Well-crafted mystery with super creepy/horror-like vibes. I totally thought I had it all figured out. Multiple times. I finally gave up trying because all of these characters were suspicious. Thriller isn't my go-to but this one is so deliciously engaging. Just don't ever make me go on a writer's retreat!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Initially this sounded really interesting - writers retreat, haunted house, a murderer lurking, locked room mystery. All the things needed to make an exciting read. However despite the many five star ratings it received I just couldn't buy into this one.

Certainly everyone was a suspect and the house was creepy enough. The characters were a little strange. However it ended up being slow going for most of the book and only really got some speed up in the last part. For me that certain something that pulls you into a good story was not there. Maybe it was just me having a bad day.

This isn’t just gothic atmosphere, it’s a deep dive into the stories we tell and the truths we bury inside them. What lingered with me was the tension threaded into every sentence: the way creativity and cruelty can share a room,

Such an impressive debut.
A great cast of characters, impossible to decide who could kill when it could actually be any one of them.
The house and the setting were so eerily portrayed, the perfect amount of creepiness in this locked room suspense.

A great suspense novel by an Australian debut author. Five authors on a writing retreat in an isolated mountain home. The house is old, falling apart, and maybe a bit haunted.
The plot focuses on each writer's secrets and lies, some might not be on the retreat just to write. The characters are mostly unlikable, each in their own way. As more and more is revealed, the suspense grows. So much so, that I didn't realise that not much actually happens until the final 25%! This is not a criticism at all, it feels like a lot is happening and this is just great suspense writing.

Thank you to January Gilchrist, HQ Fiction, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of The Final Chapter. The Final Chapter had a great premise — an eerie writers' retreat, layered secrets, and a chilling murder — but it didn’t fully deliver on its potential. While the atmosphere and suspense were strong, I struggled to connect with the characters, and the ending left too many threads unresolved. An enjoyable read overall, just not as twisty or impactful as I’d hoped.

Twisty, chilling and totally addictive.
I couldn’t put this down. The Final Chapter hooked me from the first page—five writers snowed in at a retreat with a killer among them? Yes please. Every character has secrets, and the tension just keeps tightening.

The setting is atmospheric and eerie without trying too hard. The plot unfolds like a puzzle, and I kept second-guessing everything. By the time the body dropped, I had no idea who to trust. The way it weaves ambition, ego, and revenge into the murder mystery felt fresh and sharp.

Fans of Lucy Foley or Benjamin Stevenson—this one’s for you. Clear your schedule before you start.

The Final Chapter by January Gilchrist.

A locked door thriller? Yes please.

Welcome to Rhamnusia, a secluded house in the Blue Mountains that has been transformed into a writers' retreat. Five writers arrive to work on their projects, but they are met with terrible weather and soon find themselves stranded. Desley, Collette, Maia, Laurie, and Tavis all have secrets—but how far will they go to keep them hidden?

Told through the perspectives of Desley, Collette, and Maia, I found this was a fast-paced and an enjoyable read. I stayed up until midnight so I could finish it. The suspense and the eerie setting gave it a chilling vibe especially because the house was once a home to a serial killer. I always love a well written secluded thriller and this one hit the mark.

The book also had a character named after Lily. A friend we lost and I found myself having a few tears while reading. What a perfect tribute to Lily. She would have absolutely loved it.

Thank you Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for sending me a gifted copy for my honest book review.