Thank you SOURCRBOOKS Landmark publishing and Ashley Winstead for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Janeway “Jane” Sharp’s life gets turned upside down with the unexpected death of her father. She rushes home to be with her mother and while watching tv the news disrupts the programming to bring a breaking news story of a body being filled from the water. Jane is then introduced into sluething. Where amateur everyday people log in online into forums to try and catch murderers to help the police. Originally a bystander watching the chats She is introduced to 4 well known sluethers and offers her assurance since she doesn’t live to far from the murdered person, She feels like she has found a purpose since hers fathers death in this group.

Fast forward to the Delphine Massacres. Where two different groups of 3 girls were murdered. This book is a game of cat and mouse. It had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read more. I give it a 4 stars because it was a slow burn but it did pick up. Definitely recommend! The ending was TWISTED!

Spectacular, expertly woven from start to finish. The ending was also terrific. Probably one of the best thrillers I've read this year. Super impressed with the prose, character arcs, and plot.

3 out of 5.

I loved this book - I'd have rated it 5/5 shortly after reading it. It's a really well-done thriller and mystery that has a lot to say about the rubbernecking our culture does with true crime and the nature of grief. I read it breathlessly in two nights, Satisfying characters, some good twists, all in all - excellent.

So why does the rating dip?

Well, it seems as if this story was heavily inspired by real-life crime out of Idaho in 2022 - the University Massacre. I wasn't aware of that going in. While I don't mind being inspired by true events, the lack of acknowledgement (as well as the extremely recent aspects of this crime) felt pretty exploitative to me, or at least it wasn't in good taste. Others may disagree, and that's fine. Winstead has an excellent book here. But comparing the murders in this book with the similar murders in real life... I just know if I were a family member of one of the slain girls, I'd be furious.

“This Book Will Bury Me” by Ashley Winstead is absolutely amazing. This is easily one of the best books I’ve read all year and I could not put it down. I’m a busy PA student but I had to stay up late the night before an exam to finish this novel.

This story is loosely based off of the real events that happened during the University of Idaho massacre. When Jane’s father unexpectedly passes away, she becomes involved in a true crime case to distract her from her grief. She does this by becoming an internet sleuth and making friends other armchair detectives that help her solve crimes from afar. When a new murder occurs, the group decides to meet up in person to investigate. Soon, they notice that things aren’t adding up, but are they able to solve the crime before this prolific serial killer strikes again?

I was hooked throughout this novel. I've never read a murder mystery as unique as this one. The pacing felt balanced and I loved the twist at the end. I do feel as though the ending wrapped up too quickly and easily, but I understand with all the action from the actual mystery being solved, the loose ends at the end needed to be tied up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

✯✯✯✯✯5/5 stars✯✯✯✯✯
this book follows Jane Sharp as she deals with grief when she loses her father unexpectedly, and falls down a true crime rabbit hole with a group of people online who spend their time breaking down cases and finding killers. this put me through an emotional ROLLERCOASTER. i’m genuinely still in shock about the ending and the truth of everything that happened, even though i did guess it at some point (but i was heavily in denial).
the writing was incredible, i felt like i was in the story and trying to figure things out myself. Jane’s moments where she reflects on her father and her grief honestly got me teary eyed a few times, i felt for her and just wanted to give her the biggest hug. The author knew exactly what to write to pull at my heart strings.
The group that Jane surrounded herself with was so interesting, they were all completely different with the same goal in mind: solve the murders and bring justice to the victims. they became a found family for each other (which is one of my favorite tropes in any book and i absolutely ate that up) and i became so equally as invested in them as i was in Jane. i just loved the execution of this book and the plot and the different characters involved, it was fun to include my own theories as i read and i just KNOW the true crime girlies/people would eat this up.
10/10 recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

When college student Jane Sharp loses her father, she finds herself drawn into online true crime communities, seeking connection and purpose in her grief. What begins as a potential meditation on loss takes an unfortunate turn into sensationalism as Jane and her internet friends investigate a series of college murders in Idaho. The story's apparent inspiration from the 2022 University of Idaho killings feels deeply insensitive, given how recent and raw that real-life tragedy remains. There are two stories here – one about navigating profound grief, and one about amateur sleuths chasing a killer. The latter feels not just unnecessary but ethically questionable. A moving story about loss doesn't need murder plots or gruesome details to resonate; sometimes, the quiet devastation of grief is more than enough.

