Natalie has graduated high school and is getting her life in order to enter college in the fall. Her mother has a diner in town where Natalie works sometimes. These two characters and their stories will share the pages of Killing Time, the name of the podcast that Natalie co-hosts with her friend and which Natalie's mother knows nothing about.
Natalie's consuming interest is true crime, hence the podcast. Helen, Natalie's mother, has trauma in her past that causes her to be a helicopter parent, intent on keeping Natalie safe....and alive. When Natalie's favorite teacher is murdered, Natalie decides to investigate on her own. At this point, the story splits with focus on Natalie in the present and Ellen during her freshman year of college. Brenna Ehrlich weaves the two stories until they meet at a surprising point. While classified as a young adult mystery, there is more than enough mystery and thriller to keep this adult turning those pages quickly.

Fueled by a shared fascination with true crime, Natalie and her favorite teacher forge a special bond. But tragedy strikes when the teacher is murdered, and Natalie's relentless curiosity puts her at odds with her disapproving mother.

The narrative unfolds through captivating dual timelines. One follows Natalie's present-day pursuit of the truth, where she teams up with a local boy to investigate her teacher's demise. The other delves into Natalie's mom's past as a college student harboring her own journalistic aspirations. Both stories seamlessly intertwine, revealing hidden connections and secrets.

With its fast-paced narrative and intriguing central mystery, this book is a captivating read for true-crime enthusiasts of all ages.

Note: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Our protagonist has a clear passion for her subject, and is all too mixed up with it when she knows the victim, and her mother doesn't approve of her hobby or her connection to this case. I was right there with her wanting to figure out what happened.

Natalie has always been fascinated by true crime, and so did her favorite teacher. Her mom is not a fan of this passion, and she’s especially upset by Natalie’s interest when that favorite teacher is murdered and Natalie can’t keep her nose out of the investigation. I really liked the dual timeline – it follows Natalie in the present, teaming up with a local guy to figure out what happened to her teacher, as well as Natalie’s mom when she was in college and wanted to be a journalist herself. I really liked both timelines, and I found the overall mystery to be interesting. It was a pretty quick read.

Catching up on long overdue reading--I hate it took me so long to get to this one! Got on my radar when Courtney Summers and Kara Thomas recommended it on a live stream, and I'm so glad I picked it up. This hits the spot if you like small town suburbia vibes, podcast angles, teen detectives, and rich YA character-driven contemporary with a mystery-suspense underpinning. It's told in third person, which is pretty rare for YA mystery, but always welcome--I find it lends the whole thing a classic storytelling feel that always sets the mood.

I loved the writing especially, and I paused more than once to consider a well-rendered phrase or vivid verb. I love as a writer when I can really grasp onto the specificity and detail of great prose.

I love a good dual timeline, and it was refreshing to see something a bit different for YA: dual timeline between a mother and daughter, with the mother's chapters set during her freshman year of college, 19 years earlier. They have parallel stories of aspiring journalists investigating a crime, and the consequences of those actions. Generally speaking, Killing Time has a rich mother/daughter relationship and core conflict--there's this one scene of conflict between the two of them where I was SO invested and engaged on Natalie's behalf, and frankly I wish she'd screamed at her mother haha. But of course, at the same time... by that point you know most of her mom's backstory from the past timeline, and you get her side, too... More than once the book generated a high conflict scene where I writhed with either second hand embarrassment or rage on behalf of the characters, which is always the hallmark of engaging, character-driven writing.

The book also delivers a strong female friendship subplot, and a love triangle--this is definitely a read-alike for fans of Karen McManus in that sense, plus for fans of GGGTM with the cold case/podcast/running around a small town with a boy to solve a murder angle.

It would be a decent read for the YA audience if they were fans of the series " A Good Girl's Guide to Murder." It is supposed to be for a true crime lover but the book just did not pull me in, as I had hoped. I review many genres for all ages and this one just did not capture my attention, as much as I had hoped.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the e-copy, in exchange for this honest review.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

Rounded up from 3.5. I enjoyed this. I thought the pacing was good and the characters were interesting. My favorite was Natalie's best friend because she was just so weird. I wouldn't say the plot was really anything special and pretty predictable at the end which is why I couldn't rate it higher but it was an enjoyable read.

“Killing Time” was a great YA mystery with dual perspectives and two true crime cases at its center. With its twists and turns and interesting characters, I definitely had a good time reading “Killing Time” and recommend it.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich.
Killing Time is a well-written, fast-paced mystery that is perfect for YA readers. Brenna Ehrlich hooks the reader right away and keeps the you engaged. Great book to recommend to true crime lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC digital edition.

Unfortunately, I was unable to read this in the time allotted.

Thank you so much to Inkyard Press and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of Killing Time! Killing Time came out earlier this year (March 8 to be exact) but I was drowning in books back then, so I didn’t have time to read it until this summer and OMG y’all this was such a great read!
Killing Time 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads: Summer in Ferry, Connecticut, has always meant long, lazy days at the beach and wild nights partying in the abandoned mansions on the edge of town. Until now, that is.
Natalie Temple, who’s never been one for beaches or parties in the first place, is reeling from the murder of her favorite teacher, and there’s no way this true-crime-obsessed girl is going to sit back and let the rumor mill churn out lie after lie—even if she has to hide her investigation from her disapproving mom and team up with the new boy in town…
But the more Natalie uncovers, the more she realizes some secrets were never meant to be told.
"Expertly-plotted and brimming with suspense, Killing Time is more than just a mystery. It's a thoughtful novel about true crime stories and how we tell them.
Oh wow y’all- I love mysteries and murder books and everything like that, but often times, I normally see the twists coming pretty early on. In Killing Time, I didn’t see them at all and I really loved how they all happened and the reasoning behind everything that happened! I enjoyed the fact that this book was being told in two timelines (the past and the present) and I loved when the timelines came together and everything started to make sense. True crime is so popular now, but reporting about crime has always been a big deal, so it was great to be able to see those parallels and to see how that impacts not only the victims, but also the reporters sometimes. I really liked the characters- Natalie and Helen were great and I was really drawn into both of their stories. The plot and pacing were both well done and I didn’t feel bored or as if anything was drawn out anywhere. Overall, I highly recommend picking up Killing Time and giving it a whirl!

Link to be added once post goes live

Mystery | 15-18
<cover image>
Natalie Temple has just finished high school, but instead of a summer of beach parties and college dorm decor shopping, she is determined to find out who killed her favourite teacher, Mrs. Halsey. With her best friend Katie, Natalie secretly (from her mother) hosts a true-crime podcast; the two were also in a true crime club at school with Mrs. Halsey. The teacher’s husband is implicated in the death, alleged to have been having an affair, and refuses to talk, but Natalie is convinced he is innocent. Computer whiz Katie is more interested in getting ready for college, so wannabe journalist Natalie is largely on her own as she records interviews and tries to figure out who is responsible. Natalie’s mum Helen knows nothing about it, especially since she is mysteriously opposed to Natalie’s true crime obsession. That opposition is slowly explained in a parallel storyline, as we learn that Helen herself was studying to be a journalist when another death changed her life. I was hoping for Veronica Mars and instead got a very strange version of Nancy Drew. I know she’s just 18, but I still don’t understand why her last words to her teacher are “you never cared about me!” She lies to her mum, Katie’s role is almost nonexistent except as a plot device, the podcast angle simply fades away, and the killer’s motivation is mystifying. I was disappointed in this one. My thanks to Inkyard Press for the digital reading copy provided in exchange for my honest review.
More discussion and reviews of this young adult mystery: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57803154

Killing Time is the first novel I've read by Ehrlich, and I was immediately sucked in by the title and description which had me made me so curious that I knew I had to give it a try. This novel blends many familiar genres, including mystery and thriller elements and some young adult themes. For me, I'm sucked in by a cover most of the time, and that is exactly what happened with Killing Time. The description simply sealed the deal. The book was easy to get into - we have a brutal murder, a conflicted teen, and many hidden secrets. So naturally, there's a lot to get sucked in by. I liked Natalie's perspective on the story. It was a unique take on the matter, having a teenage girl look into the murder of her favorite teacher and all that. I know it's probably been done before, but not in anything I've read before. The pacing was solid, keeping the story flowing from one event to another. If you enjoy young adult mystery/thrillers with many teenage complications and emotions, I'd probably recommend this one.

This was a solid 3 star read. It was good while I was reading it but I have already forgotten most of the book and moved on quickly. If you're more of a dedicated thriller genre reader it's probably one to stick on your TBR, but as a casual thriller reader it didn't wow me enough to make me want more.

Killing Time focuses on Natalie, a recent high school graduate who loves to read and podcast about crimes. She keeps her interests secret from her overbearing mother Helen, who protects Natalie so much that she teachers her karate in the back yard–all in the name of being able to protect oneself. While Natalie and her best friend Katie have a podcast together, they will be going their separate ways come fall when it’s time for college. But what should have been a slow, hot summer of working in her mother’s diner and getting ready for college turns tragic when Natalie’s mentor, high school teacher is murdered. Natalie is convinced that only she can get to the bottom of this murder–and come hell or high water, no one can stop her from investigating to get some closure for the deceased, as well as a podcast with the personal touch since they knew her.

