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The Finalist
- Author
- Faith Gladwin
- Narrator
- Christine Lakin
- Publisher
- John Murray Press
- Publish Date
- 6 October 2026
- Run Time
- 12 hours 52 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
'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'
Critics Review
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The Finalist is a showstopping debut, dripping with dread and dressed in blood-spattered tulle. The horror is delicious and the atmosphere is en pointe. This book gives new meaning to the phrase 'dance until you die'
Luke Dumas, bestselling author of Nothing Tastes as Good
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Rich in atmosphere, dripping with menace, and offering an insider's view of ruthless competition between would-be ballerina stars, The Finalist is a haunting story about how far some will go to win and what it costs them - whether they win fairly or not. It got under my skin and had it crawling
Craig DiLouie, author of My Ex, The Antichrist
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The Finalist explores the psychological and body horrors that hide behind ballet's graceful facade, in a sinister setting that looms as large and threateningly as a prima donna's ego. This unique take on the gothic had me hooked to the blistering end
E.L. Chen, USA Today bestselling author of Slasher Summer
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A terrifying and claustrophobic debut, Faith Gladwin's The Finalist combines atmospheric queer horror with the brutal world of ballet, in an unputdownable novel that will keep you up at night
Annie Summerlee, author of The Book of Blood and Roses
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Sharp-edged, bloodthirsty, and beautifully written, The Finalist is as brutal as it is brilliant. A dark and vicious tale that reckons with the cost of ambition and the intersection of pain and desire. This book will absolutely ruin you!
Kelsea Yu, Shirley Jackson Award–nominated author of Bound Feet
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An intensely choreographed page-turner that left me as breathless as the ballerinas competing in this darkly twisted manor. Sapphic Black Swan with a deadly competition? Don't threaten me with a good time! Gladwin has established herself as a superb new voice in the horror space - truly thrilling!
Hazel McBride, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Fate Forged in Fire
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Faith Gladwin
- Narrator
- Christine Lakin
- Duration
- 12 hours 52 minutes
- Release Date
- 6 October 2026
- ISBN
- 9781408750797
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- John Murray Press
- Genre
- Horror, ghost stories and supernatural fiction, Ballet, Narrative theme: health and illness, Narrative theme: identity / belonging
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 ThirteenSeven 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'
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