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If You tell Anyone, You're Next
An exclusive group chat. A deadly challenge. How far would you go to join? Jayden Jones is missing. Everyone thinks he ran away. His best friend, Zoe Gale, knows they’re wrong.
Zoe’s search leads her to The 17 a secret group chat, used by anonymous teens to blackmail the powerless. To join, you have to put on a mask and record yourself completing a challenge. The challenges are always illegal. Sometimes dangerous. Maybe deadly.
Who are The 17? What have they done to Jayden? And what will they do to silence Zoe? A rollercoaster of suspense and twists from the author of the Liars series.
Zoe’s search leads her to The 17 a secret group chat, used by anonymous teens to blackmail the powerless. To join, you have to put on a mask and record yourself completing a challenge. The challenges are always illegal. Sometimes dangerous. Maybe deadly.
Who are The 17? What have they done to Jayden? And what will they do to silence Zoe? A rollercoaster of suspense and twists from the author of the Liars series.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2023
32 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Jack Heath
67 books832 followersJack Heath wrote his debut novel, The Lab, in secondary school and sent it to a publisher at age seventeen. He's now the award-winning author of forty novels for adults and children, including the international bestsellers Hangman, The Wife Swap and 300 Minutes of Danger. His books have been translated into ten languages, optioned for TV and adapted for film. He lives on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country in Canberra, Australia, with his wife, their children, several chickens, a few fish and a possum named Oreo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 13, 2025
I knew I was going to love this YA, suspenseful mystery. With plenty of twists and turns and a pretty snappy dialogue, I'm certain "my" students will dig this.
October 8, 2023
Okay this book was a little fun. A little goofy, a little scary, but kinda great. Very australian enola holmes. But my god I was so STRESSED for the last maybe 70 pages, and was genuinely scared at one point which I wasn’t expecting from a YA
March 3, 2024
A wise person once told me that a book deserves a 5 star review if, after you've finished it, you can't stop thinking about it and you recommend it to others. Well, I've only just put it down but I'll definitely be recommending it to others seeing as I work in a school library and this will be going on the shelf tomorrow!
I am a big fan of AGGGTM and Jack Heath has channelled that well. Add in the Aussie setting and it's jumping up as a firm favourite for me.
I'm not going to tell you anything about the actual book because you can read the blurb and other reviews for yourself. Any extra information would just spoil it. Just read it!
I am a big fan of AGGGTM and Jack Heath has channelled that well. Add in the Aussie setting and it's jumping up as a firm favourite for me.
I'm not going to tell you anything about the actual book because you can read the blurb and other reviews for yourself. Any extra information would just spoil it. Just read it!
March 3, 2024
Ok this is like AGGGTM level good!!!!
May 4, 2024
The plot twist. 🤯🤯
March 11, 2024
Content warnings: disappearance of a friend, fire, death, violence, blood, murder, blackmail
I absolutely FLEW through this. Something about the use of social media messages and the way that the story was told had me compulsively turning the pages. It definitely wasn't as creepy as I anticipated based on what I've read of Heath's work in the past, but it was extremely compelling and I was hooked from start to finish. Zoe was a solid protagonist and I really enjoyed seeing the ways in which she tackled the mystery and the hunt for her best friend.
Definitely read a little younger than I expected, but that's not a bad thing - there's a real gap in the market for 13-15 year old readers!
I absolutely FLEW through this. Something about the use of social media messages and the way that the story was told had me compulsively turning the pages. It definitely wasn't as creepy as I anticipated based on what I've read of Heath's work in the past, but it was extremely compelling and I was hooked from start to finish. Zoe was a solid protagonist and I really enjoyed seeing the ways in which she tackled the mystery and the hunt for her best friend.
Definitely read a little younger than I expected, but that's not a bad thing - there's a real gap in the market for 13-15 year old readers!
April 24, 2024
"I would have rather kept my bowling buddy rather than those shoes" Made me cry.
Really great book! Mr Heath sure knows how to build suspense, and keep it going until I've finished the entire story. Easily on par with Kill Your Husbands. Amazing!
LOVED the protagonist! Would read more books of her solving journalism crimes and such!! Such a witty inner dialogue, with an easy to follow deduction train of thought.
I managed to guess the Mystery Twist. This is not a criticism of the book, I'm just proud of myself :) even though I read mostly mystery, I hardly ever see the twists coming. So this is more of a congratulations, that you managed to lay out such a consistent mystery!
Really great book! Mr Heath sure knows how to build suspense, and keep it going until I've finished the entire story. Easily on par with Kill Your Husbands. Amazing!
LOVED the protagonist! Would read more books of her solving journalism crimes and such!! Such a witty inner dialogue, with an easy to follow deduction train of thought.
I managed to guess the Mystery Twist. This is not a criticism of the book, I'm just proud of myself :) even though I read mostly mystery, I hardly ever see the twists coming. So this is more of a congratulations, that you managed to lay out such a consistent mystery!
April 3, 2024
OMG!!! BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! (and I have read a lot of books).
YOU MUST READ THIS!!!!
YOU MUST READ THIS!!!!
May 29, 2024
Hm I don’t know how to feel about this one. I found the writing to be pretty bad, and the ending a bit predictable. But I was hooked and couldn’t put it down so idk 🤷♀️
December 27, 2023
Wow this book! Such a great read and so many twists and turns I could not put it down. Only thing I didn’t like was that it was in third person. I just feel like I’m reading one of my old stories from grade 6. However I definitely couldn’t write as good as this dude did.
Also I love Christian he is sooo cute and I want him to be a real person.
Also I love Christian he is sooo cute and I want him to be a real person.
July 14, 2025
This was a nice quick read i read over 2 days just before going to bed, I actually did enjoy this alot reminded me of a certain movie its the same concept so cant say in case someone has seen it. Loving the aussie theme too great touch on the areas. only thing for me the ending felt a bit flat.
December 23, 2023
4.49
i did guess what the resolution would be, but not too long before it happened, so i still felt smart for getting it, not angry at the author for thinking i was too stupid to get it, like some other mystery books.
jack heath just has this thing about him. this book was classic jack, yet still something very new and fresh.
all in all, i found this fun, intriguing, and inspiring (story wise and from a reading/writing perspective, not making a criminal snap group chat perspective).
i did guess what the resolution would be, but not too long before it happened, so i still felt smart for getting it, not angry at the author for thinking i was too stupid to get it, like some other mystery books.
jack heath just has this thing about him. this book was classic jack, yet still something very new and fresh.
all in all, i found this fun, intriguing, and inspiring (story wise and from a reading/writing perspective, not making a criminal snap group chat perspective).
July 11, 2024
If you choose to read any YA thriller this year, make it this one! If You Tell Anyone, You’re Next is full of twists and turns that are sure to get your stress levels up and heart racing. Heath has created 313 pages of thrilling adventure, mystery and teenage angst that is unputdownable! As so many other reviews have already said, this is a 5 star read that hits the YA thriller brief perfectly!
December 12, 2025
4.5
nice quick read that I was able to finish in less than a day. Wasn’t surprised with the ending but overall really good book
nice quick read that I was able to finish in less than a day. Wasn’t surprised with the ending but overall really good book
January 28, 2024
I liked this book but it didn’t excite me as other books have done, there were some really good twists in the book though. I would recommend this book to those who are trying to get into reading and are looking for a short but good thriller/murder mystery book :)
June 22, 2024
4.5
Good book a lot happened. would of been 5 stars if the pacing at the end was the slightest bit slower. Christian is my new book boyfriend. Jayden needs help and lots of it.
Good book a lot happened. would of been 5 stars if the pacing at the end was the slightest bit slower. Christian is my new book boyfriend. Jayden needs help and lots of it.
September 22, 2023
Great teen read! Very hard to put down with all the twists and turns, will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end!
February 26, 2024
Representation: Minor Asian characters
Trigger warnings: Physical assault and injury, fire, murder, arson and death of a child and a car crash in the past mentioned, near-death experiences, blackmailing, blood depiction, home invasion, axe violence
Score: Six points out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
One year ago, I read Jack Heath's first instalment in the Liars series, The Truth App. One year later, it was time to read Jack Heath's latest fictional composition: If You Tell Anyone, You're Next. I found the latter to be a massive step up from the former and never stopped reading it. However, I have some gripes with it.
It starts with the first person I see, Zoe, whose last name remains undisclosed, studying at her school when another student, Jayden, goes missing. The first half of If You Tell Anyone, You're Next was slow paced--one of only a few gripes I have with it. Nothing much happened there. The second half though swiftly picks up the pace as Zoe stumbles upon a group chat on the predominantly used social media platform, ySup, known as the 17. Members must participate in illegal and potentially dangerous dares. For what? Nothing is what it seems anymore as the narrator becomes unreliable since Zoe told me someone murdered Jayden. But he's alive. Also, the 17 isn't a group, rather one real account and a myriad of sockpuppets. The concluding pages are especially enthralling, even with no cliffhanger, as the antagonist turns out to be Jayden and not the person Zoe suspected. At least he gets arrested in the end and the 17 ceases to exist.
Trigger warnings: Physical assault and injury, fire, murder, arson and death of a child and a car crash in the past mentioned, near-death experiences, blackmailing, blood depiction, home invasion, axe violence
Score: Six points out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
One year ago, I read Jack Heath's first instalment in the Liars series, The Truth App. One year later, it was time to read Jack Heath's latest fictional composition: If You Tell Anyone, You're Next. I found the latter to be a massive step up from the former and never stopped reading it. However, I have some gripes with it.
It starts with the first person I see, Zoe, whose last name remains undisclosed, studying at her school when another student, Jayden, goes missing. The first half of If You Tell Anyone, You're Next was slow paced--one of only a few gripes I have with it. Nothing much happened there. The second half though swiftly picks up the pace as Zoe stumbles upon a group chat on the predominantly used social media platform, ySup, known as the 17. Members must participate in illegal and potentially dangerous dares. For what? Nothing is what it seems anymore as the narrator becomes unreliable since Zoe told me someone murdered Jayden. But he's alive. Also, the 17 isn't a group, rather one real account and a myriad of sockpuppets. The concluding pages are especially enthralling, even with no cliffhanger, as the antagonist turns out to be Jayden and not the person Zoe suspected. At least he gets arrested in the end and the 17 ceases to exist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2023
4.5/5
I picked this up because I enjoyed the author's recent adult thriller release so much I was writing a blog about it for work, which led me to realise we had this book on our shelves, which led me to yoink and read it.
This was another fabulously unputdownable read. A very "one more chapterish" book (I'm imagining the chapters like Pringles - once you pop, you can't stop!). I think if I were the kind of person with the time and focus to read in one sitting, this is definitely a read in one sitting kinda book.
I think this book toes the line perfectly of being full of action, twists and turns, without quiiiiiite tipping over into ridiculousness. Like, sure it's kinda improbable but it's such a fun and well told ride of a story that you just roll with it and have a good time.
I may have yelled "I KNEW IT!" somewhere towards the end but it was in that satisfying way of a hunch paying off rather than predictability. I was kept guessing about a lot of the elements throughout the story and the plot kept me on my toes.
This author is *very* good at planting lil breadcrumbs in small details, the importance of which comes to light later in the story. Which, as someone with an eye for detail that can either be an asset or annoy the crap out of everyone around me, depending on the context, I find extremely satisfying.
There was even a lil wee romance that was frankly adorable.
Do not at all regret ignoring my pressing pile of obligation reads to squeeze this book in, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I picked this up because I enjoyed the author's recent adult thriller release so much I was writing a blog about it for work, which led me to realise we had this book on our shelves, which led me to yoink and read it.
This was another fabulously unputdownable read. A very "one more chapterish" book (I'm imagining the chapters like Pringles - once you pop, you can't stop!). I think if I were the kind of person with the time and focus to read in one sitting, this is definitely a read in one sitting kinda book.