While Natalie’s investigation takes place in the present day, we also get mother Helen’s story from when she was a student reporter and a woman in one of her classes goes missing. While these flashbacks from Helen’s point of view were a bit brief at times, you get a good look at the events that have shaped Helen into the overprotective woman that she is today–and why she disapproves of any crime shows or podcasts.

Natalie meets a boy named Kurt through Katie’s cousin, and while there’s a banter that goes back and forth here, Natalie seems a bit too smart to get involved with someone right before she’s leaving for college. But when Kurt offers to drive Natalie around for her investigation, their relationship grows–even though he’s a bit odd and off kilter sometimes. No podcast actually gets recorded for her teacher’s murder, though, and that was a bit of a let down. It would be nice to see them have successful episodes.

I give KILLING TIME a 3.5 out of 5. While often engaging and suspenseful, I was a bit let down when the flashback subplot wasn’t fully explained. Right at the end, a lot was glossed over to focus on the present timeline. You get pretty invested in Helen’s story about the missing college woman, only for it to be cut short and summarized briefly. It took away all that it was building up to. Natalie’s story was more fully explored to completion, but I was disappointed that I knew who the bad person was for a good chunk of the novel. There wasn’t much reading between the lines, and while Natalie didn’t see it until it was almost too late, the reader can see it coming a mile away.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. Killing Time is the name of a true crime podcast that Natalie Temple and her friend Katie put together and run in their small town. When their teacher gets murdered, they decide to investigate the true crime for themselves. Told in alternating chapters of Natalie and her over protective mother, Helen, Killing Time is perfect for fans of A Good Girls Guide to Murder and Sadie.

Killing Time is the first novel I've read by Brenna Ehrlich, but the title and description made me so curious that I knew I would have to give it a try. This novel blends many familiar genres, including mystery and thriller elements and some young adult themes.

Natalie Temple should be enjoying her summer break by spending time at the beach. But that's never really been Natalie's thing. This year she's even less likely to indulge in partying since she's reeling from the shocking murder of one of her favorite teachers.

So, rather than taking the summer to have a relaxing vacation, Natalie will dig into the mystery. How can she not, when the rest of the town seems inclined to look the other way? Only, the more Natalie digs, the more secrets she seems to find.

Do you know how sometimes a pretty cover will suck you in? That's what happened to me with Killing Time. Right away, I knew that it would be a book I read. The description simply sealed the deal. I confess that I have a weak spot for novels that promise a character too stubborn to look away from a crime.

Killing Time is a book that's easy to get into. We have a brutal murder, a conflicted teen, and many hidden secrets. So naturally, there's a lot to get caught up in. Overall, I liked Natalie's perspective on the story. It was a unique take on the matter, having a teenage girl look into the murder of her favorite teacher and all that. I know it's probably been done before, but not in anything I've read (I think).

The pacing was solid, keeping the story flowing from one event to another. However, some scenes could probably have used another working over. For example, a scene had a certain lack of consent that bugged me. I would have loved to see the author either rework that scene or revisit it later in the novel to help explain the context and problematic nature.

If you enjoy young adult mystery/thrillers with many teenage complications and emotions, then I think you'll enjoy Killing Time.

This was an interesting look into true crime and murder that is for sure. I did enjoy reading Helen’s story more than I enjoyed Natalie’s. I didn’t always understand the decision she made but I could understand that she was super focused on the podcast and everything fell to the sides. The “AHA” moment was a twist for sure. In the end what I enjoyed most about this was how true crime stories need to be more about the victims and telling the whole story as opposed to how sensationalized a lot of them become.

I didn't like this one. I found it hard to read. It wasn't that the writing wasn't there - it was just the characters choices.

I was so let down by this book. Not because it isn’t well-written, because it is actually rather well-written. I was let down because I was expecting a book about a teenage girl with a true crime podcast… and where was the podcast? The podcast is a point made significant in the blurb for this book, but it’s nearly invisible in the book. Honestly, you could’ve just made Natalie (our protagonist) a fan of true crime books and documentaries and still had the same effect. It feels like a bit of bait and switch for someone who wanted to read this book because of the unique podcast angle.

I was expecting something a bit more fast-paced, but instead the pacing is rather slow (though it is even, which is good).

The characters come across as immature all around, making bad and nonsensical decisions and acting foolishly when the whole premise of the book doesn’t lead the reader to believe the characters should reflect those attitudes.

I also called one of the turns when I was only 11% into the book, and that’s never a good sign.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review. As per personal policy, this review will not be posted to any bookseller or social media site due to the 3 star or lower rating.