen Hoover. I was immediately interested and drawn in. I am literally always down for a "stuck on an island" story. It's my jam.
I loved the cover. It really sat the scene for a beachy trip gone awry.
We begin as a best-selling author passes away leaving his widow trying to find a special someone to finish his book. They will be handsomely rewarded. The finalists will be taken to their private island, however someone there isn't who they say they are. *dun dun dun*
The first part of the book is really cool and it's never bad but it starts to drone on toward the end and I lost some interest. Luckily it wasn't a long read but was kind of bumpy getting to the point.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book!
I loved the cover. It really sat the scene for a beachy trip gone awry.
We begin as a best-selling author passes away leaving his widow trying to find a special someone to finish his book. They will be handsomely rewarded. The finalists will be taken to their private island, however someone there isn't who they say they are. *dun dun dun*
The first part of the book is really cool and it's never bad but it starts to drone on toward the end and I lost some interest. Luckily it wasn't a long read but was kind of bumpy getting to the point.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book!
April 6, 2022
A good, fun, island take on the Agatha Christie classic And Then There Were None.
November 23, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I requested this book because I loved the cover, I'm not gonna lie...I didn't read what it was about or anything and this time, it kinda backfired on me. Not that the book wasn't good...it was entertaining but there were times where I was not able to hang because it wasn't keeping my interest. Basically, a rich author with his own island dies and five authors are supposed be in a contest to finish his latest book and whoever wins, gets to take over the other books in his series...fairly soon after they arrive, people begin dying off and they have to fight to stay alive while they try to figure out who is doing the killing...it wasn't quite what I was expecting as I started it but it was still a good read.
January 1, 2022
Who doesn't love a plot like this? A famous--like famous of famous--author dies and his wife and editor put together a contest for talented, unknown authors to take over his series, his position. Whaaaaaat? Awesome! I absolutely needed to know what was going to happen . . . Well, of course, the contest goes absolutely haywire and turns into a murder mystery with a surprising twist.
I liked that the book skipped long intros I've seen way too much of that bog down the beginning of stories and instead started in the action. I was immediately hooked. I knew enough about the characters to enjoy their roles in the mystery and wonder who in the world could have committed the murder. The pacing was pretty fast which I loved. I wanted less telling and more showing. I also wanted less story that didn't move the plot forward and more red herrings and twists.
All in all, this was an entertaining book I absolutely recommend--especially in these winter months as it provides a wonderful tropical get away.
I liked that the book skipped long intros I've seen way too much of that bog down the beginning of stories and instead started in the action. I was immediately hooked. I knew enough about the characters to enjoy their roles in the mystery and wonder who in the world could have committed the murder. The pacing was pretty fast which I loved. I wanted less telling and more showing. I also wanted less story that didn't move the plot forward and more red herrings and twists.
All in all, this was an entertaining book I absolutely recommend--especially in these winter months as it provides a wonderful tropical get away.
September 10, 2022
Five authors, each with their own secrets, are chosen to complete a deceased novelist’s unfinished manuscript. For single mom Risa Marr, the competition is the opportunity of a lifetime. At stake is a million dollars and a contract to continue the famous novelist’s bestselling thriller series.
Transported to the tropical paradise of Key Island, the finalists are cut off from the world and given seven days to draft their best ending for the book. But when one of them turns up dead, theories and accusations abound. Accident? Suicide? Or Murder? To what lengths will competitors go to win? And who, if anyone, will leave the island alive?
This was a really easy, fun summer read. It was quite action packed and we dove straight into the story from page 1 so it pulled you in straight away. There was good character development for the main character and we really got to know her and her backstory but the same can’t really be said about the other characters, they seemed to just be more there for the numbers and suspects for the murders.
I do think this would be a great beach holiday read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for gifting me this book for review.
Transported to the tropical paradise of Key Island, the finalists are cut off from the world and given seven days to draft their best ending for the book. But when one of them turns up dead, theories and accusations abound. Accident? Suicide? Or Murder? To what lengths will competitors go to win? And who, if anyone, will leave the island alive?
This was a really easy, fun summer read. It was quite action packed and we dove straight into the story from page 1 so it pulled you in straight away. There was good character development for the main character and we really got to know her and her backstory but the same can’t really be said about the other characters, they seemed to just be more there for the numbers and suspects for the murders.
I do think this would be a great beach holiday read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for gifting me this book for review.
March 26, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Finalist.
