phantasmaboo's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen McManus follows three high school friends who skip school and witness the murder of one of their classmates. Slowly, they discover that their small town harbors dark secrets and that there are some people who cannot be trusted.
I thought the book was a solid young adult mystery/thriller experience. That being said, this book felt a bit forced compared to other books that I’ve read from McManus. The characters seemed to go out of their way to put themselves in the situations that they were in and because the threefold them are isolated for a good chunk of the book, there’s little opportunity for the reader to put the pieces together themselves.
I thought the ending was good, if not a bit rushed, but it wasn’t out of line for what I would expect from the genre. Overall, I give it 3 stars.
I thought the book was a solid young adult mystery/thriller experience. That being said, this book felt a bit forced compared to other books that I’ve read from McManus. The characters seemed to go out of their way to put themselves in the situations that they were in and because the threefold them are isolated for a good chunk of the book, there’s little opportunity for the reader to put the pieces together themselves.
I thought the ending was good, if not a bit rushed, but it wasn’t out of line for what I would expect from the genre. Overall, I give it 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, and Drug abuse
Minor: Racism
wildflowerz76's review
4.0
McManus brings out more of her trademark suspense in this new standalone novel about high school students and murder. Matteo, Call, and Ivy became the best of friends after they met sneaking out of a boring field trip for a few hours of freedom when they were younger. Now it's their senior year and they've fallen out of touch. Ivy just lost the class presidency to a joke candidate named Boney. Cal just broke up with his girlfriend. And Matteo and his cousin are working 5 jobs between them to help out his mom who has a debilitating disease. So when they meet by chance in the parking lot before school, they decide on another ditch day. But before they know it, they've stumbled on a dead body and one if them is the prime suspect.
I enjoyed You'll Be the Death of Me. I also felt like there wasn't much new here. It was a decent story with good character development, but the plot wasn't terribly relevatory. McManus fans will no doubt enjoy this one, but I doubt it will be their favorite.
I enjoyed You'll Be the Death of Me. I also felt like there wasn't much new here. It was a decent story with good character development, but the plot wasn't terribly relevatory. McManus fans will no doubt enjoy this one, but I doubt it will be their favorite.
reverie_flowers's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
:/ Disappointing, especially since this is my first read of 2023
booklover331jolly's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jenkolb13's review
5.0
Ivy, Mateo and Cal were friends in middle school and without thinking about what they were doing turned an ordinary day into the greatest day ever. By the time high school comes around they are no longer friends but often reflect on that day and wish they could have one like it again. When they ironically each decide to skip school things go disastrously wrong and their recreation of greatest day ever becomes worst day ever.
This book was a quick read and I finished it in two sittings and enjoyed the suspense that kept me guessing who done it until the end.
This book was a quick read and I finished it in two sittings and enjoyed the suspense that kept me guessing who done it until the end.
the_midnight_reader28's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
emmreadsbooks's review
5.0
Karen McManus, you'll be the death of me... Her books are so addictive and this one is no less. Honestly I think I enjoy her series the most, as the tension doesn't just die off at the end. I honestly was confused as to why the audio kept going after the murderer was revealed, but I totally get it now. Having 3 narrators helped me keep track of this multi-POV mystery, as it's so fast-paced and difficult to keep all of the secrets straight. My only qualm with this book is that practically everyone has a name that starts with D! While it makes sense, there were just SO many. But if you want a tasty thriller with a side of friendship, try this one out.
*Thank you to PRH Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review*
*Thank you to PRH Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review*
debzemanlms's review
5.0
And she does it AGAIN. Ms. McManus knocked it out of the park. Just when I thought I figured it out, boom, the story twisted in a completely different direction. And that ending????? If that doesn’t leave it open for Ivy to “Scorch the Earth” as she says, in a sequel….I couldn’t put this one down as usual. Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.