If you can get past how many major characters there are, you will enjoy this book. I tend to not enjoy books like that. It takes up too much of the book to introduce them all and they seem superficial which is the case in this book. Getting past that, it’s an interesting thriller surrounding a 10 year anniversary of a car accident with a death involved. Not a bad book for a debut author..
#ashleytate #netgalley #thepoisonedpen #twentysevenminutes

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was slow at the beginning but I had to know what was going to happen at the end of the book!

The book was about young kids and somebody is dead. But nobody will teach who did it and how.

Great job Ashley!

I found the story itself to be pretty compelling, but none of the characters (and I mean none) were likable in any way, which I found a bit difficult. It was hard for me to really care about any of them all that much, although June was the one I empathized with the most.

What saved this one for me was the ending. I really didn't see it coming, and that's pretty rare for me with thrillers, so I appreciate that Ashley Tate was able to create such a good twist.

I do think this one was worth the read, and I would tentatively recommend it for anyone who doesn't mind unlikable characters. If you can get past that, then this is a really well written novel, especially for a debut!

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ten years ago, Phoebe Dean died. She was in a car accident with her brother behind the wheel, and Becca in the back, they survived, she didn't. Now it's coming up to the ten-year anniversary and all anyone can talk about is how sad it is, how wonderful she was, that she was going to be something someday. For those closer to it, they want nothing more than to keep moving on with their lives, yet every day, they're reminded of that tragic event, and the secrets that they're all keeping about it. The biggest secret of all is, why did it take Grant - Phoebe's brother - Twenty-Seven Minutes to call for help?

I'm a sucker for a good thriller, especially one that has a burning mystery at its centre. As soon as I read the blurb for this book, I had to request it. Knowing only the basics about the story, I still needed to know, what could possibly make a brother wait almost half an hour to call emergency services while his sister lay dying on the road? If he had only called sooner, there's a chance she'd have survived. So, sign me up because I was hooked before I'd even been approved for it.

This story takes place over the three days leading up to Phoebe's ten-year memorial. It's told in dual timelines between the present day and ten years ago. Most of the time switches are done between chapters and are labelled as such at the beginning of that chapter, however, there are a few flashback scenes told within a chapter that is written from the present-day timeline. For the most part the time jumps were fine, initially it took me a second to wrap my head around it, but once I'd gotten used to a flashback sporadically popping up mid chapter, it did flow for me. There are four points of view that this story is told from: Grant, Becca, June and Wyatt. Initially, it did feel like there were just too many characters and too much going on with the flashbacks and the dual timelines, but by about 35% into the story, I'd managed to fall into a rhythm with it all and was able to keep all the characters straight as well as the events leading up to THE night ten years ago, and the events happening in the lead up to the memorial in the present day. This book needs your full attention, there is a lot going on, and if you want to fully get a feel for it all, you do really need to give it your full focus. This isn't just a regular, run of the mill thriller/mystery. Pretty much from the get-go, you can see that it's an incredibly bleak story that deals heavily with grief, loss and guilt. So, it definitely turned out to be a heavier book than what I was anticipating it to be, and that's not a bad thing either. I feel like it gave the story more substance, and it really did make me think about different things. Like June's loneliness and isolation, that's one of my biggest fears. Having everyone that I love leave or pass away and me being left alone and slowly forgotten about. I really felt for June because I felt like I could sympathise with her situation in a way. I also thought about Grant's situation, having the whole town constantly judging him for his choices. Choices that ultimately lead to his little sister's death. I couldn't even imagine the guilt that he would have been carrying.

The characters. As said above, there's a few. Initially I felt like there was too many, but I did change my mind about this as the story progressed. It was good to be able to get so many different angles on the accident and the things surrounding it, and having so many different characters did allow this. The only character that I really liked was June. I felt for her, so much. Becca was an interesting character because of her fixations and obsessions, but she did really bug me. She's one of those characters that I think you're meant to dislike. She's incredibly self-centred and this came through in spades for the entire story. I did feel for her on a few different occasions though. Especially with her interactions with Grant. Wyatt was a perplexing character. I wanted to dislike him because of his mood swings and some of the things he was saying to June, as well as some of the ways he treated her. What was weird, was that I couldn't hate him. I wanted to throttle him on numerous occasions, but I couldn't hate him. I really enjoyed his part of the storyline too. Grant. Now, Grant, I really disliked, I could probably say that I hated Grant. I know that kids make dumb decisions, and I know that there was so much trauma there from his mother, but dude, come on. Again, I couldn't even imagine what it would feel like to be so stuck in grief and carry so much guilt, feeling responsible for what happened. But he never tried to help himself at all. Maybe it's because he felt that he deserved everything he was given, everything that happened to him, was said to him. That circles back around to that pesky guilt thing, but still, he bugged me to no end, and he was so manipulative.

