Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of this ARC! This twisting mystery was a fun and suspenseful read!

Occasionally a cover will draw me in, and a premise will seal the deal. When I came across this book in NetGalley, I knew immediately I wanted to read it. I am unfamiliar with Ashley Winstead’s other works and was thrilled when the publisher approved my request.

This book follows Jane, a college student in the wake of her father’s unexpected death. Desperate for an escape, she drops out of college and stumbles into the world of true crime forums, where she joins in helping investigate a local murder. Jane’s escapism soon evolves into obsession as a newer and more high-profile murder occurs.

As far as mixed-media “true crime” books go, this was definitely one of the better ones. The books I’ve read in the past were more podcast-focused, so I appreciated the different take using Internet forums as a medium instead. The blend of forums and main character perspective felt smooth and immersive and made this nearly 500 page book a quite quick read!

This book was really fun to read. The beginning of the story immediately pulled me in and I found Jane was intriguing as a main character. I enjoyed the other characters as well, though they were definitely a bit more cliche’ armchair detectives. Another thing that pulled me in was that this novel had a murder that strongly paralleled a very much real-life murder that happened not too long ago so having that real life parallel was also interesting to read.

This book also does a great job of using the unreliable narrator trope, and left me guessing for most of the story. Surprisingly, I actually liked that this story was somewhat predictable towards the end. Usually I see predictability as a drawback but I prefer it in mystery/crime-solving books because I can get a “huzzah, I was right!” moment (which I personally find very satisfying).

My only complaint was there was a part of the book that I didn’t quite understand its purpose but was cleverly reintroduced later in the novel and it wrapped up the story a little too nicely. I think this is one of those books where I would have preferred an ambiguous ending but I may be alone in that feeling.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! The fantastic pacing kept me hooked from start to finish and I definitely want to pick up more of Ashely Winstead’s works now. If you are a mystery or True Crime-esque fan, I highly recommend this one!

This book releases on March 25th, 2025

Rating: 4.25/5
Review will be published on my website on March 17th, 2025 at the following url:
https://mishmashedmagic.com/bookblog/this-book-will-bury-me-by-ashley-winstead

I have loved all of Ashley Winstead's books in the past and this one is no exception. This book was a crazy twisty rollercoaster of a ride. I was so intrigued about this book since it dealt with the popularity of internet sleuthing to solve popular murders. This book sucks you into the story and you feel like you are a part of the internet sleuthing family that consists of Searcher, Citizen, Mistress, Goku, Lightly. I enjoyed the addition of Jane's journey through her grief of losing her father. It really added to the story and her obsession with solving cases. I did feel like the middle of the book was a little slower and longer than I would have preferred but I never lost interest once. I am still not sure how I feel about the author using the real Moscow murders for inspiration for this book since that case has not gone to trial yet. But overall, if you enjoy true crime and a great thriller with many twists, then I recommend giving this book a read.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebook Landmarks for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Amateur sleuths are taking over police investigations. Good idea? Or are they a more of a distraction and hindrance?
I suppose it depends on who you ask.

In her senior year of college, Jane’s father passed unexpectedly. She returns home to grieve along-side her mother. As a break from her mourning she’s drawn into the world of armchair detectives. It’s not long before she has her own handle and becomes part of a team.

When a mass killing occurs on the campus of a small Idaho University Jane and her group are front and center offering their services. The local police aren’t exactly thrilled with the offer, but the FBI see a use for this group to assist in ways that they cannot. Now these amateurs are about to enter very dangerous territory!

Can they find the serial killer before they become the next target?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this book due to the similarities of the Idaho College murders. Please read the author’s note at the beginning of the book. She did a great job of explaining why and how she used these real and horrific murders as part of her fictional storyline.

If fiction based, true-crime events, or grief of losing a parent are triggers for you then this may not be a great fit. I knew the subject matter going in and thanks to the authors note I was prepared and ended up enjoying this latest by Ashley Winstead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark

Seeking solace and purpose in the wake of her father’s untimely death, Janeway immerses herself in an online community of amateur sleuths. What begins as a distraction soon becomes an obsession, as the story delves into how grief can drive us to the brink of reason—and sometimes beyond.

Initially drawn to the unsolved murder of a local woman named Indira, Searcher (Janeway’s online alias) joins forces with a group of amateur investigators—Citizen, Goku, Mistress, Lightly. What begins as a virtual scavenger hunt soon spirals into something darker when their focus shifts to the Delphine murders—a series of gruesome killings targeting college girls in Idaho.

The interwoven chatroom format immerses readers in the frenetic energy of the group’s digital sleuthing. The characters’ interactions are dynamic, hinting at the personal battles each member faces and leaving you yearning to dive deeper into their psyches. Janeway’s relentless drive to uncover the truth mirrors her inner struggle to process her grief, creating a raw, emotional journey of self-discovery amidst tragedy.

While the book delves into themes of grief and justice, it also holds a mirror to the true crime community, examining the ethical complexities of how real-life tragedies are consumed and dissected. The parallels to the still-unresolved Idaho college murders, while adding a layer of authenticity, also raise questions about the sensitivity of fictionalizing ongoing cases. Readers may find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the balance between honoring victims and sensationalizing their stories.

Ultimately, This Book Will Bury Me is more than just a crime novel; it’s a journey through grief, identity, and the lengths we go to make sense of loss. Fans of crime fiction and true crime alike will find much to ponder in its pages.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved everything about this book. It was so well done. this book was awesome from start to finish. I could not put it down even though it was actually pretty long.

This Book Will Bury Me is written from the point of view of a college age woman who loses her father and gets engulfed into the Reddit true crime world solving murders to deal with her grief. She ends up working alongside a group of others as they try to crack their biggest case yet the Delphine murders. This book was engaging with lots of twists and in a nuanced enough way to show how everyone is living in the gray. There is some controversy about how closely this story reads to the 2022 University of Idaho murders which hasn’t even seen justice for the victims yet so while it was entertaining, keep that in mind when deciding if you’d pick this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of this novel.

I was so excited to get approved for this ARC and it didn’t let me down. I have loved all of Ashley’s books and couldn’t wait to get my hands on her newest one. Right from the beginning this book pulled me in and had me hooked. I loved the way this book was written (the book within the book) and I really enjoyed the dynamic of the group in this novel. I also think the internet/true-crime forum part of the novel was so well done.

The thing that bothered me was Jane’s obsession with her father’s legacy. I didn’t really get that. It made sense that she dove into true crime to deal with her grief but this part felt a little too over the top for me. I also think the book was just a little long. I think it could have been 50-75 pages less.

But overall, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it.

4.5/5 rounded up to 5 for this review.

This was a book that had many twists and turns and was very intense! A dysfunctional crime family that is all over the place! A slow burn that will keep you interested to the end!

This book will make you try and solve the puzzles before the book helps you along! A very interesting thriller that will keep you intrigued from start to finish!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is amazing book I was absolutely hooked from the beginning such an engaging read. Ashley is one of my most favorite authors. I’ve read everything she has written and this book like her others did not disappoint one bit.

After Jane Sharp's father passes, she needs a way to disassociate. She happens to see the news about a woman found disembodied in a trash bag at the bottom of a lake nearby. This leads her down a rabbit hole and into the world of armchair sleuths. She is quickly welcomed into a group of people who become her new "family". After solving that case, another takes the world by storm. Three college students are slain in their own house, leaving one survivor. There is very little usable evidence in this case and Jane and her buddies instantly become infatuated with solving it. As her team of mentors become insta-famous, they also learn it's not all it's choked up to be.
I enjoyed this one as usual. Ashley Winstead always has a way of telling a story that keeps you hooked until the very end. I liked that she included glimpses of real life true crime cases throughout the book. I do wish the main case stayed a little more true to real life though when it comes to the killer/killers. I understand why she changed it up though since it is so well known and that would leave very little mystery up for the reader. I really felt for Jane in her grief over her father, her coping skills and enjoyed following her story. I did suspect one of the killers pretty early on. I don't know if this was meant in foreshadowing because it kind of seemed like it was supposed to be the big twist.
Overall, I think this was a great read and I would recommend it to my followers. It was 4.5 stars for me.

Gripping, exciting, and un-put-downable! I'm not sure if that's a real word but I'm going to use it. This was an easy ready for me as it kept me hooked from page one!

I’m just not sure if Ashley Windstead is for me. I really liked her first book, but the last few books were complete misses for me unfortunately. I know this book is going to be loved by many people!

There were many parts of this book I really enjoyed and some I didn’t so much.

One thing is it felt so very long. It starts off super intriguing and loses steam in the middle. Gets interesting and suspenseful again.. only for the ending to not really pack the punch I was hoping for.

I really love true crime and find it fascinating and I can’t tell if this book is saying it’s good or it’s bad?

I just think there was too much going on and it was too long and drawn out that it took away from what could have been a great story.

It does have the suspense and the tension and leave you wondering enough to want to know the conclusion. But lacks in surprise.

Ashley Winstead NEVER MISSES.
Ashley Winstead's new novel is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Janeway Sharp. After the sudden death of her father, Jane drops out of college and finds solace in online forums dedicated to solving murders. Her involvement with a group of amateur detectives quickly becomes an obsession, especially when a series of murders at a sorority house captures their attention.

Winstead masterfully builds tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere as Jane and her friends get closer to uncovering the truth. The novel is not just a thriller but also a poignant exploration of grief and the lengths people go to find meaning in their lives. Jane's journey from a grieving daughter to an amateur sleuth is both heart-wrenching and compelling.

The narrative is rich with detail, capturing the frenzy of online true crime communities and the media circus surrounding high-profile cases. Winstead's prose is haunting and lyrical, making the reader feel every bit of Jane's pain and determination. The book's portrayal of grief is particularly striking, offering a raw and honest look at how loss can drive people to seek control in the most unexpected ways.

Fans of true crime and thrillers will find this novel hard to put down. The twists and turns keep the reader guessing, and the emotional depth adds a layer of complexity that elevates the story beyond a typical thriller. Winstead's ability to cross genres and deliver a powerful narrative is on full display, making this one of her best works yet.

On a personal note, I found myself completely immersed in Jane's world. The way Winstead portrays grief and the search for meaning struck a chord with me. I was moved by Jane's struggle and her determination to find solace in the midst of chaos. The book's exploration of online communities and their impact on real-life events was both fascinating and chilling. I couldn't help but reflect on how we all seek connection and purpose, especially in our darkest moments. This novel isn't just a thrilling read; it's a profound reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

In summary, this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted thriller with a strong emotional core. It's a testament to Winstead's versatility as an author and her skill in creating stories that resonate on multiple levels.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I read the reviews how the murder in this book is similar to the Moscow Idaho murders. And it is, which seems kind of odd with how similar the case was. And how recent that case is. I will say I did find the actual murderer to catch me by surprise. In the end though this book was just too long and a little too similar to a real recent case.

A fast-paced gripping thriller about a group of online true crime enthusiasts who try and solve grizzly murders. The crimes in the book are clearly based on real events. The author describes her influences for the book in an introduction and references well known victims and events. I guessed the big twist pretty early on, but still found the book hard to put down. Parts were very graphic and may be hard for some readers. The chatter among the online community made me cringe. I’m a true crime podcast listener and the portrayal of the media and the true-crime junkies definitely made me question supporting the industry and its impact such public scrutiny must have on the victims’ families. Overall, I thought the POV was unique and the story was interesting and well developed. 4.25 stars rounded down. Will definitely recommend to friends looking for a good thriller.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark & NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book, it was a little bit hard for me read it but but I still enjoy some of it at the beginning my attention was all over the book, but then, as some part of the books, I was like lost

This book was so good! It had me captivated from the start. It was an intense, slow burn, twisty ride that I enjoyed every part of.

I haved loved Ashley Winstead's previous books. So it hurts me to say I am finding this book way too slow. I am kinda bored. I have made it to about 70% but I am going to put it down for now, I will pick it back up and finish at a later date. I am curious to see how it is going to end.

Ashley Winstead's writing style can be described as unique, disturbing, and engaging. This story revolves around Janeway Sharp, a young woman grieving her father's sudden death, who finds solace in true crime sleuthing. She joins a quirky group of amateur sleuths—diverse in age and background—forming a dysfunctional but compelling "crime family." Their mission to solve a brutal murder escalates with shocking deaths in Idaho and they end up starting a media storm. The slow-burn pacing builds suspense, making the reader anticipate disturbing developments. Winstead's character development is outstanding as we learn about each amateur sleuth's background and there strengths and weaknesses.
While the plot maybe a little predictable it is still very engaging. This book is intense, character driven and totally fun to read. Any true crime reader will love this book.