I don’t usually read YA and I didn’t actually know “Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets” by Chelsea Ichaso was a YA book until I started reading it. I was drawn to the premise of a juicy, no one can be trusted whodunit read. With that being said, I quite enjoyed this angsty teen thriller. It transported me back to my Lois Duncan loving days back in the 90’s.

Piper Sullivan is in a coma and may never wake up. They say the fall was a suicide attempt, but her sister Savannah isn’t sold on the narrative. When she finds a suspicious note in Piper’s locker relating to Survival Club, Savannah decides to infiltrate herself in the school club to uncover the truth of what happened to Piper. Savannah soon discovers that no one can be trusted and everyone is hiding secrets about their involvement with Piper that day.

If you enjoy YA mysteries or thrillers, put this on your list. There were A LOT of twists, turns and red herrings. The characters are fairly annoying frienemies, so not exactly likable, but I couldn’t help getting caught up in the good ‘ol highschool drama. The overnight camping trip was also the perfect setting for danger and suspense as the “friends” uncovered each others secrets. The ending, unfortunately, felt rushed and a bit anti-climactic. Otherwise it was a quick, addicting read and a nice change of pace from my typical genres. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopses:

Piper Sullivan was the star child and star pupil when suddenly she fell from a cliff during a camping trip, putting her in a coma she may never wake up from. Everyone assumes it was an attempted suicide, until her sister Savannah finds a disturbing note in pipers locker triggering a hunt for the real reason Piper was on the cliff that day and why she fell.

My thoughts:

The synopsis made this book sound like it had it all, and combined with the cover drawing inspiration from A Good Girls Guide to Murder I was pretty hyped for a new YA murder mystery, but this book fell really flat for me for a number reasons. First of all, every chapter ends in a cliffhanger. I understand this can be used as a writing technique to build tension but in this book it feels a little clunky and it doesn’t really push the story forward at all, it just got very annoying pretty quickly. Another thing I didn’t love was the writing, it came across as a little bit childish which was weird when the characters were supposed to be in their late teens. Characters acted in bizarre ways to try and make it seem like they might be the culprit, and when it turned out they weren’t there was little to know explanation on why they were acting in such weird ways. I dunno, I just found it really impossible to get into this book and I was really close to DNF’ing it.

I have read this author’s previous book and even though it wasn’t a favorite, I still liked it enough to give her next book a try. I’m glad I did because I liked this one a whole star more and I would say that’s pretty good!

The book is told mostly from the perspective of Savannah with some chapters from the past from the perspective of her sister, Piper. I liked getting to know Savannah. She has her own issues and it’s easy to see how they started to affect the relationship she had with her sister. Savannah feels like no one sees her and everyone cares too much what her sister is doing. It’s tough having siblings. I have five so it’s hard to feel like you are being seen by your parents.

Although the other characters in the book don’t have as much development. I liked seeing how they interacted with Savannah, especially those who had a falling out with her. Some of them have their own secrets and the author does a good job of keeping the reader hooked because of them. I really had a hard time putting the book down especially because I couldn’t figure out who did it and the fingers are always being pointed at someone.

The plot itself wasn’t entirely original and have read books that are similar but honestly I didn’t mind. Mystery / Thrillers can still be quite thrilling because they always have a set of new characters and you just never know what will happen.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Savannah has a lot to work through but I was happy to see her grow close to some of the other characters and realize her own mistakes.

I really loved the build up and suspense in this book. Savannah like every sister really had a jealousy toward Piper which is relatable. I was very pulled in to Savannah's guilt and need to find answers as much for herself as for Piper. I really couldn't get enough of this book while reading it.

I thought that the premise of this book was interesting and kept me reading. However, I had a hard time really connecting (or even liking) any of the characters which made the story a bit less enjoyable. I found the plot twists to be a bit predictable but younger readers will probably enjoy this story.,

A fast paced but ultimately rushed and confusing whodunnit about a girl in a coma and her sister who is determined to find out what really happened to her.

If you like twisty YA high school thrillers then this is the book for you.

Piper Sullivan is in a coma. Having fallen from a hiking trail known as Suicide Point, the police assume that Piper was trying to take her own life.

