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This Book Will Bury Me
13 hours, 12 minutes
After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. In this morbid internet underground, Jane finds friendship, purpose, and even glory . . .
So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions, and begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap . . .
Told one year after the astounding events that concluded the case and left the world reeling, when Jane has finally decided to break her silence about what really happened, she tells the true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans . . .
After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. In this morbid internet underground, Jane finds friendship, purpose, and even glory . . .
So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions, and begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap . . .
Told one year after the astounding events that concluded the case and left the world reeling, when Jane has finally decided to break her silence about what really happened, she tells the true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans . . .
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First published March 25, 2025
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About the author
Ashley Winstead
9 books5,435 followersAshley Winstead's bestselling, critically-acclaimed books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for television, named Library Read, Loan Star, and Amazon Editor picks, and covered everywhere from the New York Times to People magazine. She's a former academic who lives in Houston with her husband, three cats, and beloved wine fridge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,794 reviews
March 25, 2025
TODAY IS PUBLISH DAY SO I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE MY REVIEW AGAIN ✨🫣
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
DNF @ 32%- i should have dnfed sooner but i don’t typically dnf books 🥺
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
this isnt even worth writing a review. i absolutely am disgusted by this author’s actions. This book is the idaho murders in a fictional book. i WILL NEVER EVER SUPPORT THIS.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Similarities of book to real case include:
❥ there are 3 girls murdered by stabbing in idaho. In real case this would be kaylee, xana, madison. There is one roommate who did not die that lived on first floor like one of the surviving roommates in the real case…
❥ The suspect got in and out of a glass door. (real and book)
❥ The three victims were in sorority. all three girls were in one in real life.
❥ FOOD TRUCK. the two blonde victims called stacie and madeline WENT TO A FOOD TRUCK like kaylee and madison did in real life case.
❥ The two blonde girls were said to look like they could be sisters… in real life this would be kaylee and madison other victim in the book had dark hair. Xana was a brunette in real life case.
❥ a large knife was used to murder them and they said it was brutal and bloody in the book. Kohlberger used a hunting knife (kabar knife) in the real case.
❥ the use of a crime forum throughout the book. Kohlberger also used a crime forum to talk about murder and other crime things etc.
❥ the theories that an ex boyfriend did it. i remember before Bryan was found everyone speculated a boyfriend or ex of the three girls
╰┈➤ THIS WAS ONLY 32% IN. ONLY 32%
╰┈➤ as a forensic psychology major i will NEVER EVER support this when you copy a real criminal case that victims have yet to receive justice 🥺
╰┈➤ i read other low ☆ reviews and people said it gets even worse with the small details. i was nauseous reading this book.
╰┈➤ i am so HEATED this book does not deserve this detailed of a one ☆ review. please do not support this authors actions.
╰┈➤ please save your time and read something better. if you are a lover of true crime this book will likely make you uncomfortable. They are so many better books out there than this. read them lol.
♡ say their names Kaylee Gonglaves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin ♡
thanks netgalley for the Earc in exchange for an honest review… ✨
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
DNF @ 32%- i should have dnfed sooner but i don’t typically dnf books 🥺
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
this isnt even worth writing a review. i absolutely am disgusted by this author’s actions. This book is the idaho murders in a fictional book. i WILL NEVER EVER SUPPORT THIS.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
Similarities of book to real case include:
❥ there are 3 girls murdered by stabbing in idaho. In real case this would be kaylee, xana, madison. There is one roommate who did not die that lived on first floor like one of the surviving roommates in the real case…
❥ The suspect got in and out of a glass door. (real and book)
❥ The three victims were in sorority. all three girls were in one in real life.
❥ FOOD TRUCK. the two blonde victims called stacie and madeline WENT TO A FOOD TRUCK like kaylee and madison did in real life case.
❥ The two blonde girls were said to look like they could be sisters… in real life this would be kaylee and madison other victim in the book had dark hair. Xana was a brunette in real life case.
❥ a large knife was used to murder them and they said it was brutal and bloody in the book. Kohlberger used a hunting knife (kabar knife) in the real case.
❥ the use of a crime forum throughout the book. Kohlberger also used a crime forum to talk about murder and other crime things etc.
❥ the theories that an ex boyfriend did it. i remember before Bryan was found everyone speculated a boyfriend or ex of the three girls
╰┈➤ THIS WAS ONLY 32% IN. ONLY 32%
╰┈➤ as a forensic psychology major i will NEVER EVER support this when you copy a real criminal case that victims have yet to receive justice 🥺
╰┈➤ i read other low ☆ reviews and people said it gets even worse with the small details. i was nauseous reading this book.
╰┈➤ i am so HEATED this book does not deserve this detailed of a one ☆ review. please do not support this authors actions.
╰┈➤ please save your time and read something better. if you are a lover of true crime this book will likely make you uncomfortable. They are so many better books out there than this. read them lol.
♡ say their names Kaylee Gonglaves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin ♡
thanks netgalley for the Earc in exchange for an honest review… ✨
August 20, 2025
this was a conflicting reading experience, to say the least.
just echoing what every other reviewer has said - i agree that writing a story with its plot based on a real life murder case, specifically one that hadnt even gone to trial yet at the time of its release, is a questionable choice for AW. i knew from reading the synopsis that i could expect some similarities, but i did not expect the near “copy and paste” nature of the case details. while the story did feel like it was written in poor taste, it surprisingly didnt stop me from wanting to know what happened next when i was reading it.
and its probably because the way this story is written is quite effective. i enjoyed AW previous mystery/thriller story, so i know shes talented at creating a narrative that is addicting to read. for this particular book, the short chapters, the bread-crumbing of information, the character dynamics, and the idea of a “tell all” story are like catnip to any lover of true crime. the concept of this is really quite good.
so it makes me want to shake AW and ask why she couldnt have just made up her own crime for the sake of the plot, rather than exploiting a very real life trauma for a small town community. because she has a really top tier story on its own - she didnt need to use the notoriety of a horrific current event in order to sell the concept to readers. such a shame a good story had to be overshadowed by unfortuante writing decisions.
↠ 3.5 stars
just echoing what every other reviewer has said - i agree that writing a story with its plot based on a real life murder case, specifically one that hadnt even gone to trial yet at the time of its release, is a questionable choice for AW. i knew from reading the synopsis that i could expect some similarities, but i did not expect the near “copy and paste” nature of the case details. while the story did feel like it was written in poor taste, it surprisingly didnt stop me from wanting to know what happened next when i was reading it.
and its probably because the way this story is written is quite effective. i enjoyed AW previous mystery/thriller story, so i know shes talented at creating a narrative that is addicting to read. for this particular book, the short chapters, the bread-crumbing of information, the character dynamics, and the idea of a “tell all” story are like catnip to any lover of true crime. the concept of this is really quite good.
so it makes me want to shake AW and ask why she couldnt have just made up her own crime for the sake of the plot, rather than exploiting a very real life trauma for a small town community. because she has a really top tier story on its own - she didnt need to use the notoriety of a horrific current event in order to sell the concept to readers. such a shame a good story had to be overshadowed by unfortuante writing decisions.
↠ 3.5 stars
November 6, 2024
It is not the fault of this book but I cannot cleverly string together sentences right now (I am seriously burned out on using words, you guys), so here's my review in bullet form instead:
The Good
- It's suspenseful, even when it's predictable.
- The characters are mostly likeable.
- The internet-y bits are super well done, the true crime forum conversations and online chats and such.
- The found family aspect of the story is endearing.
- There isn't much romance.
The Mediocre
- It's somewhat predictable. I guessed the big twist less than halfway through, and once you've guessed the twist, it's kind of obvious where things are headed.
- It's long. Seriously, this book could have been a hundred pages shorter.
- What little romance there is feels forced.
The “I Didn't Like This at All”
- The very end. Not the dad-related bits, but the killer-related bits. It's super unrealistic and feels like a cop-out (kind of like me writing a review via bullet points, I suppose).
- This book is very obviously based on the 2022 University of Idaho murders, which feels kind of … gross?
Basically, This Book Will Bury Me is entertaining and suspenseful but also flawed in places. And it's way too soon to be writing fictional books based on a murder case that's still working its way through the legal system.
So, yeah. I'll give it 3.95 stars for the entertainment value and three stars for … all the rest of it. *waves hand lazily in direction of bullet points* Average rating: 3.475 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.
The Good
- It's suspenseful, even when it's predictable.
- The characters are mostly likeable.
- The internet-y bits are super well done, the true crime forum conversations and online chats and such.
- The found family aspect of the story is endearing.
- There isn't much romance.
The Mediocre
- It's somewhat predictable. I guessed the big twist less than halfway through, and once you've guessed the twist, it's kind of obvious where things are headed.
- It's long. Seriously, this book could have been a hundred pages shorter.
- What little romance there is feels forced.
The “I Didn't Like This at All”
- The very end. Not the dad-related bits, but the killer-related bits. It's super unrealistic and feels like a cop-out (kind of like me writing a review via bullet points, I suppose).
- This book is very obviously based on the 2022 University of Idaho murders, which feels kind of … gross?
Basically, This Book Will Bury Me is entertaining and suspenseful but also flawed in places. And it's way too soon to be writing fictional books based on a murder case that's still working its way through the legal system.
So, yeah. I'll give it 3.95 stars for the entertainment value and three stars for … all the rest of it. *waves hand lazily in direction of bullet points* Average rating: 3.475 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.
