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Murder on the Upper East Side
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26Scandal never graduates. Holly Jackson meets Gossip Girl in this glossy thriller, set in the glamorous world of New York's ultra-elite.
2016. Hannah Miller has begun her senior year at The Prescott Academy of New York alongside the rich and famous of the Upper East Side. Or at least, their children.
Among the trust funds and penthouse parties, there’s one rule for staying out of the way of Queen Bees Madison DuPont and Elle Harrington.
For Hannah, being a scholarship student makes her invisible. Or so she thinks.
2026. The Academy's alumni have gathered for a glittering charity gala. Only Madison DuPont could host an event this grand.
But what starts as a champagne-fueled party soon descends into chaos when Madison is found dead moments after her speech. It doesn't take long for fingers to point at Hannah – everyone saw her talking to Madison only moments before she died. She shouldn't even be at the gala. She's not really one of them.
The truth is that everyone had a reason to want Madison dead. To clear her name, Hannah must unearth the secrets that this crowd would kill to keep buried.
2016. Hannah Miller has begun her senior year at The Prescott Academy of New York alongside the rich and famous of the Upper East Side. Or at least, their children.
Among the trust funds and penthouse parties, there’s one rule for staying out of the way of Queen Bees Madison DuPont and Elle Harrington.
For Hannah, being a scholarship student makes her invisible. Or so she thinks.
2026. The Academy's alumni have gathered for a glittering charity gala. Only Madison DuPont could host an event this grand.
But what starts as a champagne-fueled party soon descends into chaos when Madison is found dead moments after her speech. It doesn't take long for fingers to point at Hannah – everyone saw her talking to Madison only moments before she died. She shouldn't even be at the gala. She's not really one of them.
The truth is that everyone had a reason to want Madison dead. To clear her name, Hannah must unearth the secrets that this crowd would kill to keep buried.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 28, 2026
I wanted to love this so much given my obsession with Gossip Girl & The O.C. when I was in my 20s but this ultimately fell so flat and dragged so much. I kept being pulled away by constant descriptions (unless you’re into fashion & the lifestyle of the rich and famous, then you’ll probably enjoy them) and I just barely hung on the whole time. It only got more gripping the last 20 or so per cent.
Thank you to the publisher for my early copy.
Thank you to the publisher for my early copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Upper East Side is a fun, fast-paced YA mystery that perfectly blends elite prep school drama, long-buried secrets, and murder. With strong Gossip Girl vibes and a twisty whodunit at its core, this was an entertaining read that kept me guessing until the end.
The story alternates between 2016, during Hannah Miller's senior year at the prestigious Prescott Academy, and 2026, when the school's alumni reunite for a glamorous charity gala that ends in murder. The dual timeline worked well, gradually revealing the complicated relationships, rivalries, and secrets that led to Madison DuPont's shocking death.
Hannah was an easy protagonist to root for. As a scholarship student navigating a world of wealth and privilege, she always felt like an outsider, and her perspective provided an interesting contrast to the privileged lives of her classmates. When she becomes the prime suspect in Madison's murder, the stakes immediately become personal, and I was invested in seeing her uncover the truth.
One of the book's biggest strengths is its atmosphere. The lavish parties, designer wardrobes, exclusive social circles, and Upper East Side excess create a glamorous backdrop that feels both enticing and toxic. Beneath the glitter and luxury lies a web of jealousy, betrayal, and resentment that makes nearly every character a potential suspect.
The mystery itself was engaging, with plenty of twists, red herrings, and revelations to keep the pages turning. While I correctly guessed a few pieces of the puzzle before the final reveal, there were still enough surprises to keep the ending satisfying.
Some of the supporting characters could have been developed a bit more, and there were moments when the large cast made it difficult to keep track of everyone's motivations. However, the strong pacing and addictive drama more than compensated for those minor issues.
Overall, Murder on the Upper East Side is an entertaining YA thriller filled with secrets, scandals, and suspense. Fans of prep school mysteries, wealthy socialite drama, and books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder will likely have a great time with this one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story alternates between 2016, during Hannah Miller's senior year at the prestigious Prescott Academy, and 2026, when the school's alumni reunite for a glamorous charity gala that ends in murder. The dual timeline worked well, gradually revealing the complicated relationships, rivalries, and secrets that led to Madison DuPont's shocking death.
Hannah was an easy protagonist to root for. As a scholarship student navigating a world of wealth and privilege, she always felt like an outsider, and her perspective provided an interesting contrast to the privileged lives of her classmates. When she becomes the prime suspect in Madison's murder, the stakes immediately become personal, and I was invested in seeing her uncover the truth.
One of the book's biggest strengths is its atmosphere. The lavish parties, designer wardrobes, exclusive social circles, and Upper East Side excess create a glamorous backdrop that feels both enticing and toxic. Beneath the glitter and luxury lies a web of jealousy, betrayal, and resentment that makes nearly every character a potential suspect.
The mystery itself was engaging, with plenty of twists, red herrings, and revelations to keep the pages turning. While I correctly guessed a few pieces of the puzzle before the final reveal, there were still enough surprises to keep the ending satisfying.
Some of the supporting characters could have been developed a bit more, and there were moments when the large cast made it difficult to keep track of everyone's motivations. However, the strong pacing and addictive drama more than compensated for those minor issues.
