Tag You're It

by Kerry Wilkinson

It’s just a game… that someone would kill for.

When Jessie enters Tag, You’re It, she thinks she knows what she’s getting into. A sprawling, isolated mansion in beautiful countryside. Twenty contestants, all supposedly strangers. The rules seem simple…

1. Each day, one of you is ‘It’.
2. The person who is ‘It’ must complete a secret task to tag someone else.
3. Whoever ends the day as ‘It’ is out… and loses the chance to win millions.

But most importantly… Don’t. Trust. Anybody.

Jessie is certain friendships are key to getting through, even fake ones. Some people would do anything to win that money. But nobody knows that Jessie has her own secret reasons for playing the game…

Then one of the players is found dead. When the police arrive to ask their questions, how far will Jessie go to hide the truth about her past – and the real reason she’s there?

And in the end, is this game really worth killing for?

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Psychological Thriller

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2026

About the author

Recent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body

Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.

As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks

Find out more at: his website or Facebook

Reviews

[Krickette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the BEST time reading Tag, You’re It by Kerry Wilkinson! So unexpected and enjoyable! I really liked it!

This book is so different from any others I’ve read! A reality show filled with vastly different contestants, of all different ages ranging from 19-80 all in competition to win a boat load of money! I was “in it” from page one! Hook, line and sinker! This creatively penned novel takes you on a murderously adventure filled with hints of suspense and spiced up characters on every page! Such a fun read!

👉Let’s break it down…
The goal in this mildly suspenseful thriller is to “tag someone” and stay in the game.

👉The Tag:
One contestant is deemed “It” in the morning of each day and will be given a task to complete a “tag”. The Goal? Do not end the day as “It” or get tagged or you will be eliminated and have to exit the game. There are a total of 20 people competing in the game and have a chance to win the prize money. How does it work? There is one game show host(Jonathan), a few production specialist (Ruth and Mike) and the camera crew. Two people get eliminated daily in the highly competitive twisty game.

👉The Money Prize:
Each day Contestants are challenged to “fundraisers” (activities or challenges to add money to the winning pot of money). Competitors are also faced with the deduction of cash if these “fundraisers” are not completed within an allotted timeframe or if the goal was not achieved. In addition to that, Contestants may also lose money if an “accusation” is incorrect (a player accusing another player of being “It” at the beginning of the day). Tensions run high and suspicion is everywhere as this story unfolds. Who do you trust? Who will do anything to win? Who is lying? Who is “It”?

👉Characters:
1. Our main character is Jesse. She is in the social work field (after going through foster care growing up) and has a secret personal motive upon entering the game.
2. Contestants (19 others) make up the rest of the characters and all have individual goals, jobs and personal backgrounds. You get to know each of them in the pages as you fall deeper into the story.
3. Police and Investigators play a small role as they are called into play.

This story is told in the present time as the game is unfolding. Midway through, the chapters switch from now to “the Future” and these chapter are filled with interviews. The last 1/4 of the book is the retelling of the initial story “filling in the gaps” of what really happened (what the camera crew and production specialist did not see or catch).

This is a clever and creative novel that will have you excited and super surprised from the beginning to the end! A 3.75 stars rounded up to 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest and candid review.

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

PUBLISH DATE: January 30, 2026

THIS IS MY FAVORITE READ IN A FEW MONTHS!!! Tag, You’re It by Kerry Wilkinson was such a fun and intense read. As someone who loves reality style games, I thought this was a brilliant and original way to structure a thriller. It was gripping from the start, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

The concept feels new, and the execution really works. The twists kept me guessing, and even when I thought I had a handle on where things might be going, the story still managed to surprise me. The pacing is fast and the plot is well laid out.

I especially loved the alternating structure between real time gameplay chapters and police interview chapters. That format lets you see hints of what’s coming without revealing too much, which keeps the tension high throughout.

This book absolutely made me a fan of Kerry Wilkinson, and I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

Content review: Very little profanity, not violent, no intimate scenes.

I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

BOOK TITLE: Tag You're It
AUTHOR: Kerry Wilkinson
PUBLISHER: Bookouture
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 380

Barnes & Noble: TBD
Amazon: TBD

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tag, You’re It!” is a new, Big Brother-esque game show that takes twenty contestants into the forest to play tag…with a twist. Every day, someone will be told they are “It”. The “tags” are random things - get someone to give you a high five, make you a drink, say a certain word, etc. If whoever is “It” fails to get anyone to do the task for that day, they are out of the game. If whoever is “It” achieves their goal, the person who fell for it is out of the game. If someone figures out you were “It” that day and accuses you of it, you’re out of the game. Or they are, if they’re wrong!

