Initially I had an extremely hard time getting into this book until about one -third of the way in. The first chapters were difficult for me to comprehend and invest in especially with all the back and forth from present day to “Three Weeks Earlier.” Between the back and forth timeline and new characters being added, I was very confused, but once I got to the one-third mark the story really picked up. FBI Agent, Lucy Thorne, arrives in Knox Hollow, Idaho to investigate the disappearance and possible murder of a 12-year-old boy. A teenage girl admits to killing him, but first his body must be found. The confessed killer is not talking, and strange things are happening in this town.

Working with Sheriff Wyatt Hicks, Lucy soon comes to realize that there are many secrets in this small community and people aren’t what they seem including the Sheriff himself and his deputy. Everything seems to circle back to the mysterious cult-like church with its strange beliefs, the Know Hollow Church, run by Pastor Josiah Cook and his wife Rachel. Soon Lucy does not know who she can trust.

I applaud the author for the premise, plot, and character development, but I felt there was a disconnect between the melding of the three. I began to lose interest again around two-thirds way through and then suddenly was drawn back in for a somewhat exciting finish. I say this because I had figured out who the killer was, but totally did not foresee the motive.

All in all, I enjoyed this book and gave it three and one-half stars rounded down to three. I would read a book by this author again given the chance. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This is my first Brianna Labuskes thriller and I will say this: it blew me away.

My favorite thing about this book is the descriptive mood setting. The author is clearly very skilled in writing elaborate descriptions that masterfully create an atmosphere. This is interesting because in my mind, I usually categorize the books I read into character driven and plot driven; "Her Final Words" felt setting driven, which is totally unusual and, frankly, magical.

The plot is obviously pretty darn gripping as well. It follows an FBI agent Lucy as she attempts to solve the freaky case of Eliza Cook - a girl who literally turns herself in to Lucy for murdering a boy in a small Idaho town. Eliza is really strange: she knows every single detail about the murder, but doesn't talk about her motif or anything else. So as Lucy tries to figure out what really happened, she uncovers other strange secrets which will put her in danger.

Overall, I loved everything about this book. Strong character development, fast-paced plot and brilliant descriptions made it the perfect summer thriller for me.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to Knox Hollow, Idaho. FBI Special Agent Lucy Thorne is investigating the death of a teenage boy. He was thought of as 'missing' until Eliza Cook walks into the police station and confesses to murdering Noah Dawson. She tells them where he is, but gives no motive. She doesn't speak another word.

Lucy's gut feeling is that she made a false confession .... and getting to the truth is becoming an obsession.

What Lucy is learning is that this close knit town is full of secrets.. everyone from the church which seems to control the town to the Police Chief, which no one seems to like or want to work with. The town residents are certainly no help in determining why Noah was killed ...even his parents.

And then more buried bodies are found ......

Intricate plot is woven around deftly drawn characters. The main narrative comes from Lucy, with events leading up to the confession told by various points of view. It's nicely paced from start to finish. It's not a grab-your-throat suspense, but the mystery is a real page turner.

Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Amazon Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This is my first read from Labuskes, I was truly intrigued by her style and how she draws the reader in and connects us with the characters in the story.

A teenage girl, Eliza walks in the FBI field office and requests for Agent Lucy Throne. She then confesses to the murder of 12-year-old Noah. However Eliza's demeanor and the story don't quite add up, and then with a final word, Eliza stops talking. From the start, there are doubts as to the motive of the murder.

In search of answers, Lucy goes to the crime scene in the small Idaho town of Knox Hollow. A small town with its own rules and a religious group that seems more like a cult. However, Lucy's questions only keep mounting as she's drawn deeper into the life of the victim.

Lucy is besieged by doubts about Eliza's guilt and the plausibility that Eliza committed the crime alone. Who is she protecting? And why did Eliza come all the way to the FBI field office in Seattle instead of the local sheriff? I was totally baffled as the author mesmerized me in a town filled with secrets and lies.

Her Final Words grabs your attention from the start and draws you into the chilling tale of murder and deception.

I liked it for the most part, but I did think it was a little repetitive. In addition, I didn't think the time stamps added much. I'm sure it was to emphasize that Lucy was on a deadline, but the deadline, as it were, never really felt fixed. I also thought the characters were a bit underdeveloped.

Within small town Knox Hollow FBI agent Lucey Thorne investigates the murder of a young boy named Noah. 16 year old ELiza Cook meets up with Lucey to confess to the crime but pieces of the murder are missing. Could a young girl really commit such a brutal killing and what was her motive?
While investigating Lucey runs into the cult like church in town that won't provide medical assistance to their sick children suspicion runs high.
I had a hard time reading this book and only read the beginning and then skipped to the end. I personally can't stand reading books about cults especially ones that abuse or neglect their children.

A deep rooted thriller that will leave you questioning your own views on the power if faith and choosing the right path. The story is told through multiple points of view with a smooth transition that does not leave the reader confused over the cast of characters. Themes were well researched, descriptive elements written with a simple grace where it is easy to picture the scenes in your mind’s eye. Subtle twists in the story line add to the mystery and leave you hooked right up to the end.

A young boy, Noah, is murdered and the killer wants to talk to FBI Special Agent Lucy Thorne. Only to Lucy Thorne. Eliza Cook tells Lucy where the weapon is and where the body is, but gives no motive for the crime. This begins a complex mystery set in Knox Hollow, Idaho, involving the True Believers of Christ Church. A young girl is missing from the church. Did she a runaway like others have done? Something is very wrong at the church and Lucy along with Sheriff Hicks knows that there has to be a motive for the boy’s death, but what is it? Who will pay the price for the church’s secrets? I enjoyed this story, but I am not fond of the back and forth sections between characters and the time frame. This makes the story a little more confusing (to me). I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I couldn't put it down. Strong flawless plot with characters that leap off the page you are pulled in from the first page until the last. Looking for a superb thriller with lots of twists and turns? Pick this up. You won't be disappointed. Forget about all the craziness of the world for a time and try to untangle this puzzle. Happy reading!

Lucy Thorne believes she has an open and shut case when a teenager, Eliza, confesses to murdering a young boy and offers details that are not public knowledge. However, when Lucy continues to investigate the case, the suspense builds as she finds differing information. This was a pretty good read.

Teenager Eliza Cook walks into FBI agent Lucy Cooke’s office and confesses to killing a boy. She’s eerily calm and recounts details of the murder that only the killer would know. As for motive, she offers nothing. Lucy travels to the scene of the murder look for answers but only finds more questions. There is something seriously wrong in the isolated Idaho town and if Eliza really was involved in the murder, she wasn’t alone