Everyone in the Group Chat Dies

by L.M. Chilton

Kirby Cornell needs a break from everything:
- Her crumbling flat in the sleepy town of Crowhurst (famous for its award-winning sausage rolls and a second-rate serial killer from the 90s).
- Her dead-end job.
- Her sleazy landlord
- Her slobbish housemates.
- And, most of all, the terrible thing they all did.

Luckily, that hasn't caught up with her just yet. Until a new message on their old group chat pops

Everyone in the group chat will die.

It's the first text her ex-flatmate and social-media sleuth Esme has sent for ages, but that's not the really weird thing.

The really weird thing is, Esme died twelve months ago…

Don't miss the new laugh-out-loud thriller from L.M. Chilton, Everyone in the Group Chat Dies – a murder mystery that fuses the flatmate comedy of Friends with the serial-killer thrills of I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2025

Reviews

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I read within a few weeks that revolves around young people that only live their lives on the internet. Everything for the likes!

The story is told in chapters between ‘then’ and ‘now’, but all the action takes place in the boring little village where Kirby lives. She’s the daughter of a famous actor but they are estranged and due to the fact that she wrote an article about him that put him in a bad light, she lost her job as a journalist in London. Now she’s spending her time with three flatmates. They are all nearing their thirties but two of them have a clear view of what they want ‘when they grow up’. All four behave like they are still in their teens: they watch Netflix and drink too much.

Thirty years ago a man killed five teenagers in the village, during the yearly ‘fayre’. Now, a young girl turns up at the flat where the four live, and she tells them she’s an amateur sleuth with a huge following who insists that the killer is alive. Which is very unlikely because his body was found a few days later after that horrible event.
So, what does the girl, Esme, want and why? Kirby, stuck in her silly job as ‘reporter’ for the local newspaper that is printed just once a week, gets involved with her and then we’re off!
A lot of the story is being told in messages in the group chat. Needless to say that these messages also read like the group are teenagers and not ten years older. There is a lot of talking, a lot of running around going nowhere and of course the police is totally useless, especially when Esme disappears.
Did I enjoy this title? Well, in a way. Kirby is the most fleshed out character and sometimes I could relate to her. Sometimes I also wanted to shout at her because she is so busy running around and not thinking first. There are some surprises in the story and not all is like it seems; in the last few chapters the pace picks up and suddenly we meet the real killer.

It’s becoming a little boring reading about people who cannot seem to live their lives ‘in real life’. Maybe I’m getting old 😉- but as some people in this story discover that there is more in life than just followers and likes I finished with giving it three stars.

Thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this review copy.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading ‘Don’t Swipe Right’ by the author last year I had no hesitation in picking this 2nd novel to read

This time we find ourselves in ‘Crowhurst’ a town some of us may well recognise as a place you don’t want to live but kinda accept grudgingly whilst making plans to leave…we meet 4 friends who house share and via past and present storylines are taken into their lives and a tragedy that happened 10 years ago and a new one unfolding ( via their group chat )

It is darkly funny, such fab observational comedy mixed with horrific spree killer, it is a hard combo to make work but this works so well you can laugh and grimace at the same time ( try it not easy to do! )

The characters are easy to like and dislike in equal measure, the story clever and the descriptions of small town yearly fate celebrations spot on ( I lived in Sonerset for 7 years, the Carnival and Fete Supremo County )

If you haven’t tried this author then I would, his books are a bit quirky, very funny but importantly also have a great plot and are an exciting read

[Paperback Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wordy, very very wordy - didn't have it be as long as it was.
SO MUCH DIALOGUE
Great story just felt like the ending was over a couple of chapters (too quick). so it took ages to get there and then it was over.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a comedy thriller about 30-somethings, this had the most juvenile characters, lackluster humor, and forgettable plot. The pacing didn't work for me (and I normally love a dual timeline) and the twist was... dumb. I guess I'm not surprised, but for a book called Everyone in the Group Chat Dies, there was such little time given to the group chat deaths, but even if there were, the characters were so flat I'm not sure it would have helped.

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book infuriating and I don't know why I finished it.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something uniquely unsettling about receiving a WhatsApp message from someone who died a year ago. L.M. Chilton's sophomore thriller opens with this exact premise, plunging readers into a darkly comedic murder mystery that dissects our obsession with true crime, the toxicity of social media sleuthing, and the secrets buried in forgotten English towns. Following his debut Don't Swipe Right, Chilton returns with a novel that's sharper, bleaker, and considerably more ambitious in its critique of digital-age narcissism.

