"When did my life turn into a game of Clue?"

A quote from a character that I sincerely hope makes it into the final cut of this book because Clue is exactly what sprang to mind when I started reading this book. Five friends are lured to a falling down wreck of a home under false pretenses. One is celebrating a promotion, one is there to meet an online lover. The real reason that they are called together? Who killed Callum?

Twenty years ago, while sharing a house together, the sixth member of their group was found dead after a party. The police ruled it accidental but the five friends know the truth. One of them is a murderer and the rest of them played their parts in the discovery and subsequent cover up. Now someone has brought them all together for the purpose of having the truth be brought to light.

The story is told through the alternating perspectives of the five friends and an unknown narrator. You flash back twenty years at times, to where you delve into their histories and discover clues. You learn that the friends were never quite as close as they may seem and that some of them were actually quite nasty. The question remains, which one of them was capable of murder?

The suspect pool dwindles down as the murders start. Secrets are revealed and some are kept almost all the way to the end. The reveal of the identity of the narrator comes as a complete surprise. The last chapter or two do as well.

The book was fast paced and a whodunit that keeps you guessing. The characters are well fleshed out and the plot doesn't get boring. The Clue vibe is present throughout but it just made it that much more enjoyable. The book also asks you to explore in your own mind as to whether you'd be capable to murder another. I'd definitely recommend this for an rainy day, or beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhouse Publishing for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I'm always a sucker for a And Then There Were None-style mystery and this was no exception. As it was, I tore through this book, but I would have finished it a lot faster if I didn't have to do silly things like sleep. Although parts of the book may strain credulity, I can let them go in service of enjoying a twisty mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing's imprint Arcade Crimewise for this review copy.

What a great book. Would definitely recommend to it others I no. Great work will look out for this author again

I enjoyed this story immensely. As the blurbs say, it's quite reminiscent of And Then There Were None and Clue which I love so I thought this would be a book for me. It definitely was! Five people who used to be roommates at University are all called to the foreboding Wolfheather House under false pretenses to come clean about the death of their sixth roommate in 1995. It was ruled an accident, but these men and women know that it was anything but. They soon find out that they are trapped in the dark and secluded mansion and cannot escape until the truth is revealed. But will they live long enough to tell it?

Once the story gets going, it flows quickly and you find yourself trying to guess who the killer was then and who has brought them all here now. I loved the way it played out and I found the whodunit ending to be realistic and not overly contrived. But the story felt a bit short, and like others have said, more character development would have fleshed it out some and helped forge connections with the characters. There's really not one main protagonist that anchors the story, it's actually diary passages that do that - written by the one responsible for bringing everyone together.

Overall, it was fun and easy read, especially on a dark night with the rain pouring down - perfect atmosphere. This author has found a new fan!

Lots of twists, turns and characters. I appreciated getting to know the characters as both college students and adults. I also liked the creepy, atmospheric setting.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy.

Very well written and a fantastic plot. There are many twists and turns that will keep you guessing. And just when you think you've figured it out you'll find out you were wrong!

Don’t have anywhere to be? Then read this. Here are a few words to gently describe it.. gothic,, creepy, dark.. need I say more?

Wow- what a roller coaster ride! This book was a page turner and kept me guessing until the very end. The story involves 6 college students/roommates in present day and 20 years ago, when one of them is murdered. They all end up back at the same house again and the game of “who dun it” begins. At first, the characters blended together a bit and there wasn’t really a protagonist, but the story itself was entertainment enough. I would definitely recommend this book if you are into thrillers and trying to figure out intricate mysteries. 4 stars!

As soon as I saw the description for They Did Bad Things by Lauren A. Forry I couldn’t wait to dive in. And yes they certainly did some bad things! I loved how the story unfolds between the past and present and told through all the main characters of the story. It keeps you guessing and thinking you are close to knowing the truth and then nope, not yet. At times, I found it creepy and thought maybe I shouldn’t be reading this so late at night. The atmosphere of the old hotel during a dark storm adds to the dark elements of the story. I really enjoyed it! Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing Arcade Crimewise for the ARC!

Bad people gleefully doing bad things to each other meet someone even worse in this tight and twisty thriller that propelled me along at breakneck speed.

Wow, this is definitely a book I am excited for others to read! It’s so well written, chilling, and shocking! I love the atmosphere, needed to get to the bottom because the characters were fleshed out excellently! Be prepared for chills, thrills, shocks, and much more when reading this book! I highly, highly recommend!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms!

Now this one was crazy! I did not know what to expect at first and wasn’t sure if I would like it but am definitely glad I kept on reading! Such an awesome read. I highly recommend.

3.5 stars, rounded up!

This review is a little hard to write because:

1. Everyone in it was a jack wagon.

2. The introduction of the characters and the time hopping made it a little hard to get into, but...

3. Once I got into it, I was really invested!

4. It ended REALLY well, and that is always awesome.

Overall, if you are a fan of closed room mysteries, give it a try.

Thank you to Lauren A. Forry, Skyhorse Publishing and Edelweiss for giving me this DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I like this one. It was weird and creepy and atmospheric and I liked the back and forth as the secrets unraveled... I like the nod to Dame Agatha and the classic closed room mystery. I thought the revelations were managed well, delivered with an uneven and off-kilter pacing that kept things interesting and kept me guessing throughout. I've read a handful of these back and forth in time, *reunions after something terrible happened to that we've all kept secret for years" mysteries. This was one of my favorites. Despite the characters being fairly odious, I found them believable and their story credible, for the most part, and even when they weren't I found the story entertaining and engaging. It was an easy and quick read and I would definitely look for more from this author. It's not going to change your life, but it's definitely a great way to spend an afternoon...

In 1995, six college students come together in a ramshackle house. They share a tenuous bond, sometimes getting along, but more than often not. After a raucous party, one of them ends up dead, and though it’s ruled an accident, the living five know it’s absolutely the opposite.

And they go on with their lives. But the dead don’t stay forgotten, and 20 years after the murder, someone wants to take revenge on those who are responsible.

My first thought upon reading this was “what is wrong with these people?” Seriously, they’re all just awful. But I loved the story and I thought the author did a great job giving each character a clear voice. Though there are multiple points of view and the narrative switches from past to present, it wasn’t at all difficult to keep up with the story.

I was also invested to know just exactly “whodunit” and why (the original murder) and also who was behind the revenge plot. This was a fun read and didn’t devolve into too much gore, though it certainly could have.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for providing this review copy.

Five former college roommates directed to Wolfheather House somehow all on a definitely unplanned reunion.

A secret that they all hold.

Now together for a weekend at an eerie place that has reminders of where they lived on Caldwell Street. A place where roommate Camllum died.

Unhappy to be together and difficult to leave (Wolfheather Place) on the Isle of Skye, old memories (and grudges) abound.

A look at the past that none of the former roommates want to remember years later.

A well written story about five people who all have a skeleton in their past that was never buried. A fast read that continues to leave the reader in suspense!

Highly Recommend!

Many Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing and NetGalley for a wonderful read.

I just finished They Did Bad Things and loved it! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who loves a good who-dun-it with twists and turns. The book kept things interesting with the changes from past to present, and always kept you feeling like you were in the Wolfheather house with the group. It was the perfect amount of creepy and suspenseful without being scary. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting!

*Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!*

When I first began this book, I was skeptical because of how ridiculously unlikeable the characters are - but soon realized that’s the whole point of the story.
After I got farther into it, I couldn’t put it down!!

The end left me hanging a little, wondering if there would be a sequel but overall, I really enjoyed it!!

In 1995, Hollis, Ellie, Oliver, Lorna, Maeve, and Callum are university students who meet when they move into the same house. Months later one of the six is dead. The police rule the death an accident, but the remaining roommates know it wasn't. Twenty years later the remaining roommates are lured to Wolfheather House, a secluded mansion on the Scottish Isle of Doon. They are trapped with no way out, forced to confront what each did related to their former roommates death - if they want to make it out alive.

Perfect title for this book, as the characters did indeed do some very, very bad things. The book carried the feel of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with the isolated setting and characters set up to reap what they sowed, but with significant alterations, such as moving between timelines. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the authors next. Recommended for fans of psychological thrillers.

Content Warnings: SPOILERS homophobic and misogynistic comments; rape (not on page) END SPOILERS

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.

This book is bananas. It kind of gives me an I know what you did last summer vibe. I really liked the way the story was told from several times as well as POV.
Uni friends are brought back to the house they shared 20 years later, each thinking they had gotten a feee weekend away. Little did they know, their other housemates were brought back there too, to remind them of what they had down while they were living there.
Plenty of twists and scary bits. Would recommend.

I give this book 4 stars because while it started slow; it did keep me wanting to know more & even scared me a couple of times. This story is well thought out, characters well developed, & written leaving you wanting more.

It was great read, I could only see some of the twists coming but not the main one, it keep me on the seat all the time!

At the start of Lauren A. Forry's twisty tale, They Did Bad Things, we know that something has happened at Wolfheather House on the Isle of Doon. Five former university students who shared a house at 215 Caldwell Street are brought together for the first time in years. Each lured to this remote house for different reasons. But the truth is far more sinister. Callum, their sixth housemate died accidentally, but someone knows what happened that night, and Hollis, Lorna, Ellie, Oliver, and Maeve will need to either tell the truth or die.
As shocked as they are to see each other, with no cell reception or easy way to leave, these frenemies must work together to discover who else is in the house. Told in the past and present by these characters and an unknown narrator, the question is which of them did it and why. Yes, everyone swears they are innocent and quite willing to accuse each other. Soon, the body count starts to rise and as the suspects diminish, more secrets are revealed. Out of all my many guesses, I didn't come close to figuring this one out!
The book description states, “And Then There Were None meets The Last Time I Lied”, and I would add there are references and an overall feeling of Clue as well. I read this on Sunday and did not put it down until I was done. The characters were well-written and though I can't say I liked any of them, nobody deserves to be murdered in an old, isolated house! I can't believe this is the first time I heard of this author, but I will be rectifying that soon.

Fun, fast mystery kind of like a big game of Clue for adults. I was kept guessing until the end.
You switch back and forth between the past and present as the author guides you along the journey of figuring out what is going on.

I recommend as a book to escape into if you enjoy mysteries that are not too psychological. This would make a great movie as it is big on action.

Some language and gore.

I received a free ARC as a reader for NetGalley.

If you like the game Clue, you will love this book. This story has you on the edge of your chair to find out who did it! There is only 5 of them and its been twenty years since their friend was killed. Who is going to be the one to finally give up the secret they have been avoiding. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this digital ARC.

Trigger warning for violence, and gory scenes.

What a RIDE! This book had me guessing up until the last page.

They Did Bad Things by Lauren. A Forry, is about a group of people invited to a vacation bed and breakfast. What they’re unaware of is the sinister plans one of them has in store. “And Then There Were None meets The Last Time I Lied” is such a good description of what your going to get yourself into.

I really enjoyed how the book held my attention in its vice-like grip. While the story line jumped from past to present, I could follow along easily.

Although I enjoy suspense, I feel like the book could’ve got to the point a lot sooner. I kept waiting for the big reveal but that didn’t occur until the last couple of pages.

I really enjoy this genre of book where a group is stuck in a place together trying to solve a mystery. The characters were well developed and the twist at the end I did not see coming!

What a great book!! A true mystery with proper plot twists! I can't give the review that I would like to without writing plot spoilers.

The book moved at a good pace going from present to past and back again. Just when you think maybe you know who is responsible wham!!! another plot twist.

I'm really looking forward to Lauren Forry's next book. She is really an excellent writer. I'm so glad NetGalley let me read this advanced copy, thank you.

Thank you Net Galley & Skyhorse Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
**
This was a great easy thriller read for me. I wanted to know who killed Callum; and what their punishment would be. You see our author Lauren Forry did a great job at capturing her readers attention by pulling us in to the house where it all started 215 Caldwell Street.
**
It all started in 1995, when 6 university students moved out of their family homes and moved into 215 Caldwell street to start their freshman year. The 6 to move in were: Lorna, Hollis, Ellie, Maeve, Oliver, and of course Callum. Through reading you picked up on some tension in the house. Tension between Ellie and Oliver, Oliver and Callum, Callum and Maeve. Honestly there were points where I was amazed they didn't all just kill each other..
The end of term party ended with Callum dead, and the other 5 knowing it was one of them who must have killed him... I mean actions at the party alone speak volumes.. but they never spoke of it; and never saw each other again.
That was until they all ended up at Wolfheather house; unbeknownst to them. They all were there for personal reason. From winning a weekend away at work, to a rehab; each had their reasons to go to Wolfheather... little did they know this may be their last weekend getaway.
Someone knows it was one of them who killed Callum. This person also knows the others did nothing to prevent it; or at least turn them in to cops. I will say I never saw this ending coming... and there were a few good thrills peppered throughout this novel.

What an absolute ride!

As a massive Agatha Christie fan, I was itching to get to this book as the blurb compared it to "And Then There Were None", which is a favourite of mine. And boy, did this book deliver.

A group of people, who once shared a house which endured a tragedy, are brought together by a mysterious benefactor. Their secrets start getting out and when one of them gets murdered, the stakes are higher than ever.

A fun, twisty book, "They Did Bad Things" reads easily and grips you from the very beginning. A must-have for anyone who enjoys twisted endings with surprise appearances!

"You're not afraid of doing bad things. You're afraid of getting punished for them."
This book challenges your morality from the beginning. Is morality based solely on self preservation and, if you knew you'd never be caught, would your morality also dissipate?
Would you? Could you? What kind of person are you really?
These are the questions you'll be asking yourself throughout the book. And I love a book that challenges me and makes me think deeper.

The story is a classic whodunit reminiscent of Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None.'
Five friends reunite (or rather are lurked to) an old house. All of them share a dark secret from the past and all of them still harbor secrets worth killing to keep.

I loved this book! It had everything a good mystery is supposed to have:
1. An air of suspense throughout
2. A creepy and isolated setting (and a storm for good measure)
3. A cast of sinister characters, all of which are suspect
4. A narrative that blends past and present seamlessly
5. A few good and unexpected twists

And to top it off, the ending was so well done and satisfying!
If you're a fan of classic mysteries, give this one a try.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Some former college roommates were gathered together by an unknown source, and each one was selected for a past mistake. Lots of twists and turns.

I thought this was a good book--I read it in one sitting, so that's saying something! I was eager to have the mystery solved but unhappy with some of the deaths that occurred. I also felt the ending was slightly unrealistic (I don't want to spoil it but I don't know how everything can be left behind without a zillion questions). Still, I enjoyed the book and I'm glad I read it. 3.5 stars rounded up.

215 Caldwell Street. 6 roommates, 1 dead. 20 years later, the other 5 are reunited by trickery and are there to face their sins of the past.

I was told They Did Bad Things is a psychological thriller that is a mix of And Then There Were None and He Last Time I Lied. Those are two of my favorite books of all time, so this peaked my interest and had some mighty big shoes to fill.

I liked how it gave each characters point of view inside the chapter. I’m a short chapter kind of person, so breaking them down between characters helped me act as though it was short chapters. However, sometimes the flashbacks and the current events kind of ran together and it would take me a minute or so to realize I was in a flashback.

It was a good book, a quick read. I thought the end was the best part. Everything came together nicely. There were a few twists I did guess, but one I didn’t, which makes it successful in my book. Overall, another 3.5 book.

Thank you NetGalley and SkyHorse publishing first the eARC in exchange for an honest review. They Did Bad Things is set to publish June 2nd!

Five guests have been given the opportunity to stay for free at a remote getaway. This is how every horror movie starts off, but I'm intrigued.
Someone knows something....
There is denial, and everyone claims they are innocent . They are given the option to die or confess to a death that they all claim wasn't their fought. The death was ruled an accident, but was it really?

I thought the characters were likeable, and the story was great. My only complaint was that there was too many time jumps. It became difficult to follow, but if you stick with it you won't regret it.

I would recommend this book to any thriller lover.

This took me a little while to get into it but once I did, I was hooked! If you are a mystery/ thriller fan, check this one out! The reason for 3/5 stars is because it did take me reading almost half to officially be super invested. Thank you so much to Lauren A. Forry, Skyhorse Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for my honest review!

Six students moved into 215 Caldwell Street, but only 5 survived the semester. 20 years later, the remaining 5 are brought together again to finally face their roles in all of this. Guilt and suspicion overwhelm them as everything unravels.
The reader hears this story from multiple points of view, and flashbacks to life at 215 Caldwell are carefully woven in.

Review for 'They did bad things' by Lauren A. Forry

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Skyhorse Publishing

This book is available to preorder for release on June 2nd

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I would be happy to read more of her work.

THE book is well written and flows quite smoothly for the majority. It is written from the perspectives of the 5 housemates in both past and present. It also has a narrator, as such, who describes what happened in the past. I found this worked well as it meant you got to see more of what is going on.

I was sucked straight into the book and found it easy to read until I hit about 70% which is when I thought it became a bit over complicated.

THE plot was fast paced and filled with murder, secrets, crime, mysteries, suspense, action, friendships and enemies. I did not expect the ending so a big well done as I hate it when I work out the plot at the beginning of a crime novel.

THE characters were quite realistic and strong but I didn't really 'click' with any apart from a bit with Callum and Hollis, not sure why really but these 2 seemed to be more interesting for me.

Until I hit about 70% I was going to rate the book 5/5 (I love it) but unfortunately due to the complications, which ended up losing the storyline for me, it lost a star.

I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers, suspense, action, fast paced and quick reads, crime, murder and mystery.

288 pages

£20.81 to purchase in hardcover on Amazon. I think this is an absurd price for any book regardless of how much I enjoyed it (sorry)

Rated 4/5 ( I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Co.uk and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I liked this! I found it to be a fast paced story with a few twists. The story came together nicely at the end. It reminded me a bit of Clue.

THEY DID BAD THINGS is truly an excellent suspense thriller. Comprised of flashbacks, multi-character POVs, and (select) journal pages, this novel will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Forry's eclectic mix of believable, uniquely-flawed characters--combined with a richly ominous setting--grabs hold from the beginning and doesn't let up. For fans of the thriller genre, this one isn't to be missed.

In 1995, six college roommates move into 215 Caldwell Street. They do not always get along but they do find time for holding parties and sometimes being there if life gets rough. After holding an end of term goodbye party, one of the roommates ends up dead and the secrets surrounding his death are locked tight in the minds of the other five roommates. And none of them are talking and move about their lives as nothing happened.

Now 20 years later, the five remaining roommates converge at a secluded mansion under pretenses that fit their current situations in life. Shocked that they are all at the same mansion, they become suspicious as to why they are all here as they have not spoken to each other since the death of the sixth roommate. Things take a dramatic turn when the roommates find the exact same furniture and the exact same room set up from the living room of the old university house. It is in the living room that they all realize someone else knows their secret from 20 years ago, someone wants to make the truth be told not matter the consequences.

Playing off Agatha Christie’s Then There Were None, each roommate is given the chance to tell the truth or face death. The only two questions remain- Who killed the sixth roommate and Who will survive their stay at Wolfheather House?

I enjoyed this book for the character building as the author did a fabulous job at describing each roommate and their inner demons. I thought the beginning was a little slow in laying down the plot, but it quickly became a faster pace as the story continues. Lauren Forry can throw in the plot twists right when you think the story is about to become a dead end. The only thing that makes this book hard to read is the different diary pages that are placed through out the story are not labeled or started on a different page making it feel as it is a page from a different book.

Thank you to Net Galley, Skyhorse Publishing and Arcade Crimewise for the chance to read this ARC

They Did Bad Things by Lauren Forry is a devilish take on a closed room mystery. 20 years ago 6 people shared a house during college. After an end of the year celebration, one of the housemates ends up dead. His death is ruled an accident by the police so the 5 remaining members of the house move on with their lives. Unfortunately, someone is watching and think this group of people are more involved in the death than they let on.

Now, 20 years later each member of the house is coaxed by various means to a secluded, decrepit mansion known as Wolfheather House. Each person arrives at the mansion to discover that they were led there under false pretenses. The housemates realize they are stuck in the house, with no means to get away and no cellphone or wi-fi signal. The group is forced to examine each others’ motives and role in their roommate’s death. The person orchestrating their gathering has offered them one way out of the house, confess or die. That’s it.

This novel was creepy, atmospheric, and surprising. Dark secrets are almost always a part of closed room mysteries, but this group…WHOA they ALL have lots secrets? I did not connect with the characters because they weren’t likable. That didn’t change my opinion of the book. I am always happy when I don’t quite figure out the twist! They Did Bad Things is fast paced, pretty dark, and filled with vengeance.
It is a fairly quick read and worth it! I rated this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars!

Thank you @Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for an advanced copy for my review.

This book goes on sale June 2, 2020!

Most psychological thrillers I read get under my skin, but they aren't truly scary. They Did Bad Things? It had me very, very creeped out.

The book opens on a rainy night in the middle of nowhere, and only goes downhill from there. (For the characters, at least. The reader fares considerably better.) Throw in a dilapidated mansion, a few buried secrets, and a hankering for vengeance, and you have one very gripping story.

Between the changing perspectives and the flashbacks, it took me a little bit to get into the story. Once it grabbed me, however, I couldn't put it down. Perhaps my favorite aspect (which, again, didn't bode well for the characters), was that Lauren A. Forry wasn't playing games. She threw in a lot of plot twists and the type of turns typically saved for the last few pages. The kinds of plot points that make you wonder how things could possibly get worse. And yet, they kept getting worse.

If you want to be sucked into an ominous story filled with WTF moments, pick up this book. You might get a serious case of the chills, but you won't regret it.

I really enjoy thrillers and mysteries. They Did Bad Things was like reading a modern-day Clue (in fact, Clue is even referenced in the book). The characters were quite loathsome and not very relatable, but this actually added depth to the plot. There was quite a twist in the story, but unfortunately, that's part of what I think also had a hand in undoing this story (for me). While the twist was interesting, it was pretty out there. I also kept questioning, why wait 20 years? For 20 years to go by, the characters were pretty much the same as they had always been. I would've loved to see more of a growth in them and not have them all unravel so quickly. There was a ton of detail to the characters and the plot itself, but there was always something lacking in the background.

They Did Bad Things switches between the past and present and also between the different narrators. The present is being narrated by someone unknown. I do wish there was more detail about what led to Callum's death (I wish there would've been narrations from Callum as well that also told his side and not just as the other's saw him). I sometimes felt as if Callum wasn't a super important character, even though he was the MOST important character. As detailed as the plot was, I was also left questioning other things. They Did Bad Things wasn't a bad book, just didn't feel as tidy at the end as it could've. As far as holding my interest, I did want to know more and it did keep me reading. They Did Bad Things is a decent thriller/mystery.

In 1995, there were 6 students that inhabited 215 Caldwell Street. They were all good friends on the outside, but just months later, one of them would be found dead and the other 5 would hide the horrible truth; one of them was a murderer. 20 years later, those five people are brought back together, under false pretenses, to confront the terrible secret they've all kept hidden. Confess your crime or be killed. Who brought them all back? With suspicions (and bodies) mounting, the tension reaches an all time high. They Did Bad Things uncovers the lengths of depravity that people will go through to keep their secrets buried, even if it leads to murder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this ARC.

I absolutely love good psychological thriller's and this novel was atmospheric, creepy with a lot of dark secrets. The characters was a mess, they weren't likable but that was also the good part of the book 😉
I'm always happy when I don't quite figure out the twist!
Quick read so i recommend it definitely.

Thank you NetGalley.

This was a fun, Agatha Christie-type mystery that kept me entertained and eager to find out who the culprit was.

In 1995, a group of 6 college students live together, and only 5 leave alive. Years later, the 5 are each separately invited to a getaway at a beautiful bed and breakfast, only to realize they’ve been invited together...and they might not leave alive.

3.5 stars rounded up. The characters are mostly unlikeable, but the mystery, deaths, and backstory create an interesting premise. I love when people find secret passageways and hidden rooms, and this book did not disappoint in those scenarios. All in all, a fun and intriguing book that kept me entertained...and sometimes that’s all I need.

Thank you to Lauren A. Forty, Arcade Crimewise, and NetGalley for an ARC.

