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The Death Row Club
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50 copies available
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SOME THINGS RUN IN THE BLOOD…
A darkly twisted and wonderfully original debut thriller for fans of Riley Sager and Jessica Knoll – at an annual weekend getaway for the adult children of serial killers, the participants begin to wonder if somebody's continuing the family tradition when one of their number turns up dead.
Plenty of people have lousy parents, but Nicola Fischer's father has just been convicted of murdering five young women, including her best friend. Fired from her job and hounded by reporters, Nicola passes the time by doomscrolling and drunk-dialling Greer Woods, the alluring host of the hit show To Catch a Killer, who cracked the case and turned Nicola's life upside down before disappearing along with her so-called 'best intentions'.
When an email from Greer finally shows up in Nicola's inbox, there's no apology or explanation, just a cryptic invitation. The Death Row Club is an annual weekend getaway for the adult children of serial killers – and Nicola is the newest reluctant member. Desperate to escape her small town, she accepts the offer with barely a second thought, forging tentative bonds with her fellow club members, most of whom seem intriguing, and only slightly unhinged.
But when an uninvited guest shows up at their remote wilderness retreat, everyone is put on high alert, and the next morning paranoia turns to outright fear. Because one of their own is dead, and the rest of them are left with only one question.
If the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, which of them is the bad seed?
'One of the freshest and most promising new voices in crime fiction. This twisted delight is bound to be a megahit' ASHLEY WINSTEAD, bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me
'Compelling, provocative, and absorbing. Vazquez thrills with a fresh and unforgettable premise' KARIN SLAUGHTER
A darkly twisted and wonderfully original debut thriller for fans of Riley Sager and Jessica Knoll – at an annual weekend getaway for the adult children of serial killers, the participants begin to wonder if somebody's continuing the family tradition when one of their number turns up dead.
Plenty of people have lousy parents, but Nicola Fischer's father has just been convicted of murdering five young women, including her best friend. Fired from her job and hounded by reporters, Nicola passes the time by doomscrolling and drunk-dialling Greer Woods, the alluring host of the hit show To Catch a Killer, who cracked the case and turned Nicola's life upside down before disappearing along with her so-called 'best intentions'.
When an email from Greer finally shows up in Nicola's inbox, there's no apology or explanation, just a cryptic invitation. The Death Row Club is an annual weekend getaway for the adult children of serial killers – and Nicola is the newest reluctant member. Desperate to escape her small town, she accepts the offer with barely a second thought, forging tentative bonds with her fellow club members, most of whom seem intriguing, and only slightly unhinged.
But when an uninvited guest shows up at their remote wilderness retreat, everyone is put on high alert, and the next morning paranoia turns to outright fear. Because one of their own is dead, and the rest of them are left with only one question.
If the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, which of them is the bad seed?
'One of the freshest and most promising new voices in crime fiction. This twisted delight is bound to be a megahit' ASHLEY WINSTEAD, bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me
'Compelling, provocative, and absorbing. Vazquez thrills with a fresh and unforgettable premise' KARIN SLAUGHTER
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
May 25, 2026
The locked-room mystery surrounding a strangers' retreat in this fictional world—consisting of serial killers' children whose lives have been completely ruined—orchestrated by a true crime producer/lawyer and her team, is one of the most brilliant concepts I've read recently! The premise alone had me hooked from the start.
The story unfolds through two POVs. One belongs to Nicola Fischer, whose life falls to pieces after discovering that her father—the man who raised her single-handedly, her hero—is not who she thought he was. He's actually a brutal killer responsible for murdering five women, including her best friend Claire. The revelation destroys everything. She's outcasted by her inner circle, abandoned by her friends, fired from her job, and unable to pay her mortgage. To make matters infinitely worse, the person who revealed the ugly truth about her father is Greer Woods, host of the crime show "Catch A Killer." Greer pretended to be Nicola's best friend, but as soon as she uncovered evidence that Nicola's father was a killer, she exploited the crime for ratings and completely ghosted Nicola. Even more damaging, the show implied that Nicola might have helped her father commit these murders. That was the final nail in her coffin.
When Nicola drunkenly calls Greer in desperation, she receives a text shortly after, informing her that she's been invited to the Death Row Club—an all-expenses-paid retreat designed as a gathering place for serial killers' children. She accepts the invitation, seeing it as her chance to finally confront Greer and discover why she was punished by having the facts about her father's crimes twisted and sensationalized. But what Nicola doesn't realize is that at this retreat—the place she's hoping will offer escape from the outside world's hatred—she may find herself in far more danger than she ever imagined. Because when one of the invitees turns up dead, she could be next.
The other POV belongs to Steffanie, who honestly captured my interest even more. She's a young woman desperately trying to escape her abusive father, who always manages to find her no matter how many times she runs away. There's no one who can help her—even the police don't take her seriously. She's completely alone. When she hitchhikes one last time in the middle of nowhere, she finds herself in a complicated and even more threatening situation that may change her life forever.
I absolutely loved the concept and the locked-room execution. The only issue I had was that I didn't get as attached to Nicola's character as I did to Steffanie. Steffanie's storyline completely stole the show for me. The twist was expertly played, and the wrap-up felt satisfying. I'll definitely be excited to read more from this author in the future. The only thing that held me back from giving this five stars was that the mystery surrounding the murder at the retreat didn't pique my interest as much as I'd hoped. But as a slow-burn psychological mystery, this is still a great book to pick up!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this psychological thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The story unfolds through two POVs. One belongs to Nicola Fischer, whose life falls to pieces after discovering that her father—the man who raised her single-handedly, her hero—is not who she thought he was. He's actually a brutal killer responsible for murdering five women, including her best friend Claire. The revelation destroys everything. She's outcasted by her inner circle, abandoned by her friends, fired from her job, and unable to pay her mortgage. To make matters infinitely worse, the person who revealed the ugly truth about her father is Greer Woods, host of the crime show "Catch A Killer." Greer pretended to be Nicola's best friend, but as soon as she uncovered evidence that Nicola's father was a killer, she exploited the crime for ratings and completely ghosted Nicola. Even more damaging, the show implied that Nicola might have helped her father commit these murders. That was the final nail in her coffin.
When Nicola drunkenly calls Greer in desperation, she receives a text shortly after, informing her that she's been invited to the Death Row Club—an all-expenses-paid retreat designed as a gathering place for serial killers' children. She accepts the invitation, seeing it as her chance to finally confront Greer and discover why she was punished by having the facts about her father's crimes twisted and sensationalized. But what Nicola doesn't realize is that at this retreat—the place she's hoping will offer escape from the outside world's hatred—she may find herself in far more danger than she ever imagined. Because when one of the invitees turns up dead, she could be next.
The other POV belongs to Steffanie, who honestly captured my interest even more. She's a young woman desperately trying to escape her abusive father, who always manages to find her no matter how many times she runs away. There's no one who can help her—even the police don't take her seriously. She's completely alone. When she hitchhikes one last time in the middle of nowhere, she finds herself in a complicated and even more threatening situation that may change her life forever.
I absolutely loved the concept and the locked-room execution. The only issue I had was that I didn't get as attached to Nicola's character as I did to Steffanie. Steffanie's storyline completely stole the show for me. The twist was expertly played, and the wrap-up felt satisfying. I'll definitely be excited to read more from this author in the future. The only thing that held me back from giving this five stars was that the mystery surrounding the murder at the retreat didn't pique my interest as much as I'd hoped. But as a slow-burn psychological mystery, this is still a great book to pick up!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this psychological thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
November 23, 2025
I liked it a lot. The plot is really engaging and kept my attention until the very end.
The twists and misdirections were good, and the characters and relationships were interesting.
It's a very solid thriller and I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Gallery Books for this ARC!
The twists and misdirections were good, and the characters and relationships were interesting.
It's a very solid thriller and I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Gallery Books for this ARC!
November 18, 2025
This is a pretty tame story, given the plot. I think if you are into lighter mystery/thrillers, this could be a good one to go for. 3.5 rounded up!
There was a focus here that I can’t believe I have never considered before. The lives of the children of murderers.
Genuinely I have never once given thought to what things must be like for them on a personal and social level.
I mean, people are always judging others based on the people they are close to- so people like Nicola are probably experiencing that times 10.
I can always appreciate a book that brings something new to my attention, food for thought. So I really liked that aspect.
I also really liked some of the complex feelings and emotions that the characters experienced regarding how they view their parents.
It wasn’t a black and white “my parent is a bad person, so I hate them” type of situation for everyone.
There was still some reminiscing on special childhood moments and positive memories. It also touched on how they feel about still having some level of positive associations with their parents.
I think this is probably pretty realistic.
I feel like the real selling point here was obviously that everyone had a serial killer parent.
This was such an interesting, unique concept and I was really excited about it. It did turn out to be cool, though in the end I left wanting a bit more from it.
Perhaps more backstories, more descriptive scenes, and just more information about their parents in general.
I also wish that things were a bit more intense.
As I said at the beginning, this is pretty light. It’s not super crazy or descriptive, which is good if you like that. It’s not a YA, but it has those vibes.
The plot twists are twisting, which i think is an absolute necessity for this kind of book.
There’s several throughout the story- some of which I loved, some of which left me… confused. I’m still a little bit confused. But it’s okay.
Overall it was good! I think a few small changes could take it to a new level, but it is still enjoyable as is.
Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery books and author V.A. Vazquez for providing me with the eARC of “The Death Row Club” in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: July 14, 2026
There was a focus here that I can’t believe I have never considered before. The lives of the children of murderers.
Genuinely I have never once given thought to what things must be like for them on a personal and social level.
I mean, people are always judging others based on the people they are close to- so people like Nicola are probably experiencing that times 10.
I can always appreciate a book that brings something new to my attention, food for thought. So I really liked that aspect.
I also really liked some of the complex feelings and emotions that the characters experienced regarding how they view their parents.
It wasn’t a black and white “my parent is a bad person, so I hate them” type of situation for everyone.
There was still some reminiscing on special childhood moments and positive memories. It also touched on how they feel about still having some level of positive associations with their parents.
I think this is probably pretty realistic.
I feel like the real selling point here was obviously that everyone had a serial killer parent.
This was such an interesting, unique concept and I was really excited about it. It did turn out to be cool, though in the end I left wanting a bit more from it.
Perhaps more backstories, more descriptive scenes, and just more information about their parents in general.
I also wish that things were a bit more intense.
As I said at the beginning, this is pretty light. It’s not super crazy or descriptive, which is good if you like that. It’s not a YA, but it has those vibes.
The plot twists are twisting, which i think is an absolute necessity for this kind of book.
There’s several throughout the story- some of which I loved, some of which left me… confused. I’m still a little bit confused. But it’s okay.
Overall it was good! I think a few small changes could take it to a new level, but it is still enjoyable as is.
Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery books and author V.A. Vazquez for providing me with the eARC of “The Death Row Club” in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: July 14, 2026
Want to Read
January 7, 2026Mystery and thrillers & couldn’t say no to that cover!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author, V.A. Vazquez for the early eARC!
Publication date: July 14, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and the author, V.A. Vazquez for the early eARC!
Publication date: July 14, 2026
December 6, 2025
Nicola gets invited to a retreat for the children of serial killers after her father's arrest. One of them ends up dead and it sets up for a perfect locked-room mystery as they try to figure out who did it. This was so twisty and I did not see the ending coming! This was such an original concept and I had a great time reading it.
June 23, 2026
Nicola Fischer's life is already falling apart after her father is convicted of murdering five young women, including her best friend. When she receives a mysterious invitation from Greer Woods, the true crime host who helped put her father behind bars, she finds herself attending The Death Row Club, a weekend retreat for the adult children of serial killers. Hoping for an escape and maybe some understanding, Nicola heads to the remote wilderness gathering and begins forming connections with the other members. But when an unexpected guest arrives and one of the attendees ends up dead, the retreat quickly turns into a nightmare filled with suspicion, secrets, and fear.
I loved this twisty and unique take on a serial killer story, especially for a debut novel! The multiple POVs and timelines were woven together so well and kept me completely invested in what was happening. The locked room mystery aspect is one of my favorites and it worked perfectly here!! Every character seemed to be hiding something, and their secrets created so much angst throughout the story. There were several twists that caught me completely off guard! Overall, this was a great debut that will give you plenty of suspense and surprises.
This book is out July 14, 2026. Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the gifted copy!
I loved this twisty and unique take on a serial killer story, especially for a debut novel! The multiple POVs and timelines were woven together so well and kept me completely invested in what was happening. The locked room mystery aspect is one of my favorites and it worked perfectly here!! Every character seemed to be hiding something, and their secrets created so much angst throughout the story. There were several twists that caught me completely off guard! Overall, this was a great debut that will give you plenty of suspense and surprises.
This book is out July 14, 2026. Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the gifted copy!
December 5, 2025
Thank you #NetGalley, V.A. Vazquez, and Gallery books for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book sounded so GOOD. I was looking forward to reading this one. I thought the plot was different and unlike any thriller I’ve read before.
I will say, this is a VERY SLOW BURN. Super slow. Most of the time I don’t feel like much really happened in the book.
I wish the flashbacks and real time were distinguished more. I kept getting confused when/what was a flashback and what was real time. I did like the split timeline and multiple POVs.
Overall, wouldn’t recommend this book. I found it confusing, slow, and lacking much thrill or action.
This book sounded so GOOD. I was looking forward to reading this one. I thought the plot was different and unlike any thriller I’ve read before.
I will say, this is a VERY SLOW BURN. Super slow. Most of the time I don’t feel like much really happened in the book.
I wish the flashbacks and real time were distinguished more. I kept getting confused when/what was a flashback and what was real time. I did like the split timeline and multiple POVs.
Overall, wouldn’t recommend this book. I found it confusing, slow, and lacking much thrill or action.
June 19, 2026
Another book that I cannot believe is a debut. A unique plot and so cleverly executed. A serial killer story that focuses on the victims and the families of the killers.
After a slowish start, the story begins to ramp up and by the halfway mark it is impossible to put down. A children of serial killers on a weekend away without any access to the outside world, hidden away in a remote area where they can escape from their reality of being talked about, pointed at and accused of knowing more. Nobody knows where they are, so when one of them ends up dead the drama begins.
A thought provoking and emotional story. We get in the minds of thief’s kids, the regrets, the guilt, feelings of betrayal, the sadness and the love that they have for their parents. Nobody else can understand their complex feelings and relationships, and together they are not judged.
Thanks to Gallery Books for my early copy of this fantastic debut to read. . Publishes on July 14th and well worth adding to your TBR.
After a slowish start, the story begins to ramp up and by the halfway mark it is impossible to put down. A children of serial killers on a weekend away without any access to the outside world, hidden away in a remote area where they can escape from their reality of being talked about, pointed at and accused of knowing more. Nobody knows where they are, so when one of them ends up dead the drama begins.
A thought provoking and emotional story. We get in the minds of thief’s kids, the regrets, the guilt, feelings of betrayal, the sadness and the love that they have for their parents. Nobody else can understand their complex feelings and relationships, and together they are not judged.
Thanks to Gallery Books for my early copy of this fantastic debut to read. . Publishes on July 14th and well worth adding to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this.
The concept alone had me hooked, a secret retreat for the adult children of serial killers is dark, unsettling, and brilliantly original. But it’s the execution that really shines. The story is packed with twists on twists, and every time I thought I had things figured out, I was proven wrong.
Nicola is such a compelling protagonist: constantly judged, deeply flawed, and living under the shadow of her father’s crimes. The tension is relentless, the group dynamics are fascinating, and the true crime angle adds an extra layer of unease that kept me glued to the pages.
I loved how this book explores guilt, identity, and whether monstrosity can be inherited. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, the pacing sharp, and the final stretch was impossible to put down.
Dark, twisty, and wildly original, I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you netGalley & Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC!
The concept alone had me hooked, a secret retreat for the adult children of serial killers is dark, unsettling, and brilliantly original. But it’s the execution that really shines. The story is packed with twists on twists, and every time I thought I had things figured out, I was proven wrong.
Nicola is such a compelling protagonist: constantly judged, deeply flawed, and living under the shadow of her father’s crimes. The tension is relentless, the group dynamics are fascinating, and the true crime angle adds an extra layer of unease that kept me glued to the pages.
I loved how this book explores guilt, identity, and whether monstrosity can be inherited. The atmosphere is claustrophobic, the pacing sharp, and the final stretch was impossible to put down.
Dark, twisty, and wildly original, I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you netGalley & Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5⭐, rounding up to 4
the premise of this book is fascinating, because of course the children of these serial killers are affected by what happened. It made me think of the unknown child of Ted Bundy, did that child ever find out? how would you live a normal life with this information out there and the fear that you may grow into your parent?
despite the intriguing premise not a lot actually happens in the book. The most significant thing up until close to the end is that people are constantly trying to get information about the identities and culpability about the offspring of said murderers. oftentimes the information presented was also very confusing and I had to reread carefully and still not fully grasp everything.
thank you to NetGalley, the author V.A. Vasquez, and Gallery Books for my ARC of this book.
the premise of this book is fascinating, because of course the children of these serial killers are affected by what happened. It made me think of the unknown child of Ted Bundy, did that child ever find out? how would you live a normal life with this information out there and the fear that you may grow into your parent?
despite the intriguing premise not a lot actually happens in the book. The most significant thing up until close to the end is that people are constantly trying to get information about the identities and culpability about the offspring of said murderers. oftentimes the information presented was also very confusing and I had to reread carefully and still not fully grasp everything.
thank you to NetGalley, the author V.A. Vasquez, and Gallery Books for my ARC of this book.
