I really wanted to like this book. I came into it with an empty mind and listened to the audio. The narrator had a calm voice which I did like. However, I found it challenging to really stay focused in order to catch all of the details of the story. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read the book myself instead of listening to it.

This book kept me on my toes from start to finish. It’s not one you can breeze through as you definitely have to pay attention. The structure is unique, with stories within stories that, admittedly, had me confused at times. But that’s also part of the fun. The author does a great job keeping the reader guessing, dropping clues and red herrings throughout.

Each character’s tale reveals more than intended, and as the layers unravel, so do the dynamics among the group. It’s clever, twisty, and full of tension. By the end, I was impressed with how it all tied together.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 rounded up. Aw man. I really wanted to like this more than I did. KNIVES OUT meets SALTBURN was such a lofty pitch and while the plot might be roughly in that landscape, the vibes just didn't live up for me.

Premise - a group of friends gather at a family home in the countryside for a thirtieth birthday bash. The host has them all play Motive Method Death, a game in which they each script murders... but, of course, the drama doesn't stay contained to the page.

This was SUCH a fun premise, with so much potential! I was really excited, but for me the characters and voice tend to be what really make the story and while I can have a good time sailing along on all vibes, minimal plot, the reverse is tough for me. These characters just didn't draw me in.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dino Fetscher. He has a really nice voice and a very pleasant, cozy accent, but even though he delivered a varied, emotive read, I really struggled to keep my attention from drifting away from the story. Even when I wasn't doing anything all too interesting concurrently, I just couldn't focus. I found myself tuning out *a lot,* where I'm usually more apt to tune out real life and hyper focus on a good story.

Thanks, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️
I have a bit of a mixed opinion on this one. It’s definitely a book that one has to be in the mood for as it’s a different kind of thriller. I’m not sure I was exactly in the head space to be reading it as I’ve been in a more fluffy thriller mood of late but I’m trying to not let it impact my rating.. hence rounding up.

One part that I liked is that it is a bit “elevated” in its prose with word usage that you don’t see much of late, particularly in the thriller genre. I expect that that fact will be a turn off for some as it can come off a bit “snooty”??

I consumed the audiobook and narrator Dino Fetscher did a fine job. He has a pleasant British accented voice and speaks at a great rate for listening. His tone fits the plot adding to the suspense.

Admittedly there were some areas where I found myself checking out as the prose dragged but then it would reengage me and it made me want to push to the end. It was definitely a clever way of unfolding the mystery.

The book comes out July 25th 2025 so if you’re looking for a thriller that’s going to make you think, check it out!

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from Macmillan Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

ARC Review
Ink Ribbon Red by Alex Pavesi
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 rounded up to 4)
🗓️ Release Date: July 22, 2025

Six friends. One remote countryside estate. A 30th birthday party. And a murder game that spirals out of control.

When Anatol invites his closest companions to his family’s inherited estate for a weekend of celebration, things quickly shift from playful to unnerving. His choice of entertainment? A twisted storytelling game called Motive, Method, Death—each guest must craft a fictional murder involving two others in the group. But as the stories begin to echo real-life tensions, buried secrets surface, and fiction starts bleeding into reality.

Pavesi masterfully blurs the line between story and truth, playing with structure in a way that’s both clever and disorienting. The nonlinear timeline might challenge some readers, but for me, it added to the novel’s dreamlike unreliability. The dynamic between the characters—sharp, petty, strange, and often uncomfortable—kept the dialogue snappy and unpredictable.

While the premise is brilliant and the execution creative, I struggled to fully connect with the characters. The ending, though intriguing, felt slightly rushed, and certain threads—like the blackmail element—deserved more attention. Still, the eerie atmosphere, the layered storytelling, and the mind-game quality of it all made for a memorably odd, brain-bending read.

Perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries with a metafictional twist.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review!