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Welcome to Murdertown
Two young backpackers hike up Ghost Mountain to spend the night and are never seen alive again.
Three men are found murdered in a mall parking lot next to an unregistered black van.
A woman kneels in the pool of blood and is arrested for the crime.
Two seemingly unrelated events nearly a year apart, both quickly handled by the police. But Marty Gray’s not so sure they’ve got it right, and when she finds a strange similarity between the two cases, she knows there’s more to the story. But with one spectacularly bad podcast investigation on her resume, no one is willing to take Weird Marty Gray seriously, so she starts her own investigation, asking questions no one wants asked, and unearthing answers no one wants to come to light.
Through the sleepy streets of her small town and the haunted trails of Ghost Mountain, Marty slowly digs up the town’s best kept secrets, while a killer lurks in the shadows, waiting to strike again.
Three men are found murdered in a mall parking lot next to an unregistered black van.
A woman kneels in the pool of blood and is arrested for the crime.
Two seemingly unrelated events nearly a year apart, both quickly handled by the police. But Marty Gray’s not so sure they’ve got it right, and when she finds a strange similarity between the two cases, she knows there’s more to the story. But with one spectacularly bad podcast investigation on her resume, no one is willing to take Weird Marty Gray seriously, so she starts her own investigation, asking questions no one wants asked, and unearthing answers no one wants to come to light.
Through the sleepy streets of her small town and the haunted trails of Ghost Mountain, Marty slowly digs up the town’s best kept secrets, while a killer lurks in the shadows, waiting to strike again.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 20, 2025
This story had some excellent elements. Intriguing mysterious, unsolved crime, a true crime podcast, a traumatic past. Despite all that gold, the pacing was so slow and there were so many tangents that didn't forward the story whatsoever. The ending was also both satisfying and disappointing.
February 27, 2025
⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️
Marty Gray doesn’t know how to let things go. Her brother’s disappearance, a case of two missing hitchhikers, and now three men killed in a parking lot. Will she be able to uncover the latest mystery? Or will it all blow up in her face…again?
Possible spoilers
A psychological thriller full of mystery, cover-ups, and grief.
I liked the eeriness of Ghost Mountain, the chilling atmosphere of the setting. Not unique per se, but still slightly creepy and unsettling.
‘Weird’ Marty Gray, our main character, was a decent heroine, if not maybe a tad too nosy for her own good. She’s determined to find the truth, even risking her life to unmask the ghosts and secrets of Murdertown.
And she’s unexpectedly actually pretty good at it, uncovering links out of nowhere as if the truth just materialized in her mind, the proof just falling in her lap. It was unbelievable at times, how she would arrive to the right conclusion, leaving us readers (or me, maybe just me) confused, like how did we get here?
But leaving my questionable detective skills aside, the plot line was overall too depressing for me. Marty Gray’s life is depressing. The missing girls, the innocent woman in jail, the dead boys, the too many stories of assaults and covered-up crimes.
Not that I expected to feel happy when reading a thriller, but I also don’t care for never-ending sadness. The ending was conclusive plot-wise, but not really satisfying. Everyone’s still dead, the families still hurt. But at least Marty Gray got her podcast back, right?
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
The police may no longer be listening, but I am. And I won’t give up. It’s not in my blood.
Marty Gray doesn’t know how to let things go. Her brother’s disappearance, a case of two missing hitchhikers, and now three men killed in a parking lot. Will she be able to uncover the latest mystery? Or will it all blow up in her face…again?
Possible spoilers
But sometimes when I have a question, I can’t stop thinking about it until I have an answer.
A psychological thriller full of mystery, cover-ups, and grief.
I liked the eeriness of Ghost Mountain, the chilling atmosphere of the setting. Not unique per se, but still slightly creepy and unsettling.
‘Weird’ Marty Gray, our main character, was a decent heroine, if not maybe a tad too nosy for her own good. She’s determined to find the truth, even risking her life to unmask the ghosts and secrets of Murdertown.
And she’s unexpectedly actually pretty good at it, uncovering links out of nowhere as if the truth just materialized in her mind, the proof just falling in her lap. It was unbelievable at times, how she would arrive to the right conclusion, leaving us readers (or me, maybe just me) confused, like how did we get here?
But leaving my questionable detective skills aside, the plot line was overall too depressing for me. Marty Gray’s life is depressing. The missing girls, the innocent woman in jail, the dead boys, the too many stories of assaults and covered-up crimes.
Not that I expected to feel happy when reading a thriller, but I also don’t care for never-ending sadness. The ending was conclusive plot-wise, but not really satisfying. Everyone’s still dead, the families still hurt. But at least Marty Gray got her podcast back, right?
Welcome to Murdertown, I’d called my podcast, never once considering the town might welcome me.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
March 1, 2025
A remote town that has been rocked by a triple murder. The sons of the two most respected families in the town were discovered dead in a parking lot, their throats cut. A third man was also found dead at the scene. An ex-con, few people are mourning his death. A local woman, Willow Snell, is in prison for the murders, having been found at the scene of the crime with no memory of what happened.
Local woman Marty Gray, who has known her own share of family heartache, is not convinced that the case is as clear cut as people want to believe. She determines to start her own investigation.
Unfortunately, with her recent foray into podcasting Marty has got a bit of a reputation in town. Though she examined the case of two missing backpackers with the best of intentions, the fallout makes it hard for her to be trusted. She is certain that the two cases are linked. Someone is determined that she be scared off looking too deeply into this case…someone who has a vested interest in keeping the activities of the towns’ golden boys a secret.
Marty is not always the most circumspect of characters, but her heart is in the right place. I liked her determination to find answers, and in the process the fact she got some form of closure for her own situation.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
Local woman Marty Gray, who has known her own share of family heartache, is not convinced that the case is as clear cut as people want to believe. She determines to start her own investigation.
Unfortunately, with her recent foray into podcasting Marty has got a bit of a reputation in town. Though she examined the case of two missing backpackers with the best of intentions, the fallout makes it hard for her to be trusted. She is certain that the two cases are linked. Someone is determined that she be scared off looking too deeply into this case…someone who has a vested interest in keeping the activities of the towns’ golden boys a secret.
Marty is not always the most circumspect of characters, but her heart is in the right place. I liked her determination to find answers, and in the process the fact she got some form of closure for her own situation.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
March 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
This was a really fun and entertaining thriller. I was hooked from the beginning and I always love when a book has a podcast element. This was a bit different than your normal podcast since the MC had already stopped the podcast but the episodes were still included.
I adored the MC, Marty and Peabody especially. They were a lot of fun as characters.
There were quite a few mysteries that are going on at the same time and very interconnected. I didn't expect the twists and how every one intertwined. The ending was also satisfying, which I love!
My only reason for this not being 5 stars is I feel like it was just missing something to make it a fully stand out read. It was great, no complaints, but there was just something missing from pushing it to the best of the best category. Plus I thought it would be a little more eerie with the title and the setting and it was just a thriller.
But overall, a fun and a fast read I would recommend!
This was a really fun and entertaining thriller. I was hooked from the beginning and I always love when a book has a podcast element. This was a bit different than your normal podcast since the MC had already stopped the podcast but the episodes were still included.
I adored the MC, Marty and Peabody especially. They were a lot of fun as characters.
There were quite a few mysteries that are going on at the same time and very interconnected. I didn't expect the twists and how every one intertwined. The ending was also satisfying, which I love!
My only reason for this not being 5 stars is I feel like it was just missing something to make it a fully stand out read. It was great, no complaints, but there was just something missing from pushing it to the best of the best category. Plus I thought it would be a little more eerie with the title and the setting and it was just a thriller.
But overall, a fun and a fast read I would recommend!
February 22, 2025
Thank you Net Galley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great murder mystery that has me guessing throughout who was the killer/killers. I felt engaged the whole time I was reading and it was a fairly fast paced book. I enjoyed the main character and her determination to redeem herself and try to find out who the killer was. She was dealing with something similar with her brother who has gone missing and had not been found. I didn’t predict how it would end and I enjoyed the book overall.
This was a great murder mystery that has me guessing throughout who was the killer/killers. I felt engaged the whole time I was reading and it was a fairly fast paced book. I enjoyed the main character and her determination to redeem herself and try to find out who the killer was. She was dealing with something similar with her brother who has gone missing and had not been found. I didn’t predict how it would end and I enjoyed the book overall.
April 1, 2025
This was unpredictable and an awesome mystery! The pacing is fast and I was invested in the story start to finish. I think this is a great thriller and I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Rian Wynne and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2025
Welcome to Murdertown was a lot of fun - a twisty small town mystery with a slightly spooky edge that kept me turning the pages. I’m a sucker for ghost towns and haunted settings, and this book delivered on that atmospheric front. The sleepy town vibe mixed with eerie secrets gave it a cool, offbeat energy that really worked for me.
Marty Gray, the main character, took a little while to warm to. At first, she felt a bit ‘try hard’, like the book was working overtime to make her quirky and different - but once I settled into the story, she became more likeable and believable. Her determination, her flaws, and the way she doesn’t let people’s doubt stop her made her stand out.
The plot weaves together two strange crimes in a satisfying way, and I appreciated how the mystery unfolded. It was never too obvious, but wasn’t confusing either. There’s a good balance between suspense and character, and the pacing kept me interested throughout.
All in all, this is a solid mystery with a unique voice and setting. I’d definitely pick up more from Rian Wynne in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.
Marty Gray, the main character, took a little while to warm to. At first, she felt a bit ‘try hard’, like the book was working overtime to make her quirky and different - but once I settled into the story, she became more likeable and believable. Her determination, her flaws, and the way she doesn’t let people’s doubt stop her made her stand out.
The plot weaves together two strange crimes in a satisfying way, and I appreciated how the mystery unfolded. It was never too obvious, but wasn’t confusing either. There’s a good balance between suspense and character, and the pacing kept me interested throughout.
All in all, this is a solid mystery with a unique voice and setting. I’d definitely pick up more from Rian Wynne in the future.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.
July 19, 2025
3.5 rounded up.
I liked reading this. It was a fun mix of small-town intrigue, mild suspense, and thriller-style showdowns.
Energy: Bummed. Curious. Tenacious.
🐺 Growls: The repeated reminders that the main character is good at being persistent got old fast.
🐕 Howls: Some of the main reveals show up a bit conveniently for the main character, but it wasn’t too contrived. I was hoping for more cringe, but the MC was more naïve than weird – it still worked it was just different than I was expecting.
🐩 Tail Wags: The missing hiker case. The pacing dives right into the action and fills in backstory as we go. Solid pacing. The eerie ghost town. Mostly satisfying resolution – the MC fills us in on things and one mystery stayed unsolved, but it was kind of like how real life often plays out.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Plymouth, Oregon, USA
Perspective: A 28-year-old who is living in their childhood home, doing odd jobs after a failed attempt at a true crime podcast that got them ostracized online and within their small town. Also get snippets of the main character’s Welcome to Murder Town podcast, articles about the podcast, and interviews.
Timeline: Linear. 2020s. ☀️ Summer, heat wave
🔥 Fuel: What happened to the main character’s brother when they were kids? What did she do on podcast that made people so angry? Is she misunderstood or unreliable? Where are the missing hikers? Did an accused murderer actually do it? Is our main character putting herself in danger with her sleuthing?
📖 Cred: Plausible
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Porch light. Flip flops. July sun. Blue stain. Casa Taco. Mike’s MMA. Rotten hamburger meat. Gold rush ghost town.
• Characters speaking to us, deep in their mind, theorizing (first person)
• Cinematic, direct writing style
• Bumbling, morally good, morally ambiguous, and tunnel visioned characters
• Getting the tea from media snippets
• Mostly abandoned gold rush tourist town
• Cancelled true crime podcast
• Rich kids behaving badly, small town dynamics
• Cat-and-mouse pursuit and close calls
• Closed (and cold) cases revisited
• Guilty or innocent main suspect
• Howdunit, whodunit, whydunit
• Missing or murdered?
• Not like the other sleuths
• Overcoming loss and failure
Content Heads-Up: Corpse (discovery of, handling). Death. Drugging. Drugs (dealing, producing). Grief (brief moments). Heart condition. Loss of sibling (as adult; as child). Missing child. Online threats, cancel culture. Overdose (off page). Physical attack, attempted murder. Rape (multiple perps; attempted; on page). Victim shaming, disbelief.
Rep: American. Norwegian (peripheral). Pale, pink, olive skin tones. Asthma (peripheral character).
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Rian Wynne and NetGalley.
💖 Musings powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
I liked reading this. It was a fun mix of small-town intrigue, mild suspense, and thriller-style showdowns.
Energy: Bummed. Curious. Tenacious.
🐺 Growls: The repeated reminders that the main character is good at being persistent got old fast.
🐕 Howls: Some of the main reveals show up a bit conveniently for the main character, but it wasn’t too contrived. I was hoping for more cringe, but the MC was more naïve than weird – it still worked it was just different than I was expecting.
🐩 Tail Wags: The missing hiker case. The pacing dives right into the action and fills in backstory as we go. Solid pacing. The eerie ghost town. Mostly satisfying resolution – the MC fills us in on things and one mystery stayed unsolved, but it was kind of like how real life often plays out.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Plymouth, Oregon, USA
Perspective: A 28-year-old who is living in their childhood home, doing odd jobs after a failed attempt at a true crime podcast that got them ostracized online and within their small town. Also get snippets of the main character’s Welcome to Murder Town podcast, articles about the podcast, and interviews.
Timeline: Linear. 2020s. ☀️ Summer, heat wave
🔥 Fuel: What happened to the main character’s brother when they were kids? What did she do on podcast that made people so angry? Is she misunderstood or unreliable? Where are the missing hikers? Did an accused murderer actually do it? Is our main character putting herself in danger with her sleuthing?
📖 Cred: Plausible
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Porch light. Flip flops. July sun. Blue stain. Casa Taco. Mike’s MMA. Rotten hamburger meat. Gold rush ghost town.
