Hot Girl Murder Club

by Ashley Winstead

From national bestselling author Ashley Winstead comes a buzzy, bloody new thriller about success, sisterhood, and demanding justice…by any means necessary.

What’s a girl got to do to get some fame, a few million record sales, and justice for murder?

Ten years ago, aspiring singer-actress Scout Sage lost the only thing that her sister, Georgia. Ever since Georgia’s mysterious death at a Hollywood party, Scout’s done her best to honor her memory, clawing her way through the industry and collecting a network of climbers along the way, fellow hot girls in stilettos with cutthroat ambition, a new Hollywood order.

But when a slew of targeted murders makes headlines across L.A., all pointing to Scout as the killer, she turns overnight from a mid-tier pop star into the world’s most famous (alleged) murderer. Now everything she’s worked to build—including the justice she wants for Georgia—will fall apart unless Scout can prove she’s not guilty.

Meanwhile, the young and unusual detective assigned to her case, herself no stranger to tragedy, begins to unearth secrets not even Scout knows, let alone her millions of new fans. Particularly about the ways Georgia’s death connects to an even older pattern of crimes long hushed over in Hollywood—an old reign of terror that, if brought to light, could be the fuel that ignites a reckoning the world over.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Adult, Fiction, Suspense, Horror Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Ashley Winstead's bestselling, critically-acclaimed books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for television, named Book of the Month, Indie Next, Library Read, Loan Star, and Amazon Editor picks, and covered everywhere from the New York Times to People magazine. She's a former academic who lives in Houston with her husband, three cats, and beloved wine fridge.

Reviews

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buddy read with the As!

Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.

[Laura Lovesreading]

In my dreams I hold a knife is still one of my ultimate fave reads!
The blurb sounds soo juicy
Hurry up release day!!!!!!!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book at least two hours ago and I’m still stunned into silence by it. Actually, silence is the wrong word. I’m outraged by the fact that this book of fiction is actually what our world is right now. I don’t want to spoil anything, but Ashley Winstead wrote an incredible ripped-from-the-headlines book. Literally headlines from this week. I admire women like Ashley who let their voices be heard to help other women. This book was horrible in the best way - you’ll understand when you read it.

Dare I say Hot Girl Murder Club is exactly what we’re missing at this point in time? I could feel Ashley’s seething rage. Then on the other side, it’s a story about sisterhood and how important that is. A beautiful nod to her own sister.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this explosive arc!

[_blondebooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 - 4.25 ⭐
I am LOVING the ambition of this Hollywood thriller! 🎤🔪

I was so excited to get my hands on an eARC of Hot Girl Murder Club ! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Winstead, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for the early access in exchange for my honest review. 💖✨

Ashley Winstead is easily one of my favorite authors and her writing is always TOP-TIER. She is extremely intelligent and it really shows in the way she constructs a story! 🧠✍️

This book follows Scout Sage, a pop star whose world is turned upside down when she’s framed for a string of murders that might actually link back to her sister’s death years ago. It’s a cutthroat look at Hollywood, fame, and a sister’s quest for justice. 🎬💄

What I Loved:
The multiple POV was handled so well! I loved how the chapters weren't just names but focused on their careers and how the story affected each one differently. It kept me on my toes! And even though there was A LOT going on, Ashley tied it all up in a PERFECT, NEAT BOW by the end. 🎀👏

My Thoughts:
I really liked it, but there was definitely a lot to keep track of! It was a bit more political than I usually want for a thriller. 🏛️📈 Thrillers are usually my "brain break" from heavy fantasy world-building, and this one had almost TOO MUCH substance for a quick palette cleanser. It’s deep and complex, which is great, but it required some heavy lifting to follow all the threads! 🤯🔍

Final Verdict:
I enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to my audience! 📣✨ I think it will hit especially hard for readers who focus SOLELY on the thriller genre as their main choice. It’s a smart, ambitious story about what it takes to get justice in a world of stilettos and secrets. 👠💄🚨

[Nenia Campbell]

Please god, all I want is an ARC of this book

[Liza (LitLifewithLiza) Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley doesn't sugarcoat her thrillers, honest and raw, Hot Girl Murder Club holds up a mirror to the horrors that we're living in and says: what if we did something about it. The monsters aren't under your bed; they're leading your country, smiling on TV, and signing your paycheck.

