Honestly this book was just ok for me.. This was much more of a mystery/whodunit mystery compared to a thriller. I would definitely recommend this to a reader who is just starting to dip their toe into mysteries/thrillers but to the experienced thriller reader. It kept me reading it but I was not invested in it at all. I thought the setting description was perfect and probably my favorite part of the book. Gertie seems naive but she definitely was a lot stronger than you first suspect.]
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you, @poisonedpenpress, @netgalley, and @staciegrey for the gifted ARC!

Rundown:
✨️isolated house
✨️murdered father
✨️reading of his will
✨️angry half siblings
✨️danger

Synopsis ✒️
Gertie hasn't had any contact with her rich father or her four half siblings since her mother moved out when she was a toddler. She's surprised to hear that after he passes, she's left his house and part of his business. Her siblings are less than happy. Her father's death is suspicious, and the longer she stays in this world, the more her own life is in danger.

Thoughts 💭
This one didn't grab me right away. Gertie's half siblings are spoiled and nasty. They ignored Gertie her entire life but wanted her to hand over her inheritance. Unlikable rich people aren't new. The plot is predictable. I knew where this one was headed from the beginning. Gertie is interesting, though. You can tell she's lived through things, and she's different from her siblings. I was rooting for her, and the ending was satisfying. While it didn't blow me away, this was entertaining enough to read.

There is a sense of impending doom in the stifling heat of the desert. But it's not only the lizards that are frightening Gertie, our female main character and amateur sleuth. All her life Gertie has been a parent to her unpredictable mother Carla. Her emotional support has come from her (ex) stepdad, her financial support came from her real, filthy rich biological dad, Arnold Glass. Now, Arnold is dead. He was turning ninety (Gertie is 28), so his death would seem natural, but it's not. Gertie feels compelled to sleuth his death as a kind of young, but never delusional Miss Marple, pondering clues and overthinking moves and motives. She feels compelled because before his death, Arnold sent her back her IOU note from her girlhood. Arnold wasn't really sentimental . . .
The main suspects are Gertie's older half-siblings. They are absurd and unbearable. They are what entitled brats would turn into in middle age. However they haven't lost their grips with reality, they never had any in the first place. It was always Dad's money . . . Sorry for my lame joke, but the novel also poked fun of them. Only redeeming factor for them is that Gertie's half-siblings would fit into an Agatha Christie mystery, along with many other nicer characters. This is a big yes from me, I'm a huge fan of the classic cozy whodunnit vibe.
All in all this crime story was a fun read giving me a nice "I guessed right" feeling.
Content warning: there's a not very explicit sexual scene, so the novel is more or less suitable for teenagers as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending this book for review consideration. I read a DRC. All opinions are my own

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing the copy of She Didn’t Stand A Chance by Stacie Grey. I was hooked by the first page, and I read 50% of this book without moving a muscle. I would make a fortune if I knew the magical secret of writing such an irresistible story. I love reading about spoiled, self-absorbed, wealthy people and their bad behaviors, and these characters were masters. If you want a well-written book with memorable characters that will keep you engaged, and so much going on you’re never bored, this is the perfect book for you. 5 stars

I just didn't really get into this book.
I kept reading because I don't like to quit on books. It has to be really bad for me to not finish one. While I liked the main character I found that I just didn't really care about the story or what was gonna happen. Part of it could be that I'm exhausted from school starting, so I took a lot longer to read this book than I normally do. I also think part of it is that just wasn't a storyline that held my interest. There just wasn't enough in the story to grab my attention and keep me interested.

The premise of this story immediately grabbed me with the contested will, the suspected murder and the viscious siblings. The atmosphere was vivid and the author excelled at creating characters you can’t help but dislike (in all the right ways).

That said, I found the pacing a bit slower than expected. I kept anticipating the kind of explosive, high-drama moments the setup promised, but they never fully arrived. The “final showdown” in particular had strong build-up but landed softer than I hoped. Still, the tension was consistent, and the simmering family drama will appeal to readers who prefer mood and character over nonstop action.

