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Hollywood Mystery #1
Final Cut
Perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Nita Prose, when Hollywood costumer Joey Jessop stumbles across a dead body near the set of a big budget movie, she must find ways to protect her career—and herself—before it's too late.
Joey Jessop enjoys working behind the scenes. As key costumer for the next epic superhero movie, her role is to make others look good while staying out of the spotlight. That means making sure to be professional around Eli Logan, her ex and the First Assistant Director, and Courtney Lisle, Eli's newest love interest and the Second Assistant Director. But this isn't a problem for Joey—especially when the movie is shooting at a gorgeous Malibu location.
All of that changes when Joey finds Courtney's dead body on the first day of principal photography and she soon becomes the primary suspect. When the press takes hold of the story and social media begins to run with it, Joey watches her well-ordered life behind the scenes become front and center for all to see. But that isn't even the worst of it. In the midst of this newfound and unfortunate stardom, she must also contend with the reckless behavior of the movie's predatory director and producer, Marcus Pray, who seems driven to continue his practice of making another blockbuster hit while making sure his crew endures a toxic and potentially lethal work environment. As a result, Joey finds herself embattled both personally and professionally.
With tensions building on set and a murder investigation looming over her life and future, Joey takes it upon herself to clear her name. Will she be able to expose the truth before it's a wrap?
Joey Jessop enjoys working behind the scenes. As key costumer for the next epic superhero movie, her role is to make others look good while staying out of the spotlight. That means making sure to be professional around Eli Logan, her ex and the First Assistant Director, and Courtney Lisle, Eli's newest love interest and the Second Assistant Director. But this isn't a problem for Joey—especially when the movie is shooting at a gorgeous Malibu location.
All of that changes when Joey finds Courtney's dead body on the first day of principal photography and she soon becomes the primary suspect. When the press takes hold of the story and social media begins to run with it, Joey watches her well-ordered life behind the scenes become front and center for all to see. But that isn't even the worst of it. In the midst of this newfound and unfortunate stardom, she must also contend with the reckless behavior of the movie's predatory director and producer, Marcus Pray, who seems driven to continue his practice of making another blockbuster hit while making sure his crew endures a toxic and potentially lethal work environment. As a result, Joey finds herself embattled both personally and professionally.
With tensions building on set and a murder investigation looming over her life and future, Joey takes it upon herself to clear her name. Will she be able to expose the truth before it's a wrap?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2023
36 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Marjorie McCown
3 books61 followersMarjorie McCown has spent her entire professional life in the story-telling business, though she started out on the visual side of the craft. She designed costumes for theater and opera companies all over the country, including the NYC Opera at Lincoln Center, before she moved to Los Angeles to work on feature films.
Marjorie spent 27 years as a key member of the costume design teams for a string of successful movies that includes "Forrest Gump," "Apollo 13," "The Firm," "A Bronx Tale," "Wag the Dog," "Hairspray," "The Aviator," "Angels and Demons," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and "X-men Days of Future Past."
She brings her background in film to her writing, setting her mysteries behind-the-scenes in the everyday working world of movies.
She has a BA in Theater from the University of Virginia, and an AAS in Fashion Design from FIT in NYC. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
Marjorie spent 27 years as a key member of the costume design teams for a string of successful movies that includes "Forrest Gump," "Apollo 13," "The Firm," "A Bronx Tale," "Wag the Dog," "Hairspray," "The Aviator," "Angels and Demons," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and "X-men Days of Future Past."
She brings her background in film to her writing, setting her mysteries behind-the-scenes in the everyday working world of movies.
She has a BA in Theater from the University of Virginia, and an AAS in Fashion Design from FIT in NYC. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
April 8, 2023
This book is not actually a mystery but instead is a book about costume design in Hollywood.
The first 40% of this book are pure explanations of how Hollywood costume design work. The only mystery plot we get is when the initial murder happens. The rest are EXTREMELY detailed explanations of costumer job titles and responsibilities, key places around California for costume work, and some real life famous people names thrown in. It was boring to me and I kept waiting for something to happen.
The next 40% are a continuation of the costume design explanations with just a little bit of mystery sprinkled in. They are conversations the main character has with others about this mystery. But they aren’t really acted on and still nothing happens and there’s no furthering of the plot at all. We don’t get any suspense or foreshadowing.
The last 20% of the book is when everything happened very quickly. In just a couple of chapters we get: another crime, a confession, and a showdown between Joey and the perpetrator. There was absolutely no suspense and I was not excited about what was happening.
There were a lot of characters in this book but they did absolutely nothing. Joey as a character did nothing. She didn’t even solve or attempt to solve the crime. She only gathered some info then somebody else told her the whole truth. The plot in this book was nonexistent until everything just happened at the end.
If you’re looking for a book about costume design this would be a good read but if you’re looking for a mystery set in Hollywood this is not worth it.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
The first 40% of this book are pure explanations of how Hollywood costume design work. The only mystery plot we get is when the initial murder happens. The rest are EXTREMELY detailed explanations of costumer job titles and responsibilities, key places around California for costume work, and some real life famous people names thrown in. It was boring to me and I kept waiting for something to happen.
The next 40% are a continuation of the costume design explanations with just a little bit of mystery sprinkled in. They are conversations the main character has with others about this mystery. But they aren’t really acted on and still nothing happens and there’s no furthering of the plot at all. We don’t get any suspense or foreshadowing.
The last 20% of the book is when everything happened very quickly. In just a couple of chapters we get: another crime, a confession, and a showdown between Joey and the perpetrator. There was absolutely no suspense and I was not excited about what was happening.
There were a lot of characters in this book but they did absolutely nothing. Joey as a character did nothing. She didn’t even solve or attempt to solve the crime. She only gathered some info then somebody else told her the whole truth. The plot in this book was nonexistent until everything just happened at the end.
If you’re looking for a book about costume design this would be a good read but if you’re looking for a mystery set in Hollywood this is not worth it.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
April 25, 2024
Marjorie McCown’s Final Cut has everything I traditionally look for in a cozy. Great characters, solid sleuthing, and a mystery so twisty you practically have to pop a Dramamine to get through it—truly, it ticks all the usual boxes. So what’s going on that I feel as if I’ve just read one of the most unique, exciting cozies of the past several years?
Certainly, the characters work. Joey Jessop has signed on as a costumer for the next big Hollywood superhero movie. She’s wickedly smart and good at her job, making her enthusiasm for going over designs, pulling fabrics, overseeing construction, and coordinating with vendors (which take up large chunks of the book) almost palpable on the page. Unfortunately, some of the people around her don’t make it easy. Eli, her ex, serves as the First Assistant Director and he’s now dating Courtney, the Second Assistant Director. It’s the kind of tension-filled setup that, although Joey remains perfectly professional, it’s obvious some trouble is brewing early. Fortunately, McCown fills out the cast with plenty of genuinely likable characters to keep things from getting too heavy, including Malo, a young production assistant who idolizes Joey’s work.
And like I mentioned above, the mystery and sleuthing couldn’t be better. As production begins, chaos starts. After an on-set accident almost takes Joey out, she later finds Courtney murdered on a nearby beach. With Hollywood money on the line, filming continues, and soon Joey’s embroiled in the middle of the case. Not only has an onslaught of media attention cast her as the possible killer, but the paranoia rippling through the set has her questioning her colleagues. I suppose working alongside a murderer will do that to you. While McCown makes a compelling case for Joey jumping into the investigation, she also cleverly peppers reasons to keep Joey’s scrutiny high, especially through use of an initially inept and distrustful local police force. An early roadside moment now stands as one of the most frustratingly realistic scenes I’ve ever experienced in a book—and I mean that positively. It’s this kind of thoughtful plotting that keeps Fatal Cut grounded, justifying why Joey ultimately makes some riskier investigative moves as the book progresses.
All of that makes this a great cozy, but I still don’t think that showcases all the praise it deserves.
