When five friends take off for the woods, but only four survive the night, everyone's story is different.

Each friend tells a different story about why Maylee disappears, or how it even happened. What they knew beforehand, and how they are all connected makes each perspective so different that unraveling the truth gets complicated.

This is a fun whodunit for teens--fans of Mindy McGinnus will appreciate Sedoti, and I always love it when a Bigfoot shows up.

I almost DNFed this book. But I kept going just to see how it turned out.

First of all, honestly, I believe it wouldn’t last that long. I’m having hard time the interrogators would be interested how they met and anything back in the kids’ pasts be irrelevant right away. One thing that pisses me off is that one character kept claiming race card all the time. I can fully understand what happened in the past but every single time when minor thing happens, he’d claimed tace card. It gets pretty old. There’s so many things which were pretty unrealistic (maybe I’m from another world!) I could go on and on.

The ending…..Seriously?….

2 1/2 stars from me for being creative with the plots and being creative with the kids being interviewed/interrogated. It dragged on too long for this story line with some unnecessary details. I was honestly looking forward to a good read when I saw the title.
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for this copy ofeARC. Asusual, all of my reviews are purely my own opinions without any influence from any publisher.

Chelsea Sedoti's Tell Me What Really Happened is a mesmerizing tapestry of suspense and intrigue, woven with the delicate threads of truth and perception. This young adult mystery plunges into the heart of a shadowy forest where reality and memory intertwine, leaving readers to navigate the labyrinthine paths of four teenagers' recollections after a friend's mysterious disappearance.

The story unfurls with the vanishing of Vanessa during a camping trip, leaving her friends Nolan, Jade, and Liam in the wake of her absence. Each of them holds fragments of the truth, like shattered glass reflecting different facets of the same event. Through a series of interviews conducted by a detective, Sedoti masterfully unravels the narrative, each character's perspective adding a new hue to the mosaic of that fateful night. The shifting viewpoints create a kaleidoscope of memories, each turn revealing new shapes and colors, keeping readers enthralled as the lines between truth and fiction blur.

Sedoti's characters are drawn with a deft hand, each one vibrant and distinct. Nolan's introspective caution, Jade's rebellious loyalty, and Liam's enigmatic turmoil come alive on the page, their voices resonating with authenticity and depth. As their stories unfold, readers are invited into the labyrinth of their minds, exploring the corridors of their fears, secrets, and desires. The narrative's Rashomon-style storytelling not only heightens the suspense but also underscores the fragile and fragmented nature of memory, making the quest for the truth both tantalizing and elusive.

Themes of memory, perception, and the elusive nature of truth are interwoven throughout the novel like delicate filigree. Sedoti delves into the murky waters of human consciousness, exploring how trauma distorts perception and how personal biases shape our understanding of reality. The novel poses poignant questions about the nature of truth and the reliability of memory, compelling readers to reflect on their own perceptions and the stories they tell themselves.

Chelsea Sedoti's prose is a symphony of sharp, engaging, and evocative language. Her writing captures the emotional intensity and suspense of the story with lyrical grace, painting vivid scenes that linger in the mind. The cadence of her words, the rhythm of her sentences, and the imagery she conjures create a reading experience that is both immersive and haunting. Each page turns with a sense of urgency and anticipation, the atmosphere thick with the tension of unspoken truths and hidden fears.

Tell Me What Really Happened is a masterwork of mystery and psychological insight. Sedoti's narrative prowess and her intricate exploration of memory and truth make this novel a compelling journey into the human psyche. It is a story that lingers long after the final page, a haunting reminder of the shadows that lurk in our minds and the elusive nature of the truth we seek.

An intriguing mystery, layered with complex characters and an interesting narration. Using interrogation following the disappearance of a friend while camping, four teens recount the day/night of camping and how Maylee disappeared. This technique, while hard to follow in places, made for a fast-paced and compelling story of perception and deception. Everyone knows something, everyone holds a secret, and everyone has had their night clouded by emotions from fear to anger. While some characters were unappealing, the narration still made what they had to say interesting and integral to the plot.
I recommend this to people that like Natalie D. Richards books and fast pace mysteries.

I tried so hard to really get into this book but I just could not connect with the plot line or the characters, It was a quick read but overall did not leave an impact on me.

I am not sure where to begin with this one....
I don't feel like I've read anything like it before. 5 friends go into the woods, but only four come out.....alive anyway.
There are stories about the people who have gone missing around/in Salvation Creek, but these friends certainly didn't think it would take one of their own...did they?
Maylee, John, Nolan, Petra and Abigail decide to go into the woods for the weekend, thinking it'll be a good break away from the stresses of teenage life. The trip is pretty much chaotic from the beginning, as some of the "friends" didn't exactly wanna go camping in the first place. You can see that they weren't getting along, and were out for one another at the start. At the end of the night, we hear a gunshot in the woods and suddenly it gets eerily quiet.
I loved how each chapter started with the investigators asked the teenagers about what happened in the woods that way they can see the big picture from A all the way to Z. The entire book is written in an interrogation process, with the teenagers filling in the gaps from what happened that fateful night to Maylee.
I thought it was a good read and it kept me engaged, but the ending just left me wanting more!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC! :)

** spoiler alert ** I think that the format of this book was very cool, but I was extremely disappointed with the ending. There is so much going on and the interrogation setup is actually really cool and innovative, and then plop, the ending happens. It's like all the build-up was just sort of dropped on its head.

