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Murder On #1
Murder on a School Night
Sex Education meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in this darkly hilarious YA murder mystery by Comedy Women in Print Prize and Carnegie Medal nominated author, Kate Weston.
‘Fiercely funny, feminist and FUN! I bloody loved it’ M.A. KUZNIAR
There’s never a good time to find a dead body. But finding a dead body while you’re trying to kiss your crush?
Dead awkward.
All Kerry wants to do is stay at home with her rom-coms and strict retainer schedule. Instead, her BFF Annie has roped her into going to their first sixth-form party to investigate who’s cyberbullying Heather, the most popular girl in school.
On the cusp of kissing her dreamy crush, Scott, Kerry discovers the body of Heather's second in command – suffocated with a menstrual cup. Within days, another student turns up dead, this time with a sanitary pad across the eyes. Now Annie and Kerry are officially on the case to stop the menstrual murderer . . . period.
‘Fiercely funny, feminist and FUN! I bloody loved it’ M.A. KUZNIAR
There’s never a good time to find a dead body. But finding a dead body while you’re trying to kiss your crush?
Dead awkward.
All Kerry wants to do is stay at home with her rom-coms and strict retainer schedule. Instead, her BFF Annie has roped her into going to their first sixth-form party to investigate who’s cyberbullying Heather, the most popular girl in school.
On the cusp of kissing her dreamy crush, Scott, Kerry discovers the body of Heather's second in command – suffocated with a menstrual cup. Within days, another student turns up dead, this time with a sanitary pad across the eyes. Now Annie and Kerry are officially on the case to stop the menstrual murderer . . . period.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2023
79 people are currently reading
6461 people want to read
About the author
Kate Weston
11 books83 followersKate Weston is an ex-stand up comedian and the author of four YA murder mysteries, as well as her adult debut thriller You May Now Kill The Bride, which was published in 2024. Her most recent YA book, feminist thriller Murder on a School Night, was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2024. Kate has also been been a semi-finalist for Funny Women and New Comedian of the Year, longlisted for Comedy Women in Print and the Branford Boase, and nominated for the Carnegie Medal.
Kate lives in London with her partner and adorable cat Angus.
source: Amazon
Kate lives in London with her partner and adorable cat Angus.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
June 13, 2023
3.5
So Murder on a School Night is marketed at the YAs but I struggled to see this being a big draw for anyone over 15. Maybe I'm just reading the room wrong though. Maybe your average 18 year old is far more naive than I give them credit for.
Either way this book (for me) was not harious merely mildly amusing. It also contained so much talk about periods and vaginas and definitions of menstruation that I frankly got pretty fed up. I get that we live in an ever-changing world and people are defining themselves in ever clearer ways but you've told me once, I don't need telling again. I certainly don't need it mentioning every chapter.
The storyline is basic enough to follow easily - someone is killing people using menstrual hygiene products. Noone knows who it is. The Police seem utterly clueless so up step best friends, Annie and Kerry, who become two Marples in order to figure out whodunit and why. All while Annie tries to become popular and Kerry gets involved with new boy, Scott.
For me the story was okay, the characters were fine and the end was nicely rounded. I think it would appeal more to the young end of the YA audience.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review copy.
So Murder on a School Night is marketed at the YAs but I struggled to see this being a big draw for anyone over 15. Maybe I'm just reading the room wrong though. Maybe your average 18 year old is far more naive than I give them credit for.
Either way this book (for me) was not harious merely mildly amusing. It also contained so much talk about periods and vaginas and definitions of menstruation that I frankly got pretty fed up. I get that we live in an ever-changing world and people are defining themselves in ever clearer ways but you've told me once, I don't need telling again. I certainly don't need it mentioning every chapter.
The storyline is basic enough to follow easily - someone is killing people using menstrual hygiene products. Noone knows who it is. The Police seem utterly clueless so up step best friends, Annie and Kerry, who become two Marples in order to figure out whodunit and why. All while Annie tries to become popular and Kerry gets involved with new boy, Scott.
For me the story was okay, the characters were fine and the end was nicely rounded. I think it would appeal more to the young end of the YA audience.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review copy.
did-not-finish
July 9, 2023DNFing this book is self care
"My palms are sweating. He likes reading, and the bands I like, and he has dimples; it’s too much for me to cope with. I feel like I might choke on my tongue whenever I imagine saying more words to this guy. My vagina is on fire. Is this what they mean when they say “burning loins”? Am I dying? Have I met someone that is so hot and perfect that I am now deceased?"
"This has become a daily ritual for the two of them, Annie shocking and appalling Mrs. Robbins with what she calls Annie’s “loose language.” It’s an experience that she definitely enjoys more than Mrs. R.
“Annabel! I should tell your mother, the way you fling these dirty words around!”
“Chill out, Mrs. R, babe. Vulva’s not a swear word. They exist and they matter. Go stick a mirror between your legs and free yourself from the ancient shame that binds you!” Annie tries to cycle away as fast as she can, her knees knocking into her elbows with every pedal rotation."
"My palms are sweating. He likes reading, and the bands I like, and he has dimples; it’s too much for me to cope with. I feel like I might choke on my tongue whenever I imagine saying more words to this guy. My vagina is on fire. Is this what they mean when they say “burning loins”? Am I dying? Have I met someone that is so hot and perfect that I am now deceased?"
"This has become a daily ritual for the two of them, Annie shocking and appalling Mrs. Robbins with what she calls Annie’s “loose language.” It’s an experience that she definitely enjoys more than Mrs. R.
“Annabel! I should tell your mother, the way you fling these dirty words around!”
“Chill out, Mrs. R, babe. Vulva’s not a swear word. They exist and they matter. Go stick a mirror between your legs and free yourself from the ancient shame that binds you!” Annie tries to cycle away as fast as she can, her knees knocking into her elbows with every pedal rotation."
June 9, 2023
1 Star
This is such a hard no from me. I wanted to like it. I actually did like the sort of lighthearted, comedic narrative style that Kate Weston employs. It definitely helps this book to stand out in a very hot (i.e. very oversaturated) YA thriller market. But the amount of vagina talk happening here was just... too much for me. I get why it's included. I get what Weston was going for. But it came on too strong and it only got stronger. It wasn't liberating. It was cringe-worthy at the best. It was too much. It wasn't fun to read.
Anyway, my full review will go up July 28, 2023 at Gateway Reviews.
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This is such a hard no from me. I wanted to like it. I actually did like the sort of lighthearted, comedic narrative style that Kate Weston employs. It definitely helps this book to stand out in a very hot (i.e. very oversaturated) YA thriller market. But the amount of vagina talk happening here was just... too much for me. I get why it's included. I get what Weston was going for. But it came on too strong and it only got stronger. It wasn't liberating. It was cringe-worthy at the best. It was too much. It wasn't fun to read.
Anyway, my full review will go up July 28, 2023 at Gateway Reviews.
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
August 20, 2023
sorry i didn’t realise feminism was all about yelling the word vulva at randoms
July 8, 2023
I was writing in detail how much I hated this book, how cringey it was, and the worst of the lines, when the damn app shut down and I lost everything. So trust me it’s a ridiculous mess that takes period positivity way too far and shoves it down your throat every 3 pages. It’s like Booksmart but not funny, not good, and cranked up to 1000. Even the Booksmart bffs wouldn’t be caught dead with these girls. Awful quotes for your warning-
“I can only describe as an angry pee- a stream so fierce it could crack a toilet.”
“Now she’s pissing pure rage.”
“”GOOD VULVA TO YOU!”
“Orghk.”
“WHAT IF THE WEE IS DISEASED AND IT GOES IN THE SCRATCHES AND ENTERS MY BLOODSTREAM?”
“My vagina is on fire.” <- because a cute guy likes to read
“I feel a tingle in my pant area.” <- because said cute guy has his hand on his own thigh and it slightly touches hers
“I feel my vagina flutter slightly at the knowledge that this sexy man understands. Frankly there is nothing sexier than a cis man who knows about periods-“
“This feels like the inside of a vagina.”
“What if they were totally doing the sex?”
Also Annie was a shitty friend. And the mystery isn’t that great.
I will say I liked the last 2 or so chapters. But that’s not enough to save this mess. Read literally any other YA mystery book and you’ll be better off.
“I can only describe as an angry pee- a stream so fierce it could crack a toilet.”
“Now she’s pissing pure rage.”
“”GOOD VULVA TO YOU!”
“Orghk.”
“WHAT IF THE WEE IS DISEASED AND IT GOES IN THE SCRATCHES AND ENTERS MY BLOODSTREAM?”
“My vagina is on fire.” <- because a cute guy likes to read
“I feel a tingle in my pant area.” <- because said cute guy has his hand on his own thigh and it slightly touches hers
“I feel my vagina flutter slightly at the knowledge that this sexy man understands. Frankly there is nothing sexier than a cis man who knows about periods-“
“This feels like the inside of a vagina.”
“What if they were totally doing the sex?”
Also Annie was a shitty friend. And the mystery isn’t that great.
I will say I liked the last 2 or so chapters. But that’s not enough to save this mess. Read literally any other YA mystery book and you’ll be better off.