• Characters speaking to us, deep in their mind, theorizing (first person)
• Cinematic, direct writing style
• Bumbling, morally good, morally ambiguous, and tunnel visioned characters
• Getting the tea from media snippets
• Mostly abandoned gold rush tourist town
• Cancelled true crime podcast
• Rich kids behaving badly, small town dynamics
• Cat-and-mouse pursuit and close calls
• Closed (and cold) cases revisited
• Guilty or innocent main suspect
• Howdunit, whodunit, whydunit
• Missing or murdered?
• Not like the other sleuths
• Overcoming loss and failure
Content Heads-Up: Corpse (discovery of, handling). Death. Drugging. Drugs (dealing, producing). Grief (brief moments). Heart condition. Loss of sibling (as adult; as child). Missing child. Online threats, cancel culture. Overdose (off page). Physical attack, attempted murder. Rape (multiple perps; attempted; on page). Victim shaming, disbelief.
Rep: American. Norwegian (peripheral). Pale, pink, olive skin tones. Asthma (peripheral character).
📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Rian Wynne and NetGalley.
💖 Musings powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
February 13, 2025
This book is one of the best murder mysteries I've read in a while (and I'm currently in my detective phase, so Ive been reading a lot!). Set in the nearly isolated town of Plymouth, Weird Marty Gray is known as the Missing Boy's sister. Unable to move on after her brother vanished when he was a kid, Marty's parents have all but abandoned her. With no friends except the resigned Peabody, Marty is pretty much the town outcast. Certain events from the past make Marty even more of a recluse. The mysteries begin when two Norwegian backpackers disappear in the nearby Ghost Town and its haunted woods. Things take a turn for the worse when one of the women is discovered dead in the woods with a mysterious blue stain on her hand. After a half-hearted investigation and search by the town police and residents, the disappearance is brushed under the rug (like everything else in this town).
Nearly a year later, another string of murders, dubbed the "Parking Lot murders," involving the sons of Plymouth's two rich families shakes the town. They are discovered in a pool of their own blood, strangled to death. Another unknown man's body is found next to them, unconnected to these boys unitl now. A local dogwalking girl, who is as strange as Marty, if not more so, is found kneeling in their blood with no recollection of the events. The town is quick to accept another botched investigation, preferring to blame the weird lonely girl rather than their darling golden boys.
After Marty's podcast investigating the disappearance of the backpackers goes horribly wrong, turning the town's existing dislike of her to hatred, Marty has sworn off asking questions. She keeps her head down, avoids certain streets, visits her brother's false grave once a year, and diligently keeps the porch light on, hoping it'll act as a beacon for her brother to come home. However, some clues and a pleading request by the dead man's sister set off her inquisitive mind, and unable to sit quietly while a possibly innocent woman is sent to jail, Marty restarts her detective work. Amidst threats, glares, broken windows and vandalism from the townspeople, Marty is determined to find out what happened to the two lively girls and how it's connected to the three Parking Lot murders. And how does it tie in with her past and her brother's disappearance?
*spoilers ahead*
What I loved about this book:
The writing is simply amazing. It does not feel like a debut novel, but rather that of a seasoned writer. The author takes you on a journey hiking through the Oregon woods. I, a person who's never been to the US, much less Oregon, was transported to the other side of the world. I could feel the wind blowing through the dense trees, the sunlight falling in sheets on the forest floor, the stale smell of the bars, and the tense environment of the woods holding its resident secrets close. The author does a great job of making you feel like you're right there next to Marty. You feel her apprehension, her skepticism, her grief, her fear, and her unwavering determination to not take no for an answer. I kept rooting for Marty the whole way, even though she was a bit dense at times. I liked that I literally could not guess who the killer was until the end. With the inclusion of excerpts from Marty's podcast and newspaper articles, the book felt very similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but more dark and dangerous. So if you liked that book, you'll love this one for sure!
I do wish that the one final mystery was solved. I really hope that's covered in the next book.
But overall, it's a great quick thriller with all the elements in a perfect combination. I'd love to explore more of the author's work.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
☆
Nearly a year later, another string of murders, dubbed the "Parking Lot murders," involving the sons of Plymouth's two rich families shakes the town. They are discovered in a pool of their own blood, strangled to death. Another unknown man's body is found next to them, unconnected to these boys unitl now. A local dogwalking girl, who is as strange as Marty, if not more so, is found kneeling in their blood with no recollection of the events. The town is quick to accept another botched investigation, preferring to blame the weird lonely girl rather than their darling golden boys.
After Marty's podcast investigating the disappearance of the backpackers goes horribly wrong, turning the town's existing dislike of her to hatred, Marty has sworn off asking questions. She keeps her head down, avoids certain streets, visits her brother's false grave once a year, and diligently keeps the porch light on, hoping it'll act as a beacon for her brother to come home. However, some clues and a pleading request by the dead man's sister set off her inquisitive mind, and unable to sit quietly while a possibly innocent woman is sent to jail, Marty restarts her detective work. Amidst threats, glares, broken windows and vandalism from the townspeople, Marty is determined to find out what happened to the two lively girls and how it's connected to the three Parking Lot murders. And how does it tie in with her past and her brother's disappearance?
*spoilers ahead*
What I loved about this book:
The writing is simply amazing. It does not feel like a debut novel, but rather that of a seasoned writer. The author takes you on a journey hiking through the Oregon woods. I, a person who's never been to the US, much less Oregon, was transported to the other side of the world. I could feel the wind blowing through the dense trees, the sunlight falling in sheets on the forest floor, the stale smell of the bars, and the tense environment of the woods holding its resident secrets close. The author does a great job of making you feel like you're right there next to Marty. You feel her apprehension, her skepticism, her grief, her fear, and her unwavering determination to not take no for an answer. I kept rooting for Marty the whole way, even though she was a bit dense at times. I liked that I literally could not guess who the killer was until the end. With the inclusion of excerpts from Marty's podcast and newspaper articles, the book felt very similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but more dark and dangerous. So if you liked that book, you'll love this one for sure!
I do wish that the one final mystery was solved. I really hope that's covered in the next book.
But overall, it's a great quick thriller with all the elements in a perfect combination. I'd love to explore more of the author's work.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
☆
February 15, 2025
Finished reading: February 14th 2025
"Fifty thousand people might sound like a large enough place, but you make a mistake and all of a sudden it's a small town, no matter who you've wronged this time."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Rian Wynne in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
February 24, 2025
★★★★.5
Marty Gray’s life and identity have been shaped by her brother’s disappearance nearly 20 years ago. She is seeking closure, but unlike the people around her, she needs to know what happened before she can finally move on.
When two Norwegian backpackers, Astrid and Linnea, disappear nearby, Marty decides to start a podcast in an attempt to uncover the truth and bring the families of the two girls some closure. If anyone understands the importance of closure, it must be Marty. Rumors swirl around the case—after all, the girls vanished in the small, abandoned ghost town of Golden, at the base of Ghost Mountain, part of the Blue Mountain Range.
“It’s Ghost Mountain, you know? Weird things happen.”
Astrid was found dead a few days after her disappearance, with a heart condition believed to have caused her death. But Marty suspects there’s more to the story. In her mind, the evidence just doesn’t add up. All that remains is a YouTube video of the two girls in a local bar, singing a made-up song that now feels eerily close to the truth:
♬♪♫ “It’s a ghost town / There’s nothing to see / But don’t look / Don’t look for me…” ♫♪♬
And then, there’s the chilling, heartbreaking final message from the still-missing Linnea: “I’m here.”