Jessie signs up for this unique spin on an old game, despite knowing that she’ll be on camera all the time for nine straight days, and the country (England?) will be watching each night. She joins nineteen others to play the game, and a lot goes down during those first eight days. Day nine finds her waking up to the police in their camp, trying to solve a homicide.

Most of the book is set in the present, but it does flip to the future police investigation, and in the end, we get a glimpse of the past. I liked the idea of the game/show, but I just couldn’t figure out where the book was going. Then I got to the end, twists starting being revealed, and I was totally surprised. I usually enjoy this author’s books, and this will go with the rest that I’ve recommended over the years. Four stars!

(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour! “Tag, You’re It” will be released on January 30, 2026.)

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the copy of this novel.

This is a trip that will have you guessing to the very end. If you've ever wondered about what it's like to be a game show contestant and you enjoy thrillers that will leave you gasping, this is for you. You'll never guess who and, if you do, the motive is a hidden gem for the reader to discover when the time is right. Pick this one up today, you won't be disappointed.

[Leora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into Tag You’re It really wanting to love it. The concept is fantastic, and the idea of a high-stakes game show instantly grabbed my attention. I also appreciated that the story was told from multiple viewpoints—it added variety and helped build the world of the competition.

However, despite the strong premise, I found the book very slow. Many sections dragged, and the pacing made it difficult to stay fully engaged. There were also a lot of characters to juggle, and at times it became challenging to keep track of who was who. The story had a Survivor meets Squid Game vibe, but unfortunately it didn’t translate as sharply or as grippingly as I hoped it would.

There is a twist about three-quarters of the way through that added some momentum and helped pull things together, but overall the book felt a bit lacklustre for me. I was hoping for something more fast-paced with more memorable, dynamic characters.

A creative idea that just didn’t quite hit the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to preread and review this book.

[Daniella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise had me immediately. A high-stakes reality show where someone ends up dead? Yes, please. The rules were clever, the structure was fun, and the tension from the daily eliminations, vote-offs, and secret tagging had a solid rhythm. The dual timeline with police interviews added some extra suspense, and the twist near the end finally tied everything together in a satisfying way. It all should have worked.

But it didn’t quite land for me, and the main reason was Jessie. She’s the sole POV through most of the book, and I still don’t feel like I know her. I wasn’t rooting for her, but I didn’t hate her either. I just felt… nothing. For 80% of the story, she’s emotionally closed off. I couldn’t tell you what she feared, what drove her, or who she even liked. And when a narrator gives you nothing, it’s hard to care what happens to them, even when the stakes are life or death.

Ruth’s chapters didn’t help either. We got another POV and somehow she was even more of an emotional black hole. There were hints of scheming, but no real insight into her motives or thoughts. It was just another locked door.

The ending did explain a lot. Jessie finally felt like a real person in the last 15%, and the conspiracy behind the scenes was a genuinely interesting twist. But that level of character depth should have been spread throughout the story. By the time I understood her, I had already checked out emotionally. It was too late.

I loved the game mechanics and the setup. The pacing was great. But I’m not the kind of reader who can forgive a flat emotional experience just because the ending was clever. I need connection throughout. Without it, I felt like a spectator rather than a participant. Jessie had reasons. She had history. But I needed those things much earlier to fully buy in.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready or not, here comes murder.

In "Tag, You're It", Kerry Wilkinson turns a simple childhood game into a deadly competition. Twenty contestants gather at an isolated estate in the British countryside to play for a life-changing prize. The rules are simple: every day, one player is "It," tasked with secretly tagging someone else before the day ends. Whoever's still "It" at midnight is eliminated - and loses their shot at millions. But when a body turns up and "out" begins to mean dead, the game's tagline takes on a chilling new meaning: Don't. Trust. Anybody.

Wilkinson does a terrific job conjuring the feel of a bingeable TV thriller: a sprawling cast, shifting alliances, and that constant sense that anyone could be next. Jessie, our main player, isn't just here for the money - as she hints early on, she's got her own reasons for joining the game, and they're not what they seem. The story alternates between game-day narration and police interview transcripts (though the fictional investigators are frustratingly inept, which occasionally took me out of the story).

The pacing is uneven early on - after the explosive prologue, the story starts out slowly, and some of Jessie's musings about contestant age gaps feel repetitive and ultimately irrelevant - but once the game gains momentum, "Tag, You're It" becomes a propulsive mix of "Survivor" meets a locked-room whodunnit. Some twists you'll see coming; others blindsided me completely.

