The Poison Pen

Riverdale #5

by Caleb Roehrig

An all-new, original story from the hit CW television series Riverdale!
The fifth original novel based on the massively successful CW show, Riverdale! Told from alternating points of view, your favorite characters tell their story their way!

This story will feature all of the drama, romance, and murder fans love from the show as Archie, Betty, Jughead, Veronica, Cheryl, and the rest of the Riverdale gang solve their town's latest mystery -- or die trying.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Audiobook, Book Club, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2020

About the author

Caleb Roehrig is a writer and television producer originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Having also lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Helsinki, Finland, he has a chronic case of wanderlust, and can recommend the best sights to see on a shoestring budget in over thirty countries. A former actor, Roehrig has experience on both sides of the camera, with a résumé that includes appearances on film and TV—as well as seven years in the stranger-than-fiction salt mines of reality television. In the name of earning a paycheck, he has: hung around a frozen cornfield in his underwear, partied with an actual rock-star, chatted with a scandal-plagued politician, and been menaced by a disgruntled ostrich.

Reviews

[Charlotte May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think this might have been my favourite of the series!

4 stars ⭐️

What really happened the night of July 4th?
All our favourite Riverdale characters are implemented in the most recent instalment of this series.

Someone knows what they all did and why. But who?
When each member of the gang receives a letter from Poison Pen it is with a threat that they do something awful, or their law breaking secrets and that of their friends will be revealed.

I guessed pretty early on who Poison Pen was (even with the red herring about half way through). But I still enjoyed seeing how the characters handled the threats & what they were being forced to do. Also finding out why they did break the law on July 4th.

Overall a gripping addition to the Riverdale books series.

[Caleb Roehrig]

I am ashamed at how much fun I had tormenting these poor kids from Riverdale. Just when you thought it was safe to go to the mailbox...

[Opalsbookjems · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

-This was so good!!!😱😅👌

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stopped watching Riverdale in season 1 but I never miss a Caleb book. Good lord a lot of shit has happened! This book is completely contained, you do not need to watch to know what’s going on. Caleb gives you all the background. I love the ending!

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know What You Did Last Summer in Riverdale.

Absolutely loved the scathing letters that the Poison Pen wrote to all the characters, they were read for filth in those letters.

[Rozzy]

i ate that the fuck up! one thing about my riverdale brainrot is that i can hear every single one of their voices in my head as i read from their pov’s, so the experience was extra immersive. i am genuinely SHOCKED at how well the author wrote everyone. like it was very show accurate. he captured alice cooper’s voice especially well, which i find comical. the only character that was sorta floundering was ethel muggs, but that is literally also how she was utilized/written in the show so i’m not shocked.
i had been jonesing for new riverdale content and this fed that hunger thank god. evidently there are four more of them, so next time the craving for riverdale gets a little intense, i’ll just have to hunt one down. five stars tbh!

[layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay okay okay but [poison pen secret identity] villain arc i love you. this is my second caleb roehrig read and i love it. yes, I've only read his riverdale/archie horror comics novels but i am in love with both of them and i hate to admit how much i love this series (dare i say I'm sad to see that I'm done?) because ahh dark books i love you <3

anyway, I'm basically saying that if you've watched riverdale, you should probably read these books cause they have the same dark elements of the show and i love them

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the fact that it directly conflicts with the timeline of the show in multiple ways, and the final reveal isn’t quite as satisfying as I would want it be, the book is fine. The mystery is revealed well. The characters are fine. I feel bad that Caleb was clearly lied to about what would happen after everyone graduated, but that’s not their fault. I have no strong opinions and I will likely forget this book with time

[Niamh Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit predictable but enjoyed all the same

[Kelsey Zukowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Poison Pen felt less fresh and unique than others in these series, it was just very Pretty Little Liars plot wise. I thoroughly enjoyed Pretty Little Liars and the whole dark secrets being used to manipulate, test loyalties, and expose you to make impossible choices isn't a stretch for the Riverdale world so it fits and largely works. I thought books 3 and 4 were particularly strong and felt very much like unique bonus stories with these characters that worked off of an even gave us a deeper look on the characters, connections, mysteries, and lore and while this one was still enjoyable it did feel less unique to the Riverdale world, which is why I knocked this one down a star.

With that being said, the characters and performances are very true to the show, all offering a fleshed out, strong view, showcasing fears, vulnerabilities, and deeper character. I particularly enjoyed Kevin's perspective both how Broadway music soothed and fueled him and hardships he had even with being proud of his sexuality, struggling to find community and connection within that.

There are some mentions connecting to the show as well things like lots of parental woes and drama and how it affects our main characters, while them realizing the found family they have and the strength of self.

The mystery wasn't overly obvious, giving us many suspects that had motive, reason, and access. The end reveal while not shocking, was fitting and consistent with the characters and offered a perspective that isn't highlighted as much, digging into violence and tragedy touching others beside our core characters. I liked where it went in the end and was worth the ride, giving me another dose of the characters, world, and enticing, dark tone I love. Especially if you made it through this far in the series, don't hesitate, give this one a read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je suis un peu perplexe face à cette nouvelle histoire. d'un côté j'ai bien apprécié l'enquête pour trouver l'identité de Poison Pen, retrouver d'anciens personnages, l'écriture de ce nouvel auteur et retrouver l'univers de Riverdale MAIS il y a un énorme MAIS. Contrairement aux histoires de Micol Ostow qui se déroulait au milieu d'une saison cette histoire se passe APRES la dernière saison de Riverdale, avant que nos personnage partent à l'université et se quittent. Je n'apprécie pas, et je trouve même ça totalement stupide, que l'auteur décide d'inventer une suite à la dernière saison. Premièrement c'est un choix totalement idiot puisque ce qu'il a pu écrire en brisant le couple FP/Alice en disant que FP avait abandonné Jug au profit de sa soeur (à quel moment tout ça s'est passé ? Ah oui JAMAIS), Archie et Veronica ne sont plus ensemble (ah bon ? on ne m'a pas prévenu). Ensuite on se rappelle très bien que la dernière saison se termine sur un mystère et on dirait que la fin de saison ne s'est jamais produit. Enfin pensons encore une fois à la cohérence puisque, à la prochaine saison, qui nous dit que justement les personnages qu'il a séparé ne seront pas ensemble ? Le risque est de perdre la crédibilité de la saga littéraire qui suivait totalement la série, cette divergence est mal venue et franchement inutile puisqu'elle n'a rien apporté à l'histoire. Une déception dangereuse sur ce point qui m'a énervé. Dommage d'avoir tout gâché en imaginant des choses qui ne sont même pas encore arrivé dans la série et qui peut promettre des soucis de cohérences pour la prochaine saison...

[Shelly Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in this series but you really don’t need to read them in order. Although they do follow the series order mostly so you might want to.
In this book, the gang begins to receive letters, individually, that contain some deep secrets that they are all keeping. The writer blackmails them and tells them to do things. So, they better do as told or else! Now, they will have to find a way to discover the identity of ‘The Poison Pen’ before it’s too late.
There really isn’t much more I need to tell you about the book. That’s the basic idea and it sort of goes on from there. The book is told from each person, individually, as they receive their letter and what they are supposed to do.
This was good. It had a decidedly different feel to it than the ones before. It was similar but you could tell there was an author switch. It was still great fun for Archie fans and worth reading.

[Books.and.brews_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main squad each receive a letter from "poison pen" asking them to each complete a task or a secret that can ruin them all will be revealed (incriminating evidence provided) without mentioning the letter to anyone, not even each other. Friendships are tested and reputations are on the line in this fifth Riverdale installment.

This book is told from the P.O.V of each main character as they receive their letters and the secret of what happened on July 4th is slowly pieced together. Nobody else was supposed to know, so who is this Poison Pen and how did they find out? This was a quick and easy read that I recommend for Riverdale fans!

I have really enjoyed each of these Riverdale novels and cannot wait to see what comes next!

Thank you so much Scholastic Australia for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review :)

[Kyla Sixkiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mysterious "poison pen" sends threatening letters to the core group, demanding they complete a task or face their secrets being exposed with incriminating evidence. With friendships on the line and reputations at stake, the group must navigate this twisted game in complete secrecy.

Told from each character's perspective, the story unfolds as they grapple with their individual threats. The mystery intensifies as they piece together the truth behind a hidden incident on July 4th – a secret nobody else was supposed to know. Can they unmask the "Poison Pen" before it's too late?

Fast-paced and suspenseful, this is a must-read for Riverdale fans eager to delve deeper into the characters' lives and uncover the truth!

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Riverdale series and concerns a mysterious figure that seems to know just what other people are doing wrong and threatens them to either do something that the PP(Poison Pen) wants them to do or she'll let that person's secret come out.

Veronica is the first one to be threatened and has to expose a senator. There are a number of guesses as just to who PP is but it's not till very late in the book that we find out who that person is.

Jughead gets a really tough assignment, Kevin gets one of PP's letters and others are threatened as well.

We do find out who PP is and why that person has been doing what that person has been doing.

[Véronique Laplante Grenier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poison Pen is the fifth book of the serie and is taking place after the end of season 4.

Someone who's calling himself the Poison Pen, is sending letters to the Core Four of Riverdale. Veronica is the first one to received a letter, threatening her to reveal dark secrets that took place on the fourth of july if she doesn't do what she'll be ask when the person contact her again. Soon after, the others including Kevin are receiving the same threats. Who is behing this and why?

I really love it and recommend it for fan of Riverdale.

[Lily D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was genuinely better than most of season 4 of Riverdale. Loved the structure, and appreciated all of the Cheryl and Toni content. Then being the first ones to suspect Ethel too was great. And Toni being exempt because she’s the only actually kind one who thinks about others? A slay. Lots of the dialogue was funny in the way that Riverdale dialogue is too, so that was great. Appreciated Kevin getting a whole chapter too. Wondering if there was ever a thought of including Reggie or not- probably would have made it too long

[Rebecca Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I liked putting together the clues of what each Riverdale Gang contributed and who was the person behind the threatening letters. This book was written by a different author than the previous ones and I enjoyed it more!

These books and its TV show are my guilty pleasure as they are campy and over the top but great entertainment! If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll enjoy the books!

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly probably the worst book in the entire series. i dont wanna be mean to the autor because i dont normally comment on the writing style unless it’s something good but now i just have to. yes the writing style was almost the same but the way that the characters were written.. just no. i didnt feel like them at all. the plot twist was okay but not hard to guess. and i didn’t like how reparative every part of the story felt.

[Anna Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

War ganz nett. Fand es spannend wer jetzt hinter der Person steckt. Schade, dass die Person in der Serie laut Recherche nicht vorkommt. Hab ne bisschen was mitbekommen was ich in der Serie noch sehen werde. Bin durch die Bücher schneller durchgekommen als durch die Serie selbst.
Für Fans der Serie kann man die Bücher schon lesen. Man sollte aber bedenken, dass nichts was in der Serie passiert die Thematik von einem ganzen Buch ist. Es werden nur Andeutungen gemacht.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that I finally caught up with Riverdale and then found out it's not back until July totally sucks so having this to read in the meanwhile has definitely helped the blow 😂📖.
The way these books read you can see exactly how it would play out in the show and I love that it's like an extra story too, great for all the riverdale fans.

[Rhiannon Rabby | 31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it weren’t for the slightly different chapter formats, I probably wouldn’t have even been able to differentiate this author from the author of the previous 4 instalments in the series. I enjoyed the plot and remained intrigued throughout the entire book. The series wasn’t mind blowing or anything, but it most certainly was enjoyable.

[Roxi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Riverdale, and I love Pretty Little Liars, and this book was a great combination of the two.
No spoilers, but the main characters we know and love from cw's Riverdale are individually blackmailed by The Poison Pen, to do something in return for keeping secrets.
I'll admit, it took me a bit to get into the flow, but once I did, I really enjoyed the journey.
Great read.

[Jan van Es · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always LOVED RIVERDALE, even when there was no Riverdale TV Show yet, yes, I read Archie Comics before that. There is not a season or episode I didn’t like, and this book was amazing as well. I recommend it to every Riverdale and Archie Comics fan.

[Anna]

This was a fun read! I will admit I read it because Caleb Roehrig’s name is on the cover, and I know basically nothing about Riverdale (which is why I’m not rating it), but it was a solidly constructed story and fun read !!

[Coralie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un des 5 tomes que j'ai très peu apprécié même si je voulais savoir ce qui s'est passé le 4 juillet. Il y a eu une bonne intrigue sur cette journée mais tout ça pour une histoire de couteau remis au secrétariat ça m'a un peu déçu

[Cari ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slower than the others in the series but still pretty good.

(I read this book super erratically while reading a bunch of other books at the same time so that could be why I didn’t enjoy it as much but really, it was a little too extra at times).

[Adeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je suis en train de lire toute la "saga" de livre Riverdale... J'ai déjà lu celui de Micols Ostow ( Mapple murders) qui est juste exceptionnelle. Celui la nous laisse le doute jusqu'au bout du romans sur qui écrit ces mystérieuses lettre et on ne s'y attend pas du tout.

[Cody O'Hara · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best book of the series!

[Chloe Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!
I’m obsessed with the show and with Jughead so I could just be favouring it, I’ve quite enjoyed all the Riverdale books. They’re all very......interesting,