Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a good book!! This one had me hooked from page one! I could t put it down. I loved the writing style of this book. I lived the characters and they had great chemistry.

I love the slasher genre so I was really excited by this book, its pace started off slow and built to a great ending. I loved the theatre element and it added something new to my favourite genre.

Final Dress is a thriller/mystery/slasher set in the world of a community theater.

When Shawna takes an internship at the local theater, her Mayor father, Bill, isn't too happy. He has bigger plans for his daughter and doesn't particularly care for those weird theater people. But soon, Shawna gets the acting bug and lands a role in the latest production. But "breaking a leg" is the least of her thoughts once dead bodies start piling up.

This is more of a whodunit kind of novel for the first two thirds of the book. But It ramps up to full on horrifying slasher territory for the last few chapters with all the tropes I personally love from that genre.

While not the bloodiest or most brutal slasher tale, it's well written, has a fast paced narrative, and has a few twists at the very end you won't see coming.

I think fans of thrillers and mysteries might enjoy this one more than horror buffs but I found myself caught up in this world and hooked on the story because I had to know who the killer was.

This is a fantastic book to read if you're in the mood for something not so dark or gory to read. I recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

R. Saint Claire’s “Final Dress” is a chilling blend of theatrical intrigue, slow-burn suspense, and brutal slasher horror, though most of the thriller and horror aspects occur towards the end of the book. Set in a barn-turned-theater, the book explores the dark underbelly of a summer theater production, where ambition, jealousy, and long-buried secrets collide with blood-soaked consequences.

The story begins with a mysterious flashback involving the disappearance of a young actress, Candace, twenty years ago. This eerie prologue sets the stage for the modern-day plot, where Shawna Anthony, a naive and sheltered college graduate, begins her internship at the community theater. Shawna’s journey from intern to understudy to lead actress unfolds against the backdrop of simmering tensions among the theater’s colorful cast of characters. While the first half of the novel focuses more on theater life and Shawna’s personal growth, the horror elements take center stage in the latter part of the book, where the story truly comes alive, mostly in the last 70-80%, which is entertaining and filled with blood and gore.

Saint Claire’s writing excels in building atmosphere, particularly in the final act. The titular “final dress” rehearsal marks a sharp turn in the plot, ramping up the suspense and unleashing a series of gruesome, theatrical murders. The barn-turned-theater is an inspired setting, rich with eerie charm and foreboding ambiance that perfectly complements the carnage. The vivid and creative death scenes are a highlight, delivering on the gore and shocks that slasher fans expect.

The twist revealing the killer’s identity and motives is both surprising and satisfying, tying the mystery of Candace’s disappearance to the present-day horrors. The first half of the book does have a pretty slow start as the story mainly focused on Shawna’s growth in the theater world rather than the mystery aspects. I found the beginning of the book a bit of a struggle to get through. Shawna’s naivety sometimes felt more suited to a high school graduate than a college one. Some supporting characters, like the jealous Penny, verge on melodrama, but their exaggerated personalities add to the theatrical vibe. Overall, the pacing could have benefited from a more balanced distribution of action, as the first half occasionally drags.

However, the book’s strengths lie in its ability to weave an engaging story that blends Shakespearean drama with the slasher genre’s macabre thrills. I would recommend “Final Dress” for slasher enthusiasts and theater lovers who enjoy a slow-burn setup with a grisly payoff. R. Saint Claire delivers an unforgettable finale filled with gore, tension, and a touch of dark humor. While the slow start may require patience, the climactic bloodbath and shocking twists make this book a standout addition to the slasher genre.

Homage to the classic slasher genre, fun for all fans. No spoilers, but all slasher elements are present and accounted for!!!

R. Saint Claire’s Final Dress offers a unique take on the slasher genre, blending theatrical intrigue with the gruesome tension fans of horror expect. While the story starts off at a slower pace, it ultimately builds toward a climactic and satisfying ending that will leave slasher enthusiasts pleased.

Set against the backdrop of a theater production, the novel introduces readers to a cast of characters whose hidden motives and secrets gradually come to light. The slow beginning focuses on establishing atmosphere and character dynamics, which, while providing necessary context, may feel like a long setup for those eager for immediate action. However, patient readers will find that the payoff is worth the wait.

Saint Claire’s writing shines in the novel’s final act, where the suspense and gore ramp up significantly. The author skillfully orchestrates a series of intense and chilling moments that deliver on the promises of the genre. The climactic scenes are well-executed, filled with the kind of thrills and shocks that slasher fans crave.

That said, the book could benefit from a more even distribution of action throughout its pages. A few well-placed moments of suspense or violence earlier in the narrative might have helped maintain engagement and momentum. However, the strong finish demonstrates Saint Claire’s ability to craft a memorable and impactful conclusion.

Verdict:

Final Dress is a solid read for fans of the slasher genre who enjoy a slow-burn buildup with a big payoff. While it may take time to fully immerse, the novel rewards persistence with a thrilling and gruesome finale. R. Saint Claire delivers a chilling, blood-soaked ending that makes this book a worthwhile addition to any horror lover’s collection.

This was a fun, campy old-school horror slasher. Though I was able to predict the killer and the complicit person early on, still it was ok. Fans of scream, phantom of the opera and greek mythology will appreciate this. This was a read me now book and the cover art plus title drew me in. Thank you, NetGalley for the arc.