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meganh123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lagadema's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Reading "She Left" was an unexpected delight. With no preconceived notions and no prior acquaintance with the author's works, I was drawn in by its cover and the promise held within the synopsis.
The premise teased a classic mystery/horror narrative—a deceptive invitation to an event, reminiscent of a dinner party or weekend getaway, that unfolds into something entirely unexpected. It echoes the timeless "And Then There Were None" and similar tales. The story's pace is relentless, engaging, and straightforward. It was a breeze to get through.
While the story may not break new ground, it doesn't have to—it's thoroughly enjoyable. The plot is compelling and playful, not overly serious yet delivering a well-crafted, intense mystery that ensnares you until the final reveal. Ranking high among the thrillers I've encountered lately, I'd suggest it to anyone in search of an easy, brisk read for the summer. It's a fleeting, yet satisfyingly fun escapade.
Thanks, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC
The premise teased a classic mystery/horror narrative—a deceptive invitation to an event, reminiscent of a dinner party or weekend getaway, that unfolds into something entirely unexpected. It echoes the timeless "And Then There Were None" and similar tales. The story's pace is relentless, engaging, and straightforward. It was a breeze to get through.
While the story may not break new ground, it doesn't have to—it's thoroughly enjoyable. The plot is compelling and playful, not overly serious yet delivering a well-crafted, intense mystery that ensnares you until the final reveal. Ranking high among the thrillers I've encountered lately, I'd suggest it to anyone in search of an easy, brisk read for the summer. It's a fleeting, yet satisfyingly fun escapade.
Thanks, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC
nordseestrand's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
She Left is a closed circle mystery set in an isolated cabin cut off from the world by a raging storm (and missing car keys). 20 years ago, Amy Therese Brewer left a party with her friends shortly before they were brutally murdered. 20 years later, she meets 9 other people connected to the victims for an anniversary interview. But instead of a interview there are wild accusations, new evidence, missing keys and phones and one by one, people start do die.
I really enjoy closed circle mysteries and this one hit just the spot. Was ist outstanding? No. Was is disappointing? No. It was just fine (or 08/15, as we Germans say). It was somewhat lacking in suspence, but it did keep me quessing "whodunnit?" until the end. I also looove the cover art!
I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator. Sadly, I had some trouble following the story because I kept mixing up characters and forgot how most of them were connected to the victims halfway through (Joseph? Gil? Mike? Who?). Most of them were pretty unlikeable, too. The most interesting and likeable charakter in my opinion was Lorelei, an ex-addict, and I wish she would have had a bigger part in the story.
The end felt somewhat rushed, but all in all a solid 3.5 stars from me!
I received a complimentary download of this audio book via Netgalley. Thank you.
I really enjoy closed circle mysteries and this one hit just the spot. Was ist outstanding? No. Was is disappointing? No. It was just fine (or 08/15, as we Germans say). It was somewhat lacking in suspence, but it did keep me quessing "whodunnit?" until the end. I also looove the cover art!
I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator. Sadly, I had some trouble following the story because I kept mixing up characters and forgot how most of them were connected to the victims halfway through (Joseph? Gil? Mike? Who?). Most of them were pretty unlikeable, too. The most interesting and likeable charakter in my opinion was Lorelei, an ex-addict, and I wish she would have had a bigger part in the story.
The end felt somewhat rushed, but all in all a solid 3.5 stars from me!
I received a complimentary download of this audio book via Netgalley. Thank you.
kindlebabe's review against another edition
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ //5
She Left
by: Stacie Grey
THOUGHTS:
I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
One of my top 10 reads for the season! I loved this book. This surpurb thriller had me on the edge of my seat the entire ride, the twists and turns and mystery kept me anxiously turning pages wondering what was going to happen. I sat down on a cold weekend curled up with a hot beverage and devoured this in a sitting. I only wished the characters were a little more developed BUT aside from that little aspect I enjoyed this read and will absolutely watch out for more books by Stacie because her writing style is right up my alley. I will recommend this to my bookish friends as well!!!
