What do you think?
Scary Movie Night
In this nail-biting thriller, a horror-themed birthday party turns deadly when guests start disappearing—and the birthday girl realizes that she must face a long-buried secret to make it out alive.
Tippi is ready for a fresh start. After breaking off her engagement to an increasingly demanding, controlling, and emotionally unstable man, she is newly inspired to do whatever it takes to put herself first. Plus, her thirty-fifth birthday is coming up: a perfect occasion to ring in this new era. Tippi’s friends see the opportunity, too, and lean into her love of horror films by throwing her a lavish theme party at a secluded mansion, where everyone dresses as characters from iconic scary movies. But Tippi's attempts to enjoy the night are shattered when she starts receiving terrifying messages from her ex, Oliver, to expose a secret she was ready to take to the grave.
At first, Tippi can’t believe her eyes. Oliver moved across the country after they broke up—he can’t have crashed her party. Could one of her friends have found out? But when her guests begin to disappear one by one, it becomes clear that the threats have very real consequences. And the messages make clear one thing: the call is coming from inside the house.
As Tippi is forced to navigate the deception of those closest to her, she realizes that in the end, some things are indeed like in the movies, and she’ll do whatever it takes to just survive the night.
Tippi is ready for a fresh start. After breaking off her engagement to an increasingly demanding, controlling, and emotionally unstable man, she is newly inspired to do whatever it takes to put herself first. Plus, her thirty-fifth birthday is coming up: a perfect occasion to ring in this new era. Tippi’s friends see the opportunity, too, and lean into her love of horror films by throwing her a lavish theme party at a secluded mansion, where everyone dresses as characters from iconic scary movies. But Tippi's attempts to enjoy the night are shattered when she starts receiving terrifying messages from her ex, Oliver, to expose a secret she was ready to take to the grave.
At first, Tippi can’t believe her eyes. Oliver moved across the country after they broke up—he can’t have crashed her party. Could one of her friends have found out? But when her guests begin to disappear one by one, it becomes clear that the threats have very real consequences. And the messages make clear one thing: the call is coming from inside the house.
As Tippi is forced to navigate the deception of those closest to her, she realizes that in the end, some things are indeed like in the movies, and she’ll do whatever it takes to just survive the night.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Miranda Smith
16 books402 followersMiranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense novels. When it comes to fiction, Miranda writes about complicated women, dark impulses, and Southern settings. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three children.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**4.5-stars**
Scary Movie Night is a modern Popcorn Thriller meets Locked Room Murder Mystery, that also manages to bring all the luxury of Old Hollywood at the same time. It's sounds like a lot, and it sort of is, but I had a blast reading it.
In this story, we follow Tippi, who has recently broken off her engagement and is planning to travel to Europe for a reset. Before she goes though, her BFF decides to throw her a horror-themed party for her upcoming 35th-birthday.
Tippi, named for Tippi Hedren, of Hitchcock's The Birds fame, is a huge Hitchcock fan. In fact, she wrote a book on it, Hitchcock films. Thus, the party will stick true to those roots, with the guests even dressing as different characters.
The party is going to be held at Tippi's Grandmother's lavish mansion. Tippi was raised by her Grandmather, Marmee, and the two remain very close. Even though Tippi's not really in a mood to party, she appreciates the gesture, and honestly, how bad can it be?
It's just for a weekend and the guest list is small, just Tippi and 5 of her closest friends, plus Marmee squirreled away in her room upstairs. What could possibly go wrong?
The tone is set when before the party is even in full swing, Tippi discovers a mysterious and threatening note on the gifts table. Her first thought is her ex, Oliver, could he possibly be there, lurking around the enormous property? Who else would have written such a nasty note?
Then the terror escalates, it's not just notes, people are getting hurt, disappearing and worse. Tippi and the other guests find themselves thrust into the action of a Thriller movie, and Tippi wants no part of it. This night will change everything forever. Who will even make it out alive?
As a Hitchcock girlie, this was such an enjoyable read. I loved the set-up and the mixed media elements Smith included. We actually get little excerpts from Tippi's book, where she discusses some of Hitchcock's most popular films. I loved that and how certain plot points from those films could be loosely found within this story.
I loved Tippi and her Grandmother, Marmee. Their relationship was great, though I was disturbed by the fact that, with everything going on, Tippi just left Marmee upstairs in her bedroom alone. Like don't worry, there's only an apparent killer on the loose, just stay here.
It definitely gets wacky and OTT in the 2nd-half, but I was eating it up. I was sat and invested in the chaos. The friend group is freaking messy. Everyone had secrets and sort of nasty personalities, NGL, besides Tippi and her bestie.
I loved the atmosphere as well. Marmee's mansion is stacked with luxurious items and memorabilia of Old Hollywood. There's also inclement weather, and though the mansion is large, a feeling of claustrophobia does set in once the intensity amps up. It did feel quite cinematic because of that.
Overall, I just felt like this was a really entertaining dark Thriller. It's messy and high stakes, with a cast of morally grey characters and captivating twists. I would recommend it to Horror Thriller Readers, or fans of Hitchcock films.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Bantam, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I enjoyed this a lot more than Smith's earlier release, Smile for the Cameras, and I'm excited to pick up more from her.
We love an upward trajectory with an author's work!
Scary Movie Night is a modern Popcorn Thriller meets Locked Room Murder Mystery, that also manages to bring all the luxury of Old Hollywood at the same time. It's sounds like a lot, and it sort of is, but I had a blast reading it.
In this story, we follow Tippi, who has recently broken off her engagement and is planning to travel to Europe for a reset. Before she goes though, her BFF decides to throw her a horror-themed party for her upcoming 35th-birthday.
Tippi, named for Tippi Hedren, of Hitchcock's The Birds fame, is a huge Hitchcock fan. In fact, she wrote a book on it, Hitchcock films. Thus, the party will stick true to those roots, with the guests even dressing as different characters.
The party is going to be held at Tippi's Grandmother's lavish mansion. Tippi was raised by her Grandmather, Marmee, and the two remain very close. Even though Tippi's not really in a mood to party, she appreciates the gesture, and honestly, how bad can it be?
It's just for a weekend and the guest list is small, just Tippi and 5 of her closest friends, plus Marmee squirreled away in her room upstairs. What could possibly go wrong?
The tone is set when before the party is even in full swing, Tippi discovers a mysterious and threatening note on the gifts table. Her first thought is her ex, Oliver, could he possibly be there, lurking around the enormous property? Who else would have written such a nasty note?
Then the terror escalates, it's not just notes, people are getting hurt, disappearing and worse. Tippi and the other guests find themselves thrust into the action of a Thriller movie, and Tippi wants no part of it. This night will change everything forever. Who will even make it out alive?
