Kate is a teen actress in a teen drama, if that isn’t enough drama, her show gets cancelled, she’s having trouble with her old friends and her parents, and she just happens to witness a murder. Yes, it’s an action-packed story with lots of teenage angst. It starts off heavy on the troubles of the TV show, you almost forget that there must be some blood because of the title, but then the murder happens and wild investigation begins.
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
#ThreeDropsofBlood #NetGalley

Three Drops of Blood by Gretchen McNeil is a young adult novel that blends coming-of-age drama with a thrilling murder mystery. Kate, is an aspiring actress whose life takes a dark turn when she witnesses a murder through her office window. The problem? No one believes her. Dismissed by the authorities and frustrated by her unsupportive family, Kate decides to investigate on her own.

The book is divided into two main parts. The first half focuses on Kate's struggles in the acting world and her strained relationship with her parents. This section can feel slow at times, but it establishes Kate's determination and sets the stage for the dramatic shift into a fast-paced whodunit.

The second half throws Kate into a dangerous situation as she uncovers secrets and tries to stay ahead of the killer. A potential romance adds a touch of sweetness to the suspense. However, some readers might find the connection a bit underdeveloped.

When I want to read something scary, Gretchen McNeil is my "go to" author. I enjoy YA suspense and thrillers. A huge fan of Gretchen McNeil's #murdertrending series and Ten, I was eager to read this book. While it had a slow start, I enjoyed when the pace of the storyline picked up and I started to feel like I was right in the story with the main characters. I liked that she included a plus-sized character and touched on romance a bit.

Verdict: Very slow to start, but the book's final chapters flew by. Overall more girl drama than murder thriller.

Kate knew something was wrong the moment her phone buzzed.
- first line

This book starts with a mix of Hollywood set drama and teen girl issues. It takes about 75% of the book before you get to the action. The misleading synopsis of the book makes it seem like the entire book revolves around the murders. Once the action starts, the book is very fast-paced, and I couldn’t put it down, but it took too long to get there.

Three Drops of Blood by author Gretchen McNeil has been described as “A Good Girls Guide to Murder meets Hitchcock” and while it possesses some qualities of a promising read, its lack of coherent direction and meaningless character information leaves the story not only dripping blood but gasping for air.

Kate is a young, hardworking, plus-sized actress who made an exciting debut as one of the main characters in a hit television series. The show gets axed due to behind-the-scenes issues, so she’s now on the hunt for her next project, which is tricky to navigate anywhere, but especially in cutthroat, highly-competitive Hollywood. Kate is also competing with those seemingly picture-perfect actresses like Belle, with whom she worked on the series. This all reeled me in and made me want to know more about Kate’s goals, challenges and where it would take her.

However, in what seems like writer’s block in the middle of the story, the author changes gears completely and pursues a surprise voyeuristic thriller tale. There was no continuity and it made no real sense, leaving the setting of the first half of the book completely in the dust. A double murder and an old love interest was apparently enough to derail the direction of the beginning chapters. While a weak tie-in is provided at the end, the journey to get there is a painful one that does not pay off.

There was some potential for this story but the potential gets lost in the murder hijacking that takes center stage. I liked Kate’s character, and her struggles with her family regarding her dreams of pursuing acting versus her parents’ desire that she pursue a safer (perhaps more boring) career made for good, relatable reading and solid character development. I liked the fictional insight into Kate’s appointment with her agent and her musings on auditions and other opportunities. Even the work at the law firm provided a reasonable contrast from the glitz and glamor of Kate’s pursuits as she is forced to make ends meet. But the affair/double murder scenario was completely lost on me, and unfortunately, between that event and the end of the book, Three Drops of Blood never won me back.

Gretchen McNeil has a formula that works for many readers. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get really into the story, and it wasn't my favorite.

First, I have to give a shout out for plus size representation. This is rarely in media, and it was done well here. The plus size character is an LA actress, which adds an interesting layer to the story.

If you're looking for a mystery book, I'm not sure this one fits the bill. The first half is all world and character building. There's a romance that seems to take the forefront. I like YA romance so it wasn't a big deal. It's just a different kind of book. The murders happen halfway through the book, and that's when the pace picked up and sucked me in. In order to make it a fast-paced mystery, I think it could have been structured in a way that puts the murders closer to the beginning. It felt like I was reading two different books with the same characters.

Overall, it's a book that promises something it doesn't deliver until the second half. Perhaps the problem is with the synopsis or the editing. Many readers who are reading it for that mystery aspect won't plod through the first half to get there. I would recommend this book to YA readers who haven't read any other Gretchen McNeil books. It's a good place to start, but her other books are more mystery based.

Kate didn't want to become an actress but won a star role in a new tv series by accident. Now she has the itch to become a huge actress and can see that happening with er popular role. But one scandal and she's now booted out of the acting world. In an attempt to be self reliant she witnesses a murder, a murder no one believes she saw. Three Drops of Blood leans into the Hitchock genre but is not successful. Most of the book is based on Kate's acting career and maybe romance. Her reason for accepting the job and when the murder happens does not have a fluid tie, making the plot fractured. Most of the characters are shallow and fall flat, giving the reader no reason to continue reading.