Kirby Cornell—a failed London journalist now relegated to writing about potholes for The Crowhurst Gazette—thought she'd left the worst behind her. But when her former flatmate Esme Goodwin's account springs back to life with a chilling threat, Kirby finds herself entangled in a nightmare that bridges past and present. As her remaining flatmates—the so-called Deadbeats—start dying in increasingly disturbing ways, Kirby must confront the terrible secret they've all been keeping since Esme's death.

The Anatomy of a Small-Town Nightmare

Chilton's Crowhurst is a masterclass in atmospheric world-building. This sleepy Surrey town, famous only for a retired footballer and a 1990s killing spree, becomes a character in its own right—simultaneously mundane and menacing. The author captures the peculiar British phenomenon of places that time forgot, where economic decline festers beneath quaint facades and local traditions mask darker impulses. The annual Crawe Fayre, with its sinister Jack Daw figure, provides a brilliantly macabre backdrop that Chilton exploits to full effect.

The novel's structure alternates between "Twelve Months Ago" and "Present Day," a device that initially feels conventional but proves essential to Chilton's narrative strategy. Through this dual timeline, we witness both the events leading to Esme's death and Kirby's desperate present-day attempts to survive. This construction allows Chilton to deploy information strategically, revealing character motivations and plot developments with calculated precision. However, the constant time-hopping occasionally disrupts momentum, particularly in the middle section where the past timeline threatens to overshadow the present's urgency.

Character Dynamics: Flatmates, Secrets, and Lies

Where Chilton truly excels is in rendering the toxic dynamics of flatmate culture. The Deadbeats feel authentic in their dysfunction: Dylan, the brooding chef with daddy issues; Dave, whose irritating quirks somehow make him endearing; Seema, caught between ambition and circumstances; and Kirby herself, sharp-tongued but fundamentally insecure. Their banter crackles with genuine wit, peppered with the kind of casual cruelty that marks real friendships.

Esme Goodwin emerges as the novel's most complex creation—part influencer, part detective, entirely unreliable. Chilton portrays her ShowMe videos (a thinly veiled TikTok analogue) with uncomfortable accuracy, capturing how true-crime content creators commodify tragedy while positioning themselves as crusaders for justice. The "Watsons"—Esme's army of online followers—serve as a Greek chorus of amateur sleuths, their crowdsourced investigation both helping and hindering the mystery's resolution.

Yet Kirby, our narrator, proves less developed than the narrative demands. Her voice remains consistently entertaining, but her character arc feels incomplete. The revelation about her famous father and her previous journalism failure provides backstory without depth. We understand why she fled London, but never quite grasp who she is beyond her failures and fears.

The Mystery's Architecture: Twists, Turns, and Reveals

Chilton demonstrates genuine skill in misdirection. The central mystery—who's killing the Deadbeats and why—unfolds through a series of revelations that mostly land effectively. The Peter Doyle backstory, involving the original 1996 murders, interweaves cleverly with the present-day killings. When Trevor, Kirby's editor and father figure, is revealed as the original Crowhurst Killer, the twist feels both shocking and inevitable. Chilton plants clues throughout—Trevor's earplugs, his obsession with local journalism's importance, his presence in archived photos—but never telegraphs the reveal.

However, the book's final act stumbles slightly under the weight of its ambitions. The confrontation at the printing press, while atmospheric, relies heavily on exposition dumps as Trevor explains his decades-long scheme. His motivation—reviving Crowhurst's notoriety to save local journalism—is simultaneously compelling and unconvincing. The thematic link between community cohesion and manufactured tragedy could have been more elegantly explored rather than explicitly stated through villain monologue.

The resolution also asks readers to accept considerable coincidence: that Dylan happens to be Peter Doyle's son, that Kirby's father was involved in a TV project about the murders, that all these threads converge in one fateful summer. While genre conventions permit some contrivance, the cumulative effect strains credibility.

Social Commentary: Likes, Followers, and Death

Beyond the mystery mechanics, Chilton offers sharp commentary on contemporary digital culture. The novel eviscerates true-crime fandom's darker impulses—the way tragedy becomes content, victims become plotlines, and amateur detectives believe themselves qualified to solve cases professionals cannot. Esme's elaborate hoax, staging her own disappearance for views and followers, represents social media narcissism at its most grotesque. Yet Chilton avoids simplistic condemnation; Esme remains sympathetic even as she manipulates everyone around her.

