A very quick read about murder of 2 students in the dorm and all the twist and turns (and secrets) that will unravel who the killer is. Not one of my favorite reads but could appeal to many who like Dark Academia Thrillers. I'm not in agreement with the comparison to Holly Jacksons Good Girls Guide to Murder. Because of the comparison I was a bit let down.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review


Set for publishing February 4,2025

I love a dark academia book and really wanted to love this book. While I did like it, I didn’t love it. It had the potential to be fantastic, but there were some plot points that were quite developed enough and the pacing drug in some points. Even with those issues, it was still an enjoyable read.

The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman is a compelling mystery with a gripping premise that kept me engaged for most of the story. The small-town secrets and suspenseful twists were intriguing, and the characters had potential, but some felt underdeveloped. The pacing was uneven, with certain parts dragging while others rushed through important moments. Despite these flaws, it was an entertaining read overall.

The Meadowbrook Murders is an engaging mystery that hooks you right from the start. Set in a small town, the story follows a young woman who becomes tangled in a series of chilling murders. Goodman builds suspense well, with plenty of twists that keep you guessing.

The protagonist is relatable, and the small-town dynamics feel real. The pacing is just right, moving quickly but without feeling rushed. The book mixes mystery with a look at secrets, trust, and community.

If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers and unexpected twists, this book is for you.

3.5 stars !!

this is a dark academia read set at meadowbrook academy where a chilling mystery unfolds. after a party amy returns to her dorm but when she wakes up she finds something she never thought she would see, her best friend sarah and her boyfriend ryan dead but who could have killed them?

liz is the editor chief of the school’s gazette and she is determined to find out the truth behind the murders. she sees the investigations as a chance to create an issue that could launch her future by solving and sharing about the crime at the boarding school.

i’m on vacation and really enjoyed reading this one !! everybody should meet amy and liz as they team up to solve the mystery of that night ! the killer’s motive was insane and wild as always but i bet all readers will feel just as shocked as i did. i highly recommend this to the fans of mystery !! i felt really bad for amy because she had to uncover secrets right after her friends died :(

thank you to netgalley, penguin group and jessica goodman for the arc !!! this is my first jessica goodman book but it wont be the last !

This felt at times like a cookie cutter YA thriller - best friends murder ; unlikely friendship etc … but I enjoyed writing and the overall story ( even though I guessed the killer early on ) and the journalism angle was actually quite an interesting addition to the story - especially these days when people will post / write anything on social media and the news

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

My rating 3.5 ⭐️

I was so extremely lucky to receive an arc of this book and I can't say thank you enough. I dived right in and I know they warn you at the start that this is an unfinished book but from page one to the very last I was invested and entranced I loved everything about this book. The characters were great and so realistic. The story was interesting and suspenseful and even though I did guess who the killer was, it didn't make the story any less enjoyable nor did it take away anything. I would love to get this actual physical book as well. Everyone should read this!!

A murder mystery set at a high school boarding school and an unlikely friendship? I was hooked from the start!

Secrets are never safe at Meadowbrook Academy. When Amy's best friend Sarah and her boyfriend are murdered during senior week, Amy is devasted by the loss of her friend and the future they had planned. But suspicion quickly falls on Amy - she was the last person to see Sarah alive they fought that night, and she lied to protect her boyfriend. Enter Liz, the ambitious editor of the school newspaper. As Liz investigates, she forms an unexpected friendship with Amy. Together, they work to solve the case, uncovering shocking truths about friendships, secrets, and each other - while the killer is still on the loose.

I loved the strong beginning and ending, but the middle dragged a bit with unnecessary details and characters. Unfortunately, I figured out the killer's identity before the reveal. Still, it was a quick and entertaining read overall. Plus, Liz is such a great character!

Thanks to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, and Jessica Goodman for granting me access to this book. All opinions are my own.

I am a big fan of Jessica Goodman, her books consistently deliver complex and compelling characters, and the mystery always pulls me in. This book was no different! I loved the wealthy boarding school setting in this one, as well as the dual perspective of a very privileged student and a scholarship student. I almost wish this book had started before the murders, just so I could have had more time with the characters and learn more about them. I found them so engaging and wasn't ready for the book to end.

Jessica Goodman’s "The Meadowbrook Murders" is a thrilling novel that masterfully weaves together mystery, suspense, and complex characters. Set in the seemingly idyllic town of Meadowbrook, the story unravels a dark and twisted tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

The novel follows the story of Emma Miller, a high school senior whose life is turned upside down when the bodies of two classmates are discovered in the woods near their school. Emma, a bright and determined young woman with a passion for journalism, finds herself drawn to the case, unable to resist the urge to uncover the truth. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers that Meadowbrook is not as serene as it appears, and that everyone in town has secrets they would rather keep buried.

