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De Death Row Club: Ze zijn kinderen van seriemoordenaars. Zijn zij dat zelf ook?
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?
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?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2026
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August 3, 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:
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July 8, 2026
“Memories surge through me—not mine, but my father's. What I imagine my father's memories look like. The rustling of garbage bags as they're dragged through the mud. The rippling shimmer of head lights on the creek. The frigid water spilling into his boots as he steps deeper into the current.”
What if your dad was a serial killer… and the only people who truly understood were the children of other serial killers?
The Death Row Club is one of those thrillers that takes a familiar genre and gives it a genuinely fresh twist. Nicola’s life implodes when her father is exposed as a serial killer, and an invitation to a secret retreat for the adult children of murderers feels like her chance to finally find people who understand. Naturally, things go very, very wrong.
This book leans heavily into questions of nature versus nurture, inherited guilt, identity, and whether we’re doomed to repeat the sins of our parents. It’s packed with suspicion, secrets, and enough red herrings to keep you second guessing everyone.
The atmosphere was one of my favourite parts, isolated, tense, and just a little bit creepy. Every character seems to be hiding something, and the story does a great job of making you wonder who can be trusted.
I went into this expecting a thriller and came out with plenty to think about. The concept is fantastic, the pacing keeps things moving, and I was constantly trying (and failing) to work out what was really going on.
A killer premise, plenty of twists, and a dark exploration of whether monsters are made or born.
I Highly Recommend.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for my advanced readers copy.
Available Now!
What if your dad was a serial killer… and the only people who truly understood were the children of other serial killers?
The Death Row Club is one of those thrillers that takes a familiar genre and gives it a genuinely fresh twist. Nicola’s life implodes when her father is exposed as a serial killer, and an invitation to a secret retreat for the adult children of murderers feels like her chance to finally find people who understand. Naturally, things go very, very wrong.
This book leans heavily into questions of nature versus nurture, inherited guilt, identity, and whether we’re doomed to repeat the sins of our parents. It’s packed with suspicion, secrets, and enough red herrings to keep you second guessing everyone.
The atmosphere was one of my favourite parts, isolated, tense, and just a little bit creepy. Every character seems to be hiding something, and the story does a great job of making you wonder who can be trusted.
I went into this expecting a thriller and came out with plenty to think about. The concept is fantastic, the pacing keeps things moving, and I was constantly trying (and failing) to work out what was really going on.
A killer premise, plenty of twists, and a dark exploration of whether monsters are made or born.
I Highly Recommend.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for my advanced readers copy.
Available Now!
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!
July 19, 2026
A wholly original novel taking a look at the lives of serial killers’ children, The Death Row Club was a wild ride of provocative topics and deliciously unhinged scenes. Starting off with a deep dive into hard-hitting themes such as nature vs nurture and the ethics of true crime, the slower first half was a thought-provoking exposé on those left behind after the monsters in society have their identities exposed. Before long I was won over by the characters’ moral complexities and difficult lives just as the plot picked up steam and exploded sky high. You see, around the halfway point a series of jaw-dropping twists shifted the plot in quite the shocking way. Easily bringing together the two plot lines and multiple POVs, my armchair-sleuthing self found it impossible to guess what was coming next. A wickedly tense, darkly funny, locked-room serial killer thriller, this one had my attention from the very first eye-popping page.
I do have to mention, though, that in spite of its character-driven core and action-packed second half, the novel ultimately felt like two books shoved into one. Part introspective exploration of love, identity, and trauma and part fast-paced thrill ride of newly learned well-buried secrets, the separate vibes didn’t always marry up in my opinion. That being said, this morally gray cast was second to none as they battled inherited guilt amidst a crowd where no one and nothing was what it seemed. In fact, one of the strongest pieces in this twisty true-crime-feeling plot were the complex group dynamics amongst this deeply flawed gang. Perfect for fans of Jessica Knoll or Riley Sager, it might not have been what I was expecting before I dove in, but I had an absolute blast inhaling this debut novel in one single sitting. So go on. Grab this one now. Just be prepared for tension instead of gore in this gripping read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
BRIEF BLURB:
I highly recommend going into this one blind. First off, it will keep the first half from feeling slow and it was fun to discover the truth—and get all of the shocks and surprises—along with the characters. All you need to know is the following:
When Nicola Fischer loses everything after being condemned as having helped her serial killer father get away with his crimes, she is relieved to be invited to join a weekend retreat for the adult children of serial killers by Greer Woods, the very true-crime host who turned her into a villain. Oh yeah, Greer just so happens to also be the daughter of an infamous killer—and Nicola’s supposed friend. But Nicola’s just hoping to find likeminded people who will understand her pain, so she hops on a plane and flies to the other side of the country to meet this small group of strangers.
Initially, things seem up go just as well as Nicola had hoped as she joins them around a cozy bonfire and commiserates with them all. By the end of the night, though, things start to go off the rails when a stranger shows up uninvited. From there, it’s a crazy-a** ride that you need to discover for yourself. With at least one dead body and a cabin full of serial killers’ offspring, who knows what happened. After all, they’ve all got tainted blood running through their veins, don’t they?
Thank you V.A. Vazquez and Gallery/Scout Press Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 14, 2026
Content warning: alcohol abuse, murder, stalking, sexual content, kidnapping, grief, confinement, child abuse, physical abuse, infidelity, violence, suicidal thoughts, fatphobia, toxic friendship, mention of: death of a parent, drug abuse/addiction, suicide
I do have to mention, though, that in spite of its character-driven core and action-packed second half, the novel ultimately felt like two books shoved into one. Part introspective exploration of love, identity, and trauma and part fast-paced thrill ride of newly learned well-buried secrets, the separate vibes didn’t always marry up in my opinion. That being said, this morally gray cast was second to none as they battled inherited guilt amidst a crowd where no one and nothing was what it seemed. In fact, one of the strongest pieces in this twisty true-crime-feeling plot were the complex group dynamics amongst this deeply flawed gang. Perfect for fans of Jessica Knoll or Riley Sager, it might not have been what I was expecting before I dove in, but I had an absolute blast inhaling this debut novel in one single sitting. So go on. Grab this one now. Just be prepared for tension instead of gore in this gripping read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
BRIEF BLURB:
I highly recommend going into this one blind. First off, it will keep the first half from feeling slow and it was fun to discover the truth—and get all of the shocks and surprises—along with the characters. All you need to know is the following:
When Nicola Fischer loses everything after being condemned as having helped her serial killer father get away with his crimes, she is relieved to be invited to join a weekend retreat for the adult children of serial killers by Greer Woods, the very true-crime host who turned her into a villain. Oh yeah, Greer just so happens to also be the daughter of an infamous killer—and Nicola’s supposed friend. But Nicola’s just hoping to find likeminded people who will understand her pain, so she hops on a plane and flies to the other side of the country to meet this small group of strangers.
Initially, things seem up go just as well as Nicola had hoped as she joins them around a cozy bonfire and commiserates with them all. By the end of the night, though, things start to go off the rails when a stranger shows up uninvited. From there, it’s a crazy-a** ride that you need to discover for yourself. With at least one dead body and a cabin full of serial killers’ offspring, who knows what happened. After all, they’ve all got tainted blood running through their veins, don’t they?
Thank you V.A. Vazquez and Gallery/Scout Press Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 14, 2026
Content warning: alcohol abuse, murder, stalking, sexual content, kidnapping, grief, confinement, child abuse, physical abuse, infidelity, violence, suicidal thoughts, fatphobia, toxic friendship, mention of: death of a parent, drug abuse/addiction, suicide
August 8, 2026
Nicola Fisher’s father has just been convicted for murdering 5 women years ago. She has to hide from the media as they want to devour her. She’s also learned that her father murdered her best friend.
Then, the host of the TV show, To Catch a Killer has invited her to a yearly retreat. The retreat, the adult children of serial killers get together. She decides to take a chance and go.
The story started off as a slow burn. I was interested in learning about Nicola’s and the host, Greer’s connection. So, I kept with it. At the halfway mark, I was locked in. It was definitely suspenseful!