March 22, 2026
This was my first ARC thanks to Goodreads Giveaways!
This book has a very unique premise and approaches the topic of Death Row from many thought provoking angles. While I did love the writing style, and I appreciated the twist at the end, there were times where it was a struggle to keep the plot straight. Looking back, I also think the fellow Death Row Club members besides Greer and Nicola lacked a bit of depth. They all had a lot of potential for interesting backstories and greater involvement in the main plot points, but I guess that would've doubled the length of the book. Would love to see spin offs of this book about the other members' stories!
Overall, I will definitely read more of V.A Vazquez, and I'm very grateful to have gotten a sneak peek at this book!
This book has a very unique premise and approaches the topic of Death Row from many thought provoking angles. While I did love the writing style, and I appreciated the twist at the end, there were times where it was a struggle to keep the plot straight. Looking back, I also think the fellow Death Row Club members besides Greer and Nicola lacked a bit of depth. They all had a lot of potential for interesting backstories and greater involvement in the main plot points, but I guess that would've doubled the length of the book. Would love to see spin offs of this book about the other members' stories!
Overall, I will definitely read more of V.A Vazquez, and I'm very grateful to have gotten a sneak peek at this book!
November 20, 2025
I don't always love books about serial killers but this one was excellent! Nicola's. father is arrested for being a serial killer--one of whose victims was her best friend, Claire. Now she's invited to a retreat, The Death Row Club, for the children of serial killers. But what she discovers there is even wilder than her imagination as it's creepy and she doesn't know who she can trust. Why??? Read it and you won't be disappointed!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
February 12, 2026
Thank you NetGalley & Gallery books for providing this ARC.
The Death Row Club by V.A. Vazquez is what happens when tension, trauma, and razor wire sit down at a table and decide to play poker with your sanity.
This book does not tiptoe. It strides straight into the gray areas and makes itself comfortable. The concept alone had me hooked, but Vazquez takes it further, layering moral ambiguity, sharp dialogue, and characters who feel like they’ve lived ten lifetimes before page one. Nobody here is polished. Nobody is safe. And that’s exactly the point.
The atmosphere is thick, almost claustrophobic in the best way. You can practically hear the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. The emotional stakes are high, the twists land hard, and just when you think you’ve figured out where things are headed, the story pivots and dares you to keep up.
Why not a full five stars? A few moments felt slightly rushed, and I wanted just a touch more depth in certain backstories. But honestly, that’s me being greedy. I was invested.
If you like morally complex characters, sharp tension, and stories that make you question where the line between justice and vengeance actually lives, The Death Row Club deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s gritty, it’s bold, and it lingers long after the final page closes.
The Death Row Club by V.A. Vazquez is what happens when tension, trauma, and razor wire sit down at a table and decide to play poker with your sanity.
This book does not tiptoe. It strides straight into the gray areas and makes itself comfortable. The concept alone had me hooked, but Vazquez takes it further, layering moral ambiguity, sharp dialogue, and characters who feel like they’ve lived ten lifetimes before page one. Nobody here is polished. Nobody is safe. And that’s exactly the point.
The atmosphere is thick, almost claustrophobic in the best way. You can practically hear the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. The emotional stakes are high, the twists land hard, and just when you think you’ve figured out where things are headed, the story pivots and dares you to keep up.
Why not a full five stars? A few moments felt slightly rushed, and I wanted just a touch more depth in certain backstories. But honestly, that’s me being greedy. I was invested.
If you like morally complex characters, sharp tension, and stories that make you question where the line between justice and vengeance actually lives, The Death Row Club deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s gritty, it’s bold, and it lingers long after the final page closes.
March 24, 2026
The death row club
Wow, what a wild ride that was! Split POV following Steffanie and Nicola, daughters of very bad men… Nicola is invited to a secret club for children of serial killers where she meets up with none other than the woman who put her father behind bars, What could possibly go wrong… when one of the club turn up dead in the isolated cabin in the woods… you can’t help but wander does the Apple really fall far from the tree? And what relevance does Steffanie have to this story as a runaway daughter fleeing her abusive father … the stories intertwine in such an unexpected crash of chaos… you won’t be disappointed.
This is a twisty fun debut novel with unguessable twists and turns, face paced and intriguing right to the very end.
