Final Girls | By Riley Sager

 

 

Book Review | Mystery Thriller

Final Girls
Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout's knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media's attempts, they never meet. Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past. That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy's doorstep. Blowing through Quincy's life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa's death come to light, Quincy's life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam's truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.   (Goodreads)

 

 

My thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative and Plot

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Girls has you gripped from the beginning to the finishing point. The premise is something familiar if you’re into those pop culture suspense movies. The plot really leans into the Final Girl trope and yet there are glimpses of dangers that anyone can relate to. The entire story has a guarded tone that compels you to look over your shoulder. 

Quincy leads the reader to the events of the past and the reader goes down the memory lane with her. With each layer unravelling, the plot becomes more unsettling. That keeps you hooked on the pages wanting to know more.

 

 

 

 

 

Characters and Conflicts

 

 

 

 

 

Quincy is desperately trying to get over the trauma and move on. Despite the final girl trope, her plight is something that anyone can relate to. Everyone has to move on from something and get on with life at some point. However, the past never seems to leave Quincy, especially when she herself isn’t ready to face the past.

As a thriller, the fundamental conflict of course is a who dunnit scenario. But there is more to it. Quincy needs to face herself and the most horrible night of her life in order to learn the truth and finally move on for real. The supporting cast didn’t overshadow this goal, yet created an impact.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

Final Girls, is a gripping hard hitting thriller that doesn’t shy away from the violence and trauma. The unique premise itself makes it a compelling journey. If you’re looking for a quick crime thriller filled with intrigue and suspense, this one is a good pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Responses

  1. Great review, Rejitha 😊 I’m hoping to read more from this author.

  1. October 5, 2022

    […] last Riley Sager book I read was Final Girls. Ever since, I have wanted to read more books by the author. I have been saving this for October […]