This is the first book I’ve read by Jilly Gagnon. I truly enjoyed the story, there were plenty twists. It was a bit difficult for me to get used to the script-style parts but that’s prolly because I’ve never read anything of a similar style. I’ve read books with podcast type portions & was a bit more comfortable with those but again, this script style writing was an absolute first & May be something I can get used to in the future. However, as I said, the story is wonderful, the characters so clearly written you can picture (and intensely dislike some!). Great read, solid 3.6 stars.

This novel fell flat for me for a couple of reasons. I wasn’t crazy about the “screenwriting” scenes. They seemed disjointed from the story and felt too much like reading the actual working script of a play. Also, I did not identify with any of the main characters; while everyone seemed to have a hidden agenda, their stories were uninteresting and I really didn’t care to know more about them. The big plot twist at the end was far too obvious and the ending seemed to be expressly written for that proverbial “screenplay”.

Fifteen years ago Emily’s friend Vanessa disappeared on a girl’s weekend away at a winery. Present day Emily is getting all the remaining friends back together at the winery to try to figure out what happened to Vanessa that night. Secrets come out and trouble arises.
This was an exciting story that I finished quickly. Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this ARC that will be released September 5, 2023!

This was a very fun mystery/thriller! I'm giving it 4 stars, because at times I felt like it wasn't completely served by the story being told both as a novel and as a film script. I do think it was an interested tool, since it made it hard to tell what was real and what was fabricated, and the truth became more clear as the story went on. That said, it was also a bit frustrating, not knowing what to trust. It took me a little while to understand how the story narrative was coming together.

All this to say, I thought it was fresh, if somewhat predictable, for a thriller story. I can see how it would easily translate to a tv or film, and I really enjoyed reading it! Fun characters and an interesting, creative format.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for the advanced copy!

Fun and fast thriller with some twists! The story is told in 2 timelines — 5 college friends on spring break, and 4 women pulled together 15 years later. Our protagonist, Emily, is an LA screenwriter, so today’s version of the story is told via screenplay. I don’t always love a converging timeline, but the screenplay variation worked here.

It took me a little while to piece everything together, which added a fun element of surprise towards the middle of the book. Personally, I think everything "clicked" a little too early in the story, but overall, I did enjoy this read!

The plot was intriguing but I had trouble keeping up with the book as it switched formats. The book would have been better had it not included the script parts. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the ARC.

Emily is at a dead end job going nowhere writing a script for a mind-numbing show. She needs to come up with a blockbuster hit and break out of her doldrums. Once she feels like she recognizes a ghost from her past, she realizes she has the perfect story; she just needs to figure out the ending. In order to do that she has to go back to where it all started with the original cast of characters to see if she can finally find the perfect ending.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found this story to have a pretty slow buildup, I struggled until about halfway through. But, once there, the story really takes off and I was intrigued and pleasantly surprised for the second half. It was somewhat confusing, especially in the beginning, that the author put the screenwriting excerpts in. However, at the end, I think they really added to the storyline. I think most people can identify with the kind of toxic friend relationships we see here and overall would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.

I read about half of it so that’s why I only gave it a four stars. But from what I read it was absolutely amazing.

Women tend to be in competition with each other, these women however take it to a new level. One even dies because of it! This story is about five college-age friends gathered at a family winery when one mysteriously disappears. What happened to Vanessa that fateful weekend and what does each of the women know about the disappearance. Emily, is a LA based screen writer, writing for a sitcom but deep down, she has a screenplay idea about that fateful weekend. Brittany, is an entitled, self-centered person but wants to make sure she keeps up appearances at any cost. Paige, is blunt and a bit of a follower as she desperately wants to fit-in and be accepted by the in-crowd. Lydia, is the odd girl of the group, nerdy, smart and not in the same social standing as the others. When Emily decides to bring these women together to enhance her screenplay, she doesn’t realize the multitude of hidden secrets. Each one of these women have knowledge of the event but what will they do to keep their secret hidden? So, when a woman who looks exactly like Vanessa appears at the coffee shop where Emily is working, this sets off a chain of events ending in a stunning revelation.

I’ve read Jilly Gagnon before, I enjoyed All Dressed Up and thoroughly enjoyed it. This read was just as pleasurable. The characters are absolutely bitchy at times and yet you want to know what happened. The ending I did not see coming at all which is always a delight. I love a good mystery where you think you have it figured it but wham, not even close. If you enjoy a good mystery, some drama, good writing and delish read, then this book is for you.

This was just plain boring, I hated every single character.
The mystery was so predictable and I just don't want to talk about it.

Thanks to netgalley and the author for an eARC in exchange of a honest review.

