Ah.... Karen McManus. If nothing else, you know you're going to get a good read from her.

The summary of this book via the publisher/McManus is very much a good summary; usually I have something witty (or at least I think it's witty) to say or add. Not this time!

If you've liked McManus' other books, then you're going to like this one. This one does end up feeling a little similar to her previous books - there's definitely some tropes/characterization techniques of hers that I've become used to (for example, one character had a crush on the other, it didn't work out but they still like each other. Ivy definitely resembled Browyn in terms of characterization). Regardless, the use of these familiar tropes doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the book. McManus still writes great plot twists that keep you guessing right until the end. The pieces of this book fall together so nicely that, upon finishing the book, all I could do was sit back and sigh and be amazed at how well McManus does her job.

If nothing else, this book definitely makes up for the hot mess book The Cousins. This definitely reminds me more of One of Us Is Lying.

Definitely a book I recommend picking up when it comes out later in 2021.

This book has been advertised as a Ferris Bueller's Day Off with a dangerous twist. While completely accurate and awesome, I wonder how many young adults will understand the reference! In You'll be the Death of Me three friends decide to skip school for one last day of fun, just like when they were younger. As they are leaving, they notice a classmate of theirs also leaving so they decide to follow him.

And then he is murdered, leaving Ivy, Mateo, and Cal as they only witnesses to the crime. Soon Ivy is suspected and the three friends need to figure out a way out of this together so else all three are in deep trouble!

Every book Karen McManus writes is thriller gold. I have many on my classroom shelf so if you see this blog, come grab any of them. Unfortunately you are going to have to wait to grab this one as it is set for publication on November 30th. But, trust me, it'll be worth the wait!

Yet another addictive book by the queen of suspense!
This was more of a straight runner mystery. You can very easily guess the killers motives and identity if you pay close enough attention! Still a very good, fast paced and fun book!
I cannot wait for the next book !

My high school readers will love this murder mystery. Students (and I) really like books with multiple narrators. Karen McManus is a master of writing mystery books that YA readers WANT to read!!!

Cal, Mateo and Ivy used to be the best of friends but over the last few years of high school they have drifted apart, almost never speaking. That is until the day they all decide to play hookie and their whole lives change. Their fun day quickly takes a turn for the worse as death, drugs and violence follow them at every turn. They make a great detective team though and as they try to solve the crime they also manage to solve some of their own issues and possibly become friends again! Love a great mystery and this did not discount.

It's one twist after another in this fast-paced mystery-thriller. If you've read any of McManus's other books, you know what's coming. Sort of.

Back in 6th grade, Ivy, Cal, and Mateo enjoyed "the Greatest Day Ever" - 2 hours of wandering around Boston as their classmates sat through a boring lecture on a field trip. It's now senior year, though the former friends haven't spent any of the past 3 years together, the day is already off to a bad start and fate finds them leaving their classmates behind.

In true McManus form, each teens holds secrets that - surprise! - somehow relate to the others in their group. Oh. And there's the small matter of an apparent murder that they stumble upon. Go figure it's one of their classmates. And suddenly one of them is being implicated in his death.

Can you figure out this whodunit before it's too late? Even when the motive and killer are unveiled, be prepared for One. Last. Twist.

Full review to come on Instagram closer to Pub Day. Thank you to the publisher Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, author Karen M. McManus, and NetGalley for a review copy.

great story of friends who spend a day out and someone ends up dead. loved the friends and the different point of views. Loved that it all come together and friends became better. loved the siblings

I've read all of Karen McManus' previous books. They are the book equivalent of a good CW Teen Drama and delightfully escapist. Getting this as a #NetGalley Advanced Review Copy was like Christmas come early. The only down side is that I now have to wait longer for the next book in the series.

This book is a murder-mystery riff on Ferris Bueller's Day Off and I'm not sure I need to say anymore than that?

Welp, McManus does it again!
I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book, as I have all her others, when I dove into chapter one. But I was wrong. Let's talk characters:
I wasn't fully appreciative of Ivy's pain in the ass/weepy character (at first), although that changed as I spent more time with her. I grew to love her as my favorite character. Which is risky because a lot of people can be uber judgmental in the beginning of a book, and might put the book down if annoyed too much. I know my students (middle school teacher) do. As far as Cal, my heart went out to him and his attachment issues. I did like that he had two dads to reflect a modern family, and somehow found myself wishing I could see more of them interacting, but I understand why we didn't. Mateo resonated with me ten fold, for I teach a lot of kids in similar situations as his, but who unfortunately don't get the happy ending he does.

As far as the plot, it was tight along with the writing, as usual. McManus has skills in this area that are above and beyond. The red herrings were spot on with trickery. I know there were several easter eggs pointing to the culprit, but not a ton, and I'm a seasoned murder mystery/thriller reader, and can nine times out of ten I can guess who it is early on. You got me! And the mysterious "D"..well done putting all the characters in there whose names started with D, so our focus was on one of them and NOT the person it really was. Shaking my head!