I think this book toes the line perfectly of being full of action, twists and turns, without quiiiiiite tipping over into ridiculousness. Like, sure it's kinda improbable but it's such a fun and well told ride of a story that you just roll with it and have a good time.
I may have yelled "I KNEW IT!" somewhere towards the end but it was in that satisfying way of a hunch paying off rather than predictability. I was kept guessing about a lot of the elements throughout the story and the plot kept me on my toes.
This author is *very* good at planting lil breadcrumbs in small details, the importance of which comes to light later in the story. Which, as someone with an eye for detail that can either be an asset or annoy the crap out of everyone around me, depending on the context, I find extremely satisfying.
There was even a lil wee romance that was frankly adorable.
Do not at all regret ignoring my pressing pile of obligation reads to squeeze this book in, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 7, 2024
Fans of Good girl’s guide to murder you’re in for a treat!!!
Spoilers!
Just as suspenseful as the GGGTM series as the twists had you on the edge of your chair and by the end my jaw was on the ground.
The foreshadowing of Jaydens desire for attention was well done as it was the pinnacle of his downfall. The twists were very well interwoven even connecting the dots to how Axel was in trouble with the police.
Loved the story Zoe’s mum shared as it perfectly illustrates a mothers instinct in why she never liked Jayden; leaving us with a well said quote “So someone who says the right thing to everybody is probably saying what people want to hear rather than what is in his heart. And if someone never says what’s in his heart maybe he doesn’t have one.” (BOOM) Mic drop!
Can’t forget about the sincerity between Zoe and Christian and their dynamic as they learn to love each other by the end. You were rooting for these two and it was a fitting ending.
Zoe breaking the threshold through slapping Aria or daring to speak bad of her grandma was great character development. Additionally her inner thoughts of her surroundings was spot on.
Humour 4/5
Suspense 5/5
Twists 5/5
Spoilers!
Just as suspenseful as the GGGTM series as the twists had you on the edge of your chair and by the end my jaw was on the ground.
The foreshadowing of Jaydens desire for attention was well done as it was the pinnacle of his downfall. The twists were very well interwoven even connecting the dots to how Axel was in trouble with the police.
Loved the story Zoe’s mum shared as it perfectly illustrates a mothers instinct in why she never liked Jayden; leaving us with a well said quote “So someone who says the right thing to everybody is probably saying what people want to hear rather than what is in his heart. And if someone never says what’s in his heart maybe he doesn’t have one.” (BOOM) Mic drop!
Can’t forget about the sincerity between Zoe and Christian and their dynamic as they learn to love each other by the end. You were rooting for these two and it was a fitting ending.
Zoe breaking the threshold through slapping Aria or daring to speak bad of her grandma was great character development. Additionally her inner thoughts of her surroundings was spot on.
Humour 4/5
Suspense 5/5
Twists 5/5
August 6, 2024
One of the best books I have ever read!!!!
February 14, 2024
A real page turner. Friendships tested and not knowing who you can trust really highlights school life. Wanting to join a popular group chat to fit in, and doing anything to achieve this spot. Towards the end I felt I had an idea and what was going to happen, which I'm proud to say I was right but either way it was a really interesting read and one I could not put down
December 31, 2023
I actually loved this book so much!
My first book of this authors, but now I want to read all their work.
The plot twist was a goodie!
My first book of this authors, but now I want to read all their work.
The plot twist was a goodie!
November 9, 2023
i really liked this one, couple of plot twist i guessed were gonna happen, a lot i didnt think would happen and a few i thought would happen but didnt all out of all 4.5 stars
January 3, 2024
I loved it and I can't wait to read more from the author. I liked the idea of the 17 and it reminded me of another series that I enjoyed.
Read
February 6, 2024Loved this book
February 25, 2024
Fabulous young adult suspense novel. Loved it, will be recommending it to the kids at my school.
July 31, 2024
I saw the cover and was like, 'this is my kind of book'. I was right! It was great, mystery and horror with a plot twist!
August 16, 2024
This was an absolute page turner and kept me hooked to the very end!!!
September 9, 2024
Wow, what a way to end it. 4.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews