This mystery had twist and was high speed for me. The plot kept me wanting to figure out what was happening and who was at fault. I loved the additional of podcast transcripts but my arc had some spacing issues on the transcripts so it made it hard to read some of it. I did enjoy this mystery and had me wanting to keep reading which has been an issue for me lately.

I just did a brief overview of my reading for this month....

I have read and reviewed close to 50 books this month. You ask how I do it? I don't sleep and I am not much of a tv fan unless its The Real Housewives (guilty please- don't you go judging me!)

Why stop now?

Last night I was browsing through my netgalley shelf , between the cover and title for The Headmaster's List I was intrigued and could not stop lingering back to it. No need to read the synopsis again, obviously I was interested if I requested it. I wanted to go in blind and be surprised with the unexpected.

I was in for a ride of a lifetime

This is a book you want to immediately pre-order. The suspense is initiated early on and you will not be able to even catch your breath between chapters. The whole "one more chapter" didn't exist. I knew once I started that there would be no way I would put this book down. Now, I know I said I don't watch much tv but I did in fact watch Gossip Girl when it was on and this book will give you all the twisted, elite, deceitful "gossip girl vibes" . I loved every word that glittered across the page.

The twist?

WHOA!

Anyone who rates this book under 5 stars is a criminal. Way to go, Melissa de la Cruz, you knocked this one out of the park!

Teaser:

Friday night. The party of the summer. Four teens ride home together. Only one never makes it.

When high school sophomore Chris Moore is tragically killed in a car crash, Armstrong Prep is full of questions. Who was at the wheel? And more importantly, who was at fault?

Eighteen-year-old Spencer Sandoval wishes she knew. As rumors swirl that her ex, Ethan, was the reckless driver, she can’t bring herself to defend him. And their messy breakup has nothing to do with it – she can’t remember anything from that night, not even what put her in that car with Ethan, Chris, and Tabby Hill, the new loner in school.

The hunt for answers intensifies when a local true crime podcast takes an interest in the case, pushing Spencer further into the depths of this sinister mystery. Was it all just a night out that went very wrong? And is it a coincidence that all but Chris is on Armstrong's esteemed honor roll, the Headmaster’s List? In a place ruled by pedigree and privilege, the truth can only come at a deadly price.

An end of the summer party turns deadly when a car accident with four students causes one of them to die at the scene. Spencer Sandoval wakes up in the hospital with a head trauma and has trouble remembering what happened the night of the crash. All she knows is her ex-boyfriend is on house arrest awaiting trial. But something doesn't feel right, so Spencer decides to investigate the accident and unearths secrets along the way.

I liked the story line, and sometimes the book clipped along at a good pace. The idea that the school was this competitive environment with everyone clamoring to be on The Headmaster's List seemed like more of an afterthought. I kept waiting for the drama on that front. There were large parts where the book dragged and the investigation felt repetitive. The ending was the most disappointing part with a lazy twist to wrap up the plot.

Spencer was just in an accident that left two kids relatively alright, with one fatality and herself getting quite injured. She wakes up in the hospital without memory of the accident, but everyone says that her boyfriend was driving and responsible for what happened. However once Spencer starts remembering flashes of the accident and the moments leading up to it she begins to realize things aren't adding up. She and another boy join up to figure out what happened.

I enjoyed this story, It was fast-paced, and I flew through it pretty quickly. While I did one of the twists early on, it didn't make me enjoy the story any less. I originally requested this book because of the podcast element, and I did enjoy it, but I liked the rest of the story more.
Ripley was my favorite! She was so adorable and did her best to keep Spencer calm. I spent my time reading and investigating alongside Spencer trying to figure out if Ethan would end up being the one to go to jail, even though Spencers was convinced he was innocent, who would be the one to graduate, and how would end up in rehab? Although the further we get into the story we do get some clues to a couple of those questions.
I thought the twist at the end was pretty good, I definitely didn't see that one coming.
I would definitely read more ya mystery thrillers by this author.

Spencer Sandoval was involved in a car crash with three other classmates after a party. Everyone says it was her boyfriend Ethan's reckless driving that caused the crash and death of fellow student Chris. If only she could remember what happened. As Ethan's trial proceeds, Spencer adjusts to her new life and tries to prove Ethan's innocence with Ethan's best friend Jackson. Who would have wanted Chris or any of the passengers dead? Could the motivation have anything to do with their private school's exclusive Headmaster's List? How far will someone go to get what they want?