I think where Final Cut truly succeeds is in the details. As a costumer, Joey doesn’t just work with fabric. She works with silk, voile, neoprene, and Eurojersey (made only in Italy, apparently). She doesn’t just live in a trailer park. She lives in what’s been dubbed “America’s Most Glamorous Trailer Park”, where homes sell “in the mid-six-figure range”. Economical for Southern California. McCown doesn’t just gloss over the work that goes into making a film, or especially costuming one. Instead, she pulls back the curtain on the whole operation, offering up descriptions that are as informative as they are entertaining. The book is generously seasoned with these little bits of reality, and the result is a rich world that feels fully realized. I became fully invested in Joey and this quirky, creative community because I felt fully immersed in their lives.
This makes complete sense when you understand McCown has been a costumer in Hollywood. While I hope she’s never had to solve a murder, you can tell she’s writing about the other aspects with a load of expertise. It’s thrilling, and yet McCown makes this even more impactful by offering a look at the darker side of Hollywood. Err, besides murder. In one subplot, the director of the film Joey’s working on, Marcus Pray, an egotistical creep whose only “skill” seems to be leering at women, terrorizes the set with his demands. Joey grapples with balancing a job she loves against an apparatus that isn’t perfect and, too frequently, upholds undeserving individuals at the expense of others. There’s a lot of complicated reflection in these pages, and I think it could only come as powerfully as it does from someone who’s been inside the system and understands how it operates.
So, yes. Final Cut has great characters. The sleuthing and mystery kept me gripped. But the details? Those make for a perfect read.
Review first published at pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com
Certainly, the characters work. Joey Jessop has signed on as a costumer for the next big Hollywood superhero movie. She’s wickedly smart and good at her job, making her enthusiasm for going over designs, pulling fabrics, overseeing construction, and coordinating with vendors (which take up large chunks of the book) almost palpable on the page. Unfortunately, some of the people around her don’t make it easy. Eli, her ex, serves as the First Assistant Director and he’s now dating Courtney, the Second Assistant Director. It’s the kind of tension-filled setup that, although Joey remains perfectly professional, it’s obvious some trouble is brewing early. Fortunately, McCown fills out the cast with plenty of genuinely likable characters to keep things from getting too heavy, including Malo, a young production assistant who idolizes Joey’s work.
And like I mentioned above, the mystery and sleuthing couldn’t be better. As production begins, chaos starts. After an on-set accident almost takes Joey out, she later finds Courtney murdered on a nearby beach. With Hollywood money on the line, filming continues, and soon Joey’s embroiled in the middle of the case. Not only has an onslaught of media attention cast her as the possible killer, but the paranoia rippling through the set has her questioning her colleagues. I suppose working alongside a murderer will do that to you. While McCown makes a compelling case for Joey jumping into the investigation, she also cleverly peppers reasons to keep Joey’s scrutiny high, especially through use of an initially inept and distrustful local police force. An early roadside moment now stands as one of the most frustratingly realistic scenes I’ve ever experienced in a book—and I mean that positively. It’s this kind of thoughtful plotting that keeps Fatal Cut grounded, justifying why Joey ultimately makes some riskier investigative moves as the book progresses.
All of that makes this a great cozy, but I still don’t think that showcases all the praise it deserves.
I think where Final Cut truly succeeds is in the details. As a costumer, Joey doesn’t just work with fabric. She works with silk, voile, neoprene, and Eurojersey (made only in Italy, apparently). She doesn’t just live in a trailer park. She lives in what’s been dubbed “America’s Most Glamorous Trailer Park”, where homes sell “in the mid-six-figure range”. Economical for Southern California. McCown doesn’t just gloss over the work that goes into making a film, or especially costuming one. Instead, she pulls back the curtain on the whole operation, offering up descriptions that are as informative as they are entertaining. The book is generously seasoned with these little bits of reality, and the result is a rich world that feels fully realized. I became fully invested in Joey and this quirky, creative community because I felt fully immersed in their lives.
This makes complete sense when you understand McCown has been a costumer in Hollywood. While I hope she’s never had to solve a murder, you can tell she’s writing about the other aspects with a load of expertise. It’s thrilling, and yet McCown makes this even more impactful by offering a look at the darker side of Hollywood. Err, besides murder. In one subplot, the director of the film Joey’s working on, Marcus Pray, an egotistical creep whose only “skill” seems to be leering at women, terrorizes the set with his demands. Joey grapples with balancing a job she loves against an apparatus that isn’t perfect and, too frequently, upholds undeserving individuals at the expense of others. There’s a lot of complicated reflection in these pages, and I think it could only come as powerfully as it does from someone who’s been inside the system and understands how it operates.
So, yes. Final Cut has great characters. The sleuthing and mystery kept me gripped. But the details? Those make for a perfect read.
Review first published at pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com
February 10, 2024
Joey Jessop accepted the job of key costumer for UMPP, Untitled Marcus Pray Project. It wasn’t an immediate acceptance to work on the next superhero film because she’d be with Eli Logan, ex-husband and the First Assistant Director and the current love of his life and Second Assistant Director, Courtney Lisle. However, it’s hard to resist the movie location of Malibu and the availability of living at home for 6 months, her private retreat steps from the ocean. It was never a consideration that Joey would find herself besieged by the press, in front of the camera, making headlines, with posts about her going viral as a primary suspect of murder after the first day of filming goes far off script.
Behind the scenes on a film set, the world is not as glamorous as projected onscreen to audiences near and far. There are budgetary concerns, deadlines, intermingled roles and responsibilities, leadership styles and personality differences woven into a tight network of hierarchy, power plays, subtle threats, and intimidation. The authenticity of the author’s career experience shines on every page of this well-crafted and riveting mystery. I loved it! The character development reveals the balancing act of career and personal life, the high stakes of being true to one’s goals, and silence vs. speaking truth. Fast-paced reading of a fast-paced business. A definitive reminder of what it takes to say #metoo.
Highly recommended.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this series!
Behind the scenes on a film set, the world is not as glamorous as projected onscreen to audiences near and far. There are budgetary concerns, deadlines, intermingled roles and responsibilities, leadership styles and personality differences woven into a tight network of hierarchy, power plays, subtle threats, and intimidation. The authenticity of the author’s career experience shines on every page of this well-crafted and riveting mystery. I loved it! The character development reveals the balancing act of career and personal life, the high stakes of being true to one’s goals, and silence vs. speaking truth. Fast-paced reading of a fast-paced business. A definitive reminder of what it takes to say #metoo.
Highly recommended.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this series!
May 10, 2023
Final Cut tells a behind the scenes story of a major movie production’s costumer. That is lots of details of how costumer Joey Jessop runs hither and tither to get the right costumes on the cast at the right time and within budget.
Final Cut goes into the the whirlwind of emotions Joey feels after she finds the body of the second Assistant Director and herself a possible suspect. But mostly it’s about Joey’s day job.
The sleuthing is moderate. That’s probably because the most likely suspects are people Joey would rather not talk to on a good day. Asking them “so, did you happen to kill Courtney?” isn’t really on the cards.
Joey does have a coworker that is bad mouthing her, if not full on accusing her of murder. I never understand those characters. Have they never heard of defamation of character law suits? And Joey has a cyberbully that sends her intimidating texts. I don’t understand that either. Why is Joey not blocking that number? Does she want to receive those messages because she is collecting evidence before she goes to the police with them? Neither is mentioned, so every time she gets a new message I wonder why my phone has a block function, but hers doesn’t.
For the most part, the story was okay, though too heavy on the day job not enough on the mystery. The climax was farcical. Joey realises who the killer is and wants to call the police. But first she has to pee. And she puts her phone on her desk while she goes off to the bathroom.
Against better judgement I hoped the story would avoid the cliché that the killer would come between Joey and her phone.
I debated whether to be generous in my rating, but I decided against that.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
Final Cut goes into the the whirlwind of emotions Joey feels after she finds the body of the second Assistant Director and herself a possible suspect. But mostly it’s about Joey’s day job.
The sleuthing is moderate. That’s probably because the most likely suspects are people Joey would rather not talk to on a good day. Asking them “so, did you happen to kill Courtney?” isn’t really on the cards.
Joey does have a coworker that is bad mouthing her, if not full on accusing her of murder. I never understand those characters. Have they never heard of defamation of character law suits? And Joey has a cyberbully that sends her intimidating texts. I don’t understand that either. Why is Joey not blocking that number? Does she want to receive those messages because she is collecting evidence before she goes to the police with them? Neither is mentioned, so every time she gets a new message I wonder why my phone has a block function, but hers doesn’t.