Most locals moved on, but things in Plymouth didn’t stay quiet for long. Another murder occurred—the Parking Lot Murders. The victims: two of the town’s golden boys and an unknown local who barely garners any media attention. Once again, things don’t add up. Another half-hearted investigation identifies what must be the least likely suspect in history! Despite the fallout from her attempted podcast nearly a year ago, Marty feels it’s up to her to uncover the truth and bring closure to the victims’ families…
”Welcome to Murdertown? More like Welcome to My Overactive Imagination.”
What a fantastic book! I was a little hesitant to read yet another crime novel centered around a podcast, but in this story, it wasn’t the focus. The story was well-written—definitely not a debut, as confirmed by the writer. Rian Wynne writes under a pen name—a mystery surrounding the mystery—I am here for it!
The character development was amazing, as was the atmospheric setting. Marty is a unique character—flawed at times, but you can’t fault her. Growing up in the shadow of her brother’s disappearance in a small town with no resolution, always being reminded of what was and what could have been, she felt incredibly relatable. Rian Wynne did an excellent job bringing her to life! The description of the twice-abandoned ghost town and the eerie woods surrounding both Max’s and the backpackers’ disappearances made it feel like I was right there, hiking alongside Marty.
As for the mystery, I was utterly clueless! Other than knowing that the world’s least likely suspect was about to be charged, I had no idea what was going on—it was perfect! I highly recommend you check this out!
Thank you NetGalley and Rian Wynne for an early copy. All opinions are my own.
Marty Gray’s life and identity have been shaped by her brother’s disappearance nearly 20 years ago. She is seeking closure, but unlike the people around her, she needs to know what happened before she can finally move on.
When two Norwegian backpackers, Astrid and Linnea, disappear nearby, Marty decides to start a podcast in an attempt to uncover the truth and bring the families of the two girls some closure. If anyone understands the importance of closure, it must be Marty. Rumors swirl around the case—after all, the girls vanished in the small, abandoned ghost town of Golden, at the base of Ghost Mountain, part of the Blue Mountain Range.
“It’s Ghost Mountain, you know? Weird things happen.”
Astrid was found dead a few days after her disappearance, with a heart condition believed to have caused her death. But Marty suspects there’s more to the story. In her mind, the evidence just doesn’t add up. All that remains is a YouTube video of the two girls in a local bar, singing a made-up song that now feels eerily close to the truth:
♬♪♫ “It’s a ghost town / There’s nothing to see / But don’t look / Don’t look for me…” ♫♪♬
And then, there’s the chilling, heartbreaking final message from the still-missing Linnea: “I’m here.”
Most locals moved on, but things in Plymouth didn’t stay quiet for long. Another murder occurred—the Parking Lot Murders. The victims: two of the town’s golden boys and an unknown local who barely garners any media attention. Once again, things don’t add up. Another half-hearted investigation identifies what must be the least likely suspect in history! Despite the fallout from her attempted podcast nearly a year ago, Marty feels it’s up to her to uncover the truth and bring closure to the victims’ families…
”Welcome to Murdertown? More like Welcome to My Overactive Imagination.”
What a fantastic book! I was a little hesitant to read yet another crime novel centered around a podcast, but in this story, it wasn’t the focus. The story was well-written—definitely not a debut, as confirmed by the writer. Rian Wynne writes under a pen name—a mystery surrounding the mystery—I am here for it!
The character development was amazing, as was the atmospheric setting. Marty is a unique character—flawed at times, but you can’t fault her. Growing up in the shadow of her brother’s disappearance in a small town with no resolution, always being reminded of what was and what could have been, she felt incredibly relatable. Rian Wynne did an excellent job bringing her to life! The description of the twice-abandoned ghost town and the eerie woods surrounding both Max’s and the backpackers’ disappearances made it feel like I was right there, hiking alongside Marty.
As for the mystery, I was utterly clueless! Other than knowing that the world’s least likely suspect was about to be charged, I had no idea what was going on—it was perfect! I highly recommend you check this out!
Thank you NetGalley and Rian Wynne for an early copy. All opinions are my own.
February 5, 2025
"I definitely don’t have an off-switch in my brain that says it’s okay to let this one go."
That's the book, basically.
Summary:
Marty Gray is our main character, and she never learned how to let go. Her brother disappeared when she was eight years old. Twenty years later, she still lives in the home her parents fled ten years ago, desperate for a new start.
After spending most of her life investigating her own brother's disappearance, Marty starts an ill-fated podcast about two hikers who went missing in a local ghost town. Nearly a year after the spectacular failure of this podcast, three men are murdered in a parking lot in Marty's town. Like every other mystery Marty has ever heard of, she can't get this one out of her head.
My Thoughts:
Marty really grew on me. Like, she definitely needs a fantastic therapist and also maybe a nap. But she feels like a real person with real trauma. She makes several stupid choices, but you always see where she is coming from.
If there is ever a sequel. More Peabody, please.
I think the pacing was pretty good. It always felt like something new was happening, but not so quickly that it was hard to keep up. There is a section right at the end that felt a bit infodumpy, but it made sense, I suppose. Felt more like a recap than a rushed ending, which was nice.
As for the mystery itself: I genuinely did not see a lot of these twists coming. Yet they all felt logical. There were enough hints that I think a reread would be fun, but not so many that it gave the game away too quickly. I do think that in the early middle of the book there starts to become a lot of names and dates to keep up with. By the time I finished the book, though, I knew who everyone was and what had happened when. So hang in there!
Final Opinion
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, satisfying read. I would love to read more from this author, and I would be interested in seeing a return from Marty Gray.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
That's the book, basically.
Summary:
Marty Gray is our main character, and she never learned how to let go. Her brother disappeared when she was eight years old. Twenty years later, she still lives in the home her parents fled ten years ago, desperate for a new start.
After spending most of her life investigating her own brother's disappearance, Marty starts an ill-fated podcast about two hikers who went missing in a local ghost town. Nearly a year after the spectacular failure of this podcast, three men are murdered in a parking lot in Marty's town. Like every other mystery Marty has ever heard of, she can't get this one out of her head.
My Thoughts:
Marty really grew on me. Like, she definitely needs a fantastic therapist and also maybe a nap. But she feels like a real person with real trauma. She makes several stupid choices, but you always see where she is coming from.
If there is ever a sequel. More Peabody, please.
I think the pacing was pretty good. It always felt like something new was happening, but not so quickly that it was hard to keep up. There is a section right at the end that felt a bit infodumpy, but it made sense, I suppose. Felt more like a recap than a rushed ending, which was nice.
As for the mystery itself: I genuinely did not see a lot of these twists coming. Yet they all felt logical. There were enough hints that I think a reread would be fun, but not so many that it gave the game away too quickly. I do think that in the early middle of the book there starts to become a lot of names and dates to keep up with. By the time I finished the book, though, I knew who everyone was and what had happened when. So hang in there!
Final Opinion
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, satisfying read. I would love to read more from this author, and I would be interested in seeing a return from Marty Gray.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
February 21, 2025
Honest Netgalley ARC Review: This was a really fun mystery story that I got sucked into. The plot and the characters made me invested and I was eager to find answers just like the main character. Marty lives in a small town and is known as the weird girl. After her brother goes missing in the woods when they are kids she is seen as an outcast. Everyone has been able to move on with their life but Marty can’t. When she is adult she starts a Podcast about two tourists who visit the local ghost town and the tragedy that follows. Although she has the best intentions the Podcast is a major failure and adds to the ostracization of Marty. When a women she knew in school is arrested for the murder of three men she is intrigued and befuddled by the story. Marty is not convinced that the police are doing their job and starts looking into things herself. With grief for her brother still heavy in her heart and hate mail from her failed Podcast still flowing, Marty starts an investigation to find out the truth once and for all. The mystery aspect of this book was really enjoyable. Slowly finding clues and learning the connections between all the incidents and people was really exciting. The more I learned about all the characters the more invested I became. I really enjoyed Marty and found her to be so human. She was passionate about wanting to help others find peace and closure even if it didn’t go the way she wanted. I think Marty is a very relatable character and anyone who has experienced loss in their life can understand her actions. There was a bit of suspense and thrilling action towards the end that had me flipping the pages very quickly. This was a great mystery book and a very enjoyable and quick read. Check this out if you enjoy mystery books with intrigue, finding justice, Podcast elements, small town setting, investigations, grief, and learning to live without all the answers.
February 13, 2025
**ARC was provided by NetGalley for review**
╭──── 🌿 Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne
╰ ❝ The answers are never what you want them to be; there is seldom a good solution to the story of a missing boy or two lost girls or three men murdered in a parking lot. Waiting haunts us, but only because we don’t know the monster that lurks behind it. ❞
╭──── 🌿 A B O U T – T H E – B O O K :
Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a gripping thriller set in a small town where two seemingly unrelated crimes—two missing backpackers and a triple homicide—begin to intertwine in unsettling ways. Marty Gray, a woman haunted by the disappearance of her brother, takes it upon herself to investigate. She runs a podcast about the hikers' case, though her previous attempts at investigation have led to ridicule. As she digs deeper, Marty uncovers the dark secrets of her town, facing dangers from both the past and present.
This novel blends suspense, mystery, and domestic drama, with plenty of twists and tension. It is expected to be released on March 1, 2025.
｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡
♡ M Y – L I K E S
✦ The investigative side of the story. I loved all the details.
✦ A sufficient amount of twists!
↴ M Y – D I S L I K E S
✦ Was relatively slow until like 70% through the book.
✦ The name Peabody.
｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡
╭──── 🌿 O V E R A L L:
╰ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
I enjoyed the book a lot, I just felt it could have been a little more action packed sooner then over halfway through. I feel like 70% of the story was just investigation and buildup and it took a while to get to the climax. But my god, when it got there it was all hell breaking loose!
I enjoyed the writing style, a little wordy and drawn out at times.
But overall it was a great thriller, plenty of suspense!
╭──── 🌿 Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne
╰ ❝ The answers are never what you want them to be; there is seldom a good solution to the story of a missing boy or two lost girls or three men murdered in a parking lot. Waiting haunts us, but only because we don’t know the monster that lurks behind it. ❞
╭──── 🌿 A B O U T – T H E – B O O K :
Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a gripping thriller set in a small town where two seemingly unrelated crimes—two missing backpackers and a triple homicide—begin to intertwine in unsettling ways. Marty Gray, a woman haunted by the disappearance of her brother, takes it upon herself to investigate. She runs a podcast about the hikers' case, though her previous attempts at investigation have led to ridicule. As she digs deeper, Marty uncovers the dark secrets of her town, facing dangers from both the past and present.
This novel blends suspense, mystery, and domestic drama, with plenty of twists and tension. It is expected to be released on March 1, 2025.
｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡
♡ M Y – L I K E S
✦ The investigative side of the story. I loved all the details.
✦ A sufficient amount of twists!
↴ M Y – D I S L I K E S
✦ Was relatively slow until like 70% through the book.
✦ The name Peabody.
｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡
╭──── 🌿 O V E R A L L:
╰ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
I enjoyed the book a lot, I just felt it could have been a little more action packed sooner then over halfway through. I feel like 70% of the story was just investigation and buildup and it took a while to get to the climax. But my god, when it got there it was all hell breaking loose!
I enjoyed the writing style, a little wordy and drawn out at times.
But overall it was a great thriller, plenty of suspense!
February 3, 2025
Crime 1: Two young backpackers are touring the US and stop at Golden, a 'ghost town' in Oregon. They have plans to hike Ghost Mountain to find...ghosts. They take one last photo together at the beginning of the hike, and they are never seen alive again. (Think - the two Dutch women who disappeared in Panama).
Crime 2: A local woman is found in a parking lot, covered in blood and gunpowder residue, and next to the bodies of three dead men. Two have been garroted to death, and the third was shot directly in the face.
After the two seemingly unrelated crimes occur almost a year apart, Marty Gray will risk everything to find out the truth and how the two crimes connect.
Marty Gray still lives in her childhood home. She diligently leaves the porch light on at all times because when she was a young girl, her six-year-old brother disappeared and was never seen again. The light on the porch is there, so he will always know where his house is, should he ever return.
She's known as Weird Marty Gray for years, but that changes after she creates a podcast, "Welcome to Murder Town," to discover what happened to the two young women at Ghost Mountain. After a few mishaps and accusations, she becomes "Liar Marty Gray."
Welcome to Murder Town by Rian Wynne is a small-town domestic thriller layered beyond a simple 'who did it?' premise. It's a small town full of secrets and money, drugs and rich boys, and parents who do anything for their kids and their reputation. Marty Gray is trying to solve a disappearance because she can't solve her brother's. Marty Gray has lived as Weird/Liar Marty Gray long enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book before its release.
Crime 2: A local woman is found in a parking lot, covered in blood and gunpowder residue, and next to the bodies of three dead men. Two have been garroted to death, and the third was shot directly in the face.
After the two seemingly unrelated crimes occur almost a year apart, Marty Gray will risk everything to find out the truth and how the two crimes connect.
Marty Gray still lives in her childhood home. She diligently leaves the porch light on at all times because when she was a young girl, her six-year-old brother disappeared and was never seen again. The light on the porch is there, so he will always know where his house is, should he ever return.
She's known as Weird Marty Gray for years, but that changes after she creates a podcast, "Welcome to Murder Town," to discover what happened to the two young women at Ghost Mountain. After a few mishaps and accusations, she becomes "Liar Marty Gray."
Welcome to Murder Town by Rian Wynne is a small-town domestic thriller layered beyond a simple 'who did it?' premise. It's a small town full of secrets and money, drugs and rich boys, and parents who do anything for their kids and their reputation. Marty Gray is trying to solve a disappearance because she can't solve her brother's. Marty Gray has lived as Weird/Liar Marty Gray long enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book before its release.
