Strung III: The Last Drop

Udhængt #3

by Per Jacobsen

In this third—and final—book in the STRUNG series, Randall Morgan and David Pearson face their biggest challenge yet.

In the form of a half-empty IV bag once connected to Randall's son, they have found a means that might be used to fight the evil that has infected the world.

The question remains, though, whether they can bring themselves to use it. Because during the massacre at Redwater, their enemy finally revealed his true face … and it looks so damn innocent.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Death

305 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2022

About the author

Per Jacobsen is an internationally bestselling Danish author known for writing thrillers with supernatural elements, including the Strung series, Dry, and 25 Days. He lives in southern Spain with his wife and children.

Reviews

[AdrienneR]

I really enjoyed this series, my only issue is we never find out what caused this issue.

[Elena Linville-Abdo]

Stars: 4 out of 5

This was a good conclusion to the trilogy. I admit that I was a bit irritated with Randal's decisions at times and found them to be pig-headed, but in the end, he made the right choice.

I would have loved to get a little more details about these alien parasites, though - did they invade the whole of USA? The whole of Earth? Or are they localized to the northeast portion of the United States? If they are all over the globe, then there probably are other Billies out there, so the fight is far from over. However, I understand that this story is told from Randall's point of view, and it's not like he has a satellite phone and secret codes to get in touch with the government, military, etc.

All in all this was a quick and spooky read, perfect for the spooky season.

[cameron]

i have never before disliked a main character as much as i HATE randall. i wish only bad things upon him

[Alissa Sammons]

The first book was good, caught my attention, and the second one was ok, but it seemed to take so long to get to the point climaxed so quickly, then ended. So, I was excited for the third to take that ending and run, flop.
Ended how you expected, I assume since these are so short, the story could be elaborated on, which is odd for me. i dislike books that detail too much, and this one did too little. Boom, it was over, and I felt like i missed the meal and got just the appetizers. Dont get me wrong, i found them great thing to listen to while working, but it never made me stop and go oh shot, replay.

[☆♡ Amanda ♡☆]

Man I wanted to like the ending more. I really enjoyed this trilogy but the ending felt more rushed and unresolved for me.

[Richard Howard]

What a bloody letdown! I'm tempted to give this 1*, that's how bad it is. There is no explanation of why the 'invasion' took place. There isn't even a cursory attempt to make any sense out of the scenario the first two books set up so well. Instead there's a lot of mawkish nonsense about fathers and sons and completely unrealistic behaviour by the main protagonists. At the end there is no closure at all. It's as if the author just couldn't be bothered. (In fact, upon reflection,I'm so pissed off, I've re-rated it as 1*.)

[Dara]

Once again, I felt completed invested in knowing what was going to happen and how this was going to play out in then end with a solid conclusion….but I’m learning that is not this author’s m.o. He does keep you on the edge of your seat though!

[Mel]

So, for a finale...it was good.
I, personally, am happy with the ending.

My qualms lie with the overall apocalypse...everywhere else.
Okay, so we solved...what? Pennsylvania? What about the rest of the world?
Were there more like Billy?!

[robert]

This entire series was fantastic. A very quick read. If you like horror/dystopian books, this is for you.

[Karen K - Ohio]

Always hard to create a perfect ending to this type of book. There were definitely some questions left unanswered. But it wasn’t bad.

[Michelle Swigert]

This was definitely a strong finish to the Strung trilogy. I had some other wishes for where this book would go, but it was still great. I can't wait to read the prequel!

[Penny Cipolone]

I enjoyed this novel in three parts very much. A really fast read, hard to put down once you start. Reminiscent of Stephen King's style. A bit disappointed with the ending. I feel that a lot of questions went unanswered.

[❤ArtfullySinful❤]

Even if you wanted to, you couldn't do it. You'd rather let David and all the others die than kill me. It's in your DNA. And why? Because you're my dad ... and a father won't sacrifice his son, no matter the cost.

Finding his son was taking every ounce Randall Morgan had left to give, but actually saving him would prove to be his fatal undoing. It’s been months since the RedWater Massacre that took Rose Levine from David Pearson and left a gaping hole where his heart once resided. Trekking across Pennsylvania and unleashing a killing spree on innocent survivors, Billy Morgan haa become a terrifying legend who ha the ability to control the children. Having only received four of the five parasites necessary for total control, he lacked the one that controls the frontal lobe so he can walk a fine line between people and parasites. Still managing to channel an innocent boy to pull on his father's heartstrings, Randall unknowingly in his dreams open the vault to reveal the attack plan to capture him. Outsmarted and nearly losing their lives in the process, they manage to use Billy's own dream manipulation against him and trace him to the school they are using as their hive. Sedating him and bringing him back to Maryland, Helen Walker is overjoyed as the experiments can resume and a potential cure could be reviewed. Unfortunately, she failed to pass down the state of the experiments which involved electrocution to successfully shut down the telepathy they used to communicate to one another. Deciding between his own son and David, he chose to turn the dial all the way and kill Billy andbit allowed David a chance to make it from the elevator unscathed.

