Scan barcode
canadianbookworm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2024/02/final-assignment.html
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Linwood Barclay returns following BROKEN PROMISE (Promise Falls #1), landing on my Top Books of 2015 with a teaser novella FINAL ASSIGNMENT (Promise Falls #1.5) -with more evil at play, in the small town of Promise Falls; where nothing is as it appears.
Set in a fictional upstate New York small town outside of Albany, called Promise Falls—a town slowly dying—quickly adding “people” as well as businesses to the demise.
With all the action and mysterious crime happening in Promise Falls—Final Assignment, makes its way to the high school with a group of teens and parents --bullying, social media, revenge, murder, and a damaging short story.
For all you fans-- some appearances with characters from Book #1 return.
Cal Weaver, PI has been called to one of the more upscale neighborhoods of Promise Falls from a frantic mom, Greta, requesting some dirt on the local high school staff. Their son, Chandler apparently had written a colorful short story for one of his classes—now he finds himself being treated like some sort of psychotic degenerate. Chandler’s English teacher asked them to write something creative, and imaginative.
His story was of one kid beating another kid to death with a baseball bat—the mom thought it was innovative thinking. There was a meeting at school, and they are questioning the writing and his mental state. They want him to go for counseling or psychiatric testing. The parents are appalled –plenty people write dark and creepy things—referring to writers, Poe, Lovecraft and King. Right?
Upon questioning, turns out there was some earlier problems. Chandler and his friend, Michael Vaughn had made fun of a gay guy at school - Joel. They took a photo of him with another guy and posted it. Joel was upset with the invasion of privacy as well as the family.
The mother wants to blackmail the son’s teachers so they will leave her son alone; (she uses the word, leverage). Fight fire with fire. Cal Weaver wants no part of this.
Michael’s mom is a friend of the family, and Suzanne is now calling Cal for help. Michael did not come home. He is missing. Now in the middle, he is trying to help.
However, soon thereafter an event occurs, identical to the short story. A murder. A baseball bat. The woods. Exactly like the story. Is someone trying to frame Chandler? Motive? Revenge? He and Michael had been fighting over a girl recently, or could it be Joel?
Police detective, Barry Duckworth, (donut lover) is back and on the case. Cal is one step ahead of some information. A baseball bat, a murder weapon, and a mystery case of whodunit.
We also meet Lucy Brighton, the head of the guidance department at the school. (Look out for more from Lucy and Cal in) FAR FROM TRUE. Get out your scorecard, as there is so much in store, it will keep your head spinning!
Highly recommend this entertaining crime thriller series, mixed with humor. Barclay is the "King" of creative cliffhangers.
JDCMustReadBooks
Set in a fictional upstate New York small town outside of Albany, called Promise Falls—a town slowly dying—quickly adding “people” as well as businesses to the demise.
With all the action and mysterious crime happening in Promise Falls—Final Assignment, makes its way to the high school with a group of teens and parents --bullying, social media, revenge, murder, and a damaging short story.
For all you fans-- some appearances with characters from Book #1 return.
Cal Weaver, PI has been called to one of the more upscale neighborhoods of Promise Falls from a frantic mom, Greta, requesting some dirt on the local high school staff. Their son, Chandler apparently had written a colorful short story for one of his classes—now he finds himself being treated like some sort of psychotic degenerate. Chandler’s English teacher asked them to write something creative, and imaginative.
His story was of one kid beating another kid to death with a baseball bat—the mom thought it was innovative thinking. There was a meeting at school, and they are questioning the writing and his mental state. They want him to go for counseling or psychiatric testing. The parents are appalled –plenty people write dark and creepy things—referring to writers, Poe, Lovecraft and King. Right?
Upon questioning, turns out there was some earlier problems. Chandler and his friend, Michael Vaughn had made fun of a gay guy at school - Joel. They took a photo of him with another guy and posted it. Joel was upset with the invasion of privacy as well as the family.
The mother wants to blackmail the son’s teachers so they will leave her son alone; (she uses the word, leverage). Fight fire with fire. Cal Weaver wants no part of this.
Michael’s mom is a friend of the family, and Suzanne is now calling Cal for help. Michael did not come home. He is missing. Now in the middle, he is trying to help.
However, soon thereafter an event occurs, identical to the short story. A murder. A baseball bat. The woods. Exactly like the story. Is someone trying to frame Chandler? Motive? Revenge? He and Michael had been fighting over a girl recently, or could it be Joel?
Police detective, Barry Duckworth, (donut lover) is back and on the case. Cal is one step ahead of some information. A baseball bat, a murder weapon, and a mystery case of whodunit.
We also meet Lucy Brighton, the head of the guidance department at the school. (Look out for more from Lucy and Cal in) FAR FROM TRUE. Get out your scorecard, as there is so much in store, it will keep your head spinning!
Highly recommend this entertaining crime thriller series, mixed with humor. Barclay is the "King" of creative cliffhangers.
JDCMustReadBooks
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
FINAL ASSIGNMENT
(PROMISE FALLS: #1.5)
Written by Linwood Barclay
2016; Doubleday Canada (77 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, novella
RATING: ★★★★
In this novella we see Cal Weaver, a private investigator, hired by a mother looking to get back at the school that wants to punish her son for writing a disturbing short story. As Cal tries to to tell the mother that there is nothing he can really do the young man's story comes to life with the death of his best friend. The dead teenager's parents are Cal's friends, and along with his curiosity, he soon finds himself trying to find the murderer. I enjoyed this story as it was very concise and suspenseful. I am hoping that this is good news for the second book, Far From True. My one thing about the first book was that it was too long and too drawn out. This short story is like Barclay's other standalone novels that I love.
My Novelesque Blog
(PROMISE FALLS: #1.5)
Written by Linwood Barclay
2016; Doubleday Canada (77 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, suspense, novella
RATING: ★★★★
In this novella we see Cal Weaver, a private investigator, hired by a mother looking to get back at the school that wants to punish her son for writing a disturbing short story. As Cal tries to to tell the mother that there is nothing he can really do the young man's story comes to life with the death of his best friend. The dead teenager's parents are Cal's friends, and along with his curiosity, he soon finds himself trying to find the murderer. I enjoyed this story as it was very concise and suspenseful. I am hoping that this is good news for the second book, Far From True. My one thing about the first book was that it was too long and too drawn out. This short story is like Barclay's other standalone novels that I love.
My Novelesque Blog
voraciousreader10's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kmk182's review against another edition
3.0
So I just tore through the Promise Falls books and was like Barclay is one of my favorite writers; but then this. One of the things I've liked about his style so far is weaving so many plots into one, but in this novella it's a little more straightforward and just left too many plot holes.
zoemig's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the Promise Falls trilogy by Linwood Barclay but before I read the latest book, I wanted to pick up this novella that I had somehow missed when it was first released. Final Assignment by Linwood Barclay is a Promise Falls novella which tells a short story that wraps up within the pages and can definitely be read on its own.
In Final Assignment, private investigator Cal Weaver is asked to help a wealthy family when their son's short story–about one kid killing another–lands him in trouble. Cal refuses to help, only to end up back on the case when a kid is found murdered in the exact same way as in the story. This is a really quick read, but it's well-written and had a few good twists in it. Even though it's a short story, there's still character development and a well-paced plot. This book definitely left me excited to pick up the latest Promise Falls novel, Parting Shot, in the near future, and if you enjoyed that series, make sure you don't miss out on Final Assignment.
In Final Assignment, private investigator Cal Weaver is asked to help a wealthy family when their son's short story–about one kid killing another–lands him in trouble. Cal refuses to help, only to end up back on the case when a kid is found murdered in the exact same way as in the story. This is a really quick read, but it's well-written and had a few good twists in it. Even though it's a short story, there's still character development and a well-paced plot. This book definitely left me excited to pick up the latest Promise Falls novel, Parting Shot, in the near future, and if you enjoyed that series, make sure you don't miss out on Final Assignment.
tunesmithnw's review against another edition
4.0
Don't let the size of this novella fool you. Linwood Barclay has thrown in lots of twists and turns that keep you engrossed right up to the last paragraph.
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
I’m generally not a big fan of novellas unless they serve a purpose (i.e., expanded epilogue, introduce a new character). Most of the time they’re too short to do much with character and story development. However, in the right hands, they can be very good and Barclay definitely has the talent for getting it right.
This was a really good story! I only recognized two characters, Cal Weaver, a private detective who does most of the investigating and Barry Duckworth, a Promise Falls police detective. In a few pages, Barclay set up the scenario, gave us a few suspects, delivered a police procedural and threw a twist in for good measure. It was definitely worth my time and reintroduced me to the town. And, Cal has some skills.
It’s short but extremely entertaining. I’m jumping right into the next book.
This was a really good story! I only recognized two characters, Cal Weaver, a private detective who does most of the investigating and Barry Duckworth, a Promise Falls police detective. In a few pages, Barclay set up the scenario, gave us a few suspects, delivered a police procedural and threw a twist in for good measure. It was definitely worth my time and reintroduced me to the town. And, Cal has some skills.
It’s short but extremely entertaining. I’m jumping right into the next book.