Where Echoes Die follows Beck and Riley, two sisters whose mother has recently died from cancer. While she was alive their mother was a journalist who was obsessed with discovering the secrets of a mysterious town called Backravel, so Beck and Riley take a trip to Backravel to learn more about it. Everyone who lives in Backravel seems to have memory lapses, and none of them remember when they moved there. The town feels both brand new and ancient. There are no cemeteries. The town has a leader who provides unspecified “treatments” to everyone in town. Beck and Riley try to figure out what exactly is happening to the residents of Backravel and why their mother was so fixated on it.

I have such mixed feelings about this book that it’s a little overwhelming and confusing to talk about. First of all, it’s labeled as a horror, but it also feels like a sci-fi story. I think that because of that I don’t feel knowledgeable enough about the genre to properly review this. I don’t read enough sci-fi to fully understand it. I loved loved loved how threatening and spooky Backravel felt. Courtney Gould did such a great job at building up the tension paranoia a person should feel while reading a horror story. That was definitely my favorite part of the book.

My least favorite thing was that all of the horror/sci-fi elements and the explanations for everything weird that was happening in Backravel were all too vague for me. The last quarter or so of the book was MUCH too vague for me. I often hate when authors spoon feed explanations to their readers, but for this book I needed to be spoon fed! I liked the characters. I grew to care about all of them (even the annoying ones). The romance was fine. I wish Beck did a better job at communicating with Riley, but terrible communication between main characters is often necessary for stories like these to work lol.

I think this is all I’m able to say. I wish I could do a better job at talking about this but this is not my area. Even the fact that it was a YA book made threw me off a little. I’m not used to reading those either. But I hope my little summary was helpful.

3.75 stars

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an eARC via netgalley for an honest review.

This was a really interesting read. I thought it was leaning in a couple of different directions, but it ended up going in a way that had me surprised. I found the ending was really exciting and had me flipping the pages, but the rest of the book I found pretty slow. I struggled a bit with the writing style. It was very beautiful and lyrical, but it seemed to work against the slower pace because I had trouble focusing on the story.
I liked Beck’s character. She’s been struggling with the grief of losing her mother, and she gets wrapped up in trying to unravel the mysteries of Backravel. I thought Beck was interesting, and I could relate to her feeling lost and trying to find answers. I wish that her relationship with her sister had been a bigger part of the story, but I did like the few interactions they had. The pieces of losing time were interesting, and I liked watching Beck try to piece together what was strange and off about the town.
I thought Avery was an okay character, but I didn’t really buy her romance with Beck. I felt like I didn’t know anything about her even by the end, and the mysteries of the town left her an inconsistent character.
Overall this one had an intriguing premise, but I think there were some misses in the execution.

Where Echoes Die was a super creepy, quick read - I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know what was going on in the remote desert town of Backravel, AZ.

Beck and Riley’s mom recently died, and has left behind a mystery about a strange small town she became obsessed with. As a detour on their way to their new life in Texas with their dad, Beck convinces Riley they should spend two weeks in Backravel to try to figure out why it had such a hold on their mom. And to no surprise, they find a whole lot of creepiness there.

Gould does a fantastic job maintaining suspense throughout the book. The pace is consistent, with Beck’s investigation into the town uncovering key pieces frequently enough to avoid the plot dragging. Things do get a little confusing - if you’re hesitant about time related science fiction, this might be a little rough for you. For me, a Lost girlie through and through, I loved it! I also thought the way Gould explored the concept of grief was perfectly done; so many characters are grieving in this book, and she shows the many different ways that can present itself.

Overall, a great read if you’re in the mood for something a bit unsettling. Will definitely look for more work from this author!

Beck ‘s world fell apart when her mother died. Her mother was an investigate reporter. Beck finds it easier to drift back into memories of happier days. She receives a weird letter that says “Come and find me” in her mother’s handwriting. There is a return address with the town called Backravel, Arizona. She decides to go to hopefully find answers she needs to get her life moving on. As soon as Beck and Riley (sisters) arrive in Backravel they find the town to be weird. There are no cars, churches, cemeteries, pharmacies or hospitals. The residents don’t remember hen they got there. The The town has old military structures falling apart and new buildings. There is a luxurious treatment center towering over everything. None of the residents can recall when they got there. It seems the only people who know what’s really going on is the town’s mysterious leader and his daughter, Avery. How? Why? Beck has a connection with Avery that she doesn’t want. Will Beck be able to find the answers she seeds and not lose her memories of her mother?

