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The Locked Room
Andy and three other kids wake up in a locked room.
The room has no windows, but it has a locked door, with a countdown clock above it.
They have less than an hour to figure out how to get out of this room. But when they do . . .?
There’s another locked room, and more locked doors. And they can’t go back.
High concept, high stakes, high emotions – this story packs a punch and you won’t be able to put it down.
The room has no windows, but it has a locked door, with a countdown clock above it.
They have less than an hour to figure out how to get out of this room. But when they do . . .?
There’s another locked room, and more locked doors. And they can’t go back.
High concept, high stakes, high emotions – this story packs a punch and you won’t be able to put it down.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2025
4 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 6, 2025
Content warnings: bullying, kidnapping, violence, death of a sibling (in the past)
3.5 stars
This was compelling and I really liked the consistent locked room situation. But Chad got very old very quickly and I just wanted him off the page. And I didn't always like Andy as a narrator. I also kind of wanted more hints at who was behind everything earlier rather than just...flat out being given the answers right at the end of the book.
So look, I really did enjoy this. I did. But it wasn't as tight a read as I would have liked it to be.
3.5 stars
This was compelling and I really liked the consistent locked room situation. But Chad got very old very quickly and I just wanted him off the page. And I didn't always like Andy as a narrator. I also kind of wanted more hints at who was behind everything earlier rather than just...flat out being given the answers right at the end of the book.
So look, I really did enjoy this. I did. But it wasn't as tight a read as I would have liked it to be.
December 22, 2025
I enjoyed this book.. it was one of those books where work and life was getting in the way of me finding out what happens next. The mystery element throughout this book that kept me on suspense to the end was pretty cool, the whole time I was wondering how did they end up in this place, what was their purpose and why them? Equally intriguing was each of the characters had a mysterious story arc that sprinkles throughout the story. A fast paced, page turner that held me to the end. With special thanks to Penguin Teen Aus for sending me a review copy of this book.
July 25, 2025
3 stars for myself; 4 stars for how much a target-aged reader might like it.
4 teens from the same school wake up in a strange room with doors and a countdown.
The escape room themes were interesting and the reader could solve them along with (or before) the characters.
It would be of most interest to readers aged 11-15.
What put me off is that is reads quite young and simplistic, but the characters are in ninth grade with ninth grade feelings and life experience - in some respects I think this misses the mark for the intended readership as it becomes unrelatable when a 10 year old is reading about 15 year olds. It's promoted as for ages 10-12, but the age of the characters doesn't match this.
4 teens from the same school wake up in a strange room with doors and a countdown.
The escape room themes were interesting and the reader could solve them along with (or before) the characters.
It would be of most interest to readers aged 11-15.
What put me off is that is reads quite young and simplistic, but the characters are in ninth grade with ninth grade feelings and life experience - in some respects I think this misses the mark for the intended readership as it becomes unrelatable when a 10 year old is reading about 15 year olds. It's promoted as for ages 10-12, but the age of the characters doesn't match this.
November 19, 2025
I discovered Adam through a post my Auntie's sister put on Facebook - she raved about this book. Then when I asked questions, I learnt he is her son-in-law. So, technically, Adam and I are related through marriage.
I started reading this book when flying from Melbourne to Queensland - a 2.5 hour flight. I got almost halfway through it. I read a bit while visiting family in Queensland but finished it on my return flight home 2 days later. This is a book you just have to keep reading! You want to find out what is going on and how the 4 teenagers got to be in the Locked Room. Definitely worth the read.
I started reading this book when flying from Melbourne to Queensland - a 2.5 hour flight. I got almost halfway through it. I read a bit while visiting family in Queensland but finished it on my return flight home 2 days later. This is a book you just have to keep reading! You want to find out what is going on and how the 4 teenagers got to be in the Locked Room. Definitely worth the read.
October 13, 2025
୨ৎ : ‘chad glares at the teddy bear.’ “i don’t like the way that teddy bear is looking at me.”
— ☆ 3/5
this was so fast paced and the premise was very intriguing. while it wasn’t necessarily tense or anything. the writing was well written.
the characters at the beginning were annoying especially chad (of course it’s a chad) but he was actually kind of funny which was surprising.
the ending was a bit anti climatic but it was a quick and easy read and i hope everyone lives their lives better and with more kindness (im looking at you chad).
— ☆ 3/5
this was so fast paced and the premise was very intriguing. while it wasn’t necessarily tense or anything. the writing was well written.
the characters at the beginning were annoying especially chad (of course it’s a chad) but he was actually kind of funny which was surprising.
the ending was a bit anti climatic but it was a quick and easy read and i hope everyone lives their lives better and with more kindness (im looking at you chad).
August 15, 2025
A non stop page turner. Short chapters keeps the action moving and the reader engaged. Four teenagers wake up in a locked room and have to work together to find a way out. Surprisingly teenagers are not always the most cooperative, which only adds to the intrigue. A great read for junior high students that touches on their fears without being heavy.