Then, the last 20% of the story got a bit ridiculous. The twists kept coming and got quite a bit far fetched. I can handle a little over-the-top, but, in this case….. the twists ended up ruining it for me, unfortunately.
I think this is a good fit for Freida fans, and can handle an unbelievable story. It was still a fun read and thriller newbies should check it out.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Gallery Books for the gifted copy.
Then, the host of the TV show, To Catch a Killer has invited her to a yearly retreat. The retreat, the adult children of serial killers get together. She decides to take a chance and go.
The story started off as a slow burn. I was interested in learning about Nicola’s and the host, Greer’s connection. So, I kept with it. At the halfway mark, I was locked in. It was definitely suspenseful!
Then, the last 20% of the story got a bit ridiculous. The twists kept coming and got quite a bit far fetched. I can handle a little over-the-top, but, in this case….. the twists ended up ruining it for me, unfortunately.
I think this is a good fit for Freida fans, and can handle an unbelievable story. It was still a fun read and thriller newbies should check it out.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Gallery Books for the gifted copy.
Did Not Finish
July 24, 2026Gave it a valiant effort but DNF at 41%. The premise was interesting but I didn’t find the delivery to be compelling.
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
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.
July 14, 2026
Whoa, what a ride.
There is no doubt in my mind that The Death Row Club will live in my head rent-free.
This is the kind of thriller you don't simply finish. You sit with it. You replay it. You question it. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers every year, I pride myself on spotting twists before they happen. This book humbled me. Every theory I came up with was completely wrong, and I loved every minute of it.
Told through the perspectives of two characters, the novel explores a fascinating question: What happens to the families of serial killers?
The victims' stories are often told, and rightly so, but we rarely stop to consider the lives of those who share a last name with the person responsible. Their careers, friendships, relationships, and identities become permanently intertwined with crimes they never committed. They aren't guilty, yet they often find themselves serving a different kind of life sentence.
That premise alone was enough to hook me.
Then comes the Death Row Club, a place where people connected by this unimaginable experience can find understanding, community, and a brief escape from the judgment of the outside world. Naturally, that sense of safety doesn't last for long, and once the story begins unraveling, so do all of your assumptions. At one point, I was questioning absolutely everything. Honestly, I think I even started distrusting the woods.
Beyond the suspense, what stayed with me most were the moral and ethical questions the novel raises. How much of another person's actions should define your life? Can society ever separate someone from the crimes committed by a family member? Those are the conversations that linger long after the mystery is solved.
This would make an outstanding book club selection because everyone will walk away with a different perspective, and I suspect the discussions would be just as memorable as the story itself.
If you enjoy twisty thrillers that challenge both your theories and your conscience, I cannot recommend this one enough.
Thank you, NetGalley, V.A. Vazquez, and Gallery Books for the ARC. All comments and opinions are my own.
There is no doubt in my mind that The Death Row Club will live in my head rent-free.
This is the kind of thriller you don't simply finish. You sit with it. You replay it. You question it. As someone who reads a lot of thrillers every year, I pride myself on spotting twists before they happen. This book humbled me. Every theory I came up with was completely wrong, and I loved every minute of it.
Told through the perspectives of two characters, the novel explores a fascinating question: What happens to the families of serial killers?
The victims' stories are often told, and rightly so, but we rarely stop to consider the lives of those who share a last name with the person responsible. Their careers, friendships, relationships, and identities become permanently intertwined with crimes they never committed. They aren't guilty, yet they often find themselves serving a different kind of life sentence.
That premise alone was enough to hook me.
Then comes the Death Row Club, a place where people connected by this unimaginable experience can find understanding, community, and a brief escape from the judgment of the outside world. Naturally, that sense of safety doesn't last for long, and once the story begins unraveling, so do all of your assumptions. At one point, I was questioning absolutely everything. Honestly, I think I even started distrusting the woods.
Beyond the suspense, what stayed with me most were the moral and ethical questions the novel raises. How much of another person's actions should define your life? Can society ever separate someone from the crimes committed by a family member? Those are the conversations that linger long after the mystery is solved.
This would make an outstanding book club selection because everyone will walk away with a different perspective, and I suspect the discussions would be just as memorable as the story itself.
If you enjoy twisty thrillers that challenge both your theories and your conscience, I cannot recommend this one enough.
Thank you, NetGalley, V.A. Vazquez, and Gallery Books for the ARC. All comments and opinions are my own.
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.
July 29, 2026
《4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️》
When Nicola Fischer's father is exposed as a notorious serial killer, her life implodes overnight. Branded by the public and left questioning everything she thought she knew, she's desperate for a new start. That chance comes in the form of a mysterious invitation to the Death Row Club, a secluded annual retreat exclusively for the adult children of serial killers. Surrounded by people who understand her trauma, Nicola begins to believe she's finally found somewhere she belongs. But the retreat quickly turns deadly when an unexpected guest arrives, someone vanishes and a club member is found dead. Trapped in an isolated wilderness with a group of people whose family histories are soaked in blood, Nicola begins to wonder... are monsters born or are they made?
The Death Row Club delivers a fresh take on the psychological thriller genre by focusing on the families left behind instead of the killers themselves. The emotional baggage each character has made them feel layered and believable and I love the blurred line between nature versus nurture. The isolated setting added a great layer of tension and once the mystery started I couldn't put it down! Everyone had secrets. Everyone had motives. And I found myself questioning every single character. The end caught me off guard in the best way and I love that it left me thinking long after the last page! Read if you enjoy locked room mysteries, morally gray characters and dark family secrets!
Thank you to NetGalley, VA Vasquez, and Gallery Books for both the eARC and physical copy!
When Nicola Fischer's father is exposed as a notorious serial killer, her life implodes overnight. Branded by the public and left questioning everything she thought she knew, she's desperate for a new start. That chance comes in the form of a mysterious invitation to the Death Row Club, a secluded annual retreat exclusively for the adult children of serial killers. Surrounded by people who understand her trauma, Nicola begins to believe she's finally found somewhere she belongs. But the retreat quickly turns deadly when an unexpected guest arrives, someone vanishes and a club member is found dead. Trapped in an isolated wilderness with a group of people whose family histories are soaked in blood, Nicola begins to wonder... are monsters born or are they made?
The Death Row Club delivers a fresh take on the psychological thriller genre by focusing on the families left behind instead of the killers themselves. The emotional baggage each character has made them feel layered and believable and I love the blurred line between nature versus nurture. The isolated setting added a great layer of tension and once the mystery started I couldn't put it down! Everyone had secrets. Everyone had motives. And I found myself questioning every single character. The end caught me off guard in the best way and I love that it left me thinking long after the last page! Read if you enjoy locked room mysteries, morally gray characters and dark family secrets!
Thank you to NetGalley, VA Vasquez, and Gallery Books for both the eARC and physical copy!
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!
July 24, 2026
I've been dying to read this book, ever since I saw the title for the first time. As a true lover of serial killer stories, this was SUCH a cool concept! Although the idea is super original and has a very unusual premise, it did feel like there was a bit of disconnect between the parts. I normally love multiple POV's , but towards the last third of the book it became quite difficult to follow and almost felt like there were too many twists put in for effect. I still enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it, just not the full blown five star read I was expecting. It got 4 syringes from me!
Thank you, Netgalley and Gallery books for the gifted ARC for review :)
Thank you, Netgalley and Gallery books for the gifted ARC for review :)
July 3, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ this is my bi-annual triller and it was a bloody good time
July 20, 2026
The first 20% of this book was actually promising and then it went completely downhill.
I would genuinely love to know why this girl’s dad was out here murdering people, because the book certainly wasn’t interested in explaining it. We never get a real motive, which feels like a pretty important detail when someone is casually collecting bodies.
There also wasn’t nearly enough of a whodunit element. Someone gets murdered, a suspect is basically pointed at, and suddenly it’s, “Yep, you did it. Lock them up.” Case closed, apparently.
Then the second half takes a turn with the big “plot twist.” I know this is fiction, and I’m fully capable of suspending disbelief, but this required me to launch my disbelief into another dimension.
Overall, the second half and especially that massive plot twist was actually terrible. A promising start that completely lost the plot.
