skysbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content and Murder
swiveller's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Car accident, Murder, Blood, Classism, Drug use, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book was good in some respects like the themes and issues it talks about. But both of the mystery solutions/murder(s) were SO OBVIOUS! I knew from the beginning who killed who. Overall it was just meh. I did like the theme of grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Drug use, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Vomit, Violence, and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
jjstallone's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Death, Alcohol, Child death, Murder, Pedophilia, Outing, Death of parent, Drug use, Infidelity, Bullying, Grief, and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident and Cancer
sophiemar's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
alli_the_bookaholic13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for an eARC.
4.5 stars
CWs: Murder, death of a parent (cancer), adult/minor relationship (minor details), descriptions of dead bodies (alluding to suicide), drowning
This was a really good, fast-paced YA Murder mystery thriller. I read it in one sitting, and I didn’t want to put it down. The writing style was easy to get sucked into, and the mystery and the secrets of this town kept me completely hooked. The author had me guessing so much, and while I figured out one plot lines answers, the other one surprised me.
Cecelia was a really good character. She was struggling with her grief over her mom’s death, moving in with her grandmother who is basically a stranger, and then having one of her new friends turn up murdered and being the one to find the body. Throw in a cute guy who is willing to help with her investigation, and Cecilia is dealing with A LOT. The author handled all of it really well. Cecelia was relatable, realistic, flawed, and her emotions came across really well. I liked her investigation and how she got to know her new friend group, and the emerging relationships that she was forming with them.
There was a lot of tension and secrets in the plot. The idea of a potential copycat killing of Cecelia’s grandmothers debut novel which was based on the “real” murder of Caroline Quinn which the town has mourned for 52 years was really fascinating. I liked that in digging into the current murder, Cecelia was finding answers about Caroline’s. And the ending was really intense!
4.5 stars
CWs: Murder, death of a parent (cancer), adult/minor relationship (minor details), descriptions of dead bodies (alluding to suicide), drowning
This was a really good, fast-paced YA Murder mystery thriller. I read it in one sitting, and I didn’t want to put it down. The writing style was easy to get sucked into, and the mystery and the secrets of this town kept me completely hooked. The author had me guessing so much, and while I figured out one plot lines answers, the other one surprised me.
Cecelia was a really good character. She was struggling with her grief over her mom’s death, moving in with her grandmother who is basically a stranger, and then having one of her new friends turn up murdered and being the one to find the body. Throw in a cute guy who is willing to help with her investigation, and Cecilia is dealing with A LOT. The author handled all of it really well. Cecelia was relatable, realistic, flawed, and her emotions came across really well. I liked her investigation and how she got to know her new friend group, and the emerging relationships that she was forming with them.
There was a lot of tension and secrets in the plot. The idea of a potential copycat killing of Cecelia’s grandmothers debut novel which was based on the “real” murder of Caroline Quinn which the town has mourned for 52 years was really fascinating. I liked that in digging into the current murder, Cecelia was finding answers about Caroline’s. And the ending was really intense!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Cancer
bibliorama's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
Spoiler
"Grams really fumbled the bag on this one."- My friend Megan when I told her the rundown of the plot XD
Enjoyment - 4
This was a good, easy time. I actually would have liked to spend more time in the setup of the town and seen more of the characters before the major event. The small, coastal town vibe was a good setting choice and I appreciated that the natural environment of the town played a role in the plot.
Start - 3.5
This is the section I could have done with being longer. I wish we spent more time submerged in the new house and town with added details. The premise is a good one though. A murder done in the same fashion as one done decades before sets the stage for a lot of questions.
Characters - 4.5
There were some interesting character tropes being used, and I do like a complicated friend group. I just wish we had gotten more of it before the murder because the status quo was interesting in itself. Also, there were a good amount of questionable people around to make nailing down the culprit less easy.
Atmosphere - 3.5
Decent details, I could visualize the town easily. I just wanted more details (and isn't that the theme of this review).
Plot - 4
Kept a good pace and the progression felt natural for the most part. Towards the end it gets quicker and one reveal in particular feels half out of the blue. It was the twist I was hoping for but I wanted more setup for it. There was lots of good drama, but I wanted to sit in some of it more because there's some dark stuff introduced here.
Ending - 4
Loved the second twist, but again wanted more setup for it.
Style - 3
Writing was effective and had a realistic teen voice, I just don't have any standout lines that stick in my brain.
Overall - 3.8
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, Murder, and Terminal illness
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
I'd say Mid to Upper YAelizabethgreads's review against another edition
dark
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? No
3.5
Small Town Secrets and Dead Prom Queens.
This novel is a suspense book. Don't go into it thinking its a thriller or you might be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book. The pacing was a bit slow to begin with, perhaps this is to introduce the large cast of characters. Everyone has secrets and each character is flawed which made this novel fun. Alexa did a great job creating suspense while weaving in a bit of humor to lighten the mood. I thought the main romance moved a bit too quickly. However she mastered the ending.
This would be a great read-a-thon read, or a stormy weekend read.
This novel is a suspense book. Don't go into it thinking its a thriller or you might be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book. The pacing was a bit slow to begin with, perhaps this is to introduce the large cast of characters. Everyone has secrets and each character is flawed which made this novel fun. Alexa did a great job creating suspense while weaving in a bit of humor to lighten the mood. I thought the main romance moved a bit too quickly. However she mastered the ending.
This would be a great read-a-thon read, or a stormy weekend read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Murder, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
oracle_of_madness's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!
This was a really fun ya murder mystery that is perfect for some Fall reading.
Cecelia has to move in with her grandmother in a small seaside town after her mother dies. She barely starts school before it's homecoming and finds one of the girls running for homecoming queen dead in the school pool. This rockets Cecelia forward into an obsession with finding the murderer. Among lots of twists and turns and a little romance, this story pulled me along quickly and kept me entertained.
Definitely recommend to fans of ya murder mystery looking for a fun read!
Out October 4, 2022!
Content warning for murder, grief, violence.
This was a really fun ya murder mystery that is perfect for some Fall reading.
Cecelia has to move in with her grandmother in a small seaside town after her mother dies. She barely starts school before it's homecoming and finds one of the girls running for homecoming queen dead in the school pool. This rockets Cecelia forward into an obsession with finding the murderer. Among lots of twists and turns and a little romance, this story pulled me along quickly and kept me entertained.
Definitely recommend to fans of ya murder mystery looking for a fun read!
Out October 4, 2022!
Content warning for murder, grief, violence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, Violence, and Murder
gcreed13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Bullying, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Violence
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