She Left
by: Stacie Grey
THOUGHTS:
I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
One of my top 10 reads for the season! I loved this book. This surpurb thriller had me on the edge of my seat the entire ride, the twists and turns and mystery kept me anxiously turning pages wondering what was going to happen. I sat down on a cold weekend curled up with a hot beverage and devoured this in a sitting. I only wished the characters were a little more developed BUT aside from that little aspect I enjoyed this read and will absolutely watch out for more books by Stacie because her writing style is right up my alley. I will recommend this to my bookish friends as well!!!
marym2215's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
On the anniversary of and many years after the horrific Memorial Day Massacre, where five teens were brutally murdered moments after Amy Therese Brewer stormed out in a rage, ten individuals linked to the tragedy (including Therese) are summoned to a secluded cliffside home by a journalist under the pretense of covering the story. As a fierce storm traps them inside and certain truths come out, they soon begin to realize that the motive for this gathering might be more threatening than they originally believed. Now a detective and trapped with these individuals, Therese suspects that someone among them knows more about that fateful night than they let on. As individuals begin dying, Therese is forced to recognize the terrifying reality that one of the attendees is willing to kill again, determined to keep their dark secrets hidden forever. Will Therese be able uncover who is behind this sinister plan before it's too late?
I definitely enjoyed this book! I listened to it as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. It gives off very similar vibes to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None as well as Clue (the 1985 movie - but minus the comedic aspects). If you like a classic whodunit while individuals are trapped together and you don’t know who you can trust, you will likely enjoy this book. At the beginning I did have a little difficultly keeping all of the characters in order, especially when trying to connect the present day characters to the individuals that were originally murdered. I think it would have really helped if I took notes at the beginning of the book when everyone was first introduced and it was explained how they were connected so I could have used it as a reference as the plot thickened. Overall, I felt this was a solid murder/mystery story with an eerie setting.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced audiobook of She Left in return for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Child death
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, and Suicide
jsho44's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jsanchez11153's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
gssll_lpz's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
simonlorden's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC through NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Seventeen-year-old Amy has a fight with her friends and walks out of a house party while fireworks are going off outside. When she gets home, she learns that the five friends she left behind at the cabin were all killed shortly after she left. Twenty years later, Amy - now using her middle name Therese - is one of ten people invited to a lodge by a journalist working on a story about the massacre.
The structure is familiar: ten people are trapped in a building in the middle of a storm, and they start dying one by one. There is a killer in the building, and it is almost certainly one of them. I would say that all the characters were equally suspicious, and since the killer's motive was only revealed right before the big reveal, I'm not sure it would have been possible for someone to guess right - but it's difficult to build a story where you drop enough hints but not too many. Also, maybe someone is cleverer than me.
The cast is pretty diverse, including a gay Black guy, a Mexican guy and an Asian woman, and we have a short chapter from everyone's POV where we can see into their heads a bit. Unfortunately, I didn't really find myself connecting to any of the characters, although Lorelei, the formerly homeless addict who managed to clean up her life was probably my favorite.
Overall it's an entertaining read, but not particularly extraordinary in its genre.
Seventeen-year-old Amy has a fight with her friends and walks out of a house party while fireworks are going off outside. When she gets home, she learns that the five friends she left behind at the cabin were all killed shortly after she left. Twenty years later, Amy - now using her middle name Therese - is one of ten people invited to a lodge by a journalist working on a story about the massacre.
The structure is familiar: ten people are trapped in a building in the middle of a storm, and they start dying one by one. There is a killer in the building, and it is almost certainly one of them. I would say that all the characters were equally suspicious, and since the killer's motive was only revealed right before the big reveal, I'm not sure it would have been possible for someone to guess right - but it's difficult to build a story where you drop enough hints but not too many. Also, maybe someone is cleverer than me.
The cast is pretty diverse, including a gay Black guy, a Mexican guy and an Asian woman, and we have a short chapter from everyone's POV where we can see into their heads a bit. Unfortunately, I didn't really find myself connecting to any of the characters, although Lorelei, the formerly homeless addict who managed to clean up her life was probably my favorite.
Overall it's an entertaining read, but not particularly extraordinary in its genre.
hollispaige's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This was a fun whodunit to keep you on your toes. From the first 2 chapters i had an idea of who-actually-dun it, but there were definitely times when i questioned myself! I’ve been trying to find interesting thriller's that are not detective driven and this one (sorta) fit the bill.
I wish there were a few more various perspectives throughout, i think those made it much more interesting of a read! Overall it was a decent lil read!
I wish there were a few more various perspectives throughout, i think those made it much more interesting of a read! Overall it was a decent lil read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Bullying
Minor: Suicide and Drug use