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Peter Pulaski Must Pay
In this twisty, hilarious novel, New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster explores what happens when a marriage, friendship, revenge, and the human capacity for deception collide.
Call to order the Friday Night Doom Crew.
They’re an eclectic group of true-crime enthusiasts—a forensic psychologist, historian, and popular Instagram presence among them—dedicated to sleuthing out nefarious offenders and doing whatever it takes to set things right. But when dark secrets threaten one of their own, the Doom Crew grapples with how far they are willing to go to protect her.
Diana Pulaski is the crew’s meticulously organized beating heart whose physician husband, Peter, is secretly a swindler behind an illegal pill mill, not to mention a loathsome cheater involved in an online romance. When they discover the truth, the amateur vigilantes have a plan to make Peter pay. Unfortunately, the closer Diana’s friends are to hunting Peter down, the closer they get to discovering a secret Diana has been hiding.
As the fumbling Doom Crew’s wild ride of vengeance goes awry, they must navigate the consequences of their actions. And Diana, forced to confront the past, must decide to whom she will remain loyal—no matter the cost.
Call to order the Friday Night Doom Crew.
They’re an eclectic group of true-crime enthusiasts—a forensic psychologist, historian, and popular Instagram presence among them—dedicated to sleuthing out nefarious offenders and doing whatever it takes to set things right. But when dark secrets threaten one of their own, the Doom Crew grapples with how far they are willing to go to protect her.
Diana Pulaski is the crew’s meticulously organized beating heart whose physician husband, Peter, is secretly a swindler behind an illegal pill mill, not to mention a loathsome cheater involved in an online romance. When they discover the truth, the amateur vigilantes have a plan to make Peter pay. Unfortunately, the closer Diana’s friends are to hunting Peter down, the closer they get to discovering a secret Diana has been hiding.
As the fumbling Doom Crew’s wild ride of vengeance goes awry, they must navigate the consequences of their actions. And Diana, forced to confront the past, must decide to whom she will remain loyal—no matter the cost.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
575 people are currently reading
4598 people want to read
About the author
Jen Lancaster
30 books4,495 followersJen Lancaster is the author of her own memoirs including: as Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such A Pretty Fat, Pretty in Plaid, My Fair Lazy, and the newest: Jeneration X.
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
June 22, 2025
This was a netgalley auto-approval, and I understand why. I expected this to be a cozy/funny mystery (like Thursday Murder Club), but what I got was a book with an identity crisis and characters that have so much development but are so similar that it's impossible to keep anything straight.
This is about a group of friends who met through a true crime Reddit thread, and then became close friends in real life, leading to them creating their own true crime blog and becoming intertwined in each other's lives. One night after their meeting, one of the members, Jazz, stays behind to play chess with Diana's son. She then witnesses Diana getting berated by her husband and he throws their foster cat out of the front door. She then hacks into his work laptop and discovers that basically he is a quack doctor, and all of their family's money has come from him putting procedures that didn't happen through client insurance, and he also hands out pills like candy. This all culminates into the group deciding Diana's husband, Peter Pulaski, needs to pay for his transgressions.
That's the spoiler free version, because though nothing really happens between this and the group almost killing Peter, we get HUGE paragraphs on top of paragraphs about these characters' backstories. It's told through multiple points of view (FOUR of them), but none of these characters have a unique voice so half the time I was reading Frankie's POV but wondering why Jazz was referring to herself in third person. There's a 63 year old woman who frequently talks about not understanding people's "vibes." I'm not saying older people can't use slang, but it was just all so ridiculous and made it so much harder to understand what was going on.
The ending was so stupid. We end up at a log cabin where Peter has requested just his wife to meet him with a flashdrive that holds a crypto wallet. Of course, the whole group ends up going, along with Diana's daughter, Lilly. This Russian man who Elinor, the aforementioned 63 year old, has a crush on, shows up with a gun, then immediately puts it away saying he won't kill anyone. He also had a son who died because Peter Pulaski was giving him false prescriptions. There was a stupid joke about how he was known as the Butcher of Bergdorf, but it was a bad translation and he was actually known as the baker. He then reveals that he was the online escort that Peter was cheating on Diana with, and he wants the crypto wallet to send it to aid the war in Ukraine. Peter begs for Diana to give him the flash drive, that the two of them and Lilly can run away to Europe together and everything will be okay. It ends with Diana throwing the drive to the Russian man (I forgot his name and I can't be bothered to find out) and saying "You have a son too, asshole."
Now, I've left out the whole scene where they put on trashbags and end up almost shooting Peter, but this is truly too long already and I could complain forever. The most disappointing part is that the idea could be super fun, but as it stands now I fear there is no helping it without starting completely over.
This is about a group of friends who met through a true crime Reddit thread, and then became close friends in real life, leading to them creating their own true crime blog and becoming intertwined in each other's lives. One night after their meeting, one of the members, Jazz, stays behind to play chess with Diana's son. She then witnesses Diana getting berated by her husband and he throws their foster cat out of the front door. She then hacks into his work laptop and discovers that basically he is a quack doctor, and all of their family's money has come from him putting procedures that didn't happen through client insurance, and he also hands out pills like candy. This all culminates into the group deciding Diana's husband, Peter Pulaski, needs to pay for his transgressions.
That's the spoiler free version, because though nothing really happens between this and the group almost killing Peter, we get HUGE paragraphs on top of paragraphs about these characters' backstories. It's told through multiple points of view (FOUR of them), but none of these characters have a unique voice so half the time I was reading Frankie's POV but wondering why Jazz was referring to herself in third person. There's a 63 year old woman who frequently talks about not understanding people's "vibes." I'm not saying older people can't use slang, but it was just all so ridiculous and made it so much harder to understand what was going on.
The ending was so stupid. We end up at a log cabin where Peter has requested just his wife to meet him with a flashdrive that holds a crypto wallet. Of course, the whole group ends up going, along with Diana's daughter, Lilly. This Russian man who Elinor, the aforementioned 63 year old, has a crush on, shows up with a gun, then immediately puts it away saying he won't kill anyone. He also had a son who died because Peter Pulaski was giving him false prescriptions. There was a stupid joke about how he was known as the Butcher of Bergdorf, but it was a bad translation and he was actually known as the baker. He then reveals that he was the online escort that Peter was cheating on Diana with, and he wants the crypto wallet to send it to aid the war in Ukraine. Peter begs for Diana to give him the flash drive, that the two of them and Lilly can run away to Europe together and everything will be okay. It ends with Diana throwing the drive to the Russian man (I forgot his name and I can't be bothered to find out) and saying "You have a son too, asshole."
Now, I've left out the whole scene where they put on trashbags and end up almost shooting Peter, but this is truly too long already and I could complain forever. The most disappointing part is that the idea could be super fun, but as it stands now I fear there is no helping it without starting completely over.
August 21, 2025
A rag tag team of very witty true crime aficionados jump into the Japanese art of chasing down a bully. In this case, their friend Diana’s husband Peter. The “found family” group of women and one gay bestie operate in Chicago.
Stella, the plus sized pink loving influencer
Diana, mom of two teens and a part time nurse
Eli, early 60’s fancy elite lady with grown kids
Frankie, funny gay sidekick married to Gavin
Jazz, early 20’s, can hack into any computer
This is a raucous adventure, and one seriously COZY mystery. As always, Jen Lancaster is the master of the witty, snappy comeback, and she somehow captures the voice of the young, not-so-young, and cynical. Her command of writing dialogue is fantastic, and her books are always funny. This one isn’t as ambitious as The Anti-Heroes, nor as heartwarming as House Moms, but I do find it a strong addition to her fiction books. Great characters, fun reveals, and an air of mystery. You aren’t sure where the team is going to endnotes, but you know they’ll look fabulous doing it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little A for the ARC. Book to be published 9/2/25.
August 31, 2025
This was sweet, cute, funny and scary too!
A mixed crew of friends who met while trying to solve crimes! Each have their own pathways in life and likely they
would never have met if it wasn’t for their shared interests! But, now that they’ve met and become friends, they are scarily loyal to each other and fiercely protective too!
So, when one of the husbands gets mixed up in a downward spiral of problems..well, they all want to go to him and work him over! And the way they go about it all is sure to get a chuckle out of you! 🤣
If you’re looking for something that’s a little different, but will hook you with the cast of characters, look no further!
** Of Note: This has not been released yet!! Look 👀 for it in shelves on 9/2/25!!
#PeterPulaskiMustPay by @JenLancaster and narrated by a full cast including: @TanyaEby; @AnneMarieLewis; @DanielHenning; @KelseyJaffer; and @TimCampbell.
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BrilliancePublishing and #BrillianceAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
4 crazy, big, bright 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
A mixed crew of friends who met while trying to solve crimes! Each have their own pathways in life and likely they
would never have met if it wasn’t for their shared interests! But, now that they’ve met and become friends, they are scarily loyal to each other and fiercely protective too!
So, when one of the husbands gets mixed up in a downward spiral of problems..well, they all want to go to him and work him over! And the way they go about it all is sure to get a chuckle out of you! 🤣
If you’re looking for something that’s a little different, but will hook you with the cast of characters, look no further!
** Of Note: This has not been released yet!! Look 👀 for it in shelves on 9/2/25!!
#PeterPulaskiMustPay by @JenLancaster and narrated by a full cast including: @TanyaEby; @AnneMarieLewis; @DanielHenning; @KelseyJaffer; and @TimCampbell.
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BrilliancePublishing and #BrillianceAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
4 crazy, big, bright 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
September 21, 2025
📖 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a fun mix of friendship and revenge. The friend group was adorable and I genuinely loved every single one of them. The whole thing had a bit of a Goodbye Earl vibe.
The audiobook was a blast to listen to with the full cast of narrators, which really brought the story to life. At times it was a little tricky to keep track of whose POV I was in, but overall I still had a great time with it.
❤️ What to Expect
• Friendship
• Found family
• Amateur sleuthing
• Revenge plot
• Small town secrets
• Multi-POV narration
_ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 4 ⭐️
🎙️ Narration Style: Full cast
📅 Pub Date: September 2, 2025
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a fun mix of friendship and revenge. The friend group was adorable and I genuinely loved every single one of them. The whole thing had a bit of a Goodbye Earl vibe.
The audiobook was a blast to listen to with the full cast of narrators, which really brought the story to life. At times it was a little tricky to keep track of whose POV I was in, but overall I still had a great time with it.
❤️ What to Expect
• Friendship
• Found family
• Amateur sleuthing
• Revenge plot
• Small town secrets
• Multi-POV narration
_ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 4 ⭐️
🎙️ Narration Style: Full cast
📅 Pub Date: September 2, 2025
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
August 29, 2025
Finished reading: August 28th 2025
DNF at 50% (156 pages)
"By the time brunch is over, we have the inkling of a game plan. We don't know the details, but we absolutely know anything we'd try would be neither legal nor ethical, but here we are, all in agreement. Peter Pulaski must pay."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Little A in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's another unpopular opinion!!
August 28, 2025
ARC Review
Narration: The cast of narrators were excellent! Each narrator really brought out the personality of each character., and I loved that it was a diverse cast. This story gives a number of character POVs, but it is an easy transition/distinction on which character is telling their POV.
Story: This audiobook was a good time!
Our cast of characters have formed their friendships over their love of crimes and have formed their own podcast. They need a great idea for their next podcast to help it survive, when they realize there might be on their back door.
The author did a wonderful job with each character. It was a diverse group and each one had their own story to tell. We get to know them on a personal level, but also watch how they work together to help a friend. This is especially true for Diana, whose family the story ends up centering around. We get flashbacks of her past tying it to the present situation.
The story has a great flow and easy to follow. it did have a slow start as the characters are introduced and the story sets up, but the last bit picks up and is very entertaining to listen to. The story includes several pop culture references that are relevant now, but may not age well with the book.
Overall this was an excellent audiobook and I highly recommend checking it out.
Thank you Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for the ALC.
Narration: The cast of narrators were excellent! Each narrator really brought out the personality of each character., and I loved that it was a diverse cast. This story gives a number of character POVs, but it is an easy transition/distinction on which character is telling their POV.
Story: This audiobook was a good time!
Our cast of characters have formed their friendships over their love of crimes and have formed their own podcast. They need a great idea for their next podcast to help it survive, when they realize there might be on their back door.
The author did a wonderful job with each character. It was a diverse group and each one had their own story to tell. We get to know them on a personal level, but also watch how they work together to help a friend. This is especially true for Diana, whose family the story ends up centering around. We get flashbacks of her past tying it to the present situation.
The story has a great flow and easy to follow. it did have a slow start as the characters are introduced and the story sets up, but the last bit picks up and is very entertaining to listen to. The story includes several pop culture references that are relevant now, but may not age well with the book.
Overall this was an excellent audiobook and I highly recommend checking it out.
Thank you Brilliance Audio & NetGalley for the ALC.
August 28, 2025
A random group of true crime enthusiasts come together via Reddit, when the husband of one of their members is found to be a criminal himself. I loved how the author introduced all the characters and I felt they were real to me. But there was way too much descriptive pop culture references, acronyms and name dropping of people and products it got me bogged down. As one of the characters repeatedly said “ I’m sorry I don’t know what that means” was exactly how I felt. The shenanigans fell short of ther intended mark. Case in point the garbage bags scene was a total tanker. Then to end it in such a weird and random way. Looking forward to the epilogues for all the characters we only get one. Why put so much effort into the character to just end. I gave two stars because I did love the character it just didn’t all come together for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 8, 2025
A motley crew of true crime junkies who meet on a zoom call in 2020 as they were all obsessed with the same case. Meet the cast of characters: All from Chicago includes Stella, a pink-obsessed plus-size influencer; Diana, a mom of teens and part-time nurse; Eli, a glamorous sixty-something with grown kids; Frankie, the hilarious gay bestie with husband Gavin; and Jazz, the twenty-something tech whiz who can hack anything. As this crew continues their friendship with the group nickname Doom crew. They have a podcast where all the money they make goes to helping others. As their ratings start to slip they are trying to come up with a new plan to regenerate their podcast. They discuss solving cold cases, but end up deciding to follow a Japanese trend of providing karma to those who do bad to others. The first person to take down on this new challenge is taking down Diana’s no-good husband, Peter. What follows is a laugh out loud cozy mystery brimming with witty banter, outrageous antics, and plenty of heart. Jen Lancaster once again proves her gift for razor-sharp dialogue and capturing voices across generations. This novel is full of laugh-out-loud moments, clever reveals, and a mystery that keeps you guessing and laughing. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this cozy mystery.
September 8, 2025
Peter Pulaski Must Pay by Jen Lancaster
I really wanted to love this one. On paper, it had all the makings of something I’d typically devour—but the execution just didn’t land for me. The biggest struggle was connecting with the characters. So much of the story leaned toward telling rather than showing, and it often felt like an information overload. Honestly, most of the characters weren’t all that memorable, which made it even harder to stay invested.
I thought maybe switching to the audiobook would help me settle into the story, but nope. The narration leaned a little too hard into the sarcasm, which ended up feeling overzealous instead of funny or clever. Instead of drawing me in, it just pulled me out of the story even more.
That said, I know Jen Lancaster has a huge fanbase, and I can absolutely see how her signature voice and humor might resonate with the right audience. I just wasn’t it this time.
Themes:
Frenemy dynamics
Sarcasm-heavy narration
Ensemble cast
Would I recommend it?
Not really for me, but if you’re already a Jen Lancaster fan or love heavy doses of snark in your fiction, this might hit differently for you. Thank you to Little A, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen and review.
I really wanted to love this one. On paper, it had all the makings of something I’d typically devour—but the execution just didn’t land for me. The biggest struggle was connecting with the characters. So much of the story leaned toward telling rather than showing, and it often felt like an information overload. Honestly, most of the characters weren’t all that memorable, which made it even harder to stay invested.
I thought maybe switching to the audiobook would help me settle into the story, but nope. The narration leaned a little too hard into the sarcasm, which ended up feeling overzealous instead of funny or clever. Instead of drawing me in, it just pulled me out of the story even more.
That said, I know Jen Lancaster has a huge fanbase, and I can absolutely see how her signature voice and humor might resonate with the right audience. I just wasn’t it this time.
Themes:
Frenemy dynamics
Sarcasm-heavy narration
Ensemble cast
Would I recommend it?
Not really for me, but if you’re already a Jen Lancaster fan or love heavy doses of snark in your fiction, this might hit differently for you. Thank you to Little A, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen and review.
August 12, 2025
Peter Pulaski Must Pay centers around the “Friday Night Doom Crew,” so named since they are an eclectic mix of members united in their passion for true crimes. This passionate group of junior sleuths recently discovered a mystery they are determined to solve - a mystery around member, Diana’s, husband who seems to be involved in illegal activities. They are determined to come together as a Doom Crew to find out what Peter Pulaski is up to and ensure that he pays. And the Doom Crew must make Peter pay with out losing their friend Diana.
Peter Pulaski was written with the humor that I’ve come to expect from my favorite Jen Lancaster books, but this one also isn’t afraid to shy away from the serious issues (this is true of some of the recent books as well, it’s just worth noting). She managed to create a book that manages to address complicated issues in marriage and friendships while also identifying the lighter side of the situation. When this group of amateurs start “investigating” they get themselves in a pickle or two (I won’t spoil it for you, I’ll only say “trash bags.”). Peter Pulaski was definitely worth the read, especially for anyone who is a self-proclaimed crime junkie, or who just enjoys a good read.
Peter Pulaski was written with the humor that I’ve come to expect from my favorite Jen Lancaster books, but this one also isn’t afraid to shy away from the serious issues (this is true of some of the recent books as well, it’s just worth noting). She managed to create a book that manages to address complicated issues in marriage and friendships while also identifying the lighter side of the situation. When this group of amateurs start “investigating” they get themselves in a pickle or two (I won’t spoil it for you, I’ll only say “trash bags.”). Peter Pulaski was definitely worth the read, especially for anyone who is a self-proclaimed crime junkie, or who just enjoys a good read.
August 25, 2025
Dual Narration by Tanya Eby; Anne Marie Lewis; Daniel Henning; Kelsey Jaffer; Tim Campbell
This is an amazing cozy listen. I love a mystery and this definitely didn’t disappoint me. The narration was fabulous. Loved each voice and how they preformed the characters.
If you’re looking for a good listen that gives all the cozy mystery vibes then you have found it!
This is an amazing cozy listen. I love a mystery and this definitely didn’t disappoint me. The narration was fabulous. Loved each voice and how they preformed the characters.
If you’re looking for a good listen that gives all the cozy mystery vibes then you have found it!
August 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5
This one made me laugh out loud a few times. I typically don’t like books with a lot of characters but this one was easy to follow. The characters are all from different walks of life and make the perfect little friend group.
Read this book if you like:
- reddit
- finlay donovan
- secretly rich people who pop in with exactly what you need when you need it
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Jen Lancaster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4/5
This one made me laugh out loud a few times. I typically don’t like books with a lot of characters but this one was easy to follow. The characters are all from different walks of life and make the perfect little friend group.