May 19, 2025
Wow! What an intense, slow burn, mind numbing, twisty ride just makes you feel a part of dysfunctional true crime family! Dear Ashley Winstead, congratulations again to create something so unique, unusual, highly disturbing, strangely engaging, quirky that brought out my own true crime obsessions, puzzle solving skills! This is another well developed, excited and concluded journey even though it’s a little long, I still devoured the most pages, progression of strange bounding between motley crew of character whose only common interest is catching the serial killers and bring out the justice with different motives, thinking a like detective, victim, killer, saver. I enjoyed both Star Trek, Heathers references and seriously planing to watch Heathers again as soon as finished typing this review.
Janeway Sharp, 24, reminding us goth phase of young Winona Ryder between Beetlejuice and Heathers looks, recently dropped out from college after the big shock of losing her father to a sudden heart attack. Her urge to make something remembering her father’s memory blends in her grief. Focusing on true crime boards, joining them starts like taking a break from her pain. When a middle aged woman’s decapitated body found in trash bags tossed in lake, her amateur search helps to find the killer, ending her getting invite to a special crime group insists of five people including her. A sixty five years old librarian, married, even with grandchildren, a retired police officer, an ex army and a computer wizard working on Amazon turn into her crime family she shares everything in her life.
When shocking deaths: 3 college girls’ massacre takes place in Delphine, Idaho ( in my opinion the murder scene in dorm a little reminding me of Jessica Knoll’s Bright Young Women blood freezing murder scene) and each amateur sleuths race to the location to solve the case, benefiting from short term fame on TikTok, turning into independent detectives, Jane’s own group also starts cooking theories, hinting a suspect which creates another media storm because tragic events afterward and tarnish their group’s reputation. But when Jane finds a clue nobody investigated before, an unexpected chance occurs for them to be five steps ahead of entire crime sleuths, they decide to meet in person in Idaho to stop the killer at the first place .
Will they piece up the pieces and bring the justice, stopping the killer who keeps taking more lives in Delphine or will they endanger their lives by going in lion’s den at first place?
Well, the big twist was a little expected for me after reading through slow burn character analysis and seeing the flaws of most of them, it was inevitable to put one and one together. But I still enjoy the creepy, dark, intense tone. Even though author’s previous“Midnight is the darkest hour” was a little more enjoyable for me, I still liked the eccentric dysfunctional family relationship of five crime sleuths, the shocking events afterwards, slow burn pacing that gives you vibes there’s something disturbing will jump on you at the next chapters.
This is one of the best thrillers with differentiated, unique without cliches tone I really recommend, gave me the vibes of flashback scenes of “A murder at the end of the world”
Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for sharing this intense crime thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Janeway Sharp, 24, reminding us goth phase of young Winona Ryder between Beetlejuice and Heathers looks, recently dropped out from college after the big shock of losing her father to a sudden heart attack. Her urge to make something remembering her father’s memory blends in her grief. Focusing on true crime boards, joining them starts like taking a break from her pain. When a middle aged woman’s decapitated body found in trash bags tossed in lake, her amateur search helps to find the killer, ending her getting invite to a special crime group insists of five people including her. A sixty five years old librarian, married, even with grandchildren, a retired police officer, an ex army and a computer wizard working on Amazon turn into her crime family she shares everything in her life.
When shocking deaths: 3 college girls’ massacre takes place in Delphine, Idaho ( in my opinion the murder scene in dorm a little reminding me of Jessica Knoll’s Bright Young Women blood freezing murder scene) and each amateur sleuths race to the location to solve the case, benefiting from short term fame on TikTok, turning into independent detectives, Jane’s own group also starts cooking theories, hinting a suspect which creates another media storm because tragic events afterward and tarnish their group’s reputation. But when Jane finds a clue nobody investigated before, an unexpected chance occurs for them to be five steps ahead of entire crime sleuths, they decide to meet in person in Idaho to stop the killer at the first place .
Will they piece up the pieces and bring the justice, stopping the killer who keeps taking more lives in Delphine or will they endanger their lives by going in lion’s den at first place?
Well, the big twist was a little expected for me after reading through slow burn character analysis and seeing the flaws of most of them, it was inevitable to put one and one together. But I still enjoy the creepy, dark, intense tone. Even though author’s previous“Midnight is the darkest hour” was a little more enjoyable for me, I still liked the eccentric dysfunctional family relationship of five crime sleuths, the shocking events afterwards, slow burn pacing that gives you vibes there’s something disturbing will jump on you at the next chapters.
This is one of the best thrillers with differentiated, unique without cliches tone I really recommend, gave me the vibes of flashback scenes of “A murder at the end of the world”
Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for sharing this intense crime thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
December 30, 2024
After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. In this morbid internet underground, Jane finds friendship, purpose, and even glory...
So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions. Something's not adding up, and they begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap...
Told one year after the astounding events that concluded the case and left the world reeling, when Jane has finally decided to break her silence about what really happened, she tells the true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans...
I am a True Crime fan and I really enjoyed this book! If you enjoy True Crime, this book just might be the book for you. This was a really fun and entertaining read. In the middle of the book this does have a slow burn but it is very engaging.
I loved the characters and loved the sleuthing. There are five FBI consultants in Jane's group and I loved their relationships with each other. I also love that even though Jane was a novice she still was a member of the group.
This book captivated my attention. I Loved the cliff hanger endings of some of the chapters. There are lots of layers to the story.
What Jane has to confess will shock even the most seasoned True crime fans. The book is dark and disturbing and it's a page turner. I am a big fan of this author I have loved all of her books.
I want to thank Netgalley, and Source Landmark for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions. Something's not adding up, and they begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap...
Told one year after the astounding events that concluded the case and left the world reeling, when Jane has finally decided to break her silence about what really happened, she tells the true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans...
I am a True Crime fan and I really enjoyed this book! If you enjoy True Crime, this book just might be the book for you. This was a really fun and entertaining read. In the middle of the book this does have a slow burn but it is very engaging.
I loved the characters and loved the sleuthing. There are five FBI consultants in Jane's group and I loved their relationships with each other. I also love that even though Jane was a novice she still was a member of the group.
This book captivated my attention. I Loved the cliff hanger endings of some of the chapters. There are lots of layers to the story.
What Jane has to confess will shock even the most seasoned True crime fans. The book is dark and disturbing and it's a page turner. I am a big fan of this author I have loved all of her books.
I want to thank Netgalley, and Source Landmark for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2025
⚠️ While I do appreciate that the author acknowledges that this story was inspired by the murders of four University of Idaho students on November 13, 2022-the timing may be sensitive for readers since the trial against the accused has not yet even begun (slated to begin August 11, 2025 and to last for 3 months). This review is based on my feelings about the fictional story only.
3.5 ⭐️
One year after the case concluded, Jane Sharp is writing a book that will serve as a confession about her part as a “True Crime” armchair detective who got involved in a case which captured the attention of an entire nation.
Jane, a college student herself, was grieving the unexpected death of her father, when she found a connection online, in the World of True Crime, which helped to fill the void his death has left.
She is invited to join a smaller, secret group of five, who chat on the encrypted privacy of Signal, and who end up finding fame on Newsline after helping to solve a case in Florida, where Jane lives, after she becomes involved.
This book includes their “chat threads” as gives us an insider view of how those who are obsessed with True Crime, operate-sometimes getting things wrong and hurting innocent people in the process-and sometimes finding things the Detectives have missed because of their ability to comb through the lives of those involved who have made this easier by posting everything on Social Media.
Initially, I was entertained by this “fly on the wall” perspective but I guessed a big part of the story at just past 50% in-and not because it mimics the real case-it actually doesn’t. In fact, the author takes great pains to change things up around the halfway point, but this is where things lose credibility. Also the story begins to feel WAY TOO LONG!
I decided to round down despite an enjoyable first half, when I realized upon finishing this, that it did NOT compel me to seek out her backlist titles-so it was just a slightly above average read!
A buddy read with MarilynW. Be sure to read her thoughts about this one-we had much to discuss about some eye rolling moments!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title. As always, these are my candid thoughts .
3.5 ⭐️
One year after the case concluded, Jane Sharp is writing a book that will serve as a confession about her part as a “True Crime” armchair detective who got involved in a case which captured the attention of an entire nation.
Jane, a college student herself, was grieving the unexpected death of her father, when she found a connection online, in the World of True Crime, which helped to fill the void his death has left.
She is invited to join a smaller, secret group of five, who chat on the encrypted privacy of Signal, and who end up finding fame on Newsline after helping to solve a case in Florida, where Jane lives, after she becomes involved.
This book includes their “chat threads” as gives us an insider view of how those who are obsessed with True Crime, operate-sometimes getting things wrong and hurting innocent people in the process-and sometimes finding things the Detectives have missed because of their ability to comb through the lives of those involved who have made this easier by posting everything on Social Media.
Initially, I was entertained by this “fly on the wall” perspective but I guessed a big part of the story at just past 50% in-and not because it mimics the real case-it actually doesn’t. In fact, the author takes great pains to change things up around the halfway point, but this is where things lose credibility. Also the story begins to feel WAY TOO LONG!
I decided to round down despite an enjoyable first half, when I realized upon finishing this, that it did NOT compel me to seek out her backlist titles-so it was just a slightly above average read!
A buddy read with MarilynW. Be sure to read her thoughts about this one-we had much to discuss about some eye rolling moments!
