If you love games like Clue and movies like Glass Union, then this is the book for you. An exclusive writer's retreat on a remote island - all is well until someone ends up murdered.

There were a lot of characters introduced right at the beginning of the book. It was a bit overwhelming and confusing to remember who everyone was initially. I found this story a bit tough to follow and it was not very engaging, but maybe that's just me. This was not a win for me, but perhaps I was not the right audience for this novel.

Six successful authors have been invited to spend a week on the Wolf Harbor Island Estate in Maine. It is the home of the well-known, but never seen, author J. R. Alastor. He has renovated the home and amassed a collection of items from various horror and paranormal movies. His guests are excited and honored to meet him. His assistant, Mila, has put all of this together. There will be a formal dinner every evening and a mystery to solve as well. But the first evening Alastor is said to be delayed in arriving on the island so Mila entertains them.

Now, I think I am done with “locked room mysteries.” The more I read, the weirder they become. This book is filled with pretentious authors all trying to out-do one another with their “vast” knowledge and command of words. Boy, did this get boring and ridiculous very quickly. Approaching the 40 percent mark I could not take anymore. I promised myself that I will not force myself to finish a book if it gets really bad. So, here we are. I apologize to the author and the publisher, but this book is not for me.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The more I think about this book, the more I love it! Locked-room mysteries are my favorite, so I knew that I was going to enjoy it!

There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but it didn’t take me very long to remember everyone & it was so fun to try and figure out their secrets! I loved that all of the characters were authors, and all of the discussions about thriller tropes were fun too!

The writing & the descriptions of the island and the house were creepy and atmospheric, and I thought the ending was so satisfying! It would be fun to see this book turned into a movie or a show!

I don’t want to say too much but if you like And Then There Were None and like talking about thrillers & their tropes, I think you’ll love this book! 😍 It’s out now!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this advanced copy! ✨

How was this a debut? Ande Pliego has fully wowed me with You Are Fatally Invited, and I can't wait to read more of their future releases.

I went into this read with very mixed expectations. On one hand, I absolutely adore a locked-room mystery, and I especially love it when it takes place on a creepy island. Thanks, And Then There Were None for that obsession. On the other hand, I tend to absolutely hate books that focus on authors (Benjamin Stevenson aside) because they tend to feel a little too smug for my taste? HOWEVER. This book exceeded all expectations, and I actually felt like the fact that they were authors added more to the book than just some fun meta digs. The authors' books end up being very important to the plot, and the way their books are used adds so much suspense and foreboding for both them and the reader. I don't want to speak too much on that to avoid spoilers, but trust that their novels really have an impact on their time on the island. I also really found myself surprised at multiples points throughout the story, and I loved how creative and gruesome the killer was. Pliego's use of multiple narrators (both known and anonymous) added to the overall suspense of the situation, and helped keep me guessing until the very end. The only real detractor for me was that the ending felt a little rushed/too wrapped up. I was interested to see how things played out, and I felt like we didn't get enough closure. Overall, though, I really loved this book and it helped get me out of a reading slump. It had some real Agatha Christie vibes, and I loved just how suspicious I was of every character. I genuinely trusted no one, and it was such a refreshing change from some thrillers of late. I would highly recommend to fans of locked-room, atmospheric mysteries or thrillers as a whole. 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ande Pliego, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You Are Fatally Invited is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while, and it’s a debut!

A captivating, locked room thriller set on a private island, Ande Pliego weaves a powerful tale of revenge interspersed with a very Clue-esque feel in which authors have been invited to a writer’s retreat by renowned anonymous author, J.R. Alastor.
The multi POVs, some of which are unknown guests, were engaging while I struggled to piece each part of the mystery together. There were twists I didn’t see coming and a couple reveals that had me reeling. As everything devolves into chaos and distrust I was dying to know who was behind everything.

I truly couldn’t put this one down and had such a good time reading it, I’m absolutely blown away that this is a debut novel! Needless to say, Ande Pliego is an auto buy for me from now on.

Thank you so much to Bantam and the author for providing me with this eARC via NetGalley.

4.5 ⭐️ For fans of Clue, Knives Out, Glass Onion and Agatha Christie! Here’s what I loved: the locked room mystery, a murder mystery themed retreat on a private island, the array of unlikable/unreliable characters and the grisly, unique kills. Best of both worlds between a murder mystery and a slasher done in its own unique way. The bread crumbs lead everywhere and I truly did not see the reveal! It was a tad long in some parts, but it did not take away any enjoyment for me, I couldn’t wait for it to be solved! Give this one a try for a thrill ride murder mystery!