As a Hitchcock girlie, this was such an enjoyable read. I loved the set-up and the mixed media elements Smith included. We actually get little excerpts from Tippi's book, where she discusses some of Hitchcock's most popular films. I loved that and how certain plot points from those films could be loosely found within this story.
I loved Tippi and her Grandmother, Marmee. Their relationship was great, though I was disturbed by the fact that, with everything going on, Tippi just left Marmee upstairs in her bedroom alone. Like don't worry, there's only an apparent killer on the loose, just stay here.
It definitely gets wacky and OTT in the 2nd-half, but I was eating it up. I was sat and invested in the chaos. The friend group is freaking messy. Everyone had secrets and sort of nasty personalities, NGL, besides Tippi and her bestie.
I loved the atmosphere as well. Marmee's mansion is stacked with luxurious items and memorabilia of Old Hollywood. There's also inclement weather, and though the mansion is large, a feeling of claustrophobia does set in once the intensity amps up. It did feel quite cinematic because of that.
Overall, I just felt like this was a really entertaining dark Thriller. It's messy and high stakes, with a cast of morally grey characters and captivating twists. I would recommend it to Horror Thriller Readers, or fans of Hitchcock films.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Bantam, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I enjoyed this a lot more than Smith's earlier release, Smile for the Cameras, and I'm excited to pick up more from her.
We love an upward trajectory with an author's work!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's a great closed room mystery with an interesting cast of characters and top notch drama. I loved the old Hollywood vibe.
It was a little slow to start but the tension really ramped up with the second act and keept getting higher and higher.
I had a great time.
Thank you Ballantine for this ARC.
It was a little slow to start but the tension really ramped up with the second act and keept getting higher and higher.
I had a great time.
Thank you Ballantine for this ARC.
August 24, 2026
3.5–4 stars
The emotional hit in this book lands with the same energy as a Halloween prop falling off a shelf and taking three other decorations with it — one wobble, one scream, and suddenly the whole night is a disaster with a soundtrack.
Tippi doesn’t just walk into her birthday party — sweetheart, she arrives like a final girl who hasn’t been told she’s in the movie yet.
She’s thirty‑five, newly single, traumatised, and trying very hard to pretend she’s thriving.
She wants a fresh start.
She wants peace.
She wants cake.
She gets… absolutely none of that.
Her friends throw her a lavish horror‑themed party at a secluded mansion — because apparently no one in this friend group has ever seen a horror film in their lives.
They’re dressed as iconic scary‑movie characters, drinking, laughing, vibing, and Tippi’s trying to enjoy herself like a normal human.
And then Oliver — her emotionally unstable, controlling ex — decides to send messages that feel like someone stapled dread directly to her spine.
Sweetheart, the man moved across the country.
He should NOT be here.
He should NOT know anything.
He should NOT be texting her like a ghost with Wi‑Fi.
Pretty would’ve said, “Oh babe, block him and burn the phone.”
But then?
People start disappearing.
One by one.
Like the world’s worst party game.
And suddenly the threats aren’t just creepy — they’re real.
The call is coming from inside the house.
(inside the house)
Tippi’s forced to navigate:
friends who may or may not be lying
an ex who absolutely should be in therapy
a mansion that feels like it’s judging her
and a secret she buried so deep it should’ve fossilised by now
She’s running, hiding, panicking, trying to survive the night while wearing emotional exhaustion like a costume she didn’t choose.
She’s the kind of heroine who looks fragile until she’s forced to fight — and when she fights?
Oh babe, she fights like someone who’s done being polite.
Pretty would’ve cheered. Loudly.
The tension builds fast — bodies missing, messages escalating, paranoia spreading like glitter at a craft table.
Every chapter feels like someone turned off the lights and whispered, “Good luck.”
Where the book shines is in its atmosphere — the mansion, the costumes, the creeping dread, the “who can I trust?” spiral.
It’s fun, it’s frantic, it’s messy in the best thriller way.
Where it wobbles?
A few moments lean slightly dramatic, like the story is reaching for extra tension it already has.
But honestly?
It’s a horror‑party thriller — drama is part of the charm.
A solid 3.5–4 star ride — chaotic, suspenseful, and dripping with the kind of secrets that make you side‑eye every character like they’re hiding a knife behind their back.
Tippi is fierce even when she’s terrified.
Oliver is a walking red flag with a data plan.
The mansion is a menace.
And the night?
Well… she survives.
Barely.
But she survives.
The emotional hit in this book lands with the same energy as a Halloween prop falling off a shelf and taking three other decorations with it — one wobble, one scream, and suddenly the whole night is a disaster with a soundtrack.
Tippi doesn’t just walk into her birthday party — sweetheart, she arrives like a final girl who hasn’t been told she’s in the movie yet.
She’s thirty‑five, newly single, traumatised, and trying very hard to pretend she’s thriving.
She wants a fresh start.
She wants peace.
She wants cake.
She gets… absolutely none of that.
Her friends throw her a lavish horror‑themed party at a secluded mansion — because apparently no one in this friend group has ever seen a horror film in their lives.
They’re dressed as iconic scary‑movie characters, drinking, laughing, vibing, and Tippi’s trying to enjoy herself like a normal human.
And then Oliver — her emotionally unstable, controlling ex — decides to send messages that feel like someone stapled dread directly to her spine.
Sweetheart, the man moved across the country.
He should NOT be here.
He should NOT know anything.
He should NOT be texting her like a ghost with Wi‑Fi.
Pretty would’ve said, “Oh babe, block him and burn the phone.”
But then?
People start disappearing.
One by one.
Like the world’s worst party game.
And suddenly the threats aren’t just creepy — they’re real.
The call is coming from inside the house.
(inside the house)
Tippi’s forced to navigate:
friends who may or may not be lying
an ex who absolutely should be in therapy
a mansion that feels like it’s judging her
and a secret she buried so deep it should’ve fossilised by now
She’s running, hiding, panicking, trying to survive the night while wearing emotional exhaustion like a costume she didn’t choose.
She’s the kind of heroine who looks fragile until she’s forced to fight — and when she fights?
Oh babe, she fights like someone who’s done being polite.
Pretty would’ve cheered. Loudly.
The tension builds fast — bodies missing, messages escalating, paranoia spreading like glitter at a craft table.
Every chapter feels like someone turned off the lights and whispered, “Good luck.”
Where the book shines is in its atmosphere — the mansion, the costumes, the creeping dread, the “who can I trust?” spiral.
It’s fun, it’s frantic, it’s messy in the best thriller way.
Where it wobbles?
A few moments lean slightly dramatic, like the story is reaching for extra tension it already has.
But honestly?
It’s a horror‑party thriller — drama is part of the charm.
A solid 3.5–4 star ride — chaotic, suspenseful, and dripping with the kind of secrets that make you side‑eye every character like they’re hiding a knife behind their back.
Tippi is fierce even when she’s terrified.
Oliver is a walking red flag with a data plan.
The mansion is a menace.
And the night?
Well… she survives.
Barely.
But she survives.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
a lover letter to all things horror and Hitchcock, SCARY MOVIE NIGHT is a bingeworthy blockbuster that will surely entertain thriller readers this summer!
Miranda Smith is becoming an auto-read author so I was floored when @bantambooks gave me a gifted copy—thank you! I read her novel Smile For The Cameras and loved her homage to slashers, and this year she’s giving an homage to all things Hitchcock and classic scary movies with SCARY MOVIE NIGHT!
After ending a toxic engagement, Tippi is ready to celebrate a fresh start with a horror-themed 35th birthday party at her grandmother Marmee’s mansion. But when threatening messages from her ex begin exposing a deadly secret and guests start vanishing one by one, she must uncover who is behind the terror before the night turns into a real-life nightmare.
This book is the ultimate binge read popcorn thriller. A locked room mystery with a crazy cast of characters, you’ll enjoy this one from beginning to end just like I did. I loved the pivot from Smith this time with her storytelling as well. This one is faster paced with more at stake and is just a blast from beginning to end. STARS: 5, PUB: 7/14
Miranda Smith is becoming an auto-read author so I was floored when @bantambooks gave me a gifted copy—thank you! I read her novel Smile For The Cameras and loved her homage to slashers, and this year she’s giving an homage to all things Hitchcock and classic scary movies with SCARY MOVIE NIGHT!
After ending a toxic engagement, Tippi is ready to celebrate a fresh start with a horror-themed 35th birthday party at her grandmother Marmee’s mansion. But when threatening messages from her ex begin exposing a deadly secret and guests start vanishing one by one, she must uncover who is behind the terror before the night turns into a real-life nightmare.
This book is the ultimate binge read popcorn thriller. A locked room mystery with a crazy cast of characters, you’ll enjoy this one from beginning to end just like I did. I loved the pivot from Smith this time with her storytelling as well. This one is faster paced with more at stake and is just a blast from beginning to end. STARS: 5, PUB: 7/14
July 11, 2026
Honestly? HUGE SLAY. After the first half or so, the tension ramps up. A closed circle/isolation thriller is only as good as its cast, and these characters are not only balanced, but Messy with a capital M.
Add in endless twists and an overarching Hitchcock theme and this is both incredibly fun and highly satisfying.
Thank you to the author and Bantam Books for my ARC.
Add in endless twists and an overarching Hitchcock theme and this is both incredibly fun and highly satisfying.
Thank you to the author and Bantam Books for my ARC.
August 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Total popcorn thriller alert!!
Scary Movie Night follows Tippi, who is reeling from the end of her engagement while preparing for a months-long work assignment in Europe. Before she leaves, her closest friends gather at a sprawling, isolated mansion to celebrate her birthday and give her a proper sendoff. The evening begins with horror movies, laughter, and reminiscing, but beneath the surface, old grudges and unresolved tensions are simmering. When one of the guests is found dead, the celebration takes a horrifying turn, spiraling into a tense whodunit where no one can be trusted and every member of the group becomes a suspect.
This was such a fun, fast-paced popcorn thriller! The friend group was an absolute hot mess, and I mean that in the best way possible. Every single one of them had layers that weren't immediately apparent, and each new revelation made me rethink what I knew about them. There was always more to each character than initially met the eye, which kept me guessing throughout the entire novel.
One of my favorite aspects was trying to figure out who the antagonist was. Every time I settled on a theory, another secret or revelation would send me in a completely different direction. I genuinely could not make up my mind about who was behind everything, and I loved that the mystery kept me second-guessing myself until the very end - this is something that is becoming increasingly rare as I read thriller after thriller!
While these weren't the most likable group of characters, I honestly didn't mind. In fact, their flaws and dysfunction made the story even more entertaining. Watching all of their secrets, lies, and complicated relationships unravel was one of my favorite parts of the book, there was so much drama within this group!
The setting was another standout. The creepy, isolated mansion created the perfect backdrop for this story, adding an eerie atmosphere that made the tension even more palpable. I also loved the alternating chapters that paid homage to classic Hitchcock films. Those little nods added another layer of fun for horror and thriller fans and complemented the story really well.
The final twist was something I genuinely did not see coming, which is becoming increasingly rare for me with thrillers these days. I always appreciate a book that can still surprise me, and Miranda Smith absolutely pulled it off.
If you're looking for an entertaining thriller packed with secrets, dysfunctional characters, a creepy atmospheric setting, horror movie vibes, and a true whodunit that will keep you changing your mind about the killer until the very end, Scary Movie Night is definitely worth picking up.
Scary Movie Night follows Tippi, who is reeling from the end of her engagement while preparing for a months-long work assignment in Europe. Before she leaves, her closest friends gather at a sprawling, isolated mansion to celebrate her birthday and give her a proper sendoff. The evening begins with horror movies, laughter, and reminiscing, but beneath the surface, old grudges and unresolved tensions are simmering. When one of the guests is found dead, the celebration takes a horrifying turn, spiraling into a tense whodunit where no one can be trusted and every member of the group becomes a suspect.
This was such a fun, fast-paced popcorn thriller! The friend group was an absolute hot mess, and I mean that in the best way possible. Every single one of them had layers that weren't immediately apparent, and each new revelation made me rethink what I knew about them. There was always more to each character than initially met the eye, which kept me guessing throughout the entire novel.
One of my favorite aspects was trying to figure out who the antagonist was. Every time I settled on a theory, another secret or revelation would send me in a completely different direction. I genuinely could not make up my mind about who was behind everything, and I loved that the mystery kept me second-guessing myself until the very end - this is something that is becoming increasingly rare as I read thriller after thriller!
While these weren't the most likable group of characters, I honestly didn't mind. In fact, their flaws and dysfunction made the story even more entertaining. Watching all of their secrets, lies, and complicated relationships unravel was one of my favorite parts of the book, there was so much drama within this group!
The setting was another standout. The creepy, isolated mansion created the perfect backdrop for this story, adding an eerie atmosphere that made the tension even more palpable. I also loved the alternating chapters that paid homage to classic Hitchcock films. Those little nods added another layer of fun for horror and thriller fans and complemented the story really well.
The final twist was something I genuinely did not see coming, which is becoming increasingly rare for me with thrillers these days. I always appreciate a book that can still surprise me, and Miranda Smith absolutely pulled it off.
If you're looking for an entertaining thriller packed with secrets, dysfunctional characters, a creepy atmospheric setting, horror movie vibes, and a true whodunit that will keep you changing your mind about the killer until the very end, Scary Movie Night is definitely worth picking up.
July 20, 2026
I need to stay away from thrillers that mention any sort of Hitchcock connection, none of them have been good. The connection here is so slight I’m not sure why anyone bothered. From the first person narration to the indistinguishable characters to the ridiculous, not at all scary or thrilling “mystery” this one is DOA. Nothing much happens until about the 40% mark, well, lots of purple prose and not great similies happen.
July 14, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book to review!
3.75ish stars! This mystery was very fast paced and fun. I really like these sort of closed-circle mysteries and the setting of this one made it super fun, very Clue like with the small cast and the manor setting.
This book centers around Tippie as she celebrates her birthday with her group of friends after calling off her engagement, before everything at the party starts to go wrong. I liked Tippie as a lead. I enjoyed her love of Hitchcock movies and the way that was woven into the plot (though I do wish it was even more central, given the name of the book and how important it was to her character's life!). I will say, if you're not looking to read a book where the cast is mostly less-than-likeable, this might not be for you. I love that in my mysteries so I thought it was great! Very enjoyable and propulsive in a soap opera like way where you just have to keep reading to see what happens next.
The mystery itself was pretty good too, if maybe just a bit predictable. The vibe of the overall story definitely added a lot to my enjoyment so I still found it very entertaining even though I wasn't super surprised by any of the major plot beats, for the most part. Some of the set up is a little bit too convenient for my taste - there's absolutely no cell service even though there right outside NYC, they all Uber'd (to the place with no cell service...) even though some have cars, so they're completely stranded, etc. - but it's hard to realistically isolate people in the modern day, so I'm willing to let it slide.
The reason this is only 3.75 stars for me was a lot of the characters and their motivations felt a bit half-baked, particularly for our bad guy(s). With out giving anything away, this was not a well thought out crime. I was rolling my eyes a bit at some of the actions which felt a bit mustache twirling villain-like for me. I couldn't really take it very seriously. I just needed a bit more of an explanation for how all the pieces tied together and why, without that the ending was underwhelming.
I would definitely read more from this author in the future! I flew through this book and I think she has a lot of potential in the future, so I'm excited to see what she puts out next!
3.75ish stars! This mystery was very fast paced and fun. I really like these sort of closed-circle mysteries and the setting of this one made it super fun, very Clue like with the small cast and the manor setting.
This book centers around Tippie as she celebrates her birthday with her group of friends after calling off her engagement, before everything at the party starts to go wrong. I liked Tippie as a lead. I enjoyed her love of Hitchcock movies and the way that was woven into the plot (though I do wish it was even more central, given the name of the book and how important it was to her character's life!). I will say, if you're not looking to read a book where the cast is mostly less-than-likeable, this might not be for you. I love that in my mysteries so I thought it was great! Very enjoyable and propulsive in a soap opera like way where you just have to keep reading to see what happens next.
The mystery itself was pretty good too, if maybe just a bit predictable. The vibe of the overall story definitely added a lot to my enjoyment so I still found it very entertaining even though I wasn't super surprised by any of the major plot beats, for the most part. Some of the set up is a little bit too convenient for my taste - there's absolutely no cell service even though there right outside NYC, they all Uber'd (to the place with no cell service...) even though some have cars, so they're completely stranded, etc. - but it's hard to realistically isolate people in the modern day, so I'm willing to let it slide.
The reason this is only 3.75 stars for me was a lot of the characters and their motivations felt a bit half-baked, particularly for our bad guy(s). With out giving anything away, this was not a well thought out crime. I was rolling my eyes a bit at some of the actions which felt a bit mustache twirling villain-like for me. I couldn't really take it very seriously. I just needed a bit more of an explanation for how all the pieces tied together and why, without that the ending was underwhelming.
I would definitely read more from this author in the future! I flew through this book and I think she has a lot of potential in the future, so I'm excited to see what she puts out next!
August 3, 2026
Grab the popcorn, because you’re invited to Scary Movie Night.
A Hitchcock-themed birthday party? ✔️
Long-buried secrets? ✔️
A night that goes according to script? ❌
Don’t go into this expecting horror. What you’ll get instead is a layered locked-room mystery and a bit of a love letter to ol’ Hitchcock, and that’s exactly what I enjoyed about it.
At under 300 pages, I read this in a day. Between the threatening messages, long-buried secrets and the constant question of who Tippi could actually trust, I was always trying to stay one step ahead of the story. Every time I thought I’d worked it out, another reveal had me rethinking my theory.
What really made this book stand out for me was how naturally Hitchcock was woven into every part of Tippi’s life. It wasn’t just a themed birthday party. From her name to her career writing about Hitchcock, and even the excerpts from her own work scattered throughout the book, it all felt purposeful rather than gimmicky. As Tippi slowly warmed to the party she’d never wanted in the first place, what should have been a celebration of a fresh start quickly unravelled into something far more sinister.
A Hitchcock-themed birthday party? ✔️
Long-buried secrets? ✔️
A night that goes according to script? ❌
Don’t go into this expecting horror. What you’ll get instead is a layered locked-room mystery and a bit of a love letter to ol’ Hitchcock, and that’s exactly what I enjoyed about it.
At under 300 pages, I read this in a day. Between the threatening messages, long-buried secrets and the constant question of who Tippi could actually trust, I was always trying to stay one step ahead of the story. Every time I thought I’d worked it out, another reveal had me rethinking my theory.
What really made this book stand out for me was how naturally Hitchcock was woven into every part of Tippi’s life. It wasn’t just a themed birthday party. From her name to her career writing about Hitchcock, and even the excerpts from her own work scattered throughout the book, it all felt purposeful rather than gimmicky. As Tippi slowly warmed to the party she’d never wanted in the first place, what should have been a celebration of a fresh start quickly unravelled into something far more sinister.
September 20, 2026
What a fun read to start the season of spooky reading. It is tagged as a 'horror' read but honestly there is no horror, it's more of a thriller. Unless you count murder as horror. Ha! If you are a fan of 80's crazy slasher movies (just the absurdity of them) or a fan of Hitchcock films, this is a read to grab.
Tippi, named after the actress Tippi Hendren from The Birds, is leaving for Europe. She's just broke off her engagement from her boyfriend and her friends are throwing her a horror movie night party before she leaves. They all go to her aunt's secluded mansion, where it's gothic, elaborate, eccentric, and money is just dripping from the place. And here is where the story begins. The story is told slightly back and forth, going back to when Tippi met her fiance Oliver and all the transpired to where she is today. Naturally, all that is happening with the guests at the party. In between, Tippi talks of the various Hitchcock films, their premise and perhaps how it's relating to present day happenings. She's a huge fan, even wrote a book about it, makes her living discussing, etc.
Let me add....everyone is crazy. OMG I had to laugh at times at the bit of the craziness (reminding me of silly 80's slasher movies). But it was so much fun, I didn't want to stop reading. Everyone is a suspect, or just crazy. Loved how all the Hitchcock films were added. So glad I read this one and it is pushing me to revisit some of my favorite Hitchcock films.
Tippi, named after the actress Tippi Hendren from The Birds, is leaving for Europe. She's just broke off her engagement from her boyfriend and her friends are throwing her a horror movie night party before she leaves. They all go to her aunt's secluded mansion, where it's gothic, elaborate, eccentric, and money is just dripping from the place. And here is where the story begins. The story is told slightly back and forth, going back to when Tippi met her fiance Oliver and all the transpired to where she is today. Naturally, all that is happening with the guests at the party. In between, Tippi talks of the various Hitchcock films, their premise and perhaps how it's relating to present day happenings. She's a huge fan, even wrote a book about it, makes her living discussing, etc.
Let me add....everyone is crazy. OMG I had to laugh at times at the bit of the craziness (reminding me of silly 80's slasher movies). But it was so much fun, I didn't want to stop reading. Everyone is a suspect, or just crazy. Loved how all the Hitchcock films were added. So glad I read this one and it is pushing me to revisit some of my favorite Hitchcock films.
July 16, 2026
I didn't enjoy this at all.
It's not horror. It references the classics but really they added nothing. You've been warned.
My fault for going in blind. It's not horror and the beautiful cover is very misleading.
It's just like any old basic everyday run of the mill average thriller that you can read anywhere. The characters are just there. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset to enjoy it like the other readers. There's drama if you like that. I didn't.
I liked the description of the estate though.
It's not horror. It references the classics but really they added nothing. You've been warned.
My fault for going in blind. It's not horror and the beautiful cover is very misleading.
It's just like any old basic everyday run of the mill average thriller that you can read anywhere. The characters are just there. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset to enjoy it like the other readers. There's drama if you like that. I didn't.
I liked the description of the estate though.
August 6, 2026
I can’t believe I stayed up late to finish this.
I guess hate-reading the last hundred pages really motivated me past my bedtime.
I guess hate-reading the last hundred pages really motivated me past my bedtime.
August 24, 2026
*3.5 stars*
Scary Movie Night by Miranda Smith drops readers right into an addictive, cinema-inspired setup that leans heavily into slasher nostalgia and atmospheric dread. The premise is undeniably hooky—it feels tailored for fans of retro horror who love a popcorn-thriller aesthetic where tension builds fast and the stakes feel immediately personal.
Smith’s pacing is on point, making this an extraordinarily easy, lightning-fast read. The narrative moves with the swift momentum of a classic late-night feature, driven by tight scene transitions and visual, movie-like storytelling. It’s the kind of book you can effortlessly devour in a single evening without ever feeling weighed down by dense exposition.
Where the novel holds back from being a total standout is in its predictability. While Smith delivers a handful of fun narrative shifts and classic genre twists, seasoned thriller readers will likely spot the clues and figure out the final reveals well before the climax arrives. The characters, while functional for driving the plot, stick fairly close to familiar tropes, leaving slightly less room for deep emotional connection or genuine surprise.
Overall, Scary Movie Night is a solid, highly entertaining 3.5-star read. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, quick-bitting nostalgic thriller that’s perfect for a cozy, eerie weekend.
Scary Movie Night by Miranda Smith drops readers right into an addictive, cinema-inspired setup that leans heavily into slasher nostalgia and atmospheric dread. The premise is undeniably hooky—it feels tailored for fans of retro horror who love a popcorn-thriller aesthetic where tension builds fast and the stakes feel immediately personal.
Smith’s pacing is on point, making this an extraordinarily easy, lightning-fast read. The narrative moves with the swift momentum of a classic late-night feature, driven by tight scene transitions and visual, movie-like storytelling. It’s the kind of book you can effortlessly devour in a single evening without ever feeling weighed down by dense exposition.
Where the novel holds back from being a total standout is in its predictability. While Smith delivers a handful of fun narrative shifts and classic genre twists, seasoned thriller readers will likely spot the clues and figure out the final reveals well before the climax arrives. The characters, while functional for driving the plot, stick fairly close to familiar tropes, leaving slightly less room for deep emotional connection or genuine surprise.
Overall, Scary Movie Night is a solid, highly entertaining 3.5-star read. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, quick-bitting nostalgic thriller that’s perfect for a cozy, eerie weekend.
July 22, 2026
I've never read a book that wanted me to know its favorite director quite this badly.
I learned two things while reading this book: the author loves Hitchcock, and I apparently have a limit for how many Hitchcock references I can tolerate.
This felt like a book written by someone who absolutely loves Hitchcock movies, so they wrote a mini book about Hitchcock movies and then wrapped an increasingly absurd story around it.
If you're a Hitchcock fan, I genuinely think you'll have a much better time with this than I did.
*I've already said "Hitchcock" more times in this review than I wanted to but apparently I’m just trying recreate the reading experience.*
For me, the characters were so underdeveloped that their personalities changed on a whim. People would make complete 180s in their behavior simply because the plot needed them to. The premise itself never felt grounded either. We're talking about an absurdly lavish mansion with essentially zero technology and seemingly no way to leave or get help in an emergency. I spent more time questioning the logistics than following the story.
The writing also left me cold. It was oddly detached and emotionless at times … when a character refers to a baby she supposedly adores as "the infant," it's hard to feel much emotional connection myself.
And then came the ending. Every page seemed determined to throw another twist at me. After a while they stopped feeling surprising and just became exhausting. When everything is a twist, nothing really is.
I actually feel a little bad writing this review because you can tell the author has genuine passions. It just felt like being trapped in a conversation with someone who desperately wants to tell you why CrossFit (read: Hitchcock) is the greatest thing ever, while you're scanning the room for literally anyone else to talk to.
Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: July 14 2026
I learned two things while reading this book: the author loves Hitchcock, and I apparently have a limit for how many Hitchcock references I can tolerate.
This felt like a book written by someone who absolutely loves Hitchcock movies, so they wrote a mini book about Hitchcock movies and then wrapped an increasingly absurd story around it.
If you're a Hitchcock fan, I genuinely think you'll have a much better time with this than I did.
*I've already said "Hitchcock" more times in this review than I wanted to but apparently I’m just trying recreate the reading experience.*
For me, the characters were so underdeveloped that their personalities changed on a whim. People would make complete 180s in their behavior simply because the plot needed them to. The premise itself never felt grounded either. We're talking about an absurdly lavish mansion with essentially zero technology and seemingly no way to leave or get help in an emergency. I spent more time questioning the logistics than following the story.
The writing also left me cold. It was oddly detached and emotionless at times … when a character refers to a baby she supposedly adores as "the infant," it's hard to feel much emotional connection myself.
And then came the ending. Every page seemed determined to throw another twist at me. After a while they stopped feeling surprising and just became exhausting. When everything is a twist, nothing really is.
I actually feel a little bad writing this review because you can tell the author has genuine passions. It just felt like being trapped in a conversation with someone who desperately wants to tell you why CrossFit (read: Hitchcock) is the greatest thing ever, while you're scanning the room for literally anyone else to talk to.
Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: July 14 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a huge fan of horror in all its forms, the jacket copy had me clamoring for an ARC of this one, which makes the gap between what's advertised and what's actually delivered all the more frustrating.
The book promises a woman escaping an "increasingly demanding, controlling, and emotionally unstable" ex, except he reads as a perfectly fine boyfriend until roughly the halfway point, so that was spoiled. The "terrifying messages" she receives? Anything but. And the centerpiece event, described as a lavish horror-themed party where guests are disappearing one by one, is really just a dinner party of six people in costume? It wasn't a calculated misdirection for mystery-sake, this was just inaccurate.
There's a functional murder mystery buried in here somewhere, and some of the twists land well enough, but others are so cartoonishly telegraphed that the Hitchcock references peppered throughout feel less like homage and more like false advertising. If you're going to invoke the master of suspense, you need to earn it, and not just through costume. Scary Movie Night just doesn't quite get there, and the tragedy is it so easily could have, with source material this rich to draw from. A surface-level mystery dressed up in a much cooler outfit than it deserves.
The book promises a woman escaping an "increasingly demanding, controlling, and emotionally unstable" ex, except he reads as a perfectly fine boyfriend until roughly the halfway point, so that was spoiled. The "terrifying messages" she receives? Anything but. And the centerpiece event, described as a lavish horror-themed party where guests are disappearing one by one, is really just a dinner party of six people in costume? It wasn't a calculated misdirection for mystery-sake, this was just inaccurate.
There's a functional murder mystery buried in here somewhere, and some of the twists land well enough, but others are so cartoonishly telegraphed that the Hitchcock references peppered throughout feel less like homage and more like false advertising. If you're going to invoke the master of suspense, you need to earn it, and not just through costume. Scary Movie Night just doesn't quite get there, and the tragedy is it so easily could have, with source material this rich to draw from. A surface-level mystery dressed up in a much cooler outfit than it deserves.
August 1, 2026
There is a ridiculousness to this that is very difficult to get past, and it doesn’t actually have much to do with classic movies. But it’s an entertaining read and structurally well crafted.
I wish this book had taken a bit more time to create better atmosphere, and that it had worked harder to incorporate the protagonist’s love of classic Horror films. Without that it’s a little bit difficult to wrangle with the absurdity of the plot, though I did find it entertaining and far, far better solved than I had originally anticipated.
There’s nothing outright scary happening here and very little that is truly spooky in that eerie, macabre sense, and I would have loved to see the author take the book more in that direction. Because of that it becomes more of a slow burn, domestic suspense novel rather than something akin to popcorn horror. That’s not a criticism, just an observation that the book is not quite as described in the summary.
The personal drama here didn’t interest me much, but the way it played out is well-plotted, and I have to give a lot of credit to the author for not Pollyanna-ing out at the end regarding the protagonist’s fate.
In all, this book could have been something really great if it had been a bit more dedicated to sense of place and atmosphere instead of the protagonist’s slightly repetitive inner monologue, but it’s definitely a fun read.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I wish this book had taken a bit more time to create better atmosphere, and that it had worked harder to incorporate the protagonist’s love of classic Horror films. Without that it’s a little bit difficult to wrangle with the absurdity of the plot, though I did find it entertaining and far, far better solved than I had originally anticipated.
There’s nothing outright scary happening here and very little that is truly spooky in that eerie, macabre sense, and I would have loved to see the author take the book more in that direction. Because of that it becomes more of a slow burn, domestic suspense novel rather than something akin to popcorn horror. That’s not a criticism, just an observation that the book is not quite as described in the summary.
The personal drama here didn’t interest me much, but the way it played out is well-plotted, and I have to give a lot of credit to the author for not Pollyanna-ing out at the end regarding the protagonist’s fate.
In all, this book could have been something really great if it had been a bit more dedicated to sense of place and atmosphere instead of the protagonist’s slightly repetitive inner monologue, but it’s definitely a fun read.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
May 4, 2026
Scary Movie Night by Miranda Smith
Overall .5/5
not like other girls 5/5
predictable plot 4.75/5
trying too hard 5/5
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a painful reading experience. Tippy is one of those “I’m not like other girls teehee” and is so flipping annoying. The plot is predictable. There was so much added background story filler that served no purpose. This book tried so hard to be mysterious and edgy but fell completely flat. I was bored throughout the book and was excited to finish so I didn’t have to read it anymore.
Overall .5/5
not like other girls 5/5
predictable plot 4.75/5
trying too hard 5/5
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are my own.
What a painful reading experience. Tippy is one of those “I’m not like other girls teehee” and is so flipping annoying. The plot is predictable. There was so much added background story filler that served no purpose. This book tried so hard to be mysterious and edgy but fell completely flat. I was bored throughout the book and was excited to finish so I didn’t have to read it anymore.
April 21, 2026
I love an isolation thriller and this one totally delivered! The characters were so messy and I couldn’t get enough. The plot twists totally blew my mind.
September 5, 2026
🎬 I LOVED THIS SO BAD. 😭✨
This was basically a glamorous, murderous game of Clue and I was HERE FOR IT. Give me a secluded mansion, suspicious friends, secrets, disappearances, and a whole lot of “okay… WHICH ONE OF YOU DID IT?!” 👀
The Hitchcock movie mentions?! The old Hollywood feel?! The glitz and glamour?! ✨ It was all SO enjoyable. I had such a fun time with this one!
Tippi is celebrating her 35th birthday with a lavish horror movie themed party after finally breaking things off with her fiancee. But when creepy messages start rolling in and guests begin disappearing one by one, it becomes very clear that someone at the party knows Tippi's darkest secret and they're willing to make sure she doesn't survive the night.
It felt like stepping into a classic Hollywood mystery with a horror twist, and I was suspicious of basically everyone. 🔪🎬 If you love Hitchcock vibes, old Hollywood glamour, locked room mysteries, horror movie references, and a good ol' "who the hell did it?" mystery, add this one to your list
This was basically a glamorous, murderous game of Clue and I was HERE FOR IT. Give me a secluded mansion, suspicious friends, secrets, disappearances, and a whole lot of “okay… WHICH ONE OF YOU DID IT?!” 👀
The Hitchcock movie mentions?! The old Hollywood feel?! The glitz and glamour?! ✨ It was all SO enjoyable. I had such a fun time with this one!
Tippi is celebrating her 35th birthday with a lavish horror movie themed party after finally breaking things off with her fiancee. But when creepy messages start rolling in and guests begin disappearing one by one, it becomes very clear that someone at the party knows Tippi's darkest secret and they're willing to make sure she doesn't survive the night.
It felt like stepping into a classic Hollywood mystery with a horror twist, and I was suspicious of basically everyone. 🔪🎬 If you love Hitchcock vibes, old Hollywood glamour, locked room mysteries, horror movie references, and a good ol' "who the hell did it?" mystery, add this one to your list
July 28, 2026
3.5 rounded up!
As someone who has been obsessed with scary movies since I was a little girl, this title immediately had me sold. A horror movie-themed birthday party at a secluded mansion? Say less. I was ALL in.
Unfortunately, I realized pretty quickly that the scary movie aspect wasn't really the focus of the story. For something that's literally the title of the book, it felt more like an afterthought than the main event, which was definitely disappointing.
That said, the friend group drama absolutely kept me hooked. The secrets, betrayals, and shifting alliances had me constantly questioning who could actually be trusted. I thought I had everything figured out... and I was completely wrong. Miranda Smith definitely got me with the twists.
While this wasn't quite the slasher-inspired thriller I had imagined going in, it was still an entertaining, twisty read that kept me guessing until the very end. If you enjoy friend group thrillers packed with secrets and unexpected reveals, this one is worth adding to your list.
As someone who has been obsessed with scary movies since I was a little girl, this title immediately had me sold. A horror movie-themed birthday party at a secluded mansion? Say less. I was ALL in.
Unfortunately, I realized pretty quickly that the scary movie aspect wasn't really the focus of the story. For something that's literally the title of the book, it felt more like an afterthought than the main event, which was definitely disappointing.
That said, the friend group drama absolutely kept me hooked. The secrets, betrayals, and shifting alliances had me constantly questioning who could actually be trusted. I thought I had everything figured out... and I was completely wrong. Miranda Smith definitely got me with the twists.
While this wasn't quite the slasher-inspired thriller I had imagined going in, it was still an entertaining, twisty read that kept me guessing until the very end. If you enjoy friend group thrillers packed with secrets and unexpected reveals, this one is worth adding to your list.
July 14, 2026
Tippi just wanted one normal birthday. One. A little cake, maybe a mild existential crisis, and absolutely zero interaction with her nightmare ex-fiancé. Instead, her friends said, “What if we processed your emotional trauma by trapping you in a gothic mansion with a bunch of secrets and a dress code?” And that’s how Scary Movie Night kicks off, with the kind of energy that screams, this will absolutely end in police reports.
Tippi is fresh out of a relationship that feels less “romantic partner” and more “psychological thriller antagonist,” and she’s trying to claw her way back to herself. New life, new plans, maybe a little self-respect as a treat. But before she can leave town, her friends insist on throwing her this elaborate horror-themed birthday party at her grandmother’s sprawling, isolated mansion. Because nothing says healing like forced proximity and unresolved tension.
And listen, I love a themed party. I love commitment to a bit. But the second everyone showed up in costume with weird energy and even weirder vibes, I was like… oh, this is not a celebration. This is an ambush with charcuterie. Every single person at this party feels like they’re hiding something, and not in a fun, “I brought a surprise gift” way. More like “I know something that could ruin your life and I’m waiting for the right moment.” You could not pay me to drink anything in that house.
Then we get the notes. From Oliver. The ex. The man who already gave “I will absolutely ruin your birthday and possibly your sanity.” And suddenly it’s not just awkward tension, it’s full-blown psychological warfare. Tippi is spiraling, I am spiraling, and the friends are acting just suspicious enough that you start mentally drafting alibis for people who aren’t even real.
And once the night tips over into actual danger? Oh, we are sprinting. This book moves like it has somewhere to be. Short chapters, constant reveals, and that delicious, creeping paranoia where you’re like, “What if literally everyone here is the problem?” Guests start disappearing, secrets start spilling, and the whole thing turns into this chaotic, locked-room pressure cooker where trust is basically extinct.
The atmosphere is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. That mansion isn’t just a setting, it’s a menace. Big, echoey, full of corners where bad decisions happen. Add in all the Hitchcock-inspired elements and it feels like the book is winking at you while also slowly ruining your sense of safety. It’s campy, it’s tense, it’s a little dramatic, and I was fully locked in.
Also, can we talk about these friendships? Because wow. These people have HISTORY. And not the cute kind where you laugh about college stories. I mean the kind where every interaction feels like a test you didn’t study for. There’s resentment, secrets, weird loyalty dynamics, and just enough affection to make everything extra messy. It’s giving “I would die for you but also maybe accidentally kill you.”
Tippi herself is such a fascinating mix of “I deserve better” and “I have absolutely not processed anything.” Watching her navigate the night, while also unpacking what really went down with Oliver, adds this emotional undercurrent that sneaks up on you. Like yes, people are dropping like flies, but also… girl, your taste in men is a crime scene.
Do all the twists hit like a perfectly timed jump scare? Not always. Some of them feel like the book looked at me and said, “You thought we were done? Absolutely not.” But honestly, I kind of loved the chaos. It leans into the drama, commits to the mess, and keeps you hooked even when you’re side-eyeing the logistics.
By the end, I was stressed, entertained, and deeply convinced that I should start vetting my friends like I’m casting a reality show. Four stars, no hesitation. This was messy, twisty, and exactly the kind of thriller you inhale in one sitting while questioning all your life choices.
Whodunit Award: For Making Me Want to Ghost My Entire Friend Group Just in Case
And thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC, you really said “trust no one,” and I took that personally.
Tippi is fresh out of a relationship that feels less “romantic partner” and more “psychological thriller antagonist,” and she’s trying to claw her way back to herself. New life, new plans, maybe a little self-respect as a treat. But before she can leave town, her friends insist on throwing her this elaborate horror-themed birthday party at her grandmother’s sprawling, isolated mansion. Because nothing says healing like forced proximity and unresolved tension.
And listen, I love a themed party. I love commitment to a bit. But the second everyone showed up in costume with weird energy and even weirder vibes, I was like… oh, this is not a celebration. This is an ambush with charcuterie. Every single person at this party feels like they’re hiding something, and not in a fun, “I brought a surprise gift” way. More like “I know something that could ruin your life and I’m waiting for the right moment.” You could not pay me to drink anything in that house.
Then we get the notes. From Oliver. The ex. The man who already gave “I will absolutely ruin your birthday and possibly your sanity.” And suddenly it’s not just awkward tension, it’s full-blown psychological warfare. Tippi is spiraling, I am spiraling, and the friends are acting just suspicious enough that you start mentally drafting alibis for people who aren’t even real.
