RATING: 4/5 STARS

I have been voraciously reading YA mysteries and thrillers lately, and how can I not, when they are as soapy, bloodthirsty, and surprising as SUDDENLY A MURDER? A group of 7 graduating high school seniors celebrate with a 1920s-themed getaway on a secluded island in a swanky mansion. Catty tension comes to a peak when the not-so-beloved golden boy of the group is found dead. I thought I had the mystery pegged until the last pages when I was thrown for a loop. This book did feel geared to a younger audience in its character interactions and motives, but that did not impede my enjoyment. Brava to Lauren Muñoz for this champagne-fizzy escape of a book.

A bit of a different murder mystery, but a fun one nonetheless. I did like that it leaned into the 1920s theme while still being modern.

I do think the flashback scenes helped make the reader sympathetic towards the characters, but I didn’t always find them necessary.

I also don’t know why Pilar de Leon was always referred to most of the time her her full name.

As far as why Izzy brought the knife, I knew it wasn’t to murder Blaine. I just couldn’t put the pieces together.

Was not expecting the ending, which is nice for someone who usually sees the twists coming. However, I do wish there had been more clues pointing towards the actually murder and various motivations.

Wow! Such a great mystery/thriller that 100% kept me guessing until the end. It’s safe to say that I did not see any of the twists coming! I loved the plot of the book and the world that Muñoz created. The imperfect characters, the ambiguous cliffhangers… everything I love in a mystery was in this book! I cannot wait to read other books by this author.

When I first started this book I was a bit hesitant, but after the first chapter I was completely and totally hooked. I finished this book in almost one sitting. I love a good 'who dun it'. There are so many twists and turns, I thought for sure I knew who the bad guy was, but I was definitely surprised when I got to the end. I love when a book makes you think you know what's happening and then surprise throws you for a loop.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters, even if the main character did frustrate me just a bit. But we have to have a plot - (and honestly, its a really good plot).

Thank you penguin for providing me access to this book and thank you Lauren for creating such a wonderful story. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!

Glitz, lies and broken hearts make a deadly combo in this locked room mystery.

When a group of wealthy teens, plus Isobel, sail to a remote island for a 1920's murder mystery in a historic mansion, no one expects them to not all survive.

Kassidy, the wealthy birthday girl, masterminded the weekend, inviting a group of friends and foes. The group includes her boyfriend, Blaine, who's cheated on Kassidy with at least two other guests; his best friend, the insufferable Fergus; Ellison, the hot rowing star; Marlowe, a quiet reader who's on the edge of their social group as a non-partier; Chloe, who only got an invite because Kassidy's dad is working on a business deal with her family; and Izzy, Kassidy's best friend who can only afford to attend their wealthy prep school because her mom's a teacher there.

When Blaine turns up dead, nearly everyone has a reason to resent him. Two detectives arrive to solve the case just as an epic storm comes in, trapping them all on the island.

This murder mystery has great twists and turns, as many of the guests arrived with less-than-clear motives. As one detective says, "It would make it so much easier if the innocent ones stopped lying their asses off."

For most of the novel, the reader sees from Isobel's point of view, as the privileged teens around her try to avoid looking guilty. Isobel also spies on others' interviews from a secret passage, giving the reader a great view of everyone's motives and what they are and are not willing to share.

Everything comes to an explosive ending as the storm reaches its crescendo, making this an atmospheric, moody mystery to remember.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This has to be the one mystery that actually kept me guessing, I couldn't put this down and for the life of me, I could never figure out who the killer was. this book was so fun and a joy to read, I loved Isadora, Kassidy, and Marlowe my top three faves. definitely put this book on your fall tbr, it radiates knives-out meets gossip girl with a 1920's party and i can guarantee you'll have a great time guessing who the killer is, will you figure it out? definitely not. But will it seem insanely obvious after finding out? big time.

thank you peguin teen for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Penguin Teen for letting me read this early in exchange for an honest review!


A locked room murder mystery that will have you guessing until the very last page. I stayed up until the early hours of the morning devouring this mysterious tale. Follow along with an interesting cast of best friends as they point fingers to find out what happened to one of their own. The answer will leave you speechless like i was.