SELLING SUNSET but make it murder. I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and the characters motivations kept me reading. The real selling point of this book is the setting of a Real Estate agency in LA. It was so much fun

An excellent tale written from the viewpoint of the various protagonists most of whom are real estate agents involved in the potential sale of a fifty million dollar property and the levels of skulduggery which they will go to to clinch the sale. We also have the story from the perspective of the police officers dealing with the incident at the priory sting which the story revolves.

As the story evolves we learn a little more about the backstory of each of these persons with the chapters relating to one person at a time and either before or after the main event at the property for sale so paying attention to each of the parties involved is a must if the reader doesn't want to become confused..

There is a very neat ending which ties up the plot threads nicely and doesn't require a stretch of the imagination.

This was a very well thought out and written thriller and I would recommend it to any readers of the crime/thriller genre.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my advance copy for review.

What happens when you mix a bunch of toxic real estate agents together in one office and then tell them they have a chance at a million dollar commission - the only obstacle being the other agents in the office? It’s going to end badly. And in this story it does; in fact, it ends in murder. But who is dead, and who did it? This highly suspenseful story reveals the details piece by piece and adds a few twists into the mix.

I enjoyed this book - it’s an enjoyable high-stakes office thriller. Each of the five agents has a really pressing issue in their personal lives that makes them absolutely need the million-dollar commission from this listing, so they begin to get personal. And since each of them is hiding something, there’s something for them to lose, and lose big time. And as the clock winds down toward sale time, things get more intense.

Andi Hart is the main character, and her story is the most compelling and complex. There’s some good twists and turns to it that I would not have guessed.

And the resolution was pretty good, too. It was both unexpected and realistic, once you put the pieces together. And of course, there’s a little surprise in there too, so make sure to read until the end.

Overall, this is a great workplace thriller, that I highly recommend for someone looking for a classic whodunnit.

A fun read with lots of interesting characters. The unexpected twist at the end was particularly satisfying. An enjoyable read for sure!

To Die For y Lisa Gray takes place in California, Malibu to be exact. Andi Hart is a real estate agent, a good one according to her boss. When a Malibu beach house comes on the market with a prize commission of $1 million to one lucky agent, the already saturated market becomes even more cutthroat. There are five agents all after the same thing, and all five are willing lie, cheat and steal to make this commission. When a dead boy is found by the pool at the open house, could one of them have murdered just to get ahead? Once the secrets of the colleagues begin to spill, the sale can be anyone’s, or so they think.

The story of the $50 million beach house is told between six points of you, as well as before and after. Try to keep up, it’s a little difficult but well worth it. Andi Hart is a like-able person, she is going to find someone to buy this house and not do it by cheating her colleagues. Now her colleagues, that’s a different story. They are all hiding something, honestly so is Andi, but she doesn’t let it interfere with her sales. There are so many twists and turns you will definitely keep engaged. Even the dead person is a mystery until the very end, well done! Just when you think you have it figured out, you won’t, so just enjoy the burn.

I really liked this one! I have been waiting to read something by Lisa Gray and boy was it worth the wait! Looking forward to more from this author. I would like to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer Publishing and Lisa Gray for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

From the cover and tagline I wasn’t expecting a drama about estate agents BUT I love it. I think we’re all seeing this job now in a different light because of reality to shows around agencies so this brought that to a whole new level. Fast paced and intriguing I read this over a couple of days.

Okay I am obsessed with this book! The story grips you from the start, i loved the flow of before and after which just kept building the tension. Fast paced, lots of POVs, plenty of potential suspects with shady motives. All the ingredients for a great thriller and Lisa Gray delivers this without exception.

I did not see it coming with the story unfolding and Andi being related to that of the deceased, i absolutely loved that twist! This was a first for me from this author but i will say she is going to be quickly added to my auto buy authors. There were parts of the story that i did feel wasn't needed with some of the character storylines but I could appreciate how they added context to the after story line but it made it a little chaotic and took away slightly from the suspense of who dunnit!

