Francie Farrow changed the life of Jen Jones forever, carving her life into a “before” and “after.” Jen is just shy of 11 when Francie goes missing and her father is arrested, implicated in Francie’s abduction. 22 years later a true crime series is being made about Francie Farrow and Jen’s life is in disarray. Her father’s alleged crime has made her a pariah and with the Farrow case back in the public eye, Jen is losing what little she has. Her clients are cutting ties with her, Mrs. Farrow is harassing her again, and she fears she may have a stalker.

Interspersed through present days are accounts of Jen’s life in the days leading up to her father’s arrest as well as the investigation. Tensions continue to rise as the final episode creeps closer to answering the question: What really happened to Francie Farrow?

Roy masterfully captures the desperation involved in each of the dual timelines and the varying points of view, with complex character development that feels incredibly real. The atmospheric writing has a thickness and depth to it that is evocative of the Florida swamps so central to the narrative. This is a book that will continue to keep you guessing and will follow you long after the final page is turned. Roy is an author to keep your mind on.

Thanks to Net Galley and the Thomas & Mercer team for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion.

**I will publish this review on Goodreads and Storygraph closer to the June launch date.

Wow! This is a very original book and it's a five star one too. Being set up like a true crime podcast it's interesting and makes me want to read just one more page... Lori Roy, please write another book!

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lori Roy’s The Last Episode is a masterful blend of atmospheric tension and emotional depth. With her signature command of setting, Roy vividly captures the long, sweltering summers of the Florida swamps, immersing readers in an environment that feels as alive as the characters themselves. The novel’s dual timelines and multiple perspectives are seamlessly woven together, heightening the suspense and keeping the pages turning—even when the revelations are almost too intense to face.

Roy’s storytelling is both mesmerizing and unsettling, drawing readers into a web of secrets, unease, and unexpected twists. The Last Episode is a gripping, evocative read that lingers long after the final page. I eagerly await her next novel—this one is truly unforgettable.

Grateful thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jennifer Jones and her childhood friends spend every summer at Big Cypress Swamp, hoping for a magical sense of belonging and purpose. As Jennifer turns eleven, she’s expecting a connection to her family's mysterious past, something her mother passed down to her like a gift—or maybe a curse. But the swamp offers up far more danger than any teen girl dreams of when Francie Farrow vanishes, and Jennifer’s father ends up behind bars. The weight of that summer lingers, and Jennifer tries to move on.

Fast forward two decades, and just as Jennifer thinks she’s left her father’s shadow behind, Inspired by True Events—a TV show that thrives on solving long-forgotten mysteries—revisits the case that shaped her childhood. Did the show finally discover what happened to Francie? And is her father really guilty? The closer they get to the truth; the more Jennifer starts to wonder whether she’s ready for the answers.

Roy’s writing taps into that universal feeling of “what do they know about me, really?” A sense of unease flows through Jennifer’s journey as she grapples with family secrets, public perceptions, and the truth about her father. This isn’t just a murder mystery; it’s a meditation on what it means to inherit more than your appearance, especially when the inheritance is a reputation you don’t want.
For readers who were once the odd girl out, the one trying to fit in with a tight-knit group or feeling misunderstood, Jennifer’s struggle to redefine herself resonates. It’s that perfect storm of youthful naivety colliding with harsh realities of lift and the truth that is often more painful than fiction.

Roy excels at building suspense and tension, weaving in both the past and the present with seamless precision. The mystery unfolds slowly, like the murky waters of Big Cypress Swamp, and you’ll find yourself just as curious to learn the answers as Jennifer is.
While the pacing sometimes lingers in the shadows of introspection, it only serves to make the revelations all the more impactful when they finally arrive. And the ending? It’s one of those that leaves you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page, pondering what you really know about yourself—and what you still need to discover. But it is neatly tied up with no questions lert unanswered.

For readers who enjoy books that are as much about the journey inward as they are about solving an outward mystery, The Final Episode delivers. A thoughtful, suspenseful tale about coming to terms with your past and uncovering the truth in unexpected ways. Highly recommended for anyone who's ever been trapped in the limbo between who they were and who they are meant to be.

The Final Episode hits shelves on June 24th, 2025. Don’t miss it!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

I am a true crime buff, so getting this ARC was an absolute exciting moment in my day. I dove straight in to find a relatable daughter who obviously loves her father and stands by him. Her father is in prison, and has been for years for supposedly murdering a young girl. It tug on my heart strings, but kept me enthralled from page one to the very end. I got to fulfill my True Crime knowledge love and get a good read out of it. I could not believe the ending, and honestly neither will you!

I liked this book even though it went a bit off the rails and into tangents at times. Jennifer's dad has been in prison for years, accused of murdering a young girl. When a true crime TV show sensationalizes the case again, her friends, neighbors, and family go a bit nutty. Everyone is waiting to see if the TV show can actually solve the case. Will Jennifer's dad be exonerated or confirmed to be the killer? Where is the body? How will life go on after the final episode?

I so enjoyed this book and how it was set up with the true crime episodes. It was mysterious and exciting. I wish the episodes had been cut down a it though. They were unnecessarily long and therefore slowed the story and took away from the thrill and suspense.

This author had been on my radar for a few years, and yet I had never read any of her books. This was the first and won't be the last. I found this to be a dark and emotional read. 20 years ago, Jenny is at a sleep-over and her friend goes missing. Jenny's father was arrested. Now a present-day true crime series, promising to "solve the unsolvable", is rehashing the case. Parts of the story are told from the missing girl's mom, the series episodes and Jenny. Jenny's piece seems to be told through letters to her incarcerated father. This is a small cast of characters, so I really felt for them and as if I knew them. The setting is excellently described. I definitely felt as if I were in a small, Southern Florida swamp town. I don't want to give too much away but can highly recommend this story. Definitely reading more from Lori Roy!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lori Roy and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of June 24th, 2025.

<i> The Final Episode </i> is the sixth novel written by award winning southern-gothic / mystery writer Lori Roy, and after reading this book I will be pleased to backtrack and follow along with any future novels.

<i> The Final Episode </i> is masterfully written with excellent pacing and attention to detail that grabs onto you and holds on tight. When you think you have the answer, you’re pulled back by another detail that slipped past you, small as it was, but not so much that you feel like you’re scrambling to keep track. The lengthy planning and love for the story is evident in Roy’s writing.

I very much enjoy how despite this story being built on heavy themes, Roy presents a soft undertone as well that I find rare in books of this genre. We walk with characters as they experience grief, fear and betrayal- losing their innocence and everything they have- but alongside it we feel the love the characters have for each other. I feel this is partially accomplished by framing most of the novel as a letter to her incarcerated father, and I think the emotionality of the story would not have been as impactful without that choice.

I look forward to reading more from this author in (hopefully) the near future.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC.

Another outstanding read by Lori Day Rader.

The story begins twenty plus years ago, when parents of a sick child wake up to find her missing from their home, her sleepover friend the only witness to the abduction. Two separate stories that run parallel then collide with another mystery, an accusation, an arrest, and the story of the children as adults twenty years later runs concurrently with this as well.
The state of Florida provides the mood for every scene.this author always nails this atmosphere, whether it be the skies, the winds, the humidity, there’s never a misstep, I live here, I know. I can feel the day or night, the conversation, the hesitancy in a nature walk, the fears and the sweat.
The nails the feelings of pre-teen girls, the insecurities, the ebbs and flows of friendships and needs, with no condescension.
The nation is viewing the story of the abduction on a true. Rime show, with all the players currently waiting to see what new evidence, if any, may be revealed. Additionally there are suspect behaviors occurring.
A great telling of how our childhoods may or may not affects adversely, or not, our paths and choices as adults.
I highly recommend this story.

The summer Jenny turned 11 her father went to prison for a missing girl, Francie. A true crime show has picked up the story and is telling it over 8 episodes. The final episode is nearing and the truth will come out. I really liked the premise of this book and I enjoyed the chapters pertaining to each episode and the flash forward to present. However, I feel like the episode chapters were very long. This book took a while to really get into but after I figured out the writing style I did enjoy this book.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. I wanted to badly to enjoy it but it never really clicked in my brain.

I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong and it will definitely have its audience, I just don’t think I am it.

This story is told in two different perspectives. One is in the voice of the main character, Jenny, and it's written like she's writing a letter to her father. This alternates with episodes from a true crime tv show that's about an incident from Jenny's childhood.

I enjoyed the story. It was a little slow, but I was still invested and wanted to know the outcome. Somewhere around 70-73% it became very hard to put down. I sort of guessed the big reveal, but there were still twists that I didn't see coming.

My only complaint would be that the whole thing with the true crime show seemed very disjointed from the story. There was no lead up as to why this show was so great at solving old cases. Maybe it would have been more cohesive if we heard actual interviews from people instead of just reading a dramatization of past events.

Overall, it was a great story and I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys suspenseful mysteries.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lori Roy's "The Final Episode" is a spellbinding thriller that pulls readers into the eerie world of a young woman who uses a special inherited talent to help police locate the bodies of those who have lost their lives in traumatic circumstances.

As the number of recovered corpses quickly mounts and a local serial killer connection is uncovered, no one is above suspicion.