Risa is one of 5 finalists on a deserted island, owned by a rich author’s widow. One of the 5 finalists will write the ending of the dead author’s latest book, and win a life changing deal to pen more. But things take a deadly turn not long after they arrive on the island, and Risa finds herself wishing she had never entered the competition…
I loved this! The suspense and writing were great, kept me hooked all the way through! I found myself swinging from one suspect to another to try and decide who was guilty. Highly recommend, 5 stars!!!
Risa is one of 5 finalists on a deserted island, owned by a rich author’s widow. One of the 5 finalists will write the ending of the dead author’s latest book, and win a life changing deal to pen more. But things take a deadly turn not long after they arrive on the island, and Risa finds herself wishing she had never entered the competition…
I loved this! The suspense and writing were great, kept me hooked all the way through! I found myself swinging from one suspect to another to try and decide who was guilty. Highly recommend, 5 stars!!!
July 23, 2022
Great premise and an enjoyable read.
December 8, 2022
Ugh. From bad to worse.
February 23, 2023
Creative murder mystery on an inhabited island. The characters, the setting, and the plot were well thought out and written. The author did a fabulous job taking us away to an island, creating red herrings and some unexpected twists. Naturally, as an author myself, I love the writer’s contest! Keep writing Joan!
May 14, 2022
A sit on the edge of your seat thriller, THE FINALIST, will keep you turning pages in this gripping debut novel by Joan Long. If you're looking for a twisty mystery, add this one to the top of your reading list.
March 6, 2022
I really enjoyed the first half of this book. I liked the plot, I liked the setting, I liked the intrigue. Once the book hit the halfway mark it did start to read like it had been written by a different person, like the novel in the book.
I really didn’t enjoy the second half. The men ganging up against the woman annoyed me. I didn’t like anyone in this book other than the journalist. Everyone else was one dimensional and awful.
I had to force myself to finish this book. It could have been amazing based on the premise and the first half. I guessed the ending before the second murder happened. My boyfriend also guessed the murderer and motive and he wasn’t even reading this, just listening to me chat about it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review
I really didn’t enjoy the second half. The men ganging up against the woman annoyed me. I didn’t like anyone in this book other than the journalist. Everyone else was one dimensional and awful.
I had to force myself to finish this book. It could have been amazing based on the premise and the first half. I guessed the ending before the second murder happened. My boyfriend also guessed the murderer and motive and he wasn’t even reading this, just listening to me chat about it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review
January 22, 2022
The Finalist is a pulse-pounding debut novel with a resourceful protagonist, a gorgeous tropical setting, and a twist at the end I did not see coming. Not to be missed! Thank you to Joan Long and Level Best Books for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2023
Cannot believe I wasted 8 hours listening to this audiobook. But it’s not too late for you! Save yourself!
January 10, 2022
Joan Long, The Finalist, Level Books, 2021
Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
Joan Long’s murder mystery is an ideal beach read, although the beauty of the island setting, with white sands, comfortable cottages with themes such as Oasis, and luxurious meals served with plenty of alcohol might pall as a woman wandering the sands is violently murdered. When another character is shot in his sleep perhaps one might look up from The Finalist, relieved that the beach on which it is being enjoyed is well populated, people are happily picnicking and children making sandcastles. In contrast, The Finalist takes place in a closed setting, the Thrill Seeker having made a lengthy sea trip from Florida to deposit five finalists at the island then making a quick getaway, to return in a week.
The finalists are five writers chosen to complete a murder mystery partially written by Wyatt DeMay before his death. They are to compete by writing the remaining chapters, the best to be chosen by Lily DeMay, his widow, and Alex Hensley, his former editor. They join the finalists, together with the cook, Sylvia. The scene is set for a small group murder mystery, with one of the group being the murderer, and the others investigating – as indeed the writer would aim for the reader to also find a challenge.
All the characters have something to hide, Lily is imperious; Sylvia, unpleasant; and Alex has held a secretive meeting with one of the finalists, Trent, before the events on the island take place. Of the other finalists, Melanie is an attractive, much married, self-regarding woman with some writing successes in her past; Jackson, is an older writer who is enthusiastic about his surrounds; Nick, a bombastic young writer; and Risa is widowed with a small child, desperate to win the competition and gain some financial security after the deaths of her husband and parents in a boat accident.