Overall, Murder on the Upper East Side is an entertaining YA thriller filled with secrets, scandals, and suspense. Fans of prep school mysteries, wealthy socialite drama, and books like A Good Girl's Guide to Murder will likely have a great time with this one.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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August 2, 2026Of course I was expecting this to read as much like Gossip Girl as humanly possible because it is presented as a Gossip Girl knockoff. What I did not expect was for it to be a Gossip Girl-referencing, Gossip Girl knockoff complete with a pen name for the author that perfectly aligned with UES lore that also read too much like someone my age thinking they know how people younger than them talk and act while actually having no idea. This was an extremely sloppy book that clearly passed based on vibes but did not have a strong editorial eye looking over things or demanding excellence. The way it constantly shifted from third person limited to third omniscient was like it couldn't remember which one it was supposed to be doing. The way these young adults talked was simply not in keeping with the real world, it was exactly like the performative and stylized way our Blair and Serena spoke, except remember how those books came out 20 years ago and this book very overtly made the statement "this is not about millennials" by making it about the class of 2017, not 2006? All the mystery setup was good, with all the "hey, you thought this person was the obvious killer? Now let me tell you about how THIS person is also the obvious killer?" but in the end, this book was strikingly reminiscent to the Ghost Killer arc in the show Bones, by which I mean both the exact ending and reveal and also the buildup > disappointment trajectory. If you are still mad about the way Stephanie MacNamara was handled in Bones, you will be newly angry if you read this book. So much potential for snarky, salacious fun! So little payoff.
[Yes, I had an e-galley from either Netgalley or Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review blah blah FTC shit, but for anyone who finds themselves at this review thinking that you can't judge a galley because what if the author goes back for more developmental editing before publication, that is not how publishing works. What is bad developmentally about this novel will remain bad in its final form, because you don't produce arcs and then go back for a rewrite.]
[Yes, I had an e-galley from either Netgalley or Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review blah blah FTC shit, but for anyone who finds themselves at this review thinking that you can't judge a galley because what if the author goes back for more developmental editing before publication, that is not how publishing works. What is bad developmentally about this novel will remain bad in its final form, because you don't produce arcs and then go back for a rewrite.]
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Madison Dupont was murdered at the Hundredth Anniversary Gala celebrating Prescott Prep's beginnings. Everyone who attended the lavish school fundraiser watched in horror as she dropped her martini glass and sank to the floor and no one was leaving until interrogated by the police. It was going to be a long, dismal night. And like in a famous Agatha Christie novel, there were many people who had their reasons for wanting her dead.
Flashback to ten years earlier. Hannah Miller began her senior year of high school at the most prestigious prep school in New York. Her family moved to the city from Pennsylvania and her dream was to attend UPenn upon graduation. Prescott gave Hannah a scholarship to attend their school her final year and she was excited and very anxious to begin. Figuring that the best thing she could do would be to excel at her studies and keep drama to a minimum, she was flummoxed on her first day to be taken under the wing of beautiful Madison Dupont, meanest of the mean girls. Madison introduced her to the school hierarchy, and though not completely accepted by the upper crust, Hannah was somewhat included in their social scene. She knew they were using her but she really enjoyed being included in a lifestyle that she never dreamed of being a part.
Ten years later, Hannah was a journalist who mined her Prescott experience for a hit piece on her fellow students. In the eyes of the police, that made her the prime suspect and it seemed that all of the other guests who were questioned that night agreed. If she didn't want to leave the exclusive restaurant in handcuffs, she had better find out who murdered Madison and why.
Waldorf wrote a fascinating story about New York's one percent and the problems that their money creates. This mystery was a real deep dive into children of the rich and famous. The privilege, the cruelty, and the competitiveness of these students is eye opening and is just as jarring as the actual murder. Will bad behavior triumph over good detective work? Hope for the best, expect the worst.
Flashback to ten years earlier. Hannah Miller began her senior year of high school at the most prestigious prep school in New York. Her family moved to the city from Pennsylvania and her dream was to attend UPenn upon graduation. Prescott gave Hannah a scholarship to attend their school her final year and she was excited and very anxious to begin. Figuring that the best thing she could do would be to excel at her studies and keep drama to a minimum, she was flummoxed on her first day to be taken under the wing of beautiful Madison Dupont, meanest of the mean girls. Madison introduced her to the school hierarchy, and though not completely accepted by the upper crust, Hannah was somewhat included in their social scene. She knew they were using her but she really enjoyed being included in a lifestyle that she never dreamed of being a part.
Ten years later, Hannah was a journalist who mined her Prescott experience for a hit piece on her fellow students. In the eyes of the police, that made her the prime suspect and it seemed that all of the other guests who were questioned that night agreed. If she didn't want to leave the exclusive restaurant in handcuffs, she had better find out who murdered Madison and why.
Waldorf wrote a fascinating story about New York's one percent and the problems that their money creates. This mystery was a real deep dive into children of the rich and famous. The privilege, the cruelty, and the competitiveness of these students is eye opening and is just as jarring as the actual murder. Will bad behavior triumph over good detective work? Hope for the best, expect the worst.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this was a fun read- if you are a sucker for the lifestyles of the rich who will do anything to get their way, you will like this book. It centers on Hannah, who moves to a super prestigious high school in her senior year as a scholarship student. For whatever reason, the popular girls, lead by Madison, take a liking to her, and she navigates that year as a pawn in their games. 10 years later, Madison is murdered at an anniversary event where most of that same group, including Hannah, is in attendance. People point the finger at Hannah, but as a journalist, she thinks she can find out what is really going on. The story is told in alternating timeframes from that year of high school to the present time.
The mystery in this book was sound, and I changed my mind multiple times about who I thought the villain was. There were a lot of characters and sometimes I had to remind myself what the relationships between them were, but I did feel that their voices, for the most part, were distinct. I enjoyed the settings, from their mansions to the exclusive club in which the anniversary gala was held. I felt like the back and forth between timelines kept the story moving along and created good background for the current happenings. The ending was multi-faceted and contained some surprises as well as some more predictable moments, but I liked it and thought it worked. There were a couple minor things that I felt never really got cleared up, but they made suitable red herrings throughout the story.
Overall, I thought this was a fun read and I got through it really quickly because I really wanted to know what happened. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery in this book was sound, and I changed my mind multiple times about who I thought the villain was. There were a lot of characters and sometimes I had to remind myself what the relationships between them were, but I did feel that their voices, for the most part, were distinct. I enjoyed the settings, from their mansions to the exclusive club in which the anniversary gala was held. I felt like the back and forth between timelines kept the story moving along and created good background for the current happenings. The ending was multi-faceted and contained some surprises as well as some more predictable moments, but I liked it and thought it worked. There were a couple minor things that I felt never really got cleared up, but they made suitable red herrings throughout the story.
Overall, I thought this was a fun read and I got through it really quickly because I really wanted to know what happened. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gossip Girl but with murder.
I picked this up expecting a rich people behaving badly thriller... and ended up completely invested in their toxic drama.
If you love elite private schools, old secrets, social climbing, murder, and characters who make terrible decisions but are impossible to look away from, this one's for you.
Ten years after graduating from the prestigious Prescott Academy, former classmates reunite for an anniversary gala. Before the night is over, queen bee Madison is dead.
And guess who's the prime suspect?
Hannah. The scholarship student who never quite belonged.
Told through dual timelines, we bounce between senior year at Prescott and the present-day murder investigation. Every chapter peeled back another layer of manipulation, privilege, betrayal, and secrets.
The cast is messy, privileged, manipulative, and honestly not always likable ....but that's exactly what kept me turning pages. I couldn't stop wondering what they'd do to each other next.
What I Loved:
• Elite prep school drama
• Wealth, privilege, and power plays
• Dual timelines done well
• Lots of suspects and red herrings
• Twists that kept me guessing
• Fast-paced and bingeable
This wasn't a book full of characters I loved. It was a book full of characters I couldn't stop watching. And sometimes that's even better.
Mood Rating:
Gossip Girl meets murder mystery
Wealthy people making terrible choices
Constantly changing your suspect list
One-sitting thriller energy
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the gifted eARC through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Confession: I changed my mind about the killer more times than Gossip Girl changed identities. You Know you love me. XOXO Gossip Girl! ( I always wanted to do that!)
I picked this up expecting a rich people behaving badly thriller... and ended up completely invested in their toxic drama.
If you love elite private schools, old secrets, social climbing, murder, and characters who make terrible decisions but are impossible to look away from, this one's for you.
Ten years after graduating from the prestigious Prescott Academy, former classmates reunite for an anniversary gala. Before the night is over, queen bee Madison is dead.
And guess who's the prime suspect?
Hannah. The scholarship student who never quite belonged.
Told through dual timelines, we bounce between senior year at Prescott and the present-day murder investigation. Every chapter peeled back another layer of manipulation, privilege, betrayal, and secrets.
The cast is messy, privileged, manipulative, and honestly not always likable ....but that's exactly what kept me turning pages. I couldn't stop wondering what they'd do to each other next.
What I Loved:
• Elite prep school drama
• Wealth, privilege, and power plays
• Dual timelines done well
• Lots of suspects and red herrings
• Twists that kept me guessing
• Fast-paced and bingeable
This wasn't a book full of characters I loved. It was a book full of characters I couldn't stop watching. And sometimes that's even better.
Mood Rating:
Gossip Girl meets murder mystery
Wealthy people making terrible choices
Constantly changing your suspect list
One-sitting thriller energy
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the gifted eARC through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Confession: I changed my mind about the killer more times than Gossip Girl changed identities. You Know you love me. XOXO Gossip Girl! ( I always wanted to do that!)
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Murder on the Upper East Side
Hannah and her sister moved from Pittsburg to NYC. She was entering her senior year and started at Prescott Academy, a posh Upper East Side prep school. On her first day of school she met Madison who took Hannah under her wing.
Madison was the original mean girl. She was the Queen Bee of her class and spent her time bossing around Hannah and other
classmates.
Hannah lost touch with all of her classmates after she graduated even though she attended college in NYC.
Ten years later Hannah was a reporter for a local magazine and had recently written a popular article about the excesses of billionaires in NYC. Prescott was holding a fundraiser at the swanky Lenox Club for their anniversary and alumni were invited. Hannah’s boss bought her a ticket and asked her to attend in hopes that she could write a story about the event.
Many of Hannah’s classmates attended as did some of their former teachers. Madison was there with her husband, a newly declared candidate for mayor of NYC. She was not very friendly toward Hannah. However when Madison was found dead in a bathroom from poisoning, Hannah was the main suspect.
The club was locked down and all attendees were questioned overnight by local police.
Hannah decided to solve the murder and find the real killer. The killer was finally exposed at the very end of the story.
This is a story about rich society folks in NYC. There is lots of name dropping of luxury items and exclusive locations. However the author keeps our interest until the last page.
I received this ARC for the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah and her sister moved from Pittsburg to NYC. She was entering her senior year and started at Prescott Academy, a posh Upper East Side prep school. On her first day of school she met Madison who took Hannah under her wing.
Madison was the original mean girl. She was the Queen Bee of her class and spent her time bossing around Hannah and other
classmates.
Hannah lost touch with all of her classmates after she graduated even though she attended college in NYC.
Ten years later Hannah was a reporter for a local magazine and had recently written a popular article about the excesses of billionaires in NYC. Prescott was holding a fundraiser at the swanky Lenox Club for their anniversary and alumni were invited. Hannah’s boss bought her a ticket and asked her to attend in hopes that she could write a story about the event.
Many of Hannah’s classmates attended as did some of their former teachers. Madison was there with her husband, a newly declared candidate for mayor of NYC. She was not very friendly toward Hannah. However when Madison was found dead in a bathroom from poisoning, Hannah was the main suspect.
The club was locked down and all attendees were questioned overnight by local police.
Hannah decided to solve the murder and find the real killer. The killer was finally exposed at the very end of the story.
This is a story about rich society folks in NYC. There is lots of name dropping of luxury items and exclusive locations. However the author keeps our interest until the last page.
I received this ARC for the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gigi Waldorf is the pseudonym of Kit Frick, an author of young adult mystery novels. This book has some elements of dark academia but also includes a present timeline involving the adult lives of the characters. Every piece of marketing and almost every review includes a "Gossip Girl meets X" comparison, with X being some kind of murder mystery. The Gossip Girl vibes are indeed strong, with an anonymous Instagram account dedicated to the lives of the extremely unlikeable students at a posh, exclusive prep school in New York City's Upper East Side. There are characters and locations similar to those in Gossip Girl as well, and about 20% of the text is just name-dropping luxe brands and descriptions of opulence. This didn't bother me much, but others may find it over the top. I also found the story overly long and quite repetitive. I stayed with the book in order to provide a full review, but I think I would not have finished it otherwise. Overall, this was a decent popcorn thriller that was interesting to read, but it wasn't anything special. Fans of elite high school drama will probably enjoy this more than I did.
