I love a good small town mystery, with twists aplenty, and the odd red herring. I also love an injection of humour. Everyone In The Group Chat Dies provided both. 📱
I'm going to assume that you have read the blurb, so I'm not going to rehash it. The story is told from the POV of Claire 'Kirby' Cornell, and is told across two timelines; present day, and twelve months ago.
It's fast paced, and an oh so entertaining, quick read.
All of the characters are likeable, even the bad guy. When the big reveal came, let me just say, I did not see that coming! 😮
I loved this book. I devoured this book. Would I recommend it to everyone? You bet I would.
Thanks to Aries Fiction, Head of Zeus and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a brilliant fast paced and addictive read. I love the angle of the dark humour combined with the whodunnit. The split dual timeline wasn’t too confusing and helped the book flow and the plot unfold. I was really impressed. Thank you so much to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Set in a dual timeline of 12 months prior to present, we meet Kirby and her fellow flatmates. There is a sudden arrival of a new flatmate with an obsession of a local killing spree back in 1996, who subsequently vanishes but pops back up again in the group chat. Kirby is determined to find out what is going on before it’s too late!

I found this to be a really fast paced read which had me trying to figure out what was happening throughout. I was so invested I had to read this in one day. There was a lot of humour and I really enjoyed the social media aspect that spoke of “armchair detectives”, it gave a really insight into how the media takes over.

A gripping, pacy and funny read, I would 100% recommend this to murder mystery fans!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I recently finished reading "Everyone in the Group Chat Dies" by L.M. Chilton, and I can confidently say it’s my new favourite guilty pleasure. This book caught my eye with its intriguing premise; let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
Kirby Cornell, our relatable protagonist, is in desperate need of a break from her humdrum life in Crowhurst—an unremarkable town that somehow boasts both award-winning sausage rolls and a notorious 90s serial killer. As someone who can sympathise with wanting to escape the familiar grind, I found Kirby's frustrations with her sleazy landlord, slobbish housemates, and dead-end job deeply amusing and, at times, painfully familiar. But it’s the dark cloud of their shared secret that looms ominously over them, thick with tension and regret.
The turning point in Kirby's life comes when a message pings in their old group chat: “Everyone in the group chat will die.” A casual, albeit chilling, message from Esme, her ex-flatmate who shouldn’t even be texting anyone since she died the previous year! This twist had me hooked from the beginning. I’m a sucker for a good mystery, and the first-person perspective pulled me in completely, making me feel like I was right there with Kirby, frantically trying to piece together the clues.
Chilton’s writing style is witty and engaging, perfectly capturing Kirby’s dry humour and the absurdity of her situation. The short chapters added to the brisk pacing, making it an effortless read that I barely put down. I particularly enjoyed the use of dual timelines, which kept upping the stakes and building tension throughout the story. The WhatsApp messages sprinkled in were a clever way to break up the narrative and provided a contemporary touch that felt very much in tune with today’s digital age.
The plot was reminiscent of those early 2000s slasher flicks, complete with unexpected twists and the constant presence of red herrings that kept me on my toes. Sure, there were times when events felt a little rushed, but honestly, it didn’t dampen my enjoyment at all. I revelled in every page, laughing out loud at Kirby’s musings while also feeling the weight of suspense build around her.
And can we talk about how quintessentially British this novel feels? The references and character dynamics added to the charm. Kirby and her crew, dubbed ‘The Deadbeats,’ were a motley bunch, and I found their interactions genuinely entertaining. Each character was unique, adding to the complexity of their relationships and the group’s collective mystery.
Moreover, the book weaves in an exploration of social media's impact on communication and perception, which really made me reflect on how I might react in a similar situation. It’s not just a mystery; it’s a clever commentary on our digital age.
In conclusion, "Everyone in the Group Chat Dies" is a delightful blend of humour and mystery that had me laughing, guessing, and rooting for Kirby from start to finish. If you're in the mood for a light yet thrilling read—perfect for an afternoon escape—look no further. I’m so glad I picked up this book, and I can’t wait to see what L.M. Chilton has in store for us next!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

First of all, this book flew by! I was so invested in solving the mystery that I just had to keep reading until the end. Kirby makes some silly decisions on her quest to solve Esme’s disappearance and discover what really happened in Crowhurst thirty years before, but it comes from a desire to help Esme.

I enjoyed the banter of the friend group but found that at times the humour was a little grating and didn’t add to the story. Toned down I think would improve the flow of the book itself. I also really liked the tidbits that came back to the conclusion of the mystery. You have to be looking for the red herrings but they’re most definitely there.

All in all I enjoyed this mystery and would highly recommend anyone looking to put a new mystery on their to-be-read list to try this one!

A Pacy Thriller with a Modern Twist: A Review of Everyone In The Group Chat Dies

Everyone In The Group Chat Dies tells the story of Clare Cornell, also known as Kirby, and her housemates, "The Deadbeats," living in Crowhurst, Surrey. The narrative intertwines their lives with the chilling backdrop of the "Crowhurst murders" of local teenagers in 1996. The arrival of Esme and her fascination with the Crowhurst killer sets in motion a terrifying chain of events, as members of their group chat begin to die one by one.

The book employs a dual timeline, seamlessly shifting between the present day and twelve months prior, with Kirby narrating the unfolding events. This structure effectively builds suspense and gradually reveals crucial details.

One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of a fictional online platform, reminiscent of TikTok. This contemporary element effectively highlights the impact and potential dangers of maintaining an online presence, resonating with current trends.

While the initial pace felt somewhat measured, it served to establish the characters and provide valuable context for the events to come. Despite this slower start, the narrative remained engaging, prompting me to continue reading to uncover the truth.

Around the halfway mark, the story truly takes off, becoming thoroughly gripping. The identity of the Crowhurst killer remained shrouded in mystery, with clues pointing in several directions. I thoroughly enjoyed attempting to piece together the puzzle. The ultimate reveal was a genuine surprise; I had completely overlooked the character responsible!

The author has crafted a well-flowing narrative, complemented by subtle touches of humour that enhance the reading experience. The fast-paced dialogue contributes to the brisk pace, making it a quick and compelling read. I particularly enjoyed the constant shifting of suspicion, keeping me guessing until the very end. If you enjoy a modern thriller with a clever twist, this is one to pick up.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This book is set over two time lines, present day and twelve months ago.
It follows the lives of Kirby and her flatmates. One day a new flatmates turns up unannounced them promptly disappears the next day. Kirby is determined to find out what happened.
I enjoyed the book but found it a little slow in places but needed to know hiw it ended!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers fir the ARC

I absolutely loved this book. I was wary at the start that it was just a bit farfetched and outlandish, but the more I read, the more invested I got and I whizzed through the last half. Could not put it down. It's utterly implausible but the best fun and I would read this again in a heartbeat. Thoroughly recommended:)

Witty and twisting! Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is a fantastic comedy/mystery highlighting the dangers of social media addiction and toxic online hate. We follow Clare (Kirby) Cornell and her group of "Deadbeat" flatmates soon to become just Dead flatmates. Two timelines in the book - one set in the past where we follow Clare unearth the mystery of her flatmate Esme's disappearance/death, and the second set in the present where the rest of the flatmates are being slowly picked off by a very suddenly, supposedly alive Esme.

It's gripping, it's pacy, it's funny! 100% recommend this to fellow murder mystery fans!

Slow start at the beginning for me but once it got going, I was hooked and wanting to find out more quickly. Fast paced indeed and I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know who the killer was.

The 2 timelines went hand in hand - loved it

Great characters and good plot with twists/turns. I enjoyed the writing style too - perfect. Full of suspense, thriller, horror and funny in places

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus

I enjoyed this book far more than I expected too even if I figured out early on who the killer was.

It's enjoyable with an interesting cast of characters and the change in time periods kept things moving pacily!

To be completely honest I am really not sure what to think about this book. It was not what I was hoping for it to be, the story didn't have me hooked, it rather had me rolling my eyes as it was so unrealistic, but on the other hand, few days after finishing it I was scared to go out in the dark, as I was imagining things, so it was rather well written. I think the author has captured the atmosphere really well, making the read unsettling. There was some hunour mixed with the uncertainty and mystery.

It was fast - paced and very curvy and with plenty of dialogues and banter between the characters, so it made the reading easier. But I have never tried to guess "who did it" and it's not a good sign, because it shows that I was not invested and has actually never connected with the characters.

But the end srprised me and, like I said, the book stayed with me for a bit afterwards. For me it was more like a satire that was touching upon some important social media issues and not a mystery. Not my read, however, but if you're looking for something a bit different, this might be a book for you.

L.M. Chilton’s Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is a darkly captivating, twisty thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Centered around a tight-knit group of friends who bond over their group chat, the story takes a chilling turn when one by one, each member begins to fall victim to a series of increasingly sinister events. Chilton expertly builds suspense, weaving together themes of trust, betrayal, and the dangers lurking behind the screens we think we know so well. With sharp, witty dialogue and a plot that never lets up, this book is an exhilarating ride through the world of social media, secrets, and the unsettling realization that sometimes, the most dangerous connections are the ones we don’t even see coming. It’s a thrilling, cautionary tale that will leave you questioning everything about your own online relationships.

*thank you to net galley for providing me with an e-arc in return of an honest review*

this was a really fast paced quick read, a lot of dialogue which helped fly through it. Had me guessing and changing my theory A LOT on ‘who’ the killer was which I loved. Only reason it wasn’t higher rated is because I didn’t connect with any of the characters further than just having a good time.

Loved this book. Kept you guessing but entertained the whole way through. I didnt even see the twist at the end and I read a lot of crime. Brought the crime genre up to date.

This was HILARIOUS. I absolutely loved the back and forth banter between all the characters - I just knew there was something fishy about Esme’s death and the gradual mystery and investigation was extremely well paced. Great modern day thriller

Thanks netgalley and L.M Chilton for giving me this ARC ahead of publication.

This definitely keeps you in suspense with a surprise or two along the way. I did feel for Kirby who, for the most part, was just trying to find her way through life and do the right thing!

This is an interesting read and kept my attention throughout. I liked the dynamics between Kirby and her friends although I did want to learn more about them. They seemed interesting characters and all very different but somehow worked together. Esme did shake things up and with what seemed to be very little effort. Annoying but effective which I think was the point particularly given her vocation!!

I'm glad it ended the way it did (without giving too much away) although I did feel Kirby deserved a little more in her life... More of an holistic happy ending although maybe I'm being too optimistic or maybe there'll be a sequel!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Kirby and her friends live in a small town famous for a murder in the mid 90's. Kirby moves into a flat to look into the murder, and brings her friends into it the investigation, until eventually kirby is the only one still investigating. Kirby gets a whatsapp from esme, only esme died a year ago, and when her friends leave the whatsapp group, they end up dead too, so now kirby is trying to find out what happened all those years ago, what's happened to her friends and whether or not she will be next.

It was an easy book to read and normally when a story jumps between different dates it can get confusing but this story was easy to follow, it's a great read.

Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for an advance copy in exchange for a review. This is an easy to read thriller based on a small town called Crowhurst, 30 years ago a spree killer killed 5 teenagers and then disappeared. When Esme a social media influencer turns up insisting the killer is still at large Kirby is drawn in to try and help. The book flicks between past and present as her and her other 3 housemates try to find out exactly what happened all those years ago- has Peter Doyle really returned? I liked the writing style and read this book and quickly. I liked the mix of characters and the storyline kept me invested. I will be recommending to others

After reading L.M Chiltons last book, this was a very anticipated read and I was over the moon to get the chance to read a copy from NetGalley.
Another fantastic book, possibly funnier than the last too considering the storyline. Characters are always well written so you know exactly who is who and a bit about them. Conclusive ending too not leaving any questions. I look forward to the next book by this author!