You Wouldnt Catch Me Dead

by Tess James-Mackey

Genres: Young Adult

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2024

About the author

After growing up in rural Shropshire, Tess set out to explore the world and find her place in it. She quickly rushed straight back to Shrewsbury when she realised she'd been where she belonged from the start. She now lives in a quiet suburb with a noisy partner and daughter, two extremely noisy cats, and a less noisy tortoise.

She spent years mucking out and getting trampled on by horses, before finally deciding she might prefer a less precarious office job. Between analysing insurance risk, she writes teens into terrifying situations inspired by her lived experiences.

When she's not allowing her mind to wander to dark and twisty places, she pursues more wholesome activities, like growing mediocre vegetables in her garden, camping with her daughter, and even riding the odd horse.

Reviews

[Horror Sickness · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the author’s debut I was really excited to read her next book and this isolated murder mystery did not disappoint.

This time I felt like it was more brutal and more intense when it comes to the horror and the gore and I am here for it.

Keely does not want to make friends but she does need some extra curricular activities for her college application. That is how she ended up joining a club that goes to camp in the wilderness. Soon she will regret this decision.

During their first hike someone gets hurt and the group ends up stranded for days unable to communicate with anyone. Will help get to them on time?
On top of that someone seems to be trying to scare them during the cold rainy nights at camp. Is it an animal, is it a person, a group of people or something supernatural?

I really enjoyed the pacing of the story and I did not mind that most of the big action moments come towards the end because the book offered a very interesting and rich backstory about the place.

Keely also had an interesting and horrifying story to tell about her past that we get to unravel bit by bit.

Even though it might not be too surprising to figure out who the culprit for all of this was, it is still a fun, atmospheric and dark mystery.

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A spine-chillingly creepy murder mystery that utilises its isolated, remote location to perfection. The tense and atmospheric buildup starts almost the instant we meet our reluctant (and ill-prepared) protagonist (Keely) and I absolutely enjoyed every unpredictable and plot twisty moment!

Tess James-Mackey’s second YA Thriller takes us into the Welsh wilderness, for a nail bitingly tense camping trip that I genuinely couldn’t get enough of.

We follow Keely, (a girl with a mysterious and secretive past) who, in order to get into College, finds herself roped into the school’s Outward Bound-style trip to Wales. She doesn’t want to make friends with the other students, and plans to keep her head down until it’s all over.

But when her teacher dies mere hours into to the trip and her fellow campers start disappearing. Keely quickly realises that she’ll have to give up the lone wolf act, if she has any chance of surviving unscathed.

A well written and addictive read with an atmospheric, emotionally tense buildup that, when paired with the unpredictable plot twists (and cast of quickly dwindling characters) had me on the edge of my seat!

The descriptions were both gorgeously transportive and undeniably creepy which, as a self confessed city girl, has assured me I won’t be setting off on any nature-based adventures anytime soon.

The cast is quite small but I loved the sense of intimacy that gave us and really really enjoyed getting to know Keely, Barry and Roshni —and the emotional rollercoaster of a journey they undertake together.

As our protagonist, Keely is the character we explored the most depth and emotion with. I was initially irked by her refusal to befriend any of the campers (particularly Roshni who was soo genuinely sweet to her.) But as her intriguing backstory is revealed, I completely understood her hesitancy. I don’t want to spoil anything but it is a pretty emotional backstory so do check the TWs just to be on the safe side.

Now this is predominantly a whodunnit style murder mystery, geared towards teens but there were some incredibly unsettling scenes that, if you’re as much of a scaredy cat as me may freak you out a little.

Particularly the bodies, but also the Medieval monastery (that features in one of the characters’ ghost stories) which is based on the real 900 year old Llanthony Priory —that will no doubt be haunting my nightmares for the foreseeable future (so thanks for that Tess.)

If you love pacy, descriptive and beautifully intense murder mysteries or MCs you can’t help but root for, then I highly recommend checking this out—it’s fantastic!

Also, a massive thank you to Jasmin and Hodder Children’s books for the finished copy.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess James-Mackey's first book was a tense game of wits played in a confined space - an abandoned prison with only certain areas open. This new novel is a tense game of wits played in an extremely open space; a national park in Wales, with hills, slopes and a very abandoned church.

Our main character has a secret hidden past, and as she and her new classmates begin their climb, she worries that it's coming back to haunt her. Reluctantly making friends with her team, she determines to keep them safe. This book brings up some important topics that teens should be aware of, keeping them in a fun story that will keep readers engaged and desperate to know what's coming next.

