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thenovelmaura's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A huge thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me a gorgeous copy finished copy of this book to read and review. This is one of those books where, even though I finished it a few months ago, I remember it so vividly because I was hooked from start to finish!
I mentioned in a previous post that this book is marketed as a YA version of Knives Out, and that was an incredibly accurate description! We had a big shot detective who showed up uninvited, a glamorous locked-room setting, and a suspicious cast of characters who all had motive and opportunity. The fabulous wealth of these teens is tempered by our main character Izzy, a Latina student who was only able to attend their fancy private school because her mom is a teacher there. Izzy had her own secrets to hide and ended up helping and hindering the official investigation whenever it fit her agenda. Some parts of this book were quite dark, which pleasantly surprised me; I wasn't expecting that level of intensity from a YA book.
I was immediately swept up in the glitz and glamour of the island manor setting while trying to keep track of all the secrets and motives. Not spoiling anything, but Muñoz had a clever way of keeping Izzy up-to-date on the investigation so that the reader doesn't feel limited by her 1st person POV. Rather, it felt like we were solving the mystery alongside her as the plot thickened and the lies were revealed one by one. The ending was a wild ride and there was one aspect of it that I would have done differently, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. Again, I can't say much without revealing too much, so you'll have to experience this one for yourself! I can't wait to see what Muñoz writes next after this fun, twisty debut.
I mentioned in a previous post that this book is marketed as a YA version of Knives Out, and that was an incredibly accurate description! We had a big shot detective who showed up uninvited, a glamorous locked-room setting, and a suspicious cast of characters who all had motive and opportunity. The fabulous wealth of these teens is tempered by our main character Izzy, a Latina student who was only able to attend their fancy private school because her mom is a teacher there. Izzy had her own secrets to hide and ended up helping and hindering the official investigation whenever it fit her agenda. Some parts of this book were quite dark, which pleasantly surprised me; I wasn't expecting that level of intensity from a YA book.
I was immediately swept up in the glitz and glamour of the island manor setting while trying to keep track of all the secrets and motives. Not spoiling anything, but Muñoz had a clever way of keeping Izzy up-to-date on the investigation so that the reader doesn't feel limited by her 1st person POV. Rather, it felt like we were solving the mystery alongside her as the plot thickened and the lies were revealed one by one. The ending was a wild ride and there was one aspect of it that I would have done differently, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. Again, I can't say much without revealing too much, so you'll have to experience this one for yourself! I can't wait to see what Muñoz writes next after this fun, twisty debut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Alcohol, and Deportation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Drug use
kassidyreads's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Deportation
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you Penguin for this arc
You put enough rich kids in a room with a scholarship kid, there's going to be a murder. It's a basic bookish fact at this point.
Suddenly a Murder follows the tried and true premise of a group of rich friends (and one not so rich) going on a getaway to celebrate graduation. Lies, betrayal, and infidelity threaten the group dynamic, but when one of them is murdered everything comes to light.
Diversity in books is always a treat to read, one of the reasons I was excited to read Suddenly a Murder is that BIPOC authors typically can be counted on to have a great cast of characters with BIPOC voices. Izzy's experience with race, her Father's deportation, and how she views herself is one aspect that I loved the most during reading.
The beginning is a bit clunky to get through, the writing at times just felt awkward. I did consider DNF-ing the book with how much I was struggling with it, but I am glad I stuck with it because it improved. The more I kept reading the more I enjoyed it, with the final chunk of the book having the strongest writing and most immersive reading experience.
There are a lot of different characters and at times they blend together with how similar they are in terms of "rich, privileged, spoiled". I do believe the plot would have been stronger with less voices.
I would have liked to have seen the whole book, or at least a pov or two from Pilar. She is easily the most interesting and engaging character, to the point where she was outshining the "main characters". I would sooner read and enjoy a book following her adventures, her character is just so much more fleshed out then others.
The flashbacks account for about half of the book, and felt jarring with the shifting of going from first person in the present to third in the past. I wish there were less flashbacks or less people.I don't think a book should rely so heavily on flashbacks to set the tension and reveals as much as it does in this one.
I have mixed feelings about the romance. I don't think there is enough chemistry between the characters for it to have felt real.
