Welcome to Murdertown is a unique murder mystery. We are introduced to Marty aka “Weird Marty Gray” who lives in a small(ish) Oregon town. The same town her little brother went missing in 20 years ago. She becomes obsessed with the deaths of two young women on a mountain in the area. Marty starts a true crime podcast on the mysterious deaths and…. things don’t go to plan. In a pursuit to rectify her wrongs, Marty starts investigating yet another local murder. Will she finally get the answers she seeks?

I enjoyed Welcome to Murdertown and found it to be unique in that it wraps us up in SEVERAL mysteries. It was fun to play around with my own theories and find invisible strings connecting the crimes. The plot was not predictable and I found the pacing to be good. I would have liked to see Wynne fully commit to making Marty “weird”. Her character felt incomplete and pretty vanilla. She had quirky moments but was really rather boring and one dimensional.

Overall, Welcome to Murdertown was a fun mystery and a quick read. I will read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Rian Wynne for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When they were kids, Marty Gray’s brother vanished, it’s been over 20 years and nobody knows what happened to him. Marty holds on hope he’ll somehow come back one day - leaving the porch’s light on all the time, while visiting an empty grave and telling him about her life. She’s a complex woman that has a really hard time letting go. To say the least. Loved her so much from the get go.

After the disappearance of two hikers near her very isolated town, she starts a podcast claiming that she knows who’s responsable and that doesn’t go too well. She’s been pretty isolated and hated even since the last episode aired. She has one friend and that’s it. Another former weird kid who decided to investigate her brother’s disappearance back when he went missing. Now I would like a second book to explore that relationship cause we didn’t get enough of it.

Three men are murdered and a woman is arrested, she doesn’t think much of it (except that she has bad history with two of the men) until the sister of the third guy asks her for help. She wants to know what really happened to her brother, she doesn’t believe in what the police are saying.

Marty is just so lovable, she’s the typical amateur detective who keeps getting in trouble because she’s looking in all the wrong places. What I loved about this book is that just like in real life we don’t get all the answers by the end, there’s not here’s everything that happened with one nice little bow. Just like in real life the good guys and the bad guys are not nicely placed in one camp or the other.

I’m a sucker for any thriller that centres around a podcast! Like, immediately yes.

Unfortunately I struggled with the pacing of this one and felt a bit bored at times. The ending was satisfying enough while still leaving a few things up to the reader.

Thank you to Netgalley for my arc!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

There was just something about the blurb of Welcome To Murdertown that I was unable to resist... Then again, I do always love a good podcast angle in my thrillers, and I was also intrigued by the promise of not one, but two mysteries to solve. The small town and Ghost Mountain setting was an added bonus... Unfortunately, while I can't deny that there were parts of the plots that I really enjoyed, as a whole I somehow did end up having mixed thoughts.

Like I said, I can't deny that this story has an intriguing promise and there are actually not two, but three mysteries in play if you count the disappearance of the main character Marty's missing brother Max when she was little. The main focus of this story seems to be on the two missing backpackers though, since this what Marty's failed podcast was about... Although there is focus on the most recent event as well with Marty trying to figure out what really happened.

I think that one of the things I ended up struggling with a bit was the pace, which was a lot slower than expected especially in the first half. I somehow struggled quite a bit to stay focused on the story for quite some time, as it just didn't move fast enough for me and some parts were repetitive. Sure, the final part was without doubt a lot more intense, but it took a long time for the ball to truly start rolling. I wasn't sure what to make of the ending either; it felt a bit too convenient and there was too much telling instead of showing (which made it feel too much like your regular infodump). I was also quite disappointed by the fact that Max's disappearance remained unsolved.

As for the characters... I also ended up having mixed thoughts about Marty to be honest. Sure, she made for a quirky and flawed character and I liked the fact that she remained stubborn and asked the difficult questions. But she could also be really frustrating at times... I did really like Peabody as a character though. I could also really appreciate the incorporation of the podcast episodes into the plot, and they complemented the plot very well. The final podcast episode was also the part of the ending I did appreciate.

In short, there were things I enjoyed about Welcome To Murdertown, while there were other elements that didn't quite work as well for me. It was slower than expected for the most part and it didn't answer all the questions, but the podcast element was a great touch and the small town Oregon setting made for an excellent backdrop.

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Gripping Thriller That Keeps You Hooked!**

*Welcome to the Murdertown* by Rian Wynne is an absolute page-turner, a fast-paced thriller that never slows down for even a second. From the haunting mystery of Ghost Mountain to the shocking triple murder in a mall parking lot, the story is packed with twists, secrets, and an investigation that pulls you in right alongside the determined protagonist, Marty Gray.