The murder happens in the prologue, in first person, and the story progresses through two timelines, narrated in third person. This makes every conversation, relationship, and observation suspicious. This made for a fast-paced read. I did not figure out whodunit, so at least that reveal was entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The murder happens in the prologue, in first person, and the story progresses through two timelines, narrated in third person. This makes every conversation, relationship, and observation suspicious. This made for a fast-paced read. I did not figure out whodunit, so at least that reveal was entertaining.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to SS Atria Marketing for the eARC of this twisted little tale of revenge. The Prescott Academy is the quintessential high profile school for the elite .... ie, the rich. The students take their position and their bullying seriously, and those who do not meet the expected social standing are repeatedly burned. The students all seemed to put themselves first, and friendship was no barrier to their self-protection. Madison was of course the worst offender and the best victim; you just can't feel sorry for her. As for the locked door mystery, it was fun gleaming little clues from conversations. I did not like that the police were portrayed as dumb, having a focus from the start and not savvy as to questioning a witness. Gone are the days of the idiot investigator (besides, there are always two, and one has to be pretty smart to keep their job). Mostly told from Hannah's point of view and through her thoughts, I felt that she had a lot of ideas that were too immature for her age and social development. Regardless, I fully enjoyed the mystery, especially as it was set in an old building with hidden rooms and corridors with no electronic access - almost like a murder in an old mansion. I was a little surprised at the ending because it showed that the nastiness of these people had no limits and very few became a better person with age.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this look at Prescott Academy and all the bitchiness and manipulation that goes on amongst rich teens who think they can get away with anything.
This is not a cast of characters that I can truly say I loved as they all are so human but taken to a bit more of an extreme and though I was rooting for Hannah at times to clear her name, she also did things that I wasn't sure I would agree with.
But despite that they are characters that I was definitely interested in, just to see what they would do to each other next.
Set between their last year at Prescott in 2016 and 10 years later at a gala ball with lots of alumni, we know that head queen bitch Madison is clearly murdered quite early on.
But with a class divide, everyone including the police seem to think it was Hannah unless she can come up with proof that it wasn't her.
And wow we get to learn a lot of secrets in this book, as well as getting to see how the other half live with private member clubs and a whole lot more.
Lots of drama, teen angst and cattiness, and a murderer to discover, this is fast paced and enthralling to read.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This is not a cast of characters that I can truly say I loved as they all are so human but taken to a bit more of an extreme and though I was rooting for Hannah at times to clear her name, she also did things that I wasn't sure I would agree with.
But despite that they are characters that I was definitely interested in, just to see what they would do to each other next.
Set between their last year at Prescott in 2016 and 10 years later at a gala ball with lots of alumni, we know that head queen bitch Madison is clearly murdered quite early on.
But with a class divide, everyone including the police seem to think it was Hannah unless she can come up with proof that it wasn't her.
And wow we get to learn a lot of secrets in this book, as well as getting to see how the other half live with private member clubs and a whole lot more.
Lots of drama, teen angst and cattiness, and a murderer to discover, this is fast paced and enthralling to read.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Upper East Side had an interesting premise and started off strong. I liked the idea of a former prep school outsider returning to that world years later as a reporter, only to become the main suspect when the school’s former queen bee is murdered at an exclusive alumni event.
The setting was one of the stronger parts of the book. The Upper East Side atmosphere, luxury name-dropping, private school drama, and rich society backdrop gave the story a very specific feel. There were also enough suspects and secrets to keep me curious about who poisoned Madison and why.
Unfortunately, the middle dragged for me. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and the flashbacks to Hannah’s senior year started to feel repetitive after a while. I understood the purpose of showing how toxic Madison was, but I didn’t always feel like the past chapters added enough to the present-day mystery.
I also wanted a stronger ending. The killer is revealed, but the story wraps up so abruptly that I was left wanting more closure. Overall, this had a fun setup and a wealthy NYC mystery atmosphere, but the pacing and ending kept it from fully working for me.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
The setting was one of the stronger parts of the book. The Upper East Side atmosphere, luxury name-dropping, private school drama, and rich society backdrop gave the story a very specific feel. There were also enough suspects and secrets to keep me curious about who poisoned Madison and why.
Unfortunately, the middle dragged for me. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and the flashbacks to Hannah’s senior year started to feel repetitive after a while. I understood the purpose of showing how toxic Madison was, but I didn’t always feel like the past chapters added enough to the present-day mystery.
I also wanted a stronger ending. The killer is revealed, but the story wraps up so abruptly that I was left wanting more closure. Overall, this had a fun setup and a wealthy NYC mystery atmosphere, but the pacing and ending kept it from fully working for me.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2 stars out of 5.
The premise of this book sounded intriguing but the delivery wasn't there. The book started off pretty strong but I quickly lost interest. The middle just dragged on and there were way too many characters to keep track of. Switching from past to present tense did not work for this book. I think the chapters in the past didn't add any value and just kept repeating the same thing, these kids were spoiled, drama queens. Lastly, what was that ending!?! We finally found out who the murderer was but then the last few paragraphs left us hanging. The book just abruptly ends and I would have liked a better conclusion. Overall, this was a miss for me.
In Murder on the Upper East Side, we follow students of the prestigious high school The Prescott Academy. Hannah just moved to the school and quickly is taken under the wing of Madison and her crew. They graduate and go their separate ways after loads of high school drama but come together for a gala Madison planned. Then someone murders Madison and all fingers point to Hannah who, for the rest of the book, tries to find out who the actual murderer is.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
The premise of this book sounded intriguing but the delivery wasn't there. The book started off pretty strong but I quickly lost interest. The middle just dragged on and there were way too many characters to keep track of. Switching from past to present tense did not work for this book. I think the chapters in the past didn't add any value and just kept repeating the same thing, these kids were spoiled, drama queens. Lastly, what was that ending!?! We finally found out who the murderer was but then the last few paragraphs left us hanging. The book just abruptly ends and I would have liked a better conclusion. Overall, this was a miss for me.