I really enjoyed this book!! I’m SO bummed I called the killer very early on, (As soon as there was discussion about what type of sleuth they all were, and one of the options being 'killer,' it became clear one of them was just that) but I don’t fault the book for that, it was still an enjoyable ride despite my suspicions early on. This book had excellent pacing, I was never bored, and nothing was drawn out. It has compelling characters and is a believable thriller.

3.5 Stars.

I have mixed feelings on this. No complaints about the writing or pacing, even for such a long book. The chapters are short and it moves fast, so my original worry about this dragging was squashed. I do believe some of it could have been cut but it is what it is.

found family vibes, strong storytelling, addictive. by the time it hit part two, the twist was easy to guess. once it hit part three it moves super speed.

my biggest complaint is that it's way too close, and obviously so, to very real crimes where the trials are still on going. whatever point it wanted to make missed the mark, and could have been done without it.

overall it was a good read.

4.5 ⭐ This was such a fun slow burn!! Perfect for fans of true crime that like podcasts or true crime forums. I loved the layout of the form posts and the character development of each online profile and real life sleuth. The core group was fun to get to know and I liked their dynamic.

This made me want to get into true crime, lol. I'm always too much of a scaredy cat but this made it seem so fun. (And also intense!) Is this a real part of the Internet that I'm missing out on?!

Ashley Winstead knows how to write a twisty book that leaves you wondering where it's going while also trying to solve the mystery. I will say that I thought I knew who our killer was but there were definitely some things I didn't see coming.

If you like Ashley Winstead and are excited for another book from her you will not be disappointed! Get ready for a slow burn that keeps you coming back for more.


Thank you to netgalley for a copy to review.

This book was INCREDIBLE! I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down until the last. Perfectly paced, expertly plotted, and deliciously bingable

It is not the fault of this book but I cannot cleverly string together sentences right now (I am seriously burned out on using words, you guys), so here's my review in bullet form instead:

The Good

- It's suspenseful, even when it's predictable.
- The characters are mostly likeable.
- The internet-y bits are super well done, the true crime forum conversations and online chats and such.
- The found family aspect of the story is endearing.
- There isn't much romance.

The Mediocre

- It's somewhat predictable. I guessed the big twist less than halfway through, and once you've guessed the twist, it's kind of obvious where things are headed.
- It's long. Seriously, this book could have been a hundred pages shorter.
- What little romance there is feels forced.

The “I Didn't Like This at All”

- The very end. Not the dad-related bits, but the killer-related bits. It's super unrealistic and feels like a cop-out (kind of like me writing a review via bullet points, I suppose).
- This book is very obviously based on the 2022 University of Idaho murders, which feels kind of … gross?

Basically, This Book Will Bury Me is entertaining and suspenseful but also flawed in places. And it's way too soon to be writing fictional books based on a murder case that's still working its way through the legal system.

So, yeah. I'll give it 3.95 stars for the entertainment value and three stars for … all the rest of it. *waves hand lazily in direction of bullet points* Average rating: 3.475 stars, rounded down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 25, 2025.

Wow. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley, and Ashley Winstead for allowing me to read an ARC of this amazing book. I literally could not put this down and finished it in two days. I've always loved Ashley's books and find her writing to be incredibly captivating, going into just enough detail / character development without dragging the book on unnecessarily.

This Book Will Bury Me is a book within a book, told from the POV of Jane "Searcher' Sharp. After her father unexpectedly dies of a heart attack, Jane delves into the world of true crime, finding solace amongst those searching for answers; them, the 'armchair detectives' solving murders and her, trying to figure out who her dad really was throughout his life on earth. As a distraction from all her grief, Jane quickly finds herself becoming obsessed with helping find the culprits of unsolved murders and befriends a small group of 'elite' internet sleuths. When a 3 college girls are murdered, the group immediately jumps into action and makes it their sole purpose to find who did this. Things quickly spiral when an additional 3 girls are murdered, so they decide to travel to the college where it all took place in hopes they can find answers.