Thank You to the Chandler Public Library for the loan of this title. As always, these are my candid thoughts .
September 11, 2025
hate when i guess the killer early on 😭
May 27, 2025
A crime fiction tale the likes of which you’ve never seen before, This Book Will Bury Me was one novel that had me straight from hello. With an original premise, believable characters, and a dark, intense vibe, I flew through the 400+ pages in no time at all. I mean, who could pass up a book-within-a-book format that focuses on true-crime internet sleuths? Certainly not me. After all, from the ratcheting pace to the jaw-dropping twist that caught me totally unawares, there simply wasn’t much not to love as I flew through this superlative novel in no time at all.
The characters themselves were the clinch-pin to why this book was solid gold. Compelling, relatable, and complete with genuine flaws, I was easily pulled into their found family dynamic, which was complete with an original voice and tone thanks to the true-crime internet setting. It was this combo that truly got my attention. With a mixed media format that made the story feel all the more real, this plot’s constantly changing direction kept me on tenterhooks with each new twist and unexpected turn. After all, I didn’t see that climax or conclusion coming despite all of the deftly hidden clues.
I do have to warn you, however, that the topic matter—as you can imagine—was rather dark and gritty at times. Between the grief-laden subplot and serial killer premise, I found myself both crying real tears and also visualizing some truly disturbing, visceral scenes. While I wouldn’t classify any of them as particularly graphic, I am also a hardened reader of all things thrills and chills so I might be able to tolerate more than the average reader. Just the same, it brushed up against true crime in the same manner as Bright Young Woman managed to do.
All in all, I’ve noticed that the ratings on this stellar novel are wide-ranging. Readers seem to love it or hate it—and I’m clearly with the former. Thanks to short, cliffhanger chapters that oozed with foreboding, I was beyond blown away as it caught fire towards the end. Made for fans of true crime who love a fictionalized feel, the immersive storytelling within this metafictional tell-all book just couldn’t go wrong. Bingeable and thought-provoking, it was an out-and-out winner that made me fall in love with Ms. Winstead’s writing all over again. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. In this morbid internet underground, Jane finds friendship, purpose, and even glory...
So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions, and begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap...
Thank you to Ashley Winstead, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 25, 2025
Content warning: loss of a parent, grief, violence
The characters themselves were the clinch-pin to why this book was solid gold. Compelling, relatable, and complete with genuine flaws, I was easily pulled into their found family dynamic, which was complete with an original voice and tone thanks to the true-crime internet setting. It was this combo that truly got my attention. With a mixed media format that made the story feel all the more real, this plot’s constantly changing direction kept me on tenterhooks with each new twist and unexpected turn. After all, I didn’t see that climax or conclusion coming despite all of the deftly hidden clues.
I do have to warn you, however, that the topic matter—as you can imagine—was rather dark and gritty at times. Between the grief-laden subplot and serial killer premise, I found myself both crying real tears and also visualizing some truly disturbing, visceral scenes. While I wouldn’t classify any of them as particularly graphic, I am also a hardened reader of all things thrills and chills so I might be able to tolerate more than the average reader. Just the same, it brushed up against true crime in the same manner as Bright Young Woman managed to do.
All in all, I’ve noticed that the ratings on this stellar novel are wide-ranging. Readers seem to love it or hate it—and I’m clearly with the former. Thanks to short, cliffhanger chapters that oozed with foreboding, I was beyond blown away as it caught fire towards the end. Made for fans of true crime who love a fictionalized feel, the immersive storytelling within this metafictional tell-all book just couldn’t go wrong. Bingeable and thought-provoking, it was an out-and-out winner that made me fall in love with Ms. Winstead’s writing all over again. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar. In this morbid internet underground, Jane finds friendship, purpose, and even glory...
So when news of the shocking deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho takes the world by storm, and sleuths everywhere race to solve the crimes, Jane and her friends are determined to beat them. But the case turns out to be stranger than anyone expected. Details don't add up, the police are cagey, and there seems to be more media hype and internet theorizing than actual evidence. When Jane and her sleuths take a step closer, they find that every answer only begs more questions, and begin to suspect their killer may be smarter and more prolific than any they've faced before. Placing themselves in the center of the story starts to feel more and more like walking into a trap...
Thank you to Ashley Winstead, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 25, 2025
Content warning: loss of a parent, grief, violence
December 13, 2024
Amateur sleuths are taking over police investigations. Good idea? Or are they a more of a distraction and hindrance?
I suppose it depends on who you ask.
In her senior year of college, Jane’s father passed unexpectedly. She returns home to grieve along-side her mother. As a break from her mourning she’s drawn into the world of armchair detectives. It’s not long before she has her own handle and becomes part of a team.
When a mass killing occurs on the campus of a small Idaho University Jane and her group are front and center offering their services. The local police aren’t exactly thrilled with the offer, but the FBI see a use for this group to assist in ways that they cannot. Now these amateurs are about to enter very dangerous territory!
Can they find the serial killer before they become the next target?
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this book due to the similarities of the Idaho College murders. Please read the author’s note at the beginning of the book. She did a great job of explaining why and how she used these real and horrific murders as part of her fictional storyline.
If fiction based, true-crime events, or grief of losing a parent are triggers for you then this may not be a great fit. I knew the subject matter going in and thanks to the authors note I was prepared and ended up enjoying this latest by Ashley Winstead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
I suppose it depends on who you ask.
In her senior year of college, Jane’s father passed unexpectedly. She returns home to grieve along-side her mother. As a break from her mourning she’s drawn into the world of armchair detectives. It’s not long before she has her own handle and becomes part of a team.
When a mass killing occurs on the campus of a small Idaho University Jane and her group are front and center offering their services. The local police aren’t exactly thrilled with the offer, but the FBI see a use for this group to assist in ways that they cannot. Now these amateurs are about to enter very dangerous territory!
Can they find the serial killer before they become the next target?
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this book due to the similarities of the Idaho College murders. Please read the author’s note at the beginning of the book. She did a great job of explaining why and how she used these real and horrific murders as part of her fictional storyline.
If fiction based, true-crime events, or grief of losing a parent are triggers for you then this may not be a great fit. I knew the subject matter going in and thanks to the authors note I was prepared and ended up enjoying this latest by Ashley Winstead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark
May 12, 2025
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷・❥・𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀・❥・ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
⤿📖 05/04/25
dnf @32%. I should've dnf it early. This book simply didn't grab my attention and was a such a pain to keep reading further. All it did was put me in a slump. That's all I can say. If you liked this book, good for you.
⤿📖 29/03/25
yup, that's me, fashionably late to read her arc, and now it's already published (oopsie). I'm hoping this mystery pulls me out of my slump 😃🙏🏻
⤿📖 05/04/25
dnf @32%. I should've dnf it early. This book simply didn't grab my attention and was a such a pain to keep reading further. All it did was put me in a slump. That's all I can say. If you liked this book, good for you.
⤿📖 29/03/25
yup, that's me, fashionably late to read her arc, and now it's already published (oopsie). I'm hoping this mystery pulls me out of my slump 😃🙏🏻
September 17, 2024
Okay this book was awesome from start to finish. I could not put it down even though it was actually pretty long. I read it every free moment I had. I loved the way it was told- a tell all where the main character is talking directly to us and telling us the story. She is a true crime enthusiast who works to solve active crimes and aid the police.
Be advised that there are scenes that are gory. There is murder and also animal abuse (but that was off page and only referred to).
I will say one thing that sort of bothered me is the murders in this book are extremely similar to the real Idaho murders of the college students. I mean A LOT of even the small details are the same. I think the author did this to make it more realistic and get people talking, but I just wonder if it could also be seen as a little insensitive to their families since justice still has not been served for them. However, there are still a lot of differences. For example, the killer itself was completely different and there were more murders. So I decided to look past it, because to be honest the book was just so good.
I suspected who the killer was for a while, but this book is just told in a way that you cannot stop reading. It’s action packed from start to finish which is insane considering its over 400 pages- usually I am sooo annoyed by overly long books. I literally could have read more if the author kept going. I was so fascinated by the tell all way it was written & I wish more books were written this way.
I loved the main character and her journey as “searcher” and I loved the side characters too. To be honest, this is a book I wouldn’t mind a sequel to.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Be advised that there are scenes that are gory. There is murder and also animal abuse (but that was off page and only referred to).
I will say one thing that sort of bothered me is the murders in this book are extremely similar to the real Idaho murders of the college students. I mean A LOT of even the small details are the same. I think the author did this to make it more realistic and get people talking, but I just wonder if it could also be seen as a little insensitive to their families since justice still has not been served for them. However, there are still a lot of differences. For example, the killer itself was completely different and there were more murders. So I decided to look past it, because to be honest the book was just so good.
I suspected who the killer was for a while, but this book is just told in a way that you cannot stop reading. It’s action packed from start to finish which is insane considering its over 400 pages- usually I am sooo annoyed by overly long books. I literally could have read more if the author kept going. I was so fascinated by the tell all way it was written & I wish more books were written this way.
I loved the main character and her journey as “searcher” and I loved the side characters too. To be honest, this is a book I wouldn’t mind a sequel to.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2025
How far can you go when you take “inspiration” from real-life tragedies?
Even if that's not the point of Ashley Winstead’s This Book Will Bury Me, the detailed murders and massacres copied from reality overshadowed the story and its message when you found out how similar they are to still-open cases.
I mean, I was shocked and terrified of what I was reading, but that's not even close to how sick I felt when I discovered where those bits were taken from — and that's why I also understand the people who cannot overlook this aspect.
That said, the book can be divided into two sections that go hand in hand: Jane’s dad's sudden passing and her new obsession with the need to find justice for people who will be otherwise ignored, who will easily evolve in doing what she does to stay connected with her “online family”.
Now, there's something I'm dying to say about that part, but I can't or I’ll just spoil the whole thing but… I loved the whole mystery-true crime portion of the story (a bit ruined by what I said before, but still so addictive).
I believe there are different angles to this story but what I really appreciated was the deep dive into sleuth culture and how south things can go when a bunch of obsessed people with too much free time decide to become their own vigilantes, ruining people's lives for “necessity” without thinking twice and completely ignoring the consequences of their actions.
The format of the story and AW’s narration are the most addicting aspects of all, and the remainder of how easily is to become what you despise.
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Even if that's not the point of Ashley Winstead’s This Book Will Bury Me, the detailed murders and massacres copied from reality overshadowed the story and its message when you found out how similar they are to still-open cases.
I mean, I was shocked and terrified of what I was reading, but that's not even close to how sick I felt when I discovered where those bits were taken from — and that's why I also understand the people who cannot overlook this aspect.
That said, the book can be divided into two sections that go hand in hand: Jane’s dad's sudden passing and her new obsession with the need to find justice for people who will be otherwise ignored, who will easily evolve in doing what she does to stay connected with her “online family”.
Now, there's something I'm dying to say about that part, but I can't or I’ll just spoil the whole thing but… I loved the whole mystery-true crime portion of the story (a bit ruined by what I said before, but still so addictive).
I believe there are different angles to this story but what I really appreciated was the deep dive into sleuth culture and how south things can go when a bunch of obsessed people with too much free time decide to become their own vigilantes, ruining people's lives for “necessity” without thinking twice and completely ignoring the consequences of their actions.
The format of the story and AW’s narration are the most addicting aspects of all, and the remainder of how easily is to become what you despise.
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
November 30, 2024
This was a Dnf for reasons below. I just can't get behind someone profiting off of a real tragedy because they thought a story like this might make an interesting plot for their book.
I started reading this book and wondered why it seemed so familiar. I always keep my TV on for background noise. It's most often on the ID channel. I was not too far in the book and put my Kindle down to get a snack, and that's when I heard the TV talking about whatever case, and that's when it hit me. This book is a fictional version of the Idaho 4. I started thinking maybe that I was exaggerating, so I continued on more. I wasn't wrong. I had to dnf about 40% in. Before I quit. I came to read the reviews to again make sure I wasn't wrong. I wasn't. That many similarities just isn't a coincidence.
I started reading this book and wondered why it seemed so familiar. I always keep my TV on for background noise. It's most often on the ID channel. I was not too far in the book and put my Kindle down to get a snack, and that's when I heard the TV talking about whatever case, and that's when it hit me. This book is a fictional version of the Idaho 4. I started thinking maybe that I was exaggerating, so I continued on more. I wasn't wrong. I had to dnf about 40% in. Before I quit. I came to read the reviews to again make sure I wasn't wrong. I wasn't. That many similarities just isn't a coincidence.
January 14, 2025
I think this was the longest book that I’ve ever read… I seriously didn’t think that it would ever end. This book literally buried me in guilt. Guilt that I should have put this in the DNF pile several days ago.
I will say that I wanted to read this book as I loved Winstead’s, “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife”- in fact I loved that book so much, that I keep looking for the same “high” I got with that book with every other Ashley Winstead book. Unfortunately, it just hasn’t happened. Each book I’ve read of hers after that one has been less and less appealing for me, with this one being the worst. With that being said- I think it’s time that I part ways with this author (it’s not you Ashley, it’s me), as we are just not a good fit anymore. :(
In this story, we have Janeway Sharp who unexpectedly loses her father. With this devastating news, she leaves college and moves back home with her mother. Jane is grieving (and rightfully so), and so she joins a true-crime online forum to help solve murders and cold cases. On this online forum, Jane makes many new friends who become like family to her. Solving crimes may just be what Jane needs to distract her from her own pain and grief.
This book is a work of fiction, which reads kind of like nonfiction (does that make sense?). In the very beginning of the book there is an Author’s Note, in which she states that she drew her inspiration for the stories from real cases, such as the University of Idaho (which played a major role in this book). I felt that were too many characters to keep track of, or maybe I just didn’t want to. I also felt that this book was geared towards a younger audience. I wish this book would have worked better for me, but it ended up not being my cup of tea…
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author for a DRC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: March 25, 2025
Genre~ General Fiction (adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women’s Fiction
I will say that I wanted to read this book as I loved Winstead’s, “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife”- in fact I loved that book so much, that I keep looking for the same “high” I got with that book with every other Ashley Winstead book. Unfortunately, it just hasn’t happened. Each book I’ve read of hers after that one has been less and less appealing for me, with this one being the worst. With that being said- I think it’s time that I part ways with this author (it’s not you Ashley, it’s me), as we are just not a good fit anymore. :(
In this story, we have Janeway Sharp who unexpectedly loses her father. With this devastating news, she leaves college and moves back home with her mother. Jane is grieving (and rightfully so), and so she joins a true-crime online forum to help solve murders and cold cases. On this online forum, Jane makes many new friends who become like family to her. Solving crimes may just be what Jane needs to distract her from her own pain and grief.
This book is a work of fiction, which reads kind of like nonfiction (does that make sense?). In the very beginning of the book there is an Author’s Note, in which she states that she drew her inspiration for the stories from real cases, such as the University of Idaho (which played a major role in this book). I felt that were too many characters to keep track of, or maybe I just didn’t want to. I also felt that this book was geared towards a younger audience. I wish this book would have worked better for me, but it ended up not being my cup of tea…
Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author for a DRC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: March 25, 2025
Genre~ General Fiction (adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women’s Fiction
August 25, 2025
3.0 stars —- I know I’m late to the party in reading this one, but I finally got a copy of “This Book Will Bury Me.” This is another one in which I was all over the place. In fact, I was ready to give it 1 star about halfway through. However, I did feel that the author rallied over the final half of the book to make it much more enjoyable, so I am truly a 3 star reader on this one. This book reminded me of “All Good People Here” which was a fictionalized reimagining of the Jon Benet Ramsey case. “This Book Will Bury Me” is a fictionalized reimagining of the Idaho murders of the 4 college students. In my opinion books which base their storyline off a true crime which I know a lot about before reading start off at a major disadvantage. I just can’t get the real facts out of my head the whole time I’m reading the fictionalized retellings of the same crimes. What made this book even harder to enjoy is that it focuses on a group of fame-hungry, true-crime solvers that meet and discuss crimes on internet forums. The whole plot just seemed far-fetched with this group of so-called ‘crime solvers’ being allowed way too much access to law enforcement’s case information —even going so far as being made special consultants by the FBI in the serial killer investigation in Idaho. This just doesn’t happen …ever. Luckily, the main character, Janeway, is an interesting, realistic character who is very likable and seemed authentic in dealing with the emotional turmoil following her father’s death. The rest of the characters are not nearly as interesting, and the author resorts to stereotypes and political correctness in a lot of their inauthentic interactions. Like many other readers, I was able to figure out the major twist, but the other twists and turns at the end of the book were a lot less believable. Despite this being a rather long book, I can say I was never bored and I did enjoy the last half of the book when the internet friends moved in together. Their ability to investigate was so much more interesting and believable when they were doing it in person vs. getting all of the case files from the police departments. In summary, I’m glad I read it , but I’m not sure I’ll read this author again. 🤔
November 7, 2024
It all starts on 31st of August 2023 at a 90s throwback party for students at the University of Central Florida in Orlando – perhaps this is the last time that our narrator Janeway (hello, Star Trek) Sharp is truly innocent. She receives a call from her mother with the news that her father has had a heart attack. Jane rushes to the hospital to receive the worst news, her life would not be the same again as her father means everything to her and she unravels. To distract herself from her grief she starts going down the rabbit hole of true crime forums, sparked by a gruesome discovery of a body in a bin bag discovered in a Floridian lake. She becomes involved with the RealCrimeNetwork, acquiring the handle of Searcher, along with other members Goku, Mistress, Citizen, and Lightly. This group becomes central to an investigation into a mass killing of female students at the University in Delphine, Idaho. Each member has a different reason for their true crime passion but for Jane it becomes her eulogy to her father. The million dollar question is what direction will the eulogy take?
This is an intense slow burner of a read with a complex, constantly changing, well thought out plot which despite the books length keeps me riveted throughout, indeed, cliffhanger endings have me on tenterhooks. It’s suspenseful, brimful of tension and has so many twists and turns that you might be in danger of whiplash. There’s high risk, plenty of shocks, navigating the truth from lies or misdirection and bravely stepping up despite the dangers of what you might encounter and so at times it’s quite an adrenaline rush.
One of the things I enjoy most is the tone the author strikes in this very well written novel. There are a different shades of dark and some light, night and day with the mood often on the greyer end of the spectrum. There’s the occasional injection of humour but as the crimes investigated are of a violent nature clearly the pitch is dark. I enjoy how things are in constant flux with all the plot directions beginning to connect.
The storytelling has multiple layers to it, central is the puzzle of Jane herself and how to categorise her, what her grief leads her to but also the value of the group to her personally. All of them are obsessed and that leads to flaws in the murder investigation alongside several major breakthroughs. There are many questions to be asked about the true crime networks. How far is too far in the quest of the truth? Who are the villains of the piece? How culpable are they when things get out of hand? I find this a fascinating aspect of the plot and the rivalry between the different true crime groups is an intriguing element too. This feels very current and fresh as there is most certainly terrific interest in true crime.
As it builds to a cracking ending there are a number of scenes that are very moving. Overall I find this a compelling read from the tantalising start to the very end. It’s completely engaging, it’s very powerful in places with aspects that will resonate, especially if you have lost someone that you love. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus/Aria and Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is an intense slow burner of a read with a complex, constantly changing, well thought out plot which despite the books length keeps me riveted throughout, indeed, cliffhanger endings have me on tenterhooks. It’s suspenseful, brimful of tension and has so many twists and turns that you might be in danger of whiplash. There’s high risk, plenty of shocks, navigating the truth from lies or misdirection and bravely stepping up despite the dangers of what you might encounter and so at times it’s quite an adrenaline rush.
One of the things I enjoy most is the tone the author strikes in this very well written novel. There are a different shades of dark and some light, night and day with the mood often on the greyer end of the spectrum. There’s the occasional injection of humour but as the crimes investigated are of a violent nature clearly the pitch is dark. I enjoy how things are in constant flux with all the plot directions beginning to connect.
The storytelling has multiple layers to it, central is the puzzle of Jane herself and how to categorise her, what her grief leads her to but also the value of the group to her personally. All of them are obsessed and that leads to flaws in the murder investigation alongside several major breakthroughs. There are many questions to be asked about the true crime networks. How far is too far in the quest of the truth? Who are the villains of the piece? How culpable are they when things get out of hand? I find this a fascinating aspect of the plot and the rivalry between the different true crime groups is an intriguing element too. This feels very current and fresh as there is most certainly terrific interest in true crime.
As it builds to a cracking ending there are a number of scenes that are very moving. Overall I find this a compelling read from the tantalising start to the very end. It’s completely engaging, it’s very powerful in places with aspects that will resonate, especially if you have lost someone that you love. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Head of Zeus/Aria and Aries for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 9, 2025
After her father’s sudden death, college senior Janeway Sharp stumbles across a true crime network on the interweb and quickly becomes enthralled as she looks for a distraction from her own pain and grief. Soon close friendships and alliances are formed as the armchair detective group takes on the shocking and brutal murder of three sorority students in Delphine, Idaho and are suddenly thrust into the spotlight themselves.
Looking at the reviews for this book, it strikes me that most people fall into two categories on it - you either love it or you hate it. Turns out, I am in the former. While this book didn’t quite bury me, it sure gripped my attention to the point of complete absorption. I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down.
Unlike Ashley Winstead’s other novels that are works of pure fiction, the primary case in this book is based on a very true crime, and is part of what makes this book controversial. Is it too early to be featuring this brutal murder, an event that has left a town broken, in such a front and centered way? In fact, Winstead even includes an author’s note to explain her rationale on this and it’s definitely worth a read.
I would argue that although it is pivotal to the story, it is very much not THE story. At the core, TBWBM is about community and making sense of the senseless. It’s about our overarching desire for answers we may or may never be able to find. And it’s about family, those who we love and who offer comfort, and those who seek only to knock us down.
To prevent the risk of spoiling a book that’s best when gone into blind, I will end my review by saying that although, I didn’t love her last, this book was a major winner for me and such a pleasant surprise. Not since Verity has a first page grabbed me hook, line and sinker and I hope it does the same for you, if you choose to read it.
Thank you to the Alisᵗᵐ for buddy reading this one with me. Sorry I wasn’t able to slow myself down there at the end, but what a testament to the addictiveness of this book.
Read if you like:
▪️true crime
▪️serial killer storylines
▪️quasi-cozy mysteries
▪️epistolary format
▪️unputdownable thrillers
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy.
Looking at the reviews for this book, it strikes me that most people fall into two categories on it - you either love it or you hate it. Turns out, I am in the former. While this book didn’t quite bury me, it sure gripped my attention to the point of complete absorption. I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down.
Unlike Ashley Winstead’s other novels that are works of pure fiction, the primary case in this book is based on a very true crime, and is part of what makes this book controversial. Is it too early to be featuring this brutal murder, an event that has left a town broken, in such a front and centered way? In fact, Winstead even includes an author’s note to explain her rationale on this and it’s definitely worth a read.
I would argue that although it is pivotal to the story, it is very much not THE story. At the core, TBWBM is about community and making sense of the senseless. It’s about our overarching desire for answers we may or may never be able to find. And it’s about family, those who we love and who offer comfort, and those who seek only to knock us down.
To prevent the risk of spoiling a book that’s best when gone into blind, I will end my review by saying that although, I didn’t love her last, this book was a major winner for me and such a pleasant surprise. Not since Verity has a first page grabbed me hook, line and sinker and I hope it does the same for you, if you choose to read it.
Thank you to the Alisᵗᵐ for buddy reading this one with me. Sorry I wasn’t able to slow myself down there at the end, but what a testament to the addictiveness of this book.
Read if you like:
▪️true crime
▪️serial killer storylines
▪️quasi-cozy mysteries
▪️epistolary format
▪️unputdownable thrillers
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy.
April 28, 2025
Oh dear, it pains me to give this book a bad rating because I thoroughly enjoyed 3 of her prior works.
Since I enjoyed her prior works, I was convinced this one would also be a winner so I didn’t read the reviews before diving into this one and I’m deeply regretting it now.
I tried to power my way through but after 20% I just couldn’t force myself to read anymore. Out of all true crime imaginative scenarios, one could come up with I can’t comprehend why anyone would base a work of fiction on a real-life murder case that hasn’t even gone to trial yet! Even though the author acknowledges this in the beginning, it’s pretty much dead on word for word what happened in real life. It just feels icky and exploitative that the author and publisher chose to profit off of such a tragedy. Not to mention how disrespectful it is to the victim's families and survivors who still haven’t had justice.
For the life of me, I can’t understand how this book became published.
Since I enjoyed her prior works, I was convinced this one would also be a winner so I didn’t read the reviews before diving into this one and I’m deeply regretting it now.
I tried to power my way through but after 20% I just couldn’t force myself to read anymore. Out of all true crime imaginative scenarios, one could come up with I can’t comprehend why anyone would base a work of fiction on a real-life murder case that hasn’t even gone to trial yet! Even though the author acknowledges this in the beginning, it’s pretty much dead on word for word what happened in real life. It just feels icky and exploitative that the author and publisher chose to profit off of such a tragedy. Not to mention how disrespectful it is to the victim's families and survivors who still haven’t had justice.
For the life of me, I can’t understand how this book became published.
May 20, 2025
If you’re a seasoned thriller reader, you’ll definitely recognize this author: In My Dreams I Hold a Knife (2021), The Last Housewife (2022), and Midnight is the Darkest Hour (2023).
In her latest release, Ashley Winstead dips her toes into the true crime genre…kinda, sorta. This Book Will Bury Me explores the culture of and cultural fixation on internet sleuthing.
At the story’s center is college student Jane Sharp, who becomes immersed in a true crime online community after her dad’s sudden death.
Jane finds solace, purpose, and friendship among a small group of self-proclaimed elite internet sleuths, who spend countless hours dissecting, speculating, and theorizing about the high-profile case of the murder of three college students.
Her online found family of armchair detectives is comprised of a former police detective, a retired librarian, tech wizard, and a smokeshow naval officer.
Written as a first-person tell-all memoir, we read Jane’s version of events a year after the grisly slayings that rocked the nation, interspersed with chat transcripts, footnotes, podcast excerpts, and even some fan fiction.
Until I became accustomed to their style and cadence, the message board transcripts slowed the narrative a bit for me.
The online world of true-crime buffs — forums, encrypted chats, TikToks, podcasts — is definitely out of my wheelhouse. I found their obsessive fandom bordering on fanaticism eerily fascinating.
Admittedly, this is a very different kind of mystery-thriller than I typically read. I appreciated the fact that without being preachy, Windstead deftly explores the moral ambiguity of the true-crime community.
We witness the pendulum swing as the digital sleuths go from villains to heroes and back again.
It’s a fine line between curiosity and exploitation. The internet, social media, podcasts, the 24/7 news cycle…gah, it makes you question: when did tragedy become entertainment?
December 16, 2025
After the unexpected death of her beloved father, college student, Jane Sharp is left reeling. His death was so sudden, and she's completely unmoored by it.
In search of distraction, she ends up becoming obsessed with True Crime, and finding a new home in underground forums where armchair detectives investigate real life cases.
She finds a particular group of people who show her the ropes, and who before long she considers true friends. After making a name for themselves with a case in Florida, they've become top tier of their like within the online space.
When news hits of the gruesome deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, the whole world is captivated, and online sleuths from all around scramble to gain access to the details of the investigation.
Jane and her online friends are determined to beat everyone else to the scoop, and end up traveling to Idaho where they can have a real boots on the ground investigation.
This story unfolds mainly in a kind of confessional format. It's set a year after the events that ultimately went down in Idaho, and has Jane breaking her silence and exposing the true story of what happened after their crew ended up there.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Leslie Howard, and highly recommend that format. It felt like a true confessional, and really helped to bring the story to life for me. I'm not sure if I would have been as hooked into it if I had just read a physical copy.
I'll be honest, I put off reading this for so long because I'd heard some negative buzz that it was exploitative of the Idaho College Murders case. After reading the novel, I do see why some people may assume that's the case, or even feel that after reading it, but I have to respectfully disagree.
In my opinion, this really isn't about the murders at all. It's actually a fascinating exploration of the True Crime subculture and the phenomenon of armchair detectives. A topic worthy of discussion.
I think perhaps the author may have said she was inspired by the case, but I think when we say 'inspired' it's more in the spirit of exploring the absolute public firestorm that came from those crimes, the whys and ramifications of the media coverage, and of the public interest.
I liked the way the author dove into this subculture of armchair detectives. I felt like each of the characters in Jane's group had their own reasons and motivations for being there. I felt like she really tried to show all sides of the community, both good and bad.
At the end of the day, I ended up enjoying this so much. I feel the topics explored are important, particularly those surrounding the True Crime community and the phenomenon of armchair detectives. The goods, the bads, and the uglies. The details of the case mirroring the Idaho case so closely, I can see why that makes people uncomfortable, but I still feel like it's well done.
It really opens up a lot of great issues for discussion, and maybe that uncomfortability is part of the point. I feel like this would make an incredible book club book because you are sure to have opposing opinions, both on the book itself and the subjects explored.
Thank you to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is the first I've read from Ashley Winstead, but I'm definitely interested in picking up more!
In search of distraction, she ends up becoming obsessed with True Crime, and finding a new home in underground forums where armchair detectives investigate real life cases.
She finds a particular group of people who show her the ropes, and who before long she considers true friends. After making a name for themselves with a case in Florida, they've become top tier of their like within the online space.
When news hits of the gruesome deaths of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, the whole world is captivated, and online sleuths from all around scramble to gain access to the details of the investigation.
Jane and her online friends are determined to beat everyone else to the scoop, and end up traveling to Idaho where they can have a real boots on the ground investigation.
This story unfolds mainly in a kind of confessional format. It's set a year after the events that ultimately went down in Idaho, and has Jane breaking her silence and exposing the true story of what happened after their crew ended up there.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Leslie Howard, and highly recommend that format. It felt like a true confessional, and really helped to bring the story to life for me. I'm not sure if I would have been as hooked into it if I had just read a physical copy.
I'll be honest, I put off reading this for so long because I'd heard some negative buzz that it was exploitative of the Idaho College Murders case. After reading the novel, I do see why some people may assume that's the case, or even feel that after reading it, but I have to respectfully disagree.
In my opinion, this really isn't about the murders at all. It's actually a fascinating exploration of the True Crime subculture and the phenomenon of armchair detectives. A topic worthy of discussion.
I think perhaps the author may have said she was inspired by the case, but I think when we say 'inspired' it's more in the spirit of exploring the absolute public firestorm that came from those crimes, the whys and ramifications of the media coverage, and of the public interest.
I liked the way the author dove into this subculture of armchair detectives. I felt like each of the characters in Jane's group had their own reasons and motivations for being there. I felt like she really tried to show all sides of the community, both good and bad.
At the end of the day, I ended up enjoying this so much. I feel the topics explored are important, particularly those surrounding the True Crime community and the phenomenon of armchair detectives. The goods, the bads, and the uglies. The details of the case mirroring the Idaho case so closely, I can see why that makes people uncomfortable, but I still feel like it's well done.
It really opens up a lot of great issues for discussion, and maybe that uncomfortability is part of the point. I feel like this would make an incredible book club book because you are sure to have opposing opinions, both on the book itself and the subjects explored.
Thank you to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is the first I've read from Ashley Winstead, but I'm definitely interested in picking up more!
October 10, 2024
I'm just automatically DNFing this book -
the trial for Kohberg is still in motion (June 2025), this book is obviously more than just *inspired* by that tragic incident, she's used exact details from it. Horrendous.
the trial for Kohberg is still in motion (June 2025), this book is obviously more than just *inspired* by that tragic incident, she's used exact details from it. Horrendous.
November 9, 2024
2.5 I have to first say that Ashley Winstead is an automatic read for me - whatever genre she writes. In My Dreams I Hold a Knife is one of my favorite thrillers and I have recommended that book so many times.
I love the internet sleuthing in this book. Armchair detectives have become huge, podcasters also. Every since Don't F*ck with Cats came out showing how everyday people can solve crimes and "find" people I have been fascinated by those smart sleuthing every day people. So this story line instantly grabbed me and I dove right in.
What I absolutely disliked so much that I cannot forgive is that this story seems plagiarized by real life horrific murders that happened in Moscow, Idaho very recently and a story in which I am very familiar with and have read every thing about it from news reports to reddit. This case is set to go to trial in 2025 after publication of this book. To say that it "closely" resembles these Moscow murders would be wrong - it is almost identical. Stop reading here if you do not want spoilers:
It is so similar, down to the state it happens in, to the sorority aspects of two best friends, down to the even ordering food literally just before the murders occur, to the boyfriend being the initial subject after having been telephoned multiple times the times the night the murders occur and even to the lone survivor seeing someone dressed all in black and walking down the hallway! To the small town police force, to people protesting to destroy the 3-level house it takes place in, to the TA in criminology being suspected. This was just not okay with me at all. I do not think this is fair to the families of the survivors of the Moscow Murders. This is not something someone else should profit from in a fictionalized account of virtually everything that happened.
It's very odd to me since Winstead could have chosen a different state, a different set of circumstances, but that she intentionally chose so many similarities and I cannot understand why. A few changes and this book could have been a 5 star read - or if you are completely unaware of the Moscow Murders then you probably could rate this 5 stars.
Yes, the book then diverges to the role of crime sleuths and their interactions in helping law enforcement but at that point I didn't really care because this case is still so active and was so horrific.
I also did not like how the book talks to you as the reader. This bothered me - as if the narrator was talking to you. I didn't really care about the main character either way - she was a wayward 24-year old which is fine but she just seemed to lack personality or conviction. The title of this book is odd to me too - the novel describes a book being written about the internet sleuthers but doesn't really discuss the outcomes of that book or how it really impacts the narrator at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Winstead and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion. I anxiously await the next Winstead book but for me this one failed because it is too close to a current case.
I love the internet sleuthing in this book. Armchair detectives have become huge, podcasters also. Every since Don't F*ck with Cats came out showing how everyday people can solve crimes and "find" people I have been fascinated by those smart sleuthing every day people. So this story line instantly grabbed me and I dove right in.
What I absolutely disliked so much that I cannot forgive is that this story seems plagiarized by real life horrific murders that happened in Moscow, Idaho very recently and a story in which I am very familiar with and have read every thing about it from news reports to reddit. This case is set to go to trial in 2025 after publication of this book. To say that it "closely" resembles these Moscow murders would be wrong - it is almost identical. Stop reading here if you do not want spoilers:
It is so similar, down to the state it happens in, to the sorority aspects of two best friends, down to the even ordering food literally just before the murders occur, to the boyfriend being the initial subject after having been telephoned multiple times the times the night the murders occur and even to the lone survivor seeing someone dressed all in black and walking down the hallway! To the small town police force, to people protesting to destroy the 3-level house it takes place in, to the TA in criminology being suspected. This was just not okay with me at all. I do not think this is fair to the families of the survivors of the Moscow Murders. This is not something someone else should profit from in a fictionalized account of virtually everything that happened.
It's very odd to me since Winstead could have chosen a different state, a different set of circumstances, but that she intentionally chose so many similarities and I cannot understand why. A few changes and this book could have been a 5 star read - or if you are completely unaware of the Moscow Murders then you probably could rate this 5 stars.
Yes, the book then diverges to the role of crime sleuths and their interactions in helping law enforcement but at that point I didn't really care because this case is still so active and was so horrific.
I also did not like how the book talks to you as the reader. This bothered me - as if the narrator was talking to you. I didn't really care about the main character either way - she was a wayward 24-year old which is fine but she just seemed to lack personality or conviction. The title of this book is odd to me too - the novel describes a book being written about the internet sleuthers but doesn't really discuss the outcomes of that book or how it really impacts the narrator at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Winstead and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion. I anxiously await the next Winstead book but for me this one failed because it is too close to a current case.
May 10, 2025
You know that feeling when you stumble into a true crime forum at 2 AM and emerge six hours later questioning everything from the justice system to your own search history? That’s the energy this channels—except with more slow burns and fewer bathroom breaks.
Meet Jane Sharp: grieving college student turned online sleuth. After her father's death, she finds herself spiraling down the rabbit hole of true crime message boards, bonding with digital detectives over unsolved murders and red-string theories. It’s weirdly comforting... until the Delphine Massacres happen.
Three college girls. A sleepy Idaho town. A case that captivates the internet and makes amateur detectives foam at the mouth. Jane and her fellow sleuths jump in, but the deeper they dig, the more the story refuses to make sense. The cops are tight-lipped, the evidence sketchy, and every theory feels just slightly... off. Oh, and there might be a serial killer watching their every move.
Told from Jane’s perspective a year later, when she's finally ready to break her silence, the book promises a bombshell reveal. And it delivers—sort of.
Now, let’s talk real talk: this book could have been a knockout. The premise? Killer. The structure? Intriguing. But wow, the pacing needed CPR for the first half. It dragged like a detective with jet lag. And while the second half picks up steam, by then you might’ve already guessed the “big” twist, or worse, started checking your watch.
