quick, fun, kept my attention while i was reading but not super memorable. a good entertaining thriller.

The Plot: It has been 10 years since the death of the town's popular girl, Phoebe Dean. 10 years since she died in a car crash on a bridge and the town is still speculating why Grant Dean took 27 minutes to call for help. 27 minutes that cost his sister's life. Was he trying to get sober as the rumours state or did something else happen that night? The 10th anniversary of Phoebe Dean's memorial is in three days and secrets will finally be unravelled.

The Narration: The story is told in multiple plots and on dual timelines. The timeline from 10 years ago is narrated by different side characters whose story adds context to what happened that night which I found very interesting. Grant narrates the current-day POVs, Phoebe Dean's brother, who is stuck in time since losing the one person he loves the most. Becca, a very delusional character who was in the backseat of Grant's car on the night of the crash. Siblings June, who is in search of what happened to her brother and why he ran away that night and Wyatt, who might know a little more than the rest of the town about what exactly happened that night.

My Review: Although the current POV was supposed to lead to the 10th anniversary which was in three days, it felt like I read way more than three days. There was so much repetition in each person's POV that felt vastly redundant. The story overall was executed well with an element of suspense hanging around although the twist was pretty predictable. Wyatt however was kind of off-putting IMO. If he was a ghost all along how did Becca hear the water running while she was visiting? How did June store his tooth that fell? Also, the fact that it's been 10 years and every single character acted like they just left high school annoyed me the most.

Final Verdict: I enjoyed the story but I didn't really like a single character and towards the end I didn't care much about what happened to who.

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada | Doubleday Canada and Ashley Tate
for free e-ARC of Twenty-Seven Minutes in return of my honest review.

"Twenty-Seven Minutes" takes readers to the small town of West Wilmer, where the shadow of a tragic accident looms large over its residents. The narrative centers on the lingering mystery surrounding the car crash that claimed the life of beloved Phoebe Dean, and the questions that continue to haunt her brother, Grant. As the anniversary of Phoebe's death approaches, buried secrets begin to surface, and the complex web of relationships in West Wilmer starts to unravel.

The story is intriguing, particularly in how it delves into themes of grief, guilt, and the weight of secrets. Grant's internal struggle and the memories of that fateful night create a tense atmosphere that keeps readers engaged. The dual narrative, which also includes June Delroy, who lost her brother Wyatt the same night, adds depth to the plot. The intertwining of their stories gradually reveals how interconnected their lives are, and the impending sense of revelation builds a strong foundation for the story.

However, while the premise is compelling, the pacing of the novel can be uneven, with certain sections feeling overly drawn out. At times, the narrative lingers on details that, while atmospheric, detract from the overall momentum of the story. This slower pacing may lead some readers to feel that the book could benefit from tighter editing to enhance the impact of its revelations.

The climax, which promises a shocking twist, does deliver on its intention, providing a satisfying resolution to the various threads woven throughout the narrative. The emotional weight of the characters' journeys and the truths they uncover is poignant, making the ending resonate.

Overall, "Twenty-Seven Minutes" is a semi-good read that offers an intriguing exploration of loss and the secrets that bind a community. While it may feel too long in certain parts, the captivating premise and the depth of its characters make it worth the journey. Readers who enjoy mysteries intertwined with themes of grief and redemption will likely find this book engaging, despite its pacing issues. If you’re willing to navigate some slower sections for an ultimately rewarding experience, this novel could be a worthwhile addition to your reading list.

I really didn't enjoy this one. Mainly the pacing and dialogue. Sorry! ♡ I'm so grateful for the digital copy of this book and the opportunity. However, it wasn't for me.

So many POVs and a lot of build up for not a huge payoff. The fast pace and short chapters kept me on the edge of my seat though and kept me guessing.

This thriller had me hooked from the start!
A very hard to put down book. The writing flowed so well and it was very descriptive

Grief, Secrets, and Small-Town Tragedy

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate is a gripping debut novel set in the small town of West Wilmer. The story unfolds ten years after the tragic death of Phoebe Dean, a beloved local teenager who lost her life in a car accident. The plot kicks off with the return of Wyatt, who had mysteriously disappeared the night Phoebe died. His return sparks a renewed interest in uncovering the truth about that fateful night. The narrative is told over three days, interspersed with flashbacks, as the characters confront their pasts and the dark secrets that have been buried for a decade.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate is a commendable debut that explores profound themes through a suspenseful and character-driven narrative. While it may have its pacing issues, the novel's strengths lie in its complex characters and emotional depth. It is a recommended read for fans of literary suspense and those interested in exploring the darker aspects of human experience.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press - the Publisher and last but not least, Ashley Tate for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. My review is based soley on my own personal opinion and experience.

Twenty-Seven Minutes” by Ashley Tate is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the intricacies of grief, regret, and the lingering effects of past events. Set in the small, claustrophobic town of West Wilmer, the story revolves around the mysterious circumstances of a tragic accident that has left a lasting impact on its residents. The author masterfully crafts a narrative brimming with tension and suspense, ensuring readers remain engaged from beginning to end. The characters are intricately developed, each harboring their own secrets and motivations, which add significant depth to the story. The themes of grief and regret are explored with emotional complexity, making the novel resonate deeply.

One of the standout features of “Twenty-Seven Minutes” is the vivid depiction of the small-town setting. The detailed descriptions and atmospheric writing immerse the reader in the world of the novel, enhancing the overall reading experience. The plot is rich with twists and turns, and the final twist is particularly satisfying, rewarding readers who have been attentive to the clues scattered throughout the story. However, some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the middle sections, which can affect the story’s overall momentum. Additionally, while the main characters are well-developed, some secondary characters could benefit from more detailed backstories to fully flesh out their roles in the narrative.

Despite these minor critiques, “Twenty-Seven Minutes” is a gripping and well-crafted debut novel that I highly recommend to fans of literary suspense and mystery.

4.5 Stars

This story was a slow burn plot which isn't a bad thing but at certain points it was too slow. I was often hoping that the story would jump ahead to get to a twist, to find a happy moment for a character, to stop focusing on such a grey cloud over this small town. I felt much empathy for too many characters in this story. This town has experienced too much trauma in a small amount of time. I was happy to get to the end and was surprised by the outcome.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity.

The only reason why I finished this book was because I wanted to figure out who the most mentally unstable one was.

This was a hard no for me.

I actually ended up listening to the audiobook of Twenty-Seven Minutes and I had to wait for a long time on the hold list so it's been really popular with our patrons.

I liked this story...I liked the mystery that slowly unfolded and I thought the supernatural elements were great. I'm from a small town and I know how an accident like the one in this book can put a strain on the community.

The audiobook was excellent, too! I'm going to be recommending this book for readers who like psychological thrillers.

100% yes! I loved this book so much and was thrilled to find a new favourite author! Definite recommendation to friends and family!

This book kept me in suspense until the end. The story moved along well with a good mix of past and present and also a good mix of telling the story from different perspectives. I was interested until the end, and the reveal was something that could not have predicted. It really shows how the death of an individual impacts not just their immediate family but the community around them as well but also how perceptions and assumptions can shade how someone is viewed, even many years later.

Twenty-Seven Minutes is a slow-burn, dual timeline mystery about the events surrounding the death of a small town's most popular girl.. The dual timelines worked really well in the story, as the town approaches the 10-year anniversary of her death in the present day, rumors swirl and interest in the case is renewed. Why did Phoebe's brother Grant wait 27 minutes before calling the police the night of her death? Was it to sober up? What really happened that night? While the twist at the end did not shock me (I read a lot in this genre, so it takes a lot to shock me with a twist), it was a satisfactory ending to the story.

I absolutely loved this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
I just loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book.

I wanted to love this story - the idea really drew me in, but I just could mot get into this kne. Perhaps bad timing on my part but I had trouble following the story and keeping the important characters straight.

I do think that author did a great job of bringing everything together at th end and providing a great twist. It was just too late in the story for me.

I had a hard time connecting to the characters in this book. I wasn't invested in what happened until halfway through the story. I did like that the chapters are short and that they alternate POV between the main characters affected by the accident and that we alternate between the present and the past. I was not able to guess the ending of this story, so that was a great surprise.

In the realm of ashley audrain but not quite as strong, doesnt deserve the bad reviews IMO, i actually enjoyed this one, wasnt the most shocking but still an enjoyable read!

This was an exciting and fast-paced thriller. The writing could have been better, but overall I enjoyed it.

This is a really well written thriller and kept a lot of suspense. The characters were a bit hard to connect with, and it slowed down in some areas.
Overall it was good and the storyline was really interesting!