Although I picked up on who the murderer was early on, I wasn't disappointed. I was happy with how everything tied together and even more so how the ending played out. The tension in this book, the relationships the characters had, was extremely well done and I felt like I was right there with them trying to solve the mystery. Highly, highly recommend!

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Ashley Winstead for the ARC. Ashley Winstead is one of my favorite authors and I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to read this one early.

This Book Will Bury Me is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that blurs the line between fiction and true crime in a way that feels visceral and hauntingly real. Winstead’s ability to craft characters that linger long after you’ve turned the final page is nothing short of masterful. With a cast of fiercely strong characters who come to life through the voice of the protagonist, I found myself drawn to them all, even those I knew I couldn’t trust.

The prose is undeniably beautiful, with Winstead painting scenes that are as vivid as they are unsettling. The writing deftly evokes the bleak, eerie setting, and you can almost feel the oppressive weight of secrets buried within each sentence. Winstead’s descriptive skill doesn’t just set the scene—it makes you feel as if you're right there, inside the story, experiencing each emotion alongside not only the protagonist, but her group of true crime internet sleuths.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is how it seamlessly weaves elements of true crime into its fictional plot. The exploration of the murder mystery feels deeply authentic, as if it were based on real events, lending the story a sense of gravity and urgency. Winstead brings a fascinating meta-narrative that examines our society's obsession with true crime, all while delivering a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. Certainly the murder mystery is reminiscent of a story we all know, but it’s also so much more. The combination of gritty realism, psychological depth, and literary grace makes This Book Will Bury Me a standout thriller that transcends its genre. This novel will grip you, unsettle you, and stay with you long after you finish.

I devoured this book! Twisty turny, kept me guessing, and not too gory. Probably my favorite Ashley Winstead! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Another great (if disturbing!) thriller from Ashley Winstead. She does dark so well. Definitely a page-turner and kept me on the edge of my seat. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Will definitely be recommending.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This Book Will Bury Me is an utterly compulsive read, one that you will struggle to put down. I quickly got swept up in the mystery element, but I also liked how it forced the reader to take a step back and contemplate our cultures obsession with True Crime and how we consume it. Would definitely recommend to others.

Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down.

I have been a fan of this author for a while, and after her last book wasn't entirely for me, I was so glad to read another winner.

The amateur sleuth plot always reels me into a book. I also really enjoy that this seemed to be loosely based on a true crime case.

The characters are all loveable in their own ways because they all have their little quirks.

Overall, I would highly recommend this one to thriller lovers.

Once again, Ashley has delivered a captivating narrative that draws readers in from the very first page. The story immerses us in a world filled with heavy themes, intricately weaving together the emotional turmoil surrounding multiple tragic deaths and intense criminal investigations. It powerfully captures the deep sorrow of losing a parent, resonating with anyone who has experienced such heartache.

I found the plot to be engaging and exceptionally well-crafted. It really showcases the author's skill in developing the interconnected events and characters. While the detailed nature of the storyline, with its many layers and complexities, made it somewhat longer than I typically prefer for this genre, I still enjoyed reading each scene as it unfolded, revealing the depth of the characters' struggles and triumphs. The ending ties everything together nicely.

This book is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys piecing together clues and unraveling mysteries.

Thank you so much, Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing, for providing me with an ARC of this book. Expected publication: March 25, 2025

As always, all thoughts are my own. ♥

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way that is was written as a tell all story. I liked all the footnotes and how it incorporated the online forum. I was able to guess who did it fairly early on, but it didn't take away from the book for me. The only thing was it all was super similar (even in the small details) to the University of Idaho murders and kept feeling like I had read this before as I was reading. I thought the pacing was good overall - the ending last 50-100 pages felt long, but that might have been a me issue since I wasn't surprised by the who done it reveal. This was my first read by Ashley Winstead and can't wait to read more!