Okay, so Maylee, who is not the greatest, has this very specific plan, and her friends are there with her and some know and some don't. One thinks that a bigfoot is around, the other feels left out, the other has a history dealing with racism and a car accident, and all of these things are supposed to come together to wow and amaze the reader with the complexity of each character and you go on this adventure with the narrator(s) and have all this investment and then that's it. The book gets wrapped up. Petra seems like she knows what she is going to do, but the others? Poof. Bye bye. Bigfoot? Nonsense. Dealt with an incident that you were profiled for? Oh well, get over it. Your family isn't a bunch of MAGA-loving rednecks? Congrats. I mean, I don't really understand why I even cared what was happening to the characters, it just happened. There was a lot of possibility with this book, but not even water laced with psychedelics was an answer. It was really lame. Oh well. There are some good ones and some bad ones. This one wasn't great.

I enjoyed how this book used a unique form of storytelling. The whole book took place in the interrogation room solely from the input of four teenagers recounting what happened to their missing friend. It was easy to read as each section was relatively short, but it did seem a bit repetitive. That being said, it kept me guessing as to what really happened, and I was eager to find out next. I did feel a bit let down by how the book ended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks fire for the chance to read and review this ARC.

Petra - An organiser. Called bossy by her stepbrother Nolan and by pretty much anyone else who ever meets her. She likes to be on top
of things, so when her best friend Maylee suggests a camping trip to Salvation Creek the following weekend, Petra is a little annoyed it's so soon, but is quickly into action organising everything they might need and more. She is the daughter of a cop, knows how to use a gun, has learnt wilderness skills over the years and feels prepared.

Maylee - a free spirit. Or this is how she likes to think of herself. She is spontaneous, disorganised, Queen of the social ladder at high school and incredibly keen to be an influencer. She and Petra are polar opposites but besties. Maylee likes to turn conversations on their head, just to get a reaction. She is constantly taking photos or looking for opportunities to do so for her followers, but also knowing she needs something different for her feed. She takes a tent for the trip but is not properly prepared otherwise as is her carefree, don't give a care nature.

Nolan - Petra's stepbrother who is mocked at school for his quiet, insular personality. He'd much rather be holed up in his room on his computer than anywhere else. Ever since he had a terrifying experience on another trip, he has also been mocked for his insistence he saw a bigfoot only feet in front of him. He's certain of the sighting even though it's widely believed he just had a nightmare, and now he's keen to look for one at Salvation Creek. This is one of the hotspots for bigfoot according to cryptid experts, and where people have disappeared.

John - Maylee's boyfriend. More like Petra than Maylee, John is a good student and a sensible guy, especially after an event years previous that changed him for life. Blamed for a near tragedy because of the colour of his skin made him realise what society is really like underneath. Maylee's chaotic personality helps bring him some of the spark he lost before the event. But still, he can't understand why he came camping as he hates the outdoor wilderness, getting away from it all vibe. He's much happier with a vibrant city around him.

Abigail - Daughter of a man thought to be pure gun-toting hillbilly, Abigail has learnt her own wilderness skills and knows the area well. They have spent a lot of time in the outdoors. Living in a trailer park, and with her father's anti-establishment take on life, she is used to other's opinion of him. She ignores them as she is close to her loving, patient father as he is the only family she has. She is pleased to be invited along, but is wary.

Five teens arrive at the camping ground together, but by morning there is only four being interviewed by the police after something goes terribly wrong.


I couldn't put this book down. Told in four viewpoints by the way of police interviews, I felt like I was there in the wilderness with the teens as their camping trip turns into a nightmare.

The interview style of storytelling allows readers to get to know each character, and I enjoyed the different ways each character perceived behaviour of others. Eg. One character thought someone was thinking something, but in fact it was the opposite.

Having one character absolutely convinced a bigfoot was nearby upped the tension, and made me wonder... could there be a creature in the wilds with them or is it something else?

A fast paced, entertaining read.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the ARC of this title.

Age - 12+

This one gripped me in from the start. It’s a YA mystery that unfolds through police interviews, which I found to be a unique and compelling way to tell the story. The tension builds as each teen’s account adds layers to the mystery of their friend’s disappearance during a camping trip. What I appreciated most was the fast pace and the way the story kept me guessing until the very end. It’s a book that’s perfect for anyone who loves a good thriller with a twist. Sedoti’s storytelling had me hooked, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!”

Mixed Feelings

*I was provided this book free of charge by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

In my quest to devour all the books on my list this weekend, I eagerly delved into "Tell Me What Really Happened" by Chelsea Sedoti, anticipating a thrilling ride. Yet, despite its promising premise, my excitement was somewhat dampened as I can only bestow three stars upon it.

