Welcome to Murdertown was a super engaging read with a great mix of mystery, small-town secrets, and podcast drama. I really liked Marty as a flawed but determined lead, and the podcast format added a fun, modern twist. The atmosphere was eerie in all the right ways, and the mystery kept me guessing. I do wish the pacing was a bit tighter in the middle, and I was hoping for more closure on her brother’s disappearance. Still, it was a clever, well-written thriller with a strong voice. Solid 4 stars!

Late to the party with this one but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I will say that Marty came off young and innocent and I don’t know if that was intentional but I would have liked her to come off a little older! I enjoyed the plot and the ending! I had a feeling…just a feeling of where this one was going!

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Welcome to Murdertown. A young woman,Marty, has had her share of disappointment. She’s someone who likes to get to the bottom of things. She’s tried podcasts and investigative reporting on her own. But Marty has an agenda for recent happenings and she is determined to find out what happened in her small town and what secrets are being hidden.
Quick and fast paced. 3 stars

This was a strong mystery novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the concept of this. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and am excited for more. It was suspenseful and worked with the mountain element in this. It had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall concept of this. It was engaging and had that concept that I was looking for. Rian Wynne has a strong writing style and was glad it was so well written.

Welcome to Murdertown is a gripping small-town mystery that blends true crime obsession with a chilling atmosphere and a tenacious heroine you can’t help but root for. Marty Gray, dismissed as the town’s eccentric failure, becomes an unlikely detective when she senses a sinister connection between two seemingly closed cases. With determination and a sharp instinct for the overlooked, she pulls at threads the local authorities have long ignored, uncovering a web of secrets buried beneath the quaint facade of her hometown. The novel masterfully builds suspense as Marty’s investigation winds through eerie trails and tight-lipped neighbors, all while a dangerous killer watches from the shadows. Smart, moody, and laced with just the right amount of dark humor, this is a murder mystery that doesn’t let go.

Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The novel follows Marty, a journalist who reluctantly returns to her hometown, aptly named Murdertown, to investigate a series of strange and increasingly dangerous events. As Marty digs deeper into the town’s dark history, she uncovers long-forgotten secrets and finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens not only her career but her life.
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I personally just didn't like this book. I don't know what it was about it, I just really couldn't get through it. I think maybe I just don't particularly enjoy mysteries, or just this particular mystery novel.
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Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.

I thought this story was very well written with intrigue and suspense! There was certainly a handful of characters to keep up with but it all came together so nicely! The fmc is relatable in that she is doing everything she can to solve the murder and put that to rest. Kept me on the edge of my seat!

i don’t want to be too brutal about this because ultimately i did enjoy it. it just felt a little far-fetched occasionally and never finding out what happened to max was a bit anti-climactic. it was exciting, thrilling and did the job as a thriller but it had much more potential.

Welcome to Murdertown was a lot of fun - a twisty small town mystery with a slightly spooky edge that kept me turning the pages. I’m a sucker for ghost towns and haunted settings, and this book delivered on that atmospheric front. The sleepy town vibe mixed with eerie secrets gave it a cool, offbeat energy that really worked for me.

Marty Gray, the main character, took a little while to warm to. At first, she felt a bit ‘try hard’, like the book was working overtime to make her quirky and different - but once I settled into the story, she became more likeable and believable. Her determination, her flaws, and the way she doesn’t let people’s doubt stop her made her stand out.

The plot weaves together two strange crimes in a satisfying way, and I appreciated how the mystery unfolded. It was never too obvious, but wasn’t confusing either. There’s a good balance between suspense and character, and the pacing kept me interested throughout.
All in all, this is a solid mystery with a unique voice and setting. I’d definitely pick up more from Rian Wynne in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The novel follows Marty, a journalist who reluctantly returns to her hometown, aptly named Murdertown, to investigate a series of strange and increasingly dangerous events. As Marty digs deeper into the town’s dark history, she uncovers long-forgotten secrets and finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens not only her career but her life.

Wynne's writing is sharp and evocative, setting the tone with a perfect blend of suspense and subtle horror. The eerie atmosphere of Murdertown is brought to life with vivid descriptions, pulling the reader into the town’s unsettling world. Marty is a compelling protagonist, whose determination to uncover the truth is matched only by her vulnerability. Her personal journey—reconciling with her past while navigating the dangerous present—adds emotional depth to the story, making her not only a journalist but also a relatable and empathetic character.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep you hooked without giving away too much too soon. Wynne masterfully weaves in twists and turns, leading to a climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. The conclusion ties up the mystery in a way that feels earned, leaving no loose ends behind.

Welcome to Murdertown is a perfect read for fans of atmospheric mysteries and psychological thrillers. It’s a story about the ghosts of the past, the cost of uncovering the truth, and the unexpected dangers that lie beneath the surface of seemingly quiet towns. With its well-developed characters, suspenseful plot, and an ending that will leave readers thinking long after the final page, this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

This story had some awesome elements to it - including an unsolved crime and a true crime podcast (which I am obsessed with IRL). I enjoyed the story but found it slow at times, with the ending to be predictable but also a little disappointing. Overall, not a bad read, just not top notch.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun thriller novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Marty Gray has alienated everyone she knows after a disastrous podcast investigation into the death of one hiker and the disappearance of a second. When a woman Marty knows is arrested for the murder of three men in a parking lot, with no memory of how she ended up next to their bodies in a pool of blood, Marty ends up investigating, against her better judgment. This was pretty good overall. It had some surprises, things I didn't see coming. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.

This was unpredictable and an awesome mystery! The pacing is fast and I was invested in the story start to finish. I think this is a great thriller and I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Rian Wynne and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve seen a lot of great reviews about Welcome to Murdertown, so I will keep mine short and Simple. This is a great thriller that will keep you locked in. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this Author. My only complaints would be the wrap-up at the end, and I wish Marty had more growth. Let me know what you thought. Buy your copy now.

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy:

How do I describe this book? It features a podcast and small town secrets. When she was a child, Marty’s brother vanished. She has never given up hope of him returning. When hikers go missing she starts a podcast but things don’t turn out how she imagined. Now several people are dead and someone has been arrested.

It took me awhile to really get in to the book. But once I did, I couldn’t wait to know how it would end. A very slow burn with some interesting twists.

I think that Marty Gray is a totally relatable character. She lost her brother and is so hopeful for his return. After the 2 backpackers are never seen alive again she relates to the not knowing and wants to be helpful. While she might not have gone about everything the right way she just wanted to help the families like how she wanted closer too.

I always love twists in books so I really enjoyed learning the connection between the two murders and then learning who the killer was!! Didn’t see that coming!!

All in all, while the pacing was quick and the mystery was solid, the story lacked focus and didn’t fully pull me in. The frequent shifts between plot points and the inclusion of unnecessary details made it difficult to stay engaged. The repetitive prose and occasional awkward sentence structure also disrupted the flow, making it harder to fully enjoy the book. That said, these aspects did improve as the story progressed. If you’re a fan of small-town murder mysteries and don’t mind a somewhat scattered narrative, this could still be worth a read. For me, it just didn’t quite hit the mark but it was good.

This story had some excellent elements. Intriguing mysterious, unsolved crime, a true crime podcast, a traumatic past. Despite all that gold, the pacing was so slow and there were so many tangents that didn't forward the story whatsoever. The ending was also both satisfying and disappointing.