For the most part, the story was okay, though too heavy on the day job not enough on the mystery. The climax was farcical. Joey realises who the killer is and wants to call the police. But first she has to pee. And she puts her phone on her desk while she goes off to the bathroom.
Against better judgement I hoped the story would avoid the cliché that the killer would come between Joey and her phone.
I debated whether to be generous in my rating, but I decided against that.
I read an ARC through NetGalley.
June 5, 2023
Final Cut by Marjorie Mccown was not what I expected.
I really liked the premise of the book, but it turned out to be very slow mystery with almost first half of the book detailing the design costume work in general and in Hollywood.
While I was so looking forward to reading about behind the scenes and genuinely wanted to know about costumes and movie making, it still was a bit too detailed for my liking. Although I did find out a lot about that particular part of film industry.
Some of the things going on didn't necessarily make much sense to me. And I felt that there was not much sleuthing done at all. It was more of gathering some information.
I felt that the ending was rushed, there were too many things happening all at once.
I really liked the premise of the book, but it turned out to be very slow mystery with almost first half of the book detailing the design costume work in general and in Hollywood.
While I was so looking forward to reading about behind the scenes and genuinely wanted to know about costumes and movie making, it still was a bit too detailed for my liking. Although I did find out a lot about that particular part of film industry.
Some of the things going on didn't necessarily make much sense to me. And I felt that there was not much sleuthing done at all. It was more of gathering some information.
I felt that the ending was rushed, there were too many things happening all at once.
June 8, 2023
2.75 stars.
This was underwhelming.
I didn't think the plot was especially interesting, the whole murder mystery aspect was pretty boring to be honest. Maybe that's because this is a cozy mystery? (I wouldn't know, I haven't read enough of those to judge.)
There was a lot of info about costuming and movies, and I think the author went too much into detail there.
Overall this book might appeal to people who like their thrillers / mysteries more on the lighter side, but I wouldn't recommend this to people who prefer more "serious" thrillers.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
This was underwhelming.
I didn't think the plot was especially interesting, the whole murder mystery aspect was pretty boring to be honest. Maybe that's because this is a cozy mystery? (I wouldn't know, I haven't read enough of those to judge.)
There was a lot of info about costuming and movies, and I think the author went too much into detail there.
Overall this book might appeal to people who like their thrillers / mysteries more on the lighter side, but I wouldn't recommend this to people who prefer more "serious" thrillers.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
August 10, 2023
Joey Jessup is very good at her job. And it is a job that she really enjoys. Joey is a key costumer and over her career she has worked on almost every type of film, with a number of A-list actors and directors, along with some of the most talented costume designers in the industry. Joey knows how to get the job done without drawing unnecessary attention to herself.
Joey’s current job is on the next big-budget Hollywood superhero epic. This is a huge production, with a budget to match. And it is being directed by Marcus Pray, a director with an ego that makes the production, and the budget, look like an indie film in comparison. Joey almost didn’t take the job because, along with his ego, Pray has a reputation for being difficult at best and progressively abusive and reckless with his cast and crew. In addition to working for Pray, Joey also had to consider the fact that her ex-boyfriend, Eli Logan, will be working on this film as the first assistant director and has recently started dating Courtney Lisle, the second assistant director. Working on this production will be a challenge, but Joey is certain she can be professional with Pray, Eli, and Courtney for the duration of the production. And this job affords her the chance to work from home over the months the film is being shot, which is a valuable luxury to someone used to living out of a suitcase for long periods of time. So, she took the job and is using all of her professional skills with the local resources to pull off superhero movie magic on-time and on-budget.
On the first day of principle photography, Joey discovers Courtney’s body on the set. Given her past with Eli, the police consider Joey to be a person of interest in the investigation of Courtney’s murder. Joey knows she didn’t do it. The production is a closed set, so there must be a murderer among the cast and crew. Joey now finds herself at the center of a production maelstrom and a murder investigation. Can she figure out who killed Courtney, and why, before someone else, possibly herself, gets hurt?
In Final Cut, former costume designer turned author Marjorie McCown takes readers “behind the scenes” on the closed set of a big-budget Hollywood production for a marvelous whodunnit. McCown deftly walks a literary tightrope. For those with limited or no knowledge of how movies are made, she defines the different people on set, their functions, and describes how the controlled chaos of a motion picture production actually functions. For those who are familiar with, or may be part of, the entertainment industry, the novel is sprinkled with references that only insiders will understand (for example: Left Coast Costumes in the novel, is clearly a reference to Western Costume, one of the oldest and best known businesses in the entertainment industry).
The mystery presented is believable and McCown peppers the plot with multiple suspects, dead ends, and “MacGuffins”. Her characters are well drawn and interesting. Two in particular stand out: Joey, the novel’s protagonist, and director Marcus Pray. Joey is a delight. A confident and self-reliant woman who knows her job, Joey proves repeatedly how/why she has earned a sterling reputation within her industry. It is refreshing to see a professional woman in her prime portrayed in this manner.
In sharp contrast is Marcus Pray. Pray has a well-earned reputation as well. He is a known sexist, with an ego as large as his film’s budget, and a sense of entitlement that is equally expansive. He is known for being all of these things, and worse, but is tolerated in the industry because his films make money. McCown allows readers to observe how these characters, and their reputations, are perceived, and enabled, by their peers. She also illustrates how Pray’s ability to make money is repeatedly used to justify his intolerable behavior by the very people that could hold him accountable, if they would choose to do so.
Final Cut is listed as being the first in a new mystery series. Let’s all hope that we’re able to join Joey Jessup on set again soon for her next adventure!
Read an interview with the author here.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library,
Joey’s current job is on the next big-budget Hollywood superhero epic. This is a huge production, with a budget to match. And it is being directed by Marcus Pray, a director with an ego that makes the production, and the budget, look like an indie film in comparison. Joey almost didn’t take the job because, along with his ego, Pray has a reputation for being difficult at best and progressively abusive and reckless with his cast and crew. In addition to working for Pray, Joey also had to consider the fact that her ex-boyfriend, Eli Logan, will be working on this film as the first assistant director and has recently started dating Courtney Lisle, the second assistant director. Working on this production will be a challenge, but Joey is certain she can be professional with Pray, Eli, and Courtney for the duration of the production. And this job affords her the chance to work from home over the months the film is being shot, which is a valuable luxury to someone used to living out of a suitcase for long periods of time. So, she took the job and is using all of her professional skills with the local resources to pull off superhero movie magic on-time and on-budget.
On the first day of principle photography, Joey discovers Courtney’s body on the set. Given her past with Eli, the police consider Joey to be a person of interest in the investigation of Courtney’s murder. Joey knows she didn’t do it. The production is a closed set, so there must be a murderer among the cast and crew. Joey now finds herself at the center of a production maelstrom and a murder investigation. Can she figure out who killed Courtney, and why, before someone else, possibly herself, gets hurt?
In Final Cut, former costume designer turned author Marjorie McCown takes readers “behind the scenes” on the closed set of a big-budget Hollywood production for a marvelous whodunnit. McCown deftly walks a literary tightrope. For those with limited or no knowledge of how movies are made, she defines the different people on set, their functions, and describes how the controlled chaos of a motion picture production actually functions. For those who are familiar with, or may be part of, the entertainment industry, the novel is sprinkled with references that only insiders will understand (for example: Left Coast Costumes in the novel, is clearly a reference to Western Costume, one of the oldest and best known businesses in the entertainment industry).
The mystery presented is believable and McCown peppers the plot with multiple suspects, dead ends, and “MacGuffins”. Her characters are well drawn and interesting. Two in particular stand out: Joey, the novel’s protagonist, and director Marcus Pray. Joey is a delight. A confident and self-reliant woman who knows her job, Joey proves repeatedly how/why she has earned a sterling reputation within her industry. It is refreshing to see a professional woman in her prime portrayed in this manner.