Marty is a compelling lead, grappling with the unresolved disappearance of her brother while throwing herself into another tangled mystery that no one else seems to care about. She feels incredibly real—flawed, persistent, and easy to root for. The story unfolds from multiple perspectives, yet everything ties together seamlessly in the final chapter, delivering a satisfying and well-thought-out resolution. The addition of podcast transcripts woven into the narrative is pure genius, making the story feel even more immersive.

Despite having a large cast of characters, the author does a fantastic job introducing them in a way that never feels overwhelming. The mystery itself is gripping and realistic, avoiding over-the-top gore in favor of a plot that feels disturbingly plausible. And let’s talk about the twists—brilliantly executed, never forced, and always logical.

The ending ties up the immediate mystery beautifully, but it leaves just enough open to make you crave a sequel—especially regarding Marty’s brother. And Peabody? Absolutely love him! We *need* more of him in the next book.

Overall, *Welcome to the Murdertown* is a must-read for mystery lovers who enjoy clever storytelling, realistic characters, and a suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!

Complex and creative. Plenty of red herrings — or are they?? — with enough bread crumbs to follow that it doesn’t all feel impossible. Enjoyed and will be looking for more from this author.

The premise was very interesting and this book kept me entertained. Thank you for the early reading! I loved the main character searching for answers on ghost mountain. I was surprised by the way things happened in this book but it was a good surprise. I would definitely recommend to others. Thanks.

This book is one of the best murder mysteries I've read in a while (and I'm currently in my detective phase, so Ive been reading a lot!). Set in the nearly isolated town of Plymouth, Weird Marty Gray is known as the Missing Boy's sister. Unable to move on after her brother vanished when he was a kid, Marty's parents have all but abandoned her. With no friends except the resigned Peabody, Marty is pretty much the town outcast. Certain events from the past make Marty even more of a recluse. The mysteries begin when two Norwegian backpackers disappear in the nearby Ghost Town and its haunted woods. Things take a turn for the worse when one of the women is discovered dead in the woods with a mysterious blue stain on her hand. After a half-hearted investigation and search by the town police and residents, the disappearance is brushed under the rug (like everything else in this town).

Nearly a year later, another string of murders, dubbed the "Parking Lot murders," involving the sons of Plymouth's two rich families shakes the town. They are discovered in a pool of their own blood, strangled to death. Another unknown man's body is found next to them, unconnected to these boys unitl now. A local dogwalking girl, who is as strange as Marty, if not more so, is found kneeling in their blood with no recollection of the events. The town is quick to accept another botched investigation, preferring to blame the weird lonely girl rather than their darling golden boys.

After Marty's podcast investigating the disappearance of the backpackers goes horribly wrong, turning the town's existing dislike of her to hatred, Marty has sworn off asking questions. She keeps her head down, avoids certain streets, visits her brother's false grave once a year, and diligently keeps the porch light on, hoping it'll act as a beacon for her brother to come home. However, some clues and a pleading request by the dead man's sister set off her inquisitive mind, and unable to sit quietly while a possibly innocent woman is sent to jail, Marty restarts her detective work. Amidst threats, glares, broken windows and vandalism from the townspeople, Marty is determined to find out what happened to the two lively girls and how it's connected to the three Parking Lot murders. And how does it tie in with her past and her brother's disappearance?

*spoilers ahead*

What I loved about this book:

The writing is simply amazing. It does not feel like a debut novel, but rather that of a seasoned writer. The author takes you on a journey hiking through the Oregon woods. I, a person who's never been to the US, much less Oregon, was transported to the other side of the world. I could feel the wind blowing through the dense trees, the sunlight falling in sheets on the forest floor, the stale smell of the bars, and the tense environment of the woods holding its resident secrets close. The author does a great job of making you feel like you're right there next to Marty. You feel her apprehension, her skepticism, her grief, her fear, and her unwavering determination to not take no for an answer. I kept rooting for Marty the whole way, even though she was a bit dense at times. I liked that I literally could not guess who the killer was until the end. With the inclusion of excerpts from Marty's podcast and newspaper articles, the book felt very similar to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but more dark and dangerous. So if you liked that book, you'll love this one for sure!

I do wish that the one final mystery was solved. I really hope that's covered in the next book.

But overall, it's a great quick thriller with all the elements in a perfect combination. I'd love to explore more of the author's work.

This book was very boring to me from the start to the end. My cousin recommended this book to me she absolutely loved it gave it a 5 star review but for me it was just not it, it was very dragged out and slow and not very exciting I won’t be recommending this book to my friends.

This is a fast-paced and engaging thriller that hooks you from the very first page. The story follows the protagonist, Marty Gray, as she investigates two interconnected crimes, unraveling a mystery that keeps you turning pages. The writing is easy to follow, making for an effortless yet gripping read. While the answers to the crimes feel logical, the ending still managed to surprise me, which I loved. I do find many of these types of books, easy to figure out before the end. This is the kind of book you can finish in one or two sittings because you just have to know what happens next. A great pick for mystery lovers who enjoy a well-plotted, quick read!

╭──── 🌿 Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne
╰ ❝The answers are never what you want them to be; there is seldom a good solution to the story of a missing boy or two lost girls or three men murdered in a parking lot. Waiting haunts us, but only because we don’t know the monster that lurks behind it.❞


╭──── 🌿 A B O U T – T H E – B O O K :
Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne is a gripping thriller set in a small town where two seemingly unrelated crimes—two missing backpackers and a triple homicide—begin to intertwine in unsettling ways. Marty Gray, a woman haunted by the disappearance of her brother, takes it upon herself to investigate. She runs a podcast about the hikers' case, though her previous attempts at investigation have led to ridicule. As she digs deeper, Marty uncovers the dark secrets of her town, facing dangers from both the past and present.

This novel blends suspense, mystery, and domestic drama, with plenty of twists and tension. It is expected to be released on March 1, 2025.


｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

♡ M Y – L I K E S
✦ The investigative side of the story. I loved all the details.
✦ A good amount of twists!

↴ M Y – D I S L I K E S
✦ Was relatively slow until like 70% through the book.
✦ The name Peabody.

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

╭──── 🌿 O V E R A L L:
╰ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

I enjoyed the book a lot, I just felt it could have been a little more action packed sooner then over halfway through.
I feel like 70% of the story was just investigation and buildup and it took a while to get to the climax.
But my god, when it got there it was all hell breaking loose!

I enjoyed the writing style, a little wordy and drawn out at times.
But overall it was a great thriller, plenty of suspense!

Thank you NetGalley and Rian Wynne for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked how the story was set up. It has a great foundation and sets itself up well to have more parts to the story. The characters where all flawed yet likable.

I liked the concept of a podcast host who helps find missing people because of what happened to her brother!

Overall an enjoyable read.

Wow! This book was phenomenal. I had no idea that the ending was coming. Weird Marty Gray is what everyone calls her after her brother goes missing- followed by her becoming an outcast for her podcast and search into other murders that have happened in this “ghost town”. When she decides to look into other cases again fuelled by her wanting her own answers she gets sucked into everyone telling her to stop asking question because she just happens to be on the right track. My review of this book could never do it justice- it’s one you just have to read. It gets better and better with every chapter. The author does a great job of giving detail. I am so happy I was given the opportunity by both Netgalley and the publishing company to review this book ahead of its release date.

Are you looking for your next murder mystery to read? Check out Welcome to Murdertown by Rian Wynne. It’s a good read.

Rian Wynne has written one of the best thrillers that I have read in a long time. Welcome to Murdertown was full of suspense and many twists that I would have never expected. A wonderful job tying the end of the book together in such a perfect ending.

This is a dark, suspenseful mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Marty Gray’s relentless investigation into two seemingly unrelated events uncovers chilling secrets, making this an addictive, fast-paced read. With a gripping plot and a determined protagonist, this book is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries and thrilling suspense! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was a ride. It had everything I look for in the genre — suspense, unexpected twists and a satisfying ending that didn’t leave me with lingering questions. From the start, the story pulled me in, keeping me on edge as I tried to piece everything together.

One of the things I appreciated most was how well the twists were executed. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story would take a turn that caught me off guard in the best way. It kept the suspense high without feeling predictable.

I also loved that all the loose ends were tied up by the end. There’s nothing worse than an unsatisfying ending but this ending wrapped everything up perfectly. It was just the right balance of intrigue and resolution.

Overall, this was a great read that had me hooked from start to finish.

even if the twist were logically, they were nearly impossible to predict. a incredible crafted book were the author not only made sure the characters were life like but the plot was so well thought out one just needed to keep reading.. a great who did it and i cannot wait to see more of this author.
Marty is a great Character, definitely in need of some good therapy sessions but so life like. She gives of a quirky version of Pippa Fitz-Amobi.
i hope there will be a sequel so we can see how much Marty Grows in her own shoes.

"Two young backpackers hike up Ghost Mountain to spend the night and are never seen alive again.

Three men are found murdered in a mall parking lot next to an unregistered black van.
A woman kneels in the pool of blood and is arrested for the crime."

Weird Marty Gray, my gal, with her failed podcast (and new nickname of Liar Marty Gray, decides to look into two different murders that appear unrelated at first, but Marty notices similarities to both cases. Marty takes us on a journey where the twists keep coming and the suspense keeps us turning the pages.

I definitely enjoyed this book. The suspense kept me turning pages while the twists kept me from fully guessing what would happen next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of Welcome to Murdertown in exchange for a honest review.