They Did Bad Things by Lauren By Lauren A Forry is a contemporary mystery thriller about six college kids who all partake in activities that dramatically alter the course of their lives – one fatality!

In keeping with writers of this genre like Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell, Forry crafts a plot where perception is everything, especially when paired with the context of time and the phase of one’s life. Readers will appreciate how the very things that were earth shattering in college may not be viewed as such as a more seasoned adult. Hindsight is 20:20 but that can’t change the past for the residents at 215 Caldwell. But, will it be enough to thwart what has already been set in motion for their reunion at Wolfheather House 20 years later?

The premise of the book is intriguing where 6 roomies with seemingly little in common harbour secrets, lies and half-truths leading to the mysterious death of one of their own, a cover-up and an ensuing game of cat and mouse to catch the killer at long last. They Did Bad Things makes for a thrilling adventure. With shifts in narration and perspective taking, readers will have to keep up or risk missing essential pieces to the plot and letting the killer slip away in plain sight! They Did Bad Things speeds to its end with twists, turns and realisations that bring the book together. Thrill seekers will enjoy this summer mystery in June 2020! 4 frat parties out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the electronic ARC in trade for an honest review.

I honestly couldn't put down this this book about long-buried secrets and the sins of youth. I was hooked as soon as the five estranged college flatmates started to arrive at a remote mansion on a Scottish island, lured there by a mysterious benefactor intent on solving the mystery of and meting out punishments for the death of the sixth flatmate. Besides an especially propulsive plot, what distinguishes They Did Bad Things from other books with similar themes is Forry's commitment to diving into the worse angels of human nature. The cynical first chapter narrated by the benefactor tells the reader there will be no heroism or redemption here. As the plot unspools, the atmosphere of paranoia and recrimination grows more oppressive and the flatmates revert to their worst selves; the selves they were in the grimy university flat, which is itself a character in the book. They Did Bad Things is due to be published in June so if you're looking for a engrossing thriller that could chill you on even the hottest day of the summer, pick up this book.

Mysterious circumstances ✔️
Flashbacks to a crime ✔️
Creepy isolated location ✔️
Tons of tension ✔️

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with Scotland. So when I was given this thriller to review and realized that it takes place there, I was so stoked.

This story is cleverly written, and hits hard for such a short amount of pages. The synopsis reports that it’s like “And Then There Were None meets The Last Time I Lied“ and I would have to agree on that statement. Except, more gruesome.

It is like a horror movie in book format and gave me some I Know What you did Last Summer vibes. I read this one in a day and immensely enjoyed it. It’s a great thriller quick read. Those of you who liked the book, The Guest List, by Lucy Foley should read this one! Everyone seemed guilty, and I couldn’t have ever guessed the ending. I enjoyed it!
I give it 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4 for this review.

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, this one is a modern twist on the genre that you’ll enjoy!

PLOT SUMMARY:
Twenty years ago, six young adults met for the first time when they became housemates at Caldwell Place during their first year of university. Personality issues, family stresses, and many, many secrets prevent them from truly becoming friends. But which one became a murderer? When reunited under mysterious circumstances, will Hollis, Ellie, Oliver, Lorna and Maeve finally reveal the truth about what happened twenty years earlier? Well, one of them has to, or they will all die...how’s that for a fun weekend away?

PROS and CONS:
Wow! There is ALOT going on in this one...you will need to have a very good memory for names, and a very good mind for seeing house layouts in order to truly understand just what’s going on!

I enjoyed the challenge of keeping all the information straight, and I liked the two timelines - one from when the six characters were first in university, and later when they are reunited at Wolfheather House for their mysterious weekend away. They all had reasons to feel guilty, but one had more reasons than the rest... who was it? This one will certainly keep you guessing.

Although I was curious about the murderer, to me the real mystery was: Who is pulling the strings on this dreadful weekend, and who wants to see them all punished? There are many characters and scenarios that seem possible, but I must admit that although I liked some of the ending, I did think that part of it came completely out of left field. But that could just be me! There is definitely a lot of action and drama, and a locked room mystery is always fun to read.

YES or NO:
It’s a YES if you like complicated mysteries with lots of characters! I enjoyed it!

4 Stars