I did consider DNFing this one early on, but that burning need to know why Grant waited so long to call emergency services kept me hanging on. As well as the fact that Wyatt had something he needed to bring into the light, and I really needed to know what that was. As the story progressed, once I hit about the 40% mark, I knew that I was finishing it. I'd become committed to the story and I'd become engaged in the story line. It wasn't just a need to know anymore, I actually wanted to see how everything panned out for all of the people involved. I had a couple of theories in my head for that big burning question that initially made me request the book, but I was way off base. This story managed to surprise me on a number of fronts and for that I applaud it.

All in all, this was a twisting and turning story of how one event can impact so many people in different ways. It gave an insight into the soul sucking black hole that grief, guilt and loss can be, and how hopeless and bleak life can seem while you're stuck in its orbit. It showed how one decision could be life changing, or life ending, and how trauma can make the human mind do odd things. For a debut novel, Tate honestly did hit this one out of the park. As said above, this story managed to surprise me with a few different things, and I really appreciated how much deeper this story was than just a thrilling mystery. If you find that you're struggling in the beginning, stick with it because it will pull you in.

Phoebe was possessive over her brother Grant. But Phoebe is dead now. There was a car accident in which it took her brother a long time to call for help
Becka was in the car with Grant and Phoebe when the accident occurred. Becka and Grant were actually in a relationship together, but they did not want Phoebe to find out, considering how possessive she was
Wyatt and June were at the party Grant got drunk at before he was involved in the accident
Wyatt has something to hide as well. He has been gone for 10 years since the accident happened. But now he is suddenly home
Seems like they all have something to hide about that night after the party
Something happened, and maybe the accident that killed Phoebe was more than just an accident

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Enjoyment: 4/5

Twenty-Seven Minutes is about a tragic death that happened years ago and the people connected to that night. This was a great quick mystery. The writing was good and the plot twists were ones I didn’t see coming. I do wish the characters were more fleshed out and the reasons behind their actions were better explained. But again this was a quick story so it didn’t get the chance to go into depth. I am interesed in reading other books by this author.

What a book!!! A story about a small town where an accident ten years ago on a rickety bridge shapes five people’s lives forever.
The main characters June, Grant, Becca and Phoebe and Wyatt, are all great, complex, interesting people. As the ten year anniversary approaches and they feel the pressure of keeping their secrets, slowly but surely, the reader starts to understand how they tick. I was totally obsessed with this book! It was written so well that the twists and turns and some shockers really made it extra special!! You won’t be able to stop reading!!!
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read this debut arc copy via Netgalley.
#Netgalley,#poisonedpenpress, #ashleytateauthor.

Twenty Seven Minutes
by Ashley Tate

This is an arc review in e-book form that I received from AshleyTate, Netgalley, and Poisonedpenpress in exchange for an honest review.

This book will be available on 1/29/24. Make sure to get a copy!

Phoebe Dean was the most popular girl alive and dead.

For the last ten years, the small, claustrophobic town of West Wilmer has been struggling to understand one thing: Why did it take young Grant Dean twenty-seven minutes to call for help on the fateful night of the car accident that took the life of his beloved sister, Phoebe?

Someone knows what really happened the night Phoebe died. Someone who is ready to tell the truth.

With Phoebe's memorial in just three days, grief, delusion, ambition, and regret tornado together with biting gossip in a town full of people obsessed with a long-gone tragedy with four people at its heart―the caretaker, the secret girlfriend, the missing bad boy, and a former football star. Just kids back then are forever tied together the fateful rainy night Phoebe died. 

What really happened that night? And why did June's brother Wyatt disappear on that same night never to return?

The beginning is slightly confusing with multiple and I mean Multiple POVs jumping around. It also shifts back and forth between the present and ten years ago. Once you get used to that, it's a pretty interesting read.

The first half of the book is kinda slow but really picks up towards the middle and becomes a book you want binge, which I did.

Each character dealing with the grief and trauma in their own separate ways suffering through the same tragedy. It was difficult to find a character I resonated with, but I dont need to like a character to like the book. The author did a fantastic job of really exploring each person's character and reaction to the trauma.

It was definitely a slow burn to get to the truth. The anticipation building and building, the twist at the end was a nice surprise.

I will definitely keep an eye out for more works by this author!!

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy of this debut novel!!!