The narrative centers on Maylee Hayes and her friends embarking on an overnight camping trip to Salvation Creek. What begins as a seemingly innocent excursion quickly spirals into chaos when Maylee mysteriously vanishes from her tent, leaving her companions bewildered and stranded in the wilderness.

The novel's strength lies in its innovative storytelling format, structured entirely through police interviews with the remaining friends. This method effectively builds tension, keeping readers on edge as the plot unfolds. However, the conclusion falls short, feeling underwhelming in comparison to the escalating suspense.

Character differentiation proved to be another stumbling block, with the protagonists blending into a homogeneous mass, making it challenging to discern their individual voices. Additionally, the incessant focus on Bigfoot felt overwrought, detracting from the overall narrative.

Despite these drawbacks, "Tell Me What Really Happened" offers a gripping read, particularly suited for YA enthusiasts seeking a quick and engaging mystery. While it may not reach the heights of other thrillers, it serves as a satisfying palate cleanser between heavier fare.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book makes for a good YA high school mystery. I think my middle school or high school self would have enjoyed it. Although I did like the dialog between the police and the teens, I found that their stories could come across a little far fetched and seemed to drag on. I really liked that this story kept me guessing until the end.

raw and real, yet appropriate enough to share with my friends who are also in high school, it truly was a thrilling read and i would read again.

This was a decent and clever YA mystery. Five friends go into the woods and only four come out. I really enjoyed the interrogation format in this book where everyone tells the story from their point of view. Talk about unreliable witnesses! It kept me interested and intrigued throughout the entire book. It was rather enjoyable! Thanks to NetGalley, Chelsea Sedoti and Sourcebooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to netgalley (@netgalley) and the publisher (@sourcebooksfire) for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review

it was really good, i really enjoyed how the book was written. it kept me on my feet. i seriously didn’t see the end coming

4.5★stars

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

This novel was absolutely WILD! I REALLY loved the dual timelines and how this unfolded. This was really well written with interviews of all the participants with the police as the truth slowly comes out. I really, really enjoyed how this novel was written.

I have always enjoyed novels with multiple points of view, and having (almost) all the characters tell their sides to the police after a friend goes missing was super intersting. How the 'who done it' was revealed was just wild and so unexpected! And even more so, the ending! This was just so damn enjoyable and I blew through the entire story! I will definitely have to pick up this author again.

I really enjoyed how grounded this book was. Chelsea Sedoti definitely has a knack for creating teen characters who sound authentic and like they could be walking the halls of any high school. Her choice to tell the entire story through police interviews, too, was an interesting one, and it worked most of the time.

There were some times, however, where the technique wasn't as successful and the characters ended up sounding a little flat or two-dimensional. This was most evident with John. Without the benefit of any description whatsoever or any outside writing mechanics to fill in the gaps about him, at times John's voice sounded slightly under-developed. His struggle as a young Black man with a system that could often include a double standard for him because of his race wasn't as present because all we had to go on were the interviews and his friends' accounts of him.

With Petra it was the opposite problem; at times, she came across as much too forceful. I know part of her character description was to be aggressive, but there were times where her overt self-assuredness felt out of step with what was happening in the scene at hand. It was also never really clear how Petra felt about Maylee. Was it friendship or obsession? Or something else? (I imagined her as someone who doesn't blink a lot.)

Sedoti did an excellent job of developing Maylee's character, even though she's never on the page representing herself. The author's experience and self-confidence shine in this aspect. The other characters share enough of Maylee that it's easy to put together a mental image of the type of person she is.

Occasionally the dialogue didn't sound realistic, though. I don't know how many teenagers would say they "peered through the darkness." There were times when the conversations sounded less like conversations and more like traditional first-person narrative.

Of all the characters, though, my heart hurt most for Nolan, and not just for the most obvious reasons. Abigail, on the other hand, almost felt like an after-thought in some scenes. I don't know how much her being in the story actually moved it along or how much taking her out would have affected it.

While I enjoyed some of Sedoti's other works more, this one was also pretty good.

This was definitely a book that kept me on the edge of my seat till the end. I think that the multiple POVs helped to add to the unreliableness of the characters. I think that the plot was simple and the ultimate reveal was a little lackluster in my opinion, but I do think that this was an enjoyable read. I think that each of the characters was well fleshed out and their flaws were what made them so compelling to follow. I think that this a story that fans of Good Girls Guide to Murder or the Truly Devious. I will definitely be picking up more from this author.

This book was great! It was very suspenseful, and I could not put it down. I loved the way the author made you think you had figured everything out, and then gave a new piece of information that changed everything. I especially loved the ending.

**** UNPOPULAR OPINION TIME****

Thanks to Netgalley, Chelsea Sedoti and Sourcebooks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Already available.

MY REVIEW:

I am so glad this was a free ARC because I would have been PO'd spending money on a book that was such a waste of time. I did not like any of the charcters. An entire boring book about Bigfoot, really?! WTF?!

Not for me. cannot recommend. Do not waste your time.