The novel's brilliance lies in Roy's ability to create an atmosphere of suspense and unease, expertly weaving together the various threads of the investigation with the eerie backdrop of the town's haunted past

The protagonist's evolution throughout this story is compelling, as she faces moral dilemmas and uncovers dark secrets that force her to confront her own beliefs and values. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Roy's writing is taut and evocative, capturing the tension and urgency of the quest to find a murderer.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter building on the suspense and leading to a climactic and satisfying conclusion. The novel's exploration of themes such as truth, morality, and the impact of storytelling adds an additional layer of complexity to the thrilling plot.

"The Final Episode" is a masterful blend of psychological suspense and mystery, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Lori Roy's skillful storytelling and richly drawn characters ensure that this novel will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

This reader and reviewer gives this novel a five star rating.

Recommended for readers who enjoy gripping thrillers with complex characters and twisty plots. "The Final Episode" is a standout novel that showcases Lori Roy's talent for crafting captivating and thought-provoking stories.

Thank you to Lori Roy, Thomas & Mercer, and netgalley for the arc copy of The Final Episode! Loved all the details, the author painted the atmosphere well! This novel switches between past and present time. Some chapters were long but kept your attention and wanting to read more! Multiple twists. Kept me guessing and unable to figure out the ending! This book publishes 6/24/25!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for ARC of this book! I really appreciated this book for its complex characters and showing how trauma can affect us! The characters are raw and real, which I really enjoyed!

A bit of a slow read for me ( I put it aside and read another book.) but in the end, it was an enjoyable story. I loved the dual story lines and it alternated between chapters and podcast episodes.


Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review The Final Episode!

This book was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the dual timelines and the way the twists were revealed. I raced through it, I couldn’t put it down!

**5-Star Review for *The Final Episode* by Lori Roy**

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*The Final Episode* by Lori Roy is a masterfully crafted, atmospheric thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. With its gripping plot, richly drawn characters, and eerie setting, this novel proves Lori Roy’s exceptional ability to weave suspense and emotional depth into a truly captivating story.

Set against the backdrop of a small town and its deeply intertwined secrets, *The Final Episode* introduces readers to a world where nothing is as it seems. Roy expertly builds tension, layer by layer, as the story unfolds, and each twist feels both unexpected and inevitable in the best possible way. The pacing is tight and relentless, with no wasted words, ensuring that every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery.

What really sets this novel apart is the strength of its characters. Roy doesn’t just craft a thrilling plot; she gives us people who feel real, complicated, and flawed. The central characters, their motivations, and the relationships between them are beautifully fleshed out. I found myself completely invested in their fates, whether I was rooting for or against them. The way Roy explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption adds layers of emotional complexity to the narrative.

The tension builds not just from the plot, but from the rich atmosphere of the novel—the small-town setting, the quiet unease that hangs in the air, and the shadows of the past that continue to influence the present. The ending is both satisfying and haunting, tying up the mystery while leaving an impression that lingers long after the final page.

*The Final Episode* is a thrilling, well-written novel that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and literary thrillers alike. Lori Roy has proven once again that she is a master of her craft. Highly recommended!

Lori Roy’s The Final Episode is a gripping, atmospheric novel that masterfully intertwines family secrets, childhood trauma, and the search for truth. While the story starts at a measured pace, it quickly builds into a compelling exploration of identity and the lingering shadows of the past.

Jennifer Jones’s childhood was defined by the mysteries of Big Cypress Swamp, a place of family legend, danger, and the disappearance of young Francie Farrow. Decades later, Jennifer’s life is upended when the TV series Inspired by True Events revisits that fateful summer. The show promises answers, but for Jennifer, it reopens old wounds, forces her to question her father’s conviction, and casts doubt on the very foundation of her identity.

Roy’s portrayal of Jennifer is nuanced and deeply human. As Jennifer grapples with the resurfacing of her painful past, readers are drawn into her conflicted emotions, her desire for closure, her fear of what the truth might reveal, and her struggle to reconcile her family’s history with her own sense of self.

The novel’s slow start allows for a richly detailed setup, immersing readers in the oppressive heat of the swamp and the intricacies of small-town dynamics. Once the narrative gains momentum, the twists and revelations keep coming, culminating in a finale that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. The inclusion of the true-crime TV series adds a unique and timely layer, exploring the ethics of sensationalized storytelling and its impact on those involved.

I’m grateful to Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this title via NetGalley. The Final Episode is a deeply atmospheric and haunting novel that rewards patient readers with a richly layered story. It’s perfect for fans of slow-burn mysteries, complex characters, and Southern Gothic settings. Lori Roy delivers a powerful reminder of how the past can shape and sometimes distort our understanding of the truth.