The tension between local and digital journalism provides another rich thematic vein. Trevor's devotion to The Gazette—his belief that communities need shared narratives and local accountability—contrasts with Surreywide's clickbait listicles and vanishing credibility. Chilton, himself a journalist, writes with insider knowledge about how economic pressures hollow out local newsrooms. That Trevor commits murder to preserve Crowhurst's notoriety gives these observations a bitter ironic edge.

Prose Style: Sharp Wit Meets Dark Humor

Chilton's prose is the novel's greatest strength. His dialogue sparkles with sardonic humor, capturing millennial communication patterns without feeling dated or forced. The narrative voice maintains perfect pitch throughout—self-deprecating without being cloying, observant without seeming detached. Cultural references feel organic rather than shoehorned: Ghost Detectives UK, Fitbit step counts, the eternal search for something to watch on Netflix.

The humor never undercuts the horror; instead, it makes the violence more shocking when it arrives. The scene where Kirby discovers Seema's body in the dentist's chair manages to be both darkly comic and genuinely disturbing. This tonal balance—matching laughs with legitimate scares—requires considerable skill, and Chilton mostly succeeds in walking that tightrope.

Occasionally, the writing defaults to contemporary thriller clichés: bodies described as "crumpled," characters whose "blood runs cold," moments when someone's "heart soars." These familiar phrases don't derail the narrative but suggest Chilton might push his prose further in future works.

Critical Assessment: What Works and What Doesn't

The novel's pacing deserves particular praise. Chilton understands how to deploy cliffhangers effectively, ending chapters at moments of maximum tension. The group chat messages that punctuate the narrative create genuine unease, and the countdown element—knowing from the title that everyone must die—adds delicious dread to each interaction.

The supporting cast, however, remains somewhat underserved. Dave exists primarily for comic relief, his depth hinted at but never fully explored. Seema's relationship with "Hot Dentist" feels like a running joke rather than genuine character development. Dylan receives the most substantial arc, but even his journey from mysterious chef to revealed legacy of the Crowhurst Killer could have used additional emotional excavation.

The romance subplot between Kirby and Dylan lacks chemistry. Their attraction feels asserted rather than demonstrated, and the revelation about Dylan's parentage arrives before we've sufficiently invested in their relationship. This romantic element seems included more from genre obligation than narrative necessity.

Themes and Deeper Meanings

Beneath the thriller mechanics, Chilton explores how communities construct and maintain identity through shared mythology. Crowhurst needs Peter Doyle—needs a bogeyman, a defining tragedy—to feel significant. This dependency on darkness for distinction extends to individuals: Kirby defines herself through failure, Dylan through his father's shadow, Esme through manufactured mystery. The novel asks uncomfortable questions about what we're willing to sacrifice—truth, ethics, lives—for relevance in an attention economy that rewards spectacle over substance.

The guilt the Deadbeats carry—their complicity in covering up Esme's actual death—serves as metaphor for collective moral compromise. Each made a choice to protect themselves rather than serve justice, and that original sin returns to destroy them. Chilton suggests there's no escaping consequences, that secrets don't stay buried in the digital age where everything leaves traces.

Final Verdict: A Clever Thriller with Minor Flaws

L.M. Chilton has crafted an entertaining thriller that successfully balances humor with horror, social commentary with suspense. While the novel occasionally sacrifices character depth for plot mechanics and relies somewhat heavily on coincidence, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The central mystery satisfies, the commentary on digital culture feels astute, and the prose consistently delights.

This is a book perfectly calibrated for readers who want their thrillers sharp, contemporary, and self-aware—who can appreciate a mystery that both honors and subverts genre conventions. Chilton understands that the best modern thrillers must reckon with how technology has transformed both crime and detection, and he integrates these elements seamlessly into his narrative.

Not quite perfect, but thoroughly entertaining—a smart, swift read that delivers genuine surprises alongside its laughs. Chilton continues to establish himself as a thriller voice worth following.

[Rojda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars ☺️ entertaining, fun and a fast read

[jenny reads a lot]

I can't recall the person that recommended this author, will update with that info when I figure it out!