Now for story. I love the middle school friends revived route. There are so many people in this world, who have parted ways once they get to high school. So it's immensely relatable. And the tie in to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, clever. My favorite line was when Emily said: Bueller? Bueller?

I also loved that Mateo and Ivy had a thing and we were able to relive those teenage butterflies right along with both of them. There were a lot of subplots to keep up with, but that's what happens when there are so many characters, so I didn't necessarily hate that. It was so tightly woven, that I never felt confused, so again, well done.

If I have to say something constructive, it would just be about the way the three of them got back together. Sure, they all had conflict going on that day, so I see where that push to skip could happen. But it just seemed too easy. Hey you wanna skip? Yeah, sure, let's do it, didn't seem natural for all of the characters, especially Ivy. And she was freaking out, but still. It again, seemed too easy. I would've liked to have seen them forced together with some sort of scenario where they don't really want to be together, but have to be. I understand they were recreating the Best Day Ever, but it just didn't seem believable.

Also, I was a little worried that we would be throw back into a "school" setting after our nice break from one in The Cousins, but McManus used the school as a background, never really putting us there (too much, only when necessary). So, I liked being able to spend time with the young adults during their day of skipping. Writing a book that unfolds in just one day is extremely difficult, so kudos again.

Overall, I truly loved this book, more so than One Of Us Is Lying, I think. They just keep getting better and better. Keep em coming!

This author is a fav of mine and my students, but this one fell short. The premise didn’t make a whole lot of sense and I didn’t feel a connection to any character.

Ivy, Cal, and Mateo used to be best friends years ago, but now they are all in high school and have drifted apart. They are all seniors now and randomly bump into each other in the high school parking lot one day. After reminiscing, they decide to skip school together to try to recreate a really fun skip day they had together years ago. The fun, however, comes to an abrupt halt when they stumble upon the dead body of a classmate. Each one of them tries to figure out what happened and they find themselves caught up in something more than they bargained for.

This was my first book by Karen M. McManus. I really enjoyed it and I can see why she is very popular. It was filled with mystery and suspense that kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the different POV's and the quick pacing which made it a quick enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

I loveeeee McManus books and I was so excited to receive an ARC copy of this book.

Ultimately- this was not my favorite of her books but it still follows suit to her style. The book follows the perspective of Ivy, Mateo, and Cal. These friends are recently reunited and this is only where the adventure begins. Through a series of unpredicted events and turns these kids can never seem to catch a break.

I though this book was very well executed and consistently kept me guessing. If you are a McManus fan you need to get your hands on this!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

I liked but didn’t like it (if that makes any sense). I found that the characters felt a bit flat. That ending though….I am hoping that there is a sequel!

You’ll be the Death of Me has it all- murder, hidden agendas, romance and thriller., The story begins when three former friends from middle school reunite for a skip day in high School . The day turns into the worst day ever as they find a classmate murdered. As the three scramble to prevent being arrested they attempt to locate the real killer and clear their names. It was hard for me to put this down. Great book!

This was an entertaining and enjoyable YA read. It wasn’t super realistic, especially how the climax was resolved, but I couldn’t put it down! Showed some realistic family dynamics and teen pressures. Fact-paced, multiple POVs, and good twists.

Karen McManus writes such fantastic thrillers. I read this in one sitting last night shortly after receiving it. I love her work and can't wait to read whatever comes next.

This is a story about miscommunications… and murder!

I really enjoyed this- the dynamics were compelling & the plot kept me sucked in from the first page.

Minor spoiler (you find out v quickly)
I also loved the examination of women as capable of being predators, and that grooming often appears nuanced so that those on the outside wouldn’t immediately identify it for what it is.

Ferris Bueller’s day off and murder, who could ask for more?

When estranged friends skip school to recreate the best day ever, they get more than they bargained for. A murder, betrayal, secrets, and lies. Will they solve the murder before it’s too late?

I liked the book, but it isn’t my favorite Karen McManus book. To be fair, I also never enjoyed Ferris Bueller either. I find the premise to be annoying.

The characters were likable, most of the time and I felt that they were developed well. I related to Ivy the most and often felt bad for her. I liked how many layers there were between the characters. You could really understand their relationship. I like that there were no random characters and that they all served a purpose.

The story was entertaining and enjoyable. I wanted to know what was going to happen and how it would all unravel. I will say, I was bit bored in the middle, but it picked up soon after that. I did see the murderer coming, but I didn’t love the actual ending, as the final twist was meh for me.

I’d give this a 3.5/5 stars!

Karen McManus does it again in her newest book, You'll Be the Death of Me. Karen, Mateo, and Cal were best friends when they were younger but went their own way when they entered high school. When given the opportunity to relive their "skip day" which solidified their friendship when they were younger, they jumped on the chance. However, the day spun out of control which throws the reader into McManus' teen angst plot scheme that we all know and love.

There is just something about the way that Karen McManus writes that I really like. It brings me back to watching The Breakfast Club for the first time. The characters are so real, and the plot is one you can't help but love. It's a great YA read.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of You'll Be the Death of Me.