Fast-paced, twisty, and wildly entertaining, "Tag, You're It" is a sharp, creative take on a familiar premise - a thriller that doesn't reinvent the game entirely, but plays it very well.

Many thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an ARC of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

"Tag, You're It" is slated to be released on January 30, 2026.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love TV shows where one or more contestants are sent home or voted off in every episode. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a game show or a music show, but games where deception, alliances, and hidden connections play a major role are definitely the most enjoyable.
I honestly didn’t expect the book to be about this, as the title could lead you in several different directions. When it turned out that this was indeed the theme, I was absolutely thrilled. I settled in comfortably to start reading: sofa, blanket, hot chocolate, and my dog snuggled up next to me—completely ready to dive into the book on a cold, gloomy winter day.

Was I just as happy once I finished the book? I can answer that with a resounding yes. Not only did the mechanics of the game itself completely draw me in, but the backstory left me open-mouthed in amazement. I thought it was brilliantly conceived, and everything fit together perfectly.

I honestly wouldn’t mind at all if this idea—apart from that one detail, of course—were picked up by a TV network. On the contrary, I’d be sitting in the front row for every new episode!

For me, this story deserves five big stars. Everything was there: interesting characters, tension, manipulation, twists and turns, and a highly creative concept.

There is absolutely no reason not to recommend this book!

Thank you

[Symone · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ (ARC Review) I loved the concept of this thriller, especially as a reality TV junkie. It felt like a crossover of Big Brother, The Challenge, and Survivor. The physical challenges, alliances, and betrayals brought nonstop angst and suspense. Like, who do you trust when there's so much money at stake?

I enjoyed that it was dual POV. Getting both a contestant’s perspective and a behind-the-scenes look at a crew member added depth. It was cool seeing how production manipulates the game while watching how contestants react afterwards.

On the other hand,  I wasn't a big fan of the pacing. At some points i found myself kinda losing interest and the plot twist was nice but the way that it ended...it didnt have that "wow" factor for me.

[Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tag, You’re It is written like a slow blade sliding between the ribs—quiet, controlled, and devastating once you realize how deep it’s gone. Kerry Wilkinson’s prose doesn’t shout. It stalks. The sentences are lean and sharp, stripped of comfort, built to unsettle rather than entertain politely. Every chapter feels engineered to destabilize you just enough to keep you off balance, just feral enough to make you uneasy about turning the page—and unable not to.
The writing thrives on paranoia. Dialogue is clipped and loaded. Silences scream. Thoughts are rationed, not handed over, forcing you to read between lines that feel deliberately sharpened. Wilkinson understands that suspense lives in withholding, and he weaponizes restraint. The pacing is merciless—never rushed, never indulgent—tightening incrementally until the tension feels like it might snap your teeth together.
Jessie is written with teeth. Her inner world is guarded, coiled, dangerous. You’re aware from the start that she’s lying—to the others, to the game, maybe even to herself—but the prose refuses to give her away. Her past bleeds in slowly, deliberately, until the eventual reveal feels less like a twist and more like a reckoning. When the game turns lethal, it doesn’t feel sensational. It feels inevitable. Predatory. Earned.
The cast is sprawling, abrasive, and often deeply unlikeable, and the writing wants it that way. These aren’t characters you’re meant to love; they’re pressure points, moral fractures, human liabilities. The language makes you feel trapped among them—watched, judged, measured—until trust feels not just foolish, but fatal.
This is feral thriller writing: disciplined, psychological, and cruel in the most effective way. It burrows under your skin instead of flashing in your face

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Tag, You’re It” by Kerry Wilkinson was such a fun, addictive read! The story follows contestants on a reality show where one person is “It” each day and must secretly complete a task to tag another contestant before time runs out—whoever is “It” at the end of the day is eliminated. The concept is clever and kept the tension high from start to finish. Packed with secrets, surprises, and twists, this book had me completely hooked. I flew through the pages and loved how unpredictable it was. A great pick if you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with a unique premise.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really liked this one. 4.5. Nothing over the top or SUPER shocking, but just a good, solid thriller. I loooove a game, and I loved that we got to experience it from start to finish. I really liked the way the story circled back around at the end to give insight as to what was happening in the earlier chapters. The twist was good, not too much, not too little. The reality game show itself reminded me of a cross between The Traitors and Million Dollar Secret. I would genuinely watch the show if it were real. The writing was good, the characters were fleshed out enough, everything was interesting and kept me wanting to pick the book up over and over again.

[Melissa Kirkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting... Until 1.30am... I loved it! I was involved in the intrigue of the reality show as well as trying to figure out who died and why. It was two parallel stories that were intertwined so well. I liked the future and past sections so that you could kind of start to piece it together. I loved the Tag game story sections most of all, its such a cool idea!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tag, You’re It by Carrie Wilkinson is a book that was on the books I can’t wait to read list and unlike the others recently this one was a winner. There’s 20 reality show contestants on the show call Tag every day someone will be it and inadvertently depending on what they rather tag someone else, with or without the others knowing. They’re all there to win the money but one of them has an ulterior plan which we hear about throughout the book of course there’s Gavin the know it all, Jesse and Gertie the stead fast older women who are dependable and very likable. At first they think it’s the older people versus the younger people The game is pretty straightforward but not everyone playing the game is. When a participant winds up dead a detective comes in to look for the potential killer. We also get to know Jonathan Ruth and Mike the main producers of the show and I just thought this was a great read. I thought that would be more Victims than they had but still. Carrie Wilkinson is always a go to author for me and she rarely disappoints and definitely didn’t with this book. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Rebecca Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tag, You’re It is reality TV chaos turned thriller—and honestly, that setup alone is irresistible. Twenty strangers are dropped into an isolated, unsettling mansion to play a game where being “It” means paranoia, manipulation, and stress served with a side of blackmail. Our main character, Jessie, isn’t just there for the prize money either (because of course she isn’t). She’s got secrets, trust issues, and an ulterior motive.

The atmosphere is where this story really delivers. Kerry Wilkinson captures the suffocating pressure of a competition filmed around the clock, where every glance feels loaded and no one can be trusted. When a contestant is found dead, the show crosses the line from brutal entertainment to full-blown crime scene. Police step in, the production team’s cracks begin to show. The twists keep coming, alliances shift, and suspicion clings to everyone like static. Think The Traitors, but darker and with higher emotional stakes.

That said, the beginning is a bit of a slog. There are a lot of characters to juggle, some leaning hard into reality-TV stereotypes, and having similarly named contestants didn’t help the early confusion. I was also a bit frustrated that some players seemed more interested in voting people out than actually playing the game. Still, once the numbers start shrinking, everything clicks. The pacing sharpens, the stakes rise, and the ending managed to catch me off guard.

Fast-paced, twisty, and dripping with paranoia, Tag, You’re It is a dark, addictive read that rewards your patience—even if the start feels a little chaotic at first.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh... Okay WHAT?! I am still in shock over the last 15% of this book.. like what?!
This book is centered around a new game show called Tag. Friendly competition and rivalry are expected.. but murder? No one suspected that.. well, except for those involved.
This book was brilliantly written. Kerry is one of my absolute favorite authors of psychological thrillers. He just has this way of writing the characters and plot that gripa you from the beginning and doesn't let go. I fell in love with Calvin, Jessie, and Ruth. Honestly just knowing the lengths they were willing to go to in order to get revenge was shocking, but I kind of understood it.
The twists and turns in this book were insaneeeee, in the best way. What happens in the end (or, shall I say, the missing pieces that get explained at the end),will leave you speechless. Such an incredible and easy read.

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tag, You’re It is a fast-paced thriller with a reality TV twist that immediately hooked me. Think The Traitors or The Mole, but even more intense. From the very first chapter, I felt like I was watching an entire season unfold—alliances forming, paranoia creeping in, and those three words… Don’t. Trust. Anybody.

I was completely glued to the pages and couldn’t stop reading! Every chapter ended with just enough to make it impossible to put down, and the constant uncertainty about who, if anyone, I could trust kept me on edge the whole time.

I seriously did NOT see those twists coming! This book delivered everything I want in a thriller, and then some. I LOVED it!

[Melanie Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tag, You’re It by Kerri Wilkinson kept me hooked from start to finish. The pacing was strong, with short, suspenseful chapters that made it easy to keep saying “just one more.”

The characters were engaging, and the plot kept me guessing. While a few parts felt predictable and certain scenes could have been developed a bit more but the overall experience was still very enjoyable.

The themes of trust, vulnerability, and hidden secrets were woven throughout the story and added depth to the plot. I also appreciated how the author explored how past experiences can shape present decisions.

This was my first book by Kerri Wilkinson, and it definitely won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to exploring more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

[Emma Sommerville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a fun time reading **Tag, You’re It by Kerry Wilkinson — it was honestly so unexpected in the best way.

The whole layout is basically a reality show where 20 contestants go into the woods to play a twisted game of tag… but with very real stakes. Every day, one person wakes up as “It” and has to complete a random task (like getting someone to do something specific) without being found out. If they fail — they’re out. If they succeed — the person they tagged is out. BUT if someone correctly guesses you’re “It”? You’re gone instead.
I did spend a lot of the book wondering where it was all going, BUT when the twists started landing towards the end… I was genuinely surprised.

A really fun thriller

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Tag, You're It
Author: Kerry Wilkinson
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Publication Date: January 30, 2026

The description of this book gave "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" by Lisa Unger and "Win or Die" by Darren O'Sullivan vibes. Unfortunately, that's where the similarities ended. It's obvious that Jessie is hiding something, but it wasn't clear what she was hiding. The book was smooth and quick paced, but it lacked the "edge of your seat" suspense that most readers love. Even so, it's definitely worth your time to grab this as soon as it's published!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

[justine ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this because the "survival game" concept is so strong, but it ended up being a very "mid" thriller for me.

The Good: It’s incredibly fast-paced. The high-stakes game where players are eliminated one by one turns horrific quickly, which kept me turning the pages to see who would survive.

The Bad: The execution just didn't land. The characters felt flat, and the "big twist" at the end felt totally disconnected from the rest of the story—like it was added just for shock value. It lacked the logic needed to make the ending feel earned.

Final Verdict: Not a bad read, but definitely not great. It felt rushed and left me with too many questions. Great if you want a mindless slasher, but not if you want a cohesive mystery.

[loveM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay - definitely amusing as it follows contestants on a game show with behind the scenes chapters as well.

I will say repeating certain lines or themes in the writing is one of my pet peeves 🫣
Saying something a couple times? Okay, fine. But multiple times across the span of multiple chapters? *sigh* If the storyline doesn’t get across what you’re trying to convey then repeating the same line won’t make me believe you.

I wouldn’t call this book particularly thrilling but I found the game show setting interesting. At about 50% in, we were still reading about the game and behind the scenes moments 🤷🏽‍♀️ a quick read but not necessarily fast paced if that makes sense.

As for content, it was clean actually so if you want an interesting, fun book that’s clean that has a bit of mystery-definitely pick this one up!


Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

[Jacinta Janik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really tense and unsettling in the best way. The idea of turning a childhood game into something dangerous works so well, especially in the isolated mansion setting where paranoia builds fast. What stood out to me was how quickly trust breaks down and how far people are willing to go to protect themselves. It’s fast-paced, easy to get hooked on, and focuses more on human behaviour under pressure than just the twists. Definitely a solid, gripping thriller.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

How far would you go and how much would you do for money?
The reality tv part is what Jessica is aiming to win the money but there are many obstacles to overcome.
No one can be trusted and there are things that go awry.
I think the ultimate question for this book is was it worth it?
Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for the early read.

[Amy Downey · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ 2 stars

Great concept, disappointing execution. The pacing was painfully slow, and the characters felt flat and forgettable. It made it hard to stay engaged. For a story about a deadly game with millions on the line, there was surprisingly little tension. Jessie’s big “secret” buildup didn’t pay off either. The plot seemed to drag on. Overall, a cool idea that never really too off.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC!

[Stacy Coker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerry Wilkinson delivers a gripping new mystery that pulls you in from page one. If you love the strategy and suspense of The Traitors, this one will be right up your alley.

The story stays engaging the entire time, with no slow spots and no dragging. Every chapter keeps the momentum going, and even the twist at the end lands quickly and wraps everything up in a really satisfying way.

Such a fun, fast read. I highly recommend it!

[BookswithLydscl | · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

'Tag, You’re It' is a sharp, fast-paced thriller that makes excellent use of its high-concept premise. A game show gone wrong (one of my favourite tropes), an isolated setting, and a tightly closed circle of characters create an instantly gripping setup that keeps the tension high from the very first pages and certainly captured my attention immediately.

The multi-POV structure works brilliantly, allowing the story to unfold from different angles while steadily deepening the sense of paranoia and mistrust. The dual timeline adds momentum and helps layer the mystery, revealing information at just the right pace without giving too much away too soon.

While the ending didn’t quite pack the punch I was hoping for, it was still satisfying and well-earned, tying the threads together in a way that felt coherent and true to the story. Overall, this is an addictive, cleverly constructed thriller that’s hard to put down and delivers tension, twists, and atmosphere in spades.

