I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was a little like reading a deranged version of Walter Mitty (the short story and not the movie). This short story was well paced and provided a very entertaining read.
The ending provided a twist that I hadn't predicted which was an added bonus!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7668552908

For a quick read it was fun enough, but it was nothing I would consider a masterpiece. Enjoyable enough, though, if you have a little bit of time to kill.

Thank you NetGalley and Cameron L. Mitchell for an ARC of The Last Way in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the author’s writing style, from the moment I started reading I felt immediately transported into the story. I was able to have a clear picture of the setting and its characters. I enjoyed the flow of the writing, it made it easy to read and kept my focus as far as sentence structure goes. The storytelling as a whole is where it started to lose me. The reason I rated it 3 stars was purely personal, every chapter would repeat but with a different scenario making it feel like the story wasn’t actually progressing which made me as the reader feel like I wasn’t progressing with the book. I would get to the next chapter just to feel like I was sitting still not actually going anywhere. Another issue I had with the repetitive chapters was it started to lose its suspense which was initially what drew me in so quickly in the beginning. The first chapter was so suspenseful but with every chapter repeating, it started to lose its suspense. For readers who don’t mind time loops, they might love this though.

I would like to start off by stating I am greatly appreciative of the fact I received the E-ARC of this book. Especially because this was the first I ever received. This is a physiological, horror novella that can easily be read in a sitting. I really enjoy the idea of this book! I also really appreciated the pacing of each chapter. However, I feel like the information given “Before” was completely unnecessary. Several times throughout the book I found myself questioning why certain details were included. The amount of times the father is spitting… very reparative. The narrator also seems very unreliable I would be more interested if in the beginning we get some type of internal dialog to know why “the perfect crime” is even being committed. Throughout the book there is minimal character development. Also I disliked “today is the day” beginning every chapter no attempting to reword the line. Lastly to future readers this covers very heavy topics please read all trigger warnings.

Thank you Netgalley and Cameron L Mitchell for providing me this ARC

This book is super disturbing but it is one of those books which gets under your skin !! Though it revolves around minimal characters , this novella is captivating...(not for the faintest of hearts)

Thank you netgalley for this E-ARC

I was shocked to read this novella and discover it was only 80 pages, the writing and story overall was truly captivating, I found it so vivid and really couldn’t put it down. I found myself wanting more and more reading about this story of toxic family, dv, and potential murder I thought it was wrote lyrically and sensed it to just simply flow. What a captivating story, this was one I really enjoyed

Terrible book. The entire plot of the book is way too simple. The dad character is a jerk and the son wants to kill him…The character development is minimal. Besides mentioning one character name two times (and this character does not have a role other than being named in passing), no other characters are named. Very minimal dialogue. And the paragraphs are quite often way too long, making them t a struggle to complete the book.

This was a unique read. It captured my attention from the beginning. The author did an excellent job at structuring this story. The author was able to invoke strong emotions from beginning to end.

The Last Way is a dark, disturbing, and emotionally intense read. In under 100 pages, Cameron L. Mitchell delivers a harrowing psychological portrait of a boy trapped in an endless loop of imagined ways to kill his abusive father. Each chapter is a new “today is the day,” and the repetition drives home the trauma and rage simmering just beneath the surface.

The writing is sharp and unflinching, immersing you in the boy’s fractured mindset. It’s not an easy read — nor should it be — but it’s powerful, raw, and unforgettable. A short, brutal character study that lingers long after you close the book.

Thank you Netgallery & Cameron L. Mitchell for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Way is a powerful exploration of fear, family, and the human condition. Cameron L. Mitchell's ability to evoke such strong emotions in such a short space really struck me.

From the very first pages, I felt a heaviness settle over me—the kind that doesn’t let go even after you put the book down. The darkness of the story wasn’t just unsettling; it felt real. The emotional weight of the boy’s experiences, his fears, his fantasies—they all hit me hard. I found myself holding my breath at times, completely pulled into the intensity of his inner world.

What stood out the most was how vividly Mitchell described everything—his writing made it so easy to picture the scenes and feel the emotions, but it was never overdone. It was haunting, heartbreaking, and at times, uncomfortably close. Even now, I find myself thinking back to certain lines and moments. This book didn’t just tell a story—it made me feel it.

For readers who appreciate dark, emotionally charged stories with rich descriptive language, this novella is a must read.

Cameron L. Mitchell really came out of the gate swinging with this one and I was not prepared. This story absolutely ruined me. The author’s words felt like they were pulled directly out of my soul and put into this book. I grew up in a very similar home, with a very similar man, but I didn’t expect to be so affected by the emotional torment in these pages. I was reminded of a fear and despair that I haven’t felt in a very long time. Incredibly heartbreaking and real. Definitely a story that will stay with me for a long time, if not forever.

I really couldn't get into this story. The Last Way is a story about a boy and all the different ways he fantasies about killing his father. I did not like the repetitiveness in the story (for example, the multiple retellings of pushing the father off a cliff).

***Spoiler ahead****

I understand why it ended the way it did, but all that build up left me disappointed he didn't kill his father in the end.

This was dark and left me with a feeling of sadness and unease.

This was a really interesting concept and I haven't really read anything like it before.

Due to it's length it did feel like we didn't really get to know the main characters and the history behind what was happening so I did feel a little disconnected from his story.

Overall this was a short story that did pack a punch but ultimately I feel it pria badly would have worked a bit better if it had been slightly longer to help build the anticipation more.

This short horror novella captured my attention right from the very beginning! With this book being under 80 pages long, the author did an excellent job at structuring this story! This is an extremely emotional and intense read. In each chapter, a boy fantasies on which way he is going to murder his father. As we are reading this, we are experiencing what is going on in this boy’s mind. It is very well written, the storyline felt realistic and it really impacted me. The plot of this story was well executed. It is terrifying, gruesome, captivating and psychologically compelling. There are twists you don’t see coming and an ending that I was not expecting! Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading this! This is a heavy, intense horror novel. This is a book of fiction and is not based on any real events or people. Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 star rating.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Cameron L.. Mitchell and Querencia Press for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be published on August 8, 2025!

Took a chance on this book because the premise really intrigued me- wasn’t honestly a fan but for a quick read it would be great for a change