A virtual book club listens in horror when the screen freezes and one of their members is murdered in this twisty and delicious thriller from the author of Someone Else’s Life, perfect for fans of First Lie Wins and The Writing Retreat.
Five of the most prominent book influencers in the US make up an exclusive virtual book club that’s the envy of the online book world. Once a month, they get on a video call to sip cocktails, chat about social media campaigns and book events, and discuss their monthly book club pick.
Until one meeting, when all of their screens freeze, and they listen to gut wrenching screams as one of them is brutally attacked. It feels like an eternity before the video call drops—and thus begins the frantic texts and phone calls as they try to figure out who was murdered and why.
As the investigation unearths secrets each of them needs to keep buried, the jealousies, hidden resentments, and trouble in their personal lives begin to surface. The remaining four women are suspicious of each other, pointing fingers to take the heat off their own indiscretions. But if they want to figure out who killed their friend, they need to band together and put past hurts behind them. Or one of them will be next.
Lyn Liao Butler was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.
When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.
The cover is attractive, the title is smart and the premise is fascinating. Five prominent book influencers in the US form an exclusive virtual book club which meets monthly by video call to chat about media campaigns and book events. Until one day all the screens freeze and one of the group is heard to be screaming as though being violently attacked.
A good story? Yes but then I had to meet all the characters prior to the attack and they are all so obnoxious I honestly could not bring myself to care who the victim was. From there on it was just a case of reading it in order to get to the end.
Sorry I cannot recommend it but it does get some good reviews. Fortunately we do not all like or dislike the same things!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
3.25 stars. “The Bookers” is an exclusive virtual book club you DON’T want to join - - its (five) members top book influencers that are NOT what they seem to be. You see, underneath their fake, normal-looking facades are secretive, manipulative, self-centered and toxic women. These hidden vices do come to the forefront in the aftermath of the on-camera murder of a club member.. singling each member out.. and their wicked ways. Was this an over-the-top whodunnit with influencers you pretty much had to suspend belief about? Yes, but the entertainment value alone kept me turning its pages. Pub. 10/21/25
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was really looking to sink my teeth into this one! And when I did, it seemed it wasn't the steak I've salivated over, but some kind of questionable meat that was frozen and thawed over multiple times, dunk in batter, and fried with rancid oil. Why, oh, why. The premise was wonderful!
The "friends", let's start with that. Are they friends, frenemies, enemies, or some new kind of relationship? Why do all, I mean ALL women act as if they are toddlers high on sugar? No thought in anything they do, they only react to what's been done to them. They blackmail each other, stab each other in the back, and act as if they are best friends. Have no money but fly to wherever they want, and later on they cringe at the thought of their family members ordering pizza because that's, you know, expensive. Later on the same women buy lychee martinis, because, you know, they will go bankrupt anyways. The thought process! Let me sit down.
Toxic is on another level here, where people have no thought whatsoever, they seem to be in a constant haze of lychee martinis and anger. No planning, no cunning, just tears of rage and reactions to what's been done to them, and their all consuming suffering.
My biggest problem with this book is the author's justifying the women's train of thought. Those women flip flop throughout the book so fast, your head will spin. The reasoning to their constant temper tantrums is poorly explained. And it's because the author doesn't really get in the head of neither of her characters.
The revealing of the mystery was OK, but at that point it didn't matter anymore, I just wanted to get it over it, so I can give NetGalley my review.
Will not recommend
NetGalley, thank you for the digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts
I had a hard time finishing this book. While the premise initially intrigued me, the story quickly became frustrating. The characters—adult women—were written with such extreme secrecy, immaturity, and backstabbing behavior that it felt unbelievable and exhausting. Their actions often bordered on the absurd, making it difficult to connect or care about the outcome. What should have been complex relationships felt more like high school drama dragged out far too long. I pushed through hoping for a payoff, but in the end, it just didn’t feel worth the effort.
There are complicated and back-stabby relationships aplenty in The Deadly Book Club, making Lyn Liao Butler’s latest twisty thriller an absolutely wild ride. Clear your schedule before you crack this one open. Not only will it keep you guessing, but you’ll be switching allegiances from chapter to chapter as you try to figure out whodunnit, and why.”
The world's top virtual book club comes to a screeching halt during a meeting when the screen freezes and the audio fills with screams from one of them being murdered. Who's the victim? The killer? Are the rest safe or will one of them be next? This sizzling tale kept me up way too late and now my bedroom light will stay on 'til dawn while I add author Lyn Liao Butler to my auto-read list. Thriller fans will devour this!
I love book clubs and I love murder mysteries so obviously I had to give this one a fair shake!
I liked the uniqueness of the book club being online and imagining the horror of a freeze frame murder, watching from the comfort of your home with distance between you and the sinister event and yet still feeling unsafe!
If you enjoy messy toxic unlikeable characters then strap in. This book was for the majority fast paced and action packed with drama, however it did lose my interest in the middle part there. The end twists saved it from being a total flop however some excitement would need to be thrusted into the middle section to get my full recommendation.
This should have been one of my top summer reads. I mean, what's not to love? Thriller - check. The premise - double check. The fact that I own the same hat as is on the cover - vanity check. But unfortunately this was hard to get through. I don't mind unlikeable characters but some of them were just ridiculous and the drama felt more like an over the top soap opera. If I hadn't received this as an arc, I would have dnfd it. Such a shame because the premise is such a great idea.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this arc
Lyn Liao Butler's latest thriller plunges readers into a nightmare scenario that feels uncomfortably plausible in our hyperconnected world. Five prominent book influencers gather for their exclusive monthly virtual book club, lychee martinis in hand, ready to discuss their latest pick. But when their screens freeze and gut-wrenching screams pierce through the audio, one of the Bookers becomes the victim of a brutal murder witnessed by her friends through a frozen Zoom call. What follows is a twisted journey through jealousy, hidden resentments, and dark secrets that will keep readers questioning everything until the final page.
The premise is both timely and terrifying. Butler captures the peculiar horror of being helpless behind a screen, hearing violence unfold without being able to intervene or even know who is being attacked. This digital-age twist on the classic locked-room mystery creates an immediate sense of dread that permeates the entire narrative.
The Bookers: Influencers with Secrets to Hide
Butler constructs her cast of five book influencers with deliberate care, each representing different facets of the literary social media world. Sidney Aquino stands as the wealthy, generous member who seems to have it all, including a picture-perfect family and unlimited resources. Leigh operates an independent bookstore in Chicago and is engaged to be married, though her perfect facade conceals troubling actions. Kate, a former Hollywood actress turned book influencer, carries trauma from her past while struggling with infertility and loss. Jessie Tang harbors her own professional secrets, maintaining a carefully curated public persona. Helena Davis, rounding out the group, faces financial ruin while desperately trying to maintain appearances.
The characterization demonstrates both strengths and weaknesses. Butler excels at creating believable tensions between women who call themselves friends but harbor deep resentments. The jealousies feel authentic, from Kate's petty irritation when Jessie lands a lucrative partnership to Helena's desperation-fueled anger at Sidney's wealth. However, the characters sometimes feel more like archetypes than fully realized individuals. Their secrets, while dramatic, occasionally strain credulity, and their motivations can feel manufactured to serve the plot rather than emerging organically from their personalities.
A Narrative Structure That Builds Suspense
Butler employs a multi-perspective narrative that jumps between characters and timelines. The story moves from "Before" to "The Day Of" to "After," creating a jigsaw puzzle that readers must piece together. Interspersed throughout are chapters from "The Killer's" perspective, offering tantalizing glimpses into the murderer's mindset without revealing their identity.
This structure proves to be both the novel's greatest asset and its most frustrating element. On one hand, Butler masterfully builds tension by withholding information and revealing character secrets gradually. The reader experiences the same confusion and panic as the remaining Bookers, desperately trying to determine who died and why. On the other hand, the multiple perspectives can feel disjointed, and some chapters serve more to delay revelation than to meaningfully advance the plot or deepen characterization.
Paradise Lost: The Hawaiian Setting
The choice to set much of the action in Kauai creates striking contrast between the idyllic tropical paradise and the dark deeds unfolding there. Butler paints vivid pictures of Kalapaki Bay, luxury villas with ocean views, and the lush beauty of the Hawaiian landscape. Yet this paradise becomes a trap for the characters, who find themselves isolated on an island while a killer moves among them.
The setting works on multiple levels. Practically, it provides plausible reasons why characters cannot simply flee, and the geography creates natural separation between suspects. Thematically, the contrast between external beauty and internal darkness reinforces the book's exploration of the gap between curated online personas and messy reality. The descriptions of the island are evocative enough to transport readers without overwhelming the narrative's pace.
The Plot: Twists, Turns, and Credibility Issues
Butler's plot is ambitious, layering multiple mysteries, red herrings, and reveals. The structure builds toward several major twists, some more successful than others. The initial mystery, centered on which Booker was killed and why, sustains interest through the early chapters. As the investigation unfolds, additional deaths and attacks complicate matters, raising the stakes while also straining plausibility.
The novel's greatest strength lies in its exploration of how social media influencers curate perfect online lives while hiding messy realities. Butler understands the book world intimately, and her insider knowledge shines through in details about book launches, partnerships with authors, and the competitive dynamics between influencers. The jealousies and professional tensions ring true for anyone familiar with social media culture.
However, the plot ultimately buckles under the weight of its own complications. The true solution to the mystery requires readers to accept a series of elaborate deceptions and perfectly executed plans that feel more suited to an action thriller than a domestic suspense novel. Key revelations demand significant suspension of disbelief, particularly regarding how certain characters could orchestrate such complex schemes without detection. The motivations driving the killer's actions, while creative, don't always align convincingly with the character as previously presented.
Writing Style: Accessible but Occasionally Rushed
Butler writes in a breezy, accessible style that keeps pages turning. Her prose prioritizes clarity and momentum over lyrical flourishes, which suits the thriller genre well. Dialogue flows naturally for the most part, capturing the cadence of contemporary conversation and text exchanges. The author demonstrates particular skill in rendering the panic and confusion of the virtual book club scene, making readers feel present in that horrifying moment.
However, the writing occasionally suffers from telling rather than showing, particularly when revealing character backstories or internal motivations. Some emotional moments that should land powerfully feel rushed, as if Butler is hurrying to the next plot point rather than allowing readers to sit with the characters' feelings. The pacing is generally strong, though the final act feels compressed, with revelations and resolutions arriving in rapid succession that can overwhelm rather than satisfy.
Themes: Friendship, Justice, and Moral Ambiguity
Beneath the thriller surface, Butler explores themes of friendship between women, the nature of justice, and moral ambiguity. The Bookers' relationships embody both the support and competition that can exist between successful women in the same field. Their secrets reveal the masks people wear, even with supposedly close friends, and the resentments that fester beneath polite surfaces.
The novel also grapples with questions of vigilante justice and whether some crimes justify extrajudicial punishment. Without revealing spoilers, the killer's motivations connect to punishing wrongdoers who escaped conventional justice. Butler doesn't offer easy answers, instead presenting a morally complex situation that challenges readers to consider where they draw ethical lines.
The exploration of curated online personas versus authentic selves resonates in our social media-saturated age. Each Booker maintains a carefully constructed public image while hiding truths that could damage their influence and income. This gap between performance and reality drives much of the tension and tragedy.
What Works and What Doesn't
Strengths:
The novel's hook is genuinely compelling, and the opening sequence delivers visceral horror. Butler understands the book influencer world and renders it convincingly. The pacing generally keeps readers engaged, and the multiple mysteries provide forward momentum. The exploration of female friendship's complexities feels authentic, even when the plot grows outlandish. The Hawaiian setting is well-utilized, creating atmosphere while serving practical plot purposes.
Weaknesses:
The resolution requires significant suspension of disbelief, with plot mechanics feeling contrived rather than inevitable. Some character motivations don't fully convince, and certain secrets feel inserted for shock value rather than organic to the characters. The ending wraps up some threads while leaving others frustratingly unresolved, perhaps setting up a sequel. The middle section occasionally drags as red herrings accumulate. The professional secrets that several characters hide sometimes strain credibility, and revelations that should be devastating can feel rushed rather than fully explored.
Final Verdict
The Deadly Book Club delivers an entertaining thriller that will appeal to readers seeking beach-read escapism with dark edges. Butler has crafted a timely premise that taps into contemporary anxieties about online personas and digital connections. The book excels as a page-turner that keeps readers guessing, even if the ultimate revelations don't entirely satisfy.
At approximately 1,200 words, this review aims to help readers decide if this book suits their tastes. It's best for those who enjoy twisty domestic thrillers and can overlook some credibility issues in service of entertaining suspense. The novel works less well for readers seeking deeply realistic character studies or tightly logical plots where every element connects seamlessly.
Butler has written a guilty pleasure that understands its audience. While it may not achieve literary excellence, it delivers the thrills and shocks that genre readers crave. The book succeeds in its primary goal: keeping readers turning pages late into the night, desperate to discover the truth behind that terrifying virtual book club meeting. For a poolside read or airplane entertainment, you could do far worse than spending time with the Bookers, even if their book club meetings prove deadly.
Went for the title and the description, hoping to get my hands on the advance reading 📖 but I hate to say it but it was pretty dull. I honestly avoided reading it. I will admit I did not expect the ending
I didn’t love any of the main characters mostly because their pettiness was just unmatched. Also, the author’s writing and typos were annoying to me. The storyline wasn’t terrible though.
I was super excited to read this book, i am actually in a bookclub so it just made sense. Plus i love mystery/thrillers, what could go wrong? However, i personally didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought i would… that is not to say the writing or book itself is “bad”. It just became too much for my brain; the drama, back & forth friends who are lowkey enemies etc. it was just a lot and for all of that to be going on 90% of the book, the ending did not come through in my opinion
Completely implausible and reads like AI wrote it or something. I listened on audio and at first I thought it was AI reading it because it sounded so terrible and robotic. Nope! Real people. If this wasn't for a book club, I would not have finished.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.
The bookers. Five book influencers who meet up digitally for book club meetings. On one of those meetings, the screen goes black and suddenly they can hear screaming. Who is it? As the story goes on it turns out that every booker has a secret, is any of them worth killing for?
I was so excited seeing a book about reader, as I am one myself. This book is really fast paced and it is always something going on. Every character is slightly unlikeable, in my opinion some more than others. I couldn’t put this one down!
Woah 😮 this book was so toxic I had to wear a hazmat suit while reading it !!
A Bookclub , Lychee Martinis and Hawaii ? I’m in ,my bags are already packed !
The Deadly Bookclub is about five of the most manipulative and self absorbed women who are very influential in the book world and have their own online virtual bookclub where everyone is dying 💀 to get in !
Then one night during an online discussion there are terrifying screams of bloody murder and someone ends up dead ☠️.
We are taken on a wild ride of relationships filled with lies , secrets and zero accountability and the gaslighting was practically the plot device .
All five women had a motive and all five “ Bookers “ were playing a deadly game …who will come out on top or will they all end up down under ?
Ughhh I wanted to love this book , the synopsis and the cover alone had me sold !! Sadly I felt the writing was weak . It was very repetitive, yes we know you like lychee martinis . The dialogue was very immature, and every character was unlikeable and unrepeatable . I found the writing was very blocky , you would be reading and then bump something else happening and then we’d get going and hit another road block , I couldn’t get a nice flow going and would have to re read paragraphs which is never fun 😂 I don’t usually struggle with multiple characters, but for some reason the lack of connection and very similar personalities it was hard to navigate. I also felt the representation of abortion was insensitive & unnecessary., but If this sounds like your jam then go for it 🙌🏼
Thank you NetGalley , Crooked Lane Books & Lyn Liao Butler for this ARC in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC of 'The Deadly Book Club' by Lyn Liao Butler - expected release date of 10/21/2025.
ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was surprised to see this was written by a seasoned author. The writing was very amateur-ish, more telling rather than describing, and the language used was pretty elementary (EX: the amount of times some of the characters described others as 'mean', what are we, 10 years old!?) Also, there were too many POVs, from 5 main characters, with multiple secondary and tertiary characters, and a lot of different storylines and timelines to keep track of. This book was too chaotic and it was hard to keep everything straight. I don't mind unlikeable characters, especially in thrillers, but when every single main character (including the victim) is a terrible person, it's unbelievable. You need at least one person to root for! The ladies were also catty, back stabby and immature. The premise of the book was a good one, it just fell flat in execution. I really wanted to DNF but since it was an ARC, I had to finish. Which brings me to the end, the utterly ridiculous, implausible ending. What did I just read!?
3.75⭐️ So were these characters deliciously toxic and somewhat unbelievable? Sure! Am I mad about it? Nope not at all! This book draws you in with the promise of a sort of “love letter” to book influencers and thriller lovers and it delivers.
I’ve seen some reviews commenting on the toxic nature of the chat gets and that it gets ridiculous, however, have you really paid attention to the ridiculousness that happens on TikTok and Instagram? For me, it made it completely believable in a fiction sort of way. It took some of the worst behavior we have seen on the various platforms and creates these characters that you want to love to hate. Each one has a negative attribute complimented with a positive which mirrors life.
I really enjoyed the Asian representation throughout balances with other cultures as well. The author being Taiwanese herself was able to bring the cultural touches to the appropriate characters that allowed the reader to learn a bit along the way which I loved.
Now, this is a book written in 3rd person POV on behalf of the 5 characters plus the killer. It also is a multi timeline with the chapters bouncing around a bit but pertinent to the story. It was a swift read for the most part with easily and quickly turning pages. I finished it in one sitting ultimately after a false start for the first 3 chapters. (I got interrupted with another book with a close deadline so it’s not the books fault).
I will say that there was about a 10% section roughly midway through that was a bit of a slog to get through but it quickly resolves. I’ll mention that to ME, it was very predictable. I had everything neatly sorted out by the 54% mark but I admittedly am a reader who tends to figure these things out despite not trying. But I think that other readers will enjoy the twists even if they figure it out as I know I did. It comes out October 21st 2025 so it’s just in time to round out your spooky season reading.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Crooked Lane Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.
⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received. ⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.
The Deadly Book Club by Lyn Liao Butler (2025) v+312-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-307
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Suspense
Featuring: Anonymous, Books About Books, Book Influencers, We Start in the Middle, Virtual Book Club, Taiwanese Americans, Flushing, Queens, New York; Sports Writer, Escort, Chicago, Illinois; Filipino MC, Affluent People, San Francisco, California; Secrets, Boston, Massachusetts; Retired Actress, Diverse Cast, Restaurateur, Chef, Houston, Texas, Friendships, Kauai, Hawaii; Threats, Violence, Police, Children, Bibliography for Lyn Liao Butler
Rating as a movie: R
Books and Authors mentioned: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Little Loki to the Rescue by Amy Bray, illustrated by Natalia Herrera; Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½📚👩💻👩🏻💻👩🏼💻👩🏽💻👩🏿💻
My thoughts: 🔖Page 50 of 312 CHAPTER 6 Two Weeks Ago Sidney - I was expecting a diverse cast, and we got it. There are 2 Asian main characters, 1 Black 2 White, and one is a lesbian. It opens with a preview of the murder. There are 5 cities and everyone has a reason to kill and be killed so, we're just waiting to discover the reasons and find out the results, I'm assuming the mystery will start in part 2. I have been putting off reading this book because I was not supposed to read it until February, and I accidentally got it early. With 4 days before its return date, I have no choice but to knock it out ASAP. My heart lies elsewhere. I am hoping this will not affect my mood while reading. So far, it's not bad.
I figured this out early on, so I just had to wait to see if I was right, and unfortunately, I was. The story seems implausible, and these people talk too much for people who have secrets they're willing to kill for. I'm looking forward to the discussion next year.
Recommend to others: Likely, but mostly because I already have, and I think others would enjoy it more than I did.
