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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from W.W. Norton via Edelweiss+.
Alex seems to have it all—an enviable internship on a top investigative news program and an engagement to a nearly perfect man. Her best friends, knowing her fascination with the infamous 666 Killer, plan a surprise bachelorette weekend at a haunted lodge in the Catskill Mountains, where the serial killer once committed a gruesome murder. But what begins as a thrilling adventure quickly turns into a horror story when Alex wakes up to find her friends missing, blood everywhere, and no memory of what happened.
As Alex struggles to piece together the mystery, she wonders if her recent prison interview with the convicted 666 Killer might have unleashed something sinister. With a blizzard cutting them off from the outside world, Alex is forced to rely on her true crime expertise to save her friends and uncover the truth. But nothing can prepare her for the shocking twists that await her.
While the premise of the book is intriguing, most of the elements of the story fall flat. The podcast episode chapters, intended to add depth, instead disrupt the narrative flow, pulling readers out of the suspense. Additionally, the logic behind certain plot developments feels shaky, and the seemingly endless twists start to feel more like attempts to shock the reader than to enhance the story. Definitely NOT relying on her "true crime expertise."
The supporting characters—Jay, Melody, Lainey, and Greg—are another weak point. None of them come across as particularly likable or well-developed, making it hard to care about what happens to them. And the big reveal about the bachelorette party, intended to be a climactic moment, ends up being more frustrating than satisfying. Really, what were they thinking?!?
Alex seems to have it all—an enviable internship on a top investigative news program and an engagement to a nearly perfect man. Her best friends, knowing her fascination with the infamous 666 Killer, plan a surprise bachelorette weekend at a haunted lodge in the Catskill Mountains, where the serial killer once committed a gruesome murder. But what begins as a thrilling adventure quickly turns into a horror story when Alex wakes up to find her friends missing, blood everywhere, and no memory of what happened.
As Alex struggles to piece together the mystery, she wonders if her recent prison interview with the convicted 666 Killer might have unleashed something sinister. With a blizzard cutting them off from the outside world, Alex is forced to rely on her true crime expertise to save her friends and uncover the truth. But nothing can prepare her for the shocking twists that await her.
While the premise of the book is intriguing, most of the elements of the story fall flat. The podcast episode chapters, intended to add depth, instead disrupt the narrative flow, pulling readers out of the suspense. Additionally, the logic behind certain plot developments feels shaky, and the seemingly endless twists start to feel more like attempts to shock the reader than to enhance the story. Definitely NOT relying on her "true crime expertise."
The supporting characters—Jay, Melody, Lainey, and Greg—are another weak point. None of them come across as particularly likable or well-developed, making it hard to care about what happens to them. And the big reveal about the bachelorette party, intended to be a climactic moment, ends up being more frustrating than satisfying. Really, what were they thinking?!?
What?!!! Sandra had me guessing the whole time!! The back and forth kept me feverishly invested and I appreciated the shorter chapters because I was IMPATIENT trying to get back to the “now” chapters.
If you love a whodunnit thriller then you’ll love this one!!
Thanks Sandra for another brilliant book!
If you love a whodunnit thriller then you’ll love this one!!
Thanks Sandra for another brilliant book!
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I did NOT enjoy the ending of this at all. I won't say what it is, but I will say it's one of those that makes you feel like the entire story you just read was a waste. Like, what did I spend all that time reading and trying to solve this case for? . Alex's friends sucked. Yeah, they put a lot of effort into planning a party especially for her, but they were annoying. I think the author just relied on the fact that they were throwing her the perfect bachelorette party to show us that they were great friends and there was nothing else showing that, so I didn't feel it. I always love a book with a good podcast element, and that definitely added to this story. In fact, Alex's journalism and investigation was my favorite part. The first 90% of the book was better than the last 10%, so I wouldn't say it was awful, but it didn't leave me feeling satisfied at the end.
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to be honest; I was a little taken aback by the average for The Bachelorette Party by Sandra Block on Goodreads but as soon as I got to the first big twist, I fully understood the reason for this. This is OUT THERE folks, but I loved every dang minute of it. The tension that Block managed to create in these pages was bloody fantastic and just the is he or isn’t he guilty on top of what happens at the party? Chef’s kiss. 👨🏼🍳💋 I really can’t say I liked any of the characters all that much, but I will say I was surprised by one of them. I was not a fan at all for the longest time, and somehow things managed to turn out.
The audiobook for this one was a little meh for me, but I did enjoy Lexi Mae’s narration for the most part. She cannot do an Australian accent to save her life though, and I wish she would have just used her normal voice for Alex’s fiancé Jay. I also found myself wishing they had taken advantage of the podcast piece of the book and did some special sound effects, but it was a missed opportunity. I loved the back and forth between the present-day bachelorette party and the previous months with Alex’s investigation into the 666 Killer and whether the man convicted is actually him. It made for a very pacey read that flew by and kept me turning the pages. The end was mind blowing, and I never saw it coming.
Read this if you are looking for a popcorn thriller with plenty of blood, thrills, and side of serial killer.
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The audiobook for this one was a little meh for me, but I did enjoy Lexi Mae’s narration for the most part. She cannot do an Australian accent to save her life though, and I wish she would have just used her normal voice for Alex’s fiancé Jay. I also found myself wishing they had taken advantage of the podcast piece of the book and did some special sound effects, but it was a missed opportunity. I loved the back and forth between the present-day bachelorette party and the previous months with Alex’s investigation into the 666 Killer and whether the man convicted is actually him. It made for a very pacey read that flew by and kept me turning the pages. The end was mind blowing, and I never saw it coming.
Read this if you are looking for a popcorn thriller with plenty of blood, thrills, and side of serial killer.
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.