It took Grant exactly twenty-seven minutes to call for help after the car accident that claimed his sister Phoebe’s life. Why? What was he doing in those twenty-seven minutes? Now, it is ten years later and their mom wants to hold a memorial. But the local sheriff wasn’t convinced then and even now seems doubtful to what actually happened that fateful night. Becca, the supposed girlfriend to Grant was also in the car that fateful night and they are each covering for one another. But someone knows the truth. Phoebe was popular when she was alive, but she is still holding the limelight even now ten years later after her death.

June and Wyatt are brother and sister living in the same town. Wyatt had also disappeared that same night as the car accident. June always wondered where he was and why he left. Now with her father and mother gone, Wyatt is finally back. This novel is a literary suspense that delves into what happens when deep, dark secrets are kept for a long time and grief becomes unbearable. But what happens when all these dark, long-held secrets finally come to light?

I really enjoyed this novel!!! This is a debut novel for Ashley Tate and I will definitely be looking forward to more of her books!!! I didn’t want to put it down! 5 stars for me! AVAILABLE January 30, 2024

For the past 10 years the town of West Wilmer has been grieving the loss of Phoebe Dean. She passed after a car crash and while tragic there are still questions that have never been answered…why did her brother Grant wait 27 minutes to call for help? What happened during those 27 minutes? Grant’s life has been riddled with guilt and regrets and with the 10 anniversary of the crash approaching he is really struggling….but someone else was there that night too. Will these secrets stay hidden?

I really liked the premise of this book and the prologue definitely grabbed my attention! We live through the last minutes of Phoebe’s life and it really sets the tone for the book. I loved how the story was told from different timelines and this story really kept me guessing! I enjoyed the multiple POV because we really get to know each character.

This is a very slow burn type of book and you are going to wade through grief and questions and horrifying secrets but I think the payoff at the end was worth the wait!!

✨Tropes
🖤Thriller/Mystery
🖤Small Town
🖤Dark Secrets
🖤Grief
🖤Multiple POV

Twenty-Seven Minutes isn't bad for a debut novel. The storyline worked well for me, but it was a bit lengthy. I realize the tension build-up needed to be there for the big reveal, but I felt bogged down by the constant reminder of things we already knew.
This is a story of a high school party gone terribly wrong. A combination of poor choices made by teenagers and pouring down rain make for a fatal situation and a terrible accident. Lies and a cover-up story eat away at the two survivors, Grant and Becca, for a decade. There's truth to what we've heard all our lives "the truth will come out...eventually," so buckle up and enjoy the ride. The twist is one that I didn't see coming. Overall, I enjoyed the story. It just took a bit to get there.
Thank you, Netgalley, and Poisoned Pen Press (Sourcebooks) for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🙈🙉🙊Such sadly, tragic characters😞

I found this story compelling, drawing me on to its cathartic end, but it was not an easy path to get there. The narrative, told in alternating POV chapters by the main characters and anchored by a slow reveal of the seminal day's actual events, may seem repetitious. But I would say the author is slowly painting a detailed picture of how one horribly tragic night affected and is still, after ten years, dominating lives with the secrets and regrets they carry.

The four main characters and their parents are all tragic, each in his or her own way, and not easy to like. Grant, the former high school football star forever tainted due to his reckless behavior; striving-to-be-perfect sister Phoebe, whose tragic death their mother just can't let go; obsessive stalker Becca, who clings to a lie, an allusion of a relationship and the need to be seen; and June, whose family fell apart when her older brother Wyatt disappeared without warning and almost without notice because Phoebe's death consumed everyone's attention.

The ending surprised me. Maybe it shouldn't have, but it did. And though I did not find most of the characters sympathetic, I have to say that I liked the story.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Ten years about Phoebe dies in a car crasher a memorial is planned which brings up the question again, why did her brother wait 27 minutes to call for help.

I love books where I don't see the ending coming and this book kept me guessing. Told from multiple people's point of view left me wondering which person was telling the truth and I was shocked at the ending on multiple levels. If you like a good thriller, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This mystery had a great concept but the execution just didn't work for me. The characters weren't my favorite to start and the plot was dragging. I lost interest and decided to DNF this one. I was questioning if I should push through in case the ending was worth the slow buildup, but I saw many other reviews that gave the same feedback after finishing the book entirely. I wouldn't be opposed to trying again with this author in the future!

Thank you so much Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted e-ARC!