In sharp contrast is Marcus Pray. Pray has a well-earned reputation as well. He is a known sexist, with an ego as large as his film’s budget, and a sense of entitlement that is equally expansive. He is known for being all of these things, and worse, but is tolerated in the industry because his films make money. McCown allows readers to observe how these characters, and their reputations, are perceived, and enabled, by their peers. She also illustrates how Pray’s ability to make money is repeatedly used to justify his intolerable behavior by the very people that could hold him accountable, if they would choose to do so.
Final Cut is listed as being the first in a new mystery series. Let’s all hope that we’re able to join Joey Jessup on set again soon for her next adventure!
Read an interview with the author here.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library,
June 16, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of the book in return for an honest review.
This is a story about a murder which occurs during the filming of a major movie in Hollywood. The main character works in the costume department on the movie and discovers the body. She is immediately one of the suspects due to her dubious connection to the victim, however she is a naturally curious and nosy character and decides to do a little digging of her own to try to solve the mystery.
While the character is not herself annoying which is an easy trap to fall into in these type of books I did find the story a little predictable and goes very very technical on what goes into making a movie which although can be interesting at times also made the story slow down somewhat. The author has either worked in this industry or has done her research! I can't help but draw similarities to another book I read recently except change the location to southern USA, the industry to food and the characters job to food journalist. Although this one was better executed and less annoying. All in all a solid story and the narrator wasn't off-putting which is so often the case. There was also good use of acting skills.
This is a story about a murder which occurs during the filming of a major movie in Hollywood. The main character works in the costume department on the movie and discovers the body. She is immediately one of the suspects due to her dubious connection to the victim, however she is a naturally curious and nosy character and decides to do a little digging of her own to try to solve the mystery.
While the character is not herself annoying which is an easy trap to fall into in these type of books I did find the story a little predictable and goes very very technical on what goes into making a movie which although can be interesting at times also made the story slow down somewhat. The author has either worked in this industry or has done her research! I can't help but draw similarities to another book I read recently except change the location to southern USA, the industry to food and the characters job to food journalist. Although this one was better executed and less annoying. All in all a solid story and the narrator wasn't off-putting which is so often the case. There was also good use of acting skills.
May 24, 2023
This mystery introduces costumer Joey Jessup as she stumbles onto the body of one the Assistant Directors on the beach the first day of filming for the latest superhero blockbuster. She had been trying to contact the AD all day in order to smooth out their working relationship. The AD was currently dating Joey's ex and seemed to think Joey wanted him back.
This is just one of the bad things that are happening on the movie set. One of the set electricians is almost electrocuted in an accident. And tensions are generally high because the director is a high-maintenance kind of guy who wants to be surrounded by beautiful models and doesn't hesitate to hit on any woman who catches his eye. Everyone knows that he is harassing women, but no one is brave enough to take him on and have their career derailed or be blacklisted as a result of his spite.
Joey is trying to keep her head down but wants to know who murdered the AD since she has fallen under police suspicion. She is also being victimized by text messages that quote bible verses that are unnerving her. She also has some vandalism done to her car which the police think is self-inflicted as a way to gain herself some publicity. This police attitude is why she doesn't go to them as the dangers pile up.
I enjoyed this story which gave an interesting look at the production of movies from the viewpoint of an important member of the crew. The #metoo movement plot provided a good red herring for the story and made the story timely.
This is just one of the bad things that are happening on the movie set. One of the set electricians is almost electrocuted in an accident. And tensions are generally high because the director is a high-maintenance kind of guy who wants to be surrounded by beautiful models and doesn't hesitate to hit on any woman who catches his eye. Everyone knows that he is harassing women, but no one is brave enough to take him on and have their career derailed or be blacklisted as a result of his spite.
Joey is trying to keep her head down but wants to know who murdered the AD since she has fallen under police suspicion. She is also being victimized by text messages that quote bible verses that are unnerving her. She also has some vandalism done to her car which the police think is self-inflicted as a way to gain herself some publicity. This police attitude is why she doesn't go to them as the dangers pile up.
I enjoyed this story which gave an interesting look at the production of movies from the viewpoint of an important member of the crew. The #metoo movement plot provided a good red herring for the story and made the story timely.
August 13, 2025
I love a literally behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made, and since the protagonist of Final Cut is the key costumer for the next likely blockbuster superhero movie, there's the promise of so much of that. Early on, you can tell that Joey's experiences are informed by the author's real movie production background, which makes the book's setting that much more engrossing.
One thing that gets a lot of attention in that regard is the chain of command on a movie set. The director of the film in this story, Marcus Pray, is a big deal moneymaker, and he rules the set of this movie with all the confidence of a man who can do exactly what he wants with few to no consequences. He sexually harasses any woman within sight in one form or another and bases a lot of his directorial decisions on what will put the (standard) hottest women in front of him. We see Joey struggle to protect the young actress who is the lead on a big-budget film for the first time, but she ultimately feels her hands are tied since Marcus's word is law. She'd thought the biggest problem in taking this gig would be seeing her ex prance around with his new girlfriend, but the tension and danger caused by the director/dictator running things is infinitely worse.
Once the murder is revealed, I admire how the book keeps the tension up throughout. Joey's a suspect in this mystery because she found the body, publicly argued with the victim earlier in the day, and had a personal connection with her (see: she was dating her ex). Our protagonist is already feeling stressed about the police investigation after her interrogation, but things only get worse with the involvement of the media and, of course, social media. A death on a major movie set, especially given that everything about the film seems to be going wrong somehow, is fodder for widespread, gleeful speculation. I think the book really captures the way that fast digital information sharing fuses with wild theorizing, gossip, and trolling to form this monster that can hound and even enact violence on a person. The self-propagating claims about Joey's involvement in the crime, which she supposedly committed so she could get back with her ex, not only cause some people at work to turn against her but also energize complete strangers to hate her, too. While she has staunch supporters among her friends, she feels surrounded by the vitriol as paparazzi follow her, strangers send her threats, and police officers spin her request for protection from potential stalkers into a scheme for more attention online. The danger she feels is what inspires her to do her own investigation into what happened, tapping into her personal connections to gather information that she fears the police won't be able to access.
While all that's going on, Joey tries to soldier on at work, afraid that if she quits to try and leave it all behind, it will only fuel the impression of her guilt. Her experiences on set might in part be about movie magic, but they're also about sexual predators and how they get away with what they do, from the big cover-ups to the hundreds of people who become bystanders too afraid or unbothered or self-serving to intervene. Joey has to confront who she will be in this scenario because, ready or not, she's a bystander and worse on this one.
And the thing is that Joey isn't sure how to react. She's professional to the point of trying to downplay or ignore the problems on set at first. She figures that she has a job to do, no matter how evil the director is or how poorly run the production is. She tries to keep her head down and make compromises rather than getting sucked into doomsaying or rabble-rousing. She's reluctant to listen to any testimonials about wrongs he's committed in the past, even when offered as a warning so that she can better keep herself safe. We increasingly see the dark side of her determinedly rosy outlook as things escalate. Whenever Joey notices some little slice of normalcy from Pray, she takes it as a sign that he has some good in him. And it's like... yes. Only cartoon villains (or some superhero ones) could be so one-note in their evil. Being nice to his own dogs, for example, is the bare minimum and doesn't absolve him of the harm he's done to real, actual women, some of which Joey has witnessed firsthand. Joey's mental tightrope means she's quick to point out Pray's faults but just as eager to find reasons that he's not the actual devil, something that would absolve her from refusing to do anything substantive about his behavior. At one point, she suggests it would take a high-powered actor on set to take on Pray-- a knight in shining armor. But there are rarely knights, just brave, normal people who speak up. Though we eventually see Joey come to terms with the situation she finds herself in and take action, the process of getting her there really grinds my gears. I also want to warn readers that a crucial step in Joey's transformation is becoming a victim of assault herself (on the page), which could be a trigger for many, and also shows how people don't appreciate the severity of a situation until they experience it themselves.
I want to make a final note about the way the author brings real-world movie knowledge to the book. I enjoyed the summarized history about the how and why of the rise of superhero movies in Hollywood. I'm also fascinated by costuming as a process and all that goes into it. It shouldn't be surprising how much manpower and attention to detail are required, but I still left feeling amazed. On the less exciting side of things, I didn't enjoy the name-dropping of real actors in the story. I'd prefer everyone fictional, to be honest. It hit especially hard in this one because it felt like a weird platform for the author to say which famous people she likes in an industry tell-all kind of way.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this mystery, which kept me guessing til the end. That's quite the feat, and I'm always excited to experience it. The minutiae of film-making and costuming were also fascinating. It was the (major) side plot about predation that gave me pause-- not because of the result but because of the pain of watching the journey. While I can see the realism of Joey's missteps, I can't help but be suffused with disappointment about how people feed systems that actively hurt us. Thanks to Crooked Lane for my copy to read and review!
One thing that gets a lot of attention in that regard is the chain of command on a movie set. The director of the film in this story, Marcus Pray, is a big deal moneymaker, and he rules the set of this movie with all the confidence of a man who can do exactly what he wants with few to no consequences. He sexually harasses any woman within sight in one form or another and bases a lot of his directorial decisions on what will put the (standard) hottest women in front of him. We see Joey struggle to protect the young actress who is the lead on a big-budget film for the first time, but she ultimately feels her hands are tied since Marcus's word is law. She'd thought the biggest problem in taking this gig would be seeing her ex prance around with his new girlfriend, but the tension and danger caused by the director/dictator running things is infinitely worse.
Once the murder is revealed, I admire how the book keeps the tension up throughout. Joey's a suspect in this mystery because she found the body, publicly argued with the victim earlier in the day, and had a personal connection with her (see: she was dating her ex). Our protagonist is already feeling stressed about the police investigation after her interrogation, but things only get worse with the involvement of the media and, of course, social media. A death on a major movie set, especially given that everything about the film seems to be going wrong somehow, is fodder for widespread, gleeful speculation. I think the book really captures the way that fast digital information sharing fuses with wild theorizing, gossip, and trolling to form this monster that can hound and even enact violence on a person. The self-propagating claims about Joey's involvement in the crime, which she supposedly committed so she could get back with her ex, not only cause some people at work to turn against her but also energize complete strangers to hate her, too. While she has staunch supporters among her friends, she feels surrounded by the vitriol as paparazzi follow her, strangers send her threats, and police officers spin her request for protection from potential stalkers into a scheme for more attention online. The danger she feels is what inspires her to do her own investigation into what happened, tapping into her personal connections to gather information that she fears the police won't be able to access.
While all that's going on, Joey tries to soldier on at work, afraid that if she quits to try and leave it all behind, it will only fuel the impression of her guilt. Her experiences on set might in part be about movie magic, but they're also about sexual predators and how they get away with what they do, from the big cover-ups to the hundreds of people who become bystanders too afraid or unbothered or self-serving to intervene. Joey has to confront who she will be in this scenario because, ready or not, she's a bystander and worse on this one.
And the thing is that Joey isn't sure how to react. She's professional to the point of trying to downplay or ignore the problems on set at first. She figures that she has a job to do, no matter how evil the director is or how poorly run the production is. She tries to keep her head down and make compromises rather than getting sucked into doomsaying or rabble-rousing. She's reluctant to listen to any testimonials about wrongs he's committed in the past, even when offered as a warning so that she can better keep herself safe. We increasingly see the dark side of her determinedly rosy outlook as things escalate. Whenever Joey notices some little slice of normalcy from Pray, she takes it as a sign that he has some good in him. And it's like... yes. Only cartoon villains (or some superhero ones) could be so one-note in their evil. Being nice to his own dogs, for example, is the bare minimum and doesn't absolve him of the harm he's done to real, actual women, some of which Joey has witnessed firsthand. Joey's mental tightrope means she's quick to point out Pray's faults but just as eager to find reasons that he's not the actual devil, something that would absolve her from refusing to do anything substantive about his behavior. At one point, she suggests it would take a high-powered actor on set to take on Pray-- a knight in shining armor. But there are rarely knights, just brave, normal people who speak up. Though we eventually see Joey come to terms with the situation she finds herself in and take action, the process of getting her there really grinds my gears. I also want to warn readers that a crucial step in Joey's transformation is becoming a victim of assault herself (on the page), which could be a trigger for many, and also shows how people don't appreciate the severity of a situation until they experience it themselves.
I want to make a final note about the way the author brings real-world movie knowledge to the book. I enjoyed the summarized history about the how and why of the rise of superhero movies in Hollywood. I'm also fascinated by costuming as a process and all that goes into it. It shouldn't be surprising how much manpower and attention to detail are required, but I still left feeling amazed. On the less exciting side of things, I didn't enjoy the name-dropping of real actors in the story. I'd prefer everyone fictional, to be honest. It hit especially hard in this one because it felt like a weird platform for the author to say which famous people she likes in an industry tell-all kind of way.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this mystery, which kept me guessing til the end. That's quite the feat, and I'm always excited to experience it. The minutiae of film-making and costuming were also fascinating. It was the (major) side plot about predation that gave me pause-- not because of the result but because of the pain of watching the journey. While I can see the realism of Joey's missteps, I can't help but be suffused with disappointment about how people feed systems that actively hurt us. Thanks to Crooked Lane for my copy to read and review!
January 1, 2023
Grab the popcorn and go behind the scenes in this star-studded murder mystery! The unique glimpse of how blockbuster movie magic is made, combined with a timely examination of the epidemic of harassment in Hollywood, makes for a fascinating read.
May 19, 2023
As someone who tried to dabble in the world of the wardrobe department in movies, as soon as I saw the plot of this book, I knew I had to read it.
It was fun hearing phrases I hadn’t heard in years as I was taken back to a much different version of what I worked on; I worked on much smaller productions, but will always remember the close knit families I gained on sets. Although I am very glad that I did not have to deal with any murder or serious injuries on set!
This book felt very fast-paced and I listened to it very quickly. I appreciated the different tones that the narrator brought to the story; brought it more to life.
The characters were pretty relatable, but the author still made you question how much and who you could trust. I had some different thoughts of who did it as the story was building up to its climax. I did feel like the end resolved very quickly to put all the pieces together. Even with there being a resolution at the end, I still had a few questions that I’m wondering about now.
Something I enjoyed was being able to clearly picture events and characters in my mind. I would’ve loved to have heard even more details about the costumes and fabrics than were given, but that may be a personal preference/interest.
It did bring up current affairs with what has gone on for a long period of time, but is more so being brought into the light now; so let this be a trigger warning that there is some harassment and predatory behavior portrayed.
Thank you to the author, Marjorie McCown, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this arc audiobook in exchange for my review.
It was fun hearing phrases I hadn’t heard in years as I was taken back to a much different version of what I worked on; I worked on much smaller productions, but will always remember the close knit families I gained on sets. Although I am very glad that I did not have to deal with any murder or serious injuries on set!
This book felt very fast-paced and I listened to it very quickly. I appreciated the different tones that the narrator brought to the story; brought it more to life.
The characters were pretty relatable, but the author still made you question how much and who you could trust. I had some different thoughts of who did it as the story was building up to its climax. I did feel like the end resolved very quickly to put all the pieces together. Even with there being a resolution at the end, I still had a few questions that I’m wondering about now.
Something I enjoyed was being able to clearly picture events and characters in my mind. I would’ve loved to have heard even more details about the costumes and fabrics than were given, but that may be a personal preference/interest.
It did bring up current affairs with what has gone on for a long period of time, but is more so being brought into the light now; so let this be a trigger warning that there is some harassment and predatory behavior portrayed.
Thank you to the author, Marjorie McCown, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this arc audiobook in exchange for my review.
November 21, 2024
This is a novel for movie lovers. There is a great deal of information about the movie industry, especially the costume aspect. Joey is the heroine and I had mixed feelings about her. She is not your typical strong woman in a mystery. She is likable but makes poor decisions, like meeting her ex-boyfriend, Eli, in a public setting shortly after the murder of his current girlfriend. Both were suspects and the media got all over it. Joey has a good heart but seems naive too. She did not share information with the police and got defensive when someone addressed an issue with her.
The murder mystery seems like background to the focus on making movies, the personnel involved and the tasks required. Reading about the scheduling of scenes and coordinating them was overwhelming. I don't know how movies end up getting made on time. And then there was the director, an offensive fellow all around. Shades of the MeToo movement.
This is a novel for readers who would like one focusing in the making of movies and the ethical dilemma of speaking out verses keeping one's job. You'll get a huge dose of movie costume work along with the mystery. There are bits of suspense here and there with a good dose at the end. I have become interested in Joey and her future, wondering what her next adventure will be.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The murder mystery seems like background to the focus on making movies, the personnel involved and the tasks required. Reading about the scheduling of scenes and coordinating them was overwhelming. I don't know how movies end up getting made on time. And then there was the director, an offensive fellow all around. Shades of the MeToo movement.
This is a novel for readers who would like one focusing in the making of movies and the ethical dilemma of speaking out verses keeping one's job. You'll get a huge dose of movie costume work along with the mystery. There are bits of suspense here and there with a good dose at the end. I have become interested in Joey and her future, wondering what her next adventure will be.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 3, 2024
There’s low tide and murder on this doomed-to-fail movie set Joey is working on as a member of the costume department. Courtney is found facedown by Joey one night shortly into filming, immediately catapulting Joey into Prime Suspect #1. Working in the backdrop is predatory and sexual harasser director, Marcus Pray. I imagine him to lack basic hygiene, looking absolutely downright hideous, disgusting, and deformed, much like Harvey Weinstein.
Joey, being labeled A Killer by the jury of her peers (social media), now fights off a stalker as she works to keep the film set afloat while clearing her name of murder. I will be honest, while there was an element of mystery to this book, it was mostly about a costume designer and the overall role Joey plays in the larger scope of the filming being made. This story has no shortage of horrible men because at the end of the day, it’s allegedly “not all men,” yet somehow always a man.
Joey, being labeled A Killer by the jury of her peers (social media), now fights off a stalker as she works to keep the film set afloat while clearing her name of murder. I will be honest, while there was an element of mystery to this book, it was mostly about a costume designer and the overall role Joey plays in the larger scope of the filming being made. This story has no shortage of horrible men because at the end of the day, it’s allegedly “not all men,” yet somehow always a man.
February 17, 2025
Not a great thriller. The protagonist is very unlikable and kinda dense, and the author spends so much time explaining the film industry in a very boring and elementary kind of way. Kind of felt like a "film industry for dummies" kind of vibe. Wasn't into it!
October 15, 2023
Not really a mystery. I mean, yes, the main character does find a dead body, and she does a little bit of detective work - a very minute amount if I may say so. Plus she's not doing so to really solve the mystery as much as she's trying to clear her own name. Now, that's a plot device that's been used in many mystery books, and when it's done well, it's a good way to start off a series. Here? It doesn't feel like it adds or detracts in any way. It's just used, period.
I will say that I learned a lot about the movie industry while reading this book, especially how costuming works. That was kind of neat and probably why I finished this, as more than once I thought the mystery thread was weak. I also had a bit of an issue with how bleak things kept looking for Joey, her own growing depression, etc. I wasn't expecting that, certainly not from the book description.
Overall, a solid 3-star but only because of the details of behind-the-scenes Hollywood.
I will say that I learned a lot about the movie industry while reading this book, especially how costuming works. That was kind of neat and probably why I finished this, as more than once I thought the mystery thread was weak. I also had a bit of an issue with how bleak things kept looking for Joey, her own growing depression, etc. I wasn't expecting that, certainly not from the book description.
Overall, a solid 3-star but only because of the details of behind-the-scenes Hollywood.
December 18, 2023
This is a mystery/thriller built around a narrative of a Hollywood movie production in Los Angeles. The main protagonist Joey (a female), is a costume designer for the movie, maybe in her 30's, very experienced, and with a lot of connections in the industry. After she discovers an assistant director murdered near the set, she goes on the hunt, slowly but surely, to discover who is behind it.
The movie has a strong theme of the "me too" movement with a scuzzy but famous director. There is name dropping of real life stars, who I bet the author worked with in real life. This book is a deep dive into the Hollywood costuming industry, with lots of really specific info about how sets and filming work and how all the clothing and costumes are handled for big films. That was super interesting.
As a mystery it was pretty good! I liked the action and build up. No extreme violence and many kind people (besides the murderer, lol) make this a pleasant book. I listened on audio and it had good narration. 4-stars.
6/6/23 pub date. 336 pages hardcover. 10 hours audio.
The movie has a strong theme of the "me too" movement with a scuzzy but famous director. There is name dropping of real life stars, who I bet the author worked with in real life. This book is a deep dive into the Hollywood costuming industry, with lots of really specific info about how sets and filming work and how all the clothing and costumes are handled for big films. That was super interesting.
As a mystery it was pretty good! I liked the action and build up. No extreme violence and many kind people (besides the murderer, lol) make this a pleasant book. I listened on audio and it had good narration. 4-stars.
6/6/23 pub date. 336 pages hardcover. 10 hours audio.
June 8, 2023
Loved this mystery! I picked it up again at 1am last night and read straight through to this morning.
At first, I was most intrigued to learn about all the backstage work of costuming for film and life on a busy movie set. The lead character, costumer Joey, a friendly, smart woman, is trusted by everyone in the costume business in LA, and knows the job inside-out. It's pleasant to follow Joey through her days and meet the people (all well-crafted characters) with whom she works. Then, the plot thickens, danger lurks, and you can't put the book down till the last page.
The #MeToo Movement emerges as an important theme in the novel. Author McCowan handles the subject with power and sophistication.
At first, I was most intrigued to learn about all the backstage work of costuming for film and life on a busy movie set. The lead character, costumer Joey, a friendly, smart woman, is trusted by everyone in the costume business in LA, and knows the job inside-out. It's pleasant to follow Joey through her days and meet the people (all well-crafted characters) with whom she works. Then, the plot thickens, danger lurks, and you can't put the book down till the last page.
The #MeToo Movement emerges as an important theme in the novel. Author McCowan handles the subject with power and sophistication.
December 31, 2023
Marjorie McCown’s debut cozy mystery is a winner! I loved all the characters, but especially the main character, Joey Jessop. Joey is a costume designer in Hollywood working on a major film when disaster strikes—a murder on the set. When Joey realizes that she is one of the suspects, she must find the killer. But she soon discovers there’s more to the murder than she originally thought and as the suspects on her list shorten, her past may come back to haunt her. McCown writes not only a page-turning mystery with great red herrings, but she brings in her expertise as a costume designer to help immerse the reader into the story. FINAL CUT has it all—Hollywood, murder, intrigue and a masterful ending with lots of twists. I highly recommend the read.
July 22, 2023
I wouldn’t say i really liked this book. The whole description evolves around mistery but the book is basically about hollywood. There are a lot of descriptions about hollywood and explanations about the costume design work and that’s it. The mistery is really subtle and it happens really fast so you can’t even engage with it.
Maybe i would’ve enjoyed this book of the description was completely different, but i had so many expectations and the book couldn’t meet them.
Maybe i would’ve enjoyed this book of the description was completely different, but i had so many expectations and the book couldn’t meet them.
February 5, 2024
This cozy mystery author did not disappoint. Our protagonist is wonderfully likable and capable. McCown’s hands on knowledge of Hollywood behind-the-scenes made for a vivid and colorful backdrop with a twisty plot and well-written prose. I can’t wait to catch the next in the series!
July 7, 2023
Oh, well, that was very underwhelming..😬😐
December 5, 2024
Murder on location at an already troubled movie production.
Final Cut is the first book in author Marjorie McCown’s fascinating Hollywood Mystery series, and it features Hollywood costumer Joey Jessop as the unlikely and reluctant amateur sleuth. Joey’s latest job is as the key costumer for a new superhero epic, a film she had doubts about accepting because her ex is the assistant director, and the director, while a hugely successful moneymaker, has a problematic reputation for creating a toxic working environment. From the first day of photography, Joey’s doubts appear to have been well founded, but things go from bad to worse when she discovers the body of the second assistant director, her ex’s new love interest, in the surf on the beach near the shoot. Suddenly, Joey, who lives her life pretty lowkey, is in the media’s spotlight and is attracting a lot of attention from the police.
I loved Joey: her personality, her expertise, and her ability to navigate so well in such a highly charged work setting and demanding career. Her running explanations of what goes on behind the scenes to costume a film were fascinating, and her care and concern for her coworkers, staff, and actors made me like her even more. Due to the early trajectory of the police investigation, she is almost obligated to get involved in investigating Courtney’s murder and determine the truth behind what’s going on with the film. She did a good job gathering information and putting things together.She’s joined in the story by a cool variety of secondary characters, some involved in the film or the film industry, but a few are not. There were some strong personalities at work throughout the story, and several quirky individuals, as well as real celebrities, made an appearance or were mentioned, keeping the story interesting and current. The Malibu/Hollywood/LA setting is familiar, but the author’s descriptions were vivid and fresh, and I almost felt like I was seeing these places in person for the very first time.
The plot moves quickly, first with prep for the film and then picked up even more as tragedy strikes the set and the murder happens. I was so absorbed in the story I was surprised at how much time had flown by as I’d read. This cozy mystery is perfect for a relaxed, kicked-back with a book evening.I recommend FINAL CUT to cozy mystery readers, especially those interested in behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories and filmmaking.
January 5, 2023
The Final Cut by Marjorie McCown – A Review
(Crooked Lane Books, June 6, 2023)
Joey Jessup is a rising star in the movie-costume industry. At thirty-four, she has already landed a job as a key costumer on a blockbuster movie directed by the mercurial, and extremely well-connected, Marcus Pray. Joey knows this is a fantastic professional opportunity. This is why she took it, despite the personal, emotional pitfalls that surely awaited her. The first assistant director just happens to be Eli Logan, Joey’s ex-boyfriend. She thinks she can work professionally with him. The main stumbling block is that his new girlfriend is the second assistant director, Courtney Lisle. Joey determines to remain professional, but not everyone is so committed. At the end of the first day on the set, a day full of drama and tension behind the camera and almost nothing going on in front of it, Joey stumbles onto Courtney’s body, rolling in the surf, not far from the beach set.
Suspicion turns to her when the police uncover her texts asking Courtney to meet around the time the assistant director was murdered. Joey sets out to find the killer and prove her innocence. But not everyone on set is who they seem to be. Adding to Joey’s problems, an anonymous party begins sending her threatening texts. When Joey uncovers a suspicious death from the past which ties some of the people on set together in surprising ways, she begins to realize just how dangerous her situation is.
The plot moves along quickly, with McCown peppering in bits of information about the movie industry as she goes. At times, that information bogs down the plot, but overall the pace is good. Joey is a likable character, making this worth the read. Unfortunately, many of the other characters are fairly flat. I recommend this book for the plot, which weaves together Hollywood drama, including some heavily applied “Me Too” themes, with a twisty who-dunnit.
(Crooked Lane Books, June 6, 2023)
Joey Jessup is a rising star in the movie-costume industry. At thirty-four, she has already landed a job as a key costumer on a blockbuster movie directed by the mercurial, and extremely well-connected, Marcus Pray. Joey knows this is a fantastic professional opportunity. This is why she took it, despite the personal, emotional pitfalls that surely awaited her. The first assistant director just happens to be Eli Logan, Joey’s ex-boyfriend. She thinks she can work professionally with him. The main stumbling block is that his new girlfriend is the second assistant director, Courtney Lisle. Joey determines to remain professional, but not everyone is so committed. At the end of the first day on the set, a day full of drama and tension behind the camera and almost nothing going on in front of it, Joey stumbles onto Courtney’s body, rolling in the surf, not far from the beach set.
Suspicion turns to her when the police uncover her texts asking Courtney to meet around the time the assistant director was murdered. Joey sets out to find the killer and prove her innocence. But not everyone on set is who they seem to be. Adding to Joey’s problems, an anonymous party begins sending her threatening texts. When Joey uncovers a suspicious death from the past which ties some of the people on set together in surprising ways, she begins to realize just how dangerous her situation is.
The plot moves along quickly, with McCown peppering in bits of information about the movie industry as she goes. At times, that information bogs down the plot, but overall the pace is good. Joey is a likable character, making this worth the read. Unfortunately, many of the other characters are fairly flat. I recommend this book for the plot, which weaves together Hollywood drama, including some heavily applied “Me Too” themes, with a twisty who-dunnit.
July 5, 2023
Final Cut by Marjorie McCown is a fun and unique story. Final Cut draws the reader into the magical world behind the making of a movie and you get to hang around while main character Joey Jessop does more than just work on the costumes for an up and coming super hero movie in the making.
In Final Cut Joey Jessop is a woman in love with her life. She has a nice, small house on the beach, a job that keeps her on her toes and always doing something different.....unfortunately she never thought that one new thing would be a suspect in a real life murder !!
While on the set of her latest movie set, Joey has to work along side her ex-boyfriend Eli and his new girlfriend, Courtney. Even though Joey is totally over Eli and their relationship, she doesn't like seeing show affection toward each other, that makes it difficult to work with them. So Joey decides to be the adult and address the situation with Courtney so that they can put it behind them and focus on their jobs. Unfortunately after the first day of shooting, Joey is on the beach behind the set they were filming and finds Courtney's body
Even though Joey wants nothing to do with Courtney's murder, she cannot help but dwell on it. And when she pays her condolences to Courtney's twin brother, Caleb, he provides more information that makes Joey wonder who could have killed her. And the director/producer of the movie is making the set very uncomfortable for the females working there. And Joey knows that she should do or say something but doesn't know who to tell or if it would even matter because money talks in Hollywood and Marcus Pray has a lot of it.
Readers will love Final Cut !! McCown will have you loving the movie set life with all the drama and the murder just adds to the organized chaos !! Joey Jessop is a character that you will want to be friends with immediately and you will totally want to hang with her on her patio and follow along on the set.
In Final Cut Joey Jessop is a woman in love with her life. She has a nice, small house on the beach, a job that keeps her on her toes and always doing something different.....unfortunately she never thought that one new thing would be a suspect in a real life murder !!
While on the set of her latest movie set, Joey has to work along side her ex-boyfriend Eli and his new girlfriend, Courtney. Even though Joey is totally over Eli and their relationship, she doesn't like seeing show affection toward each other, that makes it difficult to work with them. So Joey decides to be the adult and address the situation with Courtney so that they can put it behind them and focus on their jobs. Unfortunately after the first day of shooting, Joey is on the beach behind the set they were filming and finds Courtney's body
Even though Joey wants nothing to do with Courtney's murder, she cannot help but dwell on it. And when she pays her condolences to Courtney's twin brother, Caleb, he provides more information that makes Joey wonder who could have killed her. And the director/producer of the movie is making the set very uncomfortable for the females working there. And Joey knows that she should do or say something but doesn't know who to tell or if it would even matter because money talks in Hollywood and Marcus Pray has a lot of it.
Readers will love Final Cut !! McCown will have you loving the movie set life with all the drama and the murder just adds to the organized chaos !! Joey Jessop is a character that you will want to be friends with immediately and you will totally want to hang with her on her patio and follow along on the set.
November 5, 2022
Free advance copy provided by NetGalley for review purposes!
This is a cozy-ish mystery (more cozy than thriller, that is) that takes place behind the scenes of a major Hollywood superhero movie. The main character is in the costume department- this is where the author really shines in the writing, since she worked in movie costuming for 20+ years. I’m sure she was accurate in her depiction of behind-the-scenes of movie making, but sometimes it felt like there was too much detail here. A lot of the details and descriptions and explanations could’ve been edited down quite a bit and it wouldn’t have detracted from the plot at all. The director of the movie is a real jerk who doesn’t respect women, the assistant director is the main character’s ex, and the murder victim is the AD/ex’s new girlfriend, so obviously our costumer becomes the prime suspect when she discovers the body. The mystery was kind of interesting, but seemed to get pushed aside a lot to talk about logistics and movie stuff. There was also a lot of what felt like name dropping of celebrities (presumably that the author has met) and a lot of things in the writing that made this book feel very of-the-moment, which might be a good thing initially upon release, but I don’t know if it would hold up if I came back and reread this after some time has passed. Overall, it was enjoyable enough but I don’t think I’d come back to another mystery by this author or if this were to continue as a series because it was less plot based and more overwritten about the experience of working in costuming on a movie set.
This is a cozy-ish mystery (more cozy than thriller, that is) that takes place behind the scenes of a major Hollywood superhero movie. The main character is in the costume department- this is where the author really shines in the writing, since she worked in movie costuming for 20+ years. I’m sure she was accurate in her depiction of behind-the-scenes of movie making, but sometimes it felt like there was too much detail here. A lot of the details and descriptions and explanations could’ve been edited down quite a bit and it wouldn’t have detracted from the plot at all. The director of the movie is a real jerk who doesn’t respect women, the assistant director is the main character’s ex, and the murder victim is the AD/ex’s new girlfriend, so obviously our costumer becomes the prime suspect when she discovers the body. The mystery was kind of interesting, but seemed to get pushed aside a lot to talk about logistics and movie stuff. There was also a lot of what felt like name dropping of celebrities (presumably that the author has met) and a lot of things in the writing that made this book feel very of-the-moment, which might be a good thing initially upon release, but I don’t know if it would hold up if I came back and reread this after some time has passed. Overall, it was enjoyable enough but I don’t think I’d come back to another mystery by this author or if this were to continue as a series because it was less plot based and more overwritten about the experience of working in costuming on a movie set.
June 11, 2023
When I read the first paragraph of this book, I was hooked! As I was entranced by the story, I decided I had to have the audio version of this book as well as the hardback copy that I had received as a gift from this brilliant author. I read some of the book aloud to my wife, and we listened to the second half.
Marjorie McCown is a BRILLIANT writer, and she writes about what she knows intimately, having been a key member of the costume design teams for many well-known movies throughout her career. No wonder she can describe the environment that her protagonist Joey Jessop works in with such detail. I felt like I was right there in Joey’s world, interacting with the characters that mingled on the sets, and “seeing” the scenes that she describes beautifully. Wow…Marjorie can create some mean villains! I have lived in LA and the area for many years, and it was wonderful to be able to travel through the streets and locales that are mentioned. This made everything even more believable.
The plot is very intriguing, twisted and sinister, and most relevant in today’s society. I could not figure out whodunnit, and was very satisfied at the end. The last few chapters are absolutely mesmerizing, and I was sad that the book had to end.
I am rating this book as one of the top 3 books that I have read in recent months, and I read an average of 2 cozy mysteries a week.
I can’t even think of enough superlatives to describe this book, which I hope will be the first of many. BRAVA! to Marjorie, and THANK YOU for allowing me to read this book and leave a personal review.
Marjorie McCown is a BRILLIANT writer, and she writes about what she knows intimately, having been a key member of the costume design teams for many well-known movies throughout her career. No wonder she can describe the environment that her protagonist Joey Jessop works in with such detail. I felt like I was right there in Joey’s world, interacting with the characters that mingled on the sets, and “seeing” the scenes that she describes beautifully. Wow…Marjorie can create some mean villains! I have lived in LA and the area for many years, and it was wonderful to be able to travel through the streets and locales that are mentioned. This made everything even more believable.
The plot is very intriguing, twisted and sinister, and most relevant in today’s society. I could not figure out whodunnit, and was very satisfied at the end. The last few chapters are absolutely mesmerizing, and I was sad that the book had to end.
I am rating this book as one of the top 3 books that I have read in recent months, and I read an average of 2 cozy mysteries a week.
I can’t even think of enough superlatives to describe this book, which I hope will be the first of many. BRAVA! to Marjorie, and THANK YOU for allowing me to read this book and leave a personal review.
October 24, 2024
Lights, camera… murder?!
Final Cut by Marjorie McCown is a Hollywood whodunit that delivers drama both on and off set, mixing murder, movie-making, and mayhem into a fast-paced mystery perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Nita Prose.
Joey Jessop, the unsung hero behind the superhero costumes, is used to working quietly behind the scenes. But when she stumbles upon her ex’s new girlfriend (and fellow crew member) Courtney Lisle’s dead body, Joey finds herself thrust into an unwelcome spotlight, one where she’s the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Yikes!
The novel plunges into the glitzy yet cutthroat world of big-budget filmmaking, where everything from ex-lovers to toxic directors create the perfect storm of drama and danger. Joey isn’t just dodging murder accusations, she’s also dealing with the pressures of working with a predatory, sleazy director, a vengeful ex, and social media chaos.
As the tension builds on set and the body count looms, Joey’s got no choice but to take matters into her own hands and prove she’s not the killer before someone calls "cut" on her life, literally!
McCown delivers an edge-of-your-seat mystery with Final Cut, blending Hollywood glitz with a murder plot full of twists, secrets, and behind-the-scenes sabotage. It's the perfect mix of suspense and insider movie-set drama that will keep readers guessing until the final scene.
If you love smart sleuths, Hollywood gossip, and mysteries with a dash of glamour, Final Cut is a must-read!
Final Cut by Marjorie McCown is a Hollywood whodunit that delivers drama both on and off set, mixing murder, movie-making, and mayhem into a fast-paced mystery perfect for fans of Elle Cosimano and Nita Prose.
Joey Jessop, the unsung hero behind the superhero costumes, is used to working quietly behind the scenes. But when she stumbles upon her ex’s new girlfriend (and fellow crew member) Courtney Lisle’s dead body, Joey finds herself thrust into an unwelcome spotlight, one where she’s the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Yikes!
The novel plunges into the glitzy yet cutthroat world of big-budget filmmaking, where everything from ex-lovers to toxic directors create the perfect storm of drama and danger. Joey isn’t just dodging murder accusations, she’s also dealing with the pressures of working with a predatory, sleazy director, a vengeful ex, and social media chaos.
As the tension builds on set and the body count looms, Joey’s got no choice but to take matters into her own hands and prove she’s not the killer before someone calls "cut" on her life, literally!
McCown delivers an edge-of-your-seat mystery with Final Cut, blending Hollywood glitz with a murder plot full of twists, secrets, and behind-the-scenes sabotage. It's the perfect mix of suspense and insider movie-set drama that will keep readers guessing until the final scene.
If you love smart sleuths, Hollywood gossip, and mysteries with a dash of glamour, Final Cut is a must-read!
dnf
June 5, 2023DNF at 35%. Though the premise really hooked me, unfortunately the book failed to capitalize on what could have been a fast-paced, twisty murder mystery by getting bogged down in minutiae.
I don't even have to google it to know the author works or has worked in costuming in movies. The level of detail they include makes that abundantly clear - I felt like this was a rookie mistake. By giving in to the temptation to go into HEAVY detail about how a costuming department/wardrobe for a film works, it slowed the pace considerably and took me out of the story.
I also had an issue with the use of current celebs as cameo characters (I did a full body cringe when the FMC runs into Ben Affleck around town and gives him a big hug, has a little chat as they're such good mates from working together), this just feels odd and that along with references to current showbiz gossip will probably date the book going forward.
Though the FMC is sketched out very well, following her as she goes from set to home to her other work to home to set was boring and there's hundreds of small conversations she has with her workmates that are simply superfluous and again bog the reader down in unnecessary plot nothings.
Ultimately DNF'd as I just simply did not care enough about the story to go along for the rest of the ride.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I don't even have to google it to know the author works or has worked in costuming in movies. The level of detail they include makes that abundantly clear - I felt like this was a rookie mistake. By giving in to the temptation to go into HEAVY detail about how a costuming department/wardrobe for a film works, it slowed the pace considerably and took me out of the story.
I also had an issue with the use of current celebs as cameo characters (I did a full body cringe when the FMC runs into Ben Affleck around town and gives him a big hug, has a little chat as they're such good mates from working together), this just feels odd and that along with references to current showbiz gossip will probably date the book going forward.
Though the FMC is sketched out very well, following her as she goes from set to home to her other work to home to set was boring and there's hundreds of small conversations she has with her workmates that are simply superfluous and again bog the reader down in unnecessary plot nothings.
Ultimately DNF'd as I just simply did not care enough about the story to go along for the rest of the ride.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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