December 7, 2025
This book was extremely fast paced and filled with adrenaline, a book that you just can't put down. Every chapter is a countdown to death, as the characters fight to survive. Although this book can be exciting, there was a lack of strong climax and advanced language since the book was so fast-paced. Overall, this is an easy, quick and fast-paced book for anyone to enjoy.
September 20, 2025
A fantastic teenage suspense novel. Highly recommended.
November 10, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
November 19, 2025
Solid read for young teens and or older middle graders. I throughly enjoyed this. It’s tense with short chapters that keep things going. Excellently paced.
July 16, 2025
A quick and cool read that would be great for 10-16 year olds. I really liked the creative rooms and the twist at the end!
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October 17, 2025What a page turner! Perfect for a young person in a reading slump (or an older one too!)
October 1, 2025
Review originally published in StoryLinks: https://storylinks.booklinks.org.au/2...
Andy wakes up with three other students from his school. Chad, the bully, Gabriella Lee, the leader of the elites, and a mysterious girl known as Nameless Girl.
They’re in a room labelled K1. It has a timer counting down from one hour. At the end of the hour they move through a green door to a room marked K2. From then on they realise that in order to escape they must proceed through a series of challenges to get out of each room, avoiding the red doors.
It doesn’t take nerdy Andy long to realise the pattern of rooms corresponds to a chess board. The kids do not play it safe though. They test hypotheses to test the rules in this newfound world, and just how far they can take things.
The challenges initially seem random, but then they acquire a more personal flavour. It seems as if some of the rooms have specific meaning for one of the players. The most engaging of these is a bedroom with a stained carpet, a bed and a wardrobe. In fact, it is apparently a replica of Nameless Girl’s bedroom, with only one thing missing.
Each room requires “solving”, like an escape room puzzle, and these solutions are often intimately bound up in the personal histories of the students, challenges they’re going through in terms of their personalities or family situations, or their relationships with each other.
Cece has mentioned in an interview that The Locked Room is somewhat of an homage to his favourite film writer and director, John Hughes. As such, he sat down to write The Breakfast Club set in an escape room. The vibe between the characters is really quite similar, with some Twenty-First Century updates. Readers who have seen the film will appreciate the intertextuality.
My 11 year old son liked this book a lot, despite being somewhat of a reluctant reader. Therefore I can recommend it for fans of The Hunger Games and Wild Robot series. He particularly liked the character of Nameless Girl, and I think he would like to explore the characters in more depth in a sequel.
Andy wakes up with three other students from his school. Chad, the bully, Gabriella Lee, the leader of the elites, and a mysterious girl known as Nameless Girl.
They’re in a room labelled K1. It has a timer counting down from one hour. At the end of the hour they move through a green door to a room marked K2. From then on they realise that in order to escape they must proceed through a series of challenges to get out of each room, avoiding the red doors.
It doesn’t take nerdy Andy long to realise the pattern of rooms corresponds to a chess board. The kids do not play it safe though. They test hypotheses to test the rules in this newfound world, and just how far they can take things.
The challenges initially seem random, but then they acquire a more personal flavour. It seems as if some of the rooms have specific meaning for one of the players. The most engaging of these is a bedroom with a stained carpet, a bed and a wardrobe. In fact, it is apparently a replica of Nameless Girl’s bedroom, with only one thing missing.
Each room requires “solving”, like an escape room puzzle, and these solutions are often intimately bound up in the personal histories of the students, challenges they’re going through in terms of their personalities or family situations, or their relationships with each other.
Cece has mentioned in an interview that The Locked Room is somewhat of an homage to his favourite film writer and director, John Hughes. As such, he sat down to write The Breakfast Club set in an escape room. The vibe between the characters is really quite similar, with some Twenty-First Century updates. Readers who have seen the film will appreciate the intertextuality.
My 11 year old son liked this book a lot, despite being somewhat of a reluctant reader. Therefore I can recommend it for fans of The Hunger Games and Wild Robot series. He particularly liked the character of Nameless Girl, and I think he would like to explore the characters in more depth in a sequel.
September 22, 2025
This is an action packed locked room mystery that will engage teen readers with its do or die plot line, relatable characters, short sharp chapters and spot on writing.
Andy finds himself locked in a room with his bully, the girl he has secretly been in love with for years, and the girl from school who noone really notices.
As the group progress through the challenges of the locked rooms, they learn their strengths, their weaknesses, and despite what they might think initially.... their similarities.
Every reader will relate on some level to one of the characters, which makes this thriller one that will fly off the school library shelves.
If you, or your teen, love a good YA mystery/thriller, love locked room mysteries, or enjoy going to escape rooms.... then this is a book that you won't be able to put down.
Andy finds himself locked in a room with his bully, the girl he has secretly been in love with for years, and the girl from school who noone really notices.
As the group progress through the challenges of the locked rooms, they learn their strengths, their weaknesses, and despite what they might think initially.... their similarities.
Every reader will relate on some level to one of the characters, which makes this thriller one that will fly off the school library shelves.
If you, or your teen, love a good YA mystery/thriller, love locked room mysteries, or enjoy going to escape rooms.... then this is a book that you won't be able to put down.
November 28, 2025
The second I saw this book and read the blurb, I knew I had to read it and so I got it the next day.
One of the easiest reads ever, I literally finished reading this in less than a day and only like in three sittings and it was hard to tell myself to stop when I needed to— thats just how captivating the book was.
I knew I picked the right book because I love a fast paced mystery thriller and the puzzles and trials were tense, so smart, creative and well thought out by the author. Reading about four teenagers who have very different personalities and who thought they weren’t the most ideal team is also interesting and I liked the developments throughout the book which was handled very well. Although the ending isn’t like any other mystery books I’ve read before, I still thought it was great and a fresh perspective.
Easy five stars for this book
One of the easiest reads ever, I literally finished reading this in less than a day and only like in three sittings and it was hard to tell myself to stop when I needed to— thats just how captivating the book was.
I knew I picked the right book because I love a fast paced mystery thriller and the puzzles and trials were tense, so smart, creative and well thought out by the author. Reading about four teenagers who have very different personalities and who thought they weren’t the most ideal team is also interesting and I liked the developments throughout the book which was handled very well. Although the ending isn’t like any other mystery books I’ve read before, I still thought it was great and a fresh perspective.
Easy five stars for this book
August 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this fast-paced book pitching four teens of very different personalities against the mysterious escape room maze they find themselves in.
Who has put them in there? Why? Will they be able to get over their differences to find a way out?
The short chapters and interesting concept kept me reading to find out the answers.
As kids enjoy reading books about protagonists who are a little older than them, this book is perfectly pitched for readers aged around 10-14, and is a cracking read for adult readers too.
Who has put them in there? Why? Will they be able to get over their differences to find a way out?
The short chapters and interesting concept kept me reading to find out the answers.
As kids enjoy reading books about protagonists who are a little older than them, this book is perfectly pitched for readers aged around 10-14, and is a cracking read for adult readers too.
November 15, 2025
‘I couldn’t hear the rest, as my world went dark.’
MGM Review #44 - The Locked Room - @ceceadam - @penguinkidsaustralia
This one is an interesting concept and you can immediately see the attraction of it to teenage readers (or mature primary kids). I was drawn in straight away and I know they’d be the same.
When Andy wakes up in a strange room with no windows and a locked door with a countdown clock above it, he wonders what is going on. Even stranger is he’s locked in the room with 3 other kids - his bully Chad, the girl he has a crush on Gabriella Lee and the weird girl whose name none of them can remember. Soon they realise the countdown is on and they have less than an hour to work their way out of the room. But what will confront them if they succeed? What about if they fail? Will this mismatched group of characters manage to solve the puzzle, escape the room and survive or will the group dynamics fall apart and send them on a path no one wants to think about?
Ohhh, this one was very good, with the perfect blend of Squid Game and Escape Room vibes, resulting in a pulsating read. From the first page, you are thrust into the action and feel the tension straight away. Aided by short chapters, it’s fast paced and doesn’t let up.
Adam has done a great job crafting a creative read, with clever puzzles and challenges to solve. The quirky group of characters also provide an interesting dynamic and certainly add to the mystery of the story. Why this 4? How are they connected? Will they all survive?
This is a book you should put in the hands of every reluctant reader, they’ll be hooked from the get go and won’t put it down. Great job Adam!
MGM Review #44 - The Locked Room - @ceceadam - @penguinkidsaustralia
This one is an interesting concept and you can immediately see the attraction of it to teenage readers (or mature primary kids). I was drawn in straight away and I know they’d be the same.
When Andy wakes up in a strange room with no windows and a locked door with a countdown clock above it, he wonders what is going on. Even stranger is he’s locked in the room with 3 other kids - his bully Chad, the girl he has a crush on Gabriella Lee and the weird girl whose name none of them can remember. Soon they realise the countdown is on and they have less than an hour to work their way out of the room. But what will confront them if they succeed? What about if they fail? Will this mismatched group of characters manage to solve the puzzle, escape the room and survive or will the group dynamics fall apart and send them on a path no one wants to think about?
Ohhh, this one was very good, with the perfect blend of Squid Game and Escape Room vibes, resulting in a pulsating read. From the first page, you are thrust into the action and feel the tension straight away. Aided by short chapters, it’s fast paced and doesn’t let up.
Adam has done a great job crafting a creative read, with clever puzzles and challenges to solve. The quirky group of characters also provide an interesting dynamic and certainly add to the mystery of the story. Why this 4? How are they connected? Will they all survive?
This is a book you should put in the hands of every reluctant reader, they’ll be hooked from the get go and won’t put it down. Great job Adam!
July 30, 2025
Pure dynomo. Tense, witty, soulful. Loved this to the nth degree. Stay primed for full review over at Kids' Book Review.
October 14, 2025
its always a fucking chad
July 24, 2025
Four teens wake up in a locked room: the nerd & his bully, the popular over achiever and the oddball loner. There’s an LED countdown above the door and as they work together, cooperatively or not, they learn more about one another from the clues in the rooms, but not the reason behind their test. Compelling addictive reading with realistic banter and palpable tension.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews