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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Again: it is exactly what you would expect from this author and is quite comforting in that regard. Wasnt my favorite of hers but a good pallet cleanser! 2.75⭐️⭐️
Solid book, it’s the most cut and dry mystery book from this author, but that’s not exactly a bad thing. I really appreciated how the author wrote the aftermath of the climax of the book, I liked the fact we actually got to see the characters coping and moving on from everything.
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
You'll Be the Death of Me is an entertaining mystery novel. Although the mystery revolves around murder, and there are other sinister plot developments, it's actually very light-hearted. More intriguing than thrilling! I think this comes from all the high school drama. There are lots of other mini twists, secrets and revelations, but most of these are of a less sinister and more teenage nature.
All in all it was an enjoyable read. I didn't guess 'whodunnit' and very much enjoyed the journey to figure it out. There was added trepidation with our trio of protagonists at risk of being implicated themselves which helped keep the pace up.
Recommended for fans of the author's previous books.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
All in all it was an enjoyable read. I didn't guess 'whodunnit' and very much enjoyed the journey to figure it out. There was added trepidation with our trio of protagonists at risk of being implicated themselves which helped keep the pace up.
Recommended for fans of the author's previous books.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I like Karen's books, they are so easy going. Predictable, sometimes yea, but after all I'm NEVER going to turn down a book written by her.
Ivy, Cal, and Mateo used to be close, but they haven't been so in quite some time. High school split their trio as each began to focus on different things. When the three run into one other in the parking lot before school, each having a bad day before the day has even begun, they decide to ditch school and reconnect.
It doesn't take long for things to sour- and by sour, I mean they find a classmate dead and immediately worry fingers could be pointed at them. After all, how much of a coincidence can it be that they skipped class and landed in the same place where a classmate was murdered?
In my mind, Karen McManus is a genius. I have enjoyed all of her books and this was no exception. She is skilled at writing murder mysteries that are engaging and remain compelling throughout!
It doesn't take long for things to sour- and by sour, I mean they find a classmate dead and immediately worry fingers could be pointed at them. After all, how much of a coincidence can it be that they skipped class and landed in the same place where a classmate was murdered?
In my mind, Karen McManus is a genius. I have enjoyed all of her books and this was no exception. She is skilled at writing murder mysteries that are engaging and remain compelling throughout!
As a middle and high school librarian I spend my days helping students find books. Karen McManus is an easy sell: Do you like suspenseful reads you can’t put down? Plot twists and characters you aren’t quite sure you can trust? YES-- students, every time, yes. You’ll Be the Death of Me delivers a book that will fly off my library shelves with just one or two sentences. Really, the cover alone or Karen McManus’s name is enough to create a long hold list.
Like her other books, You’ll be the Death of Me switches between three narrators: Cal, Mateo and Ivy who are all in a similar place on one school day: they’d rather be anywhere but at school. The switching between narrators is so effective for a suspenseful mystery because as a reader you wonder- what are the other narrators doing right now? What are they thinking about this event- is my current narrator getting it wrong?!! Aghhh! On this school day, each has their own reasons for not wanting to be there, but all three are feeling a little nostalgic about their middle school BFF group (consisting of Mateo, Ivy and Cal) that had the BEST DAY EVER. When they meet up by chance on this school day, they decide to recreate that best day. However, things are never that easy, are they? The plot moves quickly with a murder of a classmate and wrong place-wrong time scenarios for our three characters. But as a reader, you start to question, was it all by chance that they are there? The characters in this book are even more layered than her previous- 3 distinct voices- and I enjoyed seeing the characters evolve and motivations reveal as the story went on.
Here is what I love about this book. It is an experience. It isn’t a passive or fluffy read where I let the story do all of the work and can figure out the ending from the first chapter. This is one where I am pausing, asking questions, going back a few pages to see if I missed something, and constantly looking for clues. Every chapter I change my mind about who is guilty. There is a point in the middle of the book where a phone rings and once the characters in the book see the name the caller ID--aghhhh-- I had to stand up and pace around the room as the story unfolded! Which is why I finished the book in two quick days. The dynamic ending is well worth the read and a great ending to the experience of this book.
One last thought. I love the title because it is so fitting to the book. It is a classic phrase that has this double meaning that needs context. It can be taken in a loving way- You’ll be the Death of Me could be taken as a term of endearment from a parent to a child. But it can also be taken with a different tone-- literally!! I am DEAD because of you. I feel like this is what makes this book so much fun. Who can you really trust? Who really has a sinister tone? Who WILL be the death of me?
Highly recommended if you enjoy suspenseful reads or looking for a winner for that teenage reader in your life. Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of this book!
Like her other books, You’ll be the Death of Me switches between three narrators: Cal, Mateo and Ivy who are all in a similar place on one school day: they’d rather be anywhere but at school. The switching between narrators is so effective for a suspenseful mystery because as a reader you wonder- what are the other narrators doing right now? What are they thinking about this event- is my current narrator getting it wrong?!! Aghhh! On this school day, each has their own reasons for not wanting to be there, but all three are feeling a little nostalgic about their middle school BFF group (consisting of Mateo, Ivy and Cal) that had the BEST DAY EVER. When they meet up by chance on this school day, they decide to recreate that best day. However, things are never that easy, are they? The plot moves quickly with a murder of a classmate and wrong place-wrong time scenarios for our three characters. But as a reader, you start to question, was it all by chance that they are there? The characters in this book are even more layered than her previous- 3 distinct voices- and I enjoyed seeing the characters evolve and motivations reveal as the story went on.
Here is what I love about this book. It is an experience. It isn’t a passive or fluffy read where I let the story do all of the work and can figure out the ending from the first chapter. This is one where I am pausing, asking questions, going back a few pages to see if I missed something, and constantly looking for clues. Every chapter I change my mind about who is guilty. There is a point in the middle of the book where a phone rings and once the characters in the book see the name the caller ID--aghhhh-- I had to stand up and pace around the room as the story unfolded! Which is why I finished the book in two quick days. The dynamic ending is well worth the read and a great ending to the experience of this book.
One last thought. I love the title because it is so fitting to the book. It is a classic phrase that has this double meaning that needs context. It can be taken in a loving way- You’ll be the Death of Me could be taken as a term of endearment from a parent to a child. But it can also be taken with a different tone-- literally!! I am DEAD because of you. I feel like this is what makes this book so much fun. Who can you really trust? Who really has a sinister tone? Who WILL be the death of me?
Highly recommended if you enjoy suspenseful reads or looking for a winner for that teenage reader in your life. Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of this book!
This one wasn't for me, it was much heavier on the teen drama than the mystery. And what we did get of a mystery just seemed a bit silly to me. I liked Ivy's character growth but overall I only finished this because I was listening to the audio while out hiking.
This was fine, but her books all feel the same after a while.