July 5, 2024
This was a hard listen for me. The audio was over high quality and the narrator reminded me how annoying teenager voices could be at times. I'm no young adult but the language felt forced and tye overall plot itt.However I think it's meant to be this way it's not funny to me but would be I think to a very young teenager. The language struggles to sit between adult and teenager especially when discussing sex. The plot went from one extreme yo another and the ending was so unexpected and yet flowed with the rest. It felt longer than it needed to be with a clumsy attempt to get you to care. I was pleased when it was over. The action ar the end felt unrealistic but as this meant to be a hilarious it felt this way
It meant fir young teens who like ott. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator
It meant fir young teens who like ott. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator
September 19, 2023
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder meets Georgia Nicholson in this fast paced, feminist and wickedly funny YA murder mystery. If you love your suspense with a healthy does of humour then I definitely suggest checking this out.
Navigating friendships, first love, and period positivity (as well as being packed with Kate Weston’s signature brand of British humour), we follow two socially awkward teens (Kerry and Annie) as they try to solve the recent spate of tampon and period pad-based murders plaguing their small town.
Firstly, I just want to say, the marketing and PR for this book has been insanely creative (the period pad bookmark is quite possibly my new fave and should you buy from a UK store definitely check to see if they still have any left.) And I’m glad to report that it also lived up to all my expectations with its satirical, Holly Jackson meets Sex Education style premise.
Our protagonists, Kerry and Annie were refreshingly relatable (and endearing) in all their teenage awkwardness. Especially Kerry, who would rather stay home and fantasise about cute boys, than risk the humiliation of trying to hang out with the popular kids.
Her introverted nature really resonated with teenage me and her ride or die loyalty for bestie (and resident sleuth) Annie was soo adorable. Given Annie’s determination to become popular by finding the killer, leads them into soo much danger—I applaud their Pretty Little Liars-level of curiosity, as I could never have been that brave.
The murder mystery aspect was also well explored with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep us readers on our toes. And I can honestly say I didn’t work out who the murderer was, which is rare as I usually manage to (at least partially) guess correctly before the big reveal.
Like most YAs, the adults are for the most part absent, with the town’s local Police officers being woefully inadequate and condescending. But their interactions with Kerry and Annie though infuriating at times were also quite entertaining—one officer actually thought a menstrual cup was a shot glass, which make me chuckle.
The conversation around menstruation and periods is an important one (and pretty pivotal to the book’s narrative), so I was impressed with openness and humour with which Kate Weston manages to explore it.
I’m not the target audience for this (given I am in my 30s) but I’m confident a lot of teens will enjoy this and hopefully come away with a more positive outlook on periods, I just wish I’d been able to read this when I was teen.
Overall, a fun and entertaining read that’s perfect for YA loving fans of Holly Bourne, Holly Jackson or Sex Education.
Also, a huge thank you to Electric Monkey books for the proof.
Navigating friendships, first love, and period positivity (as well as being packed with Kate Weston’s signature brand of British humour), we follow two socially awkward teens (Kerry and Annie) as they try to solve the recent spate of tampon and period pad-based murders plaguing their small town.
Firstly, I just want to say, the marketing and PR for this book has been insanely creative (the period pad bookmark is quite possibly my new fave and should you buy from a UK store definitely check to see if they still have any left.) And I’m glad to report that it also lived up to all my expectations with its satirical, Holly Jackson meets Sex Education style premise.
Our protagonists, Kerry and Annie were refreshingly relatable (and endearing) in all their teenage awkwardness. Especially Kerry, who would rather stay home and fantasise about cute boys, than risk the humiliation of trying to hang out with the popular kids.
Her introverted nature really resonated with teenage me and her ride or die loyalty for bestie (and resident sleuth) Annie was soo adorable. Given Annie’s determination to become popular by finding the killer, leads them into soo much danger—I applaud their Pretty Little Liars-level of curiosity, as I could never have been that brave.
The murder mystery aspect was also well explored with plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep us readers on our toes. And I can honestly say I didn’t work out who the murderer was, which is rare as I usually manage to (at least partially) guess correctly before the big reveal.
Like most YAs, the adults are for the most part absent, with the town’s local Police officers being woefully inadequate and condescending. But their interactions with Kerry and Annie though infuriating at times were also quite entertaining—one officer actually thought a menstrual cup was a shot glass, which make me chuckle.
The conversation around menstruation and periods is an important one (and pretty pivotal to the book’s narrative), so I was impressed with openness and humour with which Kate Weston manages to explore it.
I’m not the target audience for this (given I am in my 30s) but I’m confident a lot of teens will enjoy this and hopefully come away with a more positive outlook on periods, I just wish I’d been able to read this when I was teen.
Overall, a fun and entertaining read that’s perfect for YA loving fans of Holly Bourne, Holly Jackson or Sex Education.
Also, a huge thank you to Electric Monkey books for the proof.
August 28, 2023
i really wanted to like this book. but once i read the terrible supposed to be comedic jokes i cringed so much. this “comedy” is awful. and to add to that, APPARENTLY feminism is talking about periods. makes zero sense. honestly makes me mad. the characters were ok i guess, the author really hasn’t gone to middle school ever though. kerry the main character acts 12 along w her best friend annie but she’s a freaking junior. i thought she was in 6th grade it’s honestly sad they ride their bikes everywhere and their 16. the way the author made the characters act was nasty. the inappropriate jokes and the way kerry was way to descriptive about how scott makes her feel. the drug dealing and the period brand was random. i’m basically ranting but to summarize
don’t read this book if you want to feel cringey and second hand embarrassment and the sexist stereotypes.
don’t read this book if you want to feel cringey and second hand embarrassment and the sexist stereotypes.
May 23, 2023
“I imagine my tombstone: She met a hottie and alas it killed her.”
“Murder on a School Night” was hilarious. I mean, I expected it to be, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the amount of smirks and giggles these pages earned from me. It gave “Mean Girls” and “Pretty Little Liars” for sure, which I think was the goal. Reading this really brought me back to those horribly awkward teen years. I had a best friend in high school that reminds me somewhat of Annie: a little awkward, but really great with people. And me, the slightly emo bestie beside her that really did not want to be popular and maybe held her back from being so? I felt that. Deeply. I also liked the period content. I personally love talking about the menstrual cycle and all its (painful) glory, so that was a fun theme throughout the novel. While I can’t say all my views completely align with that of the author, I think the dialect was spot on for teens today, and I wish I had been as bold and cool at that age.
I would recommend this novel for ages 15+.
4 Stars!
“Murder on a School Night” was hilarious. I mean, I expected it to be, but I was still pleasantly surprised by the amount of smirks and giggles these pages earned from me. It gave “Mean Girls” and “Pretty Little Liars” for sure, which I think was the goal. Reading this really brought me back to those horribly awkward teen years. I had a best friend in high school that reminds me somewhat of Annie: a little awkward, but really great with people. And me, the slightly emo bestie beside her that really did not want to be popular and maybe held her back from being so? I felt that. Deeply. I also liked the period content. I personally love talking about the menstrual cycle and all its (painful) glory, so that was a fun theme throughout the novel. While I can’t say all my views completely align with that of the author, I think the dialect was spot on for teens today, and I wish I had been as bold and cool at that age.
I would recommend this novel for ages 15+.
4 Stars!
May 25, 2024
MURDER ON A SCHOOL NIGHT by Kate Weston is straight-up rollercoaster-paced, snarky as all get out, and feminist to the core. I could not stop!! This novel is so totally cool! Despite that I was last the age of the two protagonists a couple centuries ago, empathy was immediate and essential and inescapable. I loved the protagonists, despised the villains and the misogynists, and reveled in the story. I'm so hungry for more!!
July 24, 2025
I have been having a hell of a time trying to get into this book. I went to the comment section to find: “DNFing this book is self-care,” and it spoke to me. I stopped reading at page 101. The sexual innuendos were overbearing and I don’t care who killed Selena. Yeah, I said it!
dnf
January 26, 2023Yeesh, this was comically awful.
July 9, 2024
5 stars!
A magnificent murder mystery with a feminist thrust.
Kerry and Annie, BFFs and investigators extraordinaire (maybe). Let's face it they're not exactly fit the stereotype of cool, in fact they're right at the bottom of the so called "social food chain". While a party is the last thing on Kerry's list Annie ropes her in to attending their first official sixth form party! But they've been invited under one condition, they have to help queen bee Heather find out who has been leaving her threatening messages. However Kerry gets more than she bargained for when she's literally about to kiss the HOTTEST guy in school, but instead she finds the body of one of Heather's gang, that has been suffocated with a menstrual cup.
My goodness that was absolutely brilliant and so so funny! The witty humour had me from start to finish, it truly felt like being back at college (but the funny bits). This was just so cool and I know that our library users will absolutely love this! The comedic timing was great!
There were lots of important topics that were shouted about that I know will be appreciated by so many. To mention a few, periods and menstruation are natural, they are not dirty or to be hidden away like something shameful. It is not only women who have periods! And we're in the 21st century why are they still calling period products sanitary products? Get with the times people, PERIODS ARE NOT UNSANITARY!