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you Gallery/Scout Press for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early ARC in return for an honest review. The story takes place in a small, boring town in England. The most exciting part is an annual fair where someone dressed in a crow costume has grapes thrown at them.

Four friends shared an apartment: Kirby, Dave, Dylan and Seema. Their conversations are rather funny, but the humour doesn't last long. The friends are aged 30, but talk and behave much younger. The concept is good, but it wasn't well executed. I found it slow-paced and lacking in thrills and excitement. It would have worked better if the characters had been younger and the book had been classified as YA.

One day, a young woman, Esme, appears at the apartment and announces that the absent Max (a roommate, now out of town) has sublet his room to her. Esme has a true-crime blog on social media, and explains she is researching a murder in 1996. A man killed five young people in this town, and his body was found shortly after. Esme claims the murderer didn't die, and her research will identify him. She believes he is still alive and a menace. Esme disappears almost immediately, and neither Max nor the landlord denies any knowledge of her.

Kirby was a journalist in London, but was fired for writing an unfavourable article about her father, a famous actor. She now works for the town's local weekly newspaper with nothing interesting to report. She is obsessed with the disappearance of Esme, but is unable to convince the police that something terrible may have happened to her. She does not even know Esme's last name. She is determined to investigate and hopes her findings will cause her to regain her stature as a reporter.

The characters are flat and lack much interest. Their lives revolve around their internet presence and efforts to gain followers and likes. A year later, they are scattered but connect through a chat group called the Deadbeats. Esme has been dead for a year, but a message signed by Esme on the chat group says, "Miss me? "and warns that "Everyone in the chat group will die." The group members are dying, but no one seems much affected by the deaths, which are barely mentioned. I regret that I was bored but struggled to the book's ending. There were some good twists near the book's conclusion and the ending was satisfying..

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Creepy, Clever, and Darkly Funny
I read this physical and audio book.

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton is a darkly comedic thriller that blends elements of murder mystery with modern social media culture.

The story centers on Kirby Cornell, a disillusioned aspiring journalist stuck in a dead end job and living with messy housemates in the quiet town of Crowhurst known primarily for its award-winning sausage rolls and a notorious serial killer from the 1990s. Her mundane life takes a sinister turn when she receives a chilling message in an old group chat: "Everyone in the group chat will die." The message is from Esme, a former flatmate and social media sleuth who died a year prior.

The narrative unfolds through dual timelines, alternating between the present and events from a year earlier when Esme moved into Kirby's flat. Esme was investigating the decades-old Crowhurst killings, suspecting that the real murderer was never caught. As the past and present intertwine, Kirby is drawn into a web of secrets, lies, and a quest to uncover the truth before it's too late.

If you're interested in a story that combines mystery, humor, and a critical look at digital culture, Everyone in the Group Chat Dies might be a great addition to your reading list.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good small town mystery, with twists aplenty, and the odd red herring. I also love an injection of humour. Everyone In The Group Chat Dies provided both. 📱
I'm going to assume that you have read the blurb, so I'm not going to rehash it. The story is told from the POV of Claire 'Kirby' Cornell, and is told across two timelines; present day, and twelve months ago.
It's fast paced, and an oh so entertaining, quick read.
All of the characters are likeable, even the bad guy. When the big reveal came, let me just say, I did not see that coming! 😮
I loved this book. I devoured this book. Would I recommend it to everyone? You bet I would.
Thanks to Aries Fiction, Head of Zeus and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Gleenobly · Rating 5 out of 5]

LM Chilton thoroughly impressed me with this book. I'm so happy my husband gave it to me as a gift since it's not my not my normal pick. I found myself hooked from page one. The dark humor, quirkiness, and curiousities of the characters and small town life - brilliant, simply brilliant. I cried at the surprise ending and was satisfied with the way LM Chilton decided to conclude it. I highly recommend reading this book!

[Angie Miale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very British, modern day cozy mystery that centers around a missing girl and an old murder case. Although I liked this book, I can't say that I loved it. There are probably too many characters, and not enough characterization to draw them all out, but I generally liked the way the narrative jumped back a year and then to present day. Kirby is a solid and likable lead, she has a strong voice and good instincts.

Kirby has a famous father and is a journalist. She was let go/canceled from the news outlet she wrote for in London and has taken a job with a small town rag. She has several roommates, and they are surprised when a new roommate, Esme, shows up. She has a large social media following due to her true crime investigating. And she has come to town to prove that then police were wrong about the big killing spree from the 1980's. After only a day, Esme is missing. Putting together the pieces of what happened before takes a lot of turns and twists.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the free ARC of this exciting title. Book to be published December 9, 2025.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published December 9, 2025.

