Jet is a young woman who is violently attacked from behind on Halloween, by someone who left her for dead. In fact, her doctor is sure that an aneurysm will killer within the week. Jet's response? “Then I have one week in which to solve my own murder.”
What follows is a fast paced investigation by a young woman who is racing the clock.

WHAT A BOOK!!!

thank you to the publisher's for the e-arc. this is perhaps my favorite book from holly jackson. it's dark, it's gritty (it is, after all, her adult debut) but it has the traditional holly jackson charm. you can't help but be drawn into this world of twisted turns, complex characters, and nuanced relationships.

the ending was brutal but so well-earned. i cried reading this book. really does hit you in the feels & everyone should hold their loved ones a little closer today ❤️

I really enjoyed this one, I thought the mystery of it all was very well done. I did not see the major ending twist coming at all, which means it was a great mystery book for me. I had some guesses about some of the people that were involved along the way, and some of my suspicions were confirmed. But the major one flew right by me of who the killer was and why. I did not see how involved from the beginning they would be, and how the story goes so far to the first tragedy for the Mason family. But I appreciated how it all connected together and stacked on top.
From the beginning of the book I did not know what to expect for Jet, because you are told she is going to die and you expect it, but you also hope that somehow a miracle will happen and she'll be fine, but then that would be too easy. So during the week trying to solve the murder, you are trying to figure out that part of the story, but also trying to figure out what will happen to Jet. I think her ending worked well for her character, and I think it just makes the story more poignant.
My main criticism of this book is that Jet is too much like a grown up version of Pip from A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Trying to solve her own murder is definitely something Pip would do. There was a little bit of a difference in ambition levels and personalities, but overall the two characters are too similar to not be compared to each other and feel like they each belong to their own respective story. I didn't feel that in Jackson's other books, where the main character was just a reiteration of Pip. So I think the reason it reflects like that in this one is because Jet is an adult, rather than a high schooler.

I really enjoyed the spunky, outspoken female lead. Jet tasked herself with solving her own murder: don't worry, you soon understand the title once you start reading the book.
Billy, Jet's long time friend and boy with a crush on her, willingly helps her every step of the way.
Overall, a unique approach to a murder mystery that is well written. There is no questionable content ,making this an easy recommendation for younger readers seeking a murder mystery.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House fir the opportunity to read this ARC.

Reading 2025
Book 125: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Was so excited to get approved by #NetGalley for this book on my Kindle, in exchange for my review. The book will be published on July 22, 2025.

Synopsis: The #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder—now a hit Netflix series—returns with her first novel for adults: a twisty thriller about a young woman trying to solve her own murder.

Review: Was so ready to read another book by Holly Jackson. I loved the GGGTM series, and her adult debut peaked my interest. The book did not disappoint, the plot was something original to my reading. Solve your own murder? How does that work? Is the character a ghost, is she using the time infinity stone to turn back the clock? What the plot turns out to be is very interesting. Don’t want to reveal too much, but enjoyed the book, recommend it to those that like this author. My rating 4⭐️.

This is Holly Jackson's first suspense for adults. So if you are looking for another Good Girl's Guide to Murder, this is not it. Jet comes home from a community event and is killed. Except a day and a half later she wakes up in the hospital with a bandaged head. Her doctor gives her a week to live, which makes her a living dead person. She uses the week to team up with her childhood best friend and solve her own murder. I really liked this one and found the second half especially to be compulsively readable. Jet is relatable and her struggle is painful to watch. The end is both heartbreaking and satisfying. One of my favorite Holly Jackson books in a hot minute.

YES YES YES YES!
First of all, I want to say THANK YOU to the publisher for allowing me to have an advanced reader copy of this book as I was so excited to be able to read it early.

If you are a fan of Holly Jackson’s YA titles (Good Girls Guide to Murder, Five Survive, etc), you will LOVE her foray into “adult” fiction though I must say other than some language, I didn’t find this book to be too far off from YA itself.

Holly Jackson always does such a phenomenal job creating characters that are memorable, real, flawed, and human. The characters in Not Quite Dead Yet are no exceptions and she weaves their storylines together into a book of twists and turns until the very end.

This book had me laughing out loud, crying, screaming at my Kindle, and trying to solve Jet’s “murder” right along with her. The storyline was SO unique and I’m so glad Holly Jackson was the one to write it. I read this book in one day which is NOT typical for me; my only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner!

