Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Jinxed</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Jinxed</i> by Thommy Hutson is a spine-chilling thriller that expertly weaves together elements of suspense, supernatural horror, and psychological tension. Hutson masterfully crafts a narrative that is engaging, with each chapter unveiling new layers of mystery and dread.

<h4>The Details</h4>

The strength of the novel lies in Hutson's ability to create a palpable atmosphere of unease. The town becomes a character in itself, its secrets and malevolent history casting a pervasive sense of foreboding. The author skillfully explores the psychological toll on the characters as they grapple with the inexplicable and face the consequences of the town's curse.

The pacing is relentless, propelling the reader forward with a sense of urgency. Hutson's writing is vivid, painting a picture of the town's eerie landscapes and the chilling events that unfold. The characters, though haunted by their own demons, are relatable, adding an emotional depth to the narrative.

However, the plot twists and supernatural elements are a little predictable. The reliance on certain genre tropes might detract from the overall originality of the story.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Jinxed</i> is a captivating and atmospheric thriller that delivers on its promise of suspense and horror. While it may not redefine the genre, it effectively taps into primal fears, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural mysteries.

DNF at 25%. It's been over five years since I received this ARC. I gave it a go and have decided it is not for me. It interested me then and no longer does now.

Thank you for the opportunities to read this book. I have attempted it on a number of occasions but unfortunately I haven’t been able to get into it.

The book was reminiscent of the Scream movie Franchise but it lacked the thrill and absurdity to make the novel be worth while. It's a good filler read but it's not something you would remember for a long time.

What an amazing book that is reminiscent of all the great late 90s horror flicks like scream or I know what you did last summer. The author uses fantastic descriptive writing to really set the scene and uses many classic tropes that reminded me of why I loved those horrors so much. The storyline left you guessing and because it was told in 3rd person limited and different povs you didn’t know who would live.
A truly amazing book that is everything I love about the horror genre

The plot was a bit underdeveloped in my opinion. Although the author did a great job of setting the story up, I just really wanted there to be more twists and turns in the story. It was a bit predictable. This is possibly something that I would recommend to my students who are in 8th grade. Those that aren't advanced readers just because they aren't as able to predict the story as my more advanced kids, and they will appreciate the story itself. It had a good amount of drama and intrigue which is what many of my students love. I can see at least 40 or so of my students enjoying this book. Although I wouldn't teach it in class, I would definitely recommend this book as some outside reading.

Unfortunately didn't enjoy this book at all and struggled to finish it. It didn't flow for me very well and it was all a bit predictable. A fresh twist would have worked better.

I really loved this book- it was refreshing and new and i would highly recomend it. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what would happen next.

The book has an interesting premise although being a slasher story it was quite predictable. It would have been better if a certain twist was added to make it more uniquely its own.

Review: JINXED by Thommy Hutson

JINXED is all the adolescent-themed Horror of the 80's and 90's, wrapped up and honed to a finely-tuned perfection. Did I love it? Did i ever! It wouldn't turn me loose until the end--which rendered me speechless--and even then, I can't stop remembering. The plot is remindful of Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE--if Ms. Christie had written while on steroids. Set on an island some not inconsiderable distance from Seattle, in an extremely expensive, exclusive, performing arts academy, with urban legend, interpersonal drama, and a sociopathic Dean, JINXED is unstoppably riveting and a great joy to read.

I enjoyed this book very much. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

Chilling little addition to Hutson's library of evil little books, and I loved it! The premise was unique, and plot development was superbly paced. Dialog and tension kept me glued to my Kindle, and I was so disappointed when I reached the end... I wanted it to go on for a lot longer! Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher/author for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis of this book pulled me in and it did not disappoint. It is a murder mystery and has some dark moments.

We start our with a group of seniors in an elite high school that have to be the best in what they do. We get a past story of the death on the schools campus.

Now fast forward years ahead and a new group of kids that are in that same spotlight. Lanya is at the center of all this. She has a new boyfriend Max that is constantly fighting off her old boyfriend because everytime she turns around her ex - Dillon is there. Then the deaths start happened. At first they think suicide but the friends quickly learn that this is not the case. They have to figure out what is going on.

I would highly recommend this read.

This book sounded so good, I really wanted to love it. Yet, that wasn't the case. This story is very detailed, so if you are squeamish in the least I wouldn't recommend it. I also had problems with the characters. I felt like they were all bad, and no one was really a 'hero'.

I found this book is not to my taste. It is very well written by a talented writer. However I found it difficult to get into and was unfortunatly not able to finish it.

Jinxed
3.5 Stars!

Wow I love a fun creepy murder mystery/horror story.

Trask Academy sits on a small private Pacific Northwest Island once owned by the reclusive Cadogan Trask. Not only were the Man and the Island itself whispered about but also the School that had that mysterious and eerie air about it. Still the prestige seemed to draw those who sought what it seemed to offer even if it was no guarantee they’d leave the island alive.

Trask students are being murdered and when eyes turn to Layna she must prove it’s not her behind their gruesome deaths. Discovering the truth behind everything reveals more than she bargained for and soon she discovers the truth about herself.

Jinxed really had that feeling of a movie I’d watch on tv or Netflix when I’m in the mood for something a bit frightening and entertaining. I love those kinds of stories and don’t get them enough. Yes they can be a bit predictable and sometimes humorous even though it may not have been meant to be. But in the end I don’t regret watching it because it was pretty enjoyable. That’s Jinxed.

The writing was great, wonderfully descriptive and truly attempted to pull me into the pages. The characters were well done and in all it was easy to read. I liked the ending and it definitely played in my head like I was watching it on the big screen (I pictured a lates 90’s Jennifer Love Hewitt from I Know What You Did Last Summer).

Would I recommend Jinxed? Sure to those who enjoy this type of story. But if you’re not a fan of horror or gruesome murder than avoid this one please.

A solid slasher type book that screamed 80's nostalgia/Scream universe.

The beginning was a little slow in getting started but then it picked up and I was instantly taken back to my slasher film days. Highly reminiscent of this fact and a solid read.

Jinxed by Thommy Hutson is a horror story that takes place in a unique high school, Trask Academy of the Performing Arts, built on a privately-owned island off the coast of Washington. This school was created for the benefit of the gifted and talented children of the very wealthy. The remote setting is guaranteed to isolate the players in this horror mystery.

The tale opens with backstory about the death of a Trask student in 1998. Amanda dies in a fire that destroys the theater. Her last thought is for “the baby.”

The plot moves forward to the present where the main character, Layna, is just as mysterious as the setting. She is not wealthy but is somehow able to attend this selective academy. Readers meet her and a gaggle of other teens in her circle, including past and present boyfriends, a situation that creates constant conflict. The plot keeps changing directions and will keep readers guessing until the end. With every death, a new suspect comes into focus.

Due to an annual vacation break, only a handful of students and a few adults remain at the academy. They become trapped on the island and unable to leave or communicate with the mainland. Before long, danger finds them.

Though the setting makes this story a bit different, it soon turns into a mysterious blood bath.
The cast is the usual set of precocious teens. So many are introduced at once that they are a bit hard to tell apart. In addition, too much time is spent documenting playful banter between the students who appear to be competing to out-cute each other. Although adults will skim past this part, young adults might very well enjoy it.

The chosen point of view defeats what might become a more interesting story. The narrator is a distant omniscient entity. This extreme distance could create a disconnect between readers and characters that will make it hard to care about most of the players. In addition, the preponderance of tell and the lack of show make the text sound like a synopsis or a screenplay.

The author possesses superior skill with language. Jinxed reads smoothly. Perhaps one of the most notable elements of the text is the careful formatting that makes the text stand out among others. Few digital novels boast the artistic embellishments that are common in print.

Jinxed will most likely find its most enthusiastic followers among young-adult readers who will be able to connect with the characters.

Jinxed is a cross between Scream and Urban Legend. Set at a prestigious performing arts school on a private island Trask Academy is filled with its fair share of secrets and drama. The plot centers around Layna Curtis a hopeful actress and her set of friends preparing for their senior showcase, something only a select few students are invited to participate in. Layna the understudy for the popular Sydney is suddenly thrown into the position of a lifetime when Sydney is found dead from an apparent suicide. When Detective Parker arrives on the island to investigate the school quickly goes into cover up mode. With only a handful of students and faculty on the island staying behind during spring break it shouldn’t be hard to get to the bottom of the case. That is until Layna’s small group of friends starts dying one by one.

Overall, I loved the concept of the book it could very easily be adapted into a limited time television show or a movie even. The setting of Trask Academy was very interesting and very well fleshed out. I found the Layna to be slightly obnoxious, her attitude that everything was about her was incredibly overdramatic. The girl’s friends are dropping dead around her but all she cares about is nailing her showcase piece or solving the mystery of her mother. Max, Layna’s boyfriend was another character I was just waiting to see get stabbed. The alpha male territorial role he played really played into how I viewed Layna.

I did love how each character didn’t just end up dead; we got almost everyone’s perspective when they died giving you clues to who the killer was. I had a few theories going as to who the killer was and even questioned if some characters were in fact dead. The ending was a little predictable but that might just be because I watch a lot of horror movies.

A little too juvenile for my tastes, even for a YA story.