Read this book if you like:
- finlay donovan
- secretly rich people who pop in with exactly what you need when you need it
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Jen Lancaster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 23, 2025
3.25.
When I saw chick lit queen Jen Lancaster wrote a thriller, I had to read it! Ultimately it meandered a bit too much for me and I had to speed through to finish, as my interest started wandering through all the asides. I think it’d be perfect for fans of cozies!
Premise - the Friday Night Doom Crew are a group of true crime enthusiasts with very different backgrounds and personalities, who come together to crack cases and ensure justice is served.
When the FNDC realize one of their own, Diana, is a victim of sorts (her husband, Peter, is an online philanderer running a secret illegal pill mill), they decide to take the matter into their own hands. But Diana has her own secrets and the closer the FNDC get to hunting down Peter, the closer they get to exposing her.
The voice feels more women’s fiction than mystery/thriller (reasonable, given it’s a crossover). I think fans of cozy mysteries will find this is right in their wheelhouse, with the emphasis on quotidian concerns and the humorous ins and outs of relationships.
It was slow starting for me and I hoped for a little more narrative tension to push my read forward. This might have been a reading order thing for me - I came from Free Food for Millionaires to the Literati to Peter Pulaski Must Pay, and I think I was just ready for higher stakes at this point.
Lancaster definitely has a knack for humorous dialogue and her characters were charming, so by about 2/3 - 3/4 in I was really invested in the story, but that was just a little too late for me to give it more than a 3.
This also definitely felt like an ’00s read more than aughts vibes in the modern day… some things didn’t age too well, like the group’s slut shamey judgment of the other woman, picking about her looks rather than just focusing on the philanderer’s grossness.
I listened to the audio ARC, narrated by Tanya Eby, Anne Marie Lewis, Daniel Henning, Kelsey Jaffer, Tim Campbell. I’m not sure who read what, but Frankie’s narrator delivered a delightfully sassy read that really fit the tone of the book! The others were strong, too, but that was the standout for me.
Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw chick lit queen Jen Lancaster wrote a thriller, I had to read it! Ultimately it meandered a bit too much for me and I had to speed through to finish, as my interest started wandering through all the asides. I think it’d be perfect for fans of cozies!
Premise - the Friday Night Doom Crew are a group of true crime enthusiasts with very different backgrounds and personalities, who come together to crack cases and ensure justice is served.
When the FNDC realize one of their own, Diana, is a victim of sorts (her husband, Peter, is an online philanderer running a secret illegal pill mill), they decide to take the matter into their own hands. But Diana has her own secrets and the closer the FNDC get to hunting down Peter, the closer they get to exposing her.
The voice feels more women’s fiction than mystery/thriller (reasonable, given it’s a crossover). I think fans of cozy mysteries will find this is right in their wheelhouse, with the emphasis on quotidian concerns and the humorous ins and outs of relationships.
It was slow starting for me and I hoped for a little more narrative tension to push my read forward. This might have been a reading order thing for me - I came from Free Food for Millionaires to the Literati to Peter Pulaski Must Pay, and I think I was just ready for higher stakes at this point.
Lancaster definitely has a knack for humorous dialogue and her characters were charming, so by about 2/3 - 3/4 in I was really invested in the story, but that was just a little too late for me to give it more than a 3.
This also definitely felt like an ’00s read more than aughts vibes in the modern day… some things didn’t age too well, like the group’s slut shamey judgment of the other woman, picking about her looks rather than just focusing on the philanderer’s grossness.
I listened to the audio ARC, narrated by Tanya Eby, Anne Marie Lewis, Daniel Henning, Kelsey Jaffer, Tim Campbell. I’m not sure who read what, but Frankie’s narrator delivered a delightfully sassy read that really fit the tone of the book! The others were strong, too, but that was the standout for me.
Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2025
This was a very fun, sort of wish fulfilment type of book. The Doom Crew are exactly what we all wish for in our online interactions. That the online banter would turn into real life friendships with the best hostess, and the richest friend, and the funniest artist, and the savviest hacker, etc. So when this group that began in zoom rooms over covid, bonding over the it fascination of the day - true crime, becomes friends IRL everything seems perfect, until it's not.
Eli, Frankie, Carmen, Stella, Jazz and Diana run a true crime fan group, lead discussions, host Death Com events and so forth. As they meet to select the next case or criminal activity to feature, they learn of a trend in Japan where petty crimes are avenged by someone(s) meting out punishments to those 'who must pay' for what they've done. A peeping Tom that's left naked in public, or a bully left crying having wet himself. This seems like a fun topic for the group especially since there had been an unwanted uptick in their fandom dressing up as the killers, vs honoring the victims.
The topic then hits too close to home when they witness Diana's husband mistreat her with a casualness that seems far too habitual to write off as a one time issue. Jazz begins to hack thru Peter Pulaski's life and what she learns angers the group on behalf of their friend. They decide that he 'must pay' but are unsure how to go about it. But thanks to Eli's endless connections and funds, and Jazz's internet sleuthing, Carmen's insights and Frankie and Stella's southern 'ammunition', these wonderful, mixed bag of loyal friends, Diana ends up in a far, far better place, in all ways.
Eli, Frankie, Carmen, Stella, Jazz and Diana run a true crime fan group, lead discussions, host Death Com events and so forth. As they meet to select the next case or criminal activity to feature, they learn of a trend in Japan where petty crimes are avenged by someone(s) meting out punishments to those 'who must pay' for what they've done. A peeping Tom that's left naked in public, or a bully left crying having wet himself. This seems like a fun topic for the group especially since there had been an unwanted uptick in their fandom dressing up as the killers, vs honoring the victims.
The topic then hits too close to home when they witness Diana's husband mistreat her with a casualness that seems far too habitual to write off as a one time issue. Jazz begins to hack thru Peter Pulaski's life and what she learns angers the group on behalf of their friend. They decide that he 'must pay' but are unsure how to go about it. But thanks to Eli's endless connections and funds, and Jazz's internet sleuthing, Carmen's insights and Frankie and Stella's southern 'ammunition', these wonderful, mixed bag of loyal friends, Diana ends up in a far, far better place, in all ways.
September 16, 2025
Read my full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
I’m not sure what to think or say about this one. It’s supposed to be funny—hilarious even. A suspense mystery? Kinda like the Thursday Murder Club, except that this one is the Friday Night Doom Crew.
The premise has promise. Basically, it’s a disparate group of individuals who met on Reddit, clicked, and eventually formed a physical group of true crime enthusiasts. But these people start talking or thinking in first person, and it starts becoming blurry. Who is speaking in this chapter?
The culture got a bit weary with all the snark, sarcasm, references, and acronyms. The focus gradually points to Diana (within their own group), married to Peter, who is found to be the type of criminal in which they craft a just dessert.
Slow start, deep dives into the individuals, each with their own expertise, but it gets to be too much. Sarcasm disguised as humor, clichés, and negative energy combine with twists and a juvenile climax that surpasses disbelief.
Don’t ask me why I hung in there—guess I just needed to see where it was going. My first novel by this author. Interesting writing style I’m sure many younger readers might enjoy. It’s just not for me. 2.5 stars
Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
I’m not sure what to think or say about this one. It’s supposed to be funny—hilarious even. A suspense mystery? Kinda like the Thursday Murder Club, except that this one is the Friday Night Doom Crew.
The premise has promise. Basically, it’s a disparate group of individuals who met on Reddit, clicked, and eventually formed a physical group of true crime enthusiasts. But these people start talking or thinking in first person, and it starts becoming blurry. Who is speaking in this chapter?
The culture got a bit weary with all the snark, sarcasm, references, and acronyms. The focus gradually points to Diana (within their own group), married to Peter, who is found to be the type of criminal in which they craft a just dessert.
Slow start, deep dives into the individuals, each with their own expertise, but it gets to be too much. Sarcasm disguised as humor, clichés, and negative energy combine with twists and a juvenile climax that surpasses disbelief.
Don’t ask me why I hung in there—guess I just needed to see where it was going. My first novel by this author. Interesting writing style I’m sure many younger readers might enjoy. It’s just not for me. 2.5 stars
Many thanks to my local library for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
August 31, 2025
Diana Pulaski is part of a Friday Night Doom Crew - a group of true crime fans who try to discover offenders and then do what they can to set things right.
When the group discovers that Diana's husband is potentially cheating on her, they decide to find out what he is doing and make him pay. They try and do this in secret from Diana, to protect her. As they dig deep into his business, they uncover ways in which he makes money that are not legal.
The group of people in the crew were an interesting and eclectic bunch and there were a few humorous moments in their interactions. Elinor, an older lady, makes friends with a guy who used to have connections with the Russian mob. When Peter is confronted, they almost end up killing him by mistake. The ending seemed rather silly to me.
I listened to the audiobook, and it might have been easier to follow if I had read the book. The narrator did a nice job with several of the voices, but as the story was told from several points of view (4 maybe), we switched from person to person quite often with no comment on who was talking now, which meant it sometimes took we a while to figure out the context and the changes.
I'm a big fan of Jen Lancaster and have enjoyed her previous books, but this one missed the mark a little for me. It just seemed to be long on backstories for the crew, and short of action for most of the book.
Hopefully I'll enjoy her next novel a little more.
When the group discovers that Diana's husband is potentially cheating on her, they decide to find out what he is doing and make him pay. They try and do this in secret from Diana, to protect her. As they dig deep into his business, they uncover ways in which he makes money that are not legal.
The group of people in the crew were an interesting and eclectic bunch and there were a few humorous moments in their interactions. Elinor, an older lady, makes friends with a guy who used to have connections with the Russian mob. When Peter is confronted, they almost end up killing him by mistake. The ending seemed rather silly to me.
I listened to the audiobook, and it might have been easier to follow if I had read the book. The narrator did a nice job with several of the voices, but as the story was told from several points of view (4 maybe), we switched from person to person quite often with no comment on who was talking now, which meant it sometimes took we a while to figure out the context and the changes.
I'm a big fan of Jen Lancaster and have enjoyed her previous books, but this one missed the mark a little for me. It just seemed to be long on backstories for the crew, and short of action for most of the book.
Hopefully I'll enjoy her next novel a little more.
August 31, 2025
Sorry, but I did not like any of these characters. At all. They were all so insufferable.
I always find it to be such a bummer when a book description sounds like so much fun and then the book (and its characters) do not live up to that.
These characters are so annoying and unlikable (and I really do not think that is intentional) and all so similar, it became so difficult to pay attention (or even want to pay attention) and to keep things straight. I was mixing up the characters constantly.
I also think that this was supposed to be funny but the humor really missed the mark. I could tell when something was supposed to be funny, but it wasn't. It was just awkward for me as a reader. And I love funny characters and funny books, so that added to my disappointment.
If I wasn't listening to this audiobook to review it, I probably would've DNFed it a little over halfway through. I had to start skipping a few seconds at a time, just hoping something would happen to capture my interest.
This book just really wasn't for me. Sorry. I am sure there is a reader out there that will enjoy this, maybe you just need a different sense of humor than me, or prefer different kinds of characters. But I was disappointed with this. I was expecting a fun and funny cozy mystery romp and I did not get that the way I wanted it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I always find it to be such a bummer when a book description sounds like so much fun and then the book (and its characters) do not live up to that.
These characters are so annoying and unlikable (and I really do not think that is intentional) and all so similar, it became so difficult to pay attention (or even want to pay attention) and to keep things straight. I was mixing up the characters constantly.
I also think that this was supposed to be funny but the humor really missed the mark. I could tell when something was supposed to be funny, but it wasn't. It was just awkward for me as a reader. And I love funny characters and funny books, so that added to my disappointment.
If I wasn't listening to this audiobook to review it, I probably would've DNFed it a little over halfway through. I had to start skipping a few seconds at a time, just hoping something would happen to capture my interest.
This book just really wasn't for me. Sorry. I am sure there is a reader out there that will enjoy this, maybe you just need a different sense of humor than me, or prefer different kinds of characters. But I was disappointed with this. I was expecting a fun and funny cozy mystery romp and I did not get that the way I wanted it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
June 11, 2025
This an absolutely addictive read!!
Paying close attention enhances the enjoyment of this read. Though the pages practically turn themselves, this book is well worth savoring. I was chuckling throughout the pages, and Frankie's sass kept me smiling.
The author’s shifting perspectives between characters allowed me to connect with each one equally, which I enjoyed. I can’t choose a favorite; they all enhance each other beautifully. I couldn’t stop reading because I was curious about why Peter needed to pay, and he absolutely needs to pay!!! :)
What I enjoyed most was how the found family theme revolved around Diana and the circumstances Peter caused. Although vastly different people, Frankie, Diana, Eli, Carmen, Jazz, and Stella were all integral to the ultimately positive and manageable resolution of Diana’s situation, and I enjoyed their relationships. The resolutions for these characters was exactly what I wanted for them, and I ended this read very happy. I highly recommend this engaging and thoroughly detailed story; every element contributes to its captivating nature. Make sure to preorder this book and add it to your TBR list so you can start reading as soon as it’s released. It's a very entertaining read!