Publishing 2/11/25

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Famed writer, JR Alastor, has invited six thriller authors to a writer's retreat at his secluded manor. The retreat will be hosted by Mila del Angel, am event planner and former aspiring writer who is looking for revenge against the author here who stole everything from her. But when members of the retreat start disappearing one by one and found dead in the same manors as their book characters, Mila realized she is not in charge and may not be working with Alastor the way she thought.

I have seen a lot of buzz for this book and am happy to say it lived up to that hype. I thought the story was fun and while I have read a number of books with a similar premise, the way characters died was a nice change. Alastor's character reveal was a bit predicatable and the reason for choosing all the authors felt a little contrived, but I still liked the overall book.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Pros: the writing was really engaging and definitely kept me guessing right up to the end.

Plus, how was I ever supposed to resist an “And Then There Were None” riff set at a writers’ retreat?

Cons: ultimately I’m still not entirely sure what happened? Like I thought something was revealed that verified my suspicions, and then in the next chapter it turned out the opposite was true. Maybe it’s the jet lag?

Plus, adaptations of “And Then There Were None” that use a cuddlier version of the stage play ending get an immediate downgrade. And I didn’t buy one of the character’s ultimately redemptive arcs.

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego is a locked room mystery in the vein of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. In both stories, a mysterious but wealthy host invites a group of guests to his island mansion. The host is not in attendance but is expected. The guests all have a secret in their past that they have tried to hide, but it appears the host knows all. In You Are Fatally Invited, the guests and host are all mystery/thriller writers so the games they are supposed to play at the evening dinners are all based on mystery/thriller tropes. And, then the first guest goes missing. He is found dead the next morning. Some are frantic to leave, but it is important to stay - to find out what happened and who is it that knows their secret. All is not as it seems. I thought this was a good read that starts and ends well. The story, the characters and the writing is very well done, but the pacing is a bit uneven as things drag a bit in the middle. I enjoyed this read and give it 3.75 stars. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Ballantine for my e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

You Are Fatally Invited
A bestselling author’s island retreat week turns deadly. Can these fictional mystery experts determine the identity of their cruel gamemaster and host in order to escape the island alive?

J.R. Alastor is a historic author whose identity has been up for debate for decades. He invites six authors and staff to his private island and estate for a week at a writer’s retreat. There are the married co-authors, the young prodigy, a British literary star, the older woman known for domestic thrillers, a young American paranormal thriller writer, and the event coordinator who might know more than she says.

Before the author and host introduces himself, he leaves games and unnerving clues for the guests that are reminiscent of their novels. Once an author is found dead, and they are trapped on the island during a storm, so the writers try to outwit the wicked games and survive the retreat.

As a lover of thrillers, I enjoyed that this became a love letter to the genre and a masterclass in suspense, drama, and horror all at once. This compelling narrative is divided into common tropes of the genre, but it feels like a breath of fresh air instead of cliché. Told from many perspectives, you get a bird’s eye view on all of the characters, their perceptions of the others, and how their own fears inspired their respective works. There is a brilliant twist on how manipulators of fear experience it outside of their novels. The homage to the genre is furthered by pop culture horror weapons.

The plot was compelling. I had no inclination as to what to expect next. I was just seated and enjoying the ride, not expecting any of my predictions to play out. I also felt that the twists and reveals were deliciously entertaining.

I felt satisfied by the ending. The twists weren’t just confusing for confusing’s sake. All of the mayhem was intentionally plotted out by the author. The resolution had a larger purpose than satisfying the audience. I was impressed with the lessons I witnessed the characters learn.

Structurally, due to the drawing of the manor, the excerpts from a book within a book, and divisions of the book recalling beloved tropes in thrillers, I was floored to hear that this novel was a debut and not another gem in an author’s long line of novels. I was so impressed!

This book was already an anticipated read for this year, so I was glad to have received this digital copy as a courtesy. I read this book as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for my first ARC!

✌🏼for Tuesday
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Happy pub day to both of these beauties- A Girl Like Us (thanks @netgalley and @sourcebookslandmark) and You are Fatally Invited ( thanks @netgalley and @bantam) here are my thoughts.
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You are Fatally Invited- ⭐️⭐️⭐️- had potential, a locked room mystery where thriller authors were being killed off one by one. I thought this had potential and reminded me of clue in all the best ways, but I just didn’t quite love it. Too many characters that I just couldn’t connect with.

What a wild ride. This book has everything a mystery/thriller lover could ask for. A thriller writer’s retreat on a remote island in Maine filled with games, murder and a mysterious benefactor. You Are Fatally Invited truly keeps you trying to fit all the pieces in the puzzle until the very end.

The book is told from multiple POVs. The graphic at the front of the book reminded me of clue and only peaked my excitement to read the book
This is Ande Pliego’s debut novel and what an impressive first book.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel of mystery and suspense! I seriously kept guessing SO many times and going back and forth about who was who. The inclusion of a book within a book is so clever, and the addition of every trope you can think of was a nice touch.

If I’m nitpicking, there are several happenings close to the end that I didn’t quite buy, and this does have an ending like LOTR 3 has an ending, if you know what I mean. 😁

However, it was very entertaining, and I was hooked pretty early on. I can’t wait to see what Pliego comes up with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Wickedly delicious, Ande Pliego's YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED is an atmospheric debut thriller featuring a writer's retreat hosted on a private island that turns lethal in this locked-room mystery.

The title, 'YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED,' hints at the deadly nature of the invitation to the retreat, setting the tone for the thrilling narrative that unfolds.

About...

Author J.R. Alastor hires former aspiring writer Mila del Angél to host a writing retreat at his private manor off the coast of Maine.

She has a revenge plan in mind with one of the invitees. The guest list comprises six thriller authors, all masters of deceit, misdirection, and mayhem.

One of the writers stole Mila’s book, ruining her life. When no one believed her claim, she was forced to watch her stolen work rise to fame under the thief's name. Struggling to make ends meet and care for her mother’s medical bills, Mila plans events. Then Alastor reaches out, offering her a chance for revenge at the retreat.

Alastor and Mila have a week of games planned, including Mila's murder plot. But when a guest turns up dead and is not the one she planned, Mila finds herself trapped. What is happening?

Who will remain alive, and who will be able to escape? The uncertainty of survival adds a layer of anxiety to the story. Who is the monster among them?

My thoughts...

Cleverly told, YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED takes us over six days to the epilogue two years later. This unique structure allows the story to unfold quickly and suspensefully, keeping readers on the edge.

The Wolf Harbor Estate in Maine sets the stage for the last week of October, promising a killer time. The other allure is why Alastor would engage with the world of writers after thirty years of obscurity.

Of course, it would not be a locked room thriller without a storm cutting off the island as the body count rises. Now, Mila must outwit a killer who seems to know every trick in the book and is possibly more intelligent than herself.

Complex and twisty, can Alastor be trusted? Who will make it off the island alive? The complexity of the characters keeps the reader engaged and guessing.

Recs...

If you are a Knives Out, Agatha Christie, or Clue fan, this one is for you!

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
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Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC of this novel! Four stars, easily... I wish that I could give five, but I had a few issues that I feel like made it not quite five-star worthy.
First, the beginning of this book is an EXTREMELY slow burn and it took me a while to get completely hooked and invested. For example, Mila's narration is great, but every chapter of hers I read at the beginning felt extremely repetitive. Also, towards the middle of the book, Mila has some really dumb moments, and I hate the dumb female MC trope... so I found myself getting very frustrated with her character.
I like complex stories with lots of twists and turns, so if you're into that, I think you'd totally enjoy this story. However, I will advise that you take some notes or something to try to track who is who because it gets a little confusing mid-story.

Thank you for letting me read
Please note: this review is posted on my goodreads account

I love a great escape room plot, and this story has it. You are left guessing until the end about who the characters really are. And the ending was crazy!

This was Goooooooood!!!! This kept me guessing until the very end. I enjoyed the crazy twisty bendy turns and absolutely loved how I was completely gripped until the very last page.

This is an invitation to die for

J. R. Alastor has for thirty years been one of the leading writers of (grisly) thrillers in the world. He has also kept his identity a secret from the world, has never done an in-person event, with no one truly knowing who he really is or what he looks like. When a select group of fellow thriller writers receive an invitation from Alastor to attend a writer's retreat in late October on Wolf Harbor Island on his estate off the coast of Maine, they all readily agree. Some are well-established in the field, others are new to the game but have received acclaim, and all have a secret or two in their past they would just as soon hide. The invitations included a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which on the surface made some sense given Alastor's private nature....but do they actually hint at something more sinister? The invitees arrive on the island and are greeted by Mila del Angél, who introduces herself as the event organizer and who will take care of them on behalf of Alastor until he is able to join them. Each night the group will attend a dinner with mysterious puzzles to solve, starting the very first night. But Alastor is nowhere to be found, and very quickly one of the guests turns up dead...in a fashion closely linked to a murder in one of their own books. Can the remaining writers survive long enough to figure out who the killer is, and why they were chosen to come? There are connections between them of which not all are aware, and more than one has a motive for murder...who amongst them will make it out alive?
Most readers of mysteries have matched wits with the locked-room trope, from Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" to those of a more recent release. Sometimes those locked rooms present as a remote area, often cut off by severe weather, where there are a limited group of people who could actually be the killer (or so it can seem), as is the case in this debut novel from author Ande Pliego. Here we have the invited writers: Rodrigo Sandoval, a lawyer turned writer; his wife and writing partner Olivia; Thomas Fletcher (whose work is more literary than pulp); Ashton Carter whose first book hit the bestseller lists out of the box (but is perhaps not up to the standards of each of his co-participants); Violet Blake, the youngest of the writers at 24, and Cassandra Hutchinson, in her 70's the oldest amongst them. Alastor's voice is presented via excerpts from his about-to-be-released guide to writing, inserted between chapters which are narrated by alternating characters. It is clear that trouble is brewing; the author is having fun playing with the conventions of this genre, and I found it an enjoyable read. The underlying mystery provides plenty of little twists, and the reader might feel like the seventh guest as the puzzles pop up. All and all, I found the book to be an entertaining read, with quirky (albeit not terribly likable) characters, and while the end wasn't quite the surprise for which I had been hoping (I have read more than a couple of similarly themed books over the last year, which might account for that), it was well worth the read. For readers who like mysteries/thrillers with a hint of horror and a dollop of dark humor (authors like Riley Sager, Lucy Foley and Julia Bartz spring to mind), I would recommend that you add this one to the proverbial nightstand. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Bantam for allowing me access to this intriguing story in exchange for my honest review.

Six bestselling mystery authors are invited by the mysterious and reclusive author JR Alastor to his remote island home for a mystery writers retreat that quickly turns deadly. In order to escape and find out why they were each targeted they'll have to reveal their deepest secrets...or take them to the grave.

This book hooked me from the beginning. It took off running and didn't stop until the end. All the twists and turns hit perfectly. By the end, however, with the way all the information is parceled out, I wasn't super surprised by the reveals. I looked at them more as a kind of confirmation of where I thought things were going at any given time.

I really did like that because everyone has those morally gray lines it really is hard to tell who is behind everything. I loved the way the book is broken up by days and also switches point of view between the guests with Mila - our event planner and erstwhile hostess in JR Alastor's bid remain anonymous - being the main protagonist.

The way Ande Pliego brought about this sense of trust/distrust was done so well. There are a few characters that are really easy to like, that was to make to the end, but then something is revealed that makes you question who they really are, and question your feelings for wanting them to survive. It's kind of brilliant.

This is definitely my most unexpected, and therefore more delighted read, so far this year. If you're in for a twisted, thrill-ride of a mystery, this book hits all the points.

When it comes to mysteries and thrillers, I'm usually on top of the "most anticipated" upcoming releases. You can imagine my surprise when I first heard about You Are Fatally Invited at the end of January, only to find out it was being released in a matter of weeks. Needless to say, I immediately hopped onto NetGalley and requested an ARC because I couldn't wait a few weeks after reading the description -- and was thrilled when I received the approval notification. From the second I had the ARC, I tore through this book!

The simplest explanation is that You are Fatally Invited is Clue (yes, the 1985 movie) but on a remote island in Maine and all the guests are acclaimed thriller authors. Without revealing too much, the guests begin to get picked off (in very particular ways) and those who remain must keep playing the game and survive.

Told from alternating POVs, I loved getting into each character's mind and did not find it difficult to jump around once I figured out all the players. The plot had several other creative twists on age-old murder mystery tropes, which really made it difficult to predict how it was going to end. It's only February, and I know this will be one of my favorites for the year!