Overall this book not only had me in fits of laughter throughout but I was also hooked on finding out who the period product killer was. This was so much fun from beginning to end! I will definitely be recommending this book!
And with that I say, "GOOD VULVA TO YOU!"
A magnificent murder mystery with a feminist thrust.
Kerry and Annie, BFFs and investigators extraordinaire (maybe). Let's face it they're not exactly fit the stereotype of cool, in fact they're right at the bottom of the so called "social food chain". While a party is the last thing on Kerry's list Annie ropes her in to attending their first official sixth form party! But they've been invited under one condition, they have to help queen bee Heather find out who has been leaving her threatening messages. However Kerry gets more than she bargained for when she's literally about to kiss the HOTTEST guy in school, but instead she finds the body of one of Heather's gang, that has been suffocated with a menstrual cup.
My goodness that was absolutely brilliant and so so funny! The witty humour had me from start to finish, it truly felt like being back at college (but the funny bits). This was just so cool and I know that our library users will absolutely love this! The comedic timing was great!
There were lots of important topics that were shouted about that I know will be appreciated by so many. To mention a few, periods and menstruation are natural, they are not dirty or to be hidden away like something shameful. It is not only women who have periods! And we're in the 21st century why are they still calling period products sanitary products? Get with the times people, PERIODS ARE NOT UNSANITARY!
Overall this book not only had me in fits of laughter throughout but I was also hooked on finding out who the period product killer was. This was so much fun from beginning to end! I will definitely be recommending this book!
And with that I say, "GOOD VULVA TO YOU!"
July 10, 2023
This was an entertaining murder mystery, with a good amount of humor and a lot of talk about vaginas (maybe too much? lol). There are definitely cringey moments, like one of the characters talking about burning loins and being pretty sex-obsessed throughout the story, as well as yelling about vulvas for no real reason other than a vague notion of feminism I guess.
I liked following the girls as they investigated the murders and thought the plot was fun. Annie was my favorite, she's the true crime fan and makes a murder board with red string and everything. The image of her pedaling a child's Paw Patrol bike cracked me up every time.
The ending could use a bit of work, it just sort of crashes down and then everyone moves on. I didn't quite buy how things worked out, but it's not necessarily supposed to be that realistic I think.
If you don't take this book too seriously and don't mind constant dialogue about vaginas and menstrual products, you may want to pick this up for a quick read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for the copy.
I liked following the girls as they investigated the murders and thought the plot was fun. Annie was my favorite, she's the true crime fan and makes a murder board with red string and everything. The image of her pedaling a child's Paw Patrol bike cracked me up every time.
The ending could use a bit of work, it just sort of crashes down and then everyone moves on. I didn't quite buy how things worked out, but it's not necessarily supposed to be that realistic I think.
If you don't take this book too seriously and don't mind constant dialogue about vaginas and menstrual products, you may want to pick this up for a quick read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Katherine Tegen Books and NetGalley for the copy.
April 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much!! I was given a copy from NetGalley to my excitement and I jumped right in. It had a perfect amount of comedy and suspense that in enjoy in a thriller/scary book. Had a good amount of twists and turns and a good selection of suspects. I enjoyed the friendship between the two main characters and the love interest was perfect. Reminded me a bit of the Scream tv series which I loved. Will definitely be checking out more books from this author. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book in advance.
Read
January 26, 2024I definitely laughed out loud... Many times...
February 26, 2025
2.5 stars
October 11, 2023
I want to start this review by talking about the comparisons. While I haven’t watched Fleabag (I do believe the comp is a bit excessive anyways, though), I am one of the biggest Truly Devious fans in the world, and comparing the series with this book is doing a disservice to both. The have nothing in common, aside for being both YA mysteries with female main characters. The similarities end there, I honestly don’t think they are anything alike.
That being said, luckily I didn’t go into this book expecting it to be the next Truly Devious, so I had a fun time and I enjoyed it. It is not the best murder mystery I’ve ever read, and at times the humour was a bit too much for my taste, but overall it was an easy and quick read and it kept me entertained from beginning to end.
It reminded me of some Pretty Little Liars (the show, I haven’t read the books) subplots at time. Not for the actual events, but for how far fetched and over the top everything was, but in a good way. I truly had to suspend my disbelief a lot, but it was worth it in the end.
I honestly really enjoyed the fact that a mestrual cup was the main clue for a while there, and I find the tag lines of this book to perfectly incapsulate the tone and themes of the book.
What I wasn’t a fan of was the romance. I have no idea why authors feel compelled to push a romantic subplot in their mysteries, especially when they are standalones. I sometimes enjoy when there’s a relationship aside of the mystery, but it is usually in series — like the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series — and when the romance doesn’t overshadow the actual mystery plot and everything is well balance. Which was not the case here.
