Many of us remember where we were on New Year’s Eve 1999, the turn of the millennium.
For six university friends, Gael, Lovisa, Mika, Simone, Clark and Dhan, their New Year’s Eve trip to the mountain cabin in the Czech Republic should have been a night to make memories, something to look back on in years to come – and it was, but not in the way it should have been.
Dhan did not return from that trip, but what happened could not be explained. The five remaining friends would never be the same again. Connected through tragedy, they decided that they wold get together every other year on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the future whilst remembering the friend they had all lost. Each year, one of the five friends took on the task of choosing the venue & planning the festivities – from Rome to London to Majorca they had been to various locations & built new memories, though the events of 1999 would always be with them. As the years go by, some things stayed the same (eg Lovisa the “mum” of the group always having the First Aid kit to hand) whilst other things changing as they grew apart in many ways. Were they really friends? Or just a group of people whose only connection was a tragedy 20 years ago?
Now it is 20 years later & once again the friends have gathered again. This year they are meeting at a chalet in a skiing area, but as each arrives on that wintery evening they have a sense that something isn’t quite right. Everybody is on edge and there are some weird happenings – coincidences or sinister pranks? Does somebody know more about what actually happened that fateful night than they are letting on?
I enjoyed the way the author unfolded the mystery – the suspense built well and as more secrets were uncovered we had more motives for a potential crime. The story flips between characters & their thoughts or experiences but we always know who is talking & when (eg “Gael, now” or “Simone, then”) and the overarching story is never confusing. The narrators did well to differentiate the voices though there were a few times when the accent slipped and I had to double check. Whilst not all of the characters were likable they did have distinct personalities and I really appreciated that we saw the characters develop as they aged over the 20 year period.
I found this book difficult to rate - I thoroughly enjoyed it & was desperate for it to end so that I could find out what really happened, and yet I didn’t want it to end because I was enjoying it so much! The “big twist” and the ending wasn’t unexpected, as the clues were there throughout, however the way that the second part of the ending unfolded felt rushed & a bit flat – it was almost as if the author had got to the climax of the story & wondered how to wrap it up. However I absolutely loved this as an audiobook, in a way that I don’t think I would have done as a physical/e-book. The narrators did well to differentiate the characters & to keep the pace of the story just right. I will be looking out for more by this author!

I have never read anything by this author so this was an introductory novel to the author and it was exciting. Odd Numbers by JJ Marsh was a gripping read with a compelling plot. I listened to the audiobook that was excellently narrated by Jess Nesling and Paul Panting. Odd Numbers was a psychological drama that included a surprising twist. It was a stand alone book that was well written, tense at moments and had interesting characters. It was certainly an interesting thriller, exploring not only the events on one cold New Year’s Eve, but the fallout over the next two decades. Marsh does well to keep the reader guessing and building on her characters, even if the core event that pulled everyone together is soon left in the past. For the past twenty years, Gael, Lovisa, Mika, Simone and Clark have spent every other New Year together, taking it in turns to choose the venue for a short holiday. There used to be six of them, but Dhan died at their Y2K celebration two decades before. At the time it was thought to be a terrible accident, but as the book progresses, we start to wonder if it was suicide, or even murder. The book is told in first person chapters from all five friends, and dots back and forth in time between the present and the various reunions of the past twenty years, which were held in many different locations. One of the characters comments that if it was not for Dhan's death, maybe their friendship would not have endured. Murder does change people and friendships. I really enjoyed delving into the different relationships, as well as trying to guess what actually happened that night of New Year’s 1999.
Full of intrigue, atmosphere and suspense, I found Odd Numbers hard to put down and would highly recommend it to fans of the psychological thriller genre.




Thank you to NetGalley, J.J. Marsh, and Saga Egmont Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

It’s been twenty years since that fateful New Year’s Eve gathering in 1999. A group of friends has gathered together every year to remember Dhan, the joker of the group, who disappeared all those years ago. This year Gael is organizing the reunion, and she has decided that this year she will uncover what really happened that night. An outsider twenty years ago, Gael wasn’t in the loop with the others that night, but she’s going to be sure that at this, their final reunion, the truth comes out, no matter what the cost. This setting, a group of friends, alone in the wilderness, hashing over some dark event buried in the past, has become a popular trope in the last couple of years. Marsh does a good job at keeping the suspense going and adds a few surprises that help keep this story fresh

I recommend this character-driven mystery! For me it was a real page turner that I listened to every chance I got
The characters were so well written I could picture then and the audio book readers did an excellent job with different accents that kept me wondering what would happen next
Six college friend meet in Prague for a New Year’s Eve Party in 1999 to ring in the new millennium. What happens that night will change each of their lives forever. The ending was a bit too obvious for me but I enjoyed how the story gave each character’s viewpoint in individual chapters . I highly recommend this book and author
Thanks for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review

Five friends were once six. They now spend every other NYE celebrating the dawning of a new year together and mourning the one they lost. All were there on the night he died and none have ever forgotten him, or the things he did to them before his passing...

