Grady Hendrix has done it once again with his latest book, THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP. Hendrix serves us all the 80s and 90s slasher realness and you can tell he had so much fun putting this one together. There are so many great throwbacks and callouts with the character names, chapter titles, backstories of the final girls, etc. As usual, Hendrix throw on his own twists and turns while paying homage to the nostalgic tropes and patterns we have grown to love.

I had such a fun time trying to figure out who was doing what in this book. My theories were constantly changing as each chapter laid out different red herrings and provided me with new information to have me scratching my head. Each page I had to know what our final girl(s) was going to do next and I loved each time a connection to a famous movie, character, or trope would be made. It felt like this book was made special just for me as I am OBSESSED with slasher horror movies. I hope all other slasher fans will feel the same way - as it really can't be expressed in words how special reading a book is that is so entertaining you connect with on so many levels!

4.5 stars!

Thanks to Berkely and Netgalley for giving me a digital ARC of the book!

If you are already a fan of Grady Hendrix, then you won't be disappointed by his latest novel. This one has all the hallmark features of a classic Hendrix horror story. A good solid novel that I liked, but could not quite love.

Hendrix is clearly aware of the tropes of the slasher genre and plays into them in a way that feels fresh and fun. I enjoyed the backstories to the final girls which were all clearly inspired by classic slasher movies like Scream & Halloween.  In this novel, he turns those paradigms on their head in this fiercely feminist story, depicting both the strength and vulnerability of these victims. Like in his previous books, Hendrix once again demonstrated that male authors are perfectly capable of creating well developed, fully fleshed out female characters. The main character reminded me a lot of Laurie Strode as she was portrayed later in life in the Halloween sequel. Despite getting older, this final girl stayed strong and vigilant against the possibility of an attack that could come at any time.

For reasons I have never quite been able to articulate, I always like and appreciate Hendrix's stories but something always holds me back from fully loving them. This is sadly the case again. I just did not fully connect to the characters or plot, depsite loving the slasher subgenre. I have no technical criticisms of this novel, but I just can't give it full stars based on my reading enjoyment and experience. 

Needless to say, if you love Hendrix's other books then you will definitely enjoy this one. If you are new to his work this is a fine place to start and very representative of the rest of his work. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I am a huge Grady Hendrix fan, but this book was incredibly disappointing for me. It's more thriller than horror, and the storyline is all over the place. There are huge glaring plot holes that the entire premise relies on, and so many moments and character decisions feel disconnected from reality. One example is Lynnette's decisions about where to go next. Each step along the way seems randomly picked and for a pretty decent part of the book, she is making plans for a final showdown at one woody retreat but instead ends up going to another woodland camp retreat. This is just one example of the baffling writing choices that should have been parsed down and simplified by an editor.

This book had the same issues with it that Riley Sager's Final Girls had with it--it just lacked real human emotion and understanding of trauma. This was a huge surprise to me because of how much Hendrix's earlier books really resonated with me, particularly The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and My Best Friend's Exorcism, both novels focused on women and their response to trauma.

I’m a huge fan of Grady Hendrix and this book did not disappoint. I was hesitant about our main protagonist at first, but she grew on me. If you are a fan of the 80/90’s horror movies you are in for a treat. Grady really did his research and left no stone unturned for that genre.

After reading The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, I knew anything Grady Hendrix writes would be a winner. The Final Girl Support Group takes everything you love about slasher classics and puts a new spin on it. A must read! Will be purchasing for the library's fiction collection.

As someone who loves horror but is not a big thriller fan, I was a little hesitant to read this book - but I'm so glad I did! Even when I thought I knew what was going on, there was always one more twist around the corner. Definitely kept me guessing right up until the end!

I spent an alarming number of hours when I was in middle and high school in the late 80s and early 90s holed up in various friends’ basements watching slasher movies, and this book felt like going back to that time, with fewer prank calls and no parents yelling at us to shut up and go to sleep already.

The six Final Girls in the weekly support group are based on classic horror franchises (like Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th) and they are all mentally and physically scarred from their experiences with their monsters. The main character, Lynette, is a seemingly overly paranoid survivor of a family massacre, but it turns out Lynette’s paranoia is entirely justified, and she goes to impossible lengths to save herself and the other final girls from the new monster hunting them all.

(This book is *not* to be confused with Riley Sager’s “Final Girls” - that book was enjoyable enough, but this one was something special.)

Thank you so much for the ARC - five giant stars!

Review will be posted on IG @leavemetomybooks closer to publication.

4.5
Big thank you to Berkely for giving me a digital ARC of the book. As a big fan of slasher movies, this was such a joy to read.

For fans that look to Grady Hendrix's books for more horror content, I will say this read a bit more like a thriller but was full of fun pop culture references throughout! The premise is essentially, what if the final girls of all the horror franchises were real victims of those crimes and the issues they would have to deal with following that level of trauma and notoriety. I felt like all of the "Final Girls" were well drawn-out right away. I could easily distinguish between the characters and it was fun to see what slasher story each of them belonged to.

I say this reads like a thriller because essentially, once the setting and characters are laid out, the action starts and it does not let up. It was such a fun fast-paced story. I think the commentary on how these women have gone through intense trauma and the different ways that they all cope with what happened to them. There is also how they are viewed by the public, in the news and on social media sites. Not only are the biggest events of their lives up for public consumption there is also gatekeeping, even within the group, over "who counts" or who "technically" fits the final girl narrative. There is also discussion on how these women handle the perpetrator of the crimes being glorified as a "hero" or symbol, and the "final girl" narrative in general.

Between each chapter we also get fictional "commentary" articles on the crimes/movies, which is great if you've read articles or books like Men, Women and Chainsaws which are interesting in this world because in this world it is beyond a critique on what these movies are trying to say because it is also about these women's experiences.

I will say an absolute must-read for fans of meta-horror and especially fans of slasher movies. It gave me so much to think about (as you can see) and so fun from someone who has an obvious love for the genre.

Really enjoyed this one. I love how the author used the final girls of classic horror movies to add background on each of the girls. Every time I thought I had the ending figured out, something happened that had me changing my mind. I highly recommend it

When a girl survives the horror of a serial killer's violence - not only by living, but by taking down her monster once and for all - she becomes a "final girl". Often these final girls become the inspiration for well-known slasher films, leaving their lives a strange level of public celebrity. Lynnette and other final girls meet once a month in a secretive support group to help them cope with life after so much tragedy.

This book is an education for those who aren't part of the horror fandom. Did you know the lengths someone will go to for the right piece of murderbilia? Did you know there were collectors of these macabre souvenirs? When it becomes obvious to Lynnette that all her careful protection and paranoia was justified, we see the protective strength in these final girls.

Can Grady Hendrix do any wrong? After reading his latest novel, the answer to that question is a resounding NO. The Final Girl Support group is brilliantly written, taking a kind of tired trope and turning it on its head. The result is a rollicking, fast paced ride that you couldn’t get off if you wanted to, which you won’t. I couldn’t put it down. So excited for this book to come out so I can buy my copy!

I was never fan of horror movies, especially the "girls in jeopardy" slasher flicks. This book is a fictional look at what happens to those "final girls" - the ones who survive (and usually kill) the killer who terrorized their little slice of the world. It's feverish and over-the-top. And just like in slasher flicks, you think the monster is down and then <cue eek eek shrieking violin music> he is not.

There is A LOT of violence in this book, but somehow it's not grisly. Gratuitous? Probably. The descriptions are somewhat matter-of-fact, which somehow, I dunno, mitigates the gore.

I did not love this book as much as I did The Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampire Slaying. That book was a love song to budding feminists, and this book kinda sorta tries to be, but it's not until (literally) the last sentence of the book that it is.

I'm going to need more stars. I went into this somewhat reluctantly because, and maybe it's just me, I feel like final girls are the topic of the moment and I'm kind of ambivalent on them. Nevertheless, it turns out there is room for one more - especially this one at the head of the pack.

A slasher movie on paper.

I enjoyed this comedy-horror romp into a world where slasher movies are just Hollywood's version of the real thing. Where girls are beset by Ax-weilding psychopaths on a somewhat regular basis.

Ultimately, a strong story of trusting in yourself, and relying on a support group when times get tough.

I still haven't gotten over how much I loved The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, so I was very excited to read this, and it did not disappoint. Somehow Hendrix found a way to make me care about what happens to these girls even though I didn't necessarily like some of them very much. This book is extremely twisted and dark, in a good way, but also fun and clever. This is a must read for horror fans!

The two things I see being said the most are: 1) Is it like Final Girls? 2) The characters, particularly the main character, are unlikeable.

1- I see you saying "it's been done before" and to that, I say this: give me all the final girl content. Final girl content is a bit *niche* I suppose, and so while there's a similar thread in nearly all final girl books, films, and shows, I think that most of them are different enough that they stand apart from one another and that there's enough room for them all! Books/movies/etc. have a long history of doing final girls reaaaal dirty (or on the flip side, getting so girl powered up that it's pandering and cringey), so any chance I get to see this trope flipped on its head I will take it. Inject it directly into my veins, sear it into my eyeballs, bc I love it. These characters have stared insane, seemingly unkillable masked killers in the face and lived, so yes I want to see niche content where Freddy or Jason or Ghost or who tf ever runs (or fast walks, bc serial killers never seem to run - ya know?) for their lives in fear of these pissed-off surivor women. This sh** is my jam, ya'll.
2- What is it with needing every female character to be palatable and perfect?

Anywhos. The book.

This book was so much fun. I sped through it, gasped in horror, laughed, and literally sat at the edge of my seat. Grady Hendrix really *knows* horror, and he does it so, so well. There are strong callbacks to horror franchise favorites like Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, and the like, and it was really cool to pick up these references as the book goes on. There's a crime book meets horror feel here, and it works. My only wish is that I would have had the opportunity to spend more time with the other final girls - especially Heather - but I'll cross my fingers and pray to the publishing gods that Grady Hendrix will someday gift us with shorts for each final girl. Highly recommend.

And finally, thanks for the ARC Netgalley/Berkley Publishing Group/Grady Hendrix. It was a wild ride!

If there's a novel that so intensely brings home to this reader the cost of being female, it's this one! Heartwrackingly detailed, the violence level and gore are way high, but the character arcs (multiple), the puzzles, the mysteries, and the quest for "why" (even when not conscious in some of the characters), all combine into an unforgettable story. I could not forget THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP if I tried.


Caution: the recounted as well as the present events in this novel may well be triggering to some readers, as may the intermittent movie reviews and quotes. Violence level is extreme, also use of profanity. Human evil is rampant.

As someone with a love of the “final girl” trope, I found this book to be phenomenal. Grady Hendrix has a great way of telling a story, but also mixes social commentary throughout. Why is society so obsessed with the murder of women? Why do some women find themselves obsessed with male serial killers? The women in this book all deal with trauma in their own way, but still felt realistic. It also tackles trying to move on when society won’t let you forget. Not that this book is 100 % serious, the dialogue is snappy and hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times.

I’m giving ten gazillion stars and getting out of here!

There are some incredible books written by extraordinary minds make you feel everything at the same time and once you finish them you feel speechless because no words will be enough to reflect your emotions! This book is great example of these extremely fantastic reads and Mr. Hendrix proved one more time to us he is a true literature prodigy!

I’m die hard fan of Southern Book Club’s guide to the slaying vampires. It was my favorite thriller book of the last year. He knows how to construct the complex bonding of genuine female friendship and develop rich memorable, survivor, kickass women characters we adore!

At this book: his amazing heroines are true survivors of the massacres, kicking the asses of monsters, real last women standing who try to learn how to move on their lives after being endured brutal violence and fought against the real psychopaths!

There are six of them left behind: ( actually they were lucky number seven but one of them idolized the villains who turned their lives into mess, becoming traitor, leaving their devoted group! Yes, I’m talking about Crazy Chrissy who is one of the most terrifying villanelles I’ve been introduced lately!!)

Lynnette Tarkington keeps punishing herself, turning her house into her own cage, living like a ghost with no proper ID, social life, keeping her address as a secret, always looking behind her back.

Now the leader of their group who brought them together for joining final girl support group is dead! Lynette’s address is compromised as Julia visits her accompanied by reporter who wrote their story. As soon as they gathered at her place, somebody start shooting. Lynette runs away leaving wounded Julia and dead reporter behind!

There is a book outside spills out their dirty secrets and there might be someone targeting last women standing. One of them’s house is bombed as the other one gets into custody after uneventful confession of a criminal which triggers more trauma!

Are all of these vengeful events coincidences? Is Lynnette really getting more insane? Are all of those conspiracies created by her unhealthy imagination?

I think I loved each of the women differently. Feckless, flimsy, entertaining Heather, posh, well mannered, recovering alcoholic Marilyn, activist, know it all, furious Julia and of course Lynnette: fighting against her guilt feelings and self flagellation, misfit of the group because she didn’t kill her monsters : she just left them torture her!

The realistic violence and true reflections of distorted minds in the book were so blood freezing and impeccably executed! I also enjoyed the movie articles about teen slashers produced based on those women’s real traumas! I loved the author’s tribute to the popular culture references, slasher movies!

There are tons of things made me fall hard for this book and I’m telling you: this will probably stay as my best horror/ thriller reads of the year.
It was soul shaking, dark, gory, spine tingling, mind spinning adventure!

Twists are well played, the riveting action chapters, surprising revelations, survival instincts of the characters with increasing tension were impressively well executed!
I LOVED IT SO MUCH!

I need more works of the author ASAP! His skillful writing style is addictive! I read it in a half day and now I’ll search for 364 more days to find something as great as this marvelous journey!

Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing For sharing this freaking amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

This was my first Grady Hendrix book and now I'm eager to read more. I love the "final girl" trope and enjoyed Hendrix's satirical take on it. It was action-packed, bloody, suspenseful, and psychologically twisty. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to police interviews, magazine articles, and movie reviews in between chapters to tease out the characters' back stories. It had a few inconsistencies I questioned as I was reading it, and there were a few other characters and scenes I wish had been more fleshed out. But overall, I really enjoyed it and will probably re-read or listen to it on audio when it's officially released.