I also did not get too attached to the two main characters. They were fine, but I honestly believe there should have been a bit more of character work and character building. If you are a plot driven reader, it probably won’t bother you, but if you are a character driven reader like me, you’ll understand the struggle you have to face when a character is not bad, but it isn’t good either. I wish there had been a bit more work here and there.
Anyways, I would still recommend picking up this book, especially if you are not the biggest mystery reader out there and you want to start by something easy and not a series. I get that it could be intimidating picking up Truly Devious, and while this is something completely different, as I said, it’s still a good enough read. Personally, I will keeping an eye out to see if Kate Weston decides to write some other mystery books. Her backlist does not sound like something I could enjoy, but if this is the route she is taking, I’ll be following.
That being said, luckily I didn’t go into this book expecting it to be the next Truly Devious, so I had a fun time and I enjoyed it. It is not the best murder mystery I’ve ever read, and at times the humour was a bit too much for my taste, but overall it was an easy and quick read and it kept me entertained from beginning to end.
It reminded me of some Pretty Little Liars (the show, I haven’t read the books) subplots at time. Not for the actual events, but for how far fetched and over the top everything was, but in a good way. I truly had to suspend my disbelief a lot, but it was worth it in the end.
I honestly really enjoyed the fact that a mestrual cup was the main clue for a while there, and I find the tag lines of this book to perfectly incapsulate the tone and themes of the book.
What I wasn’t a fan of was the romance. I have no idea why authors feel compelled to push a romantic subplot in their mysteries, especially when they are standalones. I sometimes enjoy when there’s a relationship aside of the mystery, but it is usually in series — like the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series — and when the romance doesn’t overshadow the actual mystery plot and everything is well balance. Which was not the case here.
I also did not get too attached to the two main characters. They were fine, but I honestly believe there should have been a bit more of character work and character building. If you are a plot driven reader, it probably won’t bother you, but if you are a character driven reader like me, you’ll understand the struggle you have to face when a character is not bad, but it isn’t good either. I wish there had been a bit more work here and there.
Anyways, I would still recommend picking up this book, especially if you are not the biggest mystery reader out there and you want to start by something easy and not a series. I get that it could be intimidating picking up Truly Devious, and while this is something completely different, as I said, it’s still a good enough read. Personally, I will keeping an eye out to see if Kate Weston decides to write some other mystery books. Her backlist does not sound like something I could enjoy, but if this is the route she is taking, I’ll be following.
September 4, 2023
A young adult cosy murder case featuring schoolgirls obsessed with becoming popular. And body parts.
The story opens as two friends start their first day in the sixth form, describing the cliques and other aspects of school culture. At the first sixth form party one of the popular girls is found dead. Other bodies soon follow. They all share one weird feature: menstruation products.
So the two friends set out to become investigators, complete with deerstalker hats and a secret language. The youthful detectives look for clues and make deductions like Sherlock Holmes.
This is a breezy, witty and modern novel, written in the first person and comparative to a Scooby Doo whodunnit. Easy to read if you are aware of teenage-speak and the issues surrounding that age group. Which, of course, with a few adjustments, we've all been there. There are references to television programmes and famous people that anchor the book in a set period, but this is part of the fun.
A well-written coming of age, feminist and clever mystery about friendship and working together.
The story opens as two friends start their first day in the sixth form, describing the cliques and other aspects of school culture. At the first sixth form party one of the popular girls is found dead. Other bodies soon follow. They all share one weird feature: menstruation products.
So the two friends set out to become investigators, complete with deerstalker hats and a secret language. The youthful detectives look for clues and make deductions like Sherlock Holmes.
This is a breezy, witty and modern novel, written in the first person and comparative to a Scooby Doo whodunnit. Easy to read if you are aware of teenage-speak and the issues surrounding that age group. Which, of course, with a few adjustments, we've all been there. There are references to television programmes and famous people that anchor the book in a set period, but this is part of the fun.
A well-written coming of age, feminist and clever mystery about friendship and working together.
September 13, 2023
3.5 but I rounded up
annie was kind of annoying as a character, it felt like she took the lead on everything while kerry just kind of sat back and didn’t really do anything, i think i would have given it a higher rating had it not been for annie tbh
annie was kind of annoying as a character, it felt like she took the lead on everything while kerry just kind of sat back and didn’t really do anything, i think i would have given it a higher rating had it not been for annie tbh
February 21, 2023
Enjoyed this book! A good, fun read I think everyone will enjoy. It’s got mystery, murder and friendship! What more could you need?!