Overall, this was a solid read that I think will find an audience among fans of domestic thrillers who enjoy layered character dynamics, a tense setting, and a steady burn of suspicion.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

She Didn't Stand a Chance by Stacie Grey is an intriguing read... the title alone enough to worry readers this may not end well for our heroine and I had visions of similar 'dark and doomful' books where the baddies are victors. I won't spoil the ending here obviously, but it meant that I was slightly on edge. Gertie's a likeable lead but tended to jump into situations knowing they may go pear-shaped. She returns to her father's home after his death... a place she's not been since she was 3 years old. Her older siblings are almost psychotically-obvious in their dislike of her, blaming her mother for seducing their father and ultimately (so they believe) causing their mother's death.

I probably would have liked a little more context here - in terms of why Gertie's father Arnold and her mother (Carla) split. It obviously was an ugly divorce but the fact that he wrote his daughter out of his life (other than funding her education) felt a little extreme. We learn he was fairly unlikeable and not particularly pleasant to the four children from his first wife, but continued to bail them out of difficulties and pay for their lavish lifestyles.

The fact that Arnold reached out to Gertie from the grave to repay a debt from long before softened my feelings towards him (a smidge) and sadly she never learns of it but he's proud of the woman she's become - despite her high-maintenance flighty mother. It's the repayment of that debt that drags Gertie to the family home and has her undertaking an investigation of her own into his death. And the key question she asks herself - given that her father was turning 90 - was 'why now?' given he probably doesn't have many years left.

Another suspicious death and an eagerness to point the finger at Arnold's latest young girlfriend makes Gertie even more determined to identify the killer. As I said, I liked Gertie. She's our narrator so we get to know a little about her life and her dislike of the over-privileged lives of her older siblings.

Grey paces this well, keeping the momentum going throughout and I appreciated where she takes this - past secrets, new plans and a smidge of blackmail make for an interesting climax. And then of course, despite the siblings' squabbles there's family loyalty and shared hate, which means Gertie's on the outer and potentially at-risk as she picks through clues which all seem to point to one, or several, of her siblings.

Set near Palm Springs, She Didn't Stand A Chance by Stacie Grey is chock full of thrillery family drama and dysfunction. Most of the characters are appalling, very easy to hate. But a few are worth rooting for. Gertie hadn't been "home" since she was three but she traveled back for the reading of her estranged father's will. He died in his own house of suspicious circumstances at the age of 90. His four children from his first marriage and his twenty-five-year-old girlfriend lived in the modernist Glass House. As Gertie's mother was his second wife, Gertie wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms and her half siblings didn't bother to hide their hostility. She was a very real threat to the toxic household. But Gertie stood her ground, even when the going got tough. Turns out Arnold's will wasn't the only surprise. Gertie wonders how and why her father died and does some digging. She finds unexpected allies and layers of deceit.

I zipped through the story as the setting was appealing, characters were easy to track, and the mystery dripped with atmosphere and suspense. The letters were a great touch and the writing itself flowed extremely well. The conclusion wasn't as powerful as I had hoped but was certainly enjoyable. Overall, this was a fun and intriguing read!

This thriller featured a rivalry between siblings, jealousy, and secrets. I didn’t expect the end to take such a big twist.

Thank you for this early reader copy.

This was an interesting story. Gertie comes back for the reading of her estranged father's will and her estranged half-siblings are not happy. I think the plot line was good but didn't really hold my attention.

There's a lot of family secrets and lies. Her father def has an alternative agenda. I like that the story is told in different formats which has you guessing who did it.

Thank you to NetGalley and poisoned pen press for the gifted ebook.

✨️Book Review✨️

She Didn't Stand A Chance
By Stacie Grey

Themes:
🔪 Murder
🏠 Family Drama
💰 Inheritance

Publish Date: August 12th, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5)

I was immediately intrigued by the premise: a half-sibling suddenly appears after their shared father’s death to stake a claim in the inheritance—and chaos follows. Stacie Grey does a great job capturing the tension and unease the protagonist feels as long-buried family secrets begin to unravel.

