Sophie and Liz don’t stay long when they see the amount of drinking and drug use going on and when they realize they are expected to be photographed in bikinis while sitting in a hot tub with Buford.

The next morning when they learn Buford has drowned in his hot tub they are not surprised and take the hike they had been planning. While exploring an old icehouse, the two are locked in and struggle for most of the day to free themselves. When they arrive back at the inn, Liz’s boyfriend, NYPD detective Ike Eichle, and Sophie’s fiancé Ralph (also a NY cop) have arrived after becoming worried about being unable to reach the two women.

Local sheriff Andy MacDuff seems pleased to have three members of the NYPD and their friend, a proven amateur sleuth, help with the investigation. Several times, Liz and her friends comment that it is lucky for Andy that they are there and available since Andy is only a country sheriff; a very arrogant assumption on the part of the New York foursome.

Liz’s and Sophie’s time in the icehouse is far from credible as is Ike and Andy’s arriving in the Poconos after they could not get in touch with the women for just a few hours (they were on vacation, after all). The introduction and inclusion of several characters, including a group of young men who flirt with Liz and Sophie on the trip to the inn, is forced and adds nothing to the story other than possible suspects.

Bellhop Pedro seems to know everything about everybody and is more annoying than not. None of the characters are well flushed, and Buford’s death only matters to those who were looking for something from him.

A basic plot, too many coincidences and characters who are not all that appealing make Final Choice a marginal choice.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry