This was an excellent sophomore novel by Courtney Gould. I really enjoy the way Gould creates eerie small towns and sets up spooky happenings. This one definitely had me intrigued from the very beginning. Some of the suspenseful pieces were a little slower than I would like, but the last third of this really made up for it.

I loved the way this book handled grief and it certainly made for an emotional ending.

Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good spooky yet emotional read.

This review is probably going to be one of the harder ones I’ve had to write. And that’s not because the book was bad…it’s because Courtney Gould was able to take emotions & thoughts I’ve had about losing my mom, and put them in a creepy-mysterious horror story that was just so good. Horror and grief aren’t things we typically pair together, but Gould did & did it well. And it’s hard for me to even begin to explain just how well she made this story embody what it’s like to experience grief. You want so badly to go back to when that person you lost was still here that if you’re not careful, time and reality can slip away from you. I won’t go on rambling about how amazing this book was and all the things it made me feel, but trust me! If this sounds remotely like something you might enjoy, read it!

This is a 3.5 rounded up, for me. Interesting story. Creepy, atmospheric writing. Very well done overall. I was very interested in the central mystery of the story, but I didn’t love the answers that I was given. I hoped the book would go in a different direction. That being said, even without loving the direction the story did go (def a me problem), I still loved reading this! It was so well-written and intelligent. I will definitely read more by this author,

Thank you so much to the author and the publisher for gifting me with an e-arc of this novel via netgalley in advance of publication.

3.5*

Just like with The Honeys, I finished this book wondering what the heck I just read. Where Echoes Die was a twisty, confusing, intriguing read. It started out kind of slow and I felt there were areas when it dragged a little, although the story did keep me invested.
Beck was frustrating at times, she had such a one track mind when it came to figuring out what happened to her mother. I understand her desire for answers, but I didn't like how she left Riley out of things.
Backravel was a creepy town and I think I would have noped right on out of there within a day or two of arriving. I'm still a little lost when it came to the "treatments" the townspeople received, and how it all came to be, but it was an engaging enough read.

This book was something! It was creepy, immersive, surreal and deeply intriguing. The author does a fantastic job keeping the reader engaged and invested in Backravel and the characters. After the death of her mother, Beck receives a letter beyond the grave ad drags her sister out to follow in her mothers footsteps. Sometimes you read a book ad wonder why and yell at the book ‘get the heck out of there’, but I must say that I may have just done what Beck does and stay. She becomes invested in the people of Backravel and wants to help them. What is going on there? Many things went through my head as I perused these pages - I was in it for the long haul along with Beck and Avery, our mysterious girl (potential love interest).
If you’re looking for your next creepy, mysterious, disturbing next read, then this is it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book. This review is voluntary and is my own honest opinion.

4.5 stars
This book was my best read of the last week. I was first introduced to Courtney Gold through her 2021 novel ( The Dead and the Dark) but this novel confirms she has a fan. Now this is a YA horror novel that features a queer romance that explores two teenage sisters( Beck and Riley) trying to figure out their mother's obsession with an Arizona town.

Frankly, I like odd and baffling encounters and very eyebrow-raising things to occur to my characters. Courtney Gold builds an atmosphere like my nephews build forts in their backyard. Since many of you have never met my nephews and cannot see the comparison. It just means that it is done very well.

So this book was a real winner for me. Newcomers to Where Echoes Die must follow the dangling yarn and be patient. All will be revealed but there is a slight chance we will all need a support group afterwards.

Where Echoes Die is definitely going to be a favorite book of 2023!

Publication Date 20/06/23
Goodreads Review 25/06/23

<b> Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own</b>

What a wild ride.
This book is so confusing, but not in a bad way. It's complicated and complex, it has so many different things going on. I think lots of other writers might fumble when trying to include so many things, but Courtney is a very talented writer and she executes it very well.
I thought this would be more horror-ish, but I was not upset when it ended up being more sci-fi mystery. I think it's so interesting, and the plot unfolds in such a unique way.
I will say, if you're someone who needs to really like your main characters and agree with every choice they make, you won't like Beck very much. Personally I prefer interesting characters over ones that are likeable but flat. Beck was complicated and weird, and that fit perfectly with the story.
Sister stories are some of my favourites, and while they had a lot of contentious moments, I still really appreciated their bond.
Also the vibes of creepy town are so there. They're immaculate. The town is spooky and weird and unsettling. It gives off exactly what you want it to, and I think Courtney is a master at creating atmosphere.
I just love the way this woman's brain works. Her books are wholly unique and wholly awesome.

I can appreciate what Courtney Gould did with 'Where Echoes Die' as her sophomore novel. The characterizations in this are incredible, and the Arizona backdrop is not only believable, but so atmospheric you feel as if you are actually in the story.

Backravel Arizona is ominous and mysterious, drawing you in and keeping you trapped within the town and the intrigue hidden there. You spend a majority of this novel trying to figure out the secrets the town holds alongside Beck.

The only reason I rated this so low, is I just personally had a hard time with the relationships. It's just a point where I'm at in my life, but I don't think a majority of people would have that same problem and would love this story and all it represents.

Where Echoes Die was published on June 20, 2023. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really liked the premise of this book. but, something just fell flat. Much like the time twisting of the story line itself, parts seemed to drag on, while others seemed too rushed and felt forced - including the ending, where I was left thinking to myself "that's it?" The Avery/Beck angle as a romance felt forced, too - I can't pinpoint what exactly it was, other than complete and total lack of chemistry.

A great editor could have likely made this book shine. As is, though, while it wasn't a great read, it wasn't awful and was still fairly interesting from a more sci-fi angle.

So I loved The dead and the dark so much, and I was really excited for a new book from Courtney Gould and It did not disappoint! Like this was a really weird and honestly kinda creepy book? Exactly what I expected though. I know for a fact I read the synopsis a good 10 times because I couldn't for the life of me ever remember what EXACTLY it was about just that I knew it was about a weird little town in Arizona, still cant explain it in good detail without giving off at least minor spoilers about the book itself.
Backravel is a town seemingly stuck in time full of ordinary people who are searching for something, but they cant ever remember what. Nor can they remember when they got there or where they were before. The streets are always empty and pristine, nobody uses cars, and there are random military ruins in between the new buildings that nobody knows anything about. Beck and Riley's journalist mother was obsessed with this little town for years, until she died. Really just makes you think "wait wtf" right? Because that was me this entire book lol. Reading this book made me almost have a foggy mind because so much is wrong and you KNOW its wrong, just kinda like the people who live there, but you don't at all know what it is at all till much later in the book, all you have are theories and guesses and maybe's. Idk how to describe Beck as a character, she's still grieving from her moms death and just really spiraling over wanting to know what her mom saw in Backravel, and what was so important about it that it slowly made her lose herself till she was literally gone. I do wish she had treat her sister a little better, because it seemed like it was for no reason at some points. Avery was an interesting character too because she's the daughter of the guy that runs Backravel, Ricky, so it would seem that she knows a lot but that wasn't exactly the case. It also kinda gave us more info about how much the town affects people who live there. I will say that after the halfway mark it kinda dragged until the big reveal, I wish there would have been a little more to just keep the pacing but not a huge deal. Overall I would say read this book if you like weird and creepy towns with a ton of mystery, and if you wanna walk out with questions still unanswered that you just get to ponder for the foreseeable future lol. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC!!

I enjoyed this second book in the series. I enjoy the style of Courtney Golds writing. Each character is fleshed out and whole. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy!

I love Courtney Gould's voice. She found a great way to blend horror, mystery and some sci-fi elements. Beck, our main character has to balance wanting to be headstrong and find their mother while caring for and protecting her little sister. Their relationship was refreshing in a good way. Once we bring in the romantic interest, it rounds out a great adventure. I love the atmosphere of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
"Where Echoes Die" by Courtney Gould was a well written eerie, creepy & suspenseful thriller.
It's marketed as a young adult book but I think anyone would enjoy it.

Grief. Each of us grieves in our own manner, in our own time. These two young women must face the world without their mother and they want to know why. Their mother was an investigative reporter who left a story unfinished when she died. Following her trail has led the sisters to Backravel, Az and a treatment center that seems to run the town.
Courtney Gould has done an excellent job of weaving a picture of Beck Birsching and her journey from grieving to acceptance and all of the miles in between. The story, community and characters are all built in layers as Beck tries to connect with her mother's past while moving with her sister into a new life. She will learn that she is stronger than she thought and much braver than she'd given herself credit for. But most of us are. While there is a continuing touch of mystery built into the book, the story is much more about the journey the sisters take that will let them go on without their mother. It was easy to become immersed in Beck's story and lose track of time. It most definitely belongs in the "reader's delight" genre.

I loveddd the idea of this book. The town was creepy, the writing was atmospheric and I enjoyed the mystery. However, the main character wasn't for me and I just lost interest 3/4 of the way through the book.