Kate is an unexpected Netflix star in the new series Dirty Pretty Things. What makes this so unusual is she is a size 16, and the character in the book is not. But the director falls in love with her, and new stardom is made. However, when it comes out that her co-star Bella (who is legal 18, meaning NOT 18) is having an affair with the married director, the show is shut down and Kate has to get a “real job “even though she is only 17. Her parents would prefer she goes to college, but if she wants to work, then she is going to work and pay for herself. She gets a job at her best friend’s father’s law firm as a file clerk. She can do it after hours, so she can still go to auditions and everything else she needs to be a real actress. One night she sees a double murder in the window across the way. However, NO one believes her.

This book was slow. I loved Kate as a character, and this read is mostly a character study. It takes half the book to get to the first murder, and then the ending is so action packed, that it speeds to the finish line. Overall, I Iiked this story, and I loved Kate, but I didn’t love the book. If someone has seen the Get Dirty series on Netflix, which is based on another series by Gretchen McNeil, and loved it, then they will love this book. It fits right in. For this reader, they love Gretchen for the Murder Trending books, and this title pales in comparison. It’s not bad, but it’s not edge of your seat either.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest, personal review. As much as I enjoy author Gretchen McNeil, I could not lose myself in this book the way I usually do. Thumbs up for the plus size representation, but it doesn't feel like the real mystery starts until halfway through the book. I didn't feel a strong connection between the opening of the book and the mystery itself but I'm sure there are some teens out there who will enjoy this book!

I bit slow to build up to the action/mystery, but overall an interesting read. It feels not quite as fleshed out as some of her previous work, but it's totally fine. Plus for diversity of characters and inclusivity, but minus for the "salty" language and some triggering/adult events. I would probably steer readers to the Murdertrending series first-if they enjoy those, then they would likely want to read this one.

Gretchen McNeil's Three Drops of Blood is being sold as A Good Girls Guide to Murder meets Hitchcock. Three Drops of Blood reimagines the classic Hitchcock film Rear Window with a fresh perspective. A mundane office job takes a dark turn when a girl witnesses a double murder through the window. Being an actress, 17-year-old Kate Williams is no stranger to drama. She has one of the lead parts in a drama called "Dirty Pretty Teens" and the only minor who plays the part of the slightly overweight teen.

After the producer is arrested for sexually assaulting Belle Masterson, her co-star, her chance at a leading role gets cancelled by the network and her star is snuffed out by a video that is released of her at a party with said producer. She is willing to do whatever it takes to get her acting career back on track even if that means getting a boring office job at her best friend's father's law firm so she can prove to her parents she can to support herself rather than go back to high school.

Now, rather than living life on the big screen, she is stuck filing mundane contracts and watching the people in the office across from hers live their equally boring lives. While Kate’s working, she witnesses a double murder but no one, not even the police, believe her. She enlists Ty, her best friend Rowan’s brother, to help find evidence. The danger multiplies and Kate and Ty do everything they can to stay alive. The unfortunate part of this story is Kate's alleged best friend Rowan acts like a clown, and blames Kate for taking a role that should have gone to her.

Then there are the parents who get mad at Kate after she tries to take a test that makes her an adult in the eyes of the law so that she can follow her 5 year plan to do her own thing, and not follow in their footsteps, especially her fathers. The story does have quite a bit of diversity if that is what you are searching for. Kate is a plus sized white girl. Rowan and Ty are Chinese-America, and Ty has spent time in China studying the law to follow his father. This pretty much is also a stereotype of those with Chinese ancestry. The romance isn't in your face. Kate may have had feelings for Ty, but the feelings were never made public because of her time with Dirty Pretty Teens. The reason behind Ripley's actions was basically pushed off the pages which was another reason for my rating.

In Three Drops of Blood plus-size actress Kate Williams lands a co-starring role on Dirty Pretty Teens, opposite former Disney star Belle Masterson. Just as Kate makes the decision to skip college and pursue acting, Belle gets caught in a compromising position with the 38-year-old showrunner, and the series is cancelled. Kate's parents are determined to change Kates mind about college and start charging her for food and rent, so she takes an evening job, filing at her best friend Rowan's dad's law firm. One night she is looking out the window and witnesses a double murder. Nobody wants to believe her except Rowan's brother Ty, whose heart she broke the previous year. Kate struggles to be taken seriously, both as an actress looking for roles other than the fat funny sidekick, and as the witness to a serious crime. Inspired by Hitchcock's Rear Window, this is a page turning thriller and sweet romance with an unconventional protagonist.

This book is different than the McNeil #murdertrending series, but it definitely has as much suspense! The first half of the book sets the stage and it takes a little bit to get to the action (and blood!), but stick with it, and you will not be disappointed.