Look, I don't find myself reading screenplays altogether often, so it's possible I have the wrong idea about this, but I'm not entirely unfamiliar. So, that said, I have a huge pet peeve about writers as characters who share their work (specifically as a plot device) when the work in question is just...not good. And here we are.

Review of Advance Reader eBook

Screenwriter Emily Fischer sees a woman at a local café. Only, as far as Emily knows, the woman, named Vanessa, is dead. She decides to tell Vanessa’s story.

But what really happened to Vanessa all those years ago? Emily decides on a girls’ weekend with Vanessa’s cousin, Brittany, and their friends, Paige and Lydia. Will one of them know the truth?

Will Emily discover Vanessa’s secret? And what will happen when she does?

=========

The unfolding story here alternates between Emily’s narration and her screenplay, giving readers a unique and interesting twist on the telling of the tale. As readers compare Emily’s narration and her screenplay, they’ll discover they are similar, but with interesting differences. Literary license? Or a truth and a lie? It’s up to the reader to decide the reality of the evolving story.

Strong characters populate this tale of a group of women who may or may not be friends. Although none of the characters are particularly likable, their relationships play a vital role in the telling of this tale.

It is the mystery surrounding the death of one of the women back in their college days that pulls the reader into the narrative. An undercurrent of uneasiness running throughout the story helps build the suspense; the plot offers readers a few unexpected twists, leading to a denouement that may be an unexpected surprise for the reader.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley
#ScenesoftheCrime #NetGalley

This was fresh and unique. The screenplay aspect was so fun ANF really added to the story. This was a good thriller with a deep mystery.

A mystery within a mystery and a sharp portrait of the complexities of female friendships. Atmospheric and moody, this tale of envy, love and betrayal is full of plot twists.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Bantam, Jilly Gagnon, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This was a good book. I just could not really get the screenplay versus the real story. It was still good and a solid read though.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Bantam, Jilly Gagnon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I love reading Mystery Thrillers and this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the storyline, location and premise of this book.

Including chapters that read as a screen play rather than just the typical narration of our MC was something I haven't encountered in a Thriller but I thought it made the story very unique and different.

I look forward to checking out more of this authors work!

A girls weekend gone wrong except there is so much more to this thriller. Vanessa, a beautiful and charismatic friend died in college. Now Emily a struggling screen writer wants to turn her story into a screen play but also wants answers. She gets their friend group together at the winery where Vanessa disappeared to hopefully find out more about what really happened when Vanessa died. The friend group includes, Brittany, the wealthy one, who is set to inherit the winery and is also Vanessa's cousin. Paige, the former athlete but she always goes along with what Brittany wants. Finally, Lydia, the one friend Emily is closest to but she does not get along with Brittany. There is so much drama between them all. Emily tells the group that they can get some closure however there is evidence showing up in each of their rooms that each one of them might have had something to do with Vanessa's death. To top it off they all seem to hate each other. This is one you have to read to the end because it will shock you.

Overall, a good thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Plus part of the novel is written as a screenplay that Emily is writing. It adds suspense to the book and gives an interesting twist. Filled with lots of drama and mystery. This book will leave you wondering what will happen until the very end.

Thank you to Bantam Books/Random House for this advanced copy.

The scenery was so deliciously written that I enjoyed that more than the storyline. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is a three star book in my opinion.

Scenes of the Crime is a brilliant murder mystery about four friends who revisit the night their friend disappeared fifteen years ago. Two unique versions of the novel are portrayed in script format and real-time as the story unfolds.

Four college friends get together at Cliff’s Edge Winery on the Oregon coast for a reunion. Emily, an LA screenwriter, is determined to find out how Vanessa died and is also desperate for new material after writing for a show for several years. The weekend doesn’t turn out like Emily wanted. The women have nothing in common anymore, and some still hold grudges. Paige and Lydia were admirers but didn’t want to dig up the past. Brittany, Vanessa’s cousin, has her own secrets now that she is the sole inheritor of the winery.
Strange figures appear in the dark shadows, and clues hint that Vanessa may still be alive. Lots of backstory is revealed, and finally, the shocking truth.

Scenes of the Crime will delight the reader with vivid descriptions of the old winery’s caves and history. The characters are unlikable, which adds to the novel’s dark tone and suspense. I loved the twisty plot, setting, and striking cover. I thank NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it. #NetGalley #Scenes of the Crime #thriller

The screenplay scenes interspersed within this story elevated what could have been a typical friends-reunited-after-tragedy narrative into something that felt fresh and interesting. I enjoyed that all of the characters are kind of awful and had fun comparing their screenplay selves to their "real world" selves. I was impressed with this author's first outing and am glad to have picked up her next one. She is becoming a must-read for me. Recommended for fans of Catherine Steadman.