I really enjoyed this one! I've been meaning to read a Courtney Gould book for a while, and when I found out it was set in Arizona, I knew I had to give it a read. It's eerie, and definitely sent shivers down my spine at times. However, the writing was a little slow-paced, which affected my overall enjoyment of the story. Without giving spoilers, I also found parts of the plot to lack depth. Nevertheless, I recommend this story to all mystery fans!

A story full of grief, love, family, suspense and second chances. I loved this emotionally captivating book and could not put it down.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

"Where Echoes Die" is a very intriguing book about the descent and death of an extraordinary journalist and how far her daughter is willing to go to get back to the mother she knew, before she lost her mind. In full transparency, the book reads like a suspense novel. However, it's a suspense novel with minimal breadcrumbs to keep the reader following along.

While the book starts off at the beginning of Riley and Beck's adventure, the story only starts to come together in the last three chapters. Gould does an amazing job building out Beck as an unreliable narrator, but in my opinion, there was not enough be shared with the reader in order to maintain an interest and a curiosity. At the end of the day, it's a story about a depressed teenager risking her health (and her sister's health) in an effort to communicate with her dead mother. It takes over 60% of the book to get into the concept of manipulation through time travel, to finally emerge.

Overall, I would rate the book 1.5 stars. This is mostly because Gould is great writer and the concept was fascinating. However, the story is incredibly boring until the very end and leaves little to interest the reader in making it that far into the story.

Another great book from Courtney Gould. It's a given that a writer's second book is difficult and many titles suffer from the effort, but "Where Echoes Die" avoids any of the usual pitfalls.
Gould provides us with another amazing setting that reads like a movie. The description of the dusty desert practically makes you want to sneeze. How does anyone stand so much dust?
The plot itself is quite distinct--reminiscent of "The Twilight Zone"--Sci-Fi-ish and psychological. I also appreciated that the "bad guy" didn't take the typical route.
My one critique would be some of the secondary characters are two-dimensional instead of fully realized. This could, however, be intentional due to the MC's mental status. Or, I just love this author's worlds so much that I want MORE! I definitely do want more and can't wait for book #3 from Courtney Gould.
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This was such a perfectly complex yet intriguing read. The story, set in Arizona, follows Beck, a young girl trying to figure out the puzzle of her deceased mother. She comes to Arizona to finish what her mother started. The town is one big mystery that slowly unravels the more she digs into it. Overall this was a good read. It was slow but well crafted. I loved the mystery and intrigue behind it. The characters were a bit hard to connect with at times but aside from that, a good read.

I loved this book. Gould's The Dead and the Dark was one of my favorite books of 2022 - a dusty, summer horror story read in a hot July, and I just fell in love. Her writing is evocative but uncomplicated and approachable, without falling into violet prose. It honestly shocks me how easy it is to fall into her protagonists and their world, because you don't even notice happening and once you do you don't want it to stop.

Where Echoes Die isn't an outright horror story like The Dead and the Dark but its summary enticed me in the same way (mysterious small towns, etc)... and by the end, what happened was horrific. And wildly creative as well. I think the story ending here is totally fine but I wouldn't mind more in this world, specifically, with Beck and Avery and Backravel. Maybe Gould's third novel could be her ParaSpectors investigating Backravel! Both novels were written with an unsettling and dreamy desert haziness that I just cannot get enough of!

This will likely be one of my favorite books of 2023. Also, what a gorgeous cover (also, just like The Dead and the Dark)!

Wow. What did I just read?? This was so captivating from the very start. The writing was impecable and kept me on the edge of my feet the entire story! I definitely want to buy a physical copy when it comes out, yes, please!

eARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher for reviewing purposes.

This book is twisty turny like a ball of yarn that's tangled and knotted. I don't want to give too much away, because so much of the book is trying to figure out what's going on. It reminded me in this way of Piranesi and Don't Worry Darling. Major themes include grief, the past and the passage of time, and memory. It's heavier than Courtney Gould's first book, the Dead and the Dark, but if you enjoyed that, I bet you'll like this one too. Some things were frustrating to me- how little some of the characters communicated with each other, sometimes how slow the story burns, but it's worth it in the end.

What an amazing story.! I really loved this book. Where Echoes Die is a YA book about a girl who goes to a mysterious town after her mother dies. The town is super weird, and the more she explores the more we learn what is exactly going on. When I figured out the scope of what was happening it was awesome. I won't say much more about the plot because I do not want to ruin it for you. It is truly amazing. The characters were very well written. You will come to care for Beck and Riley, you want to see them succeed, you want them to get better. Avery is also a strong character, at first, she is a bit much, but she really grows on you as the story progresses. Ricky, Avery's dad is a wild card and I loved how he played out. This story really had me look at my own grief and how I have been handling things like Beck, I think a lot of people will relate to her and her reasons for making the decisions she did. I would say this is a top 5 book of the year for me, it hit right on all cylinders. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

What would you do if you had the chance to erase your pain? To never have to feel grief, sadness, or loss.

That is the premise of Courtney Gould's book, Where Echoes Die.

Rebecca "Beck" Birsching and her sister, Riley, had an unconventional, but secure and loving life until their mother, Eleanor, an obsessive investigative reporter, discovered a mysterious town, Backravel. Eleanor's obsession grew, Beck's parents divorced, and she and Riley were left alone for long periods of time while Eleanor disappeared to research Backravel. Then Eleanor gets sick. Both her health and mind decline, leaving Beck to keep her family afloat.

Beck is adrift after Eleanor's death until a mysterious note in her mother's handwriting arrives. The note simply says "Come and find me."

Where Echoes Die combines mystery and science fiction to tell a story about grief and PTSD.

The writing is beautiful, but the story lags. I am glad that I did not DNR the book, but I can see why some readers would do so. Like most YA, the teen protagonist makes foolish and impulsive choices in order to spur the story along. The big reveal also requires some suspension of belief.

However, the gut punch that happens during the last quarter of the book almost left me in tears, and I wanted to reach through the pages and hug Beck and her sister, assuring them that everything would be okay.

I received this ARC through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.
Our main character Beck and her younger sister Riley have just suffered the loss of their mother. Beck finds herself lost in her memories until a strange letter in her mother’s own handwriting shows up telling her to “come and find me” in the strange town of Backravel, Arizona. This book is for anyone looking for a YA sapphic read with a good mix of paranormal mystery and sci fiction. The author mixes these elements while also tackling the heavy feelings of grief that come with the loss of a loved one. The books setting and theme were something I thoroughly enjoyed but the main character I sadly did not, which is ultimately why I gave this book 3 stars. I found myself constantly aggravated with Beck’s decision making and just general overall lack of concern and care for her younger sister and how her actions would affect her. That being said I do however feel that this book will do well with its target audience of YA readers.

Where Echoes Die comes out June 20, 2023.

Thank you again NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the eARC, these opinions are my own. I really enjoyed the twists in the book. The book combined elements of horror, sci-fi, mystery, and romance. Due to that you to have to pay close attention to be able to follow everything but it is really good! It's told in a face paced way and will suck you in and keep you wanting to read and not put it down! If you like mysteries that contain aspects of sci-fi, horror, and sapphic romance then you'll enjoy this book!

Wow, I have to start by acknowledging how beautiful the writing and story telling is by Courtney Gould, truly a work of art. This was just everything I would want from a YA thriller with a hint of fantasy. I found myself feeling the grief through every page. Reading Beck and Riley trying to process this huge loss and hold onto anything tangible was hit wrenching. I loved the addition of Avery and the sapphic story. I really hope this book gets the recognition it deserves.

This was such a one of a kind read for me, I’ve never read anything like it before. I loved the concept, the plot, and the characters. I did find the plot to be a little slow and at times I would find myself thinking about picking up a different book. The mystery kept me going though, I’m glad I pushed through and read until I finished.
While this isn’t a new favorite, it’s definitely worth the read if you enjoy slow burning mysteries

Everyone approaches grief differently, and everyone processes it differently. This book is an exploration of grief that doesn't let go, and memories that call you back over and over. I was stunned by the relationship Beck has to both her mother and the memory of her, as well as her relationship to Riley and Riley's grief. Gould shines a light on what it is to lose someone, and those who feel ownership of grief itself. Truly, if you had a way to never have to say goodbye, wouldn't you take it? Beck is faced with a heartbreaking life and an unfairly mysterious and confusing situation, and her feelings of displacement and being lost were really impactful. I can't recommend this book highly enough, those who love a good mystery and a tear jerker will absolutely love.

This book touched a soft place in my heart for the southwest. It reminded me of the little ghost and desert towns I’ve seen in New Mexico and West Texas.

I loved the airstream/trailer aesthetic and the desert, the imagery and detail, the flat land, the vintage vibe, and the desolate community.

The book hooked me from the start. I was intrigued and wanted to know more and more throughout the book. It hovered at 4 stars the whole book, but when things started really unfolding, I was a little underwhelmed/disappointed.

Overall, I loved the writing style and the book was definitely gripping to carry me through eagerly.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

📚📚📚📚/5
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*Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this novel for an honest review* available June 19t, 2023!
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Where echoes die follow sisters Beck and Riley through an isolated town in Arizona. Left with nothing but the sentence of “come and find me” from their deceased mother, Beck knows she must follow the bread of trail crumbs her mother has left her.
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Upon their arrival in Backravel, Beck and Riley notice the differences between the ghost town and most other towns. No cars, no cemeteries, no churches, it’s all very odd. Even more weird, the towns people are almost always in a state of confusion.
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When Beck and Avery, enemies turned friends start to have shared ideas and feelings, the two begin to bond. Avery is the daughter of the town leader, Ricky, whom promises healing in his treatment center. But beck knows that her mother committed so much time to Backravel to figure out what is really going on at the treatment centers.
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Courtney Gould writes a haunting tale traveling through the Arizona desert. So many mysteries to solves in such an odd town. This kept my attention extremely well and I really enjoyed this read!

Courtney Gould’s sophomore novel packs a powerful punch! Following two sisters Beck and Riley who search for clues of why their journalist mother was obsessed with a quaint town called Backravel in Arizona. The story unfolds in Backravel where Beck and Riley road trip under the guise of a vacation where Beck works to uncover what her mother found so enticing about Backravel but Backravel has secrets of its own and those who live in Backravel are not keen to let them be known.

This novel was part thriller, part sci-fi, and part contemporary. It gave me very similar vibes to NOPE in the way that Backravel was a near desolate, quiet town in the middle of nowhere. I really enjoyed the slow unraveling of secrets and that readers were given just enough information to not feel too in the dark and I was already beginning to put my own theories and speculations together. I love that Gould has a knack for making her setting feel like its own character. The exploration of grief and the things we carry I the face of grief was also so well-done.

Readers are really going to enjoy this interesting and fresh take!

After the death of her mother, Beck Birsching still feels lost and is driven by a need to find answers to questions she has surrounding her mother’s last letter and her obsession with a remote town in Backravel, Arizona. When Beck and her sister Riley arrive in Backravel they find an enigma of a town...new developments mixed with old military structures, no churches or cemeteries, and townsfolk unable to remember when they arrived. As Beck digs into the town’s history along with its mysterious leader and his daughter she begins to discover unbelievable truths about her mother’s connection with the town.
Where Echoes Die is a new YA mystery by author Courtney Gould which focuses on two sisters who have recently lost their mother and go searching for answers in a town she was obsessed with. As with her last novel, the cover art completely drew me in. The plot sounded interesting however, I was not expecting the sci-fi element that this novel introduced. I really wanted to love this novel and as enjoyable as it was it just didn't captivate me as much as I had hoped. Part of the issue I had with this novel was that I just didn't connect with any of the characters and most of them felt a bit flat to me. The townsfolk acted a bit like robots, which is understandable with the plot, but the sister’s relationship is supposed to be strong and honestly I just didn't feel it. This was the same with Beck and her love interest, Avery, where everything just felt a bit blah. Overall, this was another interesting and unique read and I look forward to future novels by this author.

Where Echoes Die is the story of Beck, a girl haunted by the death of her mother, her younger sister traveling with her, and the tiny town of Backravel where their mother spent so much of her time before her death.

Courtney Gould spins another delicious dark and twisted story with enough turns that I couldn't seem to stop reading. The location is fantastic, and the characters are prickly and realistic, but it's the mystery behind Beck's mother, and the town itself that drew me in and kept me turning page after page.

It's a fast read, but not one I can sum up easily or simply...and I've been trying for a few weeks now. It revolves a lot around the bonds we share with people, the way grief can consume us, with memory and consent, and manipulation...and more to boot, all while weaving a gorgeously intricate story.

An intriguing mystery wrapped in a creepy town with a story that explores family dynamics, love, grief, memory and more.