It has been a decade since Brooke's abduction. She's been kept captive in a secluded cabin and her adherence to the rules is what has kept her alive. A new person being abducted causes a major shift, leaving Brooke with no choice but to break the rules if she wants to get out of this nightmare.

This book was absolutely amazing, I loved it! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! The thought of being in Brooke's position evoked both excitement and terror. I loved the characters, and the writing really made me care about them. It's a mix of sadness and horror to consider what can occur when someone's mind shatters and they lose their grip on reality.

The finale was outstanding, and I was captivated by how all the puzzle pieces connected. Get ready to be enthralled by a cleverly crafted horror/thriller that will keep you guessing and leave you breathless.

Many thanks to @stephdresnelson @XpressoReads & @NetGalley for a review copy.

#NetGalley #TheFinalScene

I was allowed to read this novel on NetGalley early for my honest review. I love how unsettling the premise of the story is. Our main character, Brooke has been kidnapped ten years before the events that takes place in this novel by an elderly woman name Grace. Grace is deranged in the way of kidnapping people to act out/ do a role play of Grace's youth. I wasn't a big fan of the sudden romance towards the middle of the story between the two main characters.

"Ten Years Gone" is a rollercoaster of a thriller that grabs you from the first page and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The premise is chilling: Brooke, kidnapped and held captive for a decade, must navigate twisted instructions from her captors to stay alive. But when a new victim arrives, everything changes, and the only way to survive is to break the rules.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to create an atmosphere of suspense and tension that is palpable from start to finish. The concept of reliving the same day over and over again in captivity is both disturbing and fascinating, adding layers of complexity to the story. The inclusion of collars that could detonate adds an extra element of danger, keeping readers on their toes as the characters navigate their harrowing circumstances.

The dynamics between the characters are also well-crafted, particularly the relationship between Brooke and Kinsey. Their differences and their ability to work together in the face of adversity make for compelling reading. However, the romance between Brooke and Derek feels forced and out of place, detracting from the overall impact of the story.

While the plot twists and turns keep you guessing until the end, there are moments where the pacing lags, particularly in scenes involving Mitch, a character who lacks depth and fails to evoke much interest from the reader.

Overall, "Ten Years Gone" is a gripping and intense thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers hooked. While it may not be perfect, it's certainly a memorable and thought-provoking read that fans of the genre will enjoy.

I went into this book very excited. I knew it was going to be dark and twisted, and the beginning started out so strong. This went way beyond your normal kidnapping story, however.

The first chapter was gripping. It was intense and scary in a way that most women will understand as we experience Brooke’s kidnapping with her. I honestly feel like that was the best part of the book.
The twist on the story kind of fell flat for me. In my opinion, it wasn’t explained very well. I feel like if we had gotten more of the background with the kidnappers it might have had more impact, but it honestly felt like a small detail rather than the big plot it was meant to be.
I did enjoy how creepy some parts were, a lot of those moments were well written and I found it hard to put this book down for most of it. I read probably about 60% of it in one day, so it was a very captivating read. The need to know what happens pulls you in far.

There were some moments with the characters that felt cringy and unnecessary and I felt didn’t add much to the storyline overall and could have been left out. Some of them just felt very out of place and inappropriate. I also wish we could have had more depth with most of the characters overall. This was a pretty short book and I feel as if it could have been much more if it had been longer. As is things felt very rushed and mismatched at times.

Overall though, I did zoom through this book very quickly and enjoyed most of it. I think for a debut thriller the premise was very unique and promising!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ticking Clock Press, and the author for this ARC.
Publication date 2/27/24

Main character Brooke has lived the past 10 years of her life held hostage by a woman named Grace with a dark obsession with her own past. Forced to take part in recreating scenes from Grace’s past, Brooke’s only companions are other “actors” in Grace’s twisted game - but the others seem to come and go far too often. Grace realizes that her time is coming and she must muster up the mental and physical strength it takes to escape.

Meanwhile, a woman named Mina is renting an Airbnb when she notices a young girl in the house across the way, who has written “help” on the window. Believing she is in danger, Mina is determined to figure out the truth about what’s happening and save the girl before it’s too late - a journey that brings her on a collision course with Brooke.
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I can truly say I’ve never read anything with a premise like this before. It took me a bit to get interested in because it was quite a bizarre idea. However, I did begin to gain interest, especially when Mina’s story started up. I was very curious to see how the different character’s stories would end up relating.

While it was a fast-paced page turner, many of the events and twists were quite unrealistic and I found several scenes to be cheesy as well. The changing POVs in each chapter were a bit confusing to follow along with sometimes for me. I also felt like the big reveal of how some of the characters are connected and why certain people were targeted to be kidnapped was just okay.

In all, this was a quick and fun read, but not going to be a super memorable one for me.

The cabin is unlocked, but there’s no escape.

When Brooke was kidnapped on her way home from work, she thought her life was over.

That was ten years ago.

