Book Review – The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
Mystery and Thrillers | Adult | 400 pages
Published on 13 July 2021 by Titan Books
Synopsis
In horror movies, the final girl is the one who’s left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?
Lynnette Tarkington survived a massacre twenty-two years ago, and it has defined every day of her life since. And she’s not alone. For more than a decade she’s been meeting with five other final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives back together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynnette’s worst fears are realized – someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.
But the thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up.
My rating:
Review
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in with this – I thought it sounded amazing, but I am a horror wuss so was also apprehensive. Luckily it was exactly what I hoped for – a book version of the 80s and 90s slasher films. On paper this translates more to thriller than horror – and without any of the jump scares! So I was fine 😉
This really leans into the genre, and gave me what I expected. Lots of paranoia, lots of twists and turns, and lots of red herrings! I really enjoyed some of the more mystery elements about who was behind it all. And the running around, scared for your life moments translated pretty well to the page.
The only thing I didn’t love about the book is the lack of character connection. We don’t get to find out that much about Lynette, and even less about the other final girls. Ironically the one I think we got most insight into is Chrissy and she was barely in it! Lynette is a fun main character though, because she’s so paranoid and we get to see her her actions backfire against her when things really kick off.
I did see the twists coming but not til quite late, and it definitely made for a good thriller. I’ll be keeping an eye open for more books by Grady! 4 stars.
Buy The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix from Waterstones or Blackwells.
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