The reveal wasn't a surprise, though other secrets that are uncovered are a huge shock. The question I want to pose is as follows: Were there enough bread crumbs leading to the big secret, or was it so out of left field with no evidence to support it that it feels cheap and out of nowhere?
While I don't love this book, I did have a mostly enjoyable experience. I say if the premise intrigues you, give it a try and see what you think! This is Lauren Muñoz's debut novel, and I would read further books from her.
The cover is very poor, it feels very dated in terms of design and composition. I do not like it, nor would I pick it up if I saw it in a bookstore.
You put enough rich kids in a room with a scholarship kid, there's going to be a murder. It's a basic bookish fact at this point.
Suddenly a Murder follows the tried and true premise of a group of rich friends (and one not so rich) going on a getaway to celebrate graduation. Lies, betrayal, and infidelity threaten the group dynamic, but when one of them is murdered everything comes to light.
Diversity in books is always a treat to read, one of the reasons I was excited to read Suddenly a Murder is that BIPOC authors typically can be counted on to have a great cast of characters with BIPOC voices. Izzy's experience with race, her Father's deportation, and how she views herself is one aspect that I loved the most during reading.
The beginning is a bit clunky to get through, the writing at times just felt awkward. I did consider DNF-ing the book with how much I was struggling with it, but I am glad I stuck with it because it improved. The more I kept reading the more I enjoyed it, with the final chunk of the book having the strongest writing and most immersive reading experience.
There are a lot of different characters and at times they blend together with how similar they are in terms of "rich, privileged, spoiled". I do believe the plot would have been stronger with less voices.
I would have liked to have seen the whole book, or at least a pov or two from Pilar. She is easily the most interesting and engaging character, to the point where she was outshining the "main characters". I would sooner read and enjoy a book following her adventures, her character is just so much more fleshed out then others.
The flashbacks account for about half of the book, and felt jarring with the shifting of going from first person in the present to third in the past. I wish there were less flashbacks or less people.I don't think a book should rely so heavily on flashbacks to set the tension and reveals as much as it does in this one.
I have mixed feelings about the romance. I don't think there is enough chemistry between the characters for it to have felt real.
The reveal wasn't a surprise, though other secrets that are uncovered are a huge shock. The question I want to pose is as follows: Were there enough bread crumbs leading to the big secret, or was it so out of left field with no evidence to support it that it feels cheap and out of nowhere?
While I don't love this book, I did have a mostly enjoyable experience. I say if the premise intrigues you, give it a try and see what you think! This is Lauren Muñoz's debut novel, and I would read further books from her.
The cover is very poor, it feels very dated in terms of design and composition. I do not like it, nor would I pick it up if I saw it in a bookstore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
A group of seven friends (or should that be frenemies) travel to Ashwood Manor, a mansion which is being turned into a museum. Before the big opening the group get to stay at the Manor, isolated on Sparrow Island, for a week's holiday after graduating. Izzy Morales is there with Kassidy, latest crush Marlowe, Kassidy's boyfriend, Blaine, school athlete & rower Ellison, theatre kid Fergus, & newcomer to the group Chloe. There are tangled group dynamics & secrets galore, one of which culminates in a murder. Two detectives arrive from the mainland to question the group, & they are suddenly all trapped there whilst a storm rages. Whodunnit & why, & are they finished with just one?
I was looking forward to this from the synopsis & it turned out to be rather Agatha Christie-esque in parts: a group isolated in a grand house, a murder, lots of suspects all with motives, & the big reveal by the detectives at the end. I loved the setting & the fact that the friends were having a 1920s themed stay - it's one of my favourite historical eras. I found that apart from main character Isadora (Izzy) & Marlowe (to an extent) the rest of the group's characters were just 'bored rich kid'. I also found it amusing that Izzy would say she was just nipping to fetch more tea or get a book or something & would disappear down a secret passageway & eavesdrop on the detectives interviewing the group one by one. She must have been gone quite a while each time but the rest hardly ever wondered where she had been for all that time. Odd. Anyway, it was interesting enough to finish reading but I can't say as I would be in a rush to re-read it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bonnier Books UK/Hot Key Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
I was looking forward to this from the synopsis & it turned out to be rather Agatha Christie-esque in parts: a group isolated in a grand house, a murder, lots of suspects all with motives, & the big reveal by the detectives at the end. I loved the setting & the fact that the friends were having a 1920s themed stay - it's one of my favourite historical eras. I found that apart from main character Isadora (Izzy) & Marlowe (to an extent) the rest of the group's characters were just 'bored rich kid'. I also found it amusing that Izzy would say she was just nipping to fetch more tea or get a book or something & would disappear down a secret passageway & eavesdrop on the detectives interviewing the group one by one. She must have been gone quite a while each time but the rest hardly ever wondered where she had been for all that time. Odd. Anyway, it was interesting enough to finish reading but I can't say as I would be in a rush to re-read it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bonnier Books UK/Hot Key Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Infidelity
chocolate_pondue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Suddenly a Murder is an outstanding murder mystery novel about 7 friends, one murdered having been stabbed to death in his bedroom, and the other 6 who all have complicated histories and clear motives. And of course, our main character who brought the knife. As a huge murder mystery fan, I loved this novel. It was very reminiscent of Knives Out, where the answer seems obvious but has a surprising twist. And though I was able to identify the murderer and their motive, there were still secrets that shocked me and had me rethinking the entire events. The main character, Izzy, is very relatable and charming. It is evident how much she loves and cares for those around her and the lengths she would take to protect them and herself. Her relationship with Kassidy was endearing. I really felt the love between the two which really drove it all home when the true culprit's motive was revealed. The shifts between the present and the months leading up to the murder perfectly illustrated the dangerous tension with not only the victim but with each other. The creepy 1920's atmosphere as well as the charismatic detective Pilar de Leon reminded me of the classic murder mysteries with striking detective Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie, one my favorite mystery authors of all time.
One criticism I have with the book is the ending seemed hectic and rushed. The murder's motive could have been fleshed out more and the information surrounding Izzy's father came out of the left field and didn't seem to fit into the tone. I also would have liked more suspension and development on the other characters. I believe there was too much focus on Izzy's secret and not enough on the others. Everyone had solid motives, but none moved or acted suspicious enough to be considered real options. Not including Kassidy or Izzy, Ellison was the only other believable suspect, the rest would have fallen flat. Marlowe, Izzy, and Kassidy were also the only characters with dynamic development towards the end while the others remained stagnant.
Overall, I give this book an 8/10. It was a thrilling, gratifying mystery with a lot of heart. If you're a fan of classic murder mysteries with a modern feel, this is an excellent choice!
Overall, I give this book an 8/10. It was a thrilling, gratifying mystery with a lot of heart. If you're a fan of classic murder mysteries with a modern feel, this is an excellent choice!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
starklinqs's review against another edition
- 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
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a bit of a slow start for me but once it got started it was great! I think our cast of characters were likeable enough but in the way characters in Succession or The White Lotus or Knives Out are - they’re uber rich (save for our main!) and I don’t think I was really rooting for any of them, but I was also invested in their stories. While I figured out who committed the murder, I didn’t particularly love the end for that character? That and the dad reveal marked off a star for me personally, but overall this book was great! I had a fun time with this murder mystery.
I also adored the flashbacks. It gave us great insight into the characters and provided them their own POV (and motives). It was so much better than just hearing about them in their interviews or through Izzy’s eyes - this made the characters feel more fleshed out and helped me empathize with them each a bit more. I’d honestly love for more murder mysteries to work that way because it’s such a quick but effective way to make me more invested in an ensemble of characters.
This book was a bit of a slow start for me but once it got started it was great! I think our cast of characters were likeable enough but in the way characters in Succession or The White Lotus or Knives Out are - they’re uber rich (save for our main!) and I don’t think I was really rooting for any of them, but I was also invested in their stories. While I figured out who committed the murder, I didn’t particularly love the end for that character? That and the dad reveal marked off a star for me personally, but overall this book was great! I had a fun time with this murder mystery.
I also adored the flashbacks. It gave us great insight into the characters and provided them their own POV (and motives). It was so much better than just hearing about them in their interviews or through Izzy’s eyes - this made the characters feel more fleshed out and helped me empathize with them each a bit more. I’d honestly love for more murder mysteries to work that way because it’s such a quick but effective way to make me more invested in an ensemble of characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, and Drug use