The plot is simple, but neatly executed. Risa makes a good narrator and is a warm woman who, while on a mission does not succumb to some of the nastiness exhibited by other characters. At the same time, she is a thoughtful observer, and eventually quite adventuresome. Risa is a strong main personality, and the ending of the novel does not mar this characteristic: the murders destroy the competition, but she finds another way to use her writing talent to achieve her aims. Possible romance hovers, but does not intrude, a welcome way in which to maintain Risa’s identification as a resourceful purposeful woman.
Where the novel was a disappointment to me, was in what I found to be overwriting, and some repetition. Risa’s dedication to her child and background story did not need to be told several times. To add to the mystery and encourage the reader to try to solve the crimes, there was, in comparison, too little about the other characters. They had little depth so that there was little to aid an investigation. Trent was given a little more, but the other characters were rather superficial.
However, despite these criticisms, I enjoyed The Finalists as a light read, with a satisfying ending.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review.
Joan Long’s murder mystery is an ideal beach read, although the beauty of the island setting, with white sands, comfortable cottages with themes such as Oasis, and luxurious meals served with plenty of alcohol might pall as a woman wandering the sands is violently murdered. When another character is shot in his sleep perhaps one might look up from The Finalist, relieved that the beach on which it is being enjoyed is well populated, people are happily picnicking and children making sandcastles. In contrast, The Finalist takes place in a closed setting, the Thrill Seeker having made a lengthy sea trip from Florida to deposit five finalists at the island then making a quick getaway, to return in a week.
The finalists are five writers chosen to complete a murder mystery partially written by Wyatt DeMay before his death. They are to compete by writing the remaining chapters, the best to be chosen by Lily DeMay, his widow, and Alex Hensley, his former editor. They join the finalists, together with the cook, Sylvia. The scene is set for a small group murder mystery, with one of the group being the murderer, and the others investigating – as indeed the writer would aim for the reader to also find a challenge.
All the characters have something to hide, Lily is imperious; Sylvia, unpleasant; and Alex has held a secretive meeting with one of the finalists, Trent, before the events on the island take place. Of the other finalists, Melanie is an attractive, much married, self-regarding woman with some writing successes in her past; Jackson, is an older writer who is enthusiastic about his surrounds; Nick, a bombastic young writer; and Risa is widowed with a small child, desperate to win the competition and gain some financial security after the deaths of her husband and parents in a boat accident.
The plot is simple, but neatly executed. Risa makes a good narrator and is a warm woman who, while on a mission does not succumb to some of the nastiness exhibited by other characters. At the same time, she is a thoughtful observer, and eventually quite adventuresome. Risa is a strong main personality, and the ending of the novel does not mar this characteristic: the murders destroy the competition, but she finds another way to use her writing talent to achieve her aims. Possible romance hovers, but does not intrude, a welcome way in which to maintain Risa’s identification as a resourceful purposeful woman.
Where the novel was a disappointment to me, was in what I found to be overwriting, and some repetition. Risa’s dedication to her child and background story did not need to be told several times. To add to the mystery and encourage the reader to try to solve the crimes, there was, in comparison, too little about the other characters. They had little depth so that there was little to aid an investigation. Trent was given a little more, but the other characters were rather superficial.
However, despite these criticisms, I enjoyed The Finalists as a light read, with a satisfying ending.
June 10, 2022
Five authors are invited to complete an unfinished manuscript by a famous deceased murder mystery author. For the contest, his widow has given them the use of her private island paradise for one week. The winner will receive a million dollars, and a contract to take over the book series.
A contestant drowns, and everyone questions whether it was a suicide or a murder. When the second murder occurs, it becomes obvious that the contestants are being hunted and killed, one by one. The literal smoking gun is found in the cabinet of Risa Marr, an innocent single mother who only wants the chance to win the life-changing prize and get home to her young daughter. Will Risa find the actual murderer before she becomes the next victim?
What a colorful cast of characters in an incredible setting! Each contestant has something to hide, each has an agenda of his/her own, and each is desperate for the million dollar prize and the lucrative contract. The setting of the island paradise is meant to spark the authors’ imaginations for writing, but after the second death it inspires their imaginations in a different way as they cast suspicion on each other, but especially on the woman who had the weapon planted in her bungalow. It’s a fun read, and a fast-paced whodunit. I enjoyed The Finalist very much, and would recommend it to all fans of murder mysteries.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Joan Long, and Level Best Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A contestant drowns, and everyone questions whether it was a suicide or a murder. When the second murder occurs, it becomes obvious that the contestants are being hunted and killed, one by one. The literal smoking gun is found in the cabinet of Risa Marr, an innocent single mother who only wants the chance to win the life-changing prize and get home to her young daughter. Will Risa find the actual murderer before she becomes the next victim?