She’s been held captive in an isolated cabin on the Oregon coast ever since, scrambling to follow her kidnappers’ twisted instructions to the letter. Because the price of a mistake is death.

But when a new victim shows up, everything changes. Including the rules. And this time, the only way to survive is to break them.


I absolutely loved this book! It had me hanging off the edge of my seat the entire time! I could have finished it in one sitting if I only didn’t have to work early the next day! It was exciting but also terrifying at the same time. To imagine being in the position that Brooke is in.
The characters were great and the writing definitely made me care about them. It was also sad but horrifying at the same time to think of what can happen when someone’s mind has cracked and they have lost all sense of reality.
I give this book a 5/5. I cannot wait to read more from Steph Nelson! This is one of my favorites I have read so far this year!
Thank you to NetGalley and Steph Nelson for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing thriller.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is a domestic thriller and draws you in. There is a small plot hole at the end but it doesn't ruin the book overall. I am very glad I read it and would def recommend it. Looking forward to another book!

It's been a hot and sweaty end of the work day, and all it took for HIM was to grab her by her ponytail.
Ten Years later Brooke is a shadow of herself, used like a puppet in a sick Play.
Every day the newspaper is dated March 23, 1962.

Now she's at a Cabin surrounded by pine trees, near the Oregon Coast. Her ‘Colleagues’ come and go, but only memories of her daughter remain constant.

One Day though, Brooke has to try her Best, just this once, or it will be too late for everyone.

This was my first time reading a Book by the Author, and boy was I happy to receive that ARC!
Also, a thank you to Nelson for the inclusion of a full-bodied character like Brooke AND at least three male characters who admired her for who she is.

The writing style was captivating. At times, it was hard to put the book down, while at other times, the intensity required a break. The story was well-developed, leaving only a few questions unanswered (and that's only because I am a nagger when it comes to the Plot and all). At the end it all concluded perfectly, tied together like a Web! A fast paced Book, that leaves no time for a breather.

While the book may initially seem like a typical kidnapping story, it offers a unique perspective. There are no Scenes of police searches or detectives scouring the town for Brooke. We are thrust right into the Cabin ten year later.

I loved the beginning and the focus on how we women for example still have to live with the fear of walking home from Work or going jogging in a Park.
As you delve deeper into the book, you realize there’s more to the story. It’s a twisted, tense narrative centered around a cabin and a detestable old rich woman.

Regarding some of the Characters…
I had mixed feelings about Brooke, though her behavior after ten years in the Cabin was understandable.
Kinsey was endearing… and my feelings towards Derek and Mina fluctuated throughout the book.
Grace Hamilton Wakeford was a character I loved to hate from the very first page.
As for Mitch, I’m still undecided on whether to pity or despise this bloke.

My Rating as of yet is 4.65, rounding it up to a 5 Star Rating

𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿.

P.S.: As soon as I get my hands on the Bonus Epilogue, I will add that part into my GR review!

This book starts right off in the thick of the plot, leaving the reader to play a little bit of catch up which I felt added to the feel of the book since when new "cast members" entered the house this is exactly how they felt. I really enjoyed the concept as I found it unique, I would have like some more details as I felt like most of the book felt like the author was just skimming over the plot instead of going deeper into it. I would of liked to have maybe some flashbacks or memory moments to help grow the characters more. Overall it was a quick, entertaining thriller read!

As Brooke clutches her bag and speed walks to her apartment, a hand yanks her hair and another covers her mouth. And just like that—she’s gone. Ten years has passed and Brooke is still alive, but no one knows except for her abductors. She’s been held captive at an isolated cabin and has only survived this long because she abides by the rules. The dynamic shifts significantly with the arrival of a new abductee, and suddenly breaking the rules is Brooke's only chance of escaping this nightmare.

The Final Scene isn’t your typical kidnapping story so I had to suspend my disbelief for this one, because there’s no way this could possibly happen. Since the storyline is quite unique and a little quirky, I honestly didn’t take it too seriously. I will say the first chapter really grabs you and reels you in. And by the end of each chapter you want to know what happens next. It’s a quick read, only taking a few hours to finish. I’d definitely recommend.

Thank you for this ARC! I LOVED IT!!! It was so twisted, and I was so invested in the characters. I loved the tie-in that was disclosed in the end. It reminded me of one of the episodes of Criminal Minds.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up! I LOVED this book. It was so fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters were (mostly) likeable and I LOVE a strong female protagonist. Some twists were a bit predictable but they were still SO good. There was even a little bit of surprise spice and it was so tastefully done! The writing was amazing, the pace was perfect, the suspense was built up so artfully. Absolutely recommend this book and I am SO grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book!

Noelle Ihli actually suggested this book, and because I've loved all her books I decided to give it a shot and request it as a first read from this author. I'm so glad I did! While the characters frustrated me at times, I found them to be deeply relatable and without giving any spoilers, I LOVE how the story tied up all the lose ends.