I would genuinely love to know why this girl’s dad was out here murdering people, because the book certainly wasn’t interested in explaining it. We never get a real motive, which feels like a pretty important detail when someone is casually collecting bodies.
There also wasn’t nearly enough of a whodunit element. Someone gets murdered, a suspect is basically pointed at, and suddenly it’s, “Yep, you did it. Lock them up.” Case closed, apparently.
Then the second half takes a turn with the big “plot twist.” I know this is fiction, and I’m fully capable of suspending disbelief, but this required me to launch my disbelief into another dimension.
Overall, the second half and especially that massive plot twist was actually terrible. A promising start that completely lost the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
July 22, 2026
Zagmatwana, powolna, pozbawiona akcji i emocji.
Nie polubiłam żadnej z postaci a przede wszystkim głównej bohaterki która była mega wkurzająca, głupia i czasami miałam wrażenie że za bardzo myśli miednicą (iukuk)
Flashbacki i czas teraźniejszy często były tak napisane że mieszały się jeden z drugim i byłam bardzo skonfundowana na temat tego co się dzieje, jak to ja ofc przypadkiem zawsze znajduję książki z rzeczami których nie lubię = skoki czasowe i wiele perspektyw które tutaj mocno utrudniały mi czytanie.
Nie polubiłam żadnej z postaci a przede wszystkim głównej bohaterki która była mega wkurzająca, głupia i czasami miałam wrażenie że za bardzo myśli miednicą (iukuk)
Flashbacki i czas teraźniejszy często były tak napisane że mieszały się jeden z drugim i byłam bardzo skonfundowana na temat tego co się dzieje, jak to ja ofc przypadkiem zawsze znajduję książki z rzeczami których nie lubię = skoki czasowe i wiele perspektyw które tutaj mocno utrudniały mi czytanie.
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!
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.
August 8, 2026
3.5⭐️
July 9, 2026
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for the review. A weekend retreat for the adult children of serial killers? I was immediately intrigued, and the opening had me completely invested. I loved the idea of bringing together people forever connected by crimes they didn't commit and exploring what that kind of legacy does to a person. It felt fresh and unlike anything I've read recently.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, with plenty of twists and a few "wait...WHAT?" moments that made me rethink what I thought I knew. I also really enjoyed the isolated setting and the growing paranoia once the body is discovered. It created the perfect atmosphere for everyone to become a suspect. Where the story lost a little momentum for me was in the middle. The romantic storyline became a much larger focus than I was expecting. That's purely a personal preference, I tend to gravitate toward thrillers where the mystery stays front and center, regardless of who the romance involves. I also found myself a little confused by a few plot points and had to backtrack once or twice to make sure I hadn't missed something.
Overall, I still enjoyed this one. The premise alone makes it worth picking up if you're looking for something outside the usual domestic thriller formula, and the psychological elements kept me turning the pages. It may not be one I'll be recommending to everyone, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, with plenty of twists and a few "wait...WHAT?" moments that made me rethink what I thought I knew. I also really enjoyed the isolated setting and the growing paranoia once the body is discovered. It created the perfect atmosphere for everyone to become a suspect. Where the story lost a little momentum for me was in the middle. The romantic storyline became a much larger focus than I was expecting. That's purely a personal preference, I tend to gravitate toward thrillers where the mystery stays front and center, regardless of who the romance involves. I also found myself a little confused by a few plot points and had to backtrack once or twice to make sure I hadn't missed something.
Overall, I still enjoyed this one. The premise alone makes it worth picking up if you're looking for something outside the usual domestic thriller formula, and the psychological elements kept me turning the pages. It may not be one I'll be recommending to everyone, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
July 20, 2026
The Death Row Club had me excited from the title alone. Adult children of serial killers trapped at a remote retreat while someone starts picking them off? Sign me up. Unfortunately, the execution never lived up to the premise.
First, can we talk about the teacher slander? I somehow managed to suspend my disbelief when Nicola was fired after 15 years of teaching because of parent complaints—with no evidence, no due process, and apparently no employment laws. That’s… not how any of that works. But okay. I accepted it because, obviously, the plot needed her to hit rock bottom.
