Very Dangerous Things mashes up all my favorite things: murder, young adult romance, golden age detectives, and corrupt police.

Dolce and Emi attend a school that puts on a murder game every year. When the game victim turns up actually dead, they try to solve the mystery IRL. It's full of twists and turns, red herrings, conflicting loyalties and too-perfect alibis. Very Veronica Mars-esque, another all time fave.

I read in two sittings and I would love to see the Death and Fox Detective Agency solve more cases!

Read Suddenly A Murder, Muñoz's prior book. It's just as great!

📚: Every year at J.Everett high school the students play a murder mystery. One of students play the victim and the others have to solved the murder. Easy right? This year Xavier Torres is playing the victim and Dulce Castillo is determined to solve it. Fun, right ? What could go wrong? Well everything.Sierra Fox, Xavier’s ex girlfriend and Dulce’s ex-befriend found Xavier’s dead body.When the authorities open an investigation; it all points to Sierra. Sierra beg Dulce to clear her name and found the real killer. Will Dulce forget the past and found the killer?



💭: Reading this one was fun. I like how she changes the transition from YA to mystery and thrillers. To be honest, even though I know who did it, I still give it a 4. 50 star. I really don’t like the love interest.I kinda ships Dulce with her new best friend. (I forgot her name) I love the characters even the killer.lol (I don’t support the killer but it was kind of smart how they did it )
I cannot wait to read her first book, suddenly a murder.

Thank NetGalley and penguinteen for the arc

I've been on a mystery kick this year, and NetGalley offered this book about teen sleuths at a private high school for kids who are interested in mysteries and crime solving. The setting actually went a bit beyond my ability to suspend my disbelief, and I found it hard to imagine that there were enough people interested in attending this specialized high school in a small town. However, the mystery itself was nicely plotted, with the author laying down plenty of clues that all pointed to different suspects. While the clues themselves were very obvious, the fun was in watching the characters make sense of them and figure out which of the suspects was guilty. I also liked that the main character wasn't the most willing or capable detective, as that added in elements of character growth.

If only I could have attended a criminology high school—cool concept. Great YA mystery/thriller with plenty of red herrings and twists. Definitely kept me guessing! And I was intrigued by the uniqueness of the murder itself. I did not see that coming.

Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a gripping and suspenseful YA boarding school thriller that pulled me in from the very first chapter. Lauren Muñoz crafts a moody, almost gothic setting full of secrets, grief, and quiet danger—I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

The main character, Dulce, is vulnerable, introspective, and highly observant—someone who overanalyzes situations in a way that makes her feel real and deeply relatable. Her emotional journey adds genuine complexity to the story, especially as she confronts the lingering fallout of her past.

The mystery is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you invested without tipping into the unbelievable. The plot moves at a solid pace with just the right amount of tension, and I appreciated the emotional undercurrents woven throughout—this isn’t just about solving a murder; it’s about identity, trauma, and the lies we tell to protect ourselves.

While a couple of twists felt a bit too convenient, overall this is a well-constructed, emotionally layered thriller that hits all the right notes for fans of We Were Liars or One of Us is Next.

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Young Readers Group for the eARC.

While I’m a huge fan of Sherlock-esk stories, I’ve never heard of Whimsey. But now I can see I would definitely be a fan.

This was such a great book. A bunch of teens at the most interesting private school I’ve ever heard of, working to find a murderer. The idea alone is amazing , but the book was fantastic.

I loved Dulce and her friends. I ran through the whole who-done-it list with Dulce as she questioned every interaction and character she ran into. I was half convinced she was going to find a new boyfriend, and was surprised more than once at how the story twisted.

Such a great read!

Thank you for this arc!

I absolutely LOVED this story. I could not put it down. Dulce is such a great MC, so unique and tough but in a way that felt realistic for a girl her age. All of the characters were great. They each had moments and traits that absolutely frustrated me but that’s what I loved, it felt so real. I don’t want perfect characters in my books. Also, love the diversity and representation.

The mystery and progression of the book was done very well. I never felt bored while reading and was eager to find out what would come next. I think Muñoz did a great job of foreshadowing. I also appreciated that Dulce wasn’t a perfect detective and even admitted towards the end how some things just fell in her lap.