One night and Spencer’s life has changed forever. A horrible car crash has caused Spencer to lose her memories of what happened and has left Chris dead, but she knows that something about the story everyone is telling her is just not right. While she may not be currently happy with Ethan, she knows that he would never have gotten into the car drunk or high. Luckily Ethan’s best friend Jackson wants to figure out what happened that night just as much as Spencer does. Can Spencer and Jackson figure out what happened in time before Ethan is sent away to jail for murder? Or will Spencer lose everything to only find out that this case is as open and shut as everyone seems to believe.
This book was quite fun. I enjoyed joining Spencer and Jackson on their investigation of what really happened that night. The twist and turns were not at all expected. I love books that keep you on your toes up until the very end. I can’t wait to recommend this book.
Thank you so very much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

Hmmm... another book set in a prestigious prep school, students feeling their privilege all over the place and an accident occurs. The idea of the Headmaster's List is, sadly, not too far-fetched - of course the Head of a school like this would pull every string to get favored students in to the top schools. The accident and what happens later? Again, not surprising. No real twists because they're pretty much telegraphed well ahead of the reveal, and the only thing that I couldn't figure out before time turned out to not be that surprising. It also didn't make sense when Spencer essentially ghosts her BFF from the start, when you'd think she'd want the support. All in all, decent idea but totally predictable.

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as I thought that I would. I felt like the description of it made it more intense than it turned out to be. It was kind of a let down.
That being said I think it was well written. I had my suspicions but they were off in the beginning, then I felt like there was some foreshadowing that ended up happening and I thought I knew then what was going to happen.
I think some details, for me at least, could have been explained more. At one point it mentioned Spencer being a minority, and maybe I missed that in the beginning, but that was something I didn't pick up on, or it wasn't explained in the beginning.
My favorite character honestly was probably her dog. I didn't feel like Olivia was a very strong character and her role confused me a bit, as it was supposed to highlight the change in Spencer I think, but it was more so just an eye roll subplot for me.
The book gave off really similar vibes to a good girls guide to murder. So it was a fine book, I just wasn't completely in love with it. With a mystery/thriller I want to feel confused and one the edge of my seat. Here I wanted to know, but I didn't feel like it had me in a chokehold where I just had to read it to get through it to find out because I was dying to know.

The Headmaster's List is a YA mystery surrounding a car crash that leaves Spencer seriously injured, Tammy unscathed, Chris dead, and Ethan on trial. While everyone believes this case to be open and shut, nothing seems to be sitting right with Spencer. Desperate to regain her memories of that night and to prove Ethan innocent, despite his cheating on her for an entire year, she embarks on a quest for answers with the help of Jackson, Ethan's best friend.

The plot sounded interesting but it was not executed well. The twists are predictable by the first quarter of the book and the big one at the end just doesn't sit well. Courts don't work in the manner it was depicted. Characters come and go just to drive the plot. It was a quick read but felt very flat and full of holes. My favorite character was the support dog Ripley. She was the bestest!

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.

Spencer Sandoval wishes she could remember what happened when she was involved in a car crash that resulted in someone being killed. The local bad boy, who was driving the car, and who was Spencer's ex boyfriend is automatically blamed for the accident. After all, he has the reputation for speeding, but something doesn't seem right to Spencer. There is also the stress of staying at the stop of the class, competing with other students for being on the headmaster's list, and integrating a new boy into the "in group". There are lots of questions and plot twists that will be appealing to the young adult reader. I received this as an arc from net galley, and am under no pressure for a positive review.

Ramona Thompson

Great story. Fast paced. Keeps you guessing. I will recommend this to students who enjoy One of Us is Lying.

The Headmaster's List wastes no time getting into the thick of things. From the very first page it grabs your attention and drags you along on a wild ride with second guesses and secrets at every turn.

The only thing I didn't absolutely love about this was the ending. It was very YA Mystery Thriller, which is fine because that's exactly what it is, it just didn't give me anything exciting or different. It was still enjoyable, just average and predictable.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA Mystery thrillers but especially to those that enjoyed the Confessions series by James Patterson. The main characters and the storyline all give similar vibes despite the differences in the two stories.

One of Us Is Lying meets Riverdale in author Melissa de la Cruz's The Headmaster's List, an edge-of-your-seat YA thriller about a fatal car crash and the dangerous lengths one teen will go to uncover the truth about what really happened. Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, The Headmaster's List, is an addictive mystery as well as the authors first Young Adult mystery.

One of them was driving.
One of them was high.
One of them screamed.
And one of them died.

Friday night September 3, 2021. The party of the summer before classes begin. Four teens ride home together. Only one never makes it. When high school sophomore Chris Moore (15) is tragically killed in a car crash, Armstrong Prep is full of questions. Who was driving? And more importantly, who was at fault? There were four people in the car; 18-year old Spencer Sandoval, 17-year old Ethan Amoroso, 16-year old Tabby Hill, and Moore. Spencer wishes she knew the truth, especially since she has a traumatic brain injury.

As rumors swirl that her ex, Ethan, was the reckless driver, she can’t bring herself to defend him. And their messy breakup has nothing to do with it – she can’t remember anything from that night, not even what put her in that car with Ethan, Chris, and Tabby Hill, the new loner in school. Ethan will probably spend time in jail as this is not the first accident resulted with tragedy he got involved into! Mixed in with a True Crime Podcast called Get Salty with Peyton Salt, the answers the reader is searching for may be at your fingers since it appears that Peyton has some very interesting contacts who may know the truth.

Spencer is at the top of her class and has a near perfect GPA which is good since she wants to get into Cal Tech when she graduates. She basically an overachiever with few friends outside of Olivia Santos. She is on the varsity field hockey team, as well as several clubs that make her resume to any colleges look good. After the crash, Spencer, now wearing a cast on her left arm, and sporting a new facial wound, is also given a special service dog named Ripley who is supposed to guide her around school and be there in case she starts having nightmares.

I adore Ripley. I also loved Spencer's perky sister Hope who is a bloody genius at 12! As Spencer's memories start to come back, she is helped by Jackson Chen, the best friend of Spencer's former boyfriend who is now looking at spending a long time in prison for manslaughter. As Ethan's trial begins, Spencer realizes that she is slowly gaining memories of what really happened that night. Can she discover the truth, or will she be the next victim? The mystery of the whodunit was pretty good. I had two characters on my guess chart, and came pretty close to guessing correctly. Points deducted for the woke character who just happens to be a drug deal. Sorry Not Sorry but I've had enough.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spencer is a student at an elite prep school. She has made the headmaster’s list. A list of the top of the top. They are gifted academically and athletically. It is a list that everyone wants to be on and some would kill to be on.

The story starts out with Spencer waking up in the hospital. She and three of her classmates have been in a horrible accident. 15 year old Chris is dead. She has a traumatic brain injury and can only remember flashes of what happened. Her ex boyfriend, Ethan, has been charged with manslaughter.

As flashes of her memory return, she and Ethan’s best friend, Jackson, begin to investigate.

Was Ethan really driving? Was Spencer drugged? Was someone trying get on the Headmaster’s list?

I thought this book started off a little slow. The twist was pretty obvious from the beginning. I do think the pace picked up and that teens will enjoy it. 3 1/2 stars rounded up.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5325019710