Sister, Savannah, is not so sure. And when she finds a cryptic note in Piper’s locker she sets out to uncover the truth about her sister’s fall.

Savannah joins the school Wilderness Club, which seems to be at the centre of the events and soon uncovers student rivalries and dark secrets.

Savannah is a fantastic narrator. She is sarcastic and intelligent. She acknowledges from the beginning that her relationship with her sister was difficult and through the course of the novel reveals why.

This is a fast-paced thriller with some fantastic characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley for my gifted copy.

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I would definitely be recommending this book to readers on my Instagram bookstagram account.

This was a fun, fast, YA mystery! Ichaso's narration style is really good for the genre and keeps you hooked without ever slowing down too much to lose your interest and the cast of characters and suspects was really well thought out. If you're anti "thriller protagonists who make dumb decisions for the sake of keeping the story a thriller" you might get a tad annoyed with a lot of the choices the protagonist makes, but all together, this was a good read.

None of these characters are good friends but ok keep on with your toxic selves.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

This was an enjoyable mystery. It had enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and throwing you off. I could have done without the weird semi romance that was hinted at and the ending was rushed but like I mentioned earlier, all these people can take a nosedive into therapy because they all need to work on their problems cause geezus.

This should be marked as a teen book period. It's not a bad book, but it's definitely a teen book. The early chapters are just teen build up, and nothing really happening. It's hard to stay focused on the book. The end is good, but the balance of the book is off. The front is heavy, and the back is light.

(I will be posting to good reads as well.)

At least once in your life you come across that one book where you request it as soon as you look at the cover and the blurb, and pray to the Netgalley lords for approval. Yeah this was that book for me!

Although Piper is believed to have killed herself at Suicide Point, her elder sister doesn't believe it is so. After all, Piper was the star student, loved by many and even seemed to be favoured by their parents. When Savannah finds an old note in Piper's locker dated back to the day she disappeared, Savannah realizes that someone forged a note and wanted to lure Piper away with the illusion she was attending a Survival Club meeting. And just like that, Savannah enrolls in Survival Club to know what truly went on in that club. But she soon realizes that everyone is hiding something...and even Savannah is not being honest about her last interaction with Piper.

Made my prediction and although it wasn't exactly as I expected it, the ending was a believable one. I feel like readers might enjoy the whodunit element in the book as the untrustworthy characters hide some major secrets that could pave the way to solve the mystery. The way that Savannah started to point fingers can be a hit or a miss. Some readers might find it immature, but in my opinion, that's exactly how a young adult thriller should be. And when considering that, this book hit the nail of what characters in this genre should be like.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Such a riveting read and it compels you to hold on until the mystery comes to light. Look forward to seeing this on bookshelves next April!

As always, thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this fast moving and engrossing thriller that had me guessing right to the very end.

I didn't really enjoy this book. There was nothing even remotely likeable about any of the characters. All of them seemed selfish and flaky, which I suppose, considering their age, they are entitled to be; but still no. Savannah started out on a 'Nancy Drew' mode, but after a while, her randomly pointing fingers at every other person grew irksome. The premise itself was interesting, but after going in circles till about 80%, I just didn't care anymore who the actual culprit was and had to stop reading.

Normally I love novels like this but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I picked it up and put it down so many times that it left me frustrated.

The synopsis was well written and had me excited for get cracking but it was a slog to the plot twist and then once that happened I was left a little deflated. Was that really it? Just that.

Maybe I’m being more critical than usual as I’m spending most of my time reading these days and therefore there is stiff competition.

Savannah Sullivan thinks her sister was pushed off Suicide Point and is now in a coma. The story slowly winds around students and staff that went camping with her, and Savannah wants answers. I found the story uneven in spots, and as the teens chattered away - non-stop talking and every thought in their heads presented was annoying to me. Everyone including Savannah was keeping secrets of some kind. As the story progressed, it took a darker turn. Much darker than I was comfortable with. It’s a decent mystery, and themes of teenage angst, guilt, betrayal and loyalty, family, who’s popular and who is not. None of the characters came off as likable, and had the story been better, that wouldn’t have bothered me.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Sourcebooks for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis:

Suicide Point. The tragic place where Piper Sullivan was found, unconscious.

