I’m getting more picky with books as I get older. I would say I haven’t gotten a good read in a while, but this one definitely was a good one. The multiple POVs were nice and easy to follow. I love a good “And then there were none” trope.
The only thing keeping this from five stars is that it could have wrapped up a little sooner. But truly it does not take away from this being a good book.

Thank you to @RandomHouse and #NetGalley for the DRC of #YouAreFatallyInvited. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

A "locked room" mystery with a Clue vibe makes for a pretty good debut novel. Anonymous author JR Alastor invites 6 mystery/thriller writers to a "writing retreat" on his private island in Maine. Shortly after the guests arrive, it quickly becomes apparent that Alastor has something different planned.

The story is told from multiple perspectives with some being referred to by their sin/crime which can make things a little confusing. Each chapter is also introduced with an excerpt from Alastor's upcoming book on mystery writing.

Overall this was a fun read that kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the "book within a book" and the use of all the mystery tropes.

1/5 stars: This is Pliego's stand-alone which is a Mystery Thriller that takes place on a private island off the coast of Maine and features a group of authors brought together for a thriller writer's retreat and the former aspiring writer turned event coordinator who's plot to use the gathering as cover for the perfect murder goes off the rails when bodies start dropping but none are the murder she planned. Written in multiple POVs, Pliego's writing and character work are well done; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. With tact and sensitivity, Pliego takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. Unfortunately, this just wasn't a book for me; leading me to DNF it at 19%.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

A writer’s retreat with a renowned author that turns when someone is found murdered?!

This is a perfect book for those who love thrillers! The book kept me interested in the characters and wanting to know who was the murderer. The story is reminiscent of the game Clue, which added to the fun!

Thank you to Random House & NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review

This book was my most highly anticipated debut of the year, and it did not disappoint! Pliego has a true talent for creating complex characters and an intricate plot. I felt like I was immersed in the game of Clue the entire time, searching for evidence and marking off suspects on the list. It was truly a riveting reading experience. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling mystery!

Highly enjoyable, this “And then there were none” meta mystery is a lot of fun. Six authors go on a writing retreat at the island estate of reclusive J.R. Alastor, who is famous and anonymous. Each chapter is written from the POV of each of the characters, plus Mila, the event organizer. Soon, they are isolated, their host is a no-show and people start dying. Since they all earn their living writing such scenarios, they start analyzing their situation using their knowledge, but that doesn’t seem to help much, since they are all hiding secrets. There are so many things I love about this. Each voice is distinctive, not only in their first-person narration, but in their dialogues and their novels. I loved it when they discussed their work, and I could almost compare each book with real ones. The references to real-life pop culture were also fitting, including a “Museum Room” where Alastor collects movie props such as the Psycho knife or the bat from The Walking Dead. The plot was very reminiscent of the original Christie, so I can’t get too into it for fear of spoilers. The house is well described, and the twisted games that Alastor wants them to play are nerve-wracking. A truly page-turning classic that any genre fan will inhale.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam.

This one got my attention from the start. I loved a locked in thriller and this one hit the spot. Multi-POV and fast paced, I finished this in two days.

"I’d spent years fantasizing about your death. Wire around the throat, brake lines on your car cut, carbon monoxide poisoning in your bed— these were the fictions that lulled me to sleep on many dark nights. You’d stolen years of experiences, relationships, hardships, and joys that should’ve been mine. You’d stolen the person I should have become."

This is a fast paced locked-room mystery. Famous writers are invited to an island for a retreat. This reminded me a lot of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Very stylistic and well written, i found it difficult to pause reading because I wanted to know what would happen. I loved the inserts from our mysterious host and for once having multiple POVs worked for me.

Thank you netgalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for giving me an advanced review copy of this book.

I gave this book 4 stars. It is about a exclusive writer's retreat. Of course there is foul play. It was alot of fun. I enjoyed the twists and turns and did not find them predicatable. You will be glad you put this on your TBR!

You Are Fatally Invited takes place on an island off the coast of Maine where six mystery/thriller book authors are invited to join a famous author, J.R. Alastor for a week long writing retreat. The event coordinator, Mila finds herself trapped in the middle of an unfortunate circumstance in which the retreat brings along.

I enjoyed this book by Ande Pliego. I thought the overall story itself was good and the connection between characters played a big role. This story to me was a bit of a slow burn, however it did end up speeding up and got me interested as more things started to occur. I think the thing that got me to enjoy this book the most was the mystery it played along the way of being able to find different pieces of a puzzle that come together and how everything fits together. I think it definitely caused the feeling of it relating to the game Clue. This book definitely gave Agatha Christie vibes with being able to find the ways of connection through and through. If you like books that give multiple perspectives this is definitely a book for you!

Four and a half stars rounded up. Ande Pliego’s “You Are Fatally Invited” is the author’s debut novel. I requested an early copy of the book because it’s a locked room mystery set on an island. I’m a fan of locked room mysteries and this book did not disappoint.

The premise is this – the famed, but anonymous author J. R. Alastor has invited six thriller authors to a writing retreat at their private island. Mila del Angél was hired by J. R. Alastor to plan and run the event. What J. R. and Mila have planned for the authors is a week of games with trope-filled riddles. The games are designed to get the authors to confess their crimes, but only J. R. knows all of the crimes.

The reader knows from the beginning that Mila is not entirely who she presents herself to be. When one of the guests disappears and is soon found dead, the reader is told it’s not the guest Mila was planning to murder. As the retreat continues, more murders occur and Mila and the remaining guests struggle to survive.

This book very much gave a nod towards Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” It got off to a strong start and stayed that way for most of the book. Since it was a debut novel, there were a few uneven parts, but it kept me guessing up until the end. I did like how the author ended the book, as well.

Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

A real Agatha Christie inspired whodunnit with stakes and consequences that feel real. Trying to unravel the connections between our lovely cast of characters was very fun, and kept me guessing and I turned the pages.

Ande Pliego's debut it certainly not one to miss.

This book is about a mysterious author (actually, he's both a mysterious author and a mystery author), J.R. Alastor, who invites six thriller writers to his private island for a writing retreat. However, he has ulterior motives, as does his event planner, Mila. The authors expect a week of mystery-related games and activities, but no one expects the deceit and mayhem that ensues.

What I liked: I loved the concept - the isolated island; the themed games related to tropes from thriller books; the mysterious atmosphere. The book also had some humor related to thrillers and writing that I enjoyed.

What I disliked: The elements of the book just never totally came together for me. It had multiple points of view, and I never felt invested in any of the characters. The book was also much darker than I expected - some of the deaths were pretty shocking and gory.

Overall: While I loved the concept for the book, it didn't quite live up to expectations for me.

Thanks to and NetGalley for providing the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

For book recommendations and reviews, follow me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@whileireadwithkatiedodrill?si=jxOMZ3BPnlH5ofeU

We've all read and watched locked-room thrillers where characters start dying one by one—a popular trope that has always intrigued me. In You Are Fatally Invited, the author draws inspiration from And Then There Were None (and I was reminded of Glass Onion and The Last of Sheila) to create a bookish mystery where six authors are invited by the mysterious and anonymous Alastor to a writing retreat on an island. Once there, they begin dying, just like the characters in the books they’ve written. The story is told from multiple perspectives, including those of the guests and Mila, the event coordinator for the retreat. Through these points of view, we learn that everyone has secrets. Some of them already know each other, and some have ulterior motives for being there.

The book started off strong, and by the halfway point, I was completely invested. I was eager to uncover Alastor’s identity and what secrets the guests were hiding. The problem came in the last 20%. While there were several reveals, none of them truly surprised or satisfied me. In my opinion, the worst feeling when reading a mystery is being left underwhelmed. By the end, the explanations felt overly convoluted and coincidental, which was disappointing since I was thoroughly enjoying the book up until that point. That said, I’m aware that others might find the outcome more satisfying, so I still encourage you to give it a try..

