DNF at 54%. This book has “new adult” written all over it, even though the main character and her roommates are at or approaching 30. From the title and description alone, I anticipated a Gen Z style novel with text messages at the center, but the immaturity of Kirby and her friends was a bit over the top for me. I didn’t like any of the roommates or Esme, and the plot moved quite slowly, so I couldn’t get much further than the halfway point of this book. Maybe I’m just not the right audience, so a younger reader might appreciate this story more. Can’t recommend it for anyone over 30!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery books for giving me the chance to read this ARC and provide honest feedback.

Wow! I really enjoyed the premise of this book. A group of roommates in dead-end jobs living in a less than desirable flat have their boring evening interrupted by the glamorous, Gen Z Esme whose social media niche is serial killers. When Esme comes to the door claiming to be subletting a room for the summer, she cajoles the other roommates out into the town to research the killing of several teenagers at the annual fete. Told with a then and now perspective after Esme's tragic death, roommate Kirby, a failed journalist with secrets of her own, has left England when she receives a threatening text from the long dead Esme. As Kirby races back to town, her roommates are turning up dead and she just maybe next if she doesn't solve this mystery. Told with a bit of tongue in cheek humor this fast-paced story is a delightful read.

Such a great book. Thank you for letting me read in advance. I couldn't out it down for nothing. And I can't wait to see what else this author has to offfer.

had an absolute blast reading Everyone in the Group Chat Dies. It’s sharp, ridiculous, and self-aware in all the best ways—like a slasher flick made for true crime addicts who spend way too much time online. L.M. Chilton knows exactly what kind of ride this is and leans into it with gory glee and a twisted sense of humor.

The premise is bonkers in the best way: friends start dying one by one after being added to a mysterious group chat, and it plays out like a millennial murder mystery written with knives and memes. But what really makes it work is the voice—snappy, cynical, and surprisingly heartfelt at times. Just when I thought I was in for pure camp, the book would twist the knife with a sharp observation about friendship, loneliness, or the way the internet warps our fears.

It’s equal parts ridiculous and genuinely tense, and I found myself laughing one minute and clutching the pages the next. This is the kind of book that doesn’t take itself too seriously—but still manages to land a few emotional punches amid the chaos.

If you love horror that’s fast-paced, full of pop culture references, and totally unhinged in the best way, this one’s a must-read. Just… maybe mute your notifications first.

This book reminded me of Ashley Winstead’s books.

The premise of a serial killer in a small town returning even though everyone thinks he’s dead is interesting. But, the group chat, although a key phrase of the book, is not actually in it very much. It’s mainly the protagonist, Kirby, using it to corral her friends.

None of the characters were very likable so when people do get murdered (it’s a book about serial killers- this is no spoiler), I didn’t have any emotions about it.

That all being said, I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to see how it ended , and it was an easy read.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Giving 3 stars because I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. I did enjoy the story of present day and from a year ago when Esme died. At first I wasn’t into the back and forth timelines but it all comes together in the end. After reading this, I want to delete all social media also 😂

What a fantastic story! Great plot and vibrant characters. Story seemed to flow as Esme tried to figure out the puzzle. Slow at times and racing at other times. Do not want to spoil anyone's read, so will just say: grab a copy and sit back and enjoy a fantistic who done it!

I had difficulty getting into this one. The characters did not particularly appeal, the story unfolded very slowly. However the ending came as a surprise, so - well done there. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book had an interesting premise, as the title shows. It caught my attention for awhile but then the pacing felt flat and clunky. In the end, it was entertaining but nothing memorable.

I had to push through this book. I found the story moderately interesting--enough that I wanted to see it through to the resolution--but it was hard. In all honesty, I may be too old to have found some of it funny and not the right audience. Protagonist Kirby is trying really hard to make it as a journalist, but it is not going very well. Her flatmates are not much more successful, and this creates a dour backdrop to the action. What I found frustrating was the dual timeline format: as the timelines are only one year apart and the same characters are involved in both, I often felt that I was not keeping the events straight. In the end, it was not the right book for me. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide an honest review.

I struggled getting through this book. None of the characters resonated with me and the plot was nowhere to be found.


Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery books for the opportunity to read this book..

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Everyone in the Group Chat Dies.

The best part about this book is the title.

I read the author's first book and all authors have certain trademarks; the way they describe and craft a main character, how much description and exposition, typical tropes like the main character is a loser and stuck in a dead end job.

Kirby Connell is no exception; she's not smart or street smart, not a good writer or a good cook or anything else, and acts more like a 21 year old than a 30 year old.

I liked the rapport between her and her roommates but the jokes got tedious fast.

The fact their tiny village was famous for having a serial killer was interesting but it took too long to get to the point; finding who knew the serial killer and their relationships to him, etc.

The exposition behind how Esme became involved with the roommates took too long and slowed the pacing of the narrative.

The story contained very little urgency and suspense and I got the vibe Kirby seemed to spend more time resenting her famous actor dad who ditched her and her mom years ago (which I understand). But get over it! He ain't coming back.

But it was just a reminder of what a loser she is.

The narrative isn't long but it felt long as I was reading. Never a good sign.

I was so excited for this one but unfortunately it fell flat. I gotta admit although I liked the intrigue and the humor of the characters the MC was dumb as rocks. This made it hard to take the story serious because she is such an idiot. It’s hard to focus on a possible murder when the MC is seconds away from burning down her apartment. Also hard to take her seriously as a journalist whop never writes during the whole book and never even has any ideas what to write. It made the group chat thing a bit comical and left me unsure what to make of the whole story. 2.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱 Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton
🔪 Genre: Horror Comedy / Slasher Satire
📖 Published by Union Square & Co.

“If Scream and Mean Girls had a snarky little British cousin who lived on Twitter and drank too much rosé, this would be it.”

Okay, this book was a wild ride — messy, hilarious, sharply written, and full of murder. It’s self-aware in all the right ways, with horror tropes, pop culture references, and savage group chat drama that had me howling. Think: Gen Z Clue meets Bodies Bodies Bodies, but more queer and way more fun.

L.M. Chilton has a voice that grabs you by the collar and pulls you into the chaos — and you kinda love it. Is it a little over-the-top? Absolutely. But that’s the point. It leans into its camp and wears it like glitter eyeliner.

💬 The group chat messages were a chef’s kiss touch.
🩸The deaths? Delightfully deranged.
👀 The twist? Didn’t see it coming.

My only tiny critique is that some characters felt more like memes than people — but honestly? That worked for the tone. If you love your horror served with sass, sarcasm, and splatter, this belongs on your summer TBR.

📚 Huge thanks to Union Square & Co. for the advance copy — I devoured this in two sittings and cackled the whole way through.

#EveryoneInTheGroupChatDies #LMChilton #HorrorComedy #QueerReads #SlasherSatire #Bookstagram #ARCReview #UnionSquareBooks #BooksWithBite #ReadWithGuts

I tried. I thought this would be a quick, snarky, darkly humorous tale that I'd zip through. It was not. I struggled from the opening pages to feel anything about this one - the characters, pacing, and plot did nothing for me. I don't know if I'm just too old to relate or what, but I found the characters irritating and the plot too slow-going to keep my interest. This one wasn't for me... (Fabulous title and cover though - I can't tell you how many times I've felt that way about group chats!)

A fast-paced mystery about a group of flatmates that suddenly start dying. There is a 30 year old mystery, along with a present day mystery. I thought it had a good protagonist and a solid plot. It was enjoyable to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the digital advanced copy of Everyone in the Group Chat Diesby L.M. Chilton. This review reflects my honest opinions.

It’s been a year since Kirby left the small, forgotten town of Crowhurst—a place where she once attempted to start over. Her fresh start was quickly derailed when a mysterious girl named Esme arrived, claimed to be her new roommate, and then vanished within 24 hours. Now, a year later, Kirby receives a chilling message in the group chat: Esme, supposedly dead, is back—and threatening revenge. As Kirby is pulled back into the mystery, her former flatmates—Seema, Dylan, and Dave—begin to die one by one. Can she solve the mystery before she too is forced to leave the group chat?

Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is a fast-paced, sharply written thriller that blends humor and suspense in a way that feels fresh and cinematic. Chilton’s writing style is tight and snappy, and the dialogue between the core group of friends is a highlight. The banter feels authentic, capturing the tone and rhythm of late-twenties friendships without veering into caricature or cringe.

The dual timeline—alternating between the events of the previous year and the present—adds depth and tension. Short chapters and shifting perspectives maintain a brisk pace while building an atmosphere of distrust. I found myself second-guessing every character’s motives, which made for a suspenseful and engaging read.

The supporting cast fits perfectly into the genre’s framework, each character bringing just the right amount of unease to the narrative. While the ultimate reveal of the killer was surprising and well-executed, I did find the present-day involvement of some flatmates, particularly Dylan, underdeveloped. Their deaths occurring mostly off-page reduced the emotional impact and limited the opportunity for meaningful character arcs. A more active role for Dylan, especially, could have strengthened the emotional stakes and given the story greater resonance.

Chilton’s exploration of true crime culture is thoughtful and timely. The novel raises questions about social media sleuthing, the glamorization of serial killers, and the ethics of consuming real-life tragedies as entertainment. These discussions—especially those between Kirby and her flatmates—felt grounded and realistic, reflecting conversations I’ve had with friends. On the other hand, the commentary on generational divides and journalism sometimes felt a bit heavy-handed. As a millennial, I found some of Kirby’s critiques of Gen Z to be more exhausting than insightful, and her conversations with her boss about the state of journalism occasionally bordered on preachy.

Another minor critique is the frequent use of contemporary pop culture references, which, while entertaining now, may not age well. These moments risk alienating future readers who might not know these cultural moments. Additionally, the final death scene felt a bit rushed and lacked the cathartic intensity I’d hoped for—Kirby deserved a more impactful “final girl” moment.

Despite these minor issues, Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is an entertaining, cleverly constructed thriller that will appeal to fans of blockbuster horror films. With high suspense and low gore, it’s an easy, bingeable read that delivers a satisfying conclusion.

This story was so unique and so much fun! If you know me, you know sarcasm is my love language—and this one delivered 😂. It was the perfect mix of murder mystery, thriller, and dark humor.

Beyond the humor, the actual storyline was super fun and twisty. There were so many curveballs and OMG moments that I literally could not put it down. 📖

So what would you do if your friend in the group chat texts you randomly... but the random part was that the friend died a year ago?? 😱

I’ll definitely be reading more from this author. Add this one to your TBR immediately. You won’t regret it. 🔪📱😂

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was just okay. I could see where the author was trying to go with it, and I did appreciate the nods to the 90's horror flicks. That being said, nothing about this was groundbreaking. There were funny moments and I think that saved the rating for me but everything just felt a TOUCH too campy for me. I wanted this to take some really twisty, unpredictable turns and unfortunately that never really came to fruition. I think if you need an unserious palate cleanser, this will do the job.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is structured around dual timelines: one set a year prior, in which the protagonist and her circle of friends navigate the arrival of a new roommate obsessed with investigating a decades-old murder; the other set in the present, when the now-distant friends receive a cryptic group message from that very roommate—despite her being presumed dead. As the narrative shifts between past and present, secrets are gradually revealed and their consequences brought to light.

The story offers some compelling commentary on the lengths people will go to for fame and viral notoriety, which felt both timely and insightful. However, the book as a whole didn’t quite align with my personal taste. I found it difficult to connect with the characters, and the humor often missed the mark. The tone leaned toward satire, which may appeal more to readers who are well-versed in or particularly fond of this subgenre.

For fans of murder mysteries with a metafictional or comedic edge—this could be an entertaining and unique read.