In Murder on the Upper East Side, we follow students of the prestigious high school The Prescott Academy. Hannah just moved to the school and quickly is taken under the wing of Madison and her crew. They graduate and go their separate ways after loads of high school drama but come together for a gala Madison planned. Then someone murders Madison and all fingers point to Hannah who, for the rest of the book, tries to find out who the actual murderer is.
Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
Review of advance copy
2.5 STARS
Gigi Waldorf is the pen name of YA best selling writer Kit Frick. MURDER ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE reads very much like a young adult novel, despite the characters having graduated from a prestigious private school ten years prior most of the events in the book.
Hannah Miller, a scholarship student, spent her senior year in private school along with her half-sister Amy. On her first day, queen bee and mean girl Madison, who had no redeeming qualities, introduced Hannah to the IT crowd.
Ten years later, at an anniversary party for the school, Madison is murdered. For some murky reasons , Hannah is on the police’s target so she sets out to find the actual murderer.
The only difference between MURDER ON THE EAST SIDE and a young adult novel is that instead of thinking she’s savvier than the cops, Hannah has a journalism degree which she uses in a tangential way as her job at a magazine in the culture department.
Though Hannah is likable enough, I didn’t *feel* her as a character. I knew very little about her inner workings, neither then nor now. She was out for herself, not in an empowered way, more selfishly because she lacked communication skills.
I didn’t care whodunnit enough to form theories. Though her voice was pleasant, audiobook narrator mispronounced so many words I was distracted.
MURDER ON THE EAST SIDE will appeal to younger readers more than adult readers.
Gigi Waldorf is the pen name of YA best selling writer Kit Frick. MURDER ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE reads very much like a young adult novel, despite the characters having graduated from a prestigious private school ten years prior most of the events in the book.
Hannah Miller, a scholarship student, spent her senior year in private school along with her half-sister Amy. On her first day, queen bee and mean girl Madison, who had no redeeming qualities, introduced Hannah to the IT crowd.
Ten years later, at an anniversary party for the school, Madison is murdered. For some murky reasons , Hannah is on the police’s target so she sets out to find the actual murderer.
The only difference between MURDER ON THE EAST SIDE and a young adult novel is that instead of thinking she’s savvier than the cops, Hannah has a journalism degree which she uses in a tangential way as her job at a magazine in the culture department.
Though Hannah is likable enough, I didn’t *feel* her as a character. I knew very little about her inner workings, neither then nor now. She was out for herself, not in an empowered way, more selfishly because she lacked communication skills.
I didn’t care whodunnit enough to form theories. Though her voice was pleasant, audiobook narrator mispronounced so many words I was distracted.
MURDER ON THE EAST SIDE will appeal to younger readers more than adult readers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for being able to read this ahead of release.
I honestly couldn't put this down. it's exactly what I wanted it to be. If you ever wished Gossip Girl had a literal body count, Murder on the Upper East Side is going to be your next obsession. The story jumps between a toxic high school clique in 2016 and a glamorous charity gala ten years later, where the reigning queen bee drops dead and scholarship outsider Hannah Miller gets framed for it. Watching Hannah navigate that hyper-wealthy, cutthroat world just to clear her name kept me hooked from the very first chapter.
What I loved most was how incredibly juicy and fast-paced the whole thing felt. It totally nailed that "outsider trying to survive the elite" vibe, balancing teenage cruelty with adult desperation in a way that felt super addictive.
Sure, if you read a ton of thrillers you might guess a couple of the twists ahead of time, but the drama is so messy and the penthouse-party atmosphere is so fun that you won't even care. It's honestly the perfect, breezy pool-side page-turner.
Booktok review- https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sKt3HW/
I honestly couldn't put this down. it's exactly what I wanted it to be. If you ever wished Gossip Girl had a literal body count, Murder on the Upper East Side is going to be your next obsession. The story jumps between a toxic high school clique in 2016 and a glamorous charity gala ten years later, where the reigning queen bee drops dead and scholarship outsider Hannah Miller gets framed for it. Watching Hannah navigate that hyper-wealthy, cutthroat world just to clear her name kept me hooked from the very first chapter.
What I loved most was how incredibly juicy and fast-paced the whole thing felt. It totally nailed that "outsider trying to survive the elite" vibe, balancing teenage cruelty with adult desperation in a way that felt super addictive.
Sure, if you read a ton of thrillers you might guess a couple of the twists ahead of time, but the drama is so messy and the penthouse-party atmosphere is so fun that you won't even care. It's honestly the perfect, breezy pool-side page-turner.
Booktok review- https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8sKt3HW/
June 26, 2026
Calling all fans of thrillers and Gossip Girl… this one’s for you! In 2016, Hannah starts her senior year at Prescott Academy on a scholarship amongst the elite of the Upper East Side. In 2026, the academy’s alumni gather for a charity gala, which is full of all the usual glam until Prescott’s Queen Bee Madison DuPont is murdered…
The story is told between both time periods. Each chapter alternates, with the 2026 story following the aftermath of the murder and the 2016 story showing back story to each of the characters and the drama that unfolded at Prescott. I loved the alternation and found it so gripping. I flew through this book pretty quickly, wanting to know what happened!
The book was sooooo reminiscent of Gossip Girl and I adored it. The drama, the politics, everything was so nostalgic. The thriller and mystery element on top just added to the fun. The ending definitely shocked me, it’s not what I expected at all which is great. It was one of those books where up until the last few pages you still didn’t have an answer.
All in all a fun read if you love the vibes of Gossip Girl and like a mystery too.
The story is told between both time periods. Each chapter alternates, with the 2026 story following the aftermath of the murder and the 2016 story showing back story to each of the characters and the drama that unfolded at Prescott. I loved the alternation and found it so gripping. I flew through this book pretty quickly, wanting to know what happened!
The book was sooooo reminiscent of Gossip Girl and I adored it. The drama, the politics, everything was so nostalgic. The thriller and mystery element on top just added to the fun. The ending definitely shocked me, it’s not what I expected at all which is great. It was one of those books where up until the last few pages you still didn’t have an answer.
All in all a fun read if you love the vibes of Gossip Girl and like a mystery too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I picked this one up because everyone kept comparing it to Gossip Girl, and that was honestly what sold me. I loved the idea of an Upper East Side murder mystery filled with wealthy families, prep school drama, and long-buried secrets.
The dual timeline was probably my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed seeing how Hannah's senior year connected to the present-day murder investigation, and it kept the mystery moving. There were plenty of suspects, and I didn't completely figure out the ending before the reveal.
That said, I never felt fully invested in the story. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and the constant descriptions of designer brands and expensive lifestyles became repetitive. I understand that it's part of the Upper East Side atmosphere, but after a while it started pulling me out of the story instead of adding to it.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read—it just didn't live up to what I was hoping for. If you're a fan of Gossip Girl, elite prep school drama, and YA murder mysteries, I still think it's worth checking out. It had a fun premise and some good twists, but it didn't completely win me over.
The dual timeline was probably my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed seeing how Hannah's senior year connected to the present-day murder investigation, and it kept the mystery moving. There were plenty of suspects, and I didn't completely figure out the ending before the reveal.
That said, I never felt fully invested in the story. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and the constant descriptions of designer brands and expensive lifestyles became repetitive. I understand that it's part of the Upper East Side atmosphere, but after a while it started pulling me out of the story instead of adding to it.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read—it just didn't live up to what I was hoping for. If you're a fan of Gossip Girl, elite prep school drama, and YA murder mysteries, I still think it's worth checking out. It had a fun premise and some good twists, but it didn't completely win me over.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one based on vibes alone. The throwback Gossip Girl atmosphere combined with a young-adult mystery was exactly my kind of book. I also appreciated the nod to Agatha Christie, with so many possible suspects that I was constantly second-guessing myself.
It’s a fairly short novel and incredibly fast-paced, so I was able to finish it in just a few hours. I happened to read it during a summer thunderstorm, which ended up being the perfect ambiance for the story.
As a New Yorker, I especially enjoyed the setting and descriptions. I could vividly picture many of the locations and scenes. At times the writing leaned a little heavily into description, but personally, I didn’t mind because it helped immerse me in the world.
If you enjoy stories about wealth, power, privilege, and the social dynamics that emerge when scholarship students attend elite private schools, I think you’ll have a great time with this one.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy. This was exactly the fun, entertaining pick-me-up I needed.
It’s a fairly short novel and incredibly fast-paced, so I was able to finish it in just a few hours. I happened to read it during a summer thunderstorm, which ended up being the perfect ambiance for the story.
As a New Yorker, I especially enjoyed the setting and descriptions. I could vividly picture many of the locations and scenes. At times the writing leaned a little heavily into description, but personally, I didn’t mind because it helped immerse me in the world.
If you enjoy stories about wealth, power, privilege, and the social dynamics that emerge when scholarship students attend elite private schools, I think you’ll have a great time with this one.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy. This was exactly the fun, entertaining pick-me-up I needed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hannah Miller is being forced to go to a prestigious gala celebrating her elite high school where she spent her senior year. Hannah's employer wants an epic follow-up to her seething article attacking the city's one percent. Having made enemies of her former classmates, Hannah knows this will be a long night. What she isn't expecting is the murder of the Queen Bee herself in the middle of the event. Now, everyone is on lockdown as the police investigate, and Hannah's article puts her in the center of the investigation as the prime suspect.
Murder on the Upper East Side is a fun, easy read reminiscent of Gossip Girl. The story is told through dual timelines with a large cast of characters. The reader is brought into the privileged lives of New York's elite. There is plenty of drama, exciting twists, and a satisfying ending. I would classify Murder on the Upper East Side as an easy, fun beach read perfect for the summer! The book doesn't take itself too seriously and is exactly as it describes itself as.
Murder on the Upper East Side is a fun, easy read reminiscent of Gossip Girl. The story is told through dual timelines with a large cast of characters. The reader is brought into the privileged lives of New York's elite. There is plenty of drama, exciting twists, and a satisfying ending. I would classify Murder on the Upper East Side as an easy, fun beach read perfect for the summer! The book doesn't take itself too seriously and is exactly as it describes itself as.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for an advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Overall this is a sold 4.25 - 4.5, rounded up.
I'm a sucker for anything that can give me that Gossip Girl vibe, and throwing murder on top of it? Hell yeah. I'm easily sold. There's only one narrator (well and a killer POV moment), osolating between 10 years ago and today -- Hannah's senior year at the IT academy of the UES and the gala 10 years later where the Queen Bee drops dead.
This hits all my Gossip Girl feels without 1) having me only think about GG (I like the cast of this book, though it is a bit of a bigger one) and 2) without any sexual assault Chuck Bass.
I spent most of the book trying to figure out the murder (was wrong) and the twist(s) are satisfying.
Not sure if this comes out next week or in September, but when you need your feel of the Met steps, go ahead and pick this one up!
Overall this is a sold 4.25 - 4.5, rounded up.
I'm a sucker for anything that can give me that Gossip Girl vibe, and throwing murder on top of it? Hell yeah. I'm easily sold. There's only one narrator (well and a killer POV moment), osolating between 10 years ago and today -- Hannah's senior year at the IT academy of the UES and the gala 10 years later where the Queen Bee drops dead.
This hits all my Gossip Girl feels without 1) having me only think about GG (I like the cast of this book, though it is a bit of a bigger one) and 2) without any sexual assault Chuck Bass.
I spent most of the book trying to figure out the murder (was wrong) and the twist(s) are satisfying.