This was a gripping read that will especially appeal to fans of contained, high-stakes thrillers, and of course if you're a fan of The Traitors TV show.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this digital review copy of "Tag You're It" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

[Patrycja · Rating 1 out of 5]

5,75/10
Ogólnie pomysł I zarys fabuły był dobry ale wykonanie dla mnie było zbyt nudne. Kolejna książka z reality show i ogólnie to mogłoby byx spoko ale było zbyt powtarzające się co chwilę czytać o tym samym o jejku musimy uważać ktoś nas taguje robimy zadanie a na koniec przychodzi Krzysztof Ibisz I wywala uczestników. Za mało było napięcia w tej książce i plot twistow żebym dała większą ocenę. Postacie lubiłam niektóre co odpadły ale do końca nie pamiętałam który to Gavin a który Calvin xd jakoś Nie chce mi się wierzyć że 50 60 70 latkowie poszli do takiego programu i biegają i mają siłę jeszcze rozkminiać xd mid na minusie dla mnie bo mógłby to być lepsze

[jane eales · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 2.5 ⭐️ read for me. Easy read but not really gripping and a bit predictable. Centering around a game show - Tag- there are lots of characters introduced from the off but none feel relevant and therefore I wasn’t invested really in anyone. Jessie the main character was a bit damp so not really for me. It just didn’t take me along for the ride.
Even so I can see why a lot of readers enjoyed it but wasn’t my vibe

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know when you’re watching a reality show and someone’s like, “I didn’t come here to make friends,” and you think, “Okay, but maybe don’t start a blood feud on day two”? Yeah. Tag, You’re It looked at that energy and said, “Let’s crank the paranoia to eleven and drop everyone in a murdery game of tag with vibes so unhinged even the producers need therapy.” This is The Traitors meets Ready or Not, but with fewer ball gowns and more secret agendas.

The setup is reality TV gold. Twenty strangers, one creepy isolated countryside mansion, and a game where you don’t want to be “It” unless you really enjoy blackmail-flavored anxiety. Jessie, our main girl, isn’t just there for the millions. Oh no. She’s got a secret. Of course she does. Because you can’t be the POV character in a thriller game show deathmatch without a mysterious past and just a whiff of trust issues.

What makes this book click (and sometimes clunk) is the vibe. Kerry Wilkinson nails the claustrophobic, someone-is-breathing-down-my-neck tension of a cutthroat competition with cameras everywhere. You can feel the alliances forming and fracturing like it’s Survivor: Gaslight Edition. There’s also a side narrative with a police investigation. Yes, there’s a murder, obviously. Which peels back Jessie’s backstory like it’s playing emotional Jenga.

But listen. This book starts like a slow burn that’s almost too slow. Like, I was on chapter ten still trying to figure out who was who, and I swear half these contestants were walking stereotypes from the Reality TV Starter Pack. You’ve got the soft-spoken nice guy, the aggro gym bro, the girl who’s just there to win, and about fifteen others who feel like background NPCs in a Sims death house challenge. Once the herd starts thinning, it gets easier to care, but the beginning? It’s giving name soup.

Also, not gonna lie, I called the twist. I didn’t fully solve the whodunit, but I definitely squinted at a few characters and went, “You’re shady in a way that’s not just for drama points.” Still, even when the story got predictable, it was never boring. The pacing picks up hard after the halfway mark, and the tag tasks? Deliciously sinister. I was literally yelling, “You are NOT gonna do that to stay in the game!” Spoiler. They were absolutely gonna do that.

Jessie’s arc is solid. She’s not some plucky underdog who stumbles into danger. She’s calculated, observant, and a little morally gray, which yes hi welcome to my favorite kind of protagonist. She’s not there for redemption. She’s there for revenge. And watching her wrestle between survival and secrets? A whole meal.

Is this the deepest thriller you’ll read this year? Probably not. But does it absolutely nail the “don’t trust anyone, even yourself” vibe of good paranoia-driven mysteries? For sure. Could the twist have been bigger? Yes. Did I still devour the second half like it owed me money? Also yes.

I’m giving this a fun, slightly chaotic, highly readable 3.5 stars. Great concept, strong tension, a few pacing issues and characters I wish got more time before their metaphorical torches got snuffed.

Whodunity Award: For Turning Childhood Games Into Trust Issues on Steroids

Big thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC that let me scream internally about “reality TV but with murder” which is honestly my Roman Empire.