What a colorful cast of characters in an incredible setting! Each contestant has something to hide, each has an agenda of his/her own, and each is desperate for the million dollar prize and the lucrative contract. The setting of the island paradise is meant to spark the authors’ imaginations for writing, but after the second death it inspires their imaginations in a different way as they cast suspicion on each other, but especially on the woman who had the weapon planted in her bungalow. It’s a fun read, and a fast-paced whodunit. I enjoyed The Finalist very much, and would recommend it to all fans of murder mysteries.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Joan Long, and Level Best Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2022
Well what could be more inviting than a chance at 1 million pounds on a gorgeous island !?
Five authors are invited to an all expense paid week at Key Island. The elusive island, owned by the late renowned thriller writer Wyatt DeMay. The competition requires each competitor to ghost write Wyatt’s unfinished manuscript. May the best finalist win! Unfortunately that’s not the only challenge, as they must use their ‘who dunnit’ knowledge if they want to stand a chance at survival, as there’s a killer on the loose and escaping the island is not an option!
The start of this book really drew me in, it had me imagining I was on the island myself, enjoying all it had to offer. Maybe I just need a holiday ! Risa, the main protagonist is wary of the other contestants and with good reason when the deaths begin. I felt she was easy to warm to and held the storyline together. The rest of the characters seemed a little shallow, I didn’t really warm to any of them or get a good feel for who they are.
The middle of the story went on quite a lot longer than I expected, with the actual reveal being kept till the very end of the book. Something I would’ve preferred to be played out over a few chapters as I found it to be a little abrupt.
I also would’ve loved a few twists and turns to throw me off as I didn’t find it as engaging as I’d hoped. But overall it was an easy read for anyone looking for a little mystery set in paradise!
Five authors are invited to an all expense paid week at Key Island. The elusive island, owned by the late renowned thriller writer Wyatt DeMay. The competition requires each competitor to ghost write Wyatt’s unfinished manuscript. May the best finalist win! Unfortunately that’s not the only challenge, as they must use their ‘who dunnit’ knowledge if they want to stand a chance at survival, as there’s a killer on the loose and escaping the island is not an option!
The start of this book really drew me in, it had me imagining I was on the island myself, enjoying all it had to offer. Maybe I just need a holiday ! Risa, the main protagonist is wary of the other contestants and with good reason when the deaths begin. I felt she was easy to warm to and held the storyline together. The rest of the characters seemed a little shallow, I didn’t really warm to any of them or get a good feel for who they are.
The middle of the story went on quite a lot longer than I expected, with the actual reveal being kept till the very end of the book. Something I would’ve preferred to be played out over a few chapters as I found it to be a little abrupt.
I also would’ve loved a few twists and turns to throw me off as I didn’t find it as engaging as I’d hoped. But overall it was an easy read for anyone looking for a little mystery set in paradise!
July 18, 2023
In The Finalist, Joan L0ng gives us a spine-tingling tale of suspense in a clever mash-up of And Then There Were None and Glass Onion.
Risa Marr is an up and coming author and single mother. With money tight, she enters a contest to finish the final novel of a world-famous mystery writer who died before finishing it. Along with four other contest finalists, she travels to a secluded island off the Florida coast to spend a week writing the final portion of the story.
Before long, fellow visitors to the island begin dying under mysterious circumstances. When she's accused of being a murderer, Risa must use her wits to evade capture and survive long enough on the island to figure out who is the real murderer.
Long's blend of a closed-circle murder mystery with a suspenseful race against the clock is a delight to read. Risa is a smart and likeable protagonist who is easy to root for. The supporting characters are well rounded and believable. I found myself guessing, incorrectly, who the murderer was right up until the end. Once you start reading The Finalist, you won't want to put it down. I can't wait to find out what Joan Long has to offer us next!
Risa Marr is an up and coming author and single mother. With money tight, she enters a contest to finish the final novel of a world-famous mystery writer who died before finishing it. Along with four other contest finalists, she travels to a secluded island off the Florida coast to spend a week writing the final portion of the story.
Before long, fellow visitors to the island begin dying under mysterious circumstances. When she's accused of being a murderer, Risa must use her wits to evade capture and survive long enough on the island to figure out who is the real murderer.
Long's blend of a closed-circle murder mystery with a suspenseful race against the clock is a delight to read. Risa is a smart and likeable protagonist who is easy to root for. The supporting characters are well rounded and believable. I found myself guessing, incorrectly, who the murderer was right up until the end. Once you start reading The Finalist, you won't want to put it down. I can't wait to find out what Joan Long has to offer us next!
March 19, 2022
Risa Marr considers herself lucky when she is chosen as one of five finalists to finish the ending of a mystery by a deceased famous author. The author's widow has invited the five finalists to Key Island, a tropical paradise, where they'll have a few days to read the unfinished manuscript and complete it. Whoever writes the best ending will be allowed to continue the series and make lots of cash. Risa has a past with one of the other writers, but the additional three are strangers. It isn't long before readers discover that these writers are hiding all kind of secrets. When they begin dropping ala Agatha Christie, Risa wonders if she'll escape alive. Long's debut novel is definitely not short on plot, and you'll find yourself turning pages, wondering who's going to survive. Her characters could be more developed with key details and admissions that would surprise us and red herrings that would throw us off. But it's a fine debut novel for this mystery writer. I'll be waiting for the follow-up.
December 15, 2021
Five suspense books go compete on a desert island - does The Finalist make it off alive?
I’m a sucker for suspense thrillers and I loved the premise of this one - five authors are chosen to ghostwrite the last 25 pages of a recently deceased author’s unfinished manuscript. They are whisked to a private island for their competition, but there’s trouble in paradise when one of the finalists turns up dead.
The writing was a little heavy-handed and the story took a little longer than I’d like to really get going - but I enjoyed the story once I was in it.
I generally prefer my mysteries a little more twisty and with a few more red herrings, but I kind of liked that it was something I could reasonably figure out based on clues in the book.
All in all, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. I’d keep this book around if I was the culprit.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
I’m a sucker for suspense thrillers and I loved the premise of this one - five authors are chosen to ghostwrite the last 25 pages of a recently deceased author’s unfinished manuscript. They are whisked to a private island for their competition, but there’s trouble in paradise when one of the finalists turns up dead.
The writing was a little heavy-handed and the story took a little longer than I’d like to really get going - but I enjoyed the story once I was in it.
I generally prefer my mysteries a little more twisty and with a few more red herrings, but I kind of liked that it was something I could reasonably figure out based on clues in the book.
All in all, it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. I’d keep this book around if I was the culprit.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
March 28, 2022
Enjoyment: 3.5
Total rating: 3.5
The famous author of a best-selling thriller series dies before finishing their latest book. What is a publisher to do? Duh - offers a chance to five struggling authors to compete for 1 million dollars and a contract to continue the series, of course!
The lucky five are dropped into an isolated island and given 7 days to draft the ending for the unfinished book. The best conclusion wins. Simple, right? No! One turns up dead, and we know they might not be the last!
Long's take on two of my most beloved mystery tropes - isolated setting and closed circle - delivered an action-packed mystery. This was an easy-to-read, fast-paced book with tons of action at the beginning and a very intriguing setup. I loved the island layout and the idea of a high-stakes writing contest.
Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of The Finalist
Total rating: 3.5
The famous author of a best-selling thriller series dies before finishing their latest book. What is a publisher to do? Duh - offers a chance to five struggling authors to compete for 1 million dollars and a contract to continue the series, of course!
The lucky five are dropped into an isolated island and given 7 days to draft the ending for the unfinished book. The best conclusion wins. Simple, right? No! One turns up dead, and we know they might not be the last!
Long's take on two of my most beloved mystery tropes - isolated setting and closed circle - delivered an action-packed mystery. This was an easy-to-read, fast-paced book with tons of action at the beginning and a very intriguing setup. I loved the island layout and the idea of a high-stakes writing contest.
Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of The Finalist
April 19, 2023
THE FINALIST follows a group of crime writers who travel to a secluded tropical island to complete a famous novelist’s final unfinished manuscript. The main character, Risa, is a single mom who has suffered her own recent tragedies over the past year. After less than twenty-four hours on the island, one of the authors is dead and the writers realize that they might have a real-life mystery on their hands.
Reader Takeaway: I found a lot to like about this novel, from the premise and plot to the setting and characters. I loved how the small cast of characters and the remote setting give the novel the feel of a classic locked room mystery but in a completely different type of environment. Risa comes across as a capable, sympathetic protagonist, and there are lots of good twists and red herrings that kept me guessing throughout the book. I can see why the book received an Agatha Award nomination for Best First Mystery.
Reader Takeaway: I found a lot to like about this novel, from the premise and plot to the setting and characters. I loved how the small cast of characters and the remote setting give the novel the feel of a classic locked room mystery but in a completely different type of environment. Risa comes across as a capable, sympathetic protagonist, and there are lots of good twists and red herrings that kept me guessing throughout the book. I can see why the book received an Agatha Award nomination for Best First Mystery.
December 16, 2021
Five author descend on the small private island now owned by the widow of a famous novelist. The widow has invited the five to compete in completing her husband's most recent unfinished work. The winner receives one million dollars and the ability to take over the characters, plots, fans and funds.
Key Island is virtually deserted and the security and staff have been dismissed for the week. Someone however, must be on the island because some of the contestants begin dying.
I love these kind of locked room stories and it's always a bonus when they are set in a tropical venue. This was a bit unusual plot and the characters were not as well crafted as they could be, a tad flat, but I did enjoy it and if you like locked room mysteries and tropical paradises you will too! #NetGalley #TheFinalist
Key Island is virtually deserted and the security and staff have been dismissed for the week. Someone however, must be on the island because some of the contestants begin dying.
I love these kind of locked room stories and it's always a bonus when they are set in a tropical venue. This was a bit unusual plot and the characters were not as well crafted as they could be, a tad flat, but I did enjoy it and if you like locked room mysteries and tropical paradises you will too! #NetGalley #TheFinalist
February 26, 2022
I knew I was going to have to read Joan Long’s debut novel, The Finalist, and I sure am glad I did!
Spunky heroine with a big problem? Check. A million dollars at stake? Check. Exotic setting? Check—with the added intrigue of the locale being a private island cut off from communication with the outside world. What could possible go wrong?
Risa Marr, the narrator, is one of five finalists brought to Key Island for a chance to win a million dollars, plus the contract to continue a deceased famous novelist’s bestselling thriller series. The competition is fierce; everyone has a secret. And then people start dying.
The author plays fair with all the clues. There are a couple of fun twists and an ending that . . . hmmm, maybe sets up a sequel?
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Spunky heroine with a big problem? Check. A million dollars at stake? Check. Exotic setting? Check—with the added intrigue of the locale being a private island cut off from communication with the outside world. What could possible go wrong?
Risa Marr, the narrator, is one of five finalists brought to Key Island for a chance to win a million dollars, plus the contract to continue a deceased famous novelist’s bestselling thriller series. The competition is fierce; everyone has a secret. And then people start dying.
The author plays fair with all the clues. There are a couple of fun twists and an ending that . . . hmmm, maybe sets up a sequel?
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2022
Thank you Netgalley, Level Best Books and Joan Long for the arc of this book.
Five author's are invited to complete a well known author's unfinished manuscript. At stake, one million dollars and a contract to continue the deceased author's work. All you have to do is stay at a private island for seven days and work on the books ending. Sounds perfect right? Well, it was. Until the body washed ashore. And everyone's secrets started to get exposed.
I loved the premise of this book. It started very strong but unfortunately petered off. While not bad in any way, it does become harder to maintain interest. Luckily it is a short novel so I was able to stick it out. The conclusion and suspect were predictable but not unenjoyable.
You may like this if you like locked room/deserted island mysteries.
3 stars.
Five author's are invited to complete a well known author's unfinished manuscript. At stake, one million dollars and a contract to continue the deceased author's work. All you have to do is stay at a private island for seven days and work on the books ending. Sounds perfect right? Well, it was. Until the body washed ashore. And everyone's secrets started to get exposed.
I loved the premise of this book. It started very strong but unfortunately petered off. While not bad in any way, it does become harder to maintain interest. Luckily it is a short novel so I was able to stick it out. The conclusion and suspect were predictable but not unenjoyable.
You may like this if you like locked room/deserted island mysteries.
3 stars.
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May 8, 2022This was an interesting story. Not quite a cozy, but not quite the traditional either.
The concept of this story was interesting, which is why I picked it up in the first place. The plot was fascinating, kind of a take on a mystery writers’s version of “Survivor”.
The pacing was swift, to the point where I didn’t want to put it down. Lots of fun action with many WTF and IDisnt send that coming moments.
