I requested a digital copy in order to sample the prose on my phone (since I don't have a eReader) before requesting a physical copy for review. I will update Netgalley once I read & review a physical copy.

My review will be based on the physical ARC I read.

How to Survive Your Murder is full of 90's nostalgia and slasher film references...and I ate it up.

This book pays homage to all the classic horror movies that I watched as a teen. We have a Sidney Prescott look-alike, a few Skeet Ulrich/Billy from Scream comparisons, and the main character, Alice, even has the creepy Halloween theme song as her text tone. (every time she got a text, I could hear this song in my mind, adding an extra creepy touch to my reading experience.)

Reading How to Survive Your Murder felt like watching a 90's slasher film, too. Whether it was the creepy corn maze at night, the sound of footsteps coming from somewhere in the shadows, or the "OMG the killer is right behind you...run, girl, run!" moments, I always felt like I was experiencing the story the way I would watching a scary movie. My heart raced. I held my breath. I looked over my shoulder.

Oh, it was fun.

It's no secret this book has a time-traveling aspect. Alice travels back in time to last year's Halloween and watches her sister's murder play out again, but this time, she can intervene. I think this will work for some people, but not others. While I think it elevated an otherwise been there, done that story, I know true slasher film fans love them for their simplicity. There's something truly scary about regular people being hunted by a regular person. Throw in a twist where the character has the chance to change things, and I think you lose some of that edge. (don't get me wrong, I personally loved the whole Scream meets Cinderella plot...just want to be transparent for those who may not.)

Did I figure out certain twists early on? Yes.
Was I pleasantly shocked by the ending? Yes.
Do I hope and pray there's a sequel? Absolutely.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the advanced copy!