Goodman excels at creating a rich and immersive setting. Meadowbrook is portrayed with meticulous detail, from its picturesque streets and cozy cafes to the dark, foreboding woods where the bodies were found. This contrast between the town’s outward charm and the sinister events that unfold within it adds a layer of tension and intrigue to the story.

The characters in "The Meadowbrook Murders" are well-developed and multi-dimensional. Emma is a compelling protagonist whose determination and intelligence make her an engaging character to follow. Her personal struggles, including dealing with the recent death of her father and the pressures of senior year, add depth to her character and make her journey all the more relatable. The secondary characters, including Emma’s friends, family, and the various townspeople, each play a significant role in the unfolding mystery. Goodman skillfully weaves their backstories and motivations into the narrative, creating a web of intrigue that keeps readers guessing.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is its exploration of themes such as trust, loyalty, and the impact of secrets on a community. As Emma digs deeper into the lives of those around her, she begins to question who she can trust and whether the truth is worth uncovering. Goodman’s portrayal of the ripple effects of the murders on the Meadowbrook community is both realistic and thought-provoking, highlighting how trauma can bring out both the best and worst in people.

The pacing of "The Meadowbrook Murders" is expertly handled. Goodman balances the slow burn of the investigation with moments of intense action and revelation. Each chapter ends on a suspenseful note, compelling readers to keep turning the pages. The clues and red herrings are cleverly placed, ensuring that the mystery remains intriguing without becoming overly convoluted.

Goodman’s writing style is both engaging and accessible. Her descriptive prose brings the setting and characters to life, while her dialogue is natural and reflective of the characters’ personalities. The tension and suspense are palpable throughout the novel, with each twist and turn adding to the overall sense of unease and urgency.

The resolution of the mystery is both satisfying and surprising. Goodman ties up the various plot threads in a way that feels organic and true to the story, while also leaving readers with a sense of lingering unease. The final revelations are handled with skill, providing a conclusion that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

A captivating and well-crafted mystery, this book will appeal to fans of the genre. With its compelling characters, richly detailed setting, and expertly paced plot, it is a novel that keeps readers hooked from the first page to the last. Goodman has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making "The Meadowbrook Murders" a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have been a big fan of Jessica Goodman, reading all four of her previous titles which average as 4 star reads, and The Meadowbrook Murders was no different. It was a little slow, but did get a faster the closer to the end you got. The murders on a prestigious prep school campus with roommates present and unharmed reminded me of the tragedy in Idaho making it feel a little more 'real' and 'possible' which made the story darker. This might be a lot for a young reader, but as an adult, it didn't read as a young adult novel. I read this book cover to cover in 24 hours. Fans of Goodman should add this to their TBR.
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Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Meadowbrook Murders kept me at the edge of my seat! I couldn’t put it down and I flew through it! It was tense, suspenseful, and I didn’t know who to trust. I loved that it was dual POV and that both characters were so different from each other and each had different perspectives on the crime.

Just couldn’t get into this story as it wasn’t for me. Read up until 65% and had to dnf it.

I recommend as always that you read it yourself to determine if it’s for you.

Thanks to and galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In The Meadowbrook Murders, two students are murdered in their dorm room and it sends the school into a frenzy, to figuring who did the is horrific crime. The story is told in two POV’s of Amy who was the deceased best friend and Liz who is the editor of the school newspaper wanting to cover the story. The story is in investigation of who did it, who was involved and what lines are crossed to find out the truth.

This was an okay story. I love a YA story as much as the next person but this one kinda dragged on. It was entertaining for the first 40% and then I was ready for the story to reach a conclusion. By the time the killer was revealed, I had already guessed who it was. I didn’t really like Liz’s POV because I felt like she did not add much to the story 🤷🏾‍♀️. Overall I gave it 3 ⭐️. If this sounds like something you would like it comes out February 4, 2025.

I received a digital advance copy of The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman via NetGalley. The Meadowbrook Murders is scheduled for release on February 4, 2025.

The Meadowbrook Murders is a young adult mystery/thriller set in a prestigious boarding school. Amy wakes up in the morning to find her roommate Sarah and Sarah’s boyfriend murdered. As Amy was the only other person there, some suspicion falls on her. She knows she didn’t do it, and wants to keep suspicion from her “townie” boyfriend, who she had snuck in for part of the night.

Amy’s search for the truth alternates with chapters from Liz, the editor of the school newspaper, who is reporting on the grisly story in hopes of winning a scholarship. The two girls butt heads, but are forced to join forces as secrets begin to pile up around them.

This novel started strong. Goodman did a good job of setting up the premise and mystery of the story. Initially, I suspected Amy’s boyfriend, and also felt he was too obvious a suspect to have actually done the deed. As the novel began to wrap up, the plot was less successful for me. Other than the boyfriend, there were not other viable suspects presented to the reader, which resulted in an ending that felt a bit convenient, rather than logical and earned. I would have appreciated more red herrings worked into the story. Incorporation of flashbacks (or even a second timeline) might have helped this as well. We get some information about the histories of the characters, but they are only related to us as summary from the narrators. Seeing those moments would have allowed us to see other potential suspects.

More backstory would have also helped with character development. While I did have a good sense of the two point of view characters, the people around them were a bit blurry. In particular, I had no real sense of Amy’s roommate Sarah, so as Amy began to uncover secrets Sarah had kept, the reveals had little significance for me as a reader.

I also felt a lack of clarity in the setting of the story. I could tell that Goodman knew the layout of campus, and how that related to the town and area around it, but as a reader, I did not share that picture. Again, seeing more of the past story might have helped to expand my view of the world of the story.

Overall, The Meadowbrook Murders had the framework and potential of a solid mystery/thriller, but needed to share more of the backstory with the reader for us to fully appreciate the tale Goodman created.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The writing is fresh and the story had me hooked at the beginning. This is a well written YA/New Adult murder mystery that takes place in a small, sleepy, Connecticut town at a private high school. What happens when a young senior girl, Amy, wakes up to find her dorm mate (Sarah) and her boyfriend murdered in her bed; with no recollection of having heard anything during the night? This is the premise of the story. Amazing how a double homicide can make you look at things a lot differently and wonder who to trust and what to believe. Enter the other main character, Liz, the school paper's editor-in-chief. I loved how the author helps the reader work through how these two polar opposites sift through the information that they glean and eventually rely on one another to hopefully figure out what really happened at their school.

*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This felt like a teenage reimagining of recent adult dark academia thrillers like In My Dreams, I Hold a Knife. I did like the angle of having it in dual PoV with a journalism twist. I pegged the killer from the start, which was kind of a disappointment. But ultimately I felt like the tension didn't hit as good as it could've.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this title.

This was my first experience with this author and for the most part I enjoyed this. This is a very typical YA thriller. I really enjoyed the beginning and was instantly drawn into the story. When I read YA I tend to expect it to be super fast paced and be very quick to read. Unfortunately I didn't feel that way with this one. While I was very engaged at the beginning, I found myself losing interest as the story progressed. It could very well be that I just haven't been loving YA as much lately. I would recommend this for people who usually pick up and enjoy YA, and when I was a teenager, I would have probably really loved this.

2.5 stars

A run-of-the-mill YA boarding school murder mystery. This helped me pass the time while I was sick at home with the flu but I saw the killer coming from a mile away and the characters were quite two-dimensional.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I've read a few of Goodman's books, and I did enjoy The Meadowbrook Murders. It was easy reading with two points of view from Amy and Liz. I'm not sure I'd totally characterize this book as a YA thriller. I didn't quite feel the suspense, and I had an idea of the killer somewhat into the book.

Amy has a townie boyfriend who is her soccer coach's son. We don't know his age, but he seemed to be a little older. It was kind of weird, to be honest. Her best friend Sarah was her roommate, and they had a big fight just after moving into the dorms starting senior year of high school at boarding school. Most of the kids are from rich families. Amy finds Sarah and Ryan, Sarah's boyfriend, dead in her room. The scene is very graphic.

Liz is the editor of the online school paper and an aspiring journalist. She's a scholarship kid with aspirations and goals, but few friends. She approaches the story with the goal of getting a scholarship to college. However, after the Murders she gets in trouble for posting the story, and other students don't trust her. But Amy and Liz need each other to solve the case, even though it's not their job. It's clear the school and cops want to find a suspect and close the case so they can return to usual operations. Even if that means accusing the townies that seem suspicious.

I wish that Liz and Amy formed a bond during the time, but they were mostly at odds with each other, accusing each other of involvement or nefarious motives. They had a lot in common, actually, being Jewish and having crappy/absent mothers. The ending was just a little anticlimactic? I didn't dislike the book at all,hence the 3 stars, but it didn't really wow me. Release 2/4/25 3.25☆