4 stars for me as the ‘murderer’ unveiled in the cabin felt a little lackluster, I also thought for an adult novel it could have been a bit more thrilling, gritty and emotional in places, but that’s personal preference, it’s a very easy read without any gore… a wee bit of unexpected smut in there tho ;)
All in all would recommend to a friend and excited to see what comes next!
Thank you to NetGalley For this ARC copy.
Wow, what a wild ride that was! Split POV following Steffanie and Nicola, daughters of very bad men… Nicola is invited to a secret club for children of serial killers where she meets up with none other than the woman who put her father behind bars, What could possibly go wrong… when one of the club turn up dead in the isolated cabin in the woods… you can’t help but wander does the Apple really fall far from the tree? And what relevance does Steffanie have to this story as a runaway daughter fleeing her abusive father … the stories intertwine in such an unexpected crash of chaos… you won’t be disappointed.
This is a twisty fun debut novel with unguessable twists and turns, face paced and intriguing right to the very end.
4 stars for me as the ‘murderer’ unveiled in the cabin felt a little lackluster, I also thought for an adult novel it could have been a bit more thrilling, gritty and emotional in places, but that’s personal preference, it’s a very easy read without any gore… a wee bit of unexpected smut in there tho ;)
All in all would recommend to a friend and excited to see what comes next!
Thank you to NetGalley For this ARC copy.
December 8, 2025
Nicola’s life has been turned upside down when her father became the subject of a true crime documentary and was arrested for the murders of 5 women, including her best friend. Her finances are a mess, she’s been fired from her job, and she’s being hounded by reporters. Finally, the host from the true crime show messages her back and invites her to a weekend getaway for adult children of serial killers. Of course there’s secrets, a house in the middle of nowhere, and murder.
This was incredible, the premise, the characters the layered back stories and the twist. I loved every second of it and could not put it down!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was incredible, the premise, the characters the layered back stories and the twist. I loved every second of it and could not put it down!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
March 23, 2026
A secret club for the adult children of serial killers… what could go wrong? 👀
Did I immediately drop everything to read this? Yes.
Did that include ignoring my kids? Also yes 🤭
I was hooked from the premise alone and absolutely inhaled this book. I won’t give any spoilers, but I audibly gasped at that twist…and once the rest start unraveling??
Huge thank you to @gallerybooks and @vavazquezwrites for the gifted ARC 🖤
Did I immediately drop everything to read this? Yes.
Did that include ignoring my kids? Also yes 🤭
I was hooked from the premise alone and absolutely inhaled this book. I won’t give any spoilers, but I audibly gasped at that twist…and once the rest start unraveling??
Huge thank you to @gallerybooks and @vavazquezwrites for the gifted ARC 🖤
June 24, 2026
This was such a unique thriller.
The Death Row Club follows a group of adult children of serial killers invited to a remote estate. What starts as an unusual gathering quickly turns into a twisty mystery full of secrets, suspicion, and questions about who can actually be trusted.
I really enjoyed the premise and thought it was one of the most original thriller concepts I’ve come across in a while. The mystery kept me engaged, and once the story hit the halfway point, the twists started coming fast. From about 50% onward, I was flying through it trying to figure out what was really going on.
That said, the pacing wasn’t perfect for me. The first half felt a little slow, and while the middle section was incredibly entertaining, the ending dragged slightly longer than I wanted it to. It wasn’t enough to ruin the experience, but it did make the book feel longer than necessary.
Overall, this was a fun, twisty summer thriller with a fresh concept, a solid mystery, and an ending I didn’t fully predict. If you enjoy locked-room style mysteries, isolated settings, and trying to piece together everyone’s secrets before the truth comes out, this one is worth picking up!
The Death Row Club follows a group of adult children of serial killers invited to a remote estate. What starts as an unusual gathering quickly turns into a twisty mystery full of secrets, suspicion, and questions about who can actually be trusted.
I really enjoyed the premise and thought it was one of the most original thriller concepts I’ve come across in a while. The mystery kept me engaged, and once the story hit the halfway point, the twists started coming fast. From about 50% onward, I was flying through it trying to figure out what was really going on.
That said, the pacing wasn’t perfect for me. The first half felt a little slow, and while the middle section was incredibly entertaining, the ending dragged slightly longer than I wanted it to. It wasn’t enough to ruin the experience, but it did make the book feel longer than necessary.
Overall, this was a fun, twisty summer thriller with a fresh concept, a solid mystery, and an ending I didn’t fully predict. If you enjoy locked-room style mysteries, isolated settings, and trying to piece together everyone’s secrets before the truth comes out, this one is worth picking up!
June 22, 2026
For the first 35% or so, I thought this would be great. But the ultimate plot ended up so convoluted and nonsensical that it just didn’t work. None of the characters’ motivations felt authentic.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
January 30, 2026
4/5
Very grateful to be given this ARC to review! “The Death Row Club List” is V.A. Vazquez’s debut novel and for a first book I think it was done very well! I look forward to seeing what else she releases in the future.
Liked:
-kids of serial killers meeting up in a remote cabin once of year to talk about how much childhood trauma they now have to go to therapy for…uh yes please. Loved the different representation of serial killers (thrill seekers, mission-oriented, and power/control). I liked that everyone had varying emotions regarding their parent’s crimes and their own relationship with them, made it feel more realistic.
-the second major twist was done well in my opinion (not going to give much detail just to save spoiling people)
Disliked:
-Nicola was a bit too childish for me during parts of the book. Like she was way too trusting and was feeling betrayed by certain characters who at that point she’d only know for maybe 24 hours. Like I get you guys have a shared connection but let’s not just trust random strangers.
-I wanted more of a build up to the murder. I think the pacing was a bit too fast for me with that. I wanted Nicola to spend more time with the other members and build that friendship before someone got murked but 🤷🏼♀️
Very grateful to be given this ARC to review! “The Death Row Club List” is V.A. Vazquez’s debut novel and for a first book I think it was done very well! I look forward to seeing what else she releases in the future.
Liked:
-kids of serial killers meeting up in a remote cabin once of year to talk about how much childhood trauma they now have to go to therapy for…uh yes please. Loved the different representation of serial killers (thrill seekers, mission-oriented, and power/control). I liked that everyone had varying emotions regarding their parent’s crimes and their own relationship with them, made it feel more realistic.
-the second major twist was done well in my opinion (not going to give much detail just to save spoiling people)
Disliked:
-Nicola was a bit too childish for me during parts of the book. Like she was way too trusting and was feeling betrayed by certain characters who at that point she’d only know for maybe 24 hours. Like I get you guys have a shared connection but let’s not just trust random strangers.
-I wanted more of a build up to the murder. I think the pacing was a bit too fast for me with that. I wanted Nicola to spend more time with the other members and build that friendship before someone got murked but 🤷🏼♀️
April 18, 2026
Amazing! I loved it! It kept me guessing until the end!
November 18, 2025
So I was hooked on the idea of this novel before I got to the end of the description. Locked room mystery involving a retreat of children of serial killers? Yes, please and thank you. I thought it was funny, and the characters were good. I also think that I was expecting this to be a lot darker than it was. This was pretty light and tame. There weren't a lot of murders, but there is still some mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in July of 2026.
June 17, 2026
Twisty and dark, this is one gripping debut from VA Vacquez. Never sure who to trust, this is a story that weaves through horrific stories about broken characters and their unlikely links to eachother.
Cleverly told, the story of Nicola and Greer is opened up in front of us with the impact of their father’s crimes laid bare.
Secrets, lies and maybe misplaced loyalty fill the pages as we’re taken on a thrill ride of such a dark nature.
Cleverly told, the story of Nicola and Greer is opened up in front of us with the impact of their father’s crimes laid bare.
Secrets, lies and maybe misplaced loyalty fill the pages as we’re taken on a thrill ride of such a dark nature.
May 25, 2026
The unique premise is what initially had me hooked. I've honestly never heard of a book like it before and was excited to dive in. I thought Nicola was a decent character and I enjoyed learning a lot about her backstory. I think the retreat itself was an interesting concept, though I was surprised to see how small it was. However, overall this story left me feeling disappointed. There was no reason or explanation for Nicola's dad being a serial killer. It seemed like he did it just because, if he was keeping trophies there should have been a motive. I felt the romance was a really odd part of the story it didn't add anything to the plot or help with character development. The pace was also up and down as well, but got especially slow during the middle and end. Even with all of the twists the story felt slow to me. The twists weren't shocking and there was no build up to them. The side characters felt really underdeveloped, I ended up forgetting who some of them even were. If you don't mind any of these things then you would probably really enjoy the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
For a debut thriller, this game me everything I needed! I loved the concept of a getaway for the children of serial killers. It gave a different perspective on how the damage doesn’t end when they get caught and taken to prison. I enjoyed Nicola’s character, she went through it after her dad was caught but I didn’t see those plot twists coming. I mean what the actual f. Greer totally threw me for a loop, along with Zach! I had my own theories on who was behind the murder but was completely wrong, I’m still not over it. This kept me wanting more, I needed to understand!! Highly recommend
May 23, 2026
I enjoyed this book a lot! I didn’t feel like it was really locked room and isolated setting. Or like a traditional slasher. I did like the twist that came in the middle of the book because I was not expecting that. But there really wasn’t much of a mystery cause when that was revealed it went quickly to who did what and what actually happened. But overall it was quick and easy book! Thank you net galley and scout/gallery press for the e arc.
May 25, 2026
Wow, strangely brilliant with multi layered originality which took me by surprise more than once.
The overall premise is quirky and intriguing, a gathering of people connected by a common thread of being related to a serial killer and the vast impact this has had on their own life. Our main character is just starting to live through this and desperately trying to salvage her own life through the associations of her dad being caught as a serial killer. On paper the story is a bit of a typical closed door event, people with interwoven pasts being trapped in a remote house with no way of contacting the outside world, then one of them is killed. Blah de blah etc etc. This, however, is so much more than that and isn’t just one good storyline idea, it’s several that just keep coming at you.
Loved the originality of this and the twists. A definite recommend.
The overall premise is quirky and intriguing, a gathering of people connected by a common thread of being related to a serial killer and the vast impact this has had on their own life. Our main character is just starting to live through this and desperately trying to salvage her own life through the associations of her dad being caught as a serial killer. On paper the story is a bit of a typical closed door event, people with interwoven pasts being trapped in a remote house with no way of contacting the outside world, then one of them is killed. Blah de blah etc etc. This, however, is so much more than that and isn’t just one good storyline idea, it’s several that just keep coming at you.
Loved the originality of this and the twists. A definite recommend.
May 28, 2026
love a good thriller. This one caught my eye, because it's about the adult children of murderers. They go on a retreat together, as no on knows the trauma of being a killers child, like other killers children. They share trauma, feelings, emotions, guilt. Then the worst happens, and they need to find who it was.
It's full of unexpected twists and diversions to get you thinking harder, and I was still wrong at times.
Can the monstrous killer trait - be passed on/ inherited? Is a question they all ask themselves.
I really enjoyed this book. A brilliant debut!
It's a shame that the public absolutely crucify the innocent family members of a murderer, just for being related.
Thank you to VA Vasquez and the likely suspects for an early copy of this book.
It's full of unexpected twists and diversions to get you thinking harder, and I was still wrong at times.
Can the monstrous killer trait - be passed on/ inherited? Is a question they all ask themselves.
I really enjoyed this book. A brilliant debut!
It's a shame that the public absolutely crucify the innocent family members of a murderer, just for being related.
Thank you to VA Vasquez and the likely suspects for an early copy of this book.
Want to Read
November 10, 2025ha! what an interesting idea for a mystery! I'm in!
May 17, 2026
Locked door mystery following the children of murderers who gather for an annual retreat. This book was well-written and the chapters flowed quickly. There were some slower moving pieces to the plot that were 3-star territory, but then there were those wonderful “oh!” moments you want in a mystery that were more 5 range. Mystery more than thriller really. Not scary, pretty clean too. Character complexity lacked in some areas, BUT I thought it was actually an asset in this book! Not knowing the characters very well made it harder for me as the reader to predict their behaviors and ultimately the outcome. Thought the ending was satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
NetGalley ARC: My first read of 2026! 👏🏻 The Death Row Club brought such a unique premise, the adult kids of serial killers come together for a getaway far from the press, their stressful identities, and judgemental eyes. What's the worst that can go wrong?
A body turns up to spice up the weekend and is it foul play or an accident? They all have secrets they don't want getting leaked, which makes everyone a suspect. We follow our FMC Nicola who is new to the group and another POV from the pastz "Steffanie", but how does she tie into their trauma? 🤫 The weaving of multiple storylines kept me guessing and really shocked me by the end!
Overall, I highly rec adding to your TBR! Pacing can be odd at times, I was highly invested at the first half and then it slowed down but picked up at the last 25%.
Release date: July 2026!
A body turns up to spice up the weekend and is it foul play or an accident? They all have secrets they don't want getting leaked, which makes everyone a suspect. We follow our FMC Nicola who is new to the group and another POV from the pastz "Steffanie", but how does she tie into their trauma? 🤫 The weaving of multiple storylines kept me guessing and really shocked me by the end!
Overall, I highly rec adding to your TBR! Pacing can be odd at times, I was highly invested at the first half and then it slowed down but picked up at the last 25%.
Release date: July 2026!
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