I was fortunate to receive and ARC of this one from Netgalley, and happily leave my review.
Paying close attention enhances the enjoyment of this read. Though the pages practically turn themselves, this book is well worth savoring. I was chuckling throughout the pages, and Frankie's sass kept me smiling.
The author’s shifting perspectives between characters allowed me to connect with each one equally, which I enjoyed. I can’t choose a favorite; they all enhance each other beautifully. I couldn’t stop reading because I was curious about why Peter needed to pay, and he absolutely needs to pay!!! :)
What I enjoyed most was how the found family theme revolved around Diana and the circumstances Peter caused. Although vastly different people, Frankie, Diana, Eli, Carmen, Jazz, and Stella were all integral to the ultimately positive and manageable resolution of Diana’s situation, and I enjoyed their relationships. The resolutions for these characters was exactly what I wanted for them, and I ended this read very happy. I highly recommend this engaging and thoroughly detailed story; every element contributes to its captivating nature. Make sure to preorder this book and add it to your TBR list so you can start reading as soon as it’s released. It's a very entertaining read!
I was fortunate to receive and ARC of this one from Netgalley, and happily leave my review.
June 22, 2025
Jen Lancaster delivers another wildly entertaining ride in The Friday Night Doom Crew, blending laugh-out-loud moments with sharp insights into true friendship, revenge, and deception. From the first few pages, the humor hits—snappy one-liners, absurd true-crime rabbit holes, and a crew of gloriously over-the-top vigilantes make this a bingeable read for anyone who’s ever bonded with friends over podcasts, wine, and the question, “Could we actually pull off a murder?”
The Doom Crew itself is where the story shines. Their bond is genuine, messy, and heartwarming, filled with ride-or-die energy that many readers will relate to. The friendship between the group is the emotional core of the book—there’s something deeply satisfying about watching them rally, even if their plans go a little... off the rails.
That said, there were sections that felt like fluff—long detours that didn’t move the plot much but instead leaned into the characters’ quirks or side commentary. Funny, yes, but at times it slowed the momentum just when the stakes were ramping up.
Still, Lancaster knows how to weave chaos with clever pacing. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the ending delivered a twist I didn’t see coming. It didn’t feel neat or tidy, but it offered closure—the kind that fits the messy, human reality of friendship and secrets.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The Doom Crew itself is where the story shines. Their bond is genuine, messy, and heartwarming, filled with ride-or-die energy that many readers will relate to. The friendship between the group is the emotional core of the book—there’s something deeply satisfying about watching them rally, even if their plans go a little... off the rails.
That said, there were sections that felt like fluff—long detours that didn’t move the plot much but instead leaned into the characters’ quirks or side commentary. Funny, yes, but at times it slowed the momentum just when the stakes were ramping up.
Still, Lancaster knows how to weave chaos with clever pacing. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the ending delivered a twist I didn’t see coming. It didn’t feel neat or tidy, but it offered closure—the kind that fits the messy, human reality of friendship and secrets.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
July 25, 2025
Peter Pulaski Must Pay by Jen Lancaster offers an engaging take on the mystery genre, deftly blending sharp humor, vibrant character dynamics, and moments of genuine emotions. The novel and a delightfully lively energy and doe not take itself too seriously. The Friday Night Doom Crew is a diverse group of true crime enthusiasts bound by a shared love for justice. When the group learns that Diana’s husband, Peter Pulaski, is both unfaithful and entangled in a medical fraud scheme, they decide that he must face consequences. Their commitment to righting this personal wrong evolves into a series of delightfully chaotic escapades, underscored by witty dialogue and clever interplay.
Lancaster excels in crafting characters whose quirks and imperfections strengthen the story. As the group tries to orchestrate Peter’s downfall the entertaining story did not lose sight of the groups friendship as a source of strength and mischief. Beneath the comedic surface, the novel explores the complexities of loyalty and the unpredictable path of vengeance, all with a tone of warmth, humor, and a refreshingly human touch.
The novel concludes with a twist that was both surprising and satisfying. It is a fitting end to a story that grounded itself it chaos and celebrates camaraderie.
Thank you NetGalley and Little A for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
Lancaster excels in crafting characters whose quirks and imperfections strengthen the story. As the group tries to orchestrate Peter’s downfall the entertaining story did not lose sight of the groups friendship as a source of strength and mischief. Beneath the comedic surface, the novel explores the complexities of loyalty and the unpredictable path of vengeance, all with a tone of warmth, humor, and a refreshingly human touch.
The novel concludes with a twist that was both surprising and satisfying. It is a fitting end to a story that grounded itself it chaos and celebrates camaraderie.
Thank you NetGalley and Little A for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
May 23, 2025
This was my first time reading Jen Lancaster. I'm positively surprised with her writing and this book.
This is a really good cozy mystery. The MC's are funny, sweet but also sassy. I really like that it was all in first person POV, even if at the beginning the change between them felt a bit confusing.
The Friday Night Doom Crew is a group of people, with very different backgrounds, who got together because of their passion for true crime. They meet every week because of their passion, and to share on their socials about the case they decided to study this time.
But somehow they find something not nice happening in front of their eyes and decide to take action on their hands. It gets messy and chaotic in a super funny way.
And let me just say Diana, oh Diana by the end of the book I wanted to hug you and high five because you are way more than what you let out.
The only reasons why this wasn't a five star for me:
-too many pov's, it felt like too much for me in some moments
-it felt too slow in the beginning and then so much was going on
I would like to thank Netgalley for the ARC e- copy. It was not requested to put a positive review and the opinions shared here are solely mine
This is a really good cozy mystery. The MC's are funny, sweet but also sassy. I really like that it was all in first person POV, even if at the beginning the change between them felt a bit confusing.
The Friday Night Doom Crew is a group of people, with very different backgrounds, who got together because of their passion for true crime. They meet every week because of their passion, and to share on their socials about the case they decided to study this time.
But somehow they find something not nice happening in front of their eyes and decide to take action on their hands. It gets messy and chaotic in a super funny way.
And let me just say Diana, oh Diana by the end of the book I wanted to hug you and high five because you are way more than what you let out.
