This was the perfect read for my otherwise distracted mind; it kept my interest while other things were swirling around me and I lost myself in the world of Camp Lost Lake. There were so many twists and turns that made me second guess any and all conclusions I had made and I loved following along as one truth after another was shattered. The writing was easy to follow, though, at times, I had a difficult time differentiating between the different narrators but, all in all, I enjoyed this story.

3.5 stars
this was a rollercoaster!! non stop action from the very beginning!!

i will say, this is not the most ground breaking thriller out there. i did predict a few of the twists way before they happened. i still had a good time though! i listened to the audiobook in 1 sitting.

the plot is based around 2 unsolved murders & one disappearance that happened 16 years prior. it is told in present day dual pov with flashbacks. the setting was of an abandoned camp where the original murders happened on a stormy night which is obviously creepy and just added to the suspense of the story.

the conclusion came on a little fast but everything was wrapped up with an answer. the final chapter was shocking lowkey!!! not sure if it really needed to be there, but shocking nonetheless. the overall pacing kept me hooked the whole time though.

i’m not good at reviewing thrillers without giving anything away but i did enjoy this one, despite the somewhat predictability of it. i think if you don’t like ya books, you should probably stay away from this one. it’s definitely geared towards a younger audience.

Would recommend for fans of…
🎯 AHS: 1984
🎯 Friday the 13th
🎯 Fear Street

I was first introduced to Danielle Valentine through her adult debut, Delicate Condition, which was a favorite of mine when it came out last year, and after enjoying that one, I was eager to check out one of her YA titles.

Two Sides to Every Murder starts as a fairly straightforward summer camp slasher, following Olivia and Reagan, two teens with unique connection to several murders that took place at Camp Lost Lake seventeen years ago. Now, as the camp reopens, they’re thrust back into the spotlight when a new murder occurs on the property.

It’s hard to talk about the story without giving anything away, but Two Sides delicately straddles the line between horror and thriller, and has a unique element that left me screaming “WHAT?!” when I figured it out. From that point on, I was invested. The story is action-packed with great character development, and the ending….be prepared for another “WHAT?!” moment. I absolutely loved it. This is not one to be missed, so add this to your Halloween TBR ASAP!!

Two Sides to Every Murder is out now. Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 this was a fun fast paced thriller that I really enjoyed I liked the parallel time lines. I was so invested in who the parents were and who the murder was that I could not put down. The writing was easy to read and fast paced. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Two Sides of Every Murder is a summer camp thriller with sixteen year old secrets that are ready to come out of hiding. Summer is coming and camp is finally opening again with fast paced action, heart racing moments, and plot twists at every corner. No one is safe. Welcome to Camp Lost Lake.

Olivia is 16 years old who finds out through a school project rabbit hole that her dad isn't really her dad. Olivia doesn't have time to truly process this new information because she has to immediately leave to help her sister reopen her family's old camp that was closed down when 3 people ended up dead. When she gets to the camp she is determined to uncover all the camp secrets from sixteen years ago.

Reagan has been in the run with her mom for a year now. Ever since a podcast came out about her mom was the murder at the Camp Lost Lake, Reagan has been obsessed with every detail and wants to prove her mom's innocence. When she hears the camp is reopening she runs off to find more answers hoping to find a list camera that may hold all the answers.

Secrets always have a way coming out. Imagine Olivia's surprise when she bumps into Reagan at the camp and feels like she's looking into a mirror. The resemblance is shocking to them both. None of it makes since and yet the camp holds even more answers.

Will Olivia and Reagan find the answers they are looking for or will the secrets that they uncover be too much for them to hand?

Two Sides of Every Murder was such a good camp thriller! There was so many plot twists and turns. Danielle will keep you guessing until the very end in this fast paced, heart racing suspense thriller.

A pretty good ya mystery that teens would enjoy. The only reason why it wasn't a favorite for me is that the heroine pretty much got on my nerves from page one. But I'm also not a teenager anymore so not the target audience. But even I loved the mystery. It kept me on my toes.

4.25/5

I cannot believe this book doesn’t have 4 stars. This read like a YA Freida McFadden book

🎢 unexpected twists and turn
👥 multiple POVs
🔃 alternating timelines
🤯mind-blowing ending

Don’t just this book based on its goodreads ratings.
It is absolutely unputdownable.

In this gripping novel, the past is never truly buried, especially at Camp Lost Lake. The story centers around two young women, Olivia and Reagan, whose lives are inextricably linked to the infamous murders that occurred there seventeen years ago.

Olivia's seemingly perfect life is upended when she discovers that the man she calls dad is not her biological father. Desperate for answers about her true identity, she sets her sights on Camp Lost Lake, the site of her birth and the scene of the gruesome murders that have haunted her entire life.

Reagan, on the other hand, has spent her life on the run, shadowed by the stigma of being the daughter of the alleged Camp Lost Lake murderer. She believes in her mother's innocence and is determined to prove it, no matter the cost.

As Camp Lost Lake reopens, Olivia and Reagan's paths converge, each driven by a need to uncover the truth. But as they dig deeper, they realize that someone is willing to go to any lengths to keep the past hidden—including committing murder once again.

This novel is a masterclass in suspense, filled with twists and turns that keep you hooked until the very last page. The author skillfully weaves together the stories of two young women searching for the truth, while the dark secrets of Camp Lost Lake slowly unravel. If you’re a fan of thrillers that delve into the shadows of the past, this book is a must-read. It's a compelling exploration of identity, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets—ensuring that this won’t be the last book you’ll pick up from this author.

YA thrillers always have a nostalgic Goosebumps vibe to them, and this one really cranks up the nostalgia by feeling like a cross between The Parent Trap and Friday the 13th. It was a twisty and super fun horror camp story. The setting was fantastic. There was a little bit of gore but nothing too bad, and overall, this one really had me hooked all the way through. The only thing I had a slight issue with was the ending. It seemed weird and somewhat confusing. I truly enjoyed this one and can't wait to read more by this author!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a major improvement from the authors first book.
I liked the book's fast pace and how it immediately immerses you in the mystery. The plot was straightforward, and while I figured out some elements early, I didn't predict the killer until the end.

The setting was well-crafted with a great creepy camp atmosphere, though I wished it had been explored more. The story focused heavily on action and drama, leaving character development lacking. Despite being engaged during the read, I was unsure about my overall impression after finishing, mainly due to the shallow characters.

The writing was good, but the story felt less impactful in the long run, and the ending seemed abrupt and unfinished. If you're looking for a quick, thrilling read with camp slasher vibes, this book might suit you. It reminded me of "The Island" by Natasha Preston but felt like a mix of better stories into a less satisfying one. Some will love it, some will dislike it, and I'm somewhere in between.

This was a fun summer camp slasher novel. It took me a little bit to get all of the people/story straight but then it was pretty predictable but still a lot of fun. I have to say that summer camp horror is one of my favorite horror tropes.

Two Sides to Every Murder is a page-turner that keeps you guessing until the very end. Danielle Valentine masterfully weaves together two gripping narratives, creating a suspenseful mystery filled with unexpected twists. The dual perspectives of Olivia and Reagan offer a unique insight into the heart-pounding drama as they uncover shocking truths about their pasts. With its chilling atmosphere and compelling characters, this book is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers.

Arc review: Some of it was very hard to follow at first with all the different characters. But eventually it all came together. The plot twists were insane. One after the other.

This was an interesting story. It went back and forth between Olivia and Reagan. One of them is trying to prove her moms innocence and the other is trying to figure out the secrets of her family.

Wow what a page-turner! Imagine being born on the day of a notorious murder in your small town - oh yeah, and your mom runs the camp where the murder took place. That's Olivia's life.

Reagan's, meanwhile, has been all about being on the run with her mom -- the woman who was blamed for the aforementioned murders.

The two collide on the first day of camp, where someone else is deadly determined to keep the real story of the murders a secret.

I really liked the characters in this, and some of the twists (there were many!) really caught me off guard and felt satisfying. The whole book will keep your heart pumping.

Fans of YA thrillers, this is a must-read. It's basically a campy slasherfic, so if that is not your vibe, it may not be for you -- but it was great for me. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy.

Twist after Twist Two sides to every murder is PEAK YA summer camp slasher.
Nothing like a summer camp thriller to kick off the start of camp season right? (Future me writing this at the end of camp season- No horrible idea!).
Now I loved it because of how tropey it was, but I can see how it might not be everyones cup of tea. I love this kind of book and could eat ten of them up every year, I've worked at camps for most of my life and I LOVE them.
it has plot twists.
it has teen romance.
It's got plot holes.
it has silly hand-wavy police intervention.
It's got a murderer chasing people in the woods.
What more could I want?

Most people come into the world under relatively uneventful circumstances, but not Olivia; she was born seventeen years ago during the infamous Camp Lost Lake murders, a camp which quickly shut down after that tragic night. Since then she has had a good life, but she soon faces a bump in the road when she learns that the man that she has called dad is not actually her father. Desiring to find answers Olivia goes to the one place that might contain them–Camp Lost Lake–and luckily for her the camp is reopening.

Reagan wants answers too, although they are of a different type. Ever since that terrible night seventeen years ago Reagan and her mother have been on the run. Her mother has been referred to as the witch of Camp Lost Lake and, in the court of public opinion, she is responsible for the devastation that occurred seventeen years ago, but Reagan thinks otherwise and is determined to clear her mother’s name.

Someone wants to hide the truth, and will do anything to keep the truth buried.

Two Sides to Every Murder is a fun young adult mystery that, while rather predictable and cliche–it had a lot in common with the various camp-based horror movies, between the characters, the events, and everything in between–was nevertheless enjoyable. I liked the dual point of views used to tell the story, along with the flashbacks to that fateful night. I do believe that the story could have been executed a little better; young adult novels have become substantially better over the last few years and this one didn’t fully hit the mark, but it was still a fun story.

This is very much a whodunit that keeps you guessing until the end. There is a lot thrown into the story that I can't say for fear of spoiling. It is a YA book and would be suitable for teens.

"Two Sides to Every Murder" by Danielle Valentine is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully explores dualities in human nature and the quest for truth. Its sharp narrative and intricate plotting make for a suspenseful and thought-provoking read.

The story had potential and almost lived up to it, but it lacked that 'wow' factor. It was a fun and somewhat thrilling mystery, with enough twists to keep you engaged, but it definitely had a YA vibe, especially in its characters and overall tone. If you're looking for a light, easy read that doesn’t demand too much, this could be a good pick. It reminded me a bit of Holly Jackson, particularly her latest novel, so I would recommend it to fans of her work or those who enjoy contemporary YA mysteries.