FINAL CUT

A scream queen commits to the act in this homage to teen horror.

It’s been 15 years since the Pine Springs Slasher went on a killing spree at the high school in the sleepy Louisiana town where Hazel “Haze” Lejeune lived as a child. The convicted killer? Her father, Cal Dupre, horror movie buff, beloved English teacher, and the victims’ film club mentor. Now 18, Haze is a budding actor and horror fan in her own right. When an indie film producer offers her a lead role playing the final girl in Swamp Creatures—a slasher flick shooting in Pine Springs—she accepts, hoping to finally get some closure. After a chilling opening sequence, Haze’s first-person narrative alternates with excerpts from the movie script, creating a taut story within a story. At first, when the actors and crew assemble, there’s a buzzy, summer camp vibe. But filming gets off to a rough start as freak accidents—or something more sinister—pile up. Some classic slasher movie–style deaths ensue, but much of the novel is suspenseful rather than truly terrifying, making this an appealing choice for casual horror fans. At its heart, the novel is about Haze, who’s cued white, unravelling her father’s legacy and what—if any—role she wants for him in her life. Some readers may wish that the supporting cast—which is diverse in ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity—were characterized more richly; nonetheless, spine-tingling action delivers a satisfying conclusion.

Frightful good fun.