June Masterson is a documentary film student who is having an affair with her advisor and decides to change her final project topic with five weeks left in the semester to investigate the disappearance of her teenage idol - the Agatha Christie-like author, Greer Larkin. I love a good true crime-inspired thriller and the mystery portion of this book was… serviceable. Everything else? Awful.

First, I have a background in production so maybe I’m being overly critical (I’m not), but it is quite clear the author knows nothing about filmmaking. June shoots a series of talking-head interviews without audio equipment or lighting, shoots on piece of B-roll, leaves the rest to voice-over and is supposed to be the star of her class? No. Just no.

I enjoyed the conversational voice of the book, but June’s idiocy was too much for me to handle. Every piece of the puzzle is handed to her, she faces almost no obstacles and therefore there are no stakes and still, it takes an “epiphany” for her to figure out what I had figured out on page 5. Yes, I am sometimes too good and guessing the endings of thrillers (as are most people who read a lot of them), but if you can see where’s going that quickly, it's because it’s been poorly set up.

There were so many secondary plots that were hastily wrapped up or simply left hanging and the conclusion to her investigation/documentary lacked the kind of character development that would make it make sense.

A middle school English teacher once taught me that the opening line of the story is what grabs the reader's attention and convinces the reader to stick around. Well, “My Dying Day” sure opens with a doozy! We meet June Masterson in one of the most precarious situations imaginable – hiding under her married boyfriend’s bed while he hooks up with his wife. Yikes!

June is an aspiring documentary film student, and the aforementioned boyfriend also happens to be her faculty advisor. After changing her thesis topic for the third time, June settles on investigating the 20-year-old disappearance of wunderkind author Greer Larkin. As June interviews the key players, surfs internet forums dedicated to Greer, and sifts through old documents, she finds herself in danger as she gets closer to unraveling this mystery.

The central mystery is a good one, and I loved some of the plot devices, including the gossipy internet forum and the clever way Greer’s novels tied into the storyline. I was intrigued by the premise of June solving Greer’s disappearance through her documentary research, but this device means the reader is kept at arm’s length from both the victim and the potential culprits, so I found it a little difficult to feel invested in them. Considering the way the story begins, it’s not all that surprising that June is an unlikeable character, and I didn’t care that much about her either. While June’s personal life feels like a distraction from the main storyline, the mystery of Greer’s disappearance was interesting and the ending was very satisfying!

All in all, a promising debut from author Mindy Carlson, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Her Dying Day is an incredibly good book! Mindy Carlson, the author, has written a fast-paced story, full of action, with a lot of intrigues, and nothing is as it seems! Pear Blossom/June needs to make a movie as a final exam and after many changes decides to film the story of Greer Larkin, a successful writer that simply disappeared. In researching for the movie and interviewing people, June learns that there are many black holes in the story. The police have not searched properly, the suspects are not telling the whole truth, and there's more than one culprit in the story. From the researcher, she becomes the prey, and looking for a place to hide she returns to the family home she had left in the past. As a result, June also will analyze her relationship with Paul (which she finally sees far from what she deserves and needs), and upon learning new facts, she will also review her relationship with her family. The ending of the story is really unexpected and good!
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

June Masterson is an aspiring film artist and when it comes to her final documentary to graduate college what better topic to pick then one she has researched for years. The death of favorite author Greer Larkin. What should be a straightforward documentary seems to be plagued with twists and turns at every corner. In fact whatever she is on the tail of seems to have gotten the attention of the murder themselves. Can June figure out what really happened to Greer in time to finish her film, and stop the murder from striking again?
I quite enjoyed the pacing of this book. The reader is swept up in June’s world. From sleeping with their college advisor, to coming to terms with how they were raised. This book has so many twists and turns the reader will be on their toes the entire story. Nothing and nobody are what they seem, and it is just a pleasure to be swept away with the mystery.

Thank you so very much to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

I received an advanced reader copy of Her Dying Day by Mindy Carlson in exchange for an honest review.

Her Dying Day is Mindy Carlson’s debut novel, an excellent suspenseful mystery. It is about June, a documentary film student who is making a documentary about the disappearance of Greer Larkin. Greer is considered the modern Agatha Christie, although unlike Christie, Larkin did not return after eleven days. Twenty years later, nobody knows what happened to this celebrated author, and June hopes to be the one to finally uncover the truth.

June was a fascinating protagonist. She had spent her entire life on an isolated commune, her parents forbidding her from ever leaving. When she finally broke free from them to go to college she never looked back. The only person from her family that June continues to keep in contact with is her cousin Meadow. Meadow is a lesbian, and we spend some of the story with her and her artist girlfriend, Faye, so there is some nice queer representation in the novel.

June also has an interesting romantic relationship. She is seeing Paul, a married man who is also her thesis advisor. Their relationship is complicated, and June has an ever-growing list of rules for how to make it work. I really liked what their dynamic contributed to the story, and seeing June’s character growth as the novel progressed.

The suspect pool is small, comprising of only three people: Blanche, Greer’s domineering mother, Rachel, Greer’s loyal best friend, and Johnathon, the boyfriend who everyone believes killed her. June interviews these three, each time learning more about the mystery and getting closer to the truth. However, someone does not want her to keep digging, and the closer June gets the more danger she faces.

The suspects were all well written. Rachel and Johnathon both had likable qualities, and Blanche was delightfully contemptuous. Normally when I read mysteries or thrillers I try to figure out whodunnit, but I didn’t try so hard with this one. I just went along for the ride and really enjoyed that. When they revealed the truth I wasn’t totally surprised, since I mildly suspected everyone, but it made sense and was satisfying. The way the book wrapped up was heartwarming and even a little cozy. I really loved that.

One way in which this story stands out is that it contains excerpts of Greer Larkin’s fictional novels. June suspects that some of the characterization and plot developments are autofiction, so as you read these excerpts you get to look for clues and insight into her disappearance. I had fun trying to figure out what was a clue and what was a red herring.

I was extremely satisfied with Her Dying Day. It was a pleasure to read and I had a hard time putting it down. Mindy Carlson is definitely an author I would want to read more from. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance reader copy.

The disappearance of famed mystery author Greer Larkin has been the subject of intense debate for 20 years. Aspiring filmmaker June Masterson, who learned of the mystery as a teen living in an isolated family commune, is digging into the case and making it the subject of her first documentary.

Meeting with those closest to Greer, June finds everyone from her mother to her agent to her fiance has a different theory. After Rachel (Greer’s former BFF) gives June a suitcase of Greer’s private notes with the desperate hope she’ll find new clues, Rachel is found dead. And whoever killed Rachel — and possibly Greer — has turned their attention to June.

I loved the mystery, I loved meeting the suspects, I loved piecing together what could’ve happened to Greer based on the intriguing missing person scene. What I didn’t love was June’s character. Her relationship with her married teacher was annoying, her odd upbringing that caused her to stop speaking to her parents felt random/out of place - so did the “big reveal” behind that at the end. The climax was also sorely lacking here. All in all, a great mystery that needed a different MC (just my personal opinion).

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Her Dying Day is scheduled for release on June 7, 2022.

I am still thinking about this book now. What a book! What a gem!

I do not want to give away any spoilers but this gem is addictive. Her Dying Day tells the story of grad student June Masterson who initially struggles with coming up with a documentary research area. But eventually settles on solving the mystery of the disappearance of famed mystery author Greer Larkin. We follow an amateur sleuth talk to the people close to Greer while balancing adulting and relationships. What a book! And that ending? I absolutely did not see it coming.

I received a complimentary copy all opinions expressed are entirely my own

If you’ve never been stuck under the bed while your lover has sex with his wife, I suggest you skip it. It’s no trip to Disneyland.”

How’s that for an opening line?

I had to backtrack a page to see if I had opened the correct book on my Kindle. This wasn’t what I was expecting!

What I did know when I requested this was that aspiring filmmaker June Masterson had high hopes for her first documentary about the disappearance of famed mystery author Greer Larkin, for the anniversary. of this cold case.

What I didn’t realize was that June was an aspiring film student, so I wasn’t expecting that sub plot with her college advisor, or that it would read this young. But although this could be YA, we are NOT subjected to alcohol or drug fueled parties, and her youthful POV is actually quite WITTY and refreshing!

June learned about the vanishing when she was just fourteen years old, and still living on her family’s commune as Pear Blossom Jubilee Masterson. Greer Larkin was her generation’s Agatha Christie, and her award winning “Oberlin Hurst Mysteries” had helped Pear Blossom to escape the loneliness of that secluded lifestyle.

Though nobody would confuse her with a “MURDERINO”, Pear Blossom was a member of the online community “GreersGone” and had made it to top “sleuth” status since logging on every day to share theories was just about her only social life growing up.

As June begins filming her interviews with Greer’s mother, fiancé, book agent and best friend, she will hear theories from suicide to murder, and discover that being stuck under that squeaky bed, isn’t the only way that she is in over her head!

If you enjoy comical, amateur sleuth stories with a flawed but likable lead-you can pick up this DEBUT novel from Mindy Carlson on June 7, 2022.

BUT, don’t read the book synopsis! It spoils some of the fun!!

Thank You to Crooked Lane Books for the gifted ARC. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

“Her Dying Day” was REALLY good and I honestly didn’t want it to end. Keeping my review short and simple because I don’t want to give anything away. I went in with little expectations and am SO glad I did!
Not only was the concept of a film student making a documentary into a mysterious author’s death intriguing, the execution and amount of twists to get to the end of the novel was fantastic. This book’s plot really had it all, and is definitely one of the top books I’ve read this year.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and enjoy this ARC.!
4.5 rounded up!

I really enjoyed this book. I like the way it was written and the Agatha Christie disappearance elements. I didn’t give it 5 stars because I didn’t care for one of the plot twists and even though I predicted the outcome it didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

June Masterson is beyond excited for her first documentary about the disappearance of popular mystery writer Greer Larkin. There are many theories floating around regarding her disappearance. Her mother Blanche as well as her best friend Rachel believes Geer’s fiancé Johnathan murdered her. Her agent Bethany thinks Greer committed suicide. Johnathan thinks Blanche’s constant need to control Greer or her best friend Rachel who wanted to be more than friends did it.

Things take a drastic turn when June is gifted a suitcase full of Greer’s journals and personal writing. The deeper she digs into this mystery the more dangerous it gets for her. Lastly June ponders another theory; that Greer is alive. This book will keep you hooked from the first page.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

June Masterson is working on her first documentary: the true story of the disappearance of mystery author Greer Larkin. Everyone connected to Greer has fingers pointed, but as they get closer to discovering real information, they realize that nobody is safe. June is in danger, and so are Greer's friends and family. Who is threatening them, and how desperate are they to hide the truth?

From the start, I liked the concept: film student, author missing for 20 years, and mystery. When I wasn't reading it, I was wondering about the characters and what would happen with the documentary. I binged the second half and I loved it. I did not expect the twist, but was still satisfied. I'd love to read more from this author, and definitely recommend this book.

CW: infidelity, gaslighting, domestic abuse, gun violence, murder, drug use, vomit

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy of Her Dying Day. The writing was okay, but never drew me in. The excerpts from Greer’s books were more engaging than the rest of the book and I enjoyed how they were woven into the story.
The story was promising and started out with a bang. It went on too long and by the time everything started coming together I had kind of lost interest. The ending came out of left field because there was really no set up, which made the ending seem tacked on and not very plausible. June was not very likable and I was disappointed with her lack of interview questions. The movie was just a device for her to solve the mystery and I can’t see it becoming a good, informative movie. I lied how she consulted the internet group and it's too bad she didn't do that more, because it was engaging. This was a debut novel so I will be looking for more books by this author to see how they get better as I know they will.

This book has one of the greatest opening lines I have ever read! It pulled me in instantly. This was a fun, fast read. A mystery within a mystery. I feel like the affair was not necessary, it didn't bring anything to the story. But I enjoyed the many twists and turns.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC. I offer my review freely.

Publication date: 07 June 2022

Her Dying Day has a hell of an opening line! I was excited to get further into it.

What worked well for the book is that it has just the right amount of pages in each chapter - not too long or too short. It was easy to move along through the chapters. In addition to the chapter lengths, I think the culprit wasn’t super easy to guess from the beginning.

While the opening line did a great job of grabbing my attention and had me feeling very hopeful for an interesting read, I felt like that might’ve been the peak for me.

The main character, June, is having an affair with her married film school advisor. The book begins with her hiding under her lover’s bed while he is being intimate with his wife who came home earlier than expected. Throughout the book, there are multiple times where June comes off as obsessive over this man. She is a 24-year-old girl so some immaturity is expected but the pining over this guy is a bit much. Then, towards the end of the book, she just cuts it off completely and the guy is begging her not to.

Overall, I think it’s a quick and fun mystery to read if you can look past the affair/obsessing over a married man issue.

June is determined to outlive the stigma of coming from a commune. Now a documentarian she is convinced that the writerGreer Larkin’s death was not a suicide. Everyone has a theory and as things unfold , we find the mysterious writer had good reason for the questions surrounding her death. A suitcase of journals and personal writings set off answers and insight into the writer and the people she held close.

This was a well written thrill ride, with some fun, twisty turns! The author wrote in fast pace way that keep my attention, including lots of thrills and chills! Would definitely recommend to my fellow thrill lover!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. This was a quick and easy read that had some juicy twists and turns. It was well written, but nothing special. Just a good, solid, fast paced thriller.

Film-maker June wants to make a documentary about the disappearance of her favorite artist. As you follow her trying to investigate and trying to shake off her past, you get dragged into an amazingly thrilling book. Definitely made me keep reading to find out what happened!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this title. All opinions are honest and my own.

Thanks to Crooked Lane books and netgalley for allowing me to read Her dying day by Mindy Carlson before publishing.
What a great read, full of suspence, mystery and excitement for Jane Masterson to deal with. A very clever story line, definitely a must read!

Looking for a thrilling book that will keep you reading till the last page. Then this is your book
Her Dying Day follows Pear as she tries to shake off her past whilst investigating the death of her childhood idol but her answers are closer than she expects and things are not as they seem
I loved this book so much. The writing easy to follow, the plot immersive . I would recommend this to anyone looking for their next thrilling read