The characters were fully developed to where I could get inside everyone’s head. And the dialogue variations kept me understanding who was speaking, even though there weren’t tags everywhere (which was a good thing).
I really liked the setting descriptions, because I could almost see where things were happening.
There were too many clues and red herrings to keep everything straight in my head (hence the 4 star), but none of them seemed out of place or not needed, just so many!
Yes, I did guess the killer before the reveal, but had not caught on why it happened.
Excellent story, and I hope to see more from this writer.
The concept of this story was interesting, which is why I picked it up in the first place. The plot was fascinating, kind of a take on a mystery writers’s version of “Survivor”.
The pacing was swift, to the point where I didn’t want to put it down. Lots of fun action with many WTF and IDisnt send that coming moments.
The characters were fully developed to where I could get inside everyone’s head. And the dialogue variations kept me understanding who was speaking, even though there weren’t tags everywhere (which was a good thing).
I really liked the setting descriptions, because I could almost see where things were happening.
There were too many clues and red herrings to keep everything straight in my head (hence the 4 star), but none of them seemed out of place or not needed, just so many!
Yes, I did guess the killer before the reveal, but had not caught on why it happened.
Excellent story, and I hope to see more from this writer.
September 3, 2022
The premise of this book is fantastic. Absolutely loved The Survivor/The Apprentice feel.
The first quarter of the book was fast paced, interesting and a really good thriller. Unfortunately it unravelled quickly and that was mainly because there was far too much description and pointing out the obvious. There was a fair amount of summarising and it often did not read how people speak due to this.
The book needed to be a 1/4 shorter and just tightened up quite a bit. Who the killer was and the mystery surrounding Trent were both really obvious too. It wasn't nuanced enough at all...clues were given quite heavy handed and with the over explaining, it was telling not showing and not giving the reader enough credit to look for clues.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The first quarter of the book was fast paced, interesting and a really good thriller. Unfortunately it unravelled quickly and that was mainly because there was far too much description and pointing out the obvious. There was a fair amount of summarising and it often did not read how people speak due to this.
The book needed to be a 1/4 shorter and just tightened up quite a bit. Who the killer was and the mystery surrounding Trent were both really obvious too. It wasn't nuanced enough at all...clues were given quite heavy handed and with the over explaining, it was telling not showing and not giving the reader enough credit to look for clues.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2022
The Finalist is a little different to a run-of-the-mill locked room type of mystery. It’s a locked room which is actually a whole entirely remote island !
The tropical lush setting is to die for, with conflict of beautiful surroundings vs nail-biting suspense. You don’t know whether to feel relaxed on the page or to be on guard.
There are five competition finalists. All five are authors competing for the rights to complete the last chapter of a book in a current hit series, then to carry on with the rest of the series as well. Though of course, only one author can win.
The Finalist is well written, with lots of red herrings and as you go on until you reach the very end, it seems like it could be anyone or all eliminating the interested parties !
The tropical lush setting is to die for, with conflict of beautiful surroundings vs nail-biting suspense. You don’t know whether to feel relaxed on the page or to be on guard.
There are five competition finalists. All five are authors competing for the rights to complete the last chapter of a book in a current hit series, then to carry on with the rest of the series as well. Though of course, only one author can win.
The Finalist is well written, with lots of red herrings and as you go on until you reach the very end, it seems like it could be anyone or all eliminating the interested parties !
August 19, 2023
Reminds me a lot of And Then There Were None, my favorite of Agatha Christie's, so that was one of the things that drew me to reading this, plus the writing competition.
Started out good, but fizzled a bit around the middle/towards the end. Too drawn out without much new information. I thought for mystery/thriller writers they sure jumped to a quick conclusion without much evidence. Usually books are well researched by the authors, so I'd think the fictional authors would be smarter than that. Would have liked to see them try to investigate like their character would, use what they've learned from their books. I also wish the writing contest tied in more- clues to the events hidden in the manuscript or something.
Ending wasn't unexpected but a nice wrap-up, no loose ends.
Started out good, but fizzled a bit around the middle/towards the end. Too drawn out without much new information. I thought for mystery/thriller writers they sure jumped to a quick conclusion without much evidence. Usually books are well researched by the authors, so I'd think the fictional authors would be smarter than that. Would have liked to see them try to investigate like their character would, use what they've learned from their books. I also wish the writing contest tied in more- clues to the events hidden in the manuscript or something.
Ending wasn't unexpected but a nice wrap-up, no loose ends.
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