I felt that the beginning of this novel was slow but it didn’t stop me from reading it. In fact I read this novel late every night. The writing by the author include themes around grief and loss, coping with pain, the power of memories, and family relationships. The town seems haunted to me. I enjoyed reading Beck’s determination to find answers. Mystery fans who like creepy atmospheres are sure to savor the slow unspooling of Backravel's dark truths.

Where Echoes Die was a super creepy, quick read - I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know what was going on in the remote desert town of Backravel, AZ.

Beck and Riley’s mom recently died, and has left behind a mystery about a strange small town she became obsessed with. As a detour on their way to their new life in Texas with their dad, Beck convinces Riley they should spend two weeks in Backravel to try to figure out why it had such a hold on their mom. And to no surprise, they find a whole lot of creepiness there.

Gould does a fantastic job maintaining suspense throughout the book. The pace is consistent, with Beck’s investigation into the town uncovering key pieces frequently enough to avoid the plot dragging. Things do get a little confusing - if you’re hesitant about time related science fiction, this might be a little rough for you. For me, a Lost girlie through and through, I loved it! I also thought the way Gould explored the concept of grief was perfectly done; so many characters are grieving in this book, and she shows the many different ways that can present itself.

Overall, a great read if you’re in the mood for something a bit unsettling. Will definitely look for more work from this author!

I found this one to be more Sci-fi than YA horror. Overall, the plot did not grab me and there were some pacing issues that made me never really invest in what was going on. If you like mind trips and slow build up this may be for you.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this advanced reader copy.

Beck and her sister Avery travel to a small isolated town to try to understand their mothers death and her connection to this strange town. Even as danger closes in, Beck refuses to give up her search for answers, putting herself and Avery in harms way. As the towns secrets are slowly revealed, Beck learns that living in the past with her grief is stealing her future; and that family bonds are forever.
Beautifully written, this book focuses heavily on grief and the struggle to move forward. This is a character driven story, which is not typically my favorite. However, the characters were well developed and the sprinkle of mystery and supernatural was just enough to bring it all together into an engaging story.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)

Thank you to @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @wednesdaybooks @stmartinspress for the gifted copy of this book.

Overall, I liked this. It was a good young adult mystery/sci-fi/suspense situation.

After Beck and Riley's mom dies, Beck takes her sister to a small town in AZ that her mother was obsessed with. The catch? She decides to go because she gets a letter in her mother's handwriting a month and a half after she dies asking Beck to come and find her. Once the girls get there, Beck realizes that her mother was trying to unravel a big mystery.

So obviously Beck picks up where her mother left off and obviously, nothing is what it seems.

I was really intrigued by the plot, but I found Beck pretty lacking as a character. Everything she did just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I also felt like the narration was ever so slightly more confusing than it needed to be. I was hooked but was also just on the wrong side of confused.

While this is categorized as YA, I think the prose and the subject matter both lend well to it being a crossover Adult title. The creepy vibes in Where Echoes Die are OFF THE CHARTS (in a the best way!). I loved how Gould wove in a sense of strangeness into all aspects--characters, setting, etc. It really added to the mystery!

Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould is a book that has stayed with me for quite some time. This one had me at the edge of my seat and afraid to continue listening but yet I was so compelled to find out where the story was going and what was happening next so I binge listened. So good. This one left me super book hungover.

I enjoyed the town’s BIG mystery, the characters not so much lol. I really had a hard time connecting with them but that didn’t take away from my reading experience.

Many thanks to St Martin Press, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy and listening copy for me in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed The Dead and the Dark and was really excited for this one. I love reading about small town mysteries but I couldn’t get into this one. I didn’t like the main character and the choices they made. The story also felt very predictable and there were really any shocking surprises. The ending was also disappointing because it felt rushed and confusing.

I was captivated by the mystery this little town in Arizona held. It actually took an unexpected turn and I was a bit disappointed. Though I was happy for the revelation and closure the main characters received, I thought there would be more suspense/a cunning side to this story.

The cover of this book is so beautiful and the premise of this book was promising. However, the story just didn’t deliver for me in the way I wanted.

***From this point on the review may contain things that could be considered spoilers***

I loved Backravel and the creepy town vibes. I was so ready to be sucked into this mysterious town and see Beck and Riley discover the answers they were searching for. Although, throughout the story I got the impression that Beck and Riley don’t have the greatest sibling relationship. And it seemed that only Beck wanted to search for answers. We get a very basic understanding of what makes this town creepy, and I think I just wanted a little more. It was a creative concept at the end of the story for the reason why the town was the way it was.

I’m assuming a little bit of enemies to lovers is supposed to be happening between Avery and Beck, but the relationship between those two felt forced. And when Beck’s sister is missing, instead of worrying about her and searching for her she sleeps with Avery instead? That just didn’t sit well with me. Also, the sisters are so young. I can believe they tricked their father to begin with but I just can’t believe they were able to stay as long as they did without someone questioning where they actually went. Especially as minors.

This felt like Avery’s story of discovering her past more than it did Beck and Riley’s story. This begs the question of who the real MC is to me. I realize the goal was to uncover the history and secrets of Backravel, but it seems that we didn’t need Beck or Riley to make that happen.

And if they travel back in time, how was Beck able to have a conversation with her mother about current events when she unspooled? That was a little confusing. Almost as it’s not the past, but an alternate reality. I don’t think I fully understood the concept of unspooling and what was actually happening. I’m probably thinking too hard. But I guess this means she finally found her mom.

I didn’t dislike this story, but I didn’t love it either. And I wasn’t that fond of the characters. I do suggest checking it out for yourself because it may be your next favorite!

•Thank you to St. Martin’s press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This story had everything from a little romance to a thriller to science fiction. Loved the flow and storyline. Super original and I love the cover. It represented the book really well! She’s becoming a favorite author.

spooky supernatural thriller set in Arizona

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this review copy

A good atmospheric LGBTQ+ read that has a great handling of how grief shapes and affects relationships! However, it does get bogged down in parts with the plot not really moving in parts as the story felt like it was just a tab bit too long. Despite how slow it is in parts, I still enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it for anyone who wants a YA "Twin Peaks but with Lesbians" book!

A person's memory is fragile and sometimes cannot always be trusted. But what if we could walk back to a time before a trauma? Would you and at what cost? Where Echoes Die looks at the way time and memory intertwine. Gould sets up the suspense very viscerally, making the readers feel what the characters are feeling. The mystery seems to be within reach but with every turn of the page, Gould makes you think otherwise. While the mystery and ambiance are perfectly set up some of the depth and structure lack. More information on the town's history and military connection would have added to the story's overall fullness.

Content Warnings: animal death, death of a parent/death of a loved one, emotional abuse, gaslighting, emetophobia/vomiting
First of all, I’m not sure how to define this as a horror/mystery/thriller. Beck has traveled to the desert town of Backravel with her sister under false pretenses to uncover the mysterious letter sent to her, in her dead mother’s handwriting. This is a creeping book where the uncanniness of the town and people give it the horror/thrills before the climax kicks off.
This book has a lot going for it to be a favorite of mine. I love small towns where something is wrong, whether the denizens know it or not and I love it when queer girls are the one to try and figure out what’s wrong.
This is a book very much about grief. Beck hasn’t been the same since her mother died and it’s affected her relationship with her sister and her dad. Readers might not find her to be the most likable, considering the secrets she keeps and the apathy we see from her in flashbacks immediately before and after her mom’s death.
Overall, this was an engaging read with characters I rooted for. I rated this book 3.5 stars. Her debut is still my favorite of her books, but this was a very strong YA thriller!

I really enjoyed The Dead and the Dark so I was excited to get approved for Where Echoes Die. Unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me. The story was a long convoluted groundhogs day type scenario. The setting was interesting but after 75% of the book without anything moving forward I just wanted to get it over with. The ending was anticlimactic and disappointing.

This started out with an interesting mystery about a small town in Arizona that holds secrets and is more than it seems. Beck's mother became obsessed with finding out what was going on and now that she's gone, Beck wants to see just what was so compelling about this place.

Beck and her sister arrive at the beginning and things are immediately strange and slightly off. The plot then takes it's time, giving the reader more questions but not really going anywhere. The reveal was intriguing, but I felt like Gould wanted more of the focus to be on grief than the mystery.

The ending was lackluster and I think there are a few questions and threads that weren't quite resolved. I still give points for creativity on what was going on in Backravel and will be looking forward to Gould's next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley.