⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a murdery mystery/comedy of errors/family dramedy/closed room mystery. Mindy Kaling, you haven’t led me astray yet.

Remi isn’t close with her sisters, soon-to-be-divorced mother Eliana and bisexual influencer Maeve. They don’t live in the same city nor do they invest much in their relationship, much to the dismay of their happily married parents. But when they go on a camping trip with extended family over the Fourth of July, they find that they’d hide a dead body rove without second thought. Fugitives from justice, a who dunit, quirky family characters and a seemingly unnecessary local boy romantic entanglement round out the narrative elements that keep the pages turning.

This was a fun, sister centered mystery that you will surely finish in one setting. You may or may not guess some of the reveal elements, but the pacing and conversations are great. The characters are all flawed yet likable. I have already added the second installment in the Finch sister series, to be published October 2025, to my TBR list. The murder victim is someone we get to know just well enough to intensely dislike. Not that he deserved to die, but that we aren’t sad he’s gone either.

Themes of family solidarity, career over family, and a lot of dark humor.

Thanks to @netgalley and @brilliancepubishing for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #DropDeadSisters

Remi has never been close to her two older sisters, so when they all must come together for a family reunion in celebration of their parents’ anniversary, Remi wonders how they will survive the weekend. But when Remi is unexpectedly assaulted by a companion from their childhood, the three sisters come together under the most terrible of circumstances. And as the hole in which they find themselves gets ever deeper, the women must learn to trust each other in ways they never have before.

This intense novel blends the family dynamics of a traditional women’s fiction story with the suspense of a murder mystery. Brief chapters and a compelling premise make the novel move forward with ease, and readers will be encouraged to continue turning pages to discover what happens next. Each of the primary characters is flawed, and since the narrative is told in the first person from Remi’s perspective, details are only revealed as Remi herself learns them. Readers easily connect with the challenges in which the characters find themselves, and this helps the plot of the book feel more real.

Written for a mature audience, this novel incorporates strong language, sexual references, and assault that may be challenging for more sensitive readers. However, the balance between the intense moments and the sweeter family connections help the book to have a wider appeal. Good writing, an engaging plot, and high stakes make the book one that will be enjoyable as an escape from daily life, whether on vacation or in the comfort of one’s home. This memorable and suspenseful story is a good fit for fans of both women’s fiction and dramatic storytelling.