They Want Us Dead: A Novel

by CL Montblanc

In this new mystery from CL Montblanc, the author of Pride or Die, two internet enemies are forced to work together after a true crime meetup turns into a deadly case of its own.

Seventeen-year-old Sam Tombs hopes to get more eyes on the videos they make to raise awareness of crimes against LGBTQ+ teens. A true crime content creator event seems like the perfect opportunity to grow their channel—until the group becomes stranded at an eerie Victorian mansion, and one of them is killed in the night.

Sam’s alibi, and the only person they can trust, happens to be their mean, dorky internet nemesis Dylan. But the two must now put aside their rivalry and use their investigative skills to figure out who among the remaining teens is the killer, before their own deaths become tomorrow’s trending content.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, LGBT, Queer, Fiction

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2026

About the author

CL Montblanc is a writer, producer, and escape room enthusiast. Despite hailing from Texas, CL is intimidated by both horses and very large hats. Their debut novel PRIDE OR DIE will release in early 2025, with another book to follow in 2026.

Reviews

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book we follow teenagers true crime creators who are invited to a mansion where they can network with other creators. Soon they realize things aren't going as planned and they find themselves in one of the situations they usually talk about. 
They want us dead feels like a slasher for people that don't like horror. It's a mystery impossible to put down, with captivating characters and a little bit of romance. I love the representation and it was fun to try to guess who did what. 
It went by really quickly, it's an easy but well written story. I enjoyed it. 

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday books for the ARC.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

Having read Pride or Die earlier this year, I knew that I wanted to read this as soon as I saw it. I was so thrilled to get a free ARC copy. As much as I loved Pride and Die, I think I loved this one more. I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was. With mystery books, I always go with The X Files rules, 'trust no one'.

I would love to see a follow-up novel or novella to see how they are dealing with the trauma of everything.

Definitely would recommend this!

[Mia 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ This story follows a group of true-crime content creators who get stranded in a creepy Victorian mansion during a meetup—only for one of them to wind up murdered. Sam Tombs, who just wants to grow their channel and raise awareness for crimes against LGBTQ+ teens, is suddenly forced to team up with their annoying, dorky internet nemesis Dylan to figure out which of the remaining teens is the killer before they’re next.

I really liked the setup. Locked-door mysteries are my weakness, and this one had the eerie atmosphere and unpredictable twists I was hoping for. Sam and Dylan’s dynamic added a fun, chaotic edge to the story too.

The ending felt rushed and a bit confusing. There’s one specific plot point I’m still not totally sure about, and it seems like the audience is meant to be left wondering—which didn’t fully work for me.

Overall, it’s a unique and modern mystery with a cool premise, even if the conclusion didn’t completely land.

Thank you to netgalley & St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for this ARC!

[Niki.reads.rainbow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of true crimes content creators is invited to a week long meeting that quickly turns into a crime scene.

Sam Tombs has to work with their nemesis Dylan, and figure out who’s the killer, and how to survive.

There are so many things I like about this book. A group of people stranded in the same house and somebody is trying to kill them? It reminds me of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, which is one of my favourite book.

I enjoyed the atmosphere, characters, and watching how Sam and Dylan grew closer.

I appreciate the debate about true crime content creators, and if it’s morally ok to film content about
crimes or not.

I wish there was a little bit more tension towards the end of the book.

But overall, I really enjoyed this and definitely can recommend it. It is young adult, but I think even older readers will be able to enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-arc in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. While I was excited about the premise, I felt that the plot was all over the place and didn't make sense in quite a few areas. I found the last 75+ pages to be somewhat confusing, rushed, and illogical, like the author was trying to incorporate too many different themes and conspiracies into one story in a way that just didn't work. I found the 'reveal' to be lacking, and the final pages to be disappointing.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️
If you thought Pride or Die was good, buckle up — CL Montblanc just leveled up in all the best ways with this YA thriller treat.

I was already a fan after their debut earlier this year (which I also read the ARC for), so when I heard about this second book, I was refreshing NetGalley like a hawk. Totally worth it, because this one was the perfect read for thriller season.

While Pride or Die leaned a little younger — perfect for early teens and still fun for adult readers — this one has a much broader reach. Yes, the characters are teens, but the mystery, tension, and pacing will absolutely appeal to older thriller fans too. One of my favorite things about YA thrillers is watching characters make wildly questionable decisions that adults over 25 would never dream of, and this book delivers that chaos in the best way.

I enjoyed this from cover to cover. The queer and gender representation is seamlessly woven into the story — thoughtful, natural, and never forced. It gives younger readers the chance to see themselves reflected on the page, while still offering older readers a fast-paced, engaging mystery full of twists and emotional moments.

CL Montblanc nailed it with this one — sharp, inclusive, and seriously entertaining. Exactly what I wanted for spooky season and then some. 👏

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Wednesday Books via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

They Want Us Dead by CL Mont Blanc, I did not like this book and it makes me so sad to say so. I was looking so forward to reading this one and most likely to murder and so far this one has totally disappointed me. Sam has no redeeming qualities and although there were some OK moments with Dylan the whole book in my opinion was just a mess. There’s so many unanswered questions as to why they weren’t rescued the endings seemed more like a comedy of ours than real entertainment and all that vulgarity just got under my skin. As another reviewer said I also say curse words but OMG there was a lot in this book and I do mean a lot. There was one point in the book where there’s a killer of foot and yet Sam and Dylan stopped to make out it totally reminded me of the alien Romances were despite the fact the girl has been kidnapped by something she didn’t even know existed she still totally gets that he’s hot… Something I never understood about these books how could someone want to be romantic while fearing their demise. Anyway this is a needless review others have explained it better I appreciate the ark And some may enjoy it I just did not. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book as I am a fan of the author’s previous book Pride or Die. I was hooked by the very first sentence - haha - only because it was so relatable and I was immediately rooting for Sam. Sam’s focus has been to raise awareness of crimes against
LGBTQ+ teens and they hope this experience will help them with that content…but - let’s just say things get off to a rocky start when they end up face to face with their rival - awkward!

Things a take a turn and the group gets up close and personal with true crime. I really liked the pacing and the twists and turns and the gender representation was done really well and I think will really resonate with readers. I liked the sprinkle of romance and how the author kept me guessing!

There are some deeper conversations about the ethics of true crime content creation that I thought was really interesting.

Overall I really enjoyed this story!

✨What To Expect:
💥YA Thriller
🔪Murder Mystery
🔍Whodunnit
❤️‍🔥Rivals To ???
🔥Slow Burn
🗝️Locked Room Mystery
🥀Creepy Victorian Mansion
🌪️Twists & Turns
👀Secrets

[Jean Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Want Us Dead completely gripped me—I read it in under 24 hours. The tension is relentless, and the premise is chilling in the best way. From the start, the story throws you into a high-stakes situation where trust is fragile and danger feels constant.

The multiple characters are distinct and compelling, each bringing their own secrets and motivations to the table. I loved how the author balanced fast pacing with emotional depth, making it easy to care about what happens while still racing through the pages. The twists were well timed and genuinely surprising, and the atmosphere stayed dark and unsettling throughout.

This is a sharp, addictive thriller that will absolutely appeal to readers who enjoy intense, twist-heavy stories with a strong sense of urgency. I couldn’t put it down and will definitely be recommending it.

[Christina Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books like this- a creepy Victorian mansion and a whodunnit in a modern spin.

Sam Tombs and Dylan made a good team.

I felt like all of the pieces connected except for one- and I know it wasn’t supposed to and was a think piece but I just feel like it left a small hole.

Thanks to St. Martin’s press for the ARC!

[Chloe]

Autism, gender, and murder and it's like this book was written for me.

[Brooke! · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good!!!!!! i love dylan and sam and omg i was not expecting this at all! actually very very insane book but soooo good and kept me on my toes !!!!!

[Jamie D'Amato · Rating 5 out of 5]

chaotic gay people, enby rep, autistic boy in night gown rep, rivals to lovers vibes, murder mystery in an eccentric rich person’s castle, thoughtful ideas about true crime “content”, and cl montblanc’s distinct and delightful sense of humor - 5 stars and a kiss on the forehead from me.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the Goodreads Giveaway of an advanced copy!

I think there’s people who will enjoy this one, but unfortunately, I just wasn’t a fan... I work as a teen librarian, so I try to read a variety of YA books when I can to stay up to date on what’s available and what’s trending. Mysteries and thrillers are really popular at my library, and so is true crime, so I was excited for the chance to preview this one to see if I wanted to order it.

I think this had an interesting concept - take teens who make true crime content and bring them together to hone their skills, then throw them in a true crime situation, all while using Sam’s videos to bring attention to the real life fact that there is a lack of awareness and justice for LGBTQ+ victims of crimes, as well as including discussions about the responsibility and ethics of making and consuming true crime content. I just don’t think it was executed well.

I found the overuse of Gen Z (Gen Alpha? I don’t know) language to be incredibly distracting from the story and its underlying messages. There is so much stereotypical “teen talk” that the internal monologue and dialogue is cringey, and at times laughable, even if it’s meant to be serious. I’ve worked with thousands of teens of all different personalities and backgrounds for around 10 years, and I think the vast majority of them would find this overuse of slang and pop culture references to be off putting. Even my former middle schoolers from my teaching days, who would hop onto a trend and cling to it with their dying breath, would most likely find the language in this “cringe.” At a certain point, trying too hard to connect with the audience can actually keep them from connecting with the story, and that’s what happened here for me. There’s also SO MUCH swearing. Don’t get me wrong, I swear a lot too, but for a YA book, this felt like an insane amount. For example, in the first 10 pages, there are 10 uses of the words “shit” and “fuck.” It was so noticeable that after I finished the first chapter, I went back and counted. I thought no way there’s this much in the rest of the book. But there is. In this barely 300 page book, there’s over 200 instances of those two words alone being used, and that’s not even counting other swear words, like bitch, asshole, goddamn, etc. Was me counting every use of those two words excessive? Yes, but it’s also excessive that they’re used that much. Seriously, flip to any page, and there’s a 70% chance you’ll find one of those words. Teens swear, I get that. But this just comes across as trying too hard to be cool and edgy.

Getting past the wording, I felt like the plot was kind of weak, particularly explaining how and why they’re isolated for a week. Storms knocking out cell towers is not uncommon, and I find it hard to believe that in and around LA, it would take a week for a cell tower to be fixed. I didn’t fully grasp the location of the mansion, but I would think that even with intense terrain and the driveway’s bridge being destroyed, that the group could still hang out where the bridge was and shout or wave to the road, or make some type of SOS sign or something to ask for help from people passing by? I also don’t understand why none of the staff (who were staying offsite) pushed for help for the group. They had to bring food for dinner and breakfast because there was none in the mansion, so they would have known, hey, there’s several people up there with basically no food, maybe someone should help them? The ending also felt kind of rushed and was confusing at times. But, circling back to my point in the paragraph above, there was so much “fucking shit” being said that it was hard to stay focused on the actual substance of the story.

While it’s my opinion that the depth and impact of the story was diminished by the writing style and word choices, it was ultimately a fairly quick and easy read. I think teens or adults who aren’t put off by the language will enjoy it and find it easier to connect with than I did. This might be a good one for reluctant readers or teens who dislike or struggle to read. Based on other early reviews, there’s clearly several people who really enjoy it! I’ve read a couple of other mysteries and thrillers and, in hindsight, wasn’t really a fan of any of them either, so unfortunately I think I just don’t like this genre.

[Carmen Marin · Rating 1 out of 5]

The summary indicated we'd get a "locked room" murder mystery staring young social media influencers who report about true crime. Well, there were young social media influencers. And there was murder, a few of them. And True Crime was talked about, but that's as far as it went.

Thank you to my agent, Natalie Lakosil, and my editor, Tiffany Shelton, for helping to shape what was once a plotless rom-com into something coherent.

Uh, it was just a plotless rom-"com" with nothing coherent about it. So maybe get a new agent or editor.

Both of CL Montblanc's books have such wonderful covers and interesting plot descriptions! Too bad that's as far is goes. It's rather clear, now having read both books (not back to back, but within a few months of each other) that this author wants to write contemporary queer romance with teens, and doesn't know how to make it interesting.

It's also VERY clear that this author has never visited California or the LA area yet attempts to write about LA teens, and manages to make them more fake than actual people from LA who do act fake a lot of times.

The queer narrative was only okay, but it again felt like a lot of soapboxing and telling to an audience as if they don't have some understanding. However, of course, every queer experience is different and we can't be all put into a box. Aside from that, we get a very lackluster murder mystery plot that attempts to be as twisty and confusing as a Knives Out plot, but fails in every attempt. There's lots of muddling clues that go no where, and then when they're put together at the very end, it barely makes any sense.

It's another feeling of a scooby doo murder mystery, except the masked culprit is actually the good person and we have all incompetents adults who can only rely on these teens, who are supposedly smarter and more intuitive and creative than them. Yet it takes a whole week to get rescued or get the plot going at all, cause apparently these teens don't know how to do anything but play on their phone. If i was stranded on an island or isolated plot of land because of a storm, I'd be spending ALL HOURS searching the house, hacking down doors that were locked, or scaling a cliff down, not spending half the time 'woe is me'-ing or chasing down crushes or again, blaming each other for no reason.

Multiple red herrings in this book pointing at everyone. But of course, except the protagonist, NEVER suspects their roommate. Their cyber rival/bully that happened to get booked last minute to this gig. That they never met before except on the uber ride to the house. No, that person that they have this 'enemies to lovers' vibe with, where even our protagonist thinks is being dicked around emotionally with half the book, clearly never ever could be a suspect.

But you know who is? One of their closest online friends that arrives half a day late to the gig and therefore is in the suspected time area of maybe doing a random murder. That girl? She's sussed out till the end, and our protagonist never actually tries to hang out with them, you know the one they've talked to every day online up until now? Until the end.

This book was so damned frustrating and pointless and boring. The actual bad guys were cartoon level of villainy and stupidity that conveniently only showed their hand at the end. I've read quite a few enemies or rivals to lovers books where there was no real qualities of either enemies/rivals but this one took the cake.

Second to worst book I read all year. One of the only saving graces, was some interesting views of autism that we don't see often, but it is from the perspective of an outsider. There were good lines about it that I've heard from other autistic friends (and my partner) have echoed in the past. I, having not been diagnosed with it, so as an outsider myself can't tell you if it's good rep or not. Seems like it, but not really worth reading this book to see.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this to review.

The cover for this book is gorgeous. A great ominous looking mansion with the backdrop of a seemingly LA landscape and sunset like colors. The cover feels more LA/California than the entire book. Great typesetting and so eye-catching. I'd want it as a poster (without the tagline or the author name on it).

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press who provided me with a copy of this title via NetGalley.

The summary for this title is what drew me in, and I've read a few other YA titles in the past with a similar premise, however this ended up falling short of expectations. Before I get into what I didn’t like, at the very least this book is not a difficult read. While I had other issues with the prose, it wasn’t because the author was trying to be experimental with their writing. It is generally easy and you don’t have to be familiar with the genre or know any murder/mystery terminology.

There are three primary things about this title that I didn't like. The choice of language, the relationship, and the mystery itself.

When I say language, I'm talking specifically of the author's decision to use certain terms and phrases. It caters to the current teenager, but is awkward enough that when young fans grow up, I think they'll cringe upon re-read. I saw another librarian's review in which they felt similarly about the language, but included the number of times they swore. I didn't have an issue in the same way - in fact the only time swearing got in the way was when it was randomly capitalized as if it was part of a proper noun. ie “Brahms the Fucking Boy”. Lastly, while we're on strange use of language, I know *what* the author is saying, but I don't understand why this way: “that was either a very quick female friendship or a fairly regular Lesbians.”