The witness turns into the hunted!
Kate enjoys her acting job until the series is cancelled due to an inappropriate relationship with the producer and another teen actress on the show. Since Kate is only 17, she takes a competency test letting her continue acting without having to attend school. Her parents make her get a job and pay some bills because she took the test without their knowledge and they want her to see how much responsibility adults have to deal with on a daily basis. While Kate’s working, she witnesses a double murder but no one, not even the police, believe her. She enlists Ty, her best friend’s brother, to help find evidence. The danger multiplies and Kate and Ty do everything they can to stay alive.

Likes/dislikes: Kate’s friend Rowan is self-centered which builds Kate’s independence. The mystery becomes intense and suspenseful. I enjoyed Ty’s upbeat and loyal personality.
Mature Content: PG-13 for the mention of sexual assault, underage drinking, relationship between a 17 year old teen actress and her 38 year old boss mentioned. Implied sex, intense quick kiss. Implied kiss.
Language: R for 105 swears and 27 f-bombs.
Violence: PG-13 for three undescribed fatal shootings, bloody shot wound.
Ethnicity: Kate is White and Ty and Rowan are Asian. Mexican American, Latino and Black police officers are also mentioned.

I am a big fan of Gretchen McNeil, and so was excited to read her latest YA thriller. I liked the main character, and I think that the mystery was definitely intriguing as well. It seemed to take a little while to get to it though. But once it did there was so much going on, and so many people making Kate doubt what she saw that it even made me start wondering if she was going to be an unreliable narrator. It also seemed like the mystery, the murder, had nothing to do with Kate other than where she was located. Just that she saw it happen in the building across from where she worked.

However as the story went on, the location had some actual interesting surprises about it. And as the really dangerous part of the story began to unfold we learned that maybe there was more to the whole mystery that did relate more to Kate and her life. I liked how the author had those things sprinkled in at the right moments in the end to make the story even more exciting.

The romance aspect could have used a little bit more detail maybe, and her best friend was not really as great a friend from the way she behaved. Those two characters made it a little bit less of a perfect story for me. But it was obvious how they did fit into the story with the issues they caused. Overall another good book by McNeil, and I do look forward to more in the future!

I really enjoyed this book. I don’t want to say too much so as not to give away all of its secrets. I will say that getting to the action is very slow going, however hang in there. I love a good Rear Window moment, and the twists that make this story unique are just perfect. Everything ties together so nicely. Teens are going to truly enjoy all the mystery involved in this story. I can’t wait to recommend it!
Thank you so much to Disney Publishing Worldwide and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Honestly, who doesn't love a good mystery? This one is the perfect fit when you're craving that mystery fix and really think this will be great for any young readers who want something like that. I loved the messages spread throughout on body positivity and being your authentic self while still having enough mystery to keep you guessing.

Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Three Drops of Blood by Gretchen McNeil. This young adult thriller is set to be released on March 20, 2023. All opinions are my own.

Kate’s acting career is just starting. She just wrapped her first season on a hit Netflix show when scandal strikes and the show is cancelled. Now, she has to take a job filing papers after hours and her friend’s dad’s law firm. While filing late one night, Kate witnesses a double murder through the window. She doesn’t know who the murder is or what business she works for, but Kate knows that she has to convince the police to believe her, so the woman doesn’t get away with murder.

Honestly, I was disappointed. NetGalley describe this book as “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder meets Hitchcock”, but this book just lacked for me. It has A LOT of exposition, much of which isn’t necessary and could be removed. The story moves very slowly and the only part that’s truly a thriller is the last 25%. It has an okay story and once the thriller part hits, there is some good action, but it just took far too long to get there. It’s a good book for those new to the YA mystery genre, but if it’s your favorite genre (like it is for me), you may find it a little disappointing.

This is my first book by this author even though I have her other titles. After enjoying this book immensely, I'll definitely be looking forward to catching up on her others. I knew this was compared to Rear Window so kept waiting for that part of the story to develop, but it didn't happen until more than halfway through the book. The first half of story felt like a different book but I still thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kate and the Hollywood drama surrounding the series she was on. When she got the job at the law office in the dungeon, the story changed directions but I went along with it. I enjoyed the romance between her and Ty and the conflict between her and her best friend, Rowan. I appreciated the Asian-American rep. Great suspense and tension at the end. I'll definitely recommend this to fans of murder mysteries / teen dramas.

If there is one thing my students love, it’s a good mystery. I can’t wait to add this one to my library. I know they will inhale it. It has enough intrigue for my more sophisticated readers, but my struggling readers will be able to get on board with it too—especially with the audiobook. Some of the fat-positive messages were a little much, but as a plus-sized reader myself, I even found some of the thinking patterns matched some that I have experienced. That lent an air of authenticity to that lived experience that I didn’t anticipate. This is one that I’ll buy two copies of. It’s going to be a hit!