February 14, 2025
**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Gripping Thriller That Keeps You Hooked!**
*Welcome to the Murdertown* by Rian Wynne is an absolute page-turner, a fast-paced thriller that never slows down for even a second. From the haunting mystery of Ghost Mountain to the shocking triple murder in a mall parking lot, the story is packed with twists, secrets, and an investigation that pulls you in right alongside the determined protagonist, Marty Gray.
Marty is a compelling lead, grappling with the unresolved disappearance of her brother while throwing herself into another tangled mystery that no one else seems to care about. She feels incredibly real—flawed, persistent, and easy to root for. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives, yet everything ties together seamlessly in the final chapter, delivering a satisfying and well-thought-out resolution. The addition of podcast transcripts woven into the narrative is pure genius, making the story feel even more immersive.
Despite having a large cast of characters, the author does a fantastic job introducing them in a way that never feels overwhelming. The mystery itself is gripping and realistic, avoiding over-the-top gore in favor of a plot that feels disturbingly plausible. And let’s talk about the twists—brilliantly executed, never forced, and always logical.
The ending ties up the immediate mystery beautifully, but it leaves just enough open to make you crave a sequel—especially regarding Marty’s brother. And Peabody? Absolutely love him! We *need* more of him in the next book.
Overall, *Welcome to the Murdertown* is a must-read for mystery lovers who enjoy clever storytelling, realistic characters, and a suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!
*Welcome to the Murdertown* by Rian Wynne is an absolute page-turner, a fast-paced thriller that never slows down for even a second. From the haunting mystery of Ghost Mountain to the shocking triple murder in a mall parking lot, the story is packed with twists, secrets, and an investigation that pulls you in right alongside the determined protagonist, Marty Gray.
Marty is a compelling lead, grappling with the unresolved disappearance of her brother while throwing herself into another tangled mystery that no one else seems to care about. She feels incredibly real—flawed, persistent, and easy to root for. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives, yet everything ties together seamlessly in the final chapter, delivering a satisfying and well-thought-out resolution. The addition of podcast transcripts woven into the narrative is pure genius, making the story feel even more immersive.
Despite having a large cast of characters, the author does a fantastic job introducing them in a way that never feels overwhelming. The mystery itself is gripping and realistic, avoiding over-the-top gore in favor of a plot that feels disturbingly plausible. And let’s talk about the twists—brilliantly executed, never forced, and always logical.
The ending ties up the immediate mystery beautifully, but it leaves just enough open to make you crave a sequel—especially regarding Marty’s brother. And Peabody? Absolutely love him! We *need* more of him in the next book.
Overall, *Welcome to the Murdertown* is a must-read for mystery lovers who enjoy clever storytelling, realistic characters, and a suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!
February 16, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc
When they were kids, Marty Gray’s brother vanished, it’s been over 20 years and nobody knows what happened to him. Marty holds on hope he’ll somehow come back one day - leaving the porch’s light on all the time, while visiting an empty grave and telling him about her life. She’s a complex woman that has a really hard time letting go. To say the least. Loved her so much from the get go.
After the disappearance of two hikers near her very isolated town, she starts a podcast claiming that she knows who’s responsable and that doesn’t go too well. She’s been pretty isolated and hated even since the last episode aired. She has one friend and that’s it. Another former weird kid who decided to investigate her brother’s disappearance back when he went missing. Now I would like a second book to explore that relationship cause we didn’t get enough of it.
Three men are murdered and a woman is arrested, she doesn’t think much of it (except that she has bad history with two of the men) until the sister of the third guy asks her for help. She wants to know what really happened to her brother, she doesn’t believe in what the police are saying.
Marty is just so lovable, she’s the typical amateur detective who keeps getting in trouble because she’s looking in all the wrong places. What I loved about this book is that just like in real life we don’t get all the answers by the end, there’s not here’s everything that happened with one nice little bow. Just like in real life the good guys and the bad guys are not nicely placed in one camp or the other.
When they were kids, Marty Gray’s brother vanished, it’s been over 20 years and nobody knows what happened to him. Marty holds on hope he’ll somehow come back one day - leaving the porch’s light on all the time, while visiting an empty grave and telling him about her life. She’s a complex woman that has a really hard time letting go. To say the least. Loved her so much from the get go.
After the disappearance of two hikers near her very isolated town, she starts a podcast claiming that she knows who’s responsable and that doesn’t go too well. She’s been pretty isolated and hated even since the last episode aired. She has one friend and that’s it. Another former weird kid who decided to investigate her brother’s disappearance back when he went missing. Now I would like a second book to explore that relationship cause we didn’t get enough of it.
Three men are murdered and a woman is arrested, she doesn’t think much of it (except that she has bad history with two of the men) until the sister of the third guy asks her for help. She wants to know what really happened to her brother, she doesn’t believe in what the police are saying.
Marty is just so lovable, she’s the typical amateur detective who keeps getting in trouble because she’s looking in all the wrong places. What I loved about this book is that just like in real life we don’t get all the answers by the end, there’s not here’s everything that happened with one nice little bow. Just like in real life the good guys and the bad guys are not nicely placed in one camp or the other.
February 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Marty Gray was running with her brother in the woods when they were children and he disappeared without a trace. His vanishing has haunted her all these years. While her parents moved away in an effort to move on, she stayed behind, always leaving the porch light on in hopes he would return home.
Since then, there have been more disappearances and murders that can’t be explained. The police took everything at face value, but Weird Marty Gray suspects there may be more to these crimes than meets the eye.
I had mixed feelings about this story. I went in without expectations and it was a good time. I liked the Podcast element of the story and mostly enjoyed Marty as a main character. She could be insufferable at times, but as a single female living alone, I suspected I was more afraid for her than she was for herself. On the one hand, her perseverance made me anxious, as I was afraid of the repercussions. On the other hand, her unwillingness to give up and let things go is what I liked about her.
I felt the story was pretty predictable. There was one small secondary plot twist I hadn’t expected, but for the most part, I had guessed the whodunnits. I would still recommend this book to readers I think would enjoy it. I think it was a decent story and I had a good time. I’ll definitely try another book from this author to see if it hits the mark more for me.
Marty Gray was running with her brother in the woods when they were children and he disappeared without a trace. His vanishing has haunted her all these years. While her parents moved away in an effort to move on, she stayed behind, always leaving the porch light on in hopes he would return home.
Since then, there have been more disappearances and murders that can’t be explained. The police took everything at face value, but Weird Marty Gray suspects there may be more to these crimes than meets the eye.
I had mixed feelings about this story. I went in without expectations and it was a good time. I liked the Podcast element of the story and mostly enjoyed Marty as a main character. She could be insufferable at times, but as a single female living alone, I suspected I was more afraid for her than she was for herself. On the one hand, her perseverance made me anxious, as I was afraid of the repercussions. On the other hand, her unwillingness to give up and let things go is what I liked about her.
I felt the story was pretty predictable. There was one small secondary plot twist I hadn’t expected, but for the most part, I had guessed the whodunnits. I would still recommend this book to readers I think would enjoy it. I think it was a decent story and I had a good time. I’ll definitely try another book from this author to see if it hits the mark more for me.
March 5, 2025
**3.5 stars. Received an e-book ARC, but was unable to finish reading before the publication date**
This was an interesting murder mystery that kept me engaged enough, though it didn’t totally pull me in the entire time. The writing was good, but felt a bit jumpy and disjointed at times. I do wish we got to know the main character more, as the only thing I could really tell you about her is the trauma with her missing brother, which is the main drive behind her desire to find closure for others (and for her failed podcast that this book is named after). We didn’t get much of a view into the character outside of her trauma and her current investigative efforts, making her feel one-dimensional to me. I liked her straightforward attitude, but that’s about as much personality as we got to see.
Overall I enjoyed the plot, and the conclusion makes sense to me, so it made for a solid ending. I feel like it was a bit over-explained at the end, and was basically just a chapter spelling out everything that happened, which I feel like you wouldn’t need if the rest of the story is written well enough for people to be able to connect the dots themselves at the end. I don’t mind a bit of a direct explanation, but this was an entire chapter. Overall I did like it, but it definitely has room for improvement.
This was an interesting murder mystery that kept me engaged enough, though it didn’t totally pull me in the entire time. The writing was good, but felt a bit jumpy and disjointed at times. I do wish we got to know the main character more, as the only thing I could really tell you about her is the trauma with her missing brother, which is the main drive behind her desire to find closure for others (and for her failed podcast that this book is named after). We didn’t get much of a view into the character outside of her trauma and her current investigative efforts, making her feel one-dimensional to me. I liked her straightforward attitude, but that’s about as much personality as we got to see.
Overall I enjoyed the plot, and the conclusion makes sense to me, so it made for a solid ending. I feel like it was a bit over-explained at the end, and was basically just a chapter spelling out everything that happened, which I feel like you wouldn’t need if the rest of the story is written well enough for people to be able to connect the dots themselves at the end. I don’t mind a bit of a direct explanation, but this was an entire chapter. Overall I did like it, but it definitely has room for improvement.
March 1, 2025
20 years ago eight-year-old Marty Grey's younger brother disappeared on the walk back home through the woods - she turned around & he had gone. Now 28, Marty still lives in the same house & keeps watch, waiting for her brother to come home. The search for her brother led Marty to an interest in true crime podcasts & she eventually started 'Welcome to Murdertown' looking at the disappearance of two female backpackers on nearby Ghost Mountain. Unfortunately it backfired spectacularly leaving Marty almost a pariah in the town & now, when the sister of one of three men killed in a mall car park asks Marty to look into the case, she is reluctant because of what happened before, but the more she looks at the evidence the more she knows that something isn't right.
Wow, this is definitely my Read of the Month! I flew through two-thirds of the book in one sitting, it was as if it was tailor-made for me: true crime, unsolved disappearances, & a supposedly haunted ghost town. Sign me up! Marty is a great main character, imperfect but you can empathise with her & what she has been through. It also had good pacing & the storyline was well planned out. I did work out most of what was going on but not all. Verdict: a really good read. Recommended. 4.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & author, Rian Wynne, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Wow, this is definitely my Read of the Month! I flew through two-thirds of the book in one sitting, it was as if it was tailor-made for me: true crime, unsolved disappearances, & a supposedly haunted ghost town. Sign me up! Marty is a great main character, imperfect but you can empathise with her & what she has been through. It also had good pacing & the storyline was well planned out. I did work out most of what was going on but not all. Verdict: a really good read. Recommended. 4.5 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & author, Rian Wynne, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
March 4, 2025
Rian Wynne’s Welcome to Murdertown is a compelling mystery that draws readers into a world filled with suspense, intrigue, and a gripping sense of discovery. The novel follows Marty, an engaging protagonist whose journey keeps the reader actively involved in unraveling the mystery.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its immersive storytelling. Wynne crafts the plot in a way that allows readers to experience the investigation alongside Marty, making for an engaging and interactive reading experience. The pacing is well-handled, ensuring that the twists and turns remain compelling without feeling rushed.
However, while the concept is strong and the execution largely effective, certain sections could have benefitted from deeper exploration. Some moments lack the descriptive depth that could have further enriched the atmosphere and heightened the emotional stakes. More vivid imagery and character development in key scenes might have made the narrative even more impactful.
That said, Welcome to Murdertown remains a solid read for mystery lovers. Wynne’s ability to build tension and maintain intrigue keeps the story moving, making it a worthwhile pick for fans of the genre.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its immersive storytelling. Wynne crafts the plot in a way that allows readers to experience the investigation alongside Marty, making for an engaging and interactive reading experience. The pacing is well-handled, ensuring that the twists and turns remain compelling without feeling rushed.
However, while the concept is strong and the execution largely effective, certain sections could have benefitted from deeper exploration. Some moments lack the descriptive depth that could have further enriched the atmosphere and heightened the emotional stakes. More vivid imagery and character development in key scenes might have made the narrative even more impactful.
That said, Welcome to Murdertown remains a solid read for mystery lovers. Wynne’s ability to build tension and maintain intrigue keeps the story moving, making it a worthwhile pick for fans of the genre.
February 17, 2025
Welcome to Murdertown is a unique murder mystery. We are introduced to Marty aka “Weird Marty Gray” who lives in a small(ish) Oregon town. The same town her little brother went missing in 20 years ago. She becomes obsessed with the deaths of two young women on a mountain in the area. Marty starts a true crime podcast on the mysterious deaths and…. things don’t go to plan. In a pursuit to rectify her wrongs, Marty starts investigating yet another local murder. Will she finally get the answers she seeks?
I enjoyed Welcome to Murdertown and found it to be unique in that it wraps us up in SEVERAL mysteries. It was fun to play around with my own theories and find invisible strings connecting the crimes. The plot was not predictable and I found the pacing to be good. I would have liked to see Wynne fully commit to making Marty “weird”. Her character felt incomplete and pretty vanilla. She had quirky moments but was really rather boring and one dimensional.
Overall, Welcome to Murdertown was a fun mystery and a quick read. I will read more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rian Wynne for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I enjoyed Welcome to Murdertown and found it to be unique in that it wraps us up in SEVERAL mysteries. It was fun to play around with my own theories and find invisible strings connecting the crimes. The plot was not predictable and I found the pacing to be good. I would have liked to see Wynne fully commit to making Marty “weird”. Her character felt incomplete and pretty vanilla. She had quirky moments but was really rather boring and one dimensional.
Overall, Welcome to Murdertown was a fun mystery and a quick read. I will read more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rian Wynne for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 10, 2025
Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a suspenseful murder mystery that will draw readers in with intrigue and a well-written plot.
Marty Gray is determined to overcome her disastrous past podcasting failure. When three people are found dead, Marty is not convinced by the local cops assertion that the deaths are just unrelated events. Diving head first into an investigation of her own, Marty is fueled by the disappearance of her 8-year-old brother twenty years ago. Desperate to make a difference Marty starts digging deep into the secrets of this little town. But the more she digs, the bigger the target gets on her back.
I was really invested throughout this novel, trying to piece together events right alongside Marty. Marty is a great main character, relatable and imperfect, but you really empathize with her. The pacing was good, my only complaint is some parts seemed a little disjointed but I was still highly invested to keep reading late into the night.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rian Wynne for this ARC. Publication day was March 1st 2025.
Marty Gray is determined to overcome her disastrous past podcasting failure. When three people are found dead, Marty is not convinced by the local cops assertion that the deaths are just unrelated events. Diving head first into an investigation of her own, Marty is fueled by the disappearance of her 8-year-old brother twenty years ago. Desperate to make a difference Marty starts digging deep into the secrets of this little town. But the more she digs, the bigger the target gets on her back.
I was really invested throughout this novel, trying to piece together events right alongside Marty. Marty is a great main character, relatable and imperfect, but you really empathize with her. The pacing was good, my only complaint is some parts seemed a little disjointed but I was still highly invested to keep reading late into the night.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rian Wynne for this ARC. Publication day was March 1st 2025.
March 17, 2025
This was every bit as fun as the title suggests. I totally judged the book by the cover! All I saw was the title and pretty colors when deciding to read this one and I was rewarded quite nicely! Marty's brother disappeared twenty years ago from their small town. She has never stopped looking and wondering. Now three more people have disappeared. Marty is coming off of an attempt at podcasting that failed spectacularly and decides to try her hand at solving the case. She notices similarities despite the police not seeing any connections. Marty is a hoot, and I loved following her around the murder town. There are a lot of characters to keep up with, but I think the author made it fairly simple and everyone was fleshed out decently. It did have a few slower moments, but overall, it was a great debut! I loved the ending and how it all tied together. I look forward to reading more from Rian Wynne!
Thank you to #NetGalley and Rian Wynne for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Rian Wynne for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
February 6, 2025
"Two young backpackers hike up Ghost Mountain to spend the night and are never seen alive again.
Three men are found murdered in a mall parking lot next to an unregistered black van.
A woman kneels in the pool of blood and is arrested for the crime."
Weird Marty Gray, my gal, with her failed podcast (and new nickname of Liar Marty Gray, decides to look into two different murders that appear unrelated at first, but Marty notices similarities to both cases. Marty takes us on a journey where the twists keep coming and the suspense keeps us turning the pages.
I definitely enjoyed this book. The suspense kept me turning pages while the twists kept me from fully guessing what would happen next.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of #WelcometoMurdertown in exchange for a honest review.
Three men are found murdered in a mall parking lot next to an unregistered black van.
A woman kneels in the pool of blood and is arrested for the crime."
Weird Marty Gray, my gal, with her failed podcast (and new nickname of Liar Marty Gray, decides to look into two different murders that appear unrelated at first, but Marty notices similarities to both cases. Marty takes us on a journey where the twists keep coming and the suspense keeps us turning the pages.
I definitely enjoyed this book. The suspense kept me turning pages while the twists kept me from fully guessing what would happen next.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of #WelcometoMurdertown in exchange for a honest review.
February 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Rian Wynne for this ARC!
I actually enjoyed this so so much!
I loved following our main character go through hell and back to solve this small town mystery. I ended up feeling really connected to Marty and her story.
I was constantly wanting to keep reading to find out what would eventually happen, this book really kept me hooked from the very first chapter.
Although I did guess correctly on some of the things in this mystery I still enjoyed it a lot.
Without giving too much away… I kinda hope we can see another story following Marty and seeing where she gets with the one unsolved mystery, I think that would be really fun to see where how this would wrap up, and also because I’m dying to know what really happened!
I’m super excited to see what this author brings out next! I loved the writing style and the pace so can’t wait for more 🫶
I actually enjoyed this so so much!
I loved following our main character go through hell and back to solve this small town mystery. I ended up feeling really connected to Marty and her story.
I was constantly wanting to keep reading to find out what would eventually happen, this book really kept me hooked from the very first chapter.
Although I did guess correctly on some of the things in this mystery I still enjoyed it a lot.
Without giving too much away… I kinda hope we can see another story following Marty and seeing where she gets with the one unsolved mystery, I think that would be really fun to see where how this would wrap up, and also because I’m dying to know what really happened!
I’m super excited to see what this author brings out next! I loved the writing style and the pace so can’t wait for more 🫶
February 28, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up! This is the perfect cozy mystery for anyone who loves a good whodunit. It kept me guessing the whole time. I was trying to figure out who did it right alongside Marty!
The plot twists are so much fun, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
What I love most about this book is that it’s a great intro to the mystery/thriller genre if you’re not into super intense stuff. It’s like the perfect gateway book—engaging, fun, and not too scary. Plus, the setting is just so cozy (I mean, a small town and Ghost Mountain? Yes, please!).
This was a fun, easy read that kept me entertained. I definitely recommend it. Trust me, you’ll love Marty and her determination to solve the mystery. Give it a try!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review of this book!
The plot twists are so much fun, and I was hooked from the very beginning.
What I love most about this book is that it’s a great intro to the mystery/thriller genre if you’re not into super intense stuff. It’s like the perfect gateway book—engaging, fun, and not too scary. Plus, the setting is just so cozy (I mean, a small town and Ghost Mountain? Yes, please!).
This was a fun, easy read that kept me entertained. I definitely recommend it. Trust me, you’ll love Marty and her determination to solve the mystery. Give it a try!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review of this book!
March 15, 2025
This book had a lot of potential but it just didn't do it for me. The connections the main character was making were large jumps that didn't always flow well. I liked the addition of the podcast element, however, when reading it, it was hard to follow as the text wasn't vastly different and it was hard to tell when it stopped and transitioned back to the story (maybe this is better in print instead of ebook?), would have been better in an audiobook setting as well. It was a struggle to get through this book (dayssss), and it was less than 300 pages; this would usually take me less than a day to finish but I just couldn't do it. I would recommend this book for high school level readers instead of adult.
Received ARC from NetGalley, but wasn't able to finish it prior to release day.
Received ARC from NetGalley, but wasn't able to finish it prior to release day.
May 11, 2025
Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The novel follows Marty, a journalist who reluctantly returns to her hometown, aptly named Murdertown, to investigate a series of strange and increasingly dangerous events. As Marty digs deeper into the town’s dark history, she uncovers long-forgotten secrets and finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens not only her career but her life.
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I personally just didn't like this book. I don't know what it was about it, I just really couldn't get through it. I think maybe I just don't particularly enjoy mysteries, or just this particular mystery novel.
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Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
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I personally just didn't like this book. I don't know what it was about it, I just really couldn't get through it. I think maybe I just don't particularly enjoy mysteries, or just this particular mystery novel.
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Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
March 27, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy:
How do I describe this book? It features a podcast and small town secrets. When she was a child, Marty’s brother vanished. She has never given up hope of him returning. When hikers go missing she starts a podcast but things don’t turn out how she imagined. Now several people are dead and someone has been arrested.
It took me awhile to really get in to the book. But once I did, I couldn’t wait to know how it would end. A very slow burn with some interesting twists.
How do I describe this book? It features a podcast and small town secrets. When she was a child, Marty’s brother vanished. She has never given up hope of him returning. When hikers go missing she starts a podcast but things don’t turn out how she imagined. Now several people are dead and someone has been arrested.
It took me awhile to really get in to the book. But once I did, I couldn’t wait to know how it would end. A very slow burn with some interesting twists.
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