The Finalist

The Finalist Synopsis

AN AUDITION WORTH LIVING FOR. A SOLO WORTH DYING FOR . . . A GRIPPING AND ATMOSPHERIC HAUNTED HOUSE BALLET HORROR TAKES THE STAGE

'A showstopping debut' ? Luke Dumas, bestselling author of Nothing Tastes as Good

'An intensely choreographed page-turner that left me breathless . . . Sapphic Black Swan with a deadly competition and a superb new voice in horror' ? Hazel McBride, bestselling author of A Fate Forged in Fire

'Rich in atmosphere, dripping with menace . . . It got under my skin and had it crawling' ? Craig DiLouie, bestselling author of Episode Thirteen

Seven desperate rivals. One deadly competition. Will any of them make it out alive?

Eden is one of seven elite ballerinas invited to the remote, crumbling Deveraux Manor to compete for a solo of a lifetime.

The manor, a former retreat for dancers, has been shuttered for a decade. Now, its doors have been reopened by the legendary prima ballerina Leanora Karagianni. She is choreographing a new show, which will revitalise her career - and bring stardom to whoever survives her auditions.

Only one finalist will join Leanora's prestigious new ballet and dance the lead. Eden wants it more than anything but not more than anyone. As Eden pushes her chronically ill body to its limits and fights a dangerous attraction to Leanora - who has her own history with Deveraux Manor, the other ballerinas take every advantage they can.

But the competition soon turns lethal and it becomes clear that the dancers are battling more than each other. For the manor has an agenda of its own . . .

An unmissable horror debut perfect for fans of Black Swan, The Haunting of Hill House and Pretty Lethal.

EARLY READER PRAISE

'A sensational sapphic ballerina gothic horror debut!'

'Creepy, tense and addictive'

'Gladwin nails the ballet-world pressure and the gothic dread. The ending wrecked me.'

'The ending is deeply satisfying and bloody'