This book was a lot of fun and absolutely twisted. With a complex group of characters and a plot that kicks you in the gut from the start I couldn’t put it down. Short chapters kept the pace moving and the different POVs really helped to experience this story from so many angles. Highly recommend this book if you want to stay up all night on the edge of your seat.

I read this in one sitting as the synopsis and first page had me hooked. This is a different take on your “standard” kidnapping trope. It was very creepy and tense! Unfortunately it started falling a little flat for me. I found it odd that the terms “alpha-hole” and “toxic man” were being used to describe Brooke trying to deny her attraction to Derek. And why were Brooke’s tits and curves described more than once? It’s just not the setting for this with the sex scene and the attempted romance. I get potential trauma bonding between characters, but it felt weird for this book…
There were a lot of coincidences in the story and between the characters that tied things together, but I’m a little surprised there wasn’t more about Jessi, Brooke’s daughter? Mitch kept throwing in Brooke’s face that her daughter was doing well, as he was keeping tabs on her, so if he wanted “poetic justice” so much, I’m surprised Jessi wasn’t involved in his twisted plans.
Overall this kept me hooked, and wanting to know what happened next, but I was hoping for a little MORE in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and XpressoReads for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

The Final Scene by Steph Nelson is a thrilling page-turner filled with suspense and unexpected twists. Nelson's vivid storytelling keeps you hooked from beginning to end, making it impossible to put down. A must-read for mystery lovers!

A huge thank you to Ticking Clock Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

Steph Nelson has easily become a constant presence on my reading lists following her debut novel last year, The Vein, and her novella, Sawtooth. While both works fall under the horror category, her latest, The Final Scene, ventures into thriller territory where every horrifying facet is grounded in bleak reality. Brooke was kidnapped ten years ago and brought to a secluded cabin in the Oregon wilderness where she is made to follow some rather odd instructions: she must play the part demanded by her demented captor alongside other “cast members.” Of course, the arrival of a new cast member marks a departure from the “normal” life Brooke has been living, one that marks the possible beginning of the end.

If you’ve read my reviews of Nelson’s work before, then you probably know just how enjoyable I find her writing, especially through her strong sense of characterization. Similar to The Vein, The Final Scene deals with a wider set of characters, something Nelson writes markedly well. Especially in the landscape of the thriller where tensions are high, and the stakes higher, nailing the human, believable side of fictional beings is key. Without caring for these people, the sense of suspense and danger is immediately lost, something Nelson’s writing does not suffer from. Nothing about any of the “cast members” in this cabin is simple with everyone having a complicated, rich backstory. Nothing about this story felt flat or static as key parts of each character’s jaded past reveal themselves.

Perhaps the best way to describe these characters is through their undeniable sense of personality. Brooke’s time in captivity has certainly jaded her in addition to the struggles she faced before this unthinkable crime occurred. Her voice is notably clear as a strong-willed, tough woman who questions her levels of sensitivity and the effects of what she’s experienced. As we see her interact with various cast members, her depth is exposed, and eventually, we observe a rather interesting character arc, one that had me pumping my fist and squealing with joy. Female empowerment is another specialty of Nelson’s writing, something I quite frankly will never get enough of.

Also, dare I say this book is wildly fun? Of course, saying so feels a tad wrong given all the suffering, death, and mistreatment that goes on, but Nelson takes us on a ride. Within pages, the pace is set at a rather fast speed, one that doesn’t particularly slow down. In fact, several scenes left me thinking, “Oh, we’re going there.” Especially in the genre of the thriller, there’s something to be said for this breakneck speed, and Nelson does not pull any punches here. This story thrives on a sense of originality in its plot structure only to be fortified by strong characters and their struggle to survive an impossible situation. While most thrillers fall into the common pitfalls of unoriginality and staleness, The Final Scene is a breath of fresh air.

The idea behind <i>The Final Scene</i> was pretty thrilling - prisoners forced to be ‘characters’ acting out scenes for a twisted psychopath. Too bad the execution didn’t really live up to my expectations.

The characters were unlikeable and weirdly volatile. The villains were entirely too simple and certainly not scary enough for what this story needed. The growing romance between Brooke and Derek felt forced into the plot line. There was no need for a romance to achieve a happy ending, and it went against Brooke’s whole narrative and her view of men.

The concept had a lot of potential, and for those wanting a thriller that packs a lighter punch this is right up their alley. I, however, was looking for something a little more brutal, more unhinged, more terrifying.

I received an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
TRIGGER WARNING: CHILD MURDER
The book states child loss as a warning but it’s much more than that.
I’m not sure how to word this review honestly. This is one of the most bizarre plots I’ve ever read but at the same time I also couldn’t put it down either.
The bonus epilogue was good but needs to be downloaded separately unfortunately.
Wouldn’t recommend but also wouldn’t discourage others from reading it if that’s their choice.

This book kept me turning the pages with its tense and tight pace. It's got flawed protagonists, believable relationships, and it's just a smooth and fast read. I loved her horror novel, THE VEIN, and Nelson does not disappoint with her first thriller. Love it.