Memorable Quotes: They are five of the most powerful book influencers of their time, ranging in age from twenty-seven to fifty-three: Leigh, Jessie, Sidney, Kate, and Helena. Even though they all read across genres, they each have their favorites. Leigh loves romances and is about to get her own happily-ever-after when she marries her fiancé in six months. Jessie can’t get enough of horror and true crime, the grittier the better. Sidney is a sucker for psychological thrillers, Kate for literary fiction. And Helena, well, Helena champions the underdog, the books she feels didn’t get enough attention.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A twisty and suspenseful ride with a few character bumps along the way**
Lyn Liao Butler’s *The Deadly Book Club* blends secrets, suspense, and the complexities of female friendships into a fast-paced, twisty thriller. The premise was instantly engaging: a tight-knit book club of four women is rocked by a tragic death that uncovers buried truths and long-hidden tensions. As secrets unravel, so does their sense of safety—especially when it becomes clear that one of them might not be who she seems.
The plot had great momentum—I found myself constantly wanting to pick it back up to see what would happen next. While some twists were predictable, the execution still made for an enjoyable and compelling read.
That said, I did struggle at times to differentiate between the characters, especially Leigh and Jesse. Their lives were so intertwined and similarly chaotic that I often confused them. Only Helena stood out clearly, mostly because her backstory felt so distinct from the others. Overall, the character work felt a little flat—many blended together rather than standing as fully fleshed individuals.
Still, this was a solid and entertaining thriller. With its messy friendships, dark secrets, and a few jaw-dropping moments, *The Deadly Book Club* is one I’d recommend to fans of domestic suspense and twisty drama-driven thrillers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of the Deadly Book Club by Lyn Liao Butler. The book is to be published on October 21, 2025.
This book club, of prominent book influencers, meets monthly via ZOOM to discuss social media campaigns, events and their monthly pick. The group consists of five women – Jessie, Sidney, Kate, Leigh and Helena.
There’s the famous chef; the dramatic, spoiled, childish, blackmailing gold digger; the petty, spiteful, former actress; the wealthy, kind, generous noble one; and the whore. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a whore. If I had the looks to be a whore, then a whore I’d be!
During one of their meetings, the screens go black and one of the five is savagely murdered. The frenemies have to put aside their own differences if they want to figure out what happened or if one of them will be next.
Once the murder happens, the first mystery to be solved is who was murdered. You find out fairly quickly the three who were not and it’s left between this one and that one. As you read it, you hope it’s not this one but rather that one.
The distrust between the remaining women does becomes repetitive as the story progresses and the women are not written in a good light. All the men are written about rather positively.
The twist at the end was unique and it wasn’t expected though fitting. This was a quick, enjoyable, light read.
Who needs enemies when you have friends like this. There is no girl’s girl in this book. I feel guilty liking this so much because none of the main characters were not “good” people. Everyone has secrets on this not only from their friends but family and spouses too. This murder mystery kept everything so nicely together though that I ate it all up to the last twists.
Recommended anyone that loves murder mysteries with drama and main charters being women. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “A virtual book club listens in horror when the screen freezes and one of their members is murdered in this twisty and delicious thriller”
Thank you @crookedlanebooks for providing this book for review consideration via @netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I had a difficult time getting into this story as the first 40% of the book was an introduction to several unlikeable characters (I think they were meant to be) and it took a long time for someone to be murdered. When the story picked up, it became more interesting, and I stuck around to find out who the guilty party was. The ending was unexpected, and I was surprised but it wasn’t enough to make up for the slow start with repugnant characters. Credit is due to the author for creating characters that evoke such a strong response and making them whole enough to feel this way, but they made it difficult to get through the beginning of the book.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for early access to this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. Like I really wanted to. The premise sounded so good but BOY OH BOY did it FALL FLAT! It felt all over the place and not in a good way. I guessed the "twists" very early on, the storylines had no flow, and majority of the characters were insufferable. This was a no for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the E-Arc. I had such a hard time putting this book down. It was so captivating from the very first chapter. Five social media book influencers have their world turned upside down by a who done it murder. I thought I had the murderer but then it twisted into a whole different person. I loved it!
Life styles of the rich and famous. What happens when someone dies during a book club meeting of the elite. Everyone has secrets. Threats made but who killed their friend. Was it the childhood bestie, the friend who needed money, the friend who assumed betrayal, the friend she betrayed, or the friend who’s been lying to everyone.