I found this a read as tense as it was intriguing. This book was told through a multitude of perspectives and with stories provided from past new year celebrations and during other areas from each of their lives. As each told their tales, the truth about the precarious situation of their friendship group began to be revealed. Each revelation disclosed more of the crevasse lying below them, and how all would become entirely disbanded and shatter in the wake of the final secret divulged.

I devoured this audiobook in one sitting. It was a relatively short book and that, combined the switching perspectives, non-chronological order of events, and multiple narrators had me entirely immersed and unable to stop my listening.

Odd Numbers by JJ Marsh was a gripping read with a compelling plot. I listened to the audiobook that was excellently narrated by Jess Nesling and Paul Panting. Odd Numbers was a psychological drama that included a surprising twist. It was a stand alone book that was well written, tense at moments and had interesting characters.

New Year’s Eve celebrations were usually highly anticipated especially for those in their late teens and early twenties. The celebration of the 1999 New Year’s Eve was probably the most anticipated one in a very long time. After all, it was the YK2 celebration. For a group of six friends that met at university, this New Year’s Eve celebration had to be special. The location was chosen. The six friends, Gael, Lovisa, Mika, Simone, Clark and Dhanesh met at a remote cabin on a lake near Prague. It was perfect until one of the six friends tragically died that night. None of the five remaining friends were ever the same again after that night. Each had their own guilt and secrets. They each coped and mourned for their friend in their own way.

The remaining five friends continued to get together each New Year’s Eve to celebrate and remember the friend they had all lost. Each year, one of the five friends took on the task of choosing the venue. That person was in charge of orchestrating the festivities. Now, twenty years later, the group had gathered once again. Each of the five had healed to some extent but none of the remaining five had ever forgotten their friend that died. As each friend arrived at the venue, each and every one of them had a sense of foreboding. It had been Gael’s turn to choose the venue. As each friend arrived, they all felt that something wasn’t quite right with this venue. No one was able to put a finger on what they were feeling or experiencing but they all felt the chilling atmosphere, odd occurrences and unexplained sightings.

I enjoyed JJ Marsh’s storytelling in Odd Numbers. Not all of the characters were very likable but I did like the character, Gael. Even though I was able to anticipate some of the elements in the plot I still enjoyed it. The twist in the story was quite good but I felt that the ending was a little bit rushed. Odd Numbers addressed the themes of tragedy, grief, coping, friendship, secrets, acceptance and confusion. Overall, I enjoyed this audiobook and would recommend it. In my opinion, Odd Numbers deserved 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Saga Egmont Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Odd Numbers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4 stars

A fun little thriller. The suspense was built up and motives for a potential crime were created effectively. Some of the characters were well-developed, whereas others felt a bit flat. The ending wasn’t unexpected, but it didn’t go where I thought it was going, which is okay; it also felt a bit rushed towards the very end, which is less okay. I enjoyed this one and will probably check out more work by the author in the future.

First I listened to the audiobook. I had trouble keeping the characters' individual stories complete. The narrator did well with some female voices, but didn't differentiate enough for me. The male voice was really just okay. Now, the story itself was good. I did guess which way the author was going; however, I'm not usually right. The clues were there and I followed them. There is always something, and this book is no different. Without spoiling, I didn't understand why one was left out. That's all I'm going to say. I went back and listened at least three times, and I can only surmise I missed a clue. I would like to read the author again, and I love audiobooks. (love is an understatement). If there weren't about 100 books in my house and another 100 on my Kindle, I would actively seek the printed copy of Odd Numbers and physically read this.

Should you enjoy a good thriller, not trashy, and light suspense this is for you.

#Netgalley
#OddNumbers
#JJMarsh
#Mystery&thrillers

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, J.J. Marsh, and Saga Egmont Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having never read anything by J.J. Marsh, I had no idea what to expect. It was certainly an interesting thriller, exploring not only the events on one cold New Year’s Eve, but the fallout over the next two decades. Marsh does well to keep the reader guessing and building on her characters, even if the core event that pulled everyone together is soon left in the past. With a great twist in the latter part of the story, Marsh has a wonderful way of storytelling and I am eager to see how this compares to some of her other work.

It was a biennial tradition for a number of college friends to gather on New Year’s Eve somewhere in the world. In 1999, it was the Czech Republic, where the cold and some unique activities would take certain group members by surprise. After an evening of drinking and cavorting, one of the group ends up in the water and disappears. The pall of his disappearance and suspected drowning hangs over them all as they process the truth.

As the narrative continues, the reader learns of subsequent New Year’s encounters, as each of the five remaining friends grow and develop in their own ways. Some begin to come out of their respective shells, while others turn away from college memories and try to forge their own personalities. Soon, it’s been two decades and some cannot believe that fateful time in 1999 has been left in the past, without proper resolution.

It’s on this 20th anniversary that old wounds are torn open anew, when a revelation comes to pass. Everyone discovers that what seemed a foregone conclusion could not be further from the truth. It’s only when the fallout is realised that new truths must be forged.

While the book plays out in a unique way, it’s by no means hard to digest. J.J. Marsh does well to build up narrative momentum in the early stages of the novel, only to turn down the pressure for most of the remaining story. With a mix of unique characters, the reader can attach themselves to someone of their choosing, seeing their growth over the twenty years, but also realise the stagnant nature of life at times. Mid-length chapters keep the reader wanting to know more, particularly as the narrative switches to explore various perspectives and timelines. Marsh weaves a curious tale with strong psychological undertones that surface in the most tense manner during the climactic portion of the story.

As this was sent to me as an audio ARC, I had better make some comment on the narration. While using two narrators, the story came to life, with great personalities emerging and accents to add to the creative presentation. I enjoy a well-casted audiobook and it would seem those chosen for this piece fit the bill perfectly. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for their work when next I am trolling for an audiobook to help pass the time.

Kudos, Madam Marsh, for an intriguing novel that is both impactful and succinct. I’m eager to see what some of your other writing might be like.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:

Pros: This book—which focuses on a group of friends who meet up every two years at a different location—made me think of a mystery version of People We Meet on Vacation. Another book this book is compared to is The Secret History, and the similarities are obvious—a group of friends from school who are connected over the death/disappearance of one of the group.

Cons: I really liked the first 80% of this book, but the ending was predictable. Also, the similarities to The Secret History are a little too obvious . . . to the point that the characters match up. However, I understand that not every reader has read and loved The Secret History, so those readers won’t be distracted by the similarities.

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Edmont Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book!

I’ve shared this review on Goodreads and StoryGraph.

3.5 stars

It was so interesting and confusing. But not so much that it would be impossible. It seemed a slow listening but it was quite different. Many different people makes it better and better and you forgot about time. Friends are friends and this people are still friends also after a tragedy. Can this mystery be in air forever? Discover it here.

Thanks to Netgalley and Saga Egmint Audio for this opportunity.

This type of book is catnip to my mystery-loving mind. At the eve of the millennium, six friends went to spend New Year’s Eve at a cabin in the Czech Republic. One of them didn’t make it, and the odd number of friends left kept meeting every 2 years to celebrate and remember. They all have secrets and guilt over their friend’s disappearance. Each chapter is told from the point of view of each character, and they are all very distinctive and well-defined. As with any group, they have things in common and other characteristics that drive them mad. But something else is happening in the background. The chapters jump around in time, but the overarching story is never confusing. I really loved the plot, and the audiobook is flawlessly performed by Jess Nesling and Paul Panting, who give each friend a distinctive voice and accent. I imagined where the story was going and the final part requires a considerable suspension of disbelief, but it was still entertaining.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/#Saga Egmont Audio!

This story really had potential and sounded like something I might like. It was incredibly dull and boring. The storytelling was chaotic and none of the characters were likable. The ending made zero sense and felt incomplete.

My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to review this audio.

This was not what I expected. I thought more mystery, but it wasn't. 6 friends gather each year for New Years Eve. One friend disappears. I thought it would go to the what happened? No, too much background on the friends,then with 1 hour and 40 minutes left in the audio I finally get the what happened and why, then everything just fell flat. Didn't get it? Good narrator though.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Saga Egmont Audio for providing me with the Odd Numbers audiobook version in exchange for an honest review.

Odd Numbers is a psychological drama with a clever twist.

It is a story about six friends who study in Geneva to be translators. There are three men (a rich Czech, a Europhile American, and an Englishman of Indian descent) and three women (a Fin, a Swiss-French woman, and an Irish woman who wants to be a journalist) in the group.

These six uni colleagues gather for a New Year's Eve celebration. They chose to stay on a remote lake in Czech. And not all of them make it out alive.

Five of the remaining friends gather every year to commemorate the death of their friend. Their friendship survived because of guilt. The death of Dab is what holds them together.

Gael, the Irish woman, finally gets to arrange the 10th New Year's party since their friend died.

The story is told from different povs and each character gets to tell their relationship with Dan and how they've been coping with it.

There is a reason why their 10th New Year's celebration will be their last one. And it is a question who will survive the beginning of the new decade.

As I've consumed this book in a audiobook format, I must say that the narrators were excellent. They did an amazing and I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook.

In all honesty, having listened to it as an audiobook only improved the experience. I wouldn't have enjoyed the story If I read it as a physical book or an ebook.

Five friends go on a wonderful new years trip. the friends all expect to ring in the new year and millennium with fun and excitement. Sadly, they end up with tragedy and a million questions. They will have to wait 20 years for answers.

"It's a strange sense of sadness when you lose a friend. Not through sudden death or terminal illness- just the knowledge they want you out of their lives."

Although, these characters were not particularly "nice"... "likable" people I did enjoy the first-person account each of them give us. This allows for great character development.
I also enjoyed the narration. I love the accent of the narrator, but I also enjoyed her ability to showcase each of the different accents of each of the friends.