This was my first Holly Jackson book, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first. The pacing was a little different than what I’m used to, and I kept wondering where it was all going. But slowly, the pieces started falling into place. The twists crept in — some shocking, some subtle — and before I knew it, I was completely pulled in. By the time I reached the final chapters, I was crying. Not just a tear or two — full-on sobbing. And that’s when I realized how brilliant this book actually is.

Not Quite Dead Yet is the kind of story that sneaks up on you. It starts with a mystery, full of sharp turns and suspense, but what makes it unforgettable is the emotion underneath it all — the way it quietly unravels the pain of grief, guilt, fear, and how hard it is to let go.

Jet, especially, hit home for me. The way she talked about never finishing anything, about always being stuck somewhere between trying and giving up… I felt that. I saw myself in her more than I expected to, and it made the importance of her journey hit even harder.

The twists are masterfully done. Just when I thought I had something figured out, the story shifted again. Some reveals were small and quiet, others felt like the ground opening beneath you. Holly Jackson knows how to keep you off balance, and she knows exactly when to let the emotional weight land.

By the end, I was wrecked in the best way. This book is more than a thriller — it’s a story about grief and love and how we survive the people we’ve lost. It’s messy and real and honestly kind of beautiful.

If you’re unsure at first, like I was, give it time. It’s worth every page.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Ballantine- Bantam for providing an eARC of this book. This is set to release July 22, 2025!

🎃🧟👻
Jet’s 27 years old—she has no money and no prospects, she’s already a burden to her mother…and she is brutally attacked on Halloween when someone hits her skull in 3 times.

But she’s not dead yet. Jet wakes in the hospital and is given the news: due to complications with her injury, she is still alive—for now. But she will die in 5 days. And she still needs to figure out who killed her.

Jet has pushed off most things in her life and saved them for “later,” but now is her chance to prove something to her parents, and to find her murderer. But can she do it before time runs out?

🛻🐸🌌

If you are looking for a #summerween book, then this is a wild ADULT thriller from the author of #AGoodGirlsGuidetoMurder. I started this one not knowing that this was Holly Jackson’s first adult thriller, but I immediately realized that this was different from her YA novels (but with the same fun twists and turns).

I will admit that the first chapter was a little confusing because of all of the characters that were introduced, but by the end of the first chapter, the reader is right in the action and then I flew through the rest of the story. One of the things Jackson is so good at doing is drawing out some compelling red herrings, but I did have an idea of who did it before the big reveal!! I still thought this was a great thriller, and I also really enjoyed the lessons that Jet learns throughout the story. Since I read an ARC, this quote may change, but it resonated with me so I’m going to leave it here:
“‘But…what’s the point in doing it, if it’s not to achieve something big?’…
‘Maybe there is no point…is it a waste of time if I love every minute?’”

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #BookRecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookreview #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookreviewers #adultthrillers #halloweenreads #librarian #librarians #librariansofinstagram #librariansfollowlibrarians #teenlibrarian #middleschoollibrarian #schoollibrarian #bookinfluencer #schoollibrarians #advancedreaderscopy #mglit #middlegrade #middlegradebooks #YAlit #highschoolbooks #highschool

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson is a fast-paced, twisty novella that hooks you from the very first page. The story blends suspense, dark humor, and just enough creep factor to keep readers on edge. Holly Jackson once again proves her talent for crafting unreliable characters and unexpected turns. Though brief, the narrative delivers emotional weight and clever plotting that make it feel complete. I’m only knocking off half a star because I wished it were longer—it’s that good.

This book was crazy!!

The amount of times I thought I had a sliver of an idea of who committed the crime, turns out I have NO idea. The actual suspect was NO one I ever suspected. The absolute whiplash I got from reading this and thinking I knew what direction it was going and thinking it was over, I was back to a WTF moment.
This was a wild ride and I loved every moment of it

Whew. This book had such a unique and compelling concept. From the beginning I was hooked.
A young woman who was attacked and has seven days left to live. What does she do? Plans to solve her own murder.
There’s a dark edge to this book with sooo much suspense.
If you love a book with a ticking clock, high stakes and a character who fights like hell, be sure to pick this one up!

