Writer: Holly Jackson // Release: 2022
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Holly Jackson is on a roll! After her immense success with the ‘A good girl’s guide to murder’ series, she has written another thriller. Plot twists, shock and suspense are all wrapped up in this well written 389 page book. When I saw this book in a bookstore, I knew I had to get it. Obviously because I love Holly Jackson, but also the logline!:
“Eight hours, six friends, one sniper.”
Tell me that doesn’t make you super curious about this story. Holly Jackson managed to write 8 hours into 389 pages on basically one location and I’ve never once felt bored. The pacing is surprisingly fast. You know from the start how this book will end: five survive. But every chapter something comes to light that leaves you guessing who will be the one that dies, and when? and why?
Summary
“Red Kenny is on a road trip with five friends when their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. This is no accident. Someone is out there – and someone wants one of them dead. With eight hours until dawn, the six friends must escape or work out which one of them is the target. Buried secrets will be forced to light and not everyone will survive the night.”
Characters
Let’s start with the characters. Protagonist Red Kenny was a very interesting character to follow. She’s not exactly likable per se. During this book, we are mostly seeing inside of Red’s mind, and that mind of hers is very jambled and a little messed up, mostly because of trauma I assume. I love the way Holly Jackson writes out these weird thought processes like you’re following exactly what happens in the brain of a character. Red is kind of an unreliable protagonist. From the start, you know that we’re not getting the full picture, even from our lead. I like these kinds of protagonists that keep you on your toes.
Another character I’ll highlight is Oliver Lavoy. Maddie’s older brother. Even in this span of 8 hours, this character goes through so much development. At the beginning of the book he is the confident and reliable leader of the group, but as time passes and certain secrets come to light, the only thing Oliver cares about anymore is getting out of there alive himself, no matter what he’d have to sacrifice. There’s danger outside of the bus in the form of a sniper, but the danger inside of the bus is Oliver. He’s so incredibly unlikable and selfish it’s terrifying.
Maddie and Arthur were also two really interesting characters. With Maddie, there were hints from the start of the book that she had a secret, and man was the wait worth it. Arthur took some less expected twists though. That’s what I love about Holly Jackson: you think you know where it’s going, and then you’re kind of right, and then there’s four more layers to the story and a weird twist you could have never have imagined.
Reyna wasn’t really outstanding to me. She started out nice and caring but after her attempted sob story I just couldn’t take her seriously anymore, without spoiling anything, I just don’t like those kinds of people if you know what I mean.
Simon was very clearly intended as a comic relief and succeeded in that. I must admit he was funny, and made some smart suggestions. But I honestly still didn’t care for him that much. I think that’s the remarkable thing about this book: none of the characters are truly likable people and the dynamics between all those different personalities is what’s so interesting to read.
Writing style + story
This book was written in third person pov and contains a lot of dialogue, which makes it easy to read. It’s a very binge-able book, especially since cliffhangers at the end of chapters make you want to read ‘just one more page’ every single time. There is a constant tense energy that Holly Jackson always seems to nail in her books. I’ve had a few of those moments where you just have to close the book for a second and stare forward in shock.
Although I mostly liked the pacing of the book, the ending felt a little rushed to me. The whole book we were given tiny pieces of information and then at the end, all the answers were thrown at us in a matter of a few pages. I liked the ending story wise, but pacing wise I think we could have gotten a little more time to process what was happening.
In conclusion...
Overall I think this book is a perfect quick read for anyone that is in the mood for a mix between a whodunit and a locked room mystery vibe. Don’t go in expecting AGGGTM, because it’s not, but I really enjoyed this fresh story that’s just as thrilling, but so different from the trilogy. 4 stars from me!
I will now forever be curious about the freaking curtain pattern Red couldn’t figure out, thank you very much Holly Jackson.
Have you read this book already? Let me know what you thought about it! If you haven’t read it yet, but i’ve made you interested, press below to get your own copy and find out all of the mystery for yourself!
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