The story has a slow-burn pace, with plenty of dialogue and internal conflict that really amplifies the psychological tension. I especially enjoyed how things grew darker and more desperate as the book progressed—the unraveling felt earned, and the descent into uncertainty kept me invested.

That said, I found myself wishing for a few more sharp twists or shocking reveals. The setup had great potential for some big swings, and while the story was satisfying overall, it leaned more on steady suspense than surprises.

If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers that explore messy family dynamics, buried secrets, and psychological unraveling, this is worth the read.

Thank you to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Inheritance, Homicide & a Whole Lotta Heat
Let me just say: if I inherit a sprawling Palm Springs mansion and my dead dad’s will is read in a modernist glass house surrounded by resentful half-siblings, I am immediately faking my own death and moving to a yurt in Oregon.

But not Gertie Glass. No, no. Our girl Gertie shows up in Stacie Grey’s She Didn’t Stand a Chance with her suitcase full of trauma, her tragically dead mom, and a backbone made of low-key sarcasm and emotional grit. Is she a pushover? At first. But like a true heroine of the heat, she slowly crisps into someone you wouldn’t want to cross; especially not in a family full of human red flags.

The vibe: It’s like Knives Out took a summer job in the desert, decided the family didn’t deserve Benoit Blanc, and let the drama unfold with only sunscreen and spite as weapons.

The cast:

1 salty sister
1 walking smirk of a brother
1 mysteriously electrocuted estate manager
And a partridge in a panic room.
Everyone hates everyone (correct), and the tension is thicker than the SPF 70 you’ll need just to read the outdoor scenes.
Readers online agree: Gertie’s the kind of underdog you root for—quiet, clever, and the only one you’d trust to water your plants while you’re out of town. The siblings? Cartoonishly awful. Like if Cruella de Vil and a crypto bro had brunch and plotted a murder.

The story moves at a juicy clip—short chapters, sun-drenched dread, and some genuinely shocking “OH NO THEY DIDN’T” moments. The final twist? Some guessed it. Others, like me, were just proud we didn’t Google the ending like monsters.

The drawbacks?

A few characters are so two-dimensional they could be printed on napkins.
Some side plots don’t go as deep as you want—like poolside gossip that promises scandal but just fizzles into “meh.”
And the title? We’re still debating who “she” is and what chances were (or weren’t) stood.
But you know what? I had a blast.
Final verdict:
Bring this one to the beach. Or the patio. Or your next family reunion—then thank your lucky stars your relatives aren’t plotting your demise for a slice of real estate. It’s witty, it’s fast, and it makes you appreciate air conditioning and emotional boundaries.
Would I read another by Stacie Grey?
Yes. Especially if it involves another murder and a morally ambiguous house pet.

A time was definitely had with this one. ! I found myself hating nearly every character, yet I couldn't put it down! The suspense kept me wanting to turn the page, and if I didn’t have adulting responsibilities, I would have devoured this in a single day. Gertie, our main character, had her moments she was the only one I like, but honestly, I just wanted her to fight back against those half-siblings who were treating her like dirt! 😂 The twists was a bit predictable; I only managed to predict a part of them. This story is packed with family secrets, lies, and a gripping whodunit plot. And can we talk about the dad? Even from beyond the grave, he was still a piece of shit! Overall, this was a thrilling “popcorn” thriller that I couldn’t get enough of! “She Didn’t Stand a Chance” is hitting shelves next Tuesday, August 12, so mark your calendars! A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC; I was totally hooked from start to finish!

I've read too many wealthy family and a shock in the will type reads lately so I think that affected my enjoyment a bit here. I loved the letters and posts that were interspersed within the story. That was my favorite part of this one. The characters all tended to blur for me except Gertie

Characters: 3.75⭐️
Setting: 4.00⭐️
Plot: 3.00⭐️
Themes: 3.75⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.25⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.00⭐️
Overall rating: 3.50⭐️
Rounding up for GoodReads

Gertie is the daughter of a very rich man from his second wife. She hasn't seen her elder siblings since she was a toddler. Now, her father is dead and she returns to the family home to find out the house and shares of Arnold's company have been given to her. Now Gertie is trapped in a remote house with people who don't believe she is entitled to anything her father left her.

