And tbh I just didn't buy the you-know-who as the serial killer. I think holding someone at gunpoint to wrap shit up is kinda lazy, but at least this book didn't have the surprise! sexual assault! reveal that most of these cult/ultra-religious themed books do.

But once again, Labuskes crammed as much in as possible and there was a lot of gun waving involved. I think if some components had been left out, the ending would've been sorta decent. Keep in mind Eliza is 17-years-old, but she's put together some sort of undercover sting like she's the director of the CIA. Similar to What Can't Be Seen, the ending was TOOOOO much. In my review of What Can't Be Seen, one of my minor gripes was Labuskes' overuse of 'x lifted a shoulder' WELP it started popping up here at the end so I guess it's her go-to. This is an earlier work of hers as well, so it's good to know she keeps improving.

Now, if I hadn't read What Can't Be Seen first, would I be so critical (although when am I ever NOT hehe)? I don't think so. The writing was repetitive and over-baked in some parts. There was too much rehashing of events, too much hand-holding, too much happening at the end. This is my second Brianna Labuskes book and I definitely preferred What Can't Be Seen. Her hunch takes her to the scene of the crime in Knox Hollow to figure out what's really up. It should be an open and shut case, but Lucy suspects there's more to it than Eliza's story. Eliza shows up at the FBI field office asking for Lucy Thorne so she can confess to a brutal murder of a 12-year-old boy.

Her Final Words by Brianna Labuskes