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Better off Dead
Not yet published
Expected 5 Mar 26
Just how many deaths does it take to close a holiday park?
All Lacy wants is to escape to Paris and be with her older sister. But she needs to make some money first, so she takes a summer job at a caravan park in North Wales.
When one of the guests is brutally murdered, rumours start to swirl about the park being haunted. There are sightings of a mysterious figure walking along the clifftops at night and Lacy can’t shake off the feeling that she’s being watched. Could there be some truth to the stories? And can she discover who – or what – the killer is before she becomes the next victim?
All Lacy wants is to escape to Paris and be with her older sister. But she needs to make some money first, so she takes a summer job at a caravan park in North Wales.
When one of the guests is brutally murdered, rumours start to swirl about the park being haunted. There are sightings of a mysterious figure walking along the clifftops at night and Lacy can’t shake off the feeling that she’s being watched. Could there be some truth to the stories? And can she discover who – or what – the killer is before she becomes the next victim?
- GenresYoung Adult
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 5, 2026
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Tess James-Mackey
5 books34 followersAfter growing up in rural Shropshire, Tess set out to explore the world and find her place in it. She quickly rushed straight back to Shrewsbury when she realised she'd been where she belonged from the start. She now lives in a quiet suburb with a noisy partner and daughter, two extremely noisy cats, and a less noisy tortoise.
She spent years mucking out and getting trampled on by horses, before finally deciding she might prefer a less precarious office job. Between analysing insurance risk, she writes teens into terrifying situations inspired by her lived experiences.
When she's not allowing her mind to wander to dark and twisty places, she pursues more wholesome activities, like growing mediocre vegetables in her garden, camping with her daughter, and even riding the odd horse.
She spent years mucking out and getting trampled on by horses, before finally deciding she might prefer a less precarious office job. Between analysing insurance risk, she writes teens into terrifying situations inspired by her lived experiences.
When she's not allowing her mind to wander to dark and twisty places, she pursues more wholesome activities, like growing mediocre vegetables in her garden, camping with her daughter, and even riding the odd horse.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 12, 2025
*I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I'm not usually a fan of anything scary, but this book sounded so intriguing I just couldn't resist requesting for an ARC. I'm so glad I did because I was so invested, this book had me in a chokehold with the mix of a murder mystery slash paranormal mystery- we truly get the best of both worlds in this book, and ironically they're unrelated, but happen to the poor main character Lacey anyway.
I basked in the setting of a rundown Welsh holiday park, it had all the eerie elements, felt rough around the edges, and each character we meet has such an interesting and different personality. Each interaction felt so genuine, from the arguments and rising tensions, to the friendships and slight hint of a romance.
Lacey was a great main character, she's flawed but gradually learns to accept herself for who she is, not who her older sister Winter was trying to force her to be. Being from a working class family in a not so reputable county, I completely understood Lacey's judgememts and self-doubts, along with her journey of wanting more for herself and striving to break free of the stereotypes, to then accepting her roots and the small yet meaningful quirks she has, plus realising just how great her family actually is.
I do admit, one of the major twists (the paranormal one) I guessed halfway through the book, but the other one (check TW's before reading) I didn't, and I was shocked and both disgusted and shook on everyone's behalf. I did feel like the paranormal stuff was a bit thrown in there and random, especially as it's not directly related to the story, but nonetheless added to the creep factor.
The ending wraps up well, leaving off with a hint for a possible sequel, with most questions answered. Despite being YA, I really enjoyed this book, it's perfect for keeping it spooky on a dreary day, just don't look out of the window!
4/5 🌟
I'm not usually a fan of anything scary, but this book sounded so intriguing I just couldn't resist requesting for an ARC. I'm so glad I did because I was so invested, this book had me in a chokehold with the mix of a murder mystery slash paranormal mystery- we truly get the best of both worlds in this book, and ironically they're unrelated, but happen to the poor main character Lacey anyway.
I basked in the setting of a rundown Welsh holiday park, it had all the eerie elements, felt rough around the edges, and each character we meet has such an interesting and different personality. Each interaction felt so genuine, from the arguments and rising tensions, to the friendships and slight hint of a romance.
Lacey was a great main character, she's flawed but gradually learns to accept herself for who she is, not who her older sister Winter was trying to force her to be. Being from a working class family in a not so reputable county, I completely understood Lacey's judgememts and self-doubts, along with her journey of wanting more for herself and striving to break free of the stereotypes, to then accepting her roots and the small yet meaningful quirks she has, plus realising just how great her family actually is.
I do admit, one of the major twists (the paranormal one) I guessed halfway through the book, but the other one (check TW's before reading) I didn't, and I was shocked and both disgusted and shook on everyone's behalf. I did feel like the paranormal stuff was a bit thrown in there and random, especially as it's not directly related to the story, but nonetheless added to the creep factor.
The ending wraps up well, leaving off with a hint for a possible sequel, with most questions answered. Despite being YA, I really enjoyed this book, it's perfect for keeping it spooky on a dreary day, just don't look out of the window!
4/5 🌟
November 20, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I had to stop reading a couple of times due to having things to do but I couldn't wait to get into it again. I did predict part of the ending but not fully how it turned out. I will definitely be checking out more books by this author.
Thanks again to Netgalley for allowing me to read this.
Thanks again to Netgalley for allowing me to read this.
November 20, 2025
Another winner YA thriller from Tess James-Mackey. Her ominous and original settings are like characters in their own right and never fail to set the scene in the most sinister way - this time, our girl Lacy is trapped in a haunted caravan park and has barely unpacked her bags before the murders begin.
Better Off Dead is pacy, atmospheric and brilliantly creepy with twists and turns which will keep you guessing right up to the very last page.
Better Off Dead is pacy, atmospheric and brilliantly creepy with twists and turns which will keep you guessing right up to the very last page.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews