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A review by elgransancho
Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
5.0
“It’s not your typical murder mystery… and that’s actually one of the things that makes it one of the more unique books we’ve read.”
— The Margins Podcast
This book grabbed us from page one and held on tight.
With just seven days to live after a traumatic attack, Jet Mason is faced with a brutal deadline — and rather than spend her remaining time in quiet reflection, she chooses to hunt down the person who tried to kill her.
From that premise alone, it’s clear this isn’t your standard whodunit. Holly Jackson doesn’t rely on twist gimmicks or thriller clichés. What you get here is a story that prioritizes voice, emotion, and agency.
Jet is a force. She’s messy, guarded, and not particularly concerned with being likable — which makes her feel incredibly real. The strength of the book lies in how it lets her be flawed without apologizing for it. There’s a real sense of urgency in the way she tries to tie together broken pieces of her life while still confronting the people around her — many of whom may know more than they’re letting on.
The relationship between Jet and her longtime friend Billy brings depth to the story. It's not romanticized or overly sentimental, but there’s weight in their connection that keeps everything grounded.
What stood out most to us was the book’s restraint. Jackson lets the tension simmer, never rushing to force drama. The structure is lean, the pacing deliberate, and there’s a sharp undercurrent about control — who has it, who’s lost it, and what it takes to claim it back.
If we had one critique, it’s that a few of the supporting characters feel more functional than fully developed. But in a book this focused — and time-limited — it makes sense.
Final Thoughts:
Not Quite Dead Yet is a tightly-written, emotionally-charged thriller that delivers on its premise without overplaying it. Smart, layered, and unapologetically character-driven.
Rating: 4.5/5
— The Margins Podcast
This book grabbed us from page one and held on tight.
With just seven days to live after a traumatic attack, Jet Mason is faced with a brutal deadline — and rather than spend her remaining time in quiet reflection, she chooses to hunt down the person who tried to kill her.
From that premise alone, it’s clear this isn’t your standard whodunit. Holly Jackson doesn’t rely on twist gimmicks or thriller clichés. What you get here is a story that prioritizes voice, emotion, and agency.
Jet is a force. She’s messy, guarded, and not particularly concerned with being likable — which makes her feel incredibly real. The strength of the book lies in how it lets her be flawed without apologizing for it. There’s a real sense of urgency in the way she tries to tie together broken pieces of her life while still confronting the people around her — many of whom may know more than they’re letting on.
The relationship between Jet and her longtime friend Billy brings depth to the story. It's not romanticized or overly sentimental, but there’s weight in their connection that keeps everything grounded.
What stood out most to us was the book’s restraint. Jackson lets the tension simmer, never rushing to force drama. The structure is lean, the pacing deliberate, and there’s a sharp undercurrent about control — who has it, who’s lost it, and what it takes to claim it back.
If we had one critique, it’s that a few of the supporting characters feel more functional than fully developed. But in a book this focused — and time-limited — it makes sense.
Final Thoughts:
Not Quite Dead Yet is a tightly-written, emotionally-charged thriller that delivers on its premise without overplaying it. Smart, layered, and unapologetically character-driven.
Rating: 4.5/5