⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75 stars)

Thank you to the author Sulari Gentill and the publisher for the ARC copy of Five Found Dead. I appreciated the opportunity to read this early.

This book was a solid, engaging read with an intriguing premise and some clever twists. I enjoyed the writing style and the layered tension that slowly built throughout the story. The characters were distinct, and the setting added a great atmospheric touch.

That said, while I liked the book, it didn’t quite blow me away. The plot was well constructed but didn’t feel particularly groundbreaking, and there were moments where I wished for a little more depth or impact.

Overall, a good read that I’d still recommend to mystery fans—just not one that rocked my world. Still, I look forward to seeing what Gentill writes next!

"𝑶𝒏 𝒂 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒅𝒆…."

Special thanks to @poisonedpenpress @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one has been on my netgalley shelf for quite a while. The cover and the title drew me and and of course I went into blind and this definitely threw me for a loop. This one takes place on The Orient Express ride taken by quite a few main characters. It's in homage of the book and it's not short of its own detectives and murder.

This one takes you on a wild ride from Paris to (almost) Venice and back with a killer on the loose . I will say i felt like this was lacking some umph for me. I needed more, but I can't quite put my finger on what. It's a good murder mystery, but this one I'd recommend reading the synopsis, before going in blind.

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Aug 19, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever been on a train? Where did you travel to?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller #fivefounddead #poisonedpenpresspartner #netgalley
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Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read one of Gentill's books before and I loved it! I was really excited to get this book...until I saw it was on a train-right after I'd read Sager's new book set on a train (which I sadly didn't like at all).

Luckily, Gentill is an amazing author and told a great story! This one kept me reading and engaged!

Told by the point of view of Meredith Penvale, her and her brother Joe set out on the Orient Express to celebrate that he is now cancer free-and to help him get the sparks going on his next book. But, after the first night, there is a murder on the train. With a cast of eccentric characters, they all set out to discover who the murderer is and stop him or her.

Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say that this one kept me guessing! Another hit for Gentill! Way to nail the locked train story!

This was a fun, quick read. This is the third book I've read by Sulari Gentill and it won't be the last. Five Found Dead starts with a mystery writer looking for inspiration taking a trip on the Orient Express with his sister. They are soon caught up in a murder mystery where the body count just keeps adding up. The well developed characters, fast paced plot, and numerous twist and turns kept me reading late into the night. Highly recommended

Thanks to Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced reader copy.

Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill

I enjoyed The Woman in the Library but The Mystery Writer was harder for me to absorb. Now we have Five Found Dead and it might be my favorite for its mirroring of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. The story takes place on the Orient Express and twins, crime fiction author Joe Penvale and his sister, Meredith, are enjoying Joe's successful battle over cancer with a trip on this train. Hopefully this trip will reignite Joe's writing muse which has abandoned him during his cancer treatments and recovery.

The story is over the top and silly but I enjoyed those things about it. Expect lots of characters minus the many people quarantined in several cars due to a COVID outbreak. Thinking about that feels like a horror story to me, being locked into tiny cabins in train cars with no control over anything, I felt for these people we don't see, and was shocked at how disposable they could become when others are brainstorming what to do about them. But that's just me, my mind going off on a tangent when it's supposed to be paying attention to the mina story.

Why worry about COVID when there is a murderer aboard the train? A murderer who possibly becomes a serial killer before the trip is over. Among the dead are those who are assigned to watch over others, the innocent, and a mysterious somebody or other. All this action riles up Joe's writing spirit at least, what more could a crime fiction author want? It's as if Agatha Christie is leading the charge when it comes to inspiring Joe to write again.

I really like Joe and Meredith (although I'm not fond of her enthusiasm about ditching a few train cars in the middle of nowhere. Out of sight, out of mind, right?) We meet a host of folks who may or may not be tied together in some form or another. Be careful who you decide to like on this train because everyone is apt to be a victim to the plot. As I said, the story is silly but I thought it was funny. And wait for it, we get the long tell all that is expected at the end of Christie's novels. You won't be let down if you are expecting it. Be sure to check DeAnn's review because she was on this trip with me (and we lived!).

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

The plot was interesting but I found it confusing, lots of characters and only one pov. Would've been better with multiple. Also the story felt slow.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. It definitely gave me Agatha Christie vibes - modern day Murder on the Orient Express. I did get confused because of the sheer amount of characters. I was also thrown off because the whole book was on POV, I feel like multiple POVs would have made it easier to follow. The twist at the end threw me off and made the book a satisfying read.


Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was the perfect poolside read. I wish I could attach the photo of me reading it on the lounger! I enjoyed the heck out of it. It gave me total vacation energy. Partly because the characters are on a trip, but also because the whole thing felt like a melodramatic murder mystery play. (It’s not - in the book, the murders are real.) In my review of Gentill’s The Woman in the Library, I called that one “not the compelling vacation read I was looking for.” Five Found Dead is!

Joe Penvale, a crime fiction author, and his sister Meredith board the Orient Express. Joe finished treatment for cancer recently and they needed a reward.

When the cabin next to them is found blood spattered and the occupant has disappeared, they are compelled to investigate. Can Joe break his writer’s block to start his second novel and solve the crime?

The story is sprinkled with references to Agatha Christie, Patricia Highsmith, and Hitchcock.

The only negative is the title. I was pulled in by the connection to the Orient Express. I think it should have had some reference to the famous train.

This is the third book by this author that I have read, and it is my favorite. It was a fun read. I loved the characters and especially the setting. It is well written, and it did pull me into the story. There were plenty of suspects and I didn’t guess until the reveal what was happening.

I hurtled through the story along with the passengers until the very end.

Sulari Gentill tells a great story. If you love mysteries as much as I do check out this author.

Scheduled release date is August 26th.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this advance readers copy. It was a very satisfying read..

Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill is an intriguing mystery that begins with a locked room puzzle with a missing victim and grows into a locked train in the form of the Orient Express.
Past tales of the train haunt the passengers as they grapple with the missing victim and five subsequent murders seemingly committed to obfuscate the solution to the initial mystery. The main characters of the writer Joe and his sister Meredith are relatable and the dialogue is quick, suspects abound, and tensions increase, keeping the reader turning the pages. The descriptions of the Orient Express and its services are vivid, and reading them might be the next best thing to travelling aboard yourself.
Thank you for the ARC of #fivefounddead to #NetGalley .

This book was like reading a Agatha Christie book, but I just couldn’t get into it. I forced myself to self to read 50% but i wasn’t hooked sadly. I loved the description of the book and I love Agatha Christie. Maybe I’ll try it again later.

What a fun take on the idea of murder on a train. I really appreciated that the book talked about the many references to this idea that exist in history. I’m impressed that this book was able to add something new and interesting to the trope. The pacing was a bit slow in places, but otherwise I really enjoyed this story. The plot was fun and gave me just enough red herrings to keep me guessing. Without spoiling it, I do want to mention that I loved the ending as it brought things full circle in a way. I’d be down to read more about the exciting adventures of the Penvale twins.

Five found dead by Sulari Gentill is an atmospheric, twist-filled mystery that hooks you from the first page & refuses to let go. Set aboard the iconic Orient Express, the novel follows crime fiction author Joe Penvale & his twin sister, Meredith, as they try to recover from Joe’s intense medical journey—only to land in the middle of a chilling, Agatha Christie-style murder investigation.

What stood out to me most was the character development & emotional layering. Gentill doesn't just populate the train with suspects—she creates vivid, complex people, each with their own secrets, motivations, & vulnerabilities. Joe & Meredith’s sibling bond feels authentic & grounding amidst the chaos, & watching Joe reconnect with his creativity while being thrust into a real-life mystery adds a compelling meta dimension.

The twists & turns are relentless. Just when you think you've caught your breath, someone else turns up dead—or missing—& you're rethinking every assumption. The pacing is sharp, the suspense constant, & the stakes only rise as the train barrels toward its final destination.

That said, the one thing that took me out of the story at times was the frequent use of phrases in multiple languages—over three, by my count—which had me pausing to look things up more often than I would’ve liked. It occasionally broke the immersion, though I understand it added authenticity to the international setting.

Despite that, I absolutely recommend this title. Though it stretched over 2.5 days for me, it feels much longer—in the best way—because it keeps you on edge the entire time. With every new chapter, you’re wondering who will be the next to die, & whether Joe & Meredith will make it to the end of the line. If you love layered characters, literary nods, & a mystery that never lets up, this one's well worth the ride. So, all aboard! 🚂🚂🚂

*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

#ThankGodForARCs

I really enjoyed this book. A murder on a train and plenty of suspects. I loved the writing style and the in depth background of the orient express. It made you feel like yo could picture the train ride and the characters in the story. I always enjoy Sulari Gentill books and this one was no exception. It kept me guessing until the very end!

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Sulari Gentill is an absolute delight! It takes a lot to create an enjoyable book about/set on The Orient Express, and she did it! A bit more lighthearted than the original inspiration, but it moved very quickly! Some interesting science and creativity behind the solutions. It caught me pleasantly by surprise.

⭐⭐⭐/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was a quick and entertaining read that I finished in a single day. The premise follows crime fiction author Joe Penvale and his twin sister Meredith as they board the iconic Orient Express in hopes of a peaceful getaway after Joe’s grueling medical treatment. But their trip takes a dark turn when the neighboring cabin becomes a bloody crime scene—with no body in sight. What begins as a relaxing journey quickly spirals into an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery, complete with a group of suspicious passengers, multiple murders, and an increasingly tense atmosphere as the train barrels toward its destination.

While I appreciated how fast-paced and easy the book was to read, a few things held me back from fully enjoying it. Some of the British slang and expressions felt confusing to me and made the reading experience a little hard at times. I also found the Murder on the Orient Express-inspired setup a bit overdone—it’s a trope I’ve seen many times before, and it's just not my personal vibe. On top of that, the enormous number of characters introduced made it hard to keep track of everyone and stay fully invested in the mystery.

That said, I still enjoyed the ride overall. It’s a solid pick if you’re looking for a murder mystery that doesn’t require too much mental heavy lifting and gives you that classic locked-room intrigue in a modern package.

Unfortunately, this book was a do not finish for me. I just could not get into it. For readers of her previous work, give this one a try!

✨Review ⬇️✨

🚂 Five Found Dead 🚂 🚫
By Sulari Gentill

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🚂 Murder on the Orient Express but with a fresh modern spin!

💕 Thank you for the ARC copy!
📅 Release date August 19, 2025.

📚 Add this to your TBR if you are looking for a murder mystery on a train. This was my first read by Sulari Gentill and I couldn’t put this book down, I absolutely loved the witty banter between Meredith and Joe!


📕 What to read next: Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson


✨ Read this if you like:
🔪 Thriller
🔪 Mystery
🔪 Suspense
🔪Siblings
🔪Train

A retelling of Christie's Orient Express complete with a wide crazy cast of characters and this time with a Covid threat looming over their heads.

This was a fun ride through the countryside. I never saw what was coming next and was always caught unaware with the red herrings.

If you are a fan of locked room and who dun it's pick this one up!