BE AWARE there is violence, some of the bodies are treated very violently and it's described quite clearly.

This is a tense, interesting read and anyone who's into thrillers should give it a go.

[Rebecca Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3.25 for me. Quick easy read.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Tess James-Mackey previous book Someone is Watching You, I was delighted to be given the chance to read You Wouldn't Catch Me Dead and I knew already going into this book I was going to enjoy reading it.

This book is a perfect YA thriller/horror that can be read as a stand alone. Keely finds herself enrolling in a new school and just wants to be left alone and get through school so she can go to college but whilst doing this she enrols herself in a programme where some of her classmates go on a camping trip in the wilderness. How hard can this be right but as the trip goes on and the body count goes up, we have questions such as is Keely’s past catching up to her and what is it that made her and her family decide to uproot themselves and start a new life?

You Wouldn't Catch Me Dead is a tense thriller that has aspects of horror and mystery. The tension is palpable and quickly builds up as the book goes on. I liked reading about the different characters and how they were portrayed. Filled with so much thrills and questions this book will keep you engaged and wanting to find out the backstory and what is happening.

A perfect read for readers who enjoy thriller/ suspense mysteries, it will draw you in once you start and you can’t wait to get to the end to answer questions you will want to solve. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to fellow book readers.

Thank you to NetGalley, publishers, Hachette Children's Group and Hodder Children's Books for the copy of this arc in exchange of my honest review.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored Tess James-Mackey's debut, set in a former-prison-half- turned-play-area, so much that I immediately ordered a copy for myself and one for my fiancé's mum (who also thought it was brilliant!) For this reason, I was desperate to read You Wouldn't Catch Me Dead as soon as I heard about it.

Once again showing how Mackey has a gift for choosing the creepiest locations and scenarios for her stories, this novel takes place in the Welsh countryside on a school camping trip, which goes wrong almost immediately. The five students who attended are left to their own devices, trying to survive, find help and co-exist all whilst battling the elements, the unnerving locals and trying to escape the feeling that they're being watched.

Keely, our protagonist, is excellent with her inner dialogue and commentary about her peers. She's flawed in the way that you just want to give her a hug and tell her that it's okay to let people in sometimes, whilst simultaneously seeming just so human! The secrets of her past - which are every bit as mysterious as they sound - are also hinted at fabulously and revealed bit by heartbreaking bit.

If you're looking for a fast-paced atmospheric YA thriller, and you've already devoured Someone is Watching You, definitely pick up this book and give it a go. It's enjoyable and entertaining, all whilst feeling horribly plausible!

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keely is reluctant to go on a school camping trip but it is the only way to maybe get into college. When she and the other students arrive in rural Wales, things go wrong from the start. Things become more and more dire as Keely wonders if this is tied to her past.

I thought this one was ok. I think it took too long to get into the suspense after the initial shock/death (don’t want to spoil who). The author could’ve made it more gradual than just a bunch of dead bodies at once toward the end. I also thought it was a little far-fetched that Reece had stalked Keely down and created this whole elaborate scheme to get revenge.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wouldn’t catch me dead is a YA horror/thriller that follows Keely, a girl with a secret, as she navigates the Welsh wilderness with a group of her peers. The isolated, remote setting felt very real and added to the suspense of the story. While at times you may need to suspend your disbelief to remain immersed in the story, the plot is pacy and gripping and the writing is atmospheric and believable. There are some truly tense and creepy scenes that will appeal to the horror fans. The flashbacks were well-timed and added to the plot.
Thanks to Hachette and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this fun thriller in exchange for an honest review.

[Richard Nevell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent story which proceeds at a rapid pace and is atmospherically written. For example, in the early stages of the book, Mackey-James uses the weather to isolate the characters and at the same time creates suspense. The characters are complex while having clear motivations behind their actions and the topic of abuse in relationships is handled in a way which is both sensitive to the subject and insightful. Keely's feelings of guilt over losing her best friend were so vividly written. A challenging topic for a young adult story, but undoubtedly an important.

[Karen Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it was just me but I really wanted to like this book more than I actually did. The plot line was good and there was pleanty for those who like a fright but I just did not connect with the characters. I'm not the correct demographic for this book so maybe just me !

[Gary Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping and fast-paced read I was hooked from start to finish highly recommend this one I just could not put this one down. I can’t wait to see what else she brings out five stars from me.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a page-turner but you do have to suspend belief about how school trips operate. The sub plot about grooming was subtle but well done. Much better than her first book.