Not sure if this comes out next week or in September, but when you need your feel of the Met steps, go ahead and pick this one up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
This was so so good! It kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end! This story reminded me of gossip girl but with a murderous edge! The story of a prestigious prep school Hannah is a scholarship student who gets into a friendship with the Queen bee Madison! Fast forward years later and it’s the anniversary of the school and Madison has been murdered! There are sooo many secrets spilled in this dual pov story we get to see the drama filled high school side and the murder investigation! The characters were very memorable and I’ll be totally honest I didn’t know who actually ended up killing her until the end not shocked by who it was because of what Madison did to them but damn it was a twist on the story I really liked the gossip girl aspect of it with the anonymous instagram account who was posting the gossip! That also shocked me who was truly behind it I didn’t expect them they blended in well!
This was so so good! It kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end! This story reminded me of gossip girl but with a murderous edge! The story of a prestigious prep school Hannah is a scholarship student who gets into a friendship with the Queen bee Madison! Fast forward years later and it’s the anniversary of the school and Madison has been murdered! There are sooo many secrets spilled in this dual pov story we get to see the drama filled high school side and the murder investigation! The characters were very memorable and I’ll be totally honest I didn’t know who actually ended up killing her until the end not shocked by who it was because of what Madison did to them but damn it was a twist on the story I really liked the gossip girl aspect of it with the anonymous instagram account who was posting the gossip! That also shocked me who was truly behind it I didn’t expect them they blended in well!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley
Does high school really ever end? Not for Hannah Miller, thr former scholarship kid, catapulted into the lives of the New York elite 10 years ago, returning for a reunion she'll never forget.
Murder on the Upper Side is Gossip Girl with an even darker underbelly. We follow Hannah's story at school from 2016 in parallel with a closed room (hotel) mystery while she races against time to find out who killed the school Queen Bee, Madison.
The book was fun, dark, and twisty. There were a few too many characters and plots to always keep track of, and it felt unlikely that everyone would open up to Hannah given the circumstances, but despite that I was intrigued right to the end.
Thanks again to Simon & Schuster UK and Netgalley for this ARC.
Does high school really ever end? Not for Hannah Miller, thr former scholarship kid, catapulted into the lives of the New York elite 10 years ago, returning for a reunion she'll never forget.
Murder on the Upper Side is Gossip Girl with an even darker underbelly. We follow Hannah's story at school from 2016 in parallel with a closed room (hotel) mystery while she races against time to find out who killed the school Queen Bee, Madison.
The book was fun, dark, and twisty. There were a few too many characters and plots to always keep track of, and it felt unlikely that everyone would open up to Hannah given the circumstances, but despite that I was intrigued right to the end.
Thanks again to Simon & Schuster UK and Netgalley for this ARC.
June 18, 2026
Murder on the Upper East Side
By Gigi Waldorf
Thank you NetGalley & Gigi Waldorf for the advance reading I read the description and thought it was a fun read.
We got see references of gossip girl in here Scholarship vs Old money aka Hannah and her sister entering Prescott Academy not forgetting who rules the school Madison bossing everyone around. When school ends legendary remains each on their paths many continuing their families legacy while Hannah
was fired at a local magazine. Preparing for the charity event what she didn’t expect was seeing Madison body unconscious on the bathroom floor.Hannah takes upon herself to find out who murder Madison. Secrets are unfolded what else is there to find out ?
Thoughts 💭
The characters I honestly related more with Pretty little liars than Gossip Girls. Drama was entertaining is what kept me reading more. Unlikable characters honestly.
By Gigi Waldorf
Thank you NetGalley & Gigi Waldorf for the advance reading I read the description and thought it was a fun read.
We got see references of gossip girl in here Scholarship vs Old money aka Hannah and her sister entering Prescott Academy not forgetting who rules the school Madison bossing everyone around. When school ends legendary remains each on their paths many continuing their families legacy while Hannah
was fired at a local magazine. Preparing for the charity event what she didn’t expect was seeing Madison body unconscious on the bathroom floor.Hannah takes upon herself to find out who murder Madison. Secrets are unfolded what else is there to find out ?
Thoughts 💭
The characters I honestly related more with Pretty little liars than Gossip Girls. Drama was entertaining is what kept me reading more. Unlikable characters honestly.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Disclaimer: I won an ARC in a GoodReads GiveAway but that in no way influenced my review.
I would give this book a 3.5 star rating in that the mystery plot albeit a bit formulaic was interesting. The problem was that there were so many names involved that it was nearly impossible to keep everyone straight. The plot involved a upper class private high school 10 year reunion and switched back and forth from school years to the reunion. The Queen Bee much hated student Madison was poisoned at the reunion and since all the guests could have had motives and opportunity, the suspects were limited to those present for the reunion.
One student, Hannah Miller, was the prime suspect since she was a writer who had just written a very critical article about Madison. So she sets out to find out who the real killer is to prove her innocence. And there the story begins.
I would give this book a 3.5 star rating in that the mystery plot albeit a bit formulaic was interesting. The problem was that there were so many names involved that it was nearly impossible to keep everyone straight. The plot involved a upper class private high school 10 year reunion and switched back and forth from school years to the reunion. The Queen Bee much hated student Madison was poisoned at the reunion and since all the guests could have had motives and opportunity, the suspects were limited to those present for the reunion.
One student, Hannah Miller, was the prime suspect since she was a writer who had just written a very critical article about Madison. So she sets out to find out who the real killer is to prove her innocence. And there the story begins.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the East Side is an engaging thriller set in the world of the ultra‑rich, blending past and present as it moves between Hannah Miller’s time as a scholarship student at Prescott Academy and the alumni gala where queen bee Madison Dupont is found murdered. When Hannah quickly becomes the prime suspect, she takes it upon herself to uncover the truth, digging through old rivalries, buried secrets, and a maze of shifting loyalties. The story offers plenty of drama, a large cast of characters to sort through, and a satisfying mix of twists and red herrings. While some aspects of the final reveal are predictable, there are still enough surprises to keep the mystery entertaining. I found the story to be an enjoyable, character‑driven thriller with a fun blend of suspense and social intrigue.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Even if it wasn't obvious from the preview that Hannah Miller did not murder Madison DuPont, despite the apparent assumptions of the police and many of the attendees at the Prescott Academy Alumni gala at an exclusive club, it would be pretty easy to figure out that Hannah was neither the killer nor the most plausible suspect. However, the story will keep you guessing as to who poisoned Madison and why, alternating between the night of the gala and events ten years earlier during Madison and Hannah's senior year. There are multiple plausible subjects, as many people have been on the wrong end of her toxic behavior. And there are numerous people, Hannah among them, who are hiding secrets they don't want revealed. There are practically no likable characters in the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Told in dual timelines between 2017 and 2026, scholarship student Hannah frantically works to uncover the murder of Prescott's Queen B herself Madison DuPont. If she cannot find the killer before the police she will be framed.
