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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Comedy and crime were the reasons I wanted to start this book. I believe it has potential if it stays humorous throughout the story, even during a supposedly "dramatic" murder scene, but the fact that the book went from "lol" funny and then thriller on the next felt too jarring.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
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.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one had potential but I feel like it couldn't strike the right balance between comedy and crime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Murder
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No