3.5 story
4 Narration

The author did a wonderful job creating unease and mystery in the setting, making Backravel a truly eerie place. The blend of mystery and science fiction elements adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story, keeping readers engaged. However, despite the captivating setting and premise, I found myself unable to form a strong connection with Beck and Riley, which impacted my overall engagement with the book.

The characters' development felt lacking, making it difficult to fully invest in their journey. I also didn't like the romance subplot in the story. While the plot carried moments of suspense and curiosity, the lack of a strong emotional connection with the protagonists prevented me from fully immersing myself in their experiences.

The narrator, Isabella Star LaBlanc provides a unique perspective, adding depth to the storytelling and keeping me engaged till the very end.

Despite my personal reservations, readers who appreciate atmospheric settings, mysterious plots, and a blend of mystery and science fiction may find this to be an engaging read.

A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio and Wednesday Books for providing me with a gifted copy.

Where Echoes Die is a coming-of-age story blended with sci-fi elements. The strangeness of the plot location is a character all its own.
After the death of her brilliant but obsessive investigative reporter mother, Beck Birsching is not motivated to do anything. She finds herself unable to stop herself from slipping into memories of happier days, instead of looking forward to the move to her father’s house with her sister. Then a mysterious letter from her mother stating only “Come and find me” arrives, and Beck is led to Backravel, her mother’s last investigation.
When Beck and her sister Riley arrive in Arizona, they instantly see why their mom was obsessed with Backravel. There are no cars, cemeteries, or churches. The town is a mix of dilapidated military structures and new, shiny buildings, all overseen by the town’s gleaming treatment center high on a plateau. No one seems to remember when they arrived, and the only people who seem to know more than they’re letting on are the town’s enigmatic leader and his daughter, Avery. Beck feels drawn to Avery but when their relationship is tested, Beck chooses her mother’s memory. But the answers are never what Beck expects.
The story is engaging, and Courtney Gould keeps you on your toes. The reader is not given more information than Beck is, and we continue reading to truly find out what is going on. This tension blended with the unique characteristics of the town makes this book a binge-read.
Sadly, the ending crashes quickly. What the entire book has led to is short and unexpanded. Its fast action leaves no time to truly look at morality from the perspectives of all characters. So, while things end appropriately and fascinatingly, it could have been less rushed so it could have been savored.
Overall, I enjoyed the concept behind the story. Some things didn’t make sense, but readers can put those ideas aside and enjoy the book. The heartbreaking twist and the truth at the heart of the story make this novel a present-day sci-fi with heart.

Well, this was interesting. I loved Gould’s first book so I was curious to see what she had for us next. Her covers are always the coolest aren’t they?
I went into this YA thinking it was going to be paranormal for some reason and I was pleasantly surprised to find it more sci-fi with a hint of mystery. I loved the complex parent/child relationship this one had. The girls both had different types of relationships with their mother and also their perception of each other. It was super complex and I think the author did a really good job with emotion and expressing it.
The atmosphere and the creepy vibes I got from this “perfect but desolate” town were spot on. I kept waiting for the evil to creep in and show its face. It’s haunting and really kept me engaged. I wanted to know what the hell was going on. I would definitely say this is a slow burn. Most of the “action” happens at the tail end of the novel and then it wraps up pretty quickly. I think this was done on purpose and much life grief itself, it ends up slowly fading.
Lastly, this was a bit hard for me to follow along at the beginning and for some reason I kept getting distracted. Not sure if that is my own mind or what lol It is a unique concept and I am always in awe of authors that can use their imagination in such a unique way. Thank you @netgalley for my copy!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this!

This was fast paced and creepy, you could definitely tell right away that something was off in the town. Memory loss stuff is a personal trigger for me as far as creepy, so that added an extra layer for sure. Overall, this was compulsively readable, begging to be finished in one sitting.

4.25 Stars! This was my first book by Courtney Gould and it was such a unique read. Set in a small, middle-of-nowhere desert town, this book oozes eeriness and loneliness and timelessness. The strength of this book rests in the atmosphere; if not for the setting of Backravel and the characters that were influenced by it (past and present), I think the premise and twists of the book wouldn't have been so strong or worked like they did.

Gould crafted a book that made me think. You spend a decent amount of the book confused, but you go on that journey with the main character. I loved how Beck's grief and tenacity were portrayed, and her relationship with Avery was so well written. I also loved the passage when the book's title was brought up: "... I would rather be here, in this place. Where the echo dies. In the quiet." That line? Chills.

Overall: Mark me down as a Courtney Gould fan cause this was eerie, queer, and complex!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Wednesday Books for the advanced readers copy. This did not affect my review in any way.