Little Vile Things: The Fort of Mal

by Zee David

In Sacred Heart Secondary School, an aura of privilege conceals a chilling truth. Beneath the hallowed halls and manicured lawns lies a web of deception, and the walls of this institution hold more than just knowledge.

With the tragic death of yet another student, Vince, a young investigator, is thrust into the heart of darkness that is Sacred Heart. What really happened behind these school walls? Is it a simple secret, or does death lurk in every corner?

Genres: Audiobook

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

About the author

Zee David discovered her talent of writing at an early age. Her satisfaction is knowing that her work is read and loved. She loves writing, watching Korean dramas, and most of all, she loves her family.

Zee David's language background reflects in her work, which consists of both American and British English. She speaks four languages fluently. She is an animal lover, especially cats, and dogs

Reads a lot, though mostly listens to audiobooks. She leans toward the mystery genre.


https://books2read.com/author/zee-dav...

https://www.amazon.com/author/zeedavid

Reviews

[OutsideOfTheTrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short little mystery with an enjoyable writing style and a great setting.

I especially liked the relationship between Vince and his witchy mother—it added an interesting dynamic. The story isn’t overly anything (dark, complicated, exciting, or annoying), so while it didn’t blow my socks off, I’d still recommend it if you’re into YA murder mysteries!

I did the audiobook and Kindle together using the immersive reading option, which was a great experience overall. I do wish it had been narrated in duet, but that’s just personal preference—the narrator did a good job!

[M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery for YA

I enjoyed reading this book that keeps you guessing what the list is, who the killer is, and why. I like the writing style of the author and the plot keeps you turning the pages.

I feel that young adults will enjoy this book more than most adults, but at 51, I was caught up in wanting to solve the mystery.

[Brad Dude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the intrigue between family members in this novel. The relationship between the main character and his mother was the basis for many of the decisions that are made. Interesting setting for a murder mystery.

[Venus · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well put together

This book was a fabulous read and better than I expected. The writing style is poetic and artistic. There is also a lot of symbolic imagery in there that’s really relatable in this day and age. I would love to see more from this author.

[Softlancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Fort of Mall" is a riveting journey through the intricate of mystery, puzzles, and the weight of royal prestige. In this enthralling tale, the author Zee David skillfully weaves a narrative that beckons readers into a world where every page unfolds a new challenge and each secret uncovered is a step closer to the heart of the royal legacy.

The character of Vince is appealing and all other stakeholders of the theme are also adequately prepared with dialogue and nerves.

Overall a great addition in Literature, keep up the good work.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read better, read worse. A little outrageous and superficial for me.

[Kate Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasnt sure if i would like this book as much as i did. Its a good read, very short and to the point which was nice.
I was shocked with the ending though! Highly recomend if you want a truem crime vibe kind of book!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed with the delivery of this story. I felt the narrator was dry, slow and unemotional in the performance. The story itself was OK, but I was bored.

[Satyra Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The School Where Power Is Worth Killing For

ARC Review: Mysterious, suspenseful, and dripping with dark intrigue, Little Vile Things: The Fort of Mal is the kind of book that pulls you into its shadows and refuses to let you go. Set at Sacred Hearts, a school steeped in secrets, corruption, and whispers of ghosts lurking in the corridors, this is dark academia at its most chilling.

Students are mysteriously dying or disappearing, and the air around the school is thick with dread. Enter Vince—a bad boy fresh out of jail, born into prestige and power he never asked for. Witty, sarcastic, armed with a sharp sense of humor and one-liners that cut through the tension, Vince also has a knack for puzzles. When the school’s priestess—who happens to be his volatile mother—asks him to investigate a student’s death, he’s reluctantly drawn into the sinister heart of Sacred Hearts.

But this isn’t just any investigation. Vince soon learns that the so-called Saints—the clique of scholarship students ironically named for their far-from-saintly behavior—may be tangled up in something far darker. As he digs deeper, another death shakes the campus, and suddenly the walls begin to close in. Allies become enemies, trust fractures, and the truth proves more twisted than Vince ever imagined.

A vile web of greed, corruption, and hunger for power unravels—with Vince caught right in the middle. And then comes the ending—action-packed, explosive, and jaw-dropping. Every clue, every shadow, every whispered secret finally snaps into place in a reveal that leaves you stunned.

Zee David delivers a thrilling, atmospheric whodunit that masterfully blends mystery, high-powered enigmas, and razor-sharp suspense and tension. Little Vile Things: The Fort of Mal is a dark academia novella done right—haunting, electrifying, and impossible to put down.

Murder. Power. Lies. Welcome to Sacred Hearts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda- LateNightReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read quite a few books by David, and she never disappoints me. Each book seems to get better and better. Each book is a little more thrilling and/or suspenseful. But I'm pretty sure this is my favorite one so far. It's very different than all of the other books I've read from her. She still loves her mystery novels, as do I. It's hard to explain but it was darker than usual in some ways, yet I would totally let my teenage kids read them (if they existed). I can't wait for book 2! Now I was a little confused with the whole secondary school thing at 1st. That's not a thing in the US, but I'm guessing it's equivalent to a high school. (lol) Vince is kind of a fascinating character. He seems to be living in such a strange situation. I would love to learn more about him and his backstory and family's situation, which is why I'm really hoping we get a second book soon! Zee David puts so much... book... in such a small book. And once you pick it up, you never want to put it down until you figure out what the heck is going on. Then once you do, it's like WOW...The ending was completely unexpected to me! I highly recommend this one!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as i did enjoy this story when i got into it, it took a lot of time to get into it and understand exactly what was going on. The plot in the beginning i found was hard to follow, but after a few chapters i managed to have a better understanding of it and actually enjoyed the plot. As much as the narrator was easy to listen to, i noticed on some chapters the background sound and sometimes the voice was duller or much louder. Which didn't help when you are trying to pay attention to the plot. But overall the story was great, there were quite a few plot twists that i hadn't expected. As much as some of it was more guessable at what would happen, there was parts that you couldn't predict and that kept the story going.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book and enjoyed it quite a lot.

I liked the beginning, although at times, there were a lot of new people to keep straight.

Not sure why each chapter was titled with the narrator, as he seemed to be the only one who ever started a chapter.

The story itself was well done and kept me guessing as to who dunnit til the end.

The narration was great too and easy to listen to.

[Maria Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Sacred Heart Secondary School, privilege hides something sinister. Beneath the polished corridors and manicured lawns lies a network of lies, and the death of another student exposes the rot beneath the surface.

Vince, a young investigator, is drawn into the school’s hidden darkness, where every clue deepens the mystery and every shadow might conceal another body. What really happened behind these walls? Is it just a secret… or is death the curriculum at Sacred Heart?

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes you sit up and take notice as it involves a sinister plot behind a privilege school .Lots of suspense and murders in the read to captivate you from the start. I received this ARC copy via Booksirans and recommend this book to other readers.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good story .I enjoyed it Narration by Aria Byars, was excellent! I was given this book free for an honest review.