A review by thereadingzombie
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Hawthornes are back. Weeks away from completing the conditions of her Inheritance, Toby's daughter Eve shows up at the estate and it appears Toby has been kidnapped. A disk (left for Avery's mom by Toby, but stolen back by Toby) and a mysterious note have been delivered, spelling out vengeance. A proof of life photo bearing the message "I always win in the end" only brings up more questions. Tobias has left another puzzle for when Eve enters the game. Is Eve involved in the disappearance of her father? What are her motives? Who else is out to get the Hawthornes? Will they figure it out in time to save Toby? 

As expected, I didn't really care for most of this book. It felt wrong to leave the trilogy unfinished, which is why I read it. There's something off about the pacing and how the secrets are revealed. There's too many happening concurrently and the characters lack depth. The chapter lengths made it feel disjointed.  I like how it ended on terms of how she beats Vincent Blake and what she decides to do with the money, but other than that, meh.
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