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars ୨୧

Jett is the queen of putting things off for a later time…that is until she is attacked & struck down in her own home. The countdown begins when Jett is told that she not only has a week to live, but to solve her own murder. This book is full of intrigue, family drama, & even touches on grief. I think you would love this if you enjoy thrillers that aren't just surface level.

Would recommend if you like:
📖 Everyone Here is Lying
😭 Emotional damage
🎬🏠 Desperate Housewives/Suburban Thrillers

What I liked:
-Jett (The FMC) is so funny! She has moments where she expresses a lot of dark humor.
-Billy!!! BILLY FINNEY, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE 🗣️

What I didn’t like:
-A problem that I notice frequently w/ thrillers is that a reveal will come at a later time, when it doesn’t logically make sense. Having a character that conveniently remembered a very important detail in the third act is WILD.
-There were a couple loose ends that I didn’t feel like we got any resolution to.

Thank you to NetGalley & the Publisher for
the e-arc🫶🏼 Also, thank you to Holly Jackson for the trauma.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book and incredibly grateful to have had the chance to read it early, thanks to NetGalley. This story took me on an unforgettable ride that I absolutely loved.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury from an attack, the main character learns she has only days to live—and decides to use that time to solve her own murder. What unfolds is a gripping journey full of twists, where long-buried family secrets slowly come to light and everything ties together in a satisfying, emotional conclusion.

Amidst the mystery, there’s also an unexpected depth of heart. The protagonist finds genuine love and friendship—a connection she never would have explored under normal circumstances.

This book had everything to keep me hooked from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down. As a longtime fan of Holly Jackson, I can confidently say she’s done it again, and I’ll continue to recommend her work to everyone I know!

Holly Jackson you will never fail to make an interesting main character. This book felt somehow felt cooler and more crisp than Jackson’s other books (in the most complimentary way) which is what I’ve been craving in a mystery novel.

This was a good book. It’s sad and I wish there was a little more in the couple aspect, but still good.

If you have loved any of Holly Jackson's books, you will love this book. Perfect for those fall tbr's especially with October coming up sooner than later.

I will read anything by Holly Jackson because she's INCREDIBLE. This book hit it out of the park for me. I was sucked in and didn't want to do anything else until it was finished.

Jet Mason is twenty-seven years old and lives at home with her parents in Woodstock, Vermont. She is notorious for not following through with things and her motto seems to be “Later”, as I’ll get to it later, always procrastinating. On the night of Halloween, Jet is attacked in the Mason house and hit over the head several times. She sustains a devastating head injury that the doctor tells her will result in her dying within a week due to a brain aneurysm that will occur or she can have a very risky surgery that only has a 10% chance of survival. Jet decides to forgo the surgery and have one more week to live her life and to find her killer. Her family is very dysfunctional and her mother keeps insisting Jet have the surgery. When her mother won’t let up, Jet leaves the house and goes to stay with Billy, a friend from childhood that used to live next door but now has an apartment over a bar. Billy was the one who found Jet after the attack and called 911. Billy helps Jet in her quest to find her murderer. Everyone in Jet’s orbit is now under suspicion in her eyes - who benefits if she is out of the way? I thought it was a very good concept for a book and the author did a good job with the plot. It gets bogged down a bit in a few spots, but overall moves at a good pace. A lot of the characters were terrible people, but that fits with the plot of the book. An interesting read with some mystery and an emotional end. I give the book 4 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 22, 2025.

Not Quite Dead Yet follows 27-year-old Jet, a self-proclaimed procrastinator whose life revolves around the words “I’ll do it later.” But when she ends up dead—with just one week to solve her own murder—“later” is no longer an option.

This book blends sharp humor, gripping suspense, and a dash of existential crisis in a way that’s both clever and captivating. The writing is packed with amazing detail; every word feels intentional and vivid, painting a story that leaps off the page. Fans of the author’s YA work will feel right at home—just expect a several more F-bombs this time around.

The twist? Totally unexpected, and it hits with the perfect mix of shock and satisfaction. If anything, the only wish is that the pacing toward the end slowed down just a little—there’s so much packed in those final pages, it leaves you racing to catch your breath.

Smart, twisty, and emotionally grounded, Not Quite Dead Yet is a fresh take on second chances (even post-mortem ones). If you love character-driven mysteries with heart and humor, this one’s not to be missed.

This book was an easy 5 star read for me!