This was an okay-enough thriller, but I found several pieces of the plot distractingly problematic. The police investigation seemed off - they kept asking all the students about Hannah instead of where they were and investigating the reasons they might have had to kill Madison. Because all of them were treated badly by her. I also don't know that enough was set to fully frame the classmate arrested.
Not a bad book, and it gave me my fix for a series about privileged, elite private school kids behaving poorly.
This was an okay-enough thriller, but I found several pieces of the plot distractingly problematic. The police investigation seemed off - they kept asking all the students about Hannah instead of where they were and investigating the reasons they might have had to kill Madison. Because all of them were treated badly by her. I also don't know that enough was set to fully frame the classmate arrested.
Not a bad book, and it gave me my fix for a series about privileged, elite private school kids behaving poorly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Murder on the Upper East Side is a fun YA mystery that delivers plenty of Gossip Girl vibes with wealthy families, prep school drama, and long-buried secrets.
The dual timeline and flashback chapters were my favorite part, adding depth to the mystery while perfectly capturing the glamorous Upper East Side atmosphere. I enjoyed trying to solve the murder and kept changing my list of suspects. Although I guessed a few twists, the ending still had some surprises.
The large cast and repetitive focus on designer brands occasionally slowed the story, but overall it was an entertaining, fast-paced read. If you enjoy elite prep school drama and light murder mysteries, this one is worth picking up.
Murder on the Upper East Side is a fun YA mystery that delivers plenty of Gossip Girl vibes with wealthy families, prep school drama, and long-buried secrets.
The dual timeline and flashback chapters were my favorite part, adding depth to the mystery while perfectly capturing the glamorous Upper East Side atmosphere. I enjoyed trying to solve the murder and kept changing my list of suspects. Although I guessed a few twists, the ending still had some surprises.
The large cast and repetitive focus on designer brands occasionally slowed the story, but overall it was an entertaining, fast-paced read. If you enjoy elite prep school drama and light murder mysteries, this one is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A newcomer to an incredibly prestigious private school on the UES has a rather bad senior year, and manages to put together a life after... and then returns to the world of that school as a reporter during a fundraiser. Murder happens. And over the course of the very long night that follows, we get both investigation and flashbacks to the year that set everything in motion.
I guess the real appeal in this is the peek into the world of Teenagers With Too Much Money Acting Badly? It's definitely not written for anyone aware of the private school world in NYC, since the author namechecks Dalton as a rival (in reality, it's the only school like Prescott on the UES, all the others are girls' schools).
A while ago there was a movement to create a marketing band of New Adult books that would appeal to the 18-25 crowd (why YA is 12-18 is beyond me but I'm not a publisher or marketer and it's too ingrained to change now!). This is definitely not an adult book but would fit nicely into that category. Rebranding this to YA would also work.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
I guess the real appeal in this is the peek into the world of Teenagers With Too Much Money Acting Badly? It's definitely not written for anyone aware of the private school world in NYC, since the author namechecks Dalton as a rival (in reality, it's the only school like Prescott on the UES, all the others are girls' schools).
A while ago there was a movement to create a marketing band of New Adult books that would appeal to the 18-25 crowd (why YA is 12-18 is beyond me but I'm not a publisher or marketer and it's too ingrained to change now!). This is definitely not an adult book but would fit nicely into that category. Rebranding this to YA would also work.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
DRC from Edelweiss and Atria/Emily Bestler Books / Simon & Schuster
The story starts out with someone murdering Madison at an Alumni fundraiser. What follows - in flashbacks to their high school years - are reasons various classmates may have wanted Madison dead. Hannah entered Prescott Academy in her senior year and because she and her sister were “scholarship” students, they never really fit in with the “in” crowd. Hannah is at the party to write an article for the magazine she works for. Even after 10 years, many still hold grudges. But now that a murder has occurred, Hannah decides to investigate on her own and not only clear her name, but to write a better article. Everyone has secrets, many going back to their high school years. How far will the murderer go to make sure these secrets stay hidden?
The story starts out with someone murdering Madison at an Alumni fundraiser. What follows - in flashbacks to their high school years - are reasons various classmates may have wanted Madison dead. Hannah entered Prescott Academy in her senior year and because she and her sister were “scholarship” students, they never really fit in with the “in” crowd. Hannah is at the party to write an article for the magazine she works for. Even after 10 years, many still hold grudges. But now that a murder has occurred, Hannah decides to investigate on her own and not only clear her name, but to write a better article. Everyone has secrets, many going back to their high school years. How far will the murderer go to make sure these secrets stay hidden?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hannah is a scholarship student at the Prescott Academy of New York. Being in the midst of trust fund babies and the mega rich can be tough, but Hannah manages to (sort of) befriend the queen bee of Prescott. Years later, at an alumni event, Ms. Queen Bee gets murdered and Hannah becomes the lead suspect.
This book has all the trademark makings for a great story, but it gets bogged down with way too many small details and I found myself getting bored. There was page after page of descriptions of how the wealthy live, their clothes, their homes, etc. I couldn’t wait to find out who the killer was but getting there was a slog.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.
This book has all the trademark makings for a great story, but it gets bogged down with way too many small details and I found myself getting bored. There was page after page of descriptions of how the wealthy live, their clothes, their homes, etc. I couldn’t wait to find out who the killer was but getting there was a slog.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.
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