I'm not going to lie, reading this book was difficult at times. I had to step away, consume some light-hearted content, and return because the truths that Ashley brings to the surface in this book are ugly, but they need to be heard and not silenced.

Common themes in Ashley's books that I love: giving a voice to the voiceless and the power of female friendship and family. HGMC is no different and stays true to the roots that add an emotional layer and depth to the story as we progress through and form bonds with these women.

A few of the strong women we meet:

Grey, our independent and headstrong detective who will go the ends of the earth for her sister and rediscovers what justice can look like.

Scout, the fearless leader who knows no bounds when it comes to protecting her found family.

And sprinkled in you'll meet other women, lifted up and empowered by our fmcs.

I will admit that I was confused at times with the back and forth between POVs and timelines. I would have loved more time spent with Grey vs the side characters who's stories I could've seen through Scouts pov.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC. Pub day: 7/14/26

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in awe of how Ashley wrote the exact book we all need right now. The rage, the friendships, the frustration, and the need to do something to change it. This was heavy, real, and absolutely brilliant.

Scout and Izzy are best friends that are fueled by tragedy but with bodies stacking up and Scout’s song lyrics at each crime scene how far have they gone to get justice?

I loved this book - the sisterhood and the we are better together mentality. Also, the ending gave it that extra star for me. It was a deeply satisfying conclusion to this emotionally charged story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this point my only comment is: Winstead writes fearlessly and amazingly as if the book were almost non-fiction in an Epstein/Maxwell/...... world. Or today. Why is it the rich, powerful and politically connected get away with murder?

Not my question, the book's. Kind of. 🙃

I was provided an ARC for an an honest review of this book. My opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

[Trisha]

this author does GREAT mysteries! July release, can't wait to read it!

[Jen W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wild tale of murder, cover-ups and women stepping in and stepping up to help other women.

Scout Sage and her best friend Izabel are looking for fame and fortune in Hollywood. A party leads to the death of Scout's baby sister, Georgia. Ten years later, the Hollywood rumor is that Scout and a group of women, known as the Hot Girl Murder Club, may be responsible for several murders.

Grey Holloway is a police officer trying to unravel her own sister's disappearance while also working on Scout's case.

This story is about supporting women's rights as well as their wrongs. It is a fun thriller where everyone has something to hide.

The book is told in multiple timelines and from multiple POVs. There are quite a few POVs, so you have to really focus on the chapter heading. I think this all came together really well. Even though you know some things going on are not on the legal side, you still feel it is right. Some of these very topics can be heard on the news every day.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Deanna Rodriguez (Cook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I had an excellent time reading this one! I love Ashley Winstead’s thrillers so MUCH! This one had SO MUCH going on with so many important themes and real unrest that’s going on now driving this story. I truly enjoyed all the characters and the roles they played and the twists they created! This book is an absolute binge read and DEFINITELY a bangerrrr! I am so grateful that I got to read it early and I can’t wait for everyone else to love it!

[Angelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

Prepare to be wowed by this whip smart mystery. It’s full of feminine rage, ethical relativism, justice, complex emotions, and layers of intrigue. Don’t go into thinking it’s a popcorn thriller. This book will demand full attention and focus, and it absolutely deserves it.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Girl Murder Club
By: Ashley Winstead
Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Publisher: Minotaur Books

I always win the book lottery when I get accepted for books by Ashley. Her books in any genre she writes are ones I can’t wait to devour. Isn’t this cover TO DIE for!

For ten years, Scott Sage has been mourning her sister’s death. Georgia death at a party in Hollywood has put the light on the “not so hot area of an industry”.

Scout is now working her way in Hollywood trying to honor her memory. It’s a “cutthroat” business and lots of people will step over others to get to the top.

When murders start happening again, it is looking like Scout might be involved. How can she clear her name? She quickly learns who believes her and who turns on her.

Another FABULOUS book by Winstead. Get ready to add HOT GIRL MURDER CLUB to your shelf and devour once the book arrives.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley Winstead delivers a razor-edged thriller that feels like a neon-soaked noir fever dream—except this time, the antiheroes wear stilettos and red lipstick. Hot Girl Murder Club reads like a dark Hollywood screenplay shot in black and white, all sharp shadows and sharper women, where ambition is currency and justice comes dressed for revenge.

From the very first chapter, I felt like I’d stepped onto a glittering stage hiding something rotten beneath it. The story moves between past and present, peeling back layers of memory and motive with deliberate precision. Each shift in timeline reveals another crack in the glossy façade of fame, exposing the cost of chasing stardom in an industry that protects power at all costs.

At the center is Scout Sage—a woman shaped by tragedy and fueled by it. Ten years earlier, she attended an exclusive Hollywood party alongside her sister Georgia, her best friend Izzy, and the circle of dreamers orbiting them. That night altered everything. What began as a hopeful step toward success became the dividing line between who Scout was and who she would become. Reinvention followed: from aspiring actress to chart-climbing pop star, clawing her way upward in a world that rewards image over truth.

Now, a series of calculated murders has rocked Los Angeles. The victims? Men with reputations stained by whispered accusations and buried scandals. At each crime scene, lyrics from Scout’s songs appear like taunts written in blood. Overnight, she transforms from celebrity to suspected executioner. Fame becomes a weapon turned against her, and public adoration morphs into spectacle.

What makes this novel so compelling is its refusal to hand readers easy answers. Is this revenge? Reckoning? Manipulation? The moral lines blur beautifully. The idea of vigilante justice pulses through the narrative, raising uncomfortable questions about complicity, silence, and how long harm can hide behind money and influence.

Then there’s Detective Grey Holloway—dismissed by some, underestimated by many, but far sharper than anyone expects. Balancing personal demons and a side job that invites judgment, she is determined to untangle a web that stretches far beyond one pop star. As she digs deeper, long-buried secrets begin to surface, threatening careers, empires, and carefully constructed identities. Her pursuit of truth adds a procedural intensity that grounds the glamour in something raw and dangerous.

The friendships at the heart of this story are equally fascinating. Loyalty bends under pressure. Sisterhood becomes both shield and battleground. These women protect one another fiercely—yet they also carry secrets capable of destruction. The emotional complexity elevates the novel beyond a traditional thriller; it becomes an exploration of ambition, grief, survival, and the price of staying silent.

Yes, the book is intricate and layered, occasionally demanding close attention as perspectives and timelines intertwine—but that complexity mirrors the tangled world it portrays. The twists land with impact, some subtle and others explosive, and the psychological tension never loosens its grip. Every revelation feels like another spotlight snapping on in a darkened room.

Ultimately, this is a bold, provocative, and psychologically charged read. It captures Hollywood’s glittering surface while fearlessly examining the ugliness hidden behind closed doors. It’s gripping, cinematic, and unapologetically fierce—another unforgettable entry in Ashley Winstead’s lineup of daring women-centered stories.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for sharing this noir-styled, gripping psychological women’s thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts.

medium blog
instagram
facebook

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝, 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧. 𝐖𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬."

What happens when Hollywood decides you’re the villain before you even get a chance to grieve? This is the kind of book that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go, equal parts glamorous with fury bubbling beneath the glittery surface. Ten years ago, Scout Sage lost her sister Georgia after a mysterious death at a Hollywood party, and everything Scout has done since has been shaped by that absence. She’s clawed her way up through an industry built on image and control, surrounding herself with other ambitious “hot girls” who know exactly what it takes to survive. But when a string of murders in LA suddenly frames Scout as the killer, her life flips overnight from rising pop star to public enemy, and the truth about Georgia becomes more urgent than ever.

What I loved most is how this story isn’t just a thriller, it’s a reckoning that unfolds across dual timelines, digging into power and gender roles with a sharp, furious edge, exposing how women are watched, consumed, controlled, then blamed for the violence around them. As Scout fights to clear her name in the present, the past seeps in through memories of Georgia and the night everything changed, reminding you how long women are expected to carry their trauma quietly. Detective Grey Holloway, tasked with unraveling the case, becomes a fascinating counterpoint to Scout, bringing her own complicated history and quiet intensity into the mix. Watching Grey peel back layers of lies, power, and silence adds depth to the narrative and underscores how deeply gendered control is baked into every corner of this world.

And underneath the murder mystery is something even darker: the origins of evil, the way systems protect monsters, and what happens when women finally decide they’ve had enough. This book has that burn-it-all-down energy, like it’s daring you to look at the patriarchy’s shiny surface and see what’s rotting underneath. The sisterhood at the center of this book feels complicated and real, not sentimental, and it adds such an emotional weight beneath all the chaos. By the end, it feels less like closing a case and more like striking a match. Furious, addictive, and deeply satisfying. Another winner from this versatile, wildly talented author. Many thanks to Minotaur Books/St. Martins Press for my early copy that will publish July 14, 2026.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all started at a Hollywood party ten years ago, before Scout Sage became a superstar, when she and her sister, Georgia, were determined to be seen and hired by the LA elite. Young, idealistic, and unaware of the predatory nature of the men they surrounded themselves with in the name of making connections, they hadn’t seen the dangerous situation they were in, and couldn’t have predicted Georgia’s murder. Fast forward to the present day, Scout feels Georgia’s murder was never properly avenged, despite the attempt at vigilante justice leveled by her and her best friend, Iz, who now serves as her personal assistant.

Enter “Detective Barbie,” the spitting image of an opening murder victim, which may or may not be a coincidence. Like Georgia, the detective is all too familiar with personal loss, her own sister having been last seen at a club where the detective now works, unofficially undercover, in an attempt to uncover her missing sister’s whereabouts. One might think that this aligns Scout and the detective, but there are rumors of a Hot Girl Murder Club, with Scout Sage at its center, that pits them against one another as rivals.

The Hot Girl Murder Club serves as a timely reminder of what it means to be female in a male-controlled industry in the wake of recent Hollywood accusations regarding the mistreatment of women by those who run businesses rife with fierce competition. Twisty and with a strong political message, the novel leaves me pondering the impact of street justice when law enforcement fails to support victims and their families in the wake of tragedy. Do two wrongs make a right? I don’t think so, which leaves me conflicted about Scout Sage as a character. Despite her noble cause of avenging Georgia, and the detective’s motivations to solve her sister’s disappearance at all costs, is murder a viable alternative to reform? Who dies? Who kills? Is the Hot Girl Murder Club a thing? And should it have to be, with so much evidence of wrongdoing by the wealthy elite? I recommend this novel for fans of revenge tales, complicated murder mysteries spanning decades, and those who enjoy police procedural novels told from multiple points of view. Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Winstead, and Minotaur Books for an ARC of this novel set to release on July 14, 2026.

[Kimberly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

The bonds of sisterhood are undeniable, unbreakable, and sometimes terrifying. The Hot Girls Murder Club is a story of sisters, whether by birth or by circumstance. For fans of a “good for her” narrative, this book delivers in a big way. Taking queues from modern day, the story of our main characters, pop star Scout Sage and homicide detective Grey Holloway, each on their own mission to find out what happened to their sisters. For Scout, she knows her younger sister Georgia was murdered ten years ago at a high-profile Christmas party, but no suspect was ever charged. For Grey, her older sister Alice disappeared 12 years ago, after work one night as a bottle girl at the Serpent Club, and was never found. Grey has dedicated her life to finding out what happened to Alice.

This is a fast-paced thriller that revolves around celebrity culture in Los Angeles. The characters are fun and engaging with a bit of edge. Their stories are relatable and take place in modern time with the backdrop of MeToo, abuse of power, and sexual scandals involving high-profile, powerful men who seem to continually escape accountability or consequences. This is not heavy-handed, by which I would say there are no specific references to actual political or celebrity scandals currently in the news, and no specific political leanings were stated. However, I admit that I allowed my own filters into the narrative as I was reading, which made for an even better experience in the end.

Author Ashley Winstead has yet to disappoint me. I have loved every book of hers that I‘ve read and this is no exception. This is a fast read and I would definitely recommend this to fans of her prior works, readers who love a “good for her” trope, and anyone looking for a great thriller to take poolside.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

What a freaking ride of a novel, from the start you are given bits and pieces of a larger plot that you are almost playing detective to try to piece together.

You are dropped into a timeline of the not so glamorous lives of two childhood friends, and you see through their very young adult eyes how unfortunate it is to be an up and coming actresses. How normal it is to put yourself into situations that seem sketchy to try to rub elbows with people who could get your name in lights. A crime occurs, justice is not found because Hollywood and these young women start a sisterhood of finding other women who are going through the same thing and trying to survive.

This story is one that has many layers, many characters and many different timelines which in any other case would stress me out but this one, it was just so well put together that it had me absolutely hooked. Hollywood is its own main character in this story because it is always in the background, a reason for many of these characters to be where they are and the defense of some twisted individuals.

I really appreciate the authors way of twisting the actual horrors of unjust and downright disturbing things that happen to young women in Hollywood, the tension of the current political climate and giving grace to young women who are defined by what happens to them by the media and fellow humans. There is a lot of dark in this one but there is also so much heart in the story as well. The ending blew me away, it definitely was not something I saw but it tied everything together and made the whole story even more meaningful. Definitely check your triggers before reading this one as it is dark but it is a great story from start to finish.

[Kelsey Einhaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
*I gratefully received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity!*

Hot girls breaking glass ceilings and expectations? A murder mystery set in Hollywood? A shining light on the complexity of sisterhood? Here for it.

People are probably sick of me endlessly saying this, but ASHLEY DID IT AGAIN. She is truly one of the most talented writers of our generation, and I am continuously awed by how every book she writes is wildly different and unique from the previous while maintaining the incredibly high quality writing that we’ve all come to expect from her.

Art mimics life, and that is certainly reflected in this book. It’s incredibly well timed to comment on the pervasive ability of the wealthy elite to coverup crime, and gives a hopeful catharsis to us watching the mirroring reality unfold in real time. The characters are morally gray but likable, the relationships intense and meaningful, and the principles clear. It is a feminist dream as well as a comforting hug during what is a weird time here in the US.

I do think this book had a few loose ends/unanswered questions at the end. The reader can certainly piece together what likely happened, but I am someone who really likes to have every detail by the end. None of those details are groundbreaking, but I do wish those blanks were definitively filled in!

This is one, like several of Ashley’s others, that I will certainly return to. It is salacious, fun, juicy, with some unexpectedly heartwarming depth. Impressed by Ashley’s creativity and talent as per usual! She continues to be a clear auto-read and I can’t wait to see what direction she’ll go in next.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of attractive semi-celebrities is rumored to be taking matters into their own hands when it comes to punishing those who’ve done them wrong. Unsurprisingly, mostly men. Most people dismiss the gossip because they don’t believe the women are capable of the type of violence and revenge being doled out, which is, of course, what the women are counting on. Only one very determined detective believes they are guilty, and she will do whatever it takes to prove it.

If you relate to the women and agree with their cause, you’ll love this book. If not, you probably won’t. I found myself ambivalent, mostly because I found Scout’s character to be irritating and obnoxious. She’s described as one of those incredibly charismatic and amazing people who do nothing to earn such a description. Literally, she’s not the most attractive or intelligent or most ‘anything,’ but yet everyone fawns all over her all the time. It just really grated on my nerves. And the perpetrators were obvious to me from the start, yet these characters had no clue, and look what happened.

And the whole revenge aspect… I don’t know. I’ve complained about similar stories where women justify their violence by proclaiming there’s no other way, the system always lets them down, etc. This one’s really no different. If you’re really a ‘strong woman,’ then you wouldn’t have to resort to breaking the law to get justice. And I bet no one agrees with me, and yet, unlike the women in this story, I don’t care. I’ve never cared about being liked or admired, nor have I ever feared speaking up because of the consequences. To me, that’s strength. These ‘feminist’ characters should take notice.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for the free advanced reading copy of this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

This was my first read by Ashley Winstead and I enjoyed it! I am not typically a thriller reader so this was a new space for me, but overall I enjoyed it.

The vibes are "Bling Ring" meets "Vigilante Sh*t." This book is more than just a mystery thriller... It is a raw look at the challenges that many women face in society today. It is a window to the internal questions that are nearly impossible to answer, especially when it's frowned upon to ask the question in the first place...
How do you stop something when those in power refuse to acknowledge it's even happening?
How do you know who is truly loyal to you until there is pressure is on?
How blurred is the line when it comes to getting revenge and getting justice?
It's an intense look at how women are expected to exist in a society where what is right is not always what is done.

Overall the pacing was good--I struggled in the beginning with the time and storyline jumps... I knew they would connect at some point, but it took me a while to understand the need for the "back in time" scenes. The characters were definitely intriguing. Grey was a great lead for this story... there are so many personal journeys she takes as she investigates and learns more about the murders. She is a great juxtaposition to Scout, who brings her own complexities into the mix. Although they are very different as characters, they each experience intense moments where the line between right and wrong is blurred.... Something that too many women today experience. It's a reminder that shared trauma and experiences tend to be the links that bind us... no matter how different our stories are.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and provide feedback on this story.

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 2 out of 5]

read if you like:
📍 Hollywood
🙋‍♀️ female protagonists
👩‍❤️‍👨 multiple POV’s

summary:
I LOVED IN MY DREAMS I HOLD A KNIFE and wanted to check out Ashley Winstead’s latest book, HOT GIRL MURDER CLUB. This one is a female-driven thriller, focused on Scout Sage, an aspiring actress and Hollywood star whose life was changed forever when her sister, Georgia, was murdered at a party ten years ago. Now, Scout finds herself the main suspect in a string of brutal murders in Los Angeles — seemingly linked to men with shady pasts. As detectives close in on the crimes, Scout fights to clear her name and uncover the truth of what happened to her sister.

This alternates POV’s between various characters and various timelines — the detective, the model, the journalist, and a few others. There is a LOT going on — you have to keep track of multiple storylines during multiple eras, which is a little confusing and hard to follow. With this many side plots, nothing feels like you get to dig in deep, and as a result, I didn’t really feel attached to any one character or story. On the plus side, the female characters are strong, and the sisterhood whether by blood or by choice is motivating, positive and emotional. I wish I felt more connected to them though, as it would have made all of the plot twists more gripping and meaningful.

It is a thriller with more depth than your average story, but to me, it felt short by trying to do too much. If you like a strong female protagonist though, it’s worth checking out when it releases on July 14!

[Brittany Trenker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley Winstead can do no wrong…I’m officially a forever fan. Hot Girl Murder Club is razor-sharp, propulsive, and slightly addictive.

This book is equal parts thrilling and character-driven, and the character development is truly standout in my opinion. Winstead writes people the way people feel, messy, motivated, defensive, tender, and that emotional depth makes every reveal hit harder. The multiple POVs are a major strength here. I felt like each perspective added a new layer, and watching the threads tighten until everything clicks together is unbelievably satisfying (iykyk - chefs kiss). I loved how every voice felt distinct and purposeful, no filler, no wasted scenes.

The pacing is excellent! The tension keeps building without ever dragging, and the suspense is layered with mini-twists that made it impossible to put down. I thought I had the ending pegged at a few points, and yes, I guessed some of it, but I didn’t guess all of it, and the parts I missed were executed so perfectly that the payoff felt earned rather than gimmicky. It’s the kind of twisty story that still manages to stick the landing emotionally.

If you like smart, sharp thrillers with strong character work, an addictive structure, and a finish that delivers, put this at the top of your list. I’ll read anything she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, Minotaur Books and Ashley Winstead for the eARC of Hot Girl Murder Club in exchange for an honest review. Pub date is 14 July 26, do yourself a favor and add it to your calendar, pre-order, whatever, just grab it.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Girl Murder Club feels eerily timely, almost as if it were written in response to this week’s headlines, even though it clearly was not. It dives into Hollywood, power, the price of ambition, and what women have suffered at the hands of both men and other women. It also doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truth that so much harm persists because of the silent witnesses who choose not to speak up.

This is a dark, gritty thriller with sharp, genuinely surprising plot twists that kept me guessing. At its core, it is also a story about female friendship and loyalty, about how women protect each other, fail each other, and sometimes become the only safe place in an unsafe world. The characters felt layered and real, and the writing itself was consistently strong and immersive.

The pacing worked well overall, and I appreciated the shifting perspectives and timelines, even if the back and forth occasionally became a little confusing. Toward the end, the story stretches into slightly far-fetched territory, but it does so in a way that still feels gripping rather than distracting. I also liked that it ended with a bit of a cliffhanger.

What stayed with me most is the moral tension at the center of the story. Sometimes an eye for an eye feels like justice, but sometimes it is the very thing that keeps you trapped in your past trauma. This is a provocative, unsettling, and highly relevant thriller that lingers long after the final page.

[Amanda Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Hot Girl Murder Club pulled me in fast, and once I hit the halfway mark, it got even juicier. The story feels ripped straight from today’s headlines, with powerful Hollywood men, silenced women, and what happens when that silence finally breaks. It’s heavy subject matter, but somehow still wildly entertaining. There’s rage here, but it feels focused. Reading about these fictional women pushing back against patriarchy, billionaire egos, and blatant abuse of power was honestly empowering.

I really loved the sisterhood at the center of it all. The found-family dynamic gave the story so much warmth and made the MCs’ actions feel understandable, which made the revenge elements land even harder. Scout is deeply morally gray, and I loved that we get close enough to understand why she makes the choices she does. It makes her messy in a way that feels human instead of shocking just for the sake of it. The multiple POVs and timeline shifts kept things layered without ever feeling confusing to me, and the pacing never dragged. It’s definitely more message-driven than a pure whodunit, but it still absolutely works as a thriller. I did wish the ending had been a little cleaner, but I also see why it wasn’t.

This was my first Ashley Winstead book, and it will not be my last.

Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past and present collide with a force I couldn’t ignore. Stolen identities, hidden truths, and ambition thread through fame, desire, and sisterhood, twisting loyalty into something fragile and sharp. Police procedures carve a rigid path through the chaos, exposing fractures in every relationship, while secrets ripple outward, refusing to stay contained. Drama isn’t decoration here—it drives every choice, every betrayal, every risk, pressing on the characters and on me as I read.

I followed the consequences of ambition, deception, and longing, noticing how every hidden truth reshaped not just the characters, but the space between them. Sisterhood is tangled with danger and desire, protective and precarious at once. Every revelation cuts through morality, leaving choices sharp, impossible to untangle, and impossible to ignore. The tension between what they want and what they must face builds, relentless and inescapable.

The story stays with me in the fractures of identity, in the pull of secrets and ambition, in the sharp edges of trust and betrayal. Fame and desire twist connections into something unpredictable, while the procedural rigor of investigation forces truth into the open, leaving nothing comfortable or simple. Drama, longing, secrecy, and sisterhood collide in ways that feel raw, dangerous, and unforgettable.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of eBook Review Copy

When Detective Grey Holloway arrives on the scene, she discovers that the victim looks exactly like her. And, although thirty-three-year-old Elizabeth Drake is not a relative, her name seems familiar. But the writing on the wall . . . apparently in the victim’s own blood . . . turns out to be a lyric from one of pop singer Scout Sage’s songs.

Just who is Elizabeth Drake and why did she end up dead on her bedroom floor with a “traitor” message scrawled on the wall?

=========

Told in multiple timelines and from several points of view, the unfolding story offers readers unexpected plot twists and a few surprising revelations as it blends police procedurals and a story of revenge. The characters [of which there are many] are not always likeable but each has something specific to add to the overall telling of the tale.

Tension grows as the story progresses; the story is often dark and disturbing but its relevance to today’s headlines cannot be ignored.

Readers who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, and stories with multiple timelines and points of view will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#HotGirlMurderClub #NetGalley

[rin ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read, but it was definitely on the darker side. Especially considering the current state of the world.

Hot Girl Murder Club is a great tale of female friendship, girlhood and how the mistreatment of women can divide both genders (even internally.)
We get to meet many strong FMC's in the book including:

Grey, an independent detective who will go to great lengths for her missing sister, while rediscovering what true justice can look like.

Scout, the fearless leader who knows no bounds when it comes to protecting her found family.

Isabel, the assistant who is so glued to Scout and yet trying to break out into her own skin.

Juliet, a young, naive model rising in an devious society.

& more women who are equally as intertwined with the story. There is so many layers to this story when you really unpack, because the lines between where fiction ends and reality starts is VERY BLURRY !! I have to echo the sentiments of other reviewers on that. I did enjoy *most* of this book. I loveeeeeeeeee me some strong female characters.

Now to the stuff I didn't enjoy as much:
I wanted more of a vigilante type book, and it was more sleuth work. Also, the pacing was kind of funky. I understood the multiple characters and timelines, however I felt like there were some big gaps and jumps that I would have loved to have dived into more.

[Leslie Cernosek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am definitely an outlier here, but this wasn’t for me. I loved the premise so much, but the execution was lacking. Which is a bummer because the idea of a vigilante group of women fighting against bad men - how far is too far and how do you take justice into your own hands when the systems are failing you? - was a great topic and very timely. There were so many indistinct point of view, time jumps, and little inconsistencies. The author also seemed hell bent on making the women as young as possible when a few added years would have made much more sense. With the character names, the young 20s “Detective Barbie” with the 100% clearance rate, the random romance thrown in - it gave the same vibe as a Sweet Valley High Super Thriller. The author tried so hard to make Scout Sage an icon, but she was too flat. And the whole thing with the sign of the cross was just such a desperate stretch to give some significance or reverence on something you’re openly calling the Hot Girl Murder Club. Between that and the bits of PhD dissertation inserted, it tries way too hard to make this a dark thriller when a lot of the book reads as almost satirical.

This very well could be a me issue. I loved this author’s first book, but the rest haven’t lived up to that for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the books I've read by Ashley Winstead, and I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read an advanced copy of her latest, Hot Girl Murder Club, from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. As usual, Winstead delivers a smart thriller that is certain to appeal to her fans and lovers of the genre alike.

The plot is quite timely: someone is killing people in Los Angeles who have associated with and supported those who have hurt women. The story alternates between the present, in which the case of a murdered assistant to a lecherous entertainment mogul unravels, and the past, where a group of up-and-coming stars develops into a vengeful murder club.

This fascinating story is told from multiple perspectives, including a detective investigating one of the murders allegedly committed by the club, one of the club's original members, a new club member, and a journalist reporting on the club and its activities. It's a true page-turner that captivated me from the start. It was hard for me to figure out whom to root for as all the main characters are likable even as they have competing goals. Ultimately, the resolution is satisfying, and I am so happy to have had the chance to read this one!