And once the night tips over into actual danger? Oh, we are sprinting. This book moves like it has somewhere to be. Short chapters, constant reveals, and that delicious, creeping paranoia where you’re like, “What if literally everyone here is the problem?” Guests start disappearing, secrets start spilling, and the whole thing turns into this chaotic, locked-room pressure cooker where trust is basically extinct.
The atmosphere is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. That mansion isn’t just a setting, it’s a menace. Big, echoey, full of corners where bad decisions happen. Add in all the Hitchcock-inspired elements and it feels like the book is winking at you while also slowly ruining your sense of safety. It’s campy, it’s tense, it’s a little dramatic, and I was fully locked in.
Also, can we talk about these friendships? Because wow. These people have HISTORY. And not the cute kind where you laugh about college stories. I mean the kind where every interaction feels like a test you didn’t study for. There’s resentment, secrets, weird loyalty dynamics, and just enough affection to make everything extra messy. It’s giving “I would die for you but also maybe accidentally kill you.”
Tippi herself is such a fascinating mix of “I deserve better” and “I have absolutely not processed anything.” Watching her navigate the night, while also unpacking what really went down with Oliver, adds this emotional undercurrent that sneaks up on you. Like yes, people are dropping like flies, but also… girl, your taste in men is a crime scene.
Do all the twists hit like a perfectly timed jump scare? Not always. Some of them feel like the book looked at me and said, “You thought we were done? Absolutely not.” But honestly, I kind of loved the chaos. It leans into the drama, commits to the mess, and keeps you hooked even when you’re side-eyeing the logistics.
By the end, I was stressed, entertained, and deeply convinced that I should start vetting my friends like I’m casting a reality show. Four stars, no hesitation. This was messy, twisty, and exactly the kind of thriller you inhale in one sitting while questioning all your life choices.
Whodunit Award: For Making Me Want to Ghost My Entire Friend Group Just in Case
And thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC, you really said “trust no one,” and I took that personally.
July 24, 2026
This was bush league. Writing was not good, including an egregious typo at 85%. I thought the characters were confusing and interchangeable and based on the typo, so did the author lol. Twists were somehow ridiculous and yet predictable. Pacing was all over the place. Did an editor come within 50 feet of this book?
July 25, 2026
This was the actual pits.
The scary movie theme is an afterthought and has nothing to do with the plot, the characters are one dimensional and interchangeable with each other, the protagonist was dull, a granny is just chillin in the guest room waiting to dispense some wisdom that you know is coming, and the entire thing played out with a corpse just laying around that nobody seems particularly sad about.
This could’ve at least had the decency to be campy.
One of my least favorite books I’ve read this year. I would’ve DNF’ed had it not been short.
The scary movie theme is an afterthought and has nothing to do with the plot, the characters are one dimensional and interchangeable with each other, the protagonist was dull, a granny is just chillin in the guest room waiting to dispense some wisdom that you know is coming, and the entire thing played out with a corpse just laying around that nobody seems particularly sad about.
This could’ve at least had the decency to be campy.
One of my least favorite books I’ve read this year. I would’ve DNF’ed had it not been short.
July 27, 2026
Dude … another thriller that missed its mark. Why is it even called scary movie night? Well I guess I know why but tbh it’s a horrible title for the book. I have so many random jumbled thoughts about this book & that’s exactly what the story was — a random jumble. The characters were so 1 dimensional, none of them were likeable or relatable or personable. The twists had no shock factor & were pretty predictable & the ending was honestly dumb lol. Also.. so marmee was just chillin upstairs in her room the WHOLE DAMN TIME?? Wtf lmfao one star ⭐️
July 23, 2026
Not much happens for half of the book, I didn’t feel attached to the characters. They all took Ubers to a place with no cell service so how were they planning on getting back?
The description reads “when her guests begin to disappear one by one” that’s not even true!!
The description reads “when her guests begin to disappear one by one” that’s not even true!!
August 26, 2026
Unfortunately the main character in this book says many times early on that she’s about to go to the Cannes Film Festival, and as a film festival gal myself, I was really excited for that. It never happens. Instead, we’re in a Hitchcock knock off story, and while I can appreciate those references, I wasn’t very excited about any of it.
February 15, 2026
I was so excited to receive an arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Especially since I’ll be meeting the author next week in Scottsdale!
The synopsis of this book caught my eye, but the actual execution was even better. Tippi is still trying to get over her broken engagement, and is ready to spend some time abroad to get away from it all. But first she has to get through her birthday party. Thrown by her best friend, with the cooperation of her grandmother and the use of her gorgeous, historical home, a Hitchcock themed weekend should be the perfect send off. Until a picturesque night becomes a noir horror film. Why did Tippi and Oliver actually break up? Is there more to each of their stories? Is someone crashing the party?
The author did a great job of helping the reader envision the gothic beauty of the setting, and the themed costumes for the characters. The 4 best friends had depth, some more likable than others, but all characters had enough suspicious attributes to keep me guessing until the end.
I can’t wait to read more by Miranda Smith!
The synopsis of this book caught my eye, but the actual execution was even better. Tippi is still trying to get over her broken engagement, and is ready to spend some time abroad to get away from it all. But first she has to get through her birthday party. Thrown by her best friend, with the cooperation of her grandmother and the use of her gorgeous, historical home, a Hitchcock themed weekend should be the perfect send off. Until a picturesque night becomes a noir horror film. Why did Tippi and Oliver actually break up? Is there more to each of their stories? Is someone crashing the party?
The author did a great job of helping the reader envision the gothic beauty of the setting, and the themed costumes for the characters. The 4 best friends had depth, some more likable than others, but all characters had enough suspicious attributes to keep me guessing until the end.
I can’t wait to read more by Miranda Smith!
September 19, 2026
3.5 STARS - ROUNDING DOWN
I was hoping I'd like this more than I did, but I'll definitely try again with this author.
I was hoping I'd like this more than I did, but I'll definitely try again with this author.
September 26, 2026
“Scary Movie Night” has an interesting premise at first glance, with the initial elements of what could be a fun murder mystery thriller. Unfortunately, nothing about this plot has anything to do with a scary movie night, nor the plethora of Hitchcock references that seem so important to the author. The characters felt indistinguishable from each other and more to be desired.
August 18, 2026
love love love! This book started slow to set us up for an INSANE end!!! Truthfully FULL of surprises, action, death and downright SHOCKING twists.
I liked all the call backs to classic thriller and horror movies that were sprinkled throughout without being gimmicky.
I liked all the call backs to classic thriller and horror movies that were sprinkled throughout without being gimmicky.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews