Title: The Last Laugh
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: March 15, 2022
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Summary
Felicity Turnado is dead. Tress Montor succeeded in getting her revenge, but not without consequences. Attacked by the escaped panther, Tress’s arm is currently being held together with duct tape. As the infection from her wound starts to spread, Tress swears she can hear a heartbeat from the best friend necklace she shared with Felicity.
Ribbit Usher has always been pushed around his entire life. But he’s finally been pushed over the edge. Now, he’s going to save Felicity so they can finally be together. In order to do that, he’s decided to exact revenge on everyone who has ever wronged him. Which includes his cousin Tress.
Review: The Last Laugh
Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! In all honesty, this kind of horror isn’t necessarily my favorite genre. But, I read The Initial Insult last year and had to know how this story ended. In true Mindy McGinnis style, you’re in for an absolutely wild ride.
This book picks up immediately where the first one leaves off, with no interruption in the events happening. What I found useful in this book is McGinnis includes the days everything is happening, becuase it would be easy to forget how much time is passing. Especially becuase for parts of the story, Tress is in a state of delirium. As she unravels the complete story, you’ll figure out the mystery right along with her. Needing to know why all of this is happening in this town.
Did the ending seem a little far-fetched? Yes, but also so does the rest of the story. So, it kind of fits. I will say, if you get queasy at descriptions of gore or infected wounds, you might want to avoid this one. Because there are some very gruesome descriptions in this book. Like, I had to skip a few sections because I just couldn’t do it.
I know the first book was a Poe story re-telling (I don’t remember which one), but there are a lot of nods to Poe in general throughout this book. If you are an Edgar Allen Poe fan, I’m sure you would have a great time trying to find all the Easter eggs. Those are masterfully done!
Honestly, I feel like if you know Mindy McGinnis, you know what you’re getting into when you pick up this book. She manages to keep the reader on their toes, and this is a dark, gruesome book that should definitely make it on your YA horror lists!
4/5 stars