The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
styxx's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, Murder, Blood, Classism, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Death
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
  The narrator did a fantastic job and helped make the book come to life.Â
  I also liked how the author made it so that technology wasn't a giant part of the mystery. That added to the atmosphere of the story.
 Overall a decent mystery with great narration.Â
Graphic: Suicide, Drug use, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Blood, Death, Murder, and Deportation
Minor: Child death, Violence, and Adult/minor relationship
bekah1210's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Deportation, and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, and Death of parent
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Infidelity, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide, and Deportation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Drug use
kassidyreads's review
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Deportation
vicwaltz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There are some pacing hiccups - the book starts slow but all the table setting pays off in the back half. Some of the characters really are annoying but again, they're teenagers and if I were also a teenager (the target demo for this) I think I wouldn't have noticed the annoyingness. If this is Muñoz's debut, I'm stoked to see where she goes. It takes a lot for a YA thriller to surprise me with an earned twist and this one definitely did.
--
Thanks to netgalley/Putnam for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Deportation and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug abuse
chocolate_pondue's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, and Drug use
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Cursing, Alcohol, Deportation, and Pedophilia