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!