2.5 stars.

Kirby, Dylan, Dave and Seema are flatmates in tiny Crawhurst. Thirty years go, long before their time, a spree killer murdered five teenagers on the night of the town’s annual festival. Now, not long before the festival, a girl named Esme shows up, saying she’s sublet from their fifth roommate and she’s in town to do a podcast about the crime. But Esme disappears and Kirby investigates.

I liked the characters and the writing was OK, but there were some real problems with the plotting - some things that were absolutely impossible to ignore. I think this is YA and if it isn’t it should be. This should have been better, but the plot holes….sheesh!

[Courtney N · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very modern, humorous, twisty tale that will make you laugh as much as it will make you wonder what in the world is going on?

I have to say, I love British humor and a sarcastic, self-deprecating narrator. So from the first the first few chapters I was immediately invested. Following the flat mates, that eerie small town and its special crow, and the visitor that changes it all was quite a ride.

Unfortunately, the bones of this book promised a bit more than what was actually inside. It was quite a slow pace with lots of repetition, the banter was fun at first but ended up feeling overdone, and by the 50-60% I needed more plot movement to really feel invested and wanting to read. I ended up really pushing myself through this.

With that being said, I did enjoy the end of this book and felt it was worth the read!

I would recommend reading when you want some humor mixed in with your thriller and lighter read that you don’t mind reading at all slower pace.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! 💫

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of a good small town mystery, and Everyone in the Group Chat Dies did not disappoint!

It took me a little bit to become fully absorbed in the story, as the first chapter seemed out of place. But once I was past that, I was gripped! I needed to know everything about what had happened in Crowhurst, and why they were so obsessed with their weird town mascot.

I managed to pick up on a few clues throughout, and really enjoyed how it all came together at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a book club I attend. It was fine, a bit far fetched and one particular moment that was meant to feel scary made me laugh out loud.

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Everyone in the Group Chat Dies.

The best part about this book is the title.

All authors have certain trademarks and since I read the author's first book all the trademarks of her writing are here; the way they describe and craft a main character, how much description and exposition, typical tropes like the main character is a loser and stuck in a dead end job.

Kirby Connell is no exception; she's not smart or street smart, not a good writer or a good cook or anything else, and acts more like a 21 year old than a 30 year old.

I liked the rapport between her and her roommates but the jokes got tedious fast.

The fact their tiny village was famous for having a serial killer was interesting but it took too long to get to the point; finding who knew the serial killer and their relationships to him, etc.

The exposition behind how Esme became involved with the roommates took too long and slowed the pacing of the narrative.

The story contained very little urgency and suspense and I got the vibe Kirby seemed to spend more time resenting her famous actor dad who ditched her and her mom years ago (which I understand).

Also, get over it! He ain't coming back.

But it was just a reminder that she's a dud.

I didn't care about her or her friends or what was happening.

The narrative isn't long but it felt long as I was reading.

Never a good sign.

[Ciara Hanley · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s so bad I want to give you a zero. But that’s not possible so I give you a one.

Genuinely annoyed at myself for wasting Spotify listening hours on this lmao 😭 Expected it to be bad but in an entertaining way. Alas, it was just dog shit x

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had such a fun start! The setup was wild in the best way, and I was totally into the messy group dynamics and dark humor. Some lines had me laughing out loud. But halfway through, it kinda lost momentum and felt a little all over the place. I wanted more from the twist and the pacing. Still, the concept was entertaining, and I’d give L.M. Chilton another shot.

Thank you, netgalley, for my digital arc for an honest review

[Minx Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic dark fun thriller brilliant

[Bex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need to start choosing better audiobooks

Also people from Surrey do NOT have west country accents last I checked

[Krysta Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads giveaway and it is such a fun romp! I'm giving 5 stars for how much fun I had reading it.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirby Cornell left London and escaped to the small town of Crowhurst to get away from her humiliation. Crowhurst is a sleepy little town, known only because of a serial killer in the '90s. She finds a reasonably priced apartment with four roommates. The building needs work, and the landlord is a total sleaze, but it works until it doesn't. And now she finds herself needing an escape from Crowhurst and the terrible thing she and her roommates did. Things haven't caught up to her yet until she receives a mysterious new text in the old group chat with her roommates. The text says, "Everyone in the group chat will die." Even stranger, the text is from Esme, who has been dead for over a year. One by one, her old roommates are "leaving" the group chat. She realizes she needs to go back to Crowhurst and figure out what's going on.

Told in dual timelines, this was definitely an entertaining read. It had me hooked with its drama, unlikable characters, numerous cringe-worthy moments, and an interesting small-town mystery. It was suspenseful, twisty, and it was fun. I even LOLed in parts! I was also shocked by the ending. I honestly didn't see that one coming. I loved the setting and the writing style, so I will most definitely be checking out this author again. I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it🩷

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow but at the same time keeps you curious enough so you keep reading. Slow enough to make me want to skip full chapters to understand.
The epilogue, or how the story wraps up, is rather quick.
I liked the idea not so much the execution, all in all something to waste time on and I did like the ravens tale.
The characters are easy to like. The chapters go back and forth in time making the whole story a bit more interesting then if it was just chronological.
I do think it’s worth a read of this dark perspective on the world of likes and comments and desperation to do anything for views. A lighthearted commentary on the younger society, but a bit too desperate in my eyes.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

I think this book's overall Goodreads rating is a bit harsh. I am not always a fan of the comic thriller, finding them hard to pull off. I did LOVE the concept of a group of friends who still have a group chat and then, one by one, you guessed it: everyone in the group chat dies.

I felt there was a lot to balance here: a past present narrative, the murders in the present, a case of a serial killer from the 90s that Kirby, the main character, thinks the first victim was investigating when she died. And the comedy.

I think this had promise but for me it didn't quite get there.

Subscribe to my amazing newsletter HERE at JenRyland.com Let's be friends on Bookstagram!

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

One year ago, in the tiny town of Crowhurst, England, a young woman went missing. Imagine our main character Kirby’s surprise when her assumed-dead friend sends her a text message asking one thing: “miss me”?

Kirby is in a group chat with her roommates, Dave, Dylan and Seema. One day, Esme shows up on their doorstep. She’s friends with their roommate Max, who’s been out of town, and she is going to sublet his room for a couple weeks while she does research for her true-crime social media account. She wants to look into a murder that happened in the town thirty years ago, and soon Kirby is interested and wants in on the action.

Then, Esme disappears and the roommates don’t know what to do. Their friend Max says he hasn’t sublet his room and doesn’t know Esme, their cranky landlord Frank has no idea what they’re talking about when they say the new girl who moved in has gone missing, and the police don’t seem concerned with anything except the annual town fair.

This book goes back and forth between the past and present as multiple mysteries play out. Is the man who committed horrible crimes thirty years ago still alive? Who is Esme, and why does she care about this specific story? Why do they keep getting removed from the group chat, one by one, as they die?

My main complaint is that though the characters are in their late 20s, this had a YA feel to it. I read this author’s book “Don’t Swipe Right” and enjoyed it more than this one - this was funny in parts, but I would have liked more thrill and more dark humor. Still, this is a decent story. 3.5 stars.

(Thank you to Gallery Books, L.M. Chilton and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

[Nicole Wuthering Vines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clever, darkly humorous social media driven murder mystery hooked me from the title alone. The blend of tech elements and group chat dynamics pulled me in right away, and I found myself fully invested almost immediately.

Told across dual timelines Then and Now, the story follows Kirby, an aspiring journalist determined to uncover who is messaging the group chat as Esme… despite Esme having died a year earlier. As past and present collide, the truth becomes increasingly twisty.

I loved the quirky touches and the cozy-mystery-meets-popcorn-thriller vibe. Though the pacing lags in a few spots, it’s still an engaging, entertaining, and undeniably quick read.

[Tanja Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kirby is sharing a flat with some other «dead beats», when a new girl joins, Esme. She quickly disappears and Kirby grows worried and tries to find the truth, believing that Esme has been snatched by a spree killer from 30 years back. He’s supposed to have died, but what if he didn’t?

Move forward 12 months and there’s a new message in the old group chat from the flat mates. Supposedly from Esme, who is definitely dead. The message is sinister: «everyone in the group chat dies». And they do. Kirby is trying to gather the groups before it’s too late.

I suspected the deal with Esme from the start, but not who the Crowhurst murderer really was. It’s pretty decent, but overly long with excessive dialogue.