I am sad about the villain 😭 I was honestly rooting for them. But it was so good and I like that Muñoz went in that direction.

Finally, I know it was a subplot but I loved the romance between Zane and Dulce. It was so sweet and tender and gave me butterflies.

I’m not sure if a second book is planned but I hope so. I definitely plan to read more by Lauren Muñoz.

Murder school instead of regular high school? Um, yes! How much fun would that have been? I say this from the perspective of an adult, but I love the premise of it, especially as the setting for a YA mystery novel. Each year the students work in groups to try and solve a fake murder. Except this year the murder is very much not fake. And while his ex-girl friend seems a slam dunk as the guilty party, that slam dunk is like giving someone six feet tall a hoop three feet off the ground - way too easy and obvious. The problem for Sierra, the prime suspect, is that Dulce, the protagonist of the story and the person most likely to figure out who the real killer is, is still pissed at her and therefore highly unmotivated to help her clear her name. Dulce is finally motivated by her new best friend, Emi, to take up the case. Once she does, it begins to take interesting twists and turns, and Dulce finds herself taking risky chances all in pursuit of solving the case, one of which could end up being deadly. Munoz does a good job of making this feel like an old school mystery, the kind Dulce is a fan of, where there’s a clever twist or two to not just the whodunnit but the howdunnit. It was fun to read as an adult, but the best audience to read it is still probably teenagers, since most of the characters are teenagers and very much act like it. It does have an underlying storyline about the death of Dulce’s mother and how she is coping with it, which adds a more serious element. The way the book ends means it could be a standalone, but the door seems to be left open to pursue additional stories too. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When a fun, competitive game turns deadly, Dulce is thrust into a real investigation with unlikely allies—including her ex-best friend and prime suspect. With high stakes and sharp character dynamics, this story delivers suspense and heart in equal measure. Fans of One Of Us Is Lying or the Netflix show Elite will really like this book.

I'm not really part of the target audience, which is definitely female and probably adolescent. As such, I don't think it would be fair to give my reactions to a book that wasn't meant for me. I suspect the target market will enjoy it. I can say that I'd gotten through a lot of teen angst and still hadn't gotten to an actual crime.

Okay so... I was expecting something way more thrilling considering this takes place in a criminology school. Dulce Castillo is at the center of it all, trying to uncover the truth behind her mom’s death while also navigating fake crime assignments that quickly turn disturbingly real.

I liked the whole "team solves a crime" thing, but the pacing dragged.
It took way too long for the tension to build. It often felt more like a mystery-themed scavenger hunt than an actual thriller. I wanted more urgency, more danger, and I just didn’t get that until way too late.

Also, I need to rant for a sec: those “Conclusion: [insert overly spelled-out thought]” moments? Hated them. The first time, I was like “Okay, quirky inner monologue.” Second time? Hmm. Third and beyond? I was begging the book to stop. It became a *say, not show* issue that pulled me right out of the story.

All in all, it didn’t blow my mind, but I had a fun time with it.

I absolutely loved this book. I'm majorly into mystery stories and this one really kept my attention throughout. The characters were well written and realistic. The pacing was great. I want to read more from Lauren!

I don’t think I can say anything about this that would not spoil something but I just throughly enjoyed the story and highly recommend it to anyone who wants a good mystery with twists and turns.

~Rating~ : ⭐4.75/5

For decades, J Everett High School has conducted an annual murder mystery game to test its criminology students. But when Xavier Torres—the student playing the victim—ends up dead for real, all the evidence points to Sierra Fox, his ex-girlfriend. Desperate to prove her innocence, Sierra turns to her ex-best friend, Dulce Castillo, for help. After all, no one knows J Everett High better than Dulce.

This was my first thriller of the year, and I’m so glad I picked this one! While the mystery itself wasn’t overly complicated, the author had me hooked, constantly second-guessing who the killer could be.

I really liked Dulce Castillo. All she wanted was to uncover the truth about the car accident that killed her mother, and her determination was truly impressive. Initially, she wanted nothing to do with Sierra—she still hated her for betraying her—but in the end, her curiosity and thirst for the truth won out.

One of my favorite things in a murder mystery is when the protagonist is proven wrong—when all their theories turn out to be mistaken. It keeps the story so engaging! What made this book even more interesting was how Dulce had a moment to suspect the real killer but lacked solid evidence. When she finally put the pieces together and figured it out, it was so satisfying.

If you love a solid mystery that will keep you hooked, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you @netgalley and gp putnam sons for the book❤

Very Dangerous Things is a teenage thriller/mystery full of twists and surprises for a very good read. J. Everett High plans for its annual murder mystery game down to the tiniest detail. When this year’s victim is found dead in the greenhouse dead by poison, the game seems to be in order but Xavier is really dead by poison. A knitting needle full of poison points to Xavier’s ex, Sierra as the main suspect. Dulce gets pulled in to the investigation by her best friend even though she doesn’t like Sierra. Sierra used to be Dulce’s best friend until she betrayed Dulce but Dulce cannot let her go down if she’s innocent. Digging in and breaking a few laws to get the evidence she needs, Dulce stumbles her way into danger and love as she solves an unpredictable case before the police. I enjoyed the characters, especially Dulce who is a relatable in her insecurities and naivety while maintaining an impressive ability to investigate. The story threw in enough twists and suspense to keep things interesting until the very end. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Dulce goes to a prestigious school that specialises in criminology, a place she feels she truly belongs, having solved many a (pretend) crime before. The one thing she hasn't solved yet though, is why the local sheriff would lie about the death of her mother.

The annual murder case ends in being an actual murder and Dulce's former BFF is accused of the crime, and truth been told, all arrows do point in the direction of Sierra.

It is, hands down, a great YA mystery book. Who-dunnit with lots of twists and a good overall plot to keep the reader hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the search and the overall vibe.

Agatha Christie lovers will love this one, no doubt.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion

Very Dangerous Things takes place at J. Everett High, a school that hosts an annual murder mystery event for its criminology students to help them put their skills to the test. But this year, the lines between fiction and reality blur when a student turns up actually dead. All eyes turn to the victim’s girlfriend, Sierra, as the prime suspect. But is she really guilty, or is she just a convenient scapegoat?

This was a fast-paced, addictive YA whodunit. The mystery itself was solid. I didn’t guess the twist, and I appreciated how everything came together in the end. The writer did a good job weaving the clues throughout and keeping things moving at a brisk pace. The final reveal was surprising without feeling completely out of left field.

That said, I didn’t feel much real tension or danger until much later in the story. While the stakes were technically high, the tone for most of the book felt more like a fun scavenger hunt than a true thriller (and I say that as someone who generally enjoys YA mystery thrillers). It leaned heavily into the YA vibe—sometimes a bit too much for my taste—especially with some of the characters feeling a little tropey. But as the story went on, they grew on me. Zane in particular stood out—he and Dulce had great chemistry, and their romance added some cuteness to the story.

Overall, while this book didn’t totally wow me or keep me up at night, it was definitely enjoyable. I’d recommend it for fans of YA mysteries who like their thrillers on the lighter side.

I could not put down Very Dangerous Things! This is the perfect YA murder mystery, with adolescent journeys through friendships, romance, loss, guilt, and all of the growing pains humans go through while set against the backdrop of a detective-focused high school. The characters drew me in, the mystery had me coming up with new theories and guesses every chapter. Highly recommend!

I read this via NetGalley. This book had a lot of flaws in the storyline. It definitely was trying to be like One of Us is lying but it missed the mark in my opinion.

The highschool murder mystery I’ve been waiting for! Very Dangerous Things, by Lauren Muñoz, has everything I want in a read: estranged friends, a cool new student, a school with an annual murder mystery game, a real murder takes place, and everyone is a suspect! I loved this read. It was fun, it was mysterious, it was perfectly ya. I need Muñoz to write more in this series immediately. For fans of Maureen Johnson’s Truly Devious series and a Knives Out for teens vibe, Very Dangerous Things is for you!