The Final Chapter: The fresh, bold and gripping thriller about writerly ambition and revenge. Benjamin Stevenson meets Nine Perfect Strangers in 2025's best mystery debut.

Benjamin Stevenson meets Nine Perfect Strangers in a story about writerly ambition, self-discovery and - of course - revenge. Sharp, fresh, bold, thrilling and gothic - gripping suspense from a spectacular new Australian talent.

An opportunity a writer would die for ...

Desley Barron is ready to prove her doubters, and herself, wrong about her flagging writing career. She's won a spot at an exclusive writing retreat in the Blue Mountains. Only instead of feeling creative, Desley finds her insecurity increases while the ghost stories about the house have her jumping at shadows.

This reclusive house is the last place anyone will think to look for high-profile author Colette Halifax, which is perfect as she hides from a looming scandal. Unfortunately, someone here is threatening to ruin the one part of her life that isn't already a shambles.

Meanwhile, Maia McKenzie has plans that don't involve writing at all. She's schemed to ensure the one person she wants to see is here - the man who almost killed her mother.

All have a secret. All will do anything to keep it hidden. And they're not alone. The retreat is perched on the edge of a forest steeped in the horrors of Australia's worst serial killer - and no one knows just who is watching.

When a storm unleashes its fury and they're trapped, a body is left in the snow ... and any one of them could be next.

© 2025 HarperAudio (Audiobook): 9781460733684

Release date

Audiobook: 1 August 2025