4.25. At first I thought it was super weird and was like I can’t read this. But then totally got into it. I couldn’t put this down.

So tense. So messed up, so thrilling. A little too uh with the twists at the end and then it just ends. If we would have had a little bit of a better ending. More solid. Some questions answered this would have been 5 stars all day.

Love the dark and twisty!

Great thriller for a one and done sit down. We see two different plots, one with romance which was a unique twist to have in this sort of book!

This was a perfect horror thriller in my eyes. Locked room, crazy person, a PLAY?!? It said the room but make it infinitely more dramatic.

No notes!!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of the final scene. Overall I really liked this book. I liked the characters and I liked the plot line. I also like how the story connected/overlapped throughout the plot. I did think that parts of the story seemed hard to believe, but they were still good. Overall, I would give it 4/5 stars!

This is a bit of a shorter read (around 250 pages) and Nelson wastes no time getting us right into the middle of the plot. By chapter 2 we are in the cabin with Brooke and getting the rundown of the situation she's lived in for the past 10 years. I loved that the explanation for the reader never felt super heavy handed or unrealistic exposition dump. It helps that the kidnappers have a pretty straightforward set up for their captives and it isn't overly complex. This also helped me settle into the plot more quickly and focus on the actual current events on the plot rather than trying to figure out the overall world for these characters. The pacing was pretty fast but never felt rushed. I liked that we have an external force kicking these characters into action which felt very authentic, especially for Brooke who has been here a long time.

For the characters, I think Nelson does a good job of giving us very quick character details and having each of them be so distinct from the others. However, since the actual plot of this read happens over the course of only a few weeks, it doesn't feel like we have a ton of development on page and instead we are more told that the character used to behave like X but now are more like Y. We do get multi-POVs between the kidnapping victims and I do think they had distinctive enough voices that I never really got confused. We get a good amount of conflict due to the high-stress situation along with the very small living quarters and these higher emotional moments were fantastic.

There is a second plot line introduced about halfway through that I was very confused about at first. Of course, I knew that this new plot must converge with the established plot eventually but I didn't love the way the two came together. This is where I could feel the author coming in and forcing some of the plot reveals to happen more quickly than maybe they would have naturally done. I liked the ending results, but I wanted more time with this second plot. I think maybe if it was added earlier and developed a little more on its own, then it would have felt a little more important and the connection between the two would be more monumental. I also think maybe some readers might guess the connection reveal early, but for me I didn't have enough time to really even try to connect the dots myself so the reveal was less of an OMG moment and more of a "oh, ok" moment.

Overall, this was a fast paced read that lived up to the premise. We get some great characters and the tension is well-built. I didn't love the way the ending reveal was integrated into the main plot, but I think it still worked overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ticking Clock Press, LLC for the ARC.

Publication date was February 27, 2024

This one started out strong. I was instantly hooked- The premise with the kidnapping/ 10 year captivity and the the short chapters had me flying through the pages. There was so much potential here, but unfortunately things quickly fell apart.

Not a single character in this story was remotely likable. There's a romance sub-plot that not only is UNNECESSARY but doesn't make sense. There was absolutely ZERO CHEMISTRY between the two characters. (Other than them objectifying each other in their thoughts) And let's be honest Derek was borderline abusive- but let's just sweep that under the rug because he's conventionally attractive and wasn't able to solve a murder case that one time... I don't feel like we got enough information about the villains- the WHY was flimsy at best. We got way TOO MUCH about Mina- don't even get me started on Mina. I'm not sure I've hated a character so much maybe ever?

The POV hopping left me with whiplash a few times trying to figure out whose head I was in at any given time- and let me tell you being in Derek's made me feel gross.

The end was entertaining seeing how everything and everyone tied together. There were a few things legitimately made me gasp out loud, but after the build up of the entire book and Brooke's ten years of captivity I expected something, anything. Instead we get a quick takedown of the villains and a flimsy explanation of the escape.

Overall I was disappointed with this one, but It did keep my attention the whole time and I think it would make a fantastic lifetime movie.

OMGeeee I loved this book so much! It grabbed me right from the start & wouldn't let me put it down until I was finished!!!

I was glued to this book from the beginning!! It was fast paced and kept me wanting more!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I see this book is doing well and that is fantastic. I did finish and know that I will be recommending to a type of reader. This book started out 5 stars- unique premise, complex characters, thrilling writing and them boom- instalove romance. Why?! It was like reading two different books. The ending was so rushed and anticlimactic.

I thought the premise was interesting. However, I unfortunately did not care for the main characters.

So this book was a 5-star the first 3/4 of the book. It lost a star near the end because of all the coincidences. I mean, some of them were just too convenient for my liking. The plot itself was really good though. I was enraptured from beginning to end. Hope to read more by this author.

"The Cabin Is Unlocked, but There’s No Escape" is an electrifying thriller that grips from the first page and never lets go. The novel plunges readers into the harrowing world of Brooke, who has spent a decade trapped in a remote Oregon cabin under the relentless control of her kidnappers. Her existence is a tense blend of fear and survival, meticulously following her captors' demands to stay

This book is a masterclass in psychological suspense, with twists that keep readers on edge and a storyline that explores the limits of endurance and hope. "The Cabin Is Unlocked, but There’s No Escape" is a thrilling read that will captivate fans of intense, edge-of-your-seat narratives, leaving them eager for more from this talented author.

The Final Scene by Steph Nelson is an intense thriller that delivers a gripping narrative filled with suspense and emotional depth. Here’s my take on it:

Nelson’s storytelling prowess shines through in her intricate plot and well-developed characters. The protagonist, Brooke, is compelling and relatable. Her journey of facing her traumatic past while navigating new dangers keeps the reader engaged. Nelson skillfully balances Brooke’s vulnerability with her resilience, making her a character you can’t help but root for.

The pacing of the novel is another strong point. Nelson maintains a relentless pace, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, another twist is thrown in, maintaining the suspense throughout. The isolated cabin setting adds to the eerie atmosphere, enhancing the tension and making the stakes feel incredibly high.

One aspect that stands out is Nelson’s handling of themes such as survival and female empowerment. Brooke's evolution from a victim to a fighter is depicted with nuance and sensitivity, making her journey both inspiring and satisfying. The climax of the novel is particularly intense, tying up the narrative threads in a way that is both unexpected and gratifying.

Overall, The Final Scene is a thrilling read that combines strong characters, a fast-paced plot, and a rich emotional undercurrent. If you’re a fan of high-stakes thrillers with a strong, relatable protagonist, this book is definitely worth your time.

Wow! This was such a dark and twisted story! The idea was as amazing as it was scary but the book wasn't quite up to earning the full five stars. I felt like the romance between the two characters was not necessary and felt a bit forced and tagged on. The ending, which I won't give away, was a little anti-climatic and disappointing. It just left me wanting more. I'd still like to read more from Steph Nelson though.
Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this ARC.

Steph Nelson’s The Final Scene is a riveting psychological thriller that delves into the harrowing experience of Brooke, a woman kidnapped and held captive for ten years in an isolated cabin on the Oregon coast. Nelson’s storytelling prowess is on full display in this novel, which masterfully combines suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists.

The plot begins with Brooke, who has been following her captor's twisted rules for a decade to stay alive. Her world is turned upside down when a new victim arrives, changing the dynamics of survival and forcing Brooke to confront her worst fears and consider breaking the rules to escape. The tension is palpable from the first page, and Nelson expertly keeps readers on the edge of their seats with her fast-paced narrative and well-timed revelations.

Nelson excels at creating multi-dimensional characters, each with a rich backstory that adds layers of complexity to the plot. Brooke's character is particularly compelling, showcasing her resilience and psychological struggles as she navigates the horrors of her captivity. The interactions between Brooke and the other victims are fraught with tension and intrigue, making the narrative even more engaging.

The novel’s exploration of themes such as survival, trust, and the human psyche under extreme duress is both thought-provoking and chilling. Nelson’s writing is crisp and evocative, capturing the claustrophobic atmosphere of the cabin and the psychological torment of the characters. The plot twists are cleverly executed, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

One of the standout aspects of The Final Scene is its relentless pacing and the way it blends high-stakes drama with deep emotional resonance. Nelson doesn’t shy away from depicting the brutal realities of captivity, but she also infuses the story with moments of hope and empowerment, particularly through Brooke’s character arc.

In conclusion, The Final Scene is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Steph Nelson has crafted a novel that is as thrilling as it is emotionally engaging, with a plot that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. This book is a testament to Nelson’s ability to create compelling, character-driven stories that linger long after the final page.

I really enjoyed this book! I have enjoyed all of this author’s books. I would love to see this book adapted to film and would love to read more but it’s like this one.

I really liked the plot on this one, but unfortunately I didnt connect with the characters. It was the romance part it just didnt feel genuine.

Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours!
Brooke was abducted, and has spent the last decade held captive in a cabin somewhere in remote Oregon, living out a crazy lady’s nightmare dreamscape day after day. She’s stayed alive this long because she’s followed the rules, but she’s going to have to break those rules if she wants any chance of surviving.
A quick, exciting read! Tore through this in a day!

Steph Nelson is becoming one of my new favorite authors. I really enjoyed The Vein as well as this story (Sawtooth is next on my tbr). This story checks so many boxes for me: thriller, horror, fast paced, well written, and set in the PNW. I normally do not enjoy romance in books, but this had just enough to keep me interested and not get turned off. The plot twists were gripping and very fun to read. Thank you very much for allowing me to read and review this story.

If you want a different sick and twisted story then you need to read this book.

I’m not real sure how I feel about this story. I liked the main characters but felt they were somewhat weak. The whole story was sick and twisted where the children were concerned.

I would encourage others to read this book and give a review on what they think.
I liked this story but at the same time hated it.