I could not get on board with this relationship at all. To start, the MC, Sam, is actually an asshole, and not in a likeable way. The first chapter starts by trying to paint them as an unfairly targeted victim of online harassment, which I would have sympathized with if the following chapters hadn't subsequently shown how retaliatory and mean they were. I'm not saying Dylan didn't also have asshole moments, but since the POV is exclusively Sam's, we only get their words. Their name calling. Their inability to “control their natural bitch reflex” as if that's an excuse. I could have potentially been okay with their so-called romance if they didn't go from fighting in a parking lot to making out while in mortal peril in less than six days and without any sort of real, honest conversation about the way they treated each other. Instead we get confessions of misunderstandings, a brief but humour intended convo about the spam bots they sicc'd on each other, and zero apologies.
“My feelings for Dylan are something I've fallen into gradually, naturally, and perhaps it's been the same way for him.”
Sorry, no, in the past 5 days you've called him a Peter Pan twink, Nightgown boy, milquetoast, only tolerable when he's unconscious, and considered designating him the group maid.

Finally, the mystery aspect of this was all over the place. Are teenagers good detectives? No, and I don't expect them to be. But I did expect them to be above the average teenager, given they're all supposed to be true crime content focused. As the story progressed, I felt that they were wildly off base in their theories and even said to my friend, who I was commiserating to, that I was waiting to be vindicated. Sam suspects everyone of the crime except Dylan because “they’re a light sleeper and he couldn’t possibly have sneaked past them to commit crime in the middle of the night” all while they’re still in the middle of their hate-on. They even suspect the only other one in the group whom they actually knew, and was their supposed best friend, but for the sake of the plot, the friendship was suddenly surface level and how could they possibly know enough to not suspect them of murder. After the attempt at a Leverage-type scene involving unlocking someone’s phone with face ID without them realizing it - a con I know the characters couldn’t have reasonably pulled off if not for the sake of plot, I was ready for the story to end. Little did I know how wild the ending chapters would get with a rapid turn into the absurd, involving a helicopter, guns, a booby-trap that magically got rearmed, and a reveal that was basically handed to everyone. It was rushed, but it was over.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

C.L. Montblanc’s “They Want Us Dead” is a sharp, fast-paced YA thriller that perfectly balances mystery, humor, and heart. Combining the tension of “And Then There Were None” with the modern chaos of social media culture, this book offers a clever, character-driven take on the classic “locked-room” whodunit, all while exploring identity, morality, and the darker side of true crime fandom.

The story follows seventeen-year-old Sam Tombs (they/them), a true-crime content creator determined to shed light on violence against LGBTQ+ teens. When Sam is invited to a networking event for other creators at a remote Victorian mansion, it seems like a dream opportunity until one of their fellow guests turns up dead. Cut off from the outside world, Sam is forced to team up with their rival Dylan to uncover the killer before the body count rises.

What follows is a tense, addictive combination of mystery and survival, with all the classic slasher energy but tailored for readers who prefer their horror smart, funny, and emotionally grounded. Montblanc crafts an atmosphere of paranoia and isolation that feels cinematic, while keeping the pace brisk and the dialogue razor-sharp. The banter between Sam and Dylan is a particular highlight, providing levity and emotional depth amid the chaos. Their reluctant partnership evolves naturally, and watching their relationship shift from animosity to reluctant trust (and maybe something more) is one of the book’s greatest strengths.

Beyond the suspense, “They Want Us Dead” asks meaningful questions about true crime ethics — how creators profit from tragedy, and where empathy ends and exploitation begins. It’s a surprisingly introspective thread that gives the story emotional weight without slowing its momentum.

Montblanc also deserves praise for inclusive and authentic representation. Sam’s nonbinary identity and the book’s broader queer and gender diversity are woven seamlessly into the story; it’s never tokenized or overly explained, simply part of who the characters are. This, combined with the witty narration and snappy pacing, makes the book feel both modern and refreshingly real.

If Montblanc’s debut “Pride or Die” hinted at their talent, “They Want Us Dead” confirms it. The writing is sharper, the mystery more complex, and the emotional beats hit harder. Some readers may wish for a touch more tension toward the end, but the satisfying twists, engaging cast, and addictive “just one more chapter” energy make it hard to put down.

Overall, “They Want Us Dead” is a stylish and inclusive YA thriller. With snappy dialogue, layered social commentary, and a cast you can’t help rooting for, this is the perfect pick for fans of YA thrillers

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight teen content creators who are interested in true crime are gathered in a spooky Victorian mansion for a kind of networking retreat. But they soon find themselves in the midst of a real investigation, as one of them is found dead on the first morning of the event. As the attacks continue, and they are cut off from the outside world by a landslide, it becomes clear that not everyone in the group can be trusted... Ironically, the only person who our narrator Sam is sure is not guilty is their online archnemesis Dylan, so the two need to declare a truce to stay alive and get to the truth.

This is a really nice read that needs to be approached with the correct expectations, though. I really liked the cute relationship dynamics between Sam and Dylan. Representation: amazing! Half of the cast is queer; the narrator is non-binary, and we don’t know in which direction they are transitioning, i.e. what body parts they have dysmorphia about, making that an ideal textual construct. Neurodivergence representation: at some point, a character admits to doing a thing (“don’t you/everyone do that?”) that leaves me wondering if they are ND-coded, and then, pages later, when they are ready to confide a bit more, they admit to having received an autism diagnosis a few weeks earlier and being in the stage of “oh, everything makes so much more sense now.” And that thing is not some random stereotypical feature, but something that actually works for the plot. So, I devoured this for the sake of the characters’ interactions and dynamics. The rollercoaster of self-esteem that the narrator is on is also pretty well written and makes it quite a relatable read.

At the same time, if you are looking for a strong mystery where all the details fit neatly into place, you might be disappointed. There were a few loose ends that leave readers wondering, “but why didn’t….” (I won’t list exactly what doesn’t click in the end, so as not to spoil the reading experience, but other reviews give some ideas.) I couldn’t really foresee the ending, but I am not sure whether it’s a good “I couldn’t,” meaning that the clues were complex, or a bad “I couldn’t,” meaning that there were not enough clues and the ending comes out of the blue. Most importantly, we never get an answer to the central mystery outside of the murder/thriller plot: Why on Earth were Sam and Dylan cyberbullying each other in the first place? I loved, though, how we gradually discover the unreliability of Sam’s POV on the history between the two, which depicts them as the sole victim: the bullying was very much mutual. Hopefully, that’s left for a sequel, though? Because despite the shortcomings, I am very much up for one.

Publication date: Apr 28, 2026.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an eARC through NetGalley. The opinion above is my own.

[Leah Kabotoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGallery for providing an ARC for this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.

They Want Us Dead is a decent mystery thriller, in the style of an Agatha Christie locked-room mystery; but it struggles to find its voice, and I was challenged by a lack of thorough consideration of the narrative. It relies too much on characters making foolish or non-sensical decisions. The narrative is plagued by characters making stupid decisions, implausible coincidences, and in general an overarching sense of Deus ex that makes every moment feel extremely unsatisfying. While yes, the cast is a bunch of teenagers and a certain level of naivete is to be expected, there is a way to write young characters realistically while still avoiding those major pitfalls in your narrative, and unfortunately, those release valves just weren't used. Even if it is intentional for these characters to just charge forward with their assumptions without interrogating them at all, as a reader, it was annoying and frustrating. In that regard, I think the choice of voice and perspective really hamstrings the narrative, because there is no way for the book to give the reader the necessary wink-and-nod to acknowledge how stupid these teens are. The necessary idiocy was painful to me by the time I was 4 chapters in and it plagues the rest of the book.

I think the author also struggles a lot with maintaining such a large cast of characters who are all doing their own things at various times. The timeline of the book doesn't feel cohesive: sometimes it feels like way too much has happened for it to be the same day, and then at other times, the timeline is so condensed that it feels jarring (one of my notes: "Whaaaaat is this timeline? They woke up...Sam goes to find Arya...they look for her for a bit, I guess...And now the group is dispersing for the night?!?!") It also feels distinctly like characters just don't exist until they are needed again. Certain characters would be simply Not Present for long stretches of time and it isn't remarked upon or noted; they just suddenly show up and flow right back into the story without anyone commenting on it.

When looking up the author I noted that their bio indicates they are an escape room enthusiast, and it shows in this book; unfortunately, not in positive ways. You really can't set up a murder mystery the same way you would an escape room. Cutesy little clues hidden around is so unrealistic, as is the way the characters engage with them, and it utterly removes all sense of realism the moment they pop up. The portrait is the most egregious one: why on earth would someone craft a portrait of themselves with an empty hand that looks like it should be holding a book, just for the sake of hiding a journal behind it?! This aspect of the book is also negatively impacted by challenges the author seems to have with establishing space and time. Things are described in ways that just don't make sense.

Lastly, I think the editor did the book a disservice. Besides structure and pacing issues, there are multiple instances in the book where the words and language used just aren't right for the situation or for the characters. When you're establishing your setting as an old Victorian house with peeling wallpaper and faulty wiring and a place that "looks like a coven of witches used to live here, dark magicians that peddled souls for gold coins or something", turning around and describing a newspaper article from 5 years ago as "old" is just plain misleading. Trying to make me believe that a teenager with the interests and persona our POV character has would somehow not know what a "curio" is is just rude. Dropping subtle, cutesy little hints as to characters' identities or cultures or even just quirks that never pay off is frustrating and distracting. (If your main character being Jewish isn't a plot point, you shouldn't still be dropping cutesy clues to that effect--without it ever coming up or being confirmed by the character in-narrative--43% of the way through your book.)

Regardless. Despite my issues with it, it was at the very least a diverting read. I wouldn't call it "good" but it was fun enough and quick paced enough to hold my interest, and not annoying enough for me to DNF it. It's easy and fast and I wouldn't tell anyone not to bother with it, but if it was someone used to a certain standard or quality of writing, I might give them a heads up about what to expect so they are at least braced for it.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sam Tombs is a gender neutral teen living at home with their parents. Sam has a true crime channel online that investigates crimes and disappearances of other marginalized youth. Sam is thrilled to be chosen as one of eight young true crime creators invited to a networking event by a group called Teens of True Crime. The event is held, predictably, in a large, isolated manor house outside of LA. When the car arrives to pick up Sam, they are horrified to discover the other passenger in the car is a creator known as AdventuresWithDyl who delights in spamming and antagonizing Sam. Things get even worse when they are assigned to share a room at the event. Things turn strange the first night when Sam wakes up to find someone in their room rummaging through their belongings. Soon, one of the eight is found dead at the bottom of a staircase -- an accident or something more sinister? Even more terrible things happen, and the group gets cut off from the outside world as the bridge connecting them to civilization gets destroyed in a storm (or perhaps by sabotage). The wifi also doesn't work, and before long, the water is also shut off. It's going to be nearly a week before anyone comes looking for them (when the event was supposed to end), so how many will survive until then?

The story has all the makings of a spooky "and then there were none" story for the modern age. Sam's depression and sadness at not being accepted is clearly a big part of the story. There were just a lot of other things that didn't make a lot of sense. The biggest, glaring example was the constant reference to the lack of water and how the little drinking water they had soon dwindled to nothing. There were several problems with this: it was mentioned that they had no water, then not referred to as at least a day went by, and they all ran around looking for clues about what was happening. Also, early on they stash the body in a walk-in cooler that is filled almost to capacity with various forms of liquor and wines. Yet after stashing the body there, it apparently never occurs to any of the dehydrated teens that they have plenty of liquid in the cooler. It's never mentioned again. The "investigation" was very tedious with everyone suspecting everyone else around and around with not much advance to the action. People were apparently aware that the teens were stranded for all those days and yet didn't try to come to their rescue until the originally appointed time? The final resolution was also a bit unclear, with the explanation not making a whole lot of sense.

I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.

[Tessa Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

One-word review: Entertaining
Emojis: 🔍🏚️💻
Rating: 3.5 ⭐

My thoughts:

This book had such a fun setup—true crime influencers, an eerie mansion, no Wi-Fi (honestly, the real horror), and a murder that turns content creators into suspects. It’s giving locked-room mystery with a very online twist, and I was immediately hooked by the premise alone.

The standout for me was Sam. Their voice felt authentic and grounded, and I really appreciated how their experience as a non-binary teen was woven naturally into the story. It added emotional depth without feeling forced in the quieter moments, and those introspective beats gave the story a little more weight beneath all the chaos.

I also loved how readable this was. The pacing initially moves fast, the writing is super accessible, and it’s the kind of book you can easily fly through in one sitting. The humor lands, the dialogue feels modern without trying too hard, and the group dynamic has that messy, slightly chaotic energy that works really well in a closed-circle mystery.

But… this is where things got a bit uneven for me.

The pacing starts to wobble in the second half, and the story introduces some heavier plot threads—especially around family and backstory—that never fully click into place. It felt like the book was trying to juggle a few too many ideas at once, and some of them didn’t quite land with the impact they were aiming for.

The romance was another mixed bag. I liked the idea of the enemies-to-allies dynamic between Sam and Dylan, but the emotional shift didn’t always feel earned. One minute there’s tension, the next there’s connection, and then suddenly we’re back to conflict again. It gave a slightly stop-start rhythm that made it hard to fully invest in them as a pair.

And the mystery itself? Solid, but not unforgettable. I was engaged while reading, but the final reveal felt a little rushed, like it slipped through your fingers just as it should have been tightening its grip.

That said, I did have a good time with this. It’s quick, it’s engaging, and it brings a fresh, Gen Z energy to the locked-room mystery format. It just needed a bit more cohesion to really hit that next level.

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy, quick read, and there was some fun to be had, but in many areas, it was underdeveloped. In the acknowledgements, the author said that this evolved from a romcom without a plot, and honestly, I can see it. The plot was weak. The mystery around the homeowner and his family felt a bit slapped together. In that conflict, neither side’s plans seemed well thought out (especially since they were the culmination of years of investigation/plotting). The reasoning for the teens’ total isolation in the house was contrived. The property happened to only have one, under-maintained and easily destroyed, access point, not just for vehicles, but for people, too, okay. And there was absolutely no cell service, sure. But also, none of the many people who were aware of these kids trapped up there managed to do anything to help them until there was an unauthorized helicopter and gunshots going off on the property? It became a bit much. Especially given their proximity to a major city. This wasn’t a cabin deep in the wilderness.

The tension never felt especially high either, despite the supposed stakes. There wasn’t much real distrust and fear within the group, and threats were sporadic. The issue of dehydration also sort of petered out. Rationing water seemed like a big deal until they were actually out, then it only impacted cosmetic details (descriptions of cracked lips and such), but again never raised tempers or fractured the group, nor impacted their ability to fight in that last confrontation.

I didn’t mind Sam and Dylan’s romance. It moved too fast for my tastes, which I suppose was a necessity if you wanted to fit the whole arc of their relationship into the limited time frame (personally, I would have preferred taking it slower and ending on a tentative beginning to romance, but that’s just me). Their fights and misunderstandings consistently ended in very smooth, very therapist-approved conversations, despite how very rockily their relationship started, which I had mixed feelings about. I do prefer when characters actually talk about their miscommunications instead of just stewing on it and that they don’t make interpersonal drama their big issue when people are getting murdered, but some of it felt too easy for real people — they miscommunicate at first, but in their reconciliations they say exactly what they need to say in the exact right way, their feelings don’t stay hurt or mixed. However, they did have some chemistry and moments of real connection.

Outside of the romance, there was not much going on with the side characters and Sam’s relationships to any of them.

[james · Rating 4 out of 5]

[thank you to netgalley and st. martin's press for providing the e-arc for honest review]

This novel involves a group of teens in the online true crime space being invited to a retreat in an old mansion in California, where one of them is found dead.

This novel was written with a fresh and enticing narrative voice that kept me engaged throughout the entire story. Despite dealing with some more serious themes, the tone tended towards being light-hearted which is perfect for the intended audience, and allows queer characters some happiness.

I appreciated that the protagonist Sam was fun and sarcastic while still dealing with depression, which made them a nuanced and relatable character. The nonbinary rep was great.

I also enjoyed Sam's love interest, Dylan, who was good autistic rep. Of their relationship, I loved their banter. There were so many times I laughed at both of their quips. Their enmity towards each other in the beginning was believable but not so serious that them being together would keep me thinking of how they wronged each other. Their relationship was well-developed.

I really loved the characters Arya and Jen specifically; all of the characters had unique personalities that worked perfectly in a murder mystery setting, though I do wish Sam and Arya spent a bit more time together as established close friends.

The novel also does not uncritically include true crime in the narrative, and I appreciated that there was discussion of its ethics included, allowing readers to form their own opinions.

While I think the mystery was compelling, the pacing of it seemed off to me, as too many clues and reveals were relegated to the very end.

Though I personally enjoyed the humour, there were a couple times I wondered if the targeted teen audience would appreciate the references and jokes.

Overall, I think this was a fun young adult murder mystery, especially for queer teens.
I'm looking forward to reading more from the author!

[Jamin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Y’all, I read a ton and this might be the biggest drop off between an author’s first and second books that I’ve ever seen. Wanna hear me bitch about it? Great! Here goes…

I really loved Montblanc’s first book “Pride or Die,” which I thought mixed comedy with murder mystery perfectly. So when I saw they had a new book coming out, I pre-ordered it.

Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. While I love the representation, I didn’t love how preachy this was. The tone is all over the place- is this a mystery, a broad comedy, a character study, a romance? While maybe some novels can pull all those categories off, this one did not.

My biggest positive? There are a few parts that are genuinely very funny. I actually laughed out loud at a bit involving a nightgown. Montblanc has a good sense of humor and can deliver the funny quite well at times.

My biggest criticism? I didn’t like the MC, who cycles through wild mood swings directed toward their love interest and never really shows any growth. “Ooh I hate him.” “Ooh I luh him.” “Ooh I hate him again.” The MC doesn’t see others as complex human beings and Dylan, the love interest, gets the worst of it.

The novel is written in first person- so we have a large cast of characters and none of them are developed (each one has a single identifying personality trait- except Jen, who stands out because she serves no purpose at all) beyond what the MC tells us, so it’s hard to care about finding out who the villain is.

As an aside- this book has a huge cast, it needed a far higher body count. Thin that herd, yo. Way too many of these boring ass 2-D characters are still alive for the finale.

I hope every person who reads this loves it so much more than I did, because I think queer YA matters. There’s nothing harmful or hateful or problematic here, so I really do hope this book finds its audience. It just wasn’t for me.

This is a 1.5 that I’m rounding up.

[♡ A ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Want Us Dead follows Sam, a content creator who wants to raise awareness of crimes against LGBTQ+ teens. They are invited to an event for teen true crime creators and it seems like the perfect opportunity to grow their channel. But it’s being hosted at an eerie Victorian mansion in the middle of nowhere. When the group is left stranded and one of them is killed their first night, Sam is forced to team up with Dylan, their internet nemesis, to find the killer before it’s too late.

I had a lot of fun with this one! I’m a sucker for any locked door kind of mystery/thriller and the setting in this was so good. The author did a great job at creating this really spooky and eerie Victorian mansion that felt so dangerous. It reminded me a bit of an Agatha Christie novel, which was really fun. The plot was well done and kept me engaged throughout reading. I did not guess who the killer was. I was so wrong. But the twist was really great!

I really enjoyed Sam. They’re a very snarky, clever character. Their perspective was really enjoyable to read from and I enjoyed how passionate they were about true crime and raising awareness for LGBTQ+ crimes. Their reactions felt very realistic and the feud with Dylan was so amusing. It felt like a very real teenager thought process. I also really enjoyed Dylan’s character. He had a lot of heart and the romance between Sam and Dylan was drawn out really well. The other characters were good too. Although I was too suspicious of them of to pick any favourites.

There's also a lot of great representation too and great conversations about identity.

Overall, if you’re looking for a good murder mystery set in a Victorian mansion with spooky vibes, I’d definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the arc!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ebook

📝 Short Summary

A group of true crime teen creators are invited to a creepy Victorian mansion, but when someone is murdered, the event turns into a real life mystery and no one can be trusted.

Review

This was such a fun and creepy read. You really cannot go wrong with a dark Victorian mansion setting, and this book leaned fully into that eerie atmosphere. From the moment they arrive, there is this uneasy feeling that something is off, and it builds in a way that kept me interested the whole time.

I loved the concept of true crime creators being brought together because it added a modern twist to a classic locked in a creepy house type of mystery. It made the story feel current but still gave those classic suspense vibes. Watching them go from talking about crime to actually being in the middle of one was really engaging.

The dynamic between Sam and Dylan was one of my favorite parts. That internet rivalry turning into a forced partnership worked well, and it added both tension and moments of humor. You could feel that push and pull between them, which made their interactions fun to read.

The mystery itself kept me guessing. There were enough twists and suspicious moments to keep things interesting without feeling too complicated. I liked that it moved at a steady pace and never really dragged, which made it an easy book to fly through.

Overall, this was a solid YA mystery with a great setting, an interesting concept, and characters that kept the story moving. If you love creepy houses, group secrets, and a good whodunit, this is definitely one to pick up.

✅ Would I Recommend It

Yes, especially if you enjoy YA thrillers with spooky settings, modern twists, and fast paced mysteries.

[MJ (minnowslibrary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

They Want Us Dead begins with Sam Tombs receiving an invitation to a Teens of True Crime event at a local Los Angeles manor. Sam is looking forward to the opportunity to meet some like-minded peers, especially their long-time online friend Arya, and grow their channel which shines a light on cases of many queer people who are missing or murdered but never given justice.

Unfortunately, Sam’s mortal enemy AdventuresWithDyl is also attending the ToTC event. Sam and Dylan have been feuding online for months, leaving hate comments, reporting each other’s accounts, signing each other up for absurd email lists… but Sam doesn’t even remember how or why this all began.

Once the teens get all introduced to each other and settled in at Roth Manor— and it’s revealed that Sam and Dylan are stuck rooming together— someone is murdered in the night.

CL Montblanc has the perfect voice for these witty mystery novels. I had so much fun reading They Want Us Dead and Pride or Die, they both made me laugh out loud AND lean into the book, eager to find out what is going to happen next. The twists and turns in this whodunnit had me on the edge of my seat, and the murders (plural!!) made my eyes grow three sizes. They Want Us Dead also has lovely queer and autism representation! Watching Sam and Dylan get to actually know each other made for the loveliest, yearningest slow burn. The commentary on true crime content and the morality around it was also quite nice, and I’m glad it was mentioned throughout the book! Watching this lovable cast of characters fight to survive and protect each other was delightful.

They Want Us Dead is out TOMORROW! April 28, 2026! Thank you to CL for gifting me an ARC, it is such a pleasure to be a fan and a friend :’) Can’t wait to read everything you write!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC given by NetGalley, all opinions are my own and freely given. Spoilers ahead.

"There is no 'good' or 'bad', only nuance."

In this book, we follow the narrative of a non-binary teenager, Sam Toombs, as they fall in love with their enemy and fellow content creator, Dylan Lawry. I don't often jump into "romance" per se, but I did enjoy this book for the most part.

The diversity of all the characters made for interesting plot points, as each character gets interrogated at some point in the book while they all face their potential looming death, but I especially appreciated the inclusion of neurodiverse and gender non-conforming characters.

I will say, Sam absolutely drove me nuts in many parts of the book. I found myself frequently annoyed with them as a character, but I think that was more the fact that they are an almost 18 year old who is very much written like an almost 18 year old. The constant back and forth of being annoyed/angry with Dylan while simultaneously falling in love with Dylan made me almost feel bad for Dylan. However, given Dylan's lack of understanding of certain social cues, I'm fairly certain it bothered me more than it ever bothered him.

I tend to gravitate towards mystery/thrillers, and whole I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, it definitely hit the mystery mark for me. It wasn't as predictable as I expected, and I ended up surprised several times. I do wish there would have been more information or even back story on the villain of the story, but given the ending of the book I understand why there wasn't. Now that I've finished it, I'm left somewhere between satisfied and wanting just a little bit more.

[Lauren Bayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fun take on the locked-room mystery, though it gets bogged down by some plot issues. The characters are real winners, especially the budding romance between Dylan and Sam. The humor is also top tier, with quips that made me snort-laugh. Montblanc writes in a very engaging way for the Gen Z/Gen Alpha audience.

Perhaps the biggest issue for me was the strained social commentary. One of the things that made Pride or Die, Montblanc's first book, a winner in my book was how it tackled topical issues in a realistic way without it distracting from the central mystery. There is still some social commentary in here, particularly about transphobia and ableism against neurodiverse people, but the way it is written ends up feeling like an aside rather than a part of the story. When there are the scenes about social issues, they are written in a stilted manner, almost "very special episode" esque. The best aspects of social commentary come in the smaller asides, like Dylan's nightgown. This book is important for representation, but not when it distracts from some of the common beats a thriller needs to hit. Example of that: The final villain confrontation gets swept away far too quickly - we don't even get a villain monologue! I will also say that the title itself doesn't really relate, though I'm sure that is on the publisher and not the author.

High school librarians, I still think this should be on the shelves, but maybe not with a shelf talker, if that makes sense? It's solid, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Heidi Lengenfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wastes zero time pulling you into the chaos—and then it just keeps tightening the screws. They Want Us Dead blends the addictive energy of true crime obsession with a locked-room mystery that feels unsettlingly modern.

Sam Tombs is such a compelling narrator—driven, sharp, and deeply rooted in something real: the need to amplify voices that are often ignored. Their passion for highlighting crimes against LGBTQ+ teens gives the story emotional weight beyond the typical “teens in danger” thriller. It’s not just about survival—it’s about truth, visibility, and who gets remembered.

The setup is instantly gripping: a group of young true crime creators trapped in a creepy Victorian mansion? It practically dares you not to binge it. But what makes it stand out is the tension between the characters—especially Sam and Dylan. Their enemies-to-reluctant-allies dynamic adds humor, bite, and just enough vulnerability to keep you invested between the twists.

And the twists? Sharp. Suspicious. Constant. Every character feels like they could be hiding something, and the story leans hard into that paranoia. You’re not just trying to figure out the killer—you’re questioning everyone, including the people you want to trust.

There’s also an underlying commentary about online culture, performative activism, and the ethics of turning tragedy into content, which adds another layer to the suspense. It makes you think while still delivering that edge-of-your-seat pacing.

Overall, it’s eerie, fast, and socially aware—a YA thriller that actually has something to say while keeping your heart racing.