This cast of characters were the worst sort of people to be stuck in a house with. I felt that the story overall lacked the depth and tension needed for a murder mystery. The mystery of Arnold's death was more about the why and not the who. There were parts I enjoyed, but overall I didn't enjoy this as much as other thrillers I have read recently.

Would I recommend this book? Maybe? As an audiobook preferably.

Thank to Poisoned Pen Press for sending me an early reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A twisty family thriller you won’t want to put down!

When Gertie returns home after her father’s death, she walks into more than just old memories — she walks straight into a mess. The family estate is crumbling, the business is in shambles, and the siblings she hasn’t seen in years are just as complicated as ever.

But the real shock? Her father didn’t just die… he was likely murdered.

As Gertie and her four siblings settle back into the eerie Glass House, secrets start bubbling to the surface. One mysterious death turns into another, and suddenly everyone’s a suspect. Can Gertie unravel the truth before it’s too late?

This thriller kept me guessing the whole way through. Every twist had me on edge, and just when I thought I had it figured out — nope! I loved the creepy, atmospheric setting and the mysterious house staff. The ending could’ve packed a bit more punch, but overall, this ARC had me hooked from start to finish.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 — 4.5 Stars
A gripping, atmospheric thriller with a standout heroine.
She Didn’t Stand a Chance is a slow-burning domestic suspense novel that kept me turning pages late into the night. Gertie is a compelling, refreshingly grounded protagonist reserved at first glance, but far from fragile. Her return to a fractured family estate in Palm Springs sets the stage for a tense inheritance battle that quickly spirals into something darker.

Stacie Grey creates an immersive desert setting that heightens the story’s psychological tension. The family dynamics are messy, the dialogue sharp, and the twists land well even if the final reveal wasn’t quite as shocking as I expected. Still, the buildup was so strong, and the character work so nuanced, that I didn’t mind.

Perfect for fans of Riley Sager, Lucy Foley, or domestic thrillers with rich atmosphere and a slow-burn structure. I’d definitely pick up another novel by this author.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

🌴ARC REVIEW🌴

Coming 8.12.2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a solid whodunit with a strong, likeable FMC. I used to live in SoCal so I always love a Palm Springs setting. If you’re into domestic thrillers with pretty deplorable family members you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you @netgalley @poisonedpenpress

#gifted #netgalley #shedidntstandachance #domesticthriller #thrillerbooksaddict #thrillerreads #thrillerbooks

I was able to get this ARC through NetGalley.

Upon learning of her father’s death Gertie travels back to a home and siblings she hasn’t seen since she was younger. After learning she’s going to inherit the family home she learns just how bad things got in her family’s business.

Once Gertie and her four siblings return to the Glass House she learns more about her father’s death, most shockingly that it was more than likely murder. But who would want to kill Gertie’s elderly father? After another suspicious death involving the family and more questions arise, can Gertie get to the bottom of it before more bad things happen?

This thriller had me guessing who did it the ENTIRE time! With each twist/turn and more secrets revealed I couldn’t stop reading. I liked the setting of the story and the house staff, the ending could have been a little better. Yet overall I thoroughly enjoyed this ARC.

No one- not his children, not his current partner, and certainly not his youngest daughter Gertie-expected Arnold to leave the famous glass house to Gertie but he did and now everyone is angry, except Gertie. She hadn't seen her father since she was a toddler, although he did pay for her education. Her half siblings all thought they would inherit the house. When Gertie realizes that her father likely did not die of natural causes on his 90th birthday she finds herself sorting through all the jealously and lies. And then there's another murder. This is a sort of slow burn family drama with a murder mystery thrown in. It's more low key than many in the genre but be patient and you will be rewarded. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.