This is my second mystery book from Melissa De la Cruz and I liked it, not quite as much as Going Dark but it was still good. Though this said it was gossip girl meets one of us is lying I did see that really. Yes it was based in LA with rich kids and yes someone was lying but it didn't really have the feel of those two things outside of that.
It was a good book though, I thought the podcast element was one of the best parts. I love true crime podcasts so it was cool to see one in here. I also thought the test were good in this book I wasn't expecting some of the things that happened. I didn't love the characters in this book as much as I have with other books thought the service dog was amazing. Loved her.
Overall I am glad I read this book, it was quick and fun.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been looking to read more from Melissa de la Cruz, and The Headmaster’s List, which gave me strong Good Girl’s Guide to Murder vibes, piqued my interest. I expected it to be another fairly run-of-the-mill YA thriller, especially with the academic angle that has become increasingly popular as of late. However, despite being fairly new to the thriller genre, de la Cruz has already mastered her craft at creating the ultimate twisty thrill ride, chock-full of untrustworthy and/or duplicitous characters.
I love how the story opens with a poem recounting the sequence of events, without disclosing the states of the people involved. It perfectly sets the tone, as while Spencer was one of the occupants of the car involved in the accident, even she doesn’t know the full extent of what happened due to memory loss. That creates a great starting point for her to go digging and attempt to put the pieces back together.
And as the plot unfolds, more and more people stick out as suspicious. Ethan himself, allegedly the driver in the accident, had a history of reckless behavior, to the point of being sent to a “troubled teens” camp (an experience he really hated), and is the one everyone pins the incident on…something he does not refute. And Ethan, despite his golden boy reputation and connections, has skeletons in his closet related to the aforementioned reckless behavior. And the other occupants of the car have similar secrets which make them either possible culprits or targets.
But I love that the plot didn’t go in an obvious direction, instead lulling the reader into a sense of security with the person who ended up being behind it all. However, their motives ultimately make the most sense, given everything that Spencer had learned about Ethan and his past throughout the book.
And while these things are unrelated to the mystery, I love how de la Cruz interwove some relevant social issues into her narrative in a subtle way. I haven’t seen much in the way of service dog representation, so to see Spencer’s bond with her service dog, Ripley, throughout was nice. And I like how there are a few brief instances of her fighting back against the discrimination service dogs and their handlers deal with, with people attempting to bar them from accessing places or assuming they’re just doing it to be able to bring their dog everywhere.
Additionally, Ethan’s backstory involves a summer spent at a “troubled teens” reform camp, and his experience sounds remarkably similar to those described by Paris Hilton and others who reported being sent to similar institutions. Given the accident occurs after his stint at the camp, it’s clear the camp didn’t help, and there’s an implication that it actually did him more harm than good.
And lastly, the inclusion of a podcast element with Peyton Salt shows the invasiveness of many popular true-crime podcasts. While Peyton’s intentions might be good, her methods are nonetheless exploitative, and Spencer is very reluctant to cooperate with her until she feels she has to, in order to get answers.
This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while, at least in the YA category. If this book sounds like something you would enjoy, I recommend picking it up!

Quick read: When you are on the Headmaster's list you can do no wrong. What happens when the stress is too much and you can't remember the crash that took a life, took a memory, destroyed a relationship and sent someone to jail. Students will connect with the characters in this what happens behind the scenes of a privileged high school.

Having just read Going Dark and loving it, I was excited to be approved for The Headmaster’s List. But this one started with some stumbles that made it hard to focus on the story. I’ll get to those in a minute. Spencer was just in a horrific car crash and can’t remember the details. She learned that someone died and the driver might face consequences for the accident. In her desperation to learn what happened, she isn’t taking the best care of herself. Especially because she’s recovering from some serious injuries from the crash, including post-traumatic stress (*not PTSD, a diagnosis cannot be made right off, that’s not how it works). And I loved how that was included in the book.

What I didn’t love:
This could be because I have an advanced copy, but this one needed some editing. Ethan’s car is called vintage; it’s a 2019. Post traumatic stress doesn’t have to turn into PTSD, especially with therapy as soon as possible. Therapy is mentioned offhandedly once. It would have been nice for that to be addressed a bit more. With her injuries, in one paragraph, Spencer broke her arm and wrist, but then it was she broke her arm and shoulder. Now, let me tell you, you’re not getting your cast off in 4 weeks, and your arm will be absolutely useless when the cast finally comes off. You won’t be able to write with it as Spencer does. Further, what doctor’s office schedules an appointment on a Sunday to remove a cast? And what court system is open on the weekend, to a trial no less? No doctor will keep prescribing someone painkillers long after the cast comes off. But that part is central to the story, so I can look past that. But overall, there are a lot of stumbles that, with luck, will get fixed before release day, though we’re getting rather close.

Back to what I enjoyed:
This is a fun story. Even though Spencer is spoiled, I liked that she got extremely lucky and got a fully trained therapy dog, and that dog was central to the story because who doesn’t love a hero dog? (although another reviewer pointed out how labs aren’t really known for constant slobber, and I laughed so hard because... truth.) Also, I liked Spencer’s persistence. She didn’t want to accept that she might never remember the details of the accident.

This one had some ups and downs. It would be nice if some fixes were made to make the book more enjoyable. But if you can look past them, this is a fun, spoiled, rich kid mystery with many real-world elements that will resonate with a lot of readers—my thanks to Macmillan for the ARC.

The pace was exciting and quick! This captivating page-turner is easily consumed in one sitting! You're kept on your toes throughout the entire novel! The conclusion's turns and discoveries were expertly done!
The dog, Ripley, was my favorite!

I liked the overall story, however I found a lot of the information repetitive. It was fun to find all of the clues along the way that helped figure out the twist!