Gut rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
CAWPILE rating: TBD
Spice: Closed door
ARC publication date: April 9th 2026
Tropes: Murder mystery, isolated location, Married at First Sight, reality TV show, AI bot, family secrets, rags to riches, arranged marriage, forced proximity
Quote
‘Hazel, I have some good news!’ CILLA says. ‘Yes?’ I sit up a bit straighter. ‘What?' 'Statistically, based on your current circumstances, you are more likely to die than go to prison.’
My synopsis
After exposing her fiance's billionaire family's dirty secrets and leaving him at the altar on an AI powered reality TV dating show, all 32yo Hazel Harper wants to do is get off this Norwegian Island. But when a sudden blizzard leaves her stranded overnight in an isolated airport with her (now ex) fiance, his angry family, and an even angrier producer, it's not long until things erupt. When the producer is found dead and the show's reputation-ruining memory cards go missing, Hazel teams up with the AI bot to find the killer and prove her innocence, all while trying to stay alive.
My review
A fun mystery with sarcastic humour and conversational writing that made this an engaging story. I loved the high tension, isolated setting that amped up the drama, with twists and reveals I wasn't expecting. The flashbacks to interview transcripts and events from before the airport scene were cleverly placed to reveal snippets of info that had me enjoying piecing together what really happened on the TV show (and before...).
With thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Other quotes:
People like to say ‘I was born ready’, but I always felt like I was born slightly unsure and a bit surprised to even be here.
Trigger warnings: Death, murder, stalking, classism, injury detail, blood, abandonment, drug use, drug abuse, addiction, alcohol, alcoholism, Infidelity, bullying, car accident, cursing, death of parent, dementia, gun violence