I recently had the pleasure of diving into Always the First to Die, a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters were well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, adding depth to the plot. What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a thrilling ride filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected surprises. It's a must-read for fans of the genre!

Fun fast paced thriller, enjoyable read that quick to get through. Nothing remarkable or new but had an interesting plot. Okay ending.

I really enjoyed this thriller centered around films and set during a hurricane. the characters, plot, and setting made it an easy thriller to fly through. 4/5 stars, I will be checking out more from this author in the future. Thank you, publisher, for the early copy!

Always the First to Die by R.J. Jacobs was really good! Although I’m not a fan of horror films, my family is so I was aware of the references. I am however, a giant fan of this authors writing. I really enjoyed this. I love the creepy set up with the hurricane in the movie set! . I will be reading a lot more of Jacob’s work.

I love the lore behind cursed movie sets, and thought that this book would be perfect for that. I thought that the writing was incredible, and I could not put this down.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Always the First to Die by R.J. Jacobs.

This is a story with a strong start. A horror film star returning to a creepy mansion where she filmed her debut, a place she never wanted to return to. But now her daughter wants to explore the place where her mother once roamed.

Great premise, but dang if this didn't just ramble, a lot. I couldn't get into it, and I found myself lost. Eventually I stopped listening with an hour left.

2 stars...

This book was honestly a flop. I was excited because I would (kinda) consider myself a Riley Sager fan so of course I'm going to be intrigued when he's mentioned in a blurb. However, there truly wasn't much here. The majority of the book is just suspense. But not suspense in a way that excites me, but suspense in a "okay let's get to the point" way. The worst part was that there was absolutely no payoff when the "villain" was actually revealed. Quite unfotunate.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Always the First to Die is a unique thriller set in the Florida Keys that follows a mother, daughter and father in law as they mend relationships and end up in a horror movie of their own. I enjoyed all aspects of this novel, I wish the ending was a bit different but it was an enjoyable novel that I would recommend to anyone!

Well this was fun! I’ve never read anything by this author before but I can see why people like him. It was well written and moved at a good pace.

I was kind of bored for most of the story. I liked the plot and the idea of it, but it lacked something. I'm all for a great twist, but when that twist is from out in left field, it kind of lacks the punch.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my ARC of this fast paced thriller. This book had a great dual timeline going from present day to years before where the female protagonist is filming a horror film. I found it very interesting to learn about filming and was entertained throughout. It was an easy read and enjoyable, but lacked some depth. There were also a few inconsistencies that bothered me throughout. But overall it was a great thriller with a great twist, that ended up being a different twist than we thought!

This book had an interesting concept but just felt a bit long and repetitive. I liked how it was almost as if they were playing out the movie, but the locked door concept felt a bit boring at times and it wasn't overly thrilling. Some things just felt overly dramatic and not realistic which kind of lost me.

The ending was definitely fitting for a book based around slasher films. Nothing really stuck out for me, it was entertaining.

If you love Riley Sager, you will love this author, a face paced page turner that keeps you guessing. Really enjoyed the advanced copy, and would recommmend.

Okay LOVE!!!! Totally recommend this one. It was an easy read that really captivated me from the very beginning!!!!!

I loved this one! Such a fun, exciting, and smart thriller. I loved all of the horror movie references (even though I didn't necessarily get all of them). Lots of fun to read.

R.J. Jacobs, is quite literally "THE man"

I read Always the First to Die, not once but TWICE. Its not like I do not have an entire library jam packed with unread books.. but when you come across a book like this, you just cant help but to swoon over it.

I was the kid who obsessed with horror movies. While everyone else was watching The Lion King (which is actually pretty terrifying) I was watching Scream, Friday the 13th, Halloween and I Know What You Did Last Summer. So a book that circulates around a horror movie set, was exactly the book I never knew I needed but currently can not stop thinking about.

R.J Jacobs does it again.

I was a huge fan of Jacobs prior to Always the First to Die, having read both And Then You Were Gone and Somewhere In The Dark, previously, I knew that this would be an explosive read.

I was not wrong....

The way Jacobs is able to intricately weave a storyline as unique as this together is still mind boggling. The creativity and time that went into this one shined on every page. I was never bored or flipping ahead. I never wanted to take a break. All I wanted to do was gain the ability to flip the pages faster so I could find out what was going on!

This book was my most favored book in 2022 and after I have read it now for a second time, I know there will be a third in my future.

If I could recommend one book to any thriller/slasher fan, this would be it.

Five Stars, as always, Mr. Jacobs.

Teaser:

For Lexi, the Pinecrest Estate has become a place of horror. The dilapidated manor house in the Florida Keys, once the site of her teenage movie debut, is now haunted by memories. Memories of working on a legendary horror director's most famous film and of the terrible death that propelled them all to infamy. And ever since Lexi fled the Keys, she has vowed to never return.

Until, years later, her daughter escapes to the Pinecrest in search of answers. Right when a Category 4 hurricane hits the southern coast.

Now, Lexi is back on the ravaged island with only a few remaining behind, and soon enough, her life begins to resemble the plot of her most famous film. And this time, she's not sure who will make it out alive.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

I think this was an ok thriller. I liked the elements of horror movies woven throughout and the mother/daughter relationship worked well for me. It wasn't anything ground breaking to me, but still a good read.

This book had me wondering until they end. I really enjoyed it and it’s definitely a book I will keep thinking about. Can’t wait to read more by this author

This one definitely served Home Before Dark or The Book of Cold Cases in that horror-ish underlay written into the mystery thriller! Overall, I would say it was an exciting & engaging read and I can see why it seems to have good reviews so far. Horror aspects usually turn me off but I felt like it worked in this one so I can’t complain about that! Again though horror aspects usually mean the ending isn’t overly impressive and I think that was the case here too.