Savannah Sullivan knows that whatever happened to Piper on that fateful day was no accident. Everyone around her has seemed to give up on what caused her sister’s death. She might never wake up again. Savannah feels like she should believe it, but when she finds a note in Piper’s locker there’s no stopping her from continuing the path her sister had walked.

Although Piper didn’t succeed, Savannah would make sure that the person who put a target on her sister’s back would pay for what they did. What she doesn’t realize is that the people she used to trust have their own secrets and lies to keep themselves hidden from those who pry. Even those closest to her.

And Savannah? She's been keeping secrets, too...

-

My review:

“Keep your eyes on anything you don’t want stolen.”

Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets had me intrigued since I read the title and saw the cover. Both of those are captivating, and the cover is just gorgeous! The story the book contained was even more intense and interesting. I always love a good mystery, and DGCTS did not disappoint!

I loved the idea of the story and how the plot was set up. Although, the way it was executed was slightly off putting, but the good pacing kind of overshadowed that. Let’s not forget that you were always left guessing no matter what you thought was right or wrong. Chelsea Ichaso really gave no ideas as to whodunit, and that was the captivating part. Every single character was questionable, and what you, as the reader, thought was real was actually all a lie. Fingers were pointed at others, but they never seemed to land true.

The characters in this book were purely just the best. There were moments where I would burst out laughing, or times where doubt circled around in my head regarding a character. What I did find unfortunate was that the main and side characters didn’t have much depth to them. This caused a struggle in the connection between the reader and the characters, but other than that, I loved all of them!

Considering all of that, Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets was a good read! It was a whirlwind, and a good one at that. I would recommend this to those who love a quick-paced mystery, suspense, and intense read.

My rating: 3.5/5 ✨

TW: mention of suicide

4.5 stars

Fast paced, interesting characters, intriguing story. Caught my attention at the beginning. Hard to put down. Meaning: I stayed up all night reading and finished this story in less than a day.

There were only seven other people on the camping trip and part of Survivor Club, so I pretty much suspected everyone at one point or another. I even wondered if Piper really did try to commit suicide. In other words, I had no idea what was going to happen and I was surprised by the end.

This is one of those books that you really can’t figure out on your own, at least I can’t. But, I don’t need to solve the case. It makes me feel like a character in the story when I know and understand only what the MC knows.

I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good, unpredictable mystery.

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

#NetGalley #DeadGirlsCan’tTellSecrets

I don't always love YA books - the premise can be too facile, the feelings and emotions..just to, TOO. This book however was very addictive, quick moving and utterly engaging.

Piper Sullivan was in an accident and has been in a coma ever since. Her older sister, Savannah can't believe it was an accident and is trying to find out more. In her search through Piper's things, she finds a note inviting her to a special meeting of the wilderness club. Savannah's own boyfriend is a member along with his ex-girlfriend and Piper's own friends. Needless to say, there is a lot of history between the group and this only complicates Savannah's search.

Savannah joins a weekend hiking/camping trip to learn more and the adventure starts there! Who wanted to hurt Piper? Why? What secrets are Piper's friends keeping from Savannah and what is her own, very dark secret.

Very twisty, very turny, this book will keep you engaged from start to finish. The ending was a bit over the top, but I truly enjoyed it and recommend it for all who like a YA thriller #NetGalley #DeadGirlsCantTellSecrets

I was hooked on this book from the second page. I was desperate to know more. It was a real page-Turner and I imagine if I had the physical copy of the book it would have been even more dramatic!
There were times when I thought the twists were predictable, but then you get to the next chapter and more of the story unravels and I was completely wrong. It was awesome!
A very intense story where I needed to focus when reading, sometimes reminding myself of what had previously happened to make sense of all of the plot lines, but nothing too hard to follow which was good.

Really couldn’t get into this book. It wasn’t that it was bad, it’s just that it jumps straight in to the plot so quickly that I had no incentives to actually care about either of the two sisters in the book. I found myself drifting and starting a different book instead and didn’t want to come back to this one. Apologies but for me, this was a ‘did not finish’ book, with a review given for the 30% or so that I read.