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Ande Pliego's "You Are Fatally Invited" is a riveting and suspenseful thriller that masterfully blends elements of a locked-room mystery with the intrigue of a psychological game. The story revolves around Mila del Angél, a former aspiring writer who is hired to host a writer's retreat on a private island owned by the enigmatic and reclusive author J.R. Alastor. The guest list includes six thriller writers, each with their own secrets and motives.

From the moment the guests arrive, the atmosphere is tense and filled with suspicion. Pliego skillfully builds the suspense, as one by one, the writers are found dead under mysterious circumstances. The storm that cuts off the island only heightens the sense of isolation and danger, trapping the remaining guests with a killer among them.

Mila, who has her own hidden agenda, must navigate the treacherous waters of deceit and betrayal to uncover the truth. Pliego's clever use of multiple perspectives keeps readers on their toes, as each chapter reveals new clues and twists. The novel pays homage to classic mystery tales while adding its own unique spin, making it a fresh and engaging read.

Highly recommended for fans of mystery and thriller genres. "You Are Fatally Invited" is a gripping tale that will keep you guessing until the very end. Ande Pliego shows great promise as a storyteller, and this novel is a testament to her talent.

You Are Fatally Invited is a gripping mystery thriller that follows a group of writers, each with a dark secret, who are lured to an isolated island for a retreat. But what begins as a creative getaway quickly turns into a deadly game, orchestrated by a mysterious host who forces the writers to confront their past sins. With trust in short supply and danger around every corner, no one is safe, and not everyone will make it off the island alive.

I absolutely loved this book! From start to finish, it’s packed with suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Although I did manage to predict a few twists early on, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. The author skillfully wove in enough questions and red herrings that I stayed hooked until the very end, curious to see how everything would unfold.

The author expertly used familiar murder mystery tropes, like an island setting and games designed to force confessions, but added a unique twist by giving voice to the tropes and fashioning each “game” after popular ones.
The story had that irresistible "stranded on an island" vibe that I always enjoy, and it definitely delivered. I also appreciated the subtle romance element—it wasn’t the central focus, but I ate up every moment of it.

At its core, this is a story about redemption—about owning up to past mistakes, learning from them, and becoming a better person in the process. It’s a thrilling, twist-filled ride, and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys psychological suspense, well-developed characters, and plenty of surprises

I was shocked to find out this is Pliego’s debut novel. From the very first page, it's clear Pliego has an innate talent for crafting suspenseful, twist-filled thrillers. The writing is sharp, the plotting tight, and the pacing perfect. I have no doubt this is just the beginning for Pliego, and I have no doubt that they will become a big name in the mystery genre.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

I saw this book everywhere, so I decided to request my copy and while this book just isn’t for me, I know I’m not the majority here. Lots of people love it and ate it up. I, myself, was not one of them. As an avid reader, I will definitely give her next book a shot and I will likely attempt this one again in the future.

Thanks to @netgally and @randomhouse for my free e-ARC for an honest review.

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego is an absolute must-read for thriller fans—I’m OBSESSED! 😱

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Imagine being trapped on a stormy island with six famous thriller authors, each as cunning as the stories they write. Mila del Angél thinks she’s just hosting a writing retreat for the mysterious J.R. Alastor, but the week quickly turns deadly when one of the guests is found murdered… and it’s NOT the one she planned to kill. Yes, you read that right—she has her own plans for the week!

This book is a wild ride of mind games, classic tropes, and plot twists so sharp they left me reeling. Mila’s race to outsmart a killer who knows all the tricks had me glued to every page. The setting—an isolated manor on a stormy Maine island—adds to the tension, and the dark humor makes it even more addictive.

I seriously couldn’t put this down, and I didn’t want it to end. If you love locked-room mysteries with a fresh, creative spin, You Are Fatally Invited is THE book to watch for in 2025. Add it to your TBR immediately—you won’t regret it! 🔪📚✨

Unfortunately this book was not interesting to me. I may try it again at a later date. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This atmospheric thriller had me racing to the end of this captivating whodunit. I enjoyed how the story unfolded by the different perspectives. Putting the clues together while not falling for the red herrings was engaging and entertaining. The plot is clever with twists and turns that kept it interesting. Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for my copy.