The synopsis of this book definitely drew me in, and I can never pass up a good YA thriller that explores the dynamics of a friend group, but at first I was a bit nervous about the formatting of this book. It is told through a series of police interrogations that go back and forth between four friends who have been brought in after their friend has disappeared in the woods and is feared dead.

While it took a moment to get into it, once the flow of the book picked up and I got used to the form of narration it was a quick and easy, fun read. All four ‘narrators’ had their own personality and while they all questioned each other you questioned each of them. Who can you trust when no one seems to tell the whole truth?

Overall this was an entertaining read that had me questioning the real story until the very end. I do wish there was a slightly more solid conclusion to the story, but it was still a good book nonetheless. Would definitely recommend to those looking for a thrilling YA that they’ll pick up and not put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early copy of this book. Tell Me What Really Happened by Chelsea Sedoti will be released on April 2nd, 2024.

This book. THIS. BOOK. I don’t know what it was about it, but it was addicting. I rotated between an audiobook and an ebook and let me tell you - the experience of the audiobook is TOP TIER.

Tell Me What Really Happened takes a unique approach to the YA mystery genre, the whole story told completely in police interviews while switching between multiple unreliable narrators.

The book follows a group of friends who go out camping. Unfortunately, one of them does not come out alive. Was there a stranger lurking in the woods or is one of the others the killer? Police interviews help piece together the night of the incident and get down to, as the title says, what really happened.


Can I just say - that ending had me heartbroken. Ugh.

If you like YA and enjoy a good mystery written in a unique format, you are not going to want to miss this book. Chelsea Sedoti provided numerous twists and really had me empathizing with the characters while constantly questioning who I believed.

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for YA and HS collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

4 1/2 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the back and fourth of the different characters being interviewed. At first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy not hearing the polices side but it was actually really good for the flow of the story. Before I knew it I was halfway done and had to pause for dinner.
It's a must read if you like mysterys

Five teens sneak away to go camping for the night.Five teens go camping only four comeback.A story told through the eyes of the survivors.I really enjoyed the story the writing style.#netgalley #sourcebooks

With four untrustworthy narrators and a single murder case at the center, the book unravels through a prolonged interrogation, keeping readers engrossed in the captivating mystery.

It's a seamless and intelligent whodunit thriller that can be effortlessly devoured in a single sitting. I highly recommend it to enthusiasts of young adult thrillers!

The unique format led to intrigue and potential, but it fell flat. Once it was finished, it felt like such a waste of time.

I did want to like this book but it took too long to get into the plot. I did not finish this book but do not put it against the author. There are times when I think a book will be perfect for me, but it turns out not to be the case. That said, I always give authors another chance, so I'll look forward to her next work.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the ARC!

“It was all her idea. They would get away from their parents and spend the weekend camping. Down by Salvation Creek, the five of them would make smores, steal kisses, and share secrets. What really happened that night?”

Love the first-person interview style of this book. Definitely kept me on my toes throughout the book.

Five friends go into the woods, but only four come back out.

Now, I love thrillers and like to think I have most plots pegged by half way. I had thought I knew what was going to happen but the ending caught me by surprise!

I haven’t read other books by this author but based on this one, I think I’ll be putting them on my buy on sight list!

If you like real who-dun -it’s, this is for you.

Five teenagers go into the woods, and only four come out. A fast-paced “ who done it “ type novel told in first-person police interviews about the disappearance of their familiar friend. My favorite trope is an unreliable narrator; we get four of them in this book. Unfortunately, although the premise was new and exciting, the book fell flat

Camping trip gone wrong!


A twisty tale told by police interview. It really worked telling the story that way.
Five teens go on a weekend campout and one goes missing.

I enjoyed the multiple point of view chapters. We learn about the missing camper by reading the interviews.
I didn't understand why one couple was a couple.
Maybe it's just me but one persons obsession was really annoying.


I liked how the Story was written. the character s got to speak out.

I didn't like the ending.

I enjoyed the book and think others will also.

It's a good quick rad for an afternoon or evening.

Recommended. 3 3/4 stars

Thank you to the author publisher and Net Galley.

This book was good, even though it was pretty predictable. But I believe that's how most young adult and murder mystery books go: either it's easy to predict or it's not, and there are a lot of plot holes. Each character had strengths and weaknesses which were well incorporated into the book and the plot. It was  pretty entertaining and annoying (in a good way) at times, considering the characters personalities.

I only gave the book 4 stars because the ending felt a bit rushed. I would like to know how the culprit was charged and if they were let go or anything instead of them saying they would like a lawyer and the rest of the gang being let go. Other than that, it was a fun read. I would recommend this to someone who wants to get into YA thrillers based on murder mysteries, but not to someone who is well into the genre and looking for more recommendations.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In this YA thriller, 5 very different teens end up on a camping trip together. This is one of the things I really liked about this book. These teens are all VERY different with different cliques and interests and through various means all end up on the trip together. We know from the beginning that one of them doesn't make it back. The story is told through the police interviews that each teen has. Each perspective is a tad different (as it should be) which keeps the tale going and keeps everyone a suspect. I was guessing right up until the end!

I did not enjoy this book. I will purchase for my school library because there are many kids that might like it, but I was not a fan.

"Tell Me What Really Happened" by Chelsea Sedoti is a compelling exploration of truth, perspective, and the complex web of human experiences. This novel takes readers on a journey of unraveling mysteries and delving into the intricacies of memory, perception, and the impact of secrets.

Sedoti's writing style is thought-provoking and immersive, immersing readers in a world of shifting perspectives and hidden truths. The characters in the novel are intricately developed, each with their own version of events that contribute to the depth of the narrative.

At the heart of the story is a poignant exploration of identity, perception, and the way different people remember and interpret the same events. The author skillfully weaves together elements of mystery and psychological intrigue, creating a narrative that keeps the reader engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

"Tell Me What Really Happened" successfully balances the layers of perspectives with moments of emotional resonance, resulting in a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The themes of memory, the complexities of human relationships, and the search for authenticity add depth to the plot.

In conclusion, "Tell Me What Really Happened" is a thought-provoking and introspective novel that invites readers to contemplate the nature of truth and the intricacies of human experiences. If you're seeking a book that challenges your perception of reality and the way we remember events, this novel provides a compelling and engaging narrative that will leave you questioning and reflecting long after the final page.

I did not finish this title in advance of the publication day, but do intend to finish reading later down the line.

I haven't read a ton of thrillers in the past, so I went into this book with no expectations. The premise doesn't sound super original at first, but the story became more elaborate and complex as the book went on. One thing that I actually liked about this book was that all of the characters felt unlikable to some degree. Teenagers can be nasty to one another at times, but it's easy to forget about that once you leave those years behind. The voices in this book felt authentic to me. The pacing of this book was okay, but it would occasionally lose my interest at times, since it's not a very thrilling book. While I thought that the interview narrative was unique, I think it sucked out some of the story's intensity at times. The twist at the end with the missing girl wasn't my favorite either. The build up to the reveal wasn't that intense, so when it finally landed without much energy, I was disappointed. The book was pretty lengthy as well. I feel like the story inside didn't require it. I'm curious to pick up the author's backlist to see if this author is for me or not.