February 2, 2024
DNF because I simply do not want that much vagina in my murder mysteries. It went far beyond comedy, beyond feminism, and well into irritating.
October 1, 2023
Murder on a School Night es una sátira juvenil sobre la sexualidad femenina, muy al estilo Sex Education.
La amistad entre Kerry y Annie, las dos protagonistas de la historia, me ha dado cien años de vida. Este dúo tan dispar se une para resolver el misterio del "asesino menstrual" cuando una de las chicas más populares de su instituto aparece ahogada por una copa menstrual. Y aunque se trata de una trama de misterio bastante light, yo me quedé por las risas más que por la investigación en sí. Solo con esa premisa, os podéis imaginar el mamarracheo general de la historia.
He adorado la representación tan fiel a la adolescencia de este libro. Las cosillas típicas de la edad como las inseguridades, los primeros amores, la popularidad y demás desde una visión naïve que me ha parecido de lo más acertada. Por no mencionar, el mensaje tan positiva entorno a la sexualidad femenina, especialmente centrada en los tabúes de la menstruación.
Soy consciente de que no soy la audiencia objetiva de este libro y es que, aunque haya habido romance, no me ha parecido una romcom como prometían en la premisa. De hecho, es algo bastante secundario, ya que la trama central es la investigación y la amistad de las chicas.
Pese a eso, me parece una historia maravillosa para adolescentes y es muy disfrutable para personas de otras edades. La verdad que leyendo Murder on a School Night pensaba todo el rato en que ojalá haber crecido con libros que tengan este tipo de mensajes tan abiertos y positivos. Estoy muy feliz de que haya quienes tengan la suerte de poder crecer leyendo estos libros y que cada vez sean más.
La amistad entre Kerry y Annie, las dos protagonistas de la historia, me ha dado cien años de vida. Este dúo tan dispar se une para resolver el misterio del "asesino menstrual" cuando una de las chicas más populares de su instituto aparece ahogada por una copa menstrual. Y aunque se trata de una trama de misterio bastante light, yo me quedé por las risas más que por la investigación en sí. Solo con esa premisa, os podéis imaginar el mamarracheo general de la historia.
He adorado la representación tan fiel a la adolescencia de este libro. Las cosillas típicas de la edad como las inseguridades, los primeros amores, la popularidad y demás desde una visión naïve que me ha parecido de lo más acertada. Por no mencionar, el mensaje tan positiva entorno a la sexualidad femenina, especialmente centrada en los tabúes de la menstruación.
Soy consciente de que no soy la audiencia objetiva de este libro y es que, aunque haya habido romance, no me ha parecido una romcom como prometían en la premisa. De hecho, es algo bastante secundario, ya que la trama central es la investigación y la amistad de las chicas.
Pese a eso, me parece una historia maravillosa para adolescentes y es muy disfrutable para personas de otras edades. La verdad que leyendo Murder on a School Night pensaba todo el rato en que ojalá haber crecido con libros que tengan este tipo de mensajes tan abiertos y positivos. Estoy muy feliz de que haya quienes tengan la suerte de poder crecer leyendo estos libros y que cada vez sean más.
December 20, 2025
This was outrageous! So funny and the perfect distraction for my anxiety which has been through the roof this week. I don’t think this will be for everyone and you have to be in the right mood, but I laughed so much!
September 25, 2025
Content warnings: death, murder, gun violence, misogyny, alcohol, drug use, death of a parent (in the past), blood, cheating
This was a wild and often hilarious ride, and kind of felt like the love child of Sex Education and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. I laughed out loud multiple times and the mystery kept me guessing throughout. The characters were fabulous and I'll definitely be looking out for the sequel because this was a hell of a good time.
This was a wild and often hilarious ride, and kind of felt like the love child of Sex Education and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. I laughed out loud multiple times and the mystery kept me guessing throughout. The characters were fabulous and I'll definitely be looking out for the sequel because this was a hell of a good time.
April 21, 2024
Libby: Spoilers, so you don't read this, or DNF like I wish I did. If the audiobook didn't have a British narrator, I would have quit.
Lots of aggressive feminism from these teen girls (yelling vulva at a stranger every single morning and other ridiculous things) and more period / menstruation talk than I think has ever happened in a book ever.
Two losers that want to be popular get caught up in a murder mystery when two popular kids and a random neighbor are killed and then get sanitary products put on their bodies in a "see no evil" poses. Don't worry, they become friends with the popular kids as some of them start dropping like flies. The MC gets a bf (her shipped name is "Scary" since she's Kerry and he's Scott), he texts to break up with her, she thinks he's the killer, and then finds out that he's been kidnapped. The main popular girl Heather is his secret half sister and their dead dad didn't actually die a year ago like everyone thought...he's the killer. Father of the Year tries to take his kidnapped son with him into hiding again and then half-heartedly invites his daughter that he actually raised.
Read by Clare Storey. #booksin24
Lots of aggressive feminism from these teen girls (yelling vulva at a stranger every single morning and other ridiculous things) and more period / menstruation talk than I think has ever happened in a book ever.
Two losers that want to be popular get caught up in a murder mystery when two popular kids and a random neighbor are killed and then get sanitary products put on their bodies in a "see no evil" poses. Don't worry, they become friends with the popular kids as some of them start dropping like flies. The MC gets a bf (her shipped name is "Scary" since she's Kerry and he's Scott), he texts to break up with her, she thinks he's the killer, and then finds out that he's been kidnapped. The main popular girl Heather is his secret half sister and their dead dad didn't actually die a year ago like everyone thought...he's the killer. Father of the Year tries to take his kidnapped son with him into hiding again and then half-heartedly invites his daughter that he actually raised.
Read by Clare Storey. #booksin24
June 27, 2023
I received an ARC copy via Goodreads so here's the review.
High School Jr.s trying to make it into the popular clique try to find out who is sending threatening messages to the most popular girl in her deceased father's name. 3 bodies, so many won't guesses make for a very fun read
High School Jr.s trying to make it into the popular clique try to find out who is sending threatening messages to the most popular girl in her deceased father's name. 3 bodies, so many won't guesses make for a very fun read
May 2, 2023
Murder most horrid…and two socially isolated friends determined to do their bit to solve the crimes in a rather eccentric story.
In the quiet village that Annie and Kerry live in, nothing ever happens. They’ve just started 6th form and find themselves determined to find a way to get popular. Their way in lies with Heather and her gang, but nobody could have foreseen the events that unravel here.
When they’re invited to a party Kerry is excited to get the opportunity to get a kiss from new boy Scott. What she wasn’t expecting was to discover the body of Selena, Heather’s best friend.
We quickly learn that someone is out to cause chaos. Bodies turn up where you least expect them and the police are convinced Kerry’s crush is responsible.
Once we find out the truth I found myself open mouthed at the sheer unlikelihood of any of this happening. However, as I was reading it I found myself caught up in this snarky duo’s investigation.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.
In the quiet village that Annie and Kerry live in, nothing ever happens. They’ve just started 6th form and find themselves determined to find a way to get popular. Their way in lies with Heather and her gang, but nobody could have foreseen the events that unravel here.
When they’re invited to a party Kerry is excited to get the opportunity to get a kiss from new boy Scott. What she wasn’t expecting was to discover the body of Selena, Heather’s best friend.
We quickly learn that someone is out to cause chaos. Bodies turn up where you least expect them and the police are convinced Kerry’s crush is responsible.
Once we find out the truth I found myself open mouthed at the sheer unlikelihood of any of this happening. However, as I was reading it I found myself caught up in this snarky duo’s investigation.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication.
June 25, 2023
Absolutely engrossing, it had me laughing and WTFing outloud. I was not expecting that plot twist whatsoever, and the fact that we also got answers to every conspiracy mentioned. Usually all the books I've encountered that are labeled Rom-com thriller there isn't actual thrill or mystery present, but this has everything. I will be adding this gem to my mystery shelf once it comes out. I recommend it to sleuths like me also would be an amazing read for young adults since it incorporates topics that need to be talked about. I'd like to mention the fact that the author teaches us that no matter how bad or misunderstood the dead person was they didn't deserve that and has her characters avenge them even though they were hurt by them. The popular group isn't as perfect as they seem.
August 14, 2023
I was at a bookstore at 8am, casually looking through what's new and picked this up. My jaw DROPPED when I read that blurb lmao. It is officially the most unhinged blurb I have EVER read.
Because it was that fucking weird, I was thinking about it all day and went to pick it up on the way back. AND BOY DID IT NOT DISSAPOINT. I swear, the first few chapters are just as unhinged as the blurb. Eventually it becomes more of a murder/mystery with funny remarks throughout it, but still very much enjoyable.
Not sure if I loved the ending, but this book was fucking HILARIOUS.
Because it was that fucking weird, I was thinking about it all day and went to pick it up on the way back. AND BOY DID IT NOT DISSAPOINT. I swear, the first few chapters are just as unhinged as the blurb. Eventually it becomes more of a murder/mystery with funny remarks throughout it, but still very much enjoyable.
Not sure if I loved the ending, but this book was fucking HILARIOUS.
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