Also, fair warning: it bears a very uncomfortable resemblance to a real-life crime that’s still raw for many. For some readers, that line between inspiration and insensitivity might feel a little too blurry.
A moody, meta take on true crime obsession that bites off more than it can suspensefully chew. Worth the read if you're into slow burns and unreliable narrators—but maybe skip if you're looking for a tight, twisty thrill ride.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the ARC—true crime addicts, proceed with caution.
Meet Jane Sharp: grieving college student turned online sleuth. After her father's death, she finds herself spiraling down the rabbit hole of true crime message boards, bonding with digital detectives over unsolved murders and red-string theories. It’s weirdly comforting... until the Delphine Massacres happen.
Three college girls. A sleepy Idaho town. A case that captivates the internet and makes amateur detectives foam at the mouth. Jane and her fellow sleuths jump in, but the deeper they dig, the more the story refuses to make sense. The cops are tight-lipped, the evidence sketchy, and every theory feels just slightly... off. Oh, and there might be a serial killer watching their every move.
Told from Jane’s perspective a year later, when she's finally ready to break her silence, the book promises a bombshell reveal. And it delivers—sort of.
Now, let’s talk real talk: this book could have been a knockout. The premise? Killer. The structure? Intriguing. But wow, the pacing needed CPR for the first half. It dragged like a detective with jet lag. And while the second half picks up steam, by then you might’ve already guessed the “big” twist, or worse, started checking your watch.
Also, fair warning: it bears a very uncomfortable resemblance to a real-life crime that’s still raw for many. For some readers, that line between inspiration and insensitivity might feel a little too blurry.
A moody, meta take on true crime obsession that bites off more than it can suspensefully chew. Worth the read if you're into slow burns and unreliable narrators—but maybe skip if you're looking for a tight, twisty thrill ride.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the ARC—true crime addicts, proceed with caution.
March 17, 2025
4.75 stars - loved so much !!! Read in one sitting
Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTY4kHrrB/
Top 24 of 2024: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2gBTSQh/
Review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTY4kHrrB/
Top 24 of 2024: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2gBTSQh/
July 21, 2025
While this book is written on a true crime murder of students in Idaho this was just too slow & not enough going on for me to enjoy I did not like any characters which is hard to continue with I don’t even know about the case seeing I live in Australia 🇦🇺 I just was bored not by the prose maybe the narrator Leslie Howard please 🙏 this is only my thoughts at this time many others have given this 4 or 5 stars 🌟 am on outlier Island 🏝️.
October 18, 2024
This was a hard one to rate. And I still can’t quite figure out if I liked it or not tbh.
On the one hand, this book managed to really pull me in, it stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading. I think the author did a fantastic job with this cast of characters, especially Jane, she was complex and well written. She wasn’t necessarily likeable, but I don’t mind that in a thriller. I felt for her at times, but I also despised her for some of the choices she made. I found it truly fascinating how the author managed to simultaneously make me like and dislike her.
This played nicely into the commentary on true crime. Jane getting involved with the group and then watching her slowly but surely become obsessed with solving these cases was very well done. It also served as a great way to show how some of the people who engage with these true crime cases and ‘investigate’ will think themselves helpful and important. But what they’re actually doing is often times insanely invasive and disrespectful to the victims and their families and just plain irresponsible and dangerous for the (innocent) people they think are guilty.
On the other hand, though, I felt like it was too long. The pacing was just a bit off.
Don’t get me wrong, it was interesting and well written for the first like 60%, but it also dragged. It only started to really get going after around the 60% mark. All of a sudden, things were happening left and right.
I also struggled with the group’s ‘investigation’ and what goes on towards the end, all of that seemed very unbelievable to me, honestly ridiculous. At the same time, I don’t know anything about the whole true crime thing because that shit really weirds me out, so what do I know? Maybe this actually does happen?
Now with all that said I’d have given the book a solid 3.75 stars.
However, I read some reviews saying that this story is very similar to a real murder case that happened not too long ago? I don’t know anything about that, since it happened in the US. But if it’s true, then I’m kind of confused by what this story was trying to do. Because it obviously discusses and comments on the dangerous fascination with true crime that seems to be so common nowadays and shows the very real consequences this can have. But then at the same time it uses a real murder case as I guess inspiration? That kind of goes against everything the story tried to say, no? It still doesn’t make sense to me, but maybe I just didn’t get it.. 🤷♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
___
Just saw I got the arc for this?!🥹
Starting it immediately 🫡
On the one hand, this book managed to really pull me in, it stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading. I think the author did a fantastic job with this cast of characters, especially Jane, she was complex and well written. She wasn’t necessarily likeable, but I don’t mind that in a thriller. I felt for her at times, but I also despised her for some of the choices she made. I found it truly fascinating how the author managed to simultaneously make me like and dislike her.
This played nicely into the commentary on true crime. Jane getting involved with the group and then watching her slowly but surely become obsessed with solving these cases was very well done. It also served as a great way to show how some of the people who engage with these true crime cases and ‘investigate’ will think themselves helpful and important. But what they’re actually doing is often times insanely invasive and disrespectful to the victims and their families and just plain irresponsible and dangerous for the (innocent) people they think are guilty.
On the other hand, though, I felt like it was too long. The pacing was just a bit off.
Don’t get me wrong, it was interesting and well written for the first like 60%, but it also dragged. It only started to really get going after around the 60% mark. All of a sudden, things were happening left and right.
I also struggled with the group’s ‘investigation’ and what goes on towards the end, all of that seemed very unbelievable to me, honestly ridiculous. At the same time, I don’t know anything about the whole true crime thing because that shit really weirds me out, so what do I know? Maybe this actually does happen?
Now with all that said I’d have given the book a solid 3.75 stars.
However, I read some reviews saying that this story is very similar to a real murder case that happened not too long ago? I don’t know anything about that, since it happened in the US. But if it’s true, then I’m kind of confused by what this story was trying to do. Because it obviously discusses and comments on the dangerous fascination with true crime that seems to be so common nowadays and shows the very real consequences this can have. But then at the same time it uses a real murder case as I guess inspiration? That kind of goes against everything the story tried to say, no? It still doesn’t make sense to me, but maybe I just didn’t get it.. 🤷♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
___
Just saw I got the arc for this?!🥹
Starting it immediately 🫡
February 21, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4 for GR!
i so very much enjoy Ashley’s writing and will always continue to read her work! when comparing this her other thrillers, i found this one to fall bit short. it’s never fun playing the comparison game but sadly is inevitable!!! this was certainly an entry into a new type of plot and trope for her with the true crime aspect (which i did enjoy v much) but ultimately a few things prevented me from loving it.
read if you like: true crime books, serial killer tropes, murder mystery plots
i saw a lot of reviews saying that this was slow to start/ hard to get into, but i actually felt the total opposite—i was captivated right away and i think that is a tribute to her terrific storytelling! i actually found the whole true crime/Reddit sleuth plot to be very interesting because it’s something that i personally don’t know a lot about. Reddit is wild (clearly) so i usually stay far away 😂
for me what didn’t work: while like so many others, i’m interested in what to see happens with the Idaho murder case, part of the plot following that case so similarly was a little bit challenging because it has not been solved. i also found out/correctly guessed who the killer was probably 20-30% into the book, so to see that come true in the back half took a little bit away from the “wow” twist factor for me. buttttt, i read a LOT of thrillers so i’m not surprised that i was able to guess this correctly and don’t think it will be a problem for other thriller readers :)
TLDR—i enjoyed the true crime aspect and Ashley’s writing (as always) but personally enjoyed IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE and MIDNIGHT IS THE DARKEST HOUR more than this.
thanks to the publisher for a gifted early copy! this is out in March
i so very much enjoy Ashley’s writing and will always continue to read her work! when comparing this her other thrillers, i found this one to fall bit short. it’s never fun playing the comparison game but sadly is inevitable!!! this was certainly an entry into a new type of plot and trope for her with the true crime aspect (which i did enjoy v much) but ultimately a few things prevented me from loving it.
read if you like: true crime books, serial killer tropes, murder mystery plots
i saw a lot of reviews saying that this was slow to start/ hard to get into, but i actually felt the total opposite—i was captivated right away and i think that is a tribute to her terrific storytelling! i actually found the whole true crime/Reddit sleuth plot to be very interesting because it’s something that i personally don’t know a lot about. Reddit is wild (clearly) so i usually stay far away 😂
for me what didn’t work: while like so many others, i’m interested in what to see happens with the Idaho murder case, part of the plot following that case so similarly was a little bit challenging because it has not been solved. i also found out/correctly guessed who the killer was probably 20-30% into the book, so to see that come true in the back half took a little bit away from the “wow” twist factor for me. buttttt, i read a LOT of thrillers so i’m not surprised that i was able to guess this correctly and don’t think it will be a problem for other thriller readers :)
TLDR—i enjoyed the true crime aspect and Ashley’s writing (as always) but personally enjoyed IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE and MIDNIGHT IS THE DARKEST HOUR more than this.
thanks to the publisher for a gifted early copy! this is out in March
December 24, 2025
Watch One Night in Idaho on Amazon Prime and then tell me how you can support this book. I also lost a parent in 2021 (mom) and it is NOT the same as what happened to these PRECIOUS YOUNG PEOPLE. NOT. AT. ALL. Look at all that pain and suffering and for the love of God tell me how this book is okay…
——-EDITED——-
After some thought, I have to go with my gut feelings while reading this book. Let it be known: this case was still active (not now - he has taken a guilty plea since this book was published), having occurred just two years ago. This book is disgusting for several reasons. While I understand that many authors draw inspiration from true crime, I feel this one crossed a line.
It is painfully clear that this story wasn’t merely inspired by the King Road killings - it’s an exact copy, with only minor details altered. In the book, the address is “8022 Queen Lace Avenue,” but the house layout is identical, and the murders mirror the real ones, minus Ethan Chapin’s death. Which had me feeling some type of way, but is a distraction from the main purpose of this review (more about this at the end).
The author claims in the intro notes that while this is fiction, they hoped to - and I quote - “reflect details of the cases referenced in this book accurately and respectfully.” Respectfully? Because it felt anything but. The changes, both major and minor, come off as a slap in the face to the victims and their loved ones. It’s exploitative and deeply unsettling, IMHO.
I have no idea who read this manuscript and decided to greenlight it, but shame on them too. I can only hope the families, friends, and anyone connected to the real victims never come across this. If something like this happened to one of my kids, and an author turned it into a “fictionalized” thriller like this? I can’t even imagine the rage and heartbreak.
To make matters worse, the portrayal of certain characters - particularly “Larissa Weeks” - left me feeling more than sick.
As someone who’s deeply interested in true crime and the study of evil, I can confidently say this book isn’t about any of that. It’s a gross, sensationalized attempt to profit off real tragedy, and it left me feeling dirty to have read it.
This book could have been great, but the author’s clear *lack of ingenuity* shines brightly here. I can only imagine what those close to this case would feel.
And again, I get it - authors do this - but again, this case is too fresh, too raw, and a carbon copy that felt gross to read. It felt like a slap in the face to the true facts and a punch in the stomach to everything else.
I don’t know how you wish to respectfully write a book like this and don’t even mention the victims by name - but that’s another beast. I believe there’s a right and wrong way to use true crime as “inspiration.” Just look to Gray After Dark by Noelle Ihli. That’s how it’s done. Maybe take a note - or two.
*AND THIS ISN’T ABOUT BEING “SENSITIVE TO THE DETAILS OF THIS CRIME*,” Mrs. Gaslighter Author. How you can say that the interest and willingness of the families to talk to the media means you can write a book like this is baffling. Them talking to the media is out of pure desperation - wanting to know that the police are doing everything they can to catch who did this to their children. To put pressure on them. It’s not something they did for attention or for authors to use as fodder (at the time this book was written). Now they just want people to not forget their precious children - not to associate them only with what happened, but to remember they all had lives ahead of them. They were real, and they lived.
*But you’re right. This book will bury you*, because I’ll never read another book by you again. Such a shame.
A quote from The Idaho Four by James Patterson (recommend this book - it’s powerful, and the victims are humanized and remembered for who they were; also, the parents were involved in the process of writing the book):
“Stacy pressed on, explaining that she hadn’t watched the presentation but had a message for the room: in their fascination with crime, they should not forget the victims. ‘These were four of the greatest kids, and all of the great things that you read about them [are] legitimately true… Don’t forget these kids. They were amazing, amazing kids in the prime of their life.’” (p. 390).
Using their tragic murders as a plot for your book and not even mentioning them? Disgusting. But create your own crime next time, one without real victims - just maybe.
Sorry y’all, if you made it this far, you survived my rant. But it’s almost a year later and I’m still on fire over this book.
——-EDITED——-
After some thought, I have to go with my gut feelings while reading this book. Let it be known: this case was still active (not now - he has taken a guilty plea since this book was published), having occurred just two years ago. This book is disgusting for several reasons. While I understand that many authors draw inspiration from true crime, I feel this one crossed a line.
It is painfully clear that this story wasn’t merely inspired by the King Road killings - it’s an exact copy, with only minor details altered. In the book, the address is “8022 Queen Lace Avenue,” but the house layout is identical, and the murders mirror the real ones, minus Ethan Chapin’s death. Which had me feeling some type of way, but is a distraction from the main purpose of this review (more about this at the end).
The author claims in the intro notes that while this is fiction, they hoped to - and I quote - “reflect details of the cases referenced in this book accurately and respectfully.” Respectfully? Because it felt anything but. The changes, both major and minor, come off as a slap in the face to the victims and their loved ones. It’s exploitative and deeply unsettling, IMHO.
I have no idea who read this manuscript and decided to greenlight it, but shame on them too. I can only hope the families, friends, and anyone connected to the real victims never come across this. If something like this happened to one of my kids, and an author turned it into a “fictionalized” thriller like this? I can’t even imagine the rage and heartbreak.
To make matters worse, the portrayal of certain characters - particularly “Larissa Weeks” - left me feeling more than sick.
As someone who’s deeply interested in true crime and the study of evil, I can confidently say this book isn’t about any of that. It’s a gross, sensationalized attempt to profit off real tragedy, and it left me feeling dirty to have read it.
This book could have been great, but the author’s clear *lack of ingenuity* shines brightly here. I can only imagine what those close to this case would feel.
And again, I get it - authors do this - but again, this case is too fresh, too raw, and a carbon copy that felt gross to read. It felt like a slap in the face to the true facts and a punch in the stomach to everything else.
I don’t know how you wish to respectfully write a book like this and don’t even mention the victims by name - but that’s another beast. I believe there’s a right and wrong way to use true crime as “inspiration.” Just look to Gray After Dark by Noelle Ihli. That’s how it’s done. Maybe take a note - or two.
*AND THIS ISN’T ABOUT BEING “SENSITIVE TO THE DETAILS OF THIS CRIME*,” Mrs. Gaslighter Author. How you can say that the interest and willingness of the families to talk to the media means you can write a book like this is baffling. Them talking to the media is out of pure desperation - wanting to know that the police are doing everything they can to catch who did this to their children. To put pressure on them. It’s not something they did for attention or for authors to use as fodder (at the time this book was written). Now they just want people to not forget their precious children - not to associate them only with what happened, but to remember they all had lives ahead of them. They were real, and they lived.
*But you’re right. This book will bury you*, because I’ll never read another book by you again. Such a shame.
A quote from The Idaho Four by James Patterson (recommend this book - it’s powerful, and the victims are humanized and remembered for who they were; also, the parents were involved in the process of writing the book):
“Stacy pressed on, explaining that she hadn’t watched the presentation but had a message for the room: in their fascination with crime, they should not forget the victims. ‘These were four of the greatest kids, and all of the great things that you read about them [are] legitimately true… Don’t forget these kids. They were amazing, amazing kids in the prime of their life.’” (p. 390).
Using their tragic murders as a plot for your book and not even mentioning them? Disgusting. But create your own crime next time, one without real victims - just maybe.
Sorry y’all, if you made it this far, you survived my rant. But it’s almost a year later and I’m still on fire over this book.
December 17, 2024
THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is a pivot for Ashley Winstead and her most personal thriller yet.
After losing her father unexpectedly, college student Jane Sharp immerses herself in the world of true crime, joining online sleuths who teach her how to track killers from afar. When the shocking murders of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, make headlines, Jane and her friends race to crack the case, only to uncover a web of deception and danger far more sinister than they imagined. One year later, Jane breaks her silence to reveal the true story of the Delphine Massacres—a confession that will stun even the most seasoned true crime fans.
THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is perfect for fans of Michelle McNamara's true crime book, I'll Be Gone in the Dark. This book reads more like a true crime thriller (which it is) than a psychological thriller that you may expect from this author. This book is still twisty at times that you won't expect, but the story does dive into a "story within a story" narrative, which is very different than the author's previous thrillers. The pacing is a bit slower, which took me a bit longer to finish, but I do believe that the reason for the pacing was to fully immerse into Jane's world. The narrative about Jane's father was deeply personal, raw, and compelling. You will root for Jane in ways that you won't expect. THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is entertaining and suspenseful, and fans of this author should prioritize this book when it comes out in March 2025!
After losing her father unexpectedly, college student Jane Sharp immerses herself in the world of true crime, joining online sleuths who teach her how to track killers from afar. When the shocking murders of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho, make headlines, Jane and her friends race to crack the case, only to uncover a web of deception and danger far more sinister than they imagined. One year later, Jane breaks her silence to reveal the true story of the Delphine Massacres—a confession that will stun even the most seasoned true crime fans.
THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is perfect for fans of Michelle McNamara's true crime book, I'll Be Gone in the Dark. This book reads more like a true crime thriller (which it is) than a psychological thriller that you may expect from this author. This book is still twisty at times that you won't expect, but the story does dive into a "story within a story" narrative, which is very different than the author's previous thrillers. The pacing is a bit slower, which took me a bit longer to finish, but I do believe that the reason for the pacing was to fully immerse into Jane's world. The narrative about Jane's father was deeply personal, raw, and compelling. You will root for Jane in ways that you won't expect. THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is entertaining and suspenseful, and fans of this author should prioritize this book when it comes out in March 2025!
October 15, 2024
I am just so disappointed that this book turned out to be what it is. It had a ton of potential. It’s just too soon to use Idaho as inspiration. Honestly, it’s not too late to pull this book from publishing. I would strongly recommend pulling it before it damages your reputation further. I sincerely like Ashley and her other books… but I hope you take my advice.
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