The only reasons why this wasn't a five star for me:
-too many pov's, it felt like too much for me in some moments
-it felt too slow in the beginning and then so much was going on
I would like to thank Netgalley for the ARC e- copy. It was not requested to put a positive review and the opinions shared here are solely mine
June 23, 2025
I’ve read quite a few of Jen Lancaster’s books, and Peter Pulaski Must Pay is probably one of my favorites. The plot is fun and engaging. I’m not a true-crime follower, but I loved how this group bonded over a shared interest, became a found family, and ultimately fought for one another in ways that mirrored their obsession. The characters were mostly well written and developed, and I enjoyed watching their relationships evolve alongside the unraveling mystery.
My chief complaints with the book center around the use of multiple POVs. The story is told from four perspectives, and it felt a little uneven—if you’re going to include most of the group, why leave one member out? I also found Jazz and Frankie’s voices too similar, which occasionally pulled me out of the story as I had to go back and remind myself who was talking. In my opinion, the novel would have been stronger and more cohesive if it had focused the POVs on just Eli and Diana, offering a balanced perspective from both inside and outside the relationship. The extra voices sometimes muddied the tone and made it feel a bit more juvenile than necessary. That said, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My chief complaints with the book center around the use of multiple POVs. The story is told from four perspectives, and it felt a little uneven—if you’re going to include most of the group, why leave one member out? I also found Jazz and Frankie’s voices too similar, which occasionally pulled me out of the story as I had to go back and remind myself who was talking. In my opinion, the novel would have been stronger and more cohesive if it had focused the POVs on just Eli and Diana, offering a balanced perspective from both inside and outside the relationship. The extra voices sometimes muddied the tone and made it feel a bit more juvenile than necessary. That said, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2025
I read a lot of novels but seldom write reviews unless they’re stellar or absolutely stink. This is the former. Marvelous!
I enjoyed everything about it: the crisp writing, the different POVs from the motley crew of friends who bonded over crime podcasts, how real criminals and current events are interspersed throughout, the witty dialogue. You get it. I liked it. I really liked it.
The Doom Crew met during the pandemic and bonded over their love of true crime who done its and why. Now they have a club, raise funds for groups that work in that field and enjoy each other’s company.
It’s a group that shouldn’t be friends because of their diverse backgrounds but they make it work.
All is well until they learn one of their own is being maligned by her doctor husband. They then formulate a plan to make him pay for his sins and what ensues is a caper worthy of a TV series.
From donning Hefty trash bags as disguises to a brush with a Russian baker (or is he Mafia?), every minute of just a couple of days is recounted.
But the wife has a secret of her own and it leaves you speculating until the last couple of chapters how it ties in with making Peter pay.
It’s often laugh out loud funny and well worth investing your money and time in.
I enjoyed everything about it: the crisp writing, the different POVs from the motley crew of friends who bonded over crime podcasts, how real criminals and current events are interspersed throughout, the witty dialogue. You get it. I liked it. I really liked it.
The Doom Crew met during the pandemic and bonded over their love of true crime who done its and why. Now they have a club, raise funds for groups that work in that field and enjoy each other’s company.
It’s a group that shouldn’t be friends because of their diverse backgrounds but they make it work.
All is well until they learn one of their own is being maligned by her doctor husband. They then formulate a plan to make him pay for his sins and what ensues is a caper worthy of a TV series.
From donning Hefty trash bags as disguises to a brush with a Russian baker (or is he Mafia?), every minute of just a couple of days is recounted.
But the wife has a secret of her own and it leaves you speculating until the last couple of chapters how it ties in with making Peter pay.
It’s often laugh out loud funny and well worth investing your money and time in.
June 8, 2025
I remember reading a Jen Lancaster book almost 20 years ago for book club. I recall almost nothing, just that there was a black dress on the cover and I did not connect with the writing for some reason. This one has a hilarious title and description so I decided to give it a whirl!
Here we have a hodgepodge team of true crime junkies that connected over the pandemic and now meet every Friday. They call themselves the Doom Crew: Eli, Frankie, Jazz, Carmen, Stella, and Diane. Everything seems to be great, until one day they realize how awful Diane’s husband, Peter treats her. Things quickly escalate and they find out Peter is leading an illegal double life.
The story as a whole was light hearted and fun, but the writing was a struggle to get through. We switch POV’s constantly, yet despite how different these characters are, they were all written with the same voice. I would have to flip back each time to recall whose POV it was this time. I also had issues with the twist. It just wasn’t great. The better reveal would be the obvious mental illness Diane suffers from. Epitome of a beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Here we have a hodgepodge team of true crime junkies that connected over the pandemic and now meet every Friday. They call themselves the Doom Crew: Eli, Frankie, Jazz, Carmen, Stella, and Diane. Everything seems to be great, until one day they realize how awful Diane’s husband, Peter treats her. Things quickly escalate and they find out Peter is leading an illegal double life.
The story as a whole was light hearted and fun, but the writing was a struggle to get through. We switch POV’s constantly, yet despite how different these characters are, they were all written with the same voice. I would have to flip back each time to recall whose POV it was this time. I also had issues with the twist. It just wasn’t great. The better reveal would be the obvious mental illness Diane suffers from. Epitome of a beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2025
This was such a fun little cozy mystery. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the premise: a group of true crime obsessed friends, connected online during the pandemic, who now meet weekly to discuss cold cases and conspiracy theories.
The Doom Crew: Eli, Frankie, Carmen, Stella, Jazz, and Diana, are an eclectic bunch with wildly different lives but an unshakable bond. What starts as a fun, quirky friend group dynamic takes a sharp left turn when the crew begins to suspect Diana’s husband, Peter, is not just a jerk but possibly something much worse.
Inspired by a Japanese trend where everyday people deliver justice for petty crimes, the crew begins investigating Peter and what they uncover is wild. Think illegal double life, shady secrets, and some deeply satisfying sleuthing.
What’s not to love here: the group dynamic is creative, witty, loyal, and hilarious. The storyline is twisty, fun, with lots of drama.
If you love true crime with a bit of revenge-ish vibes, and found family, then this might be a really good pick for you.
Huge thanks to the publishers, Little A for the digital ARC copy via NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
September 23, 2025
The story starts with a true crime fan group which is really big in the community. There are 6 members and they host events about true crime stories. They meet regularly and are a really tight bunch. but the things change when the group notices that one of the member's partner, Peter Pulaski, isnt treating her right, so in the true crime fashion they do a deep dive into Peter's life and find out the things are way messier than they initially believed.
The group is full of characters and their quirkiness adds humor to the story. The book has multiple povs so we get insights in all of their lives which I really enjoyed.
The whole making Peter Pulaski pay was such a fun and chaotic execution by the characters and I couldn't put the book down.
The whole Peter and Diana's story and their perspectives made sense because its had been some time to their marriage and the communication wasn't great and Diana's upbringing played a huge role in it. But I loved Diana's character arc.
Overall, I would love to see more books coming out in the series to see what the group is doing next.
Rating: 3.75
The group is full of characters and their quirkiness adds humor to the story. The book has multiple povs so we get insights in all of their lives which I really enjoyed.
The whole making Peter Pulaski pay was such a fun and chaotic execution by the characters and I couldn't put the book down.
The whole Peter and Diana's story and their perspectives made sense because its had been some time to their marriage and the communication wasn't great and Diana's upbringing played a huge role in it. But I loved Diana's character arc.
Overall, I would love to see more books coming out in the series to see what the group is doing next.
Rating: 3.75
October 6, 2025
I really need to stop requesting anything that is self-described as hilarious, because in my experience it never is... I read Jen Lancaster back in her Bitter is the New Black days, and remember really enjoying her writing style with its blend of snarky cynicism and poignant storylines. To be fair, that was nearly 20 years ago, and I'm a very different person now - both as a woman and a reader. Maybe that's why I found this book so confounding?
I just could not get into it. These were, for the most part, successful adult women, yet they acted (and spoke) like 20-somethings (and the actual 20-something, like a teenager). I couldn't understand why or to what end, and couldn't relate to any of their decisions, actions, or choices. It left me confused and like I was missing something, and that's not a great way for me to start a book... I found the perspective-shifting problematic, especially since the sections were so lengthy, and they felt like they skipped from person to person rather than overlapping to provide a more complete picture of the story being told. This one just wasn't a good fit for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
I just could not get into it. These were, for the most part, successful adult women, yet they acted (and spoke) like 20-somethings (and the actual 20-something, like a teenager). I couldn't understand why or to what end, and couldn't relate to any of their decisions, actions, or choices. It left me confused and like I was missing something, and that's not a great way for me to start a book... I found the perspective-shifting problematic, especially since the sections were so lengthy, and they felt like they skipped from person to person rather than overlapping to provide a more complete picture of the story being told. This one just wasn't a good fit for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
August 21, 2025
I really wanted to love this book—and in many ways, I did—but I couldn’t ignore some glaring flaws. The characters were lively and fun, with Eli standing out the most. Her strength and humor kept the group dynamic interesting, and Jen Lancaster’s signature blunt humor was present, though not nearly as much as I’d hoped for. It felt like she was holding back on what usually makes her writing so sharp and engaging.
Jazz was another standout—young, hip, and a vigilante with a heart of gold—but some scenes dragged unnecessarily. The parking lot moment with Peter, for example, added little to the story and felt like filler. Worse, Peter’s character never fully came together, leaving his role feeling incomplete and underdeveloped.
Despite these shortcomings, I’d still recommend this book to longtime Jen Lancaster fans or anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories about friendship. Just know it’s not as sharp or tightly written as it could have been.
Thank you to Little A and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2025
The premise was great but the execution not so much. I don't understand how a book can be simultaneously wordy and not descriptive enough. I usually love Lancaster's writing but this one fell totally flat. I think I will stick with her non-fiction, that voice seems more authentic.
This is the story of a group of people who met via a Reddit true crime group. They find out that a husband of one of the group members is involved in some shady dealings so they decide to get revenge.
I disliked most of the characters, they seemed like caricatures rather than real people, and there were too many of them and they were super similar to one another so I had a difficult time remembering who was who. And overall the narrative was a silly convoluted mess. It had a lot of words and a ton of pop culture and current slang references that I'm sure will be dated within a year.
I listened to the audiobook, full cast version of this book, and while I'm always a huge fan of Daniel Henning's narration, the rest of them were basically one note to me. Honestly, waiting for Henning's sections were the only thing that kept me listening.
Overall, this was not as good as I was hoping it would be based on the author's previous work.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is the story of a group of people who met via a Reddit true crime group. They find out that a husband of one of the group members is involved in some shady dealings so they decide to get revenge.
I disliked most of the characters, they seemed like caricatures rather than real people, and there were too many of them and they were super similar to one another so I had a difficult time remembering who was who. And overall the narrative was a silly convoluted mess. It had a lot of words and a ton of pop culture and current slang references that I'm sure will be dated within a year.
I listened to the audiobook, full cast version of this book, and while I'm always a huge fan of Daniel Henning's narration, the rest of them were basically one note to me. Honestly, waiting for Henning's sections were the only thing that kept me listening.
Overall, this was not as good as I was hoping it would be based on the author's previous work.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 1, 2025
Thank you Brilliance Publishing for my gifted ALC!
Peter Pulaski Must Pay is perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan. Hilarious and chaotic, with only a twist Jen Lancaster can provide.
I fell in love with her during my young adulthood because of her pit bulls. And once I realized she lived near me and grew up around the same landmarks, it felt like we were friends. Only, she didn’t know, and that’s probably creepy lol. But because of this, I found myself loving her writing style and technique. She was my first introduction to world building, really. Because the first 25% of her books is always laying the groundwork for the story she wants to tell. It feels like… what’s going on here? And once you round the bend, it clicks and doesn’t let up.
I had a lot of fun with this mixed bag of true crime junkies. It really did remind me of Finlay and Vero. Fun, quirky, each character someone unique. It was a blast and I love when Jen Lancaster explores the fiction genre.
Overall, I really had fun with this. I definitely think I’d like to revisit the cast again.
Peter Pulaski Must Pay is perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan. Hilarious and chaotic, with only a twist Jen Lancaster can provide.
I fell in love with her during my young adulthood because of her pit bulls. And once I realized she lived near me and grew up around the same landmarks, it felt like we were friends. Only, she didn’t know, and that’s probably creepy lol. But because of this, I found myself loving her writing style and technique. She was my first introduction to world building, really. Because the first 25% of her books is always laying the groundwork for the story she wants to tell. It feels like… what’s going on here? And once you round the bend, it clicks and doesn’t let up.
I had a lot of fun with this mixed bag of true crime junkies. It really did remind me of Finlay and Vero. Fun, quirky, each character someone unique. It was a blast and I love when Jen Lancaster explores the fiction genre.
Overall, I really had fun with this. I definitely think I’d like to revisit the cast again.
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