Then came the part implying she became an art teacher because she couldn’t make it as an artist. Excuse me while I clutch my librarian badge. As if teaching is some consolation prize you stumble into after your dreams don’t pan out. That’s an insult to every educator who intentionally chose the profession.
And the title? Misleading. The Death Row Club sounds like everyone shares the same connection, but only two members actually have parents on death row. The rest? Different circumstances entirely. That’s less “Death Row Club” and more “People With Deeply Problematic Family Histories Club.”
The biggest disappointment, though, was the mystery itself. The twists didn’t feel earned so much as… manufactured. The story bounces around in time without making it remotely clear you’re reading flashbacks. I spent most of the book assuming I was confused, only to discover near the end that the timeline had been playing hide-and-seek the whole time. That’s not a twist—that’s withholding basic directions.
If your biggest plot twist is making me realize I’ve been reading the past for half the book… we have problems.
As for the big reveal… explaining it would spoil the book, but let’s just say the identity backstory gymnastics had me staring at the page like, “Well… that’s certainly a choice.” Needless to say, I thought it was completely ridiculous.
This had all the ingredients for a deliciously creepy thriller, but somehow managed to turn them into the literary equivalent of trail mix without the chocolate.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this review copy.
First, can we talk about the teacher slander? I somehow managed to suspend my disbelief when Nicola was fired after 15 years of teaching because of parent complaints—with no evidence, no due process, and apparently no employment laws. That’s… not how any of that works. But okay. I accepted it because, obviously, the plot needed her to hit rock bottom.
Then came the part implying she became an art teacher because she couldn’t make it as an artist. Excuse me while I clutch my librarian badge. As if teaching is some consolation prize you stumble into after your dreams don’t pan out. That’s an insult to every educator who intentionally chose the profession.
And the title? Misleading. The Death Row Club sounds like everyone shares the same connection, but only two members actually have parents on death row. The rest? Different circumstances entirely. That’s less “Death Row Club” and more “People With Deeply Problematic Family Histories Club.”
The biggest disappointment, though, was the mystery itself. The twists didn’t feel earned so much as… manufactured. The story bounces around in time without making it remotely clear you’re reading flashbacks. I spent most of the book assuming I was confused, only to discover near the end that the timeline had been playing hide-and-seek the whole time. That’s not a twist—that’s withholding basic directions.
If your biggest plot twist is making me realize I’ve been reading the past for half the book… we have problems.
As for the big reveal… explaining it would spoil the book, but let’s just say the identity backstory gymnastics had me staring at the page like, “Well… that’s certainly a choice.” Needless to say, I thought it was completely ridiculous.
This had all the ingredients for a deliciously creepy thriller, but somehow managed to turn them into the literary equivalent of trail mix without the chocolate.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this review copy.
July 18, 2026
Thank you Simon and Schuster CA for the ARC of this debut thriller! 3.5 stars rounded up. I thought this was an excellent debut, but not quite an excellent thriller. The concept of the book, children of serial killers meeting for a weekend retreat, seemed relatively unique to me. I know similar things have been done for the final girls and I was interested to know how the children of the killers would interact and behave. The murder at the retreat didn't really matter to me so it was hard for me to care about the murderer's motivations. Tbh when the plot twist was revealed I also kinda didn't care. The plot twist and murderer reveal just didn't do it for me. The motivations felt hollow and somewhat unrealistic. I did like the FMC Nicola and Greer and how they didn't have the black and white thinking towards their dads that people thought they should have. I also didn't understand the ages of the characters or the timeline. Nicola didn't feel 40 to me.
Overall I think this was a fun thriller, a great effort for a debut, and something I would recommend to anyone looking for an easy read.
Overall I think this was a fun thriller, a great effort for a debut, and something I would recommend to anyone looking for an easy read.
July 5, 2026
Really enjoyed this one! Read it in 2 sittings solid 4 stars - full review to come
August 3, 2026
3.5 ⭐️An engaging thriller with lots of twists and turns. A bit on the lighter side, as far as thrillers and mysteries go, but not bad for a debut novel. Some plot holes and improbabilities, but I was still engaged and curious enough to keep reading.
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!
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