They were the ones who were sick, Dad. Not me, not us.

[Laura]

This probably has the best ending for a dystopian/apocalyptic trilogy I've read, but that isn't saying much as all the others were shite.

Overall it's very mid; I wouldn't recommend it unless you really like the dystopian genre in general.

[Paul Bedford]

This whole series is utter chod. Poorly written and without a satisfying conclusion. Avoid.

[Alyson]

That was awful.

[Claus Holm]

I read this as an Advanced Readers Copy

At last, the conclusion to Per Jacobsen’s ”Strung”trilogy is here, and from page one, you can tell that we are coming to the end of the story. After the apocalyptical mass murder in book 2, we are now left with only two of our beloved heroes. They decide to team up with a group of scientists and soldiers, we haven’t seen the likes of since “Day of the Dead.” I don’t want to give away too much about the plot of the other books in the series in case you read this review before completing them, but it’s still Billy, that is the central point of the book – wht to do about him, how he can be saved, and whether the scientists with their microscopes and secret plans truly are the right ones to help him…
Where the enemy in book 1 were the horrific killer cops, and where book 2 took a long time to show us the real villain, book 3 goes balls to the wall with it. We know who and what they are – but can our heroes actually bring themselves to fight them?
Jacobsen has slowed the story down a notch, and that makes the story better. We now get a chance to actually enjoy some of the setpieces (the abandoned school is my favorite) for a little while longer thn the first 2 books. As a reader, you will often think you’ve figured the story out – only to have the whole thing turn around on you and you have to guess again.
With characters you still find compelling after 3 books, and with tension that doesn’t let up until literally the last page, Strung 3 is a worthy conclusion to the trilogy.

[Miss Jodie]

So I finished this series and ive got to admit im gutted, I feel like this could definately have been a good 5 book wonder instead of just the 3.

The author was great, he gave me somwthing to focus on the whole way through, rhere was never any lulls in the storyline and it kept me gripped.

It had me guessing the whole way through and I know ive seen some people say that they never got to find out what the thing was that was attacking. After having read and finished it now though I completely understand why and I think it just gave the ending the edge it needed.
Jacobsen gave us enough of an explanation about what was going on so that we weren't left wondering what the hell it was all about but didnt go into minute detail and to be honest I think that would have ruined the aesthetic that this book was giving off.

It was gruesome, horrid, chaotic and just plain exge of your seat reading fun.
I dosnt find it jump scary but at the same time it was still scary as something that could happen (hopefully not in my lifetime).

An all round great series if your looking for a horror short read.

Happy reading gore fans x

[Beverly Laude]

This book wraps up the trilogy, but I have to say that I felt a little dissatisfied with the ending. Randall Morgan and his friend, David Pearson, find an IV bag that might hold the answer to the horrors that recently beset the human race. When they arrive at a government lab to turn it over for answers, they instead find themselves facing even more problems.

Randall is still determined to find his son, Billy, who seems to be controlling the children that are infected with a parasite. These kids are killing everyone they can and Randall has to make a hard choice: try to save his son or (maybe) save humanity.

I enjoyed this trilogy, but I would have liked to know more about where this parasite came from, what its purpose was and what was happening in the rest of the world. There were some poignant moments as Randall grapples with his decision and it does make the reader think about what they would do in his situation.

The narrator did a good job and added a lot to the book. I would recommend this series to those who enjoy horror mixed with a little something more.

[Jill Paschal]

I wanted to enjoy this more than I did, but unfortunately Strung III by Per Jacobsen ended up feeling overly drawn out for me. A lot of the story centers around Randall’s relentless pursuit to cure his son on his own, and while I understand the emotional motivation behind it, it became repetitive after a while. Instead of building tension, many parts started to feel like the plot was spinning in circles without enough payoff.

The pacing really struggled in the middle, and by the time the story reached the ending, it felt disappointing compared to the buildup. After investing so much time into the characters and the long journey, I expected something more impactful or satisfying. There were still interesting ideas throughout the book, but overall it just didn’t land the way I hoped it would.

I’d give it 3 stars — not terrible, but definitely longer and less rewarding than it could have been.

[James McIntosh]

Extraordinary

Now that I've completed all three books in this series its time to review! Loved it and all the characters. I bought the first book not knowing this was going to be an end of the world set of books. Not usually interested in this genre but having said that....excellent read. First I thought 'stepford wives', then 'walking dead' but then it took on a life of its own and I devoured these books! Written in a way that you're invested in the characters and looking for a reasonable outcome. Not going to ruin it for you but will strongly suggest you read it. You won't be disappointed😁

[Amanda Rutherford]

This was a wild apocalyptic ride with a emotional ending. I'll say it again, this should be a TV show or mini series! I would love to see this on screen with the right casting. From the first book till the last I could not get enough! What I loved most about this end of the world novel was how it was realistic in you don't exactly get all the answers. You know what the MC knows like it would be in real life and it ends with, for me, a satisfying end to Randall and David's story during the invasion. I can't wait to read more by Per Jackson. I really enjoy his fast pace writing that just pulls you in from the beginning until the end!

[Sally Vrooman Jones]

Strung III is a great ending to the trilogy. Per Jacobsen ties up all the loose ends and gives readers the closure they were hoping for. The story is intense and full of surprises, just like the first two books. The characters feel real, and their struggles keep you hooked from start to finish.

What really stands out is how Jacobsen brings everything together. Questions from the earlier books are answered, and the final moments feel satisfying and earned. While some parts were a little slower than I expected, the emotional payoff makes up for it.

If you’ve read the first two books, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s a strong conclusion to an unforgettable series!

[Jessica]

I'll be giving this series a consolidated review because it was so good I read it all in less than a week and right after each other! (thanks KU!) I love how seamless the transition is from book to book.



Disclaimer: My book reviews are based on my own personal reading experience. I do not make reviews to influence other folks to read or not read them. If it mentally, emotionally, and morally wrecked or moved me, it will be an automatic 5 ⭐ for me. Yes, it takes so little to make me happy.

[Cheyenne Cook]

Book 3 of the Strung series by Per Jacobsen. I read this book in two hours!

Randall and David have both survived The Collapse and suffered unimaginable loss. Driven by their will to survival and Randall’s love for his son, Billy, they tackle more obstacles in the new world.

Billy is the key to surviving this new world that was thrust upon them. The after math of the events at Redwater Stadium have left Billy in the wind. Will they find him? Will they be able to continue to sacrifice their humanity? Is a million more important than the one?

Onto the prequel….

[Tania Rook]

I get the feeling maybe I should have paid attention to the Walking Dead. Or Strung parts I and II. In Part III, the thrilling climax, a bunch of people I do not know get together for a final showdown.

Read parts I and II, I guess would be my suggestion with this one. Because the premise is great and the exploration of relationships engaging. Plus there's all these ethical questions and practical issues about surviving the zombie apocalypse. Lots to think about in nihilism given just enough science fiction to not come off as likely to happen for real in the next decade.

[Kim Herring]

This was a very good book! Made you feel a lot of emotions, both good and bad. As much as I hate to say it, I am really glad that Randall chose David over Billy in the end. There was really no hope for Billy to be anything but evil ever again. Also happy to know that Ollie is still with David and Randall. It is the happiest ending one can hope for in this book series! I still have questions though about how this all started and why the kids were turned evil. But I am overall satisfied with how this book wrapped up the series!

[Tami Waldron]

Good but loose ends

I enjoyed the book, however it seemed like at times the author repeated things that the reader just read in the previous chapter. It never gave an explanation of what the creatures were and where they came from and what their ultimate purpose was about. The characters were well developed and the storyline was good. I just wanted a little more closure. Perhaps there will be a fourth book that will finish it up.

[Catherine Coe]

This series was ok. This last book was still pretty much plot and no real characterization, and the plot part was slim. It was a short read that brought the series to a conclusion, but with many questions still unanswered. I’m not entirely bummed that I spent time reading the books, but it wasn’t all that satisfying to read a series that didn’t hold a candle to the work of some of the horror writers I’ve been reading lately.

[Beatrix Starling]

I think what bothered me a bit was that the series started as a large scale cosmic horror, and as it went on it became more and more localised small scale horror with less and less happening. Kinda fizzled out.

Still a brilliant story, i was well engaged and overall enjoyed it.

Would have loved some explanation or actual focus on the parasite, as opposed to just family ties. That could have been explored to a great extent to keep the story at a larger scale.