Death Rattle had the potential to be a gripping thriller, but unfortunately, the chaotic syntax and disorganized storytelling made it nearly impossible to enjoy. The writing felt erratic, with sentences that often lacked coherence or proper flow, making it a frustrating experience from start to finish. Instead of building tension, the novel’s structure and jarring prose created confusion, forcing me to reread passages just to grasp basic plot points.

The story itself might have been engaging with tighter execution, but the clunky, disorienting syntax overshadowed any intrigue. Character motivations were murky, transitions between scenes were abrupt, and the dialogue often felt unnatural. Rather than immersing me in the mystery, the writing style kept pushing me out of the narrative.

While I always appreciate a unique voice in fiction, Death Rattle ultimately felt more like a rough draft than a polished novel. Even the most patient readers may struggle to find enjoyment here. One star.

As a suspense lover, I thought I might enjoy this one. However, I simply couldn’t get into it. Perhaps I am not the correct audience for this novel. The book did not unfold in a way that flowed for me, and I gave up reading. Despite my disinterest in this book, I appreciate being given the opportunity to read it. Fantasy lovers may find they enjoy it.

It had the potential to be really good, however, it did not flow very well. The sentences felt like run on sentences and as if the character was just blurting out random stuff. It just felt very chaotic and because of that it felt hard to stay engaged with the story.

Book Review: Death Rattle by Carter Pugh

I want to start by thanking NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Death Rattle in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with this book. I found myself pushing through, trying to avoid DNF-ing it, but it was a challenge. The narrative felt repetitive, often circling back to the same points, which made it hard to stay engaged.

The premise of a murder mystery intertwined with urban fantasy was intriguing, and I liked the idea of Clarke Carpenter—a thirty-year-old nanny and student—seeking a more substantial life. However, the execution felt muddled as it tried to juggle too many themes at once, leaving the plot feeling disjointed.

While there were moments of potential, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it needed tighter editing to fully realize its ideas. Overall, I appreciate the ambition behind Death Rattle, but it ultimately fell short for me. I hope others find what they’re looking for in this story.

The premise was interesting but unfortunately the writing was atrocious. It was too predictable and I DNF'd about 1/3 of the way through.

I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had to push myself to not DNF this book. Unfortunately it was very repetitive and it was trying to do too many things all at once.