Thank you Netgalley. The premise of this book sounded intriguing but the execution left a lot to be desired. The multiple timeline seemed to distant from the time of the incident. The characters were not very likeable and the dialogue was confusing at times.
Overall an okay read

Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for this ARC. This is a debut from Ashley Tate and I am looking forward to the next one. This story is told from different viewpoints and questions why a man waits 27 minutes to get help for his dying sister who had been injured in a car accident. An interesting story which I did find easy to follow.

I want to start off by thanking NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Ashley Tate for this copy.

Twenty-Seven Minutes was an exciting concept; however, I feel it wasn't executed properly. It was hard to enjoy this novel as it was way too long, difficult to follow, stay engaged with, and balance the point of views. I felt the way this story was written made it so I didn't care much for any of the characters, their development, or their choices.

This book starts with tension and a bang as the opening scene cuts straight to Phoebe's death. In the first few seconds of the book, we watch Phoebe die, seemingly alone, from her horrific injuries caused by a car accident. The scene is set for the story of both the lead-up to and fallout from this tragic incident. I, however, was disappointed that what follows doesn't live up to it.

The premise of Twenty-Seven Minutes was revealed even before the story started. The question is why one young man waited 27 minutes to call for help. This was all while his sister lay dying after a car accident. The answer unfolds slowly from many different points of view, making it challenging to keep track of who said or did what. It’s also told in alternative time frames, which added to the confusion.

Another thing that made this book difficult to get through was that the main cast of characters all felt so similar and were very unlikeable. I think that, at times, they can be seen as unbearable, miserable, and self-absorbed people. This all causes the story to feel flat.

Lastly, the dialogue was another issue; it read as stilted and unnatural. This also applies to their inner dialogue; I feel the story would have flowed better had the author chosen to do a shorter time gap rather than the ten-year one. This is because although the characters are 26-28, they feel childish and immature, much like 16-18-year-olds would. In other words, their behavior would have made more sense for teenagers who'd had less time to move on or recover as well.

Twenty-Seven Minutes is a debut novel that deals with grief, guilt, and the question that's been holding a small town hostage for ten years - why did Grant Dean wait 27 minutes to call for help after he and his sister, Phoebe, wrecked his truck on that old bridge? If he'd moved faster, she might still be alive.

This book starts with such a bang! In the opening scenes, we watch Phoebe die, seemingly alone, from her horrific injuries. The scene is set magnificently for the story of both the lead-up to and fallout from this tragic incident. I was just so disappointed that what follows doesn't live up to it.

The first pitfall in my opinion was billing this novel as a mystery/thriller. Granted, that's what the premise makes it seem like, but 90% of it is dedicated to a slow-burn character study of our four POV characters. The big reveal to the big question can be guessed within the first few chapters and feels entirely unsatisfying after such a long slog to get to it in the final few pages. (It also goes by so quickly that I still have no idea where nearly half an hour went between the accident and the 911 call.)

The second thing that made this book difficult to get through was that the main cast of characters all felt so similar and were very unlikeable - at times even unbearable - miserable and self-absorbed people. I wish this had made them and their story more compelling, but they all felt listless and flat.

The dialogue was another issue for me as it read as stilted and unnatural. This also applies to their inner dialogue, and overall it gives the story a YA tint. I honestly feel the story would have flowed better had the author chosen to close the ten-year time gap and made this happen a year or two after the accident. The characters would have been around 26-28 I suppose (assuming they were 16-18 at the time of the accident) but they all still seem like teenagers, which made the significance of the ten years difficult to grasp. Their behavior often would have made more sense for teenagers who'd had less time to move on or recover as well.

It's clear Ashley Tate has ideas, and her prose is fairly strong. Overall, this is a decent debut, and I would be open to reading another novel by this author in the future. I'm sure there's an audience for this book out there somewhere, but sadly I'm not it. I wouldn't be quick to recommend Twenty-Seven Minutes to fans of the mystery/thriller/suspense genre. If you enjoy slow-burn character studies of grief and mental health, however, you may enjoy it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Not for me

I tried reading this numerous times, but could never get into it. I guess it just wasn't for me.

It’s taken me a long time to get through this. I may be in the minority here in my opinion of this work but I found it difficult to stay engaged or to care much for any of the characters, the teens or their parents, and the choices they made had me shaking my head.

The premise of the whole novel is revealed in the title as it questions why one young man waited 27 minutes to call for help as his sister lay dying after an automobile accident. This unfolds slowly, from many different points of view, making it a challenge to keep track of who said or did what if you put it down for for awhile, a refresher is needed. It’s also told in alternative time frames, a format I usually enjoy. Somehow this one didn’t do it for me, unfortunately, all I can rate it is 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 out of 5.

My thanks, as always to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and wishing the budding author Ashley Tata every success in future endeavors.