To Die For was an interesting take on a thriller based in the real estate industry. When a one million dollar commission is up for grabs, several members of an agency are on the hunt for that buyer that will make them the big bucks. Told from multiple POV's, it was great to see what personal issues each agent was going through and why they were desperate for the money. But when a dead body is uncovered at the house for sale, things start to take a deadly turn.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes, there were quite a few POV's to keep track of but once you get into the book, it becomes easier to remember who is who. Fast paced with short chapters, I devoured this one since I was so keen to see who would get the money!!

To Die For, by Lisa Gray, is a fast paced suspense that lets you look at the murder from five different points of view. The main character, Andi, is likeable and interesting. Some of the other characters, not so much. But that's what makes things interesting, isn't it?!
There's no question about it, luxury real estate is a cutthroat business! Real estate agent, Andi Hart, is well aware. Recent tragedies have her set on doing things her own way. Then her bosses offer her and her fellow agents a chance at earning a million dollars. She just needs to beat out those fellow agents and be the one to sell a 50 million dollar luxury beach house.
Then a body is discovered in the beach house's pool. Suddenly everything has changed and everyone's a suspect.

Who doesn’t love money? Real estate agent Andi knows Malibu well and is ready to be top seller. The prize for winning, one million dollars. Her boss has set out on a prize winning mission to whoever find a buyer for a glitzy beach house. Each of her four colleagues have secrets to hide and would kill for that money.

Welcome to the elite world of luxury real estate, you know that kind you imagine watching Selling Sunset on Netflix. Well imagine that in a story but with a huge commission bonus and murder and bam you’ve got this story. When a body is found, the nightmare begins.

This was a quick paced and ver entertaining read. I could only dream of living that lifestyle. I love the fact that it takes place with real estate agents because I’ve seen in true crime of some finding bodies while doing an open house and really only imagine the horror that followed.

Lisa Gray definitely writes memorable characters and posts that are twisty and satisfying. I can’t wait to read more by her.

EXCERPT: 'You're with the listing agency, aren't you? Be a sweetheart and show us where the pool is?'
'Of course,' said the agent. 'It's around the side of the house. It's custom tiled and really quite stunning. Follow me.'
Louboutin and Manolo heels click-clacked on the tiled floor as the trio made their way through the open pocket doors onto the balcony and turned the corner onto the pool deck.
The wind whipped at their hair. The sun momentarily blinded their eyes. A faint smell of salt and seaweed carried on the breeze. The three women walked toward the pool.
First, they noticed the blood.
Then they saw the body floating facedown in the water.
That's when the screaming began.

ABOUT 'TO DIE FOR': In the elite world of luxury real estate, it is often kill or be killed, something agent Andi Hart knows all too well—and after recent events, she’s ready to set her own rules. So when her boss challenges the team to find a buyer for a glitzy Malibu beach house, with a prize commission of a cool $1 million, she knows it’s her ticket to a new life. But she’s not the only one who not only wants but needs the money. Each of her four colleagues has secrets they’re eager to hide—secrets $1 million would go a long way in concealing. And soon, it becomes clear all five would do just about anything to get their hands on it… When a dead body is found at the open house, the dream home becomes a nightmarish crime scene. Has the contest reached a deadly new level, or is there something more sinister at work?

MY THOUGHTS: To Die For is a quick and easy read. It's entertaining and does nothing to improve the already scurrilous reputations of most real estate agents. To Die For is cleverly plotted and peopled with characters who mostly belong in a soap opera.

Everyone has secrets, including our main character, Andi, whom I liked. She isn't prepared to cheat or manipulate the other agents to reach her goals. She's the only one.

The author cleverly keeps the identity of the body in the pool concealed until the end, and I was way off base with my guess as to who it was. The twist at the end was totally unexpected and greatly enjoyed; a twisted sort of justice is delivered. Unconventional, twisted, yet entirely satisfying. Just desserts!

The story is told over two timelines - before and after the discovery of the body - from multiple points of view. This mostly worked well but occasionally I found myself thinking I was in one time period only to find that I was in the other.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I will definitely be looking out for her next.

⭐⭐⭐.6

#ToDieFor #NetGalley

I: @lisagraywriter @amazonpublishing

T: @lisagraywriter @amazonpub

#contemporaryfiction #crime #murdermystery

THE AUTHOR: Lisa Gray decided at a young age that she wanted to write features for magazines and somehow ended up working as a football journalist for almost 20 years instead. She now writes novels full-time.

An avid reader, she was hooked on Sweet Valley High and Point Horror books as a youngster, before turning to crime.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas & Mercer, via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of To Die For by Lisa Gray for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This was such an entertaining mystery/thriller! It reminded me of the show Selling Sunset, except that the five real estate agents in this book were ten times as ruthless!

When challenged by their boss to find a buyer for a $50 million dollar Malibu beach house, they all have reasons to do whatever it takes to earn their $1 million dollar commission! So when a body is found floating in the pool during the open house, you are left to wonder just how far they are willing to go.

These characters were crazy! You will like some and hate some. All of them had secrets to hide and lies to tell! The plot was so twisty, and I liked that you didn't even know who the dead person was until close to the end of the book. I was not able to figure out who the killer was, so that was fun!

Thank you @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for the gifted e-arc of this book.

Thanks. to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this read. This book was a hit for me as I like to watch shows that have a bit of competition in it like Barbie Dream House Challenge and Selling LA. Hahahaaaa but anyways... This had a mystery aspect to it and it was wild. It had so many twists involved in it. It had motives and secrets galore being released in this book. If you are sensitive to triggers, please check them out as there are many in her.

Glaswegian author Lisa Gray is known for her page-turning thrillers set in the United States. Her debut novel, Thin Air, was a bestseller. She used this book to introduce the character of Jessica Shaw, a PI who is unaware of her own past. After a few more Jessica Shaw novels, Gray began writing standalones and To Die For is a thriller set in the competitive world of high-end real estate.

The settings of Los Angeles and Malibu are critical to the plot. They are areas of great wealth where it is a major industry in itself to create the image of lifestyles that others will desire. People are judged on what car they drive, what designer clothes they wear and, crucially, where they live. If you have ever watched reality TV shows like Selling Sunset or Keeping Up With the Kardashians and its many spinoffs, you will understand the vibe that Gray creates in To Die For.

The book begins with a private party for realtors and big-time buyers at a stunning new house on Malibu Beach Drive. Overlooking the Pacific, it has all the features required to capture the interest of someone willing and able to pay the $50 million price tag. The Dom Pérignon is flowing and the guests are suitably impressed by the house, but the celebration is cut short when a body is found floating in the pool. From the prologue we move into the main story. Who’s the victim and why are they in the pool?

The main character in the book is Andi. She has been working as an agent at Saint Realty but is now thinking about opening her own agency. The cost of leasing space in the area Andi wants is pricy. She could use an infusion of cash. She thinks that her prayers have been answered when she learns that Saint Realty has just listed a $50 million beachfront house in Malibu. The commission for selling it would be a million dollars – a life-changing amount for someone like Andi.

Unfortunately for her, the other agents working at Saint Realty are also desperate for the cash. Hunter, Krystal, Verona and Myles all have their own reasons for needing the money. You will learn those reasons from each of the five agents themselves as Gray develops the story from their different perspectives. Chapters in the book are labeled with the character’s name and are primarily set before the house viewing party.

Interspersed between them are chapters from the perspective of the investigating police detective, Aribo. He is called in to work the case while he is out celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary with his wife Denise. Their relationship comes across as the most honest and caring one in the book. They have been married almost as long as Aribo has worked for the police. His experience shows as he investigates the murder that occurred at the house on Malibu Beach Drive. Aribo’s story largely takes place after the viewing party. Eventually all perspectives shift to the night in question and the fallout after the mysterious death.

A story told from six different perspectives with multiple timelines can be a little challenging to get into. Once you do get into the structure of the book, all will become clear. You will be eager to find out what secrets the characters are hiding and want to know the identity of the body in the pool.

Gray has created an interesting mix of characters in very different life situations. Even though some of the characters are not likeable, you will be curious to see how low they will go to get their hands on a $1 million commission. The cut-throat competition between the real estate brokers will keep you guessing as to the identity of the murderer and the victim. If you are looking for a beach read or a book to keep yourself entertained on a long flight, To Die For is a good pick.

A cutthroat world of real estate agents and brokers? Who knew? In and of itself, that doesn't sound too exciting. And for the most part, it wasn't. But my lack of enthusiasm mostly happened because the plot seemed lacking in transition; while the technique of jumping from time period to time period - allowing readers to gradually see what happened before that led to the current situation - can be effective, it just didn't work well for me in this case (maybe my opinion was colored by the fact that the identity of the murder victim wasn't revealed until way past the halfway point). Besides that, it was a bit of a letdown to realize that real estate really wasn't the issue at all.

Despite the aforementioned caveats, it's an entertaining story that's worth reading. Once I got used to the presentation and the changes in perspectives no longer required me to go back to my notes to re-discover who was who, I became more involved in the details. Basically, Andi Hart is a realtor whose firm has landed a representation contract for a $50 million Malibu beach home - clearly a financial boon to the firm and the agent who reels in the buyer (to the tune of a cool million dollars - hardly chump change). Needless to say, competition turns ugly; the firm's agents and the husband-and-wife owners are, understandably, hot to trot to get it done and apparently willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

The story is complicated by the fact that each of the characters, Andi included, carries secrets they'd rather no one else knows. An already bad situation takes a turn for the worse when, during an posh post-staging party for brokers, a dead body turns up in the swimming pool. But who is the victim, what was the motive for the murder and - most important - who did the dirty deed? Little by little, readers get hints about both, until all is revealed at the end (which I'd describe as mostly satisfying). For the details, though, you'll have to read it for yourself; as for me, I'll just say thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read a pre-release copy.

Publish Date
12 September 2023
Publisher
Thomas & Mercer
Kindle Edition, 329 pages
Editions
6 Editions
Language
English

When I read the sypnosis for this book, it immediately reminded be of the Netflix Show Selling Sunset. Which I loooove! Always a drama 😂!

This book was no different. Lots going on and more importantly, kept me guessing, right to the end.

https://www.instagram.com/Bookstagramshaz

If you enjoy #sellingsunset on @netflix then you will enjoy this book! It has all the drama and messiness of the realtor shows out now plus a murder. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a fast paced read and even with multiple POV, it was easy to follow. Each character has drama and secrets which makes for the perfect whodunit. I definitely didn’t guess the ending and I really enjoyed it although I did want more wrap up of each character. I felt like I only got a small wrap up on a select few characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Andi Hart is a realtor in California with a past. How will her past come back to haunt her?

Overall, a decent read. Kept my attention and interest. A mystery, a bit of a thriller, a who done it murder. The end is not super predictable but also not many breadcrumbs dropped along the way to foreshadow the ultimate conclusion. I recommend if you’re interested in murder mysteries, real estate and coastal California.

Terrifically well plotted!

Andi Hart is a realtor - and a very good one at that. She has plans to move on but when the small realty she works for lands the sale of a $50 million pound Malibu beach house offering the successful agent a payday of a cool million, she realises how much that kind of money could help her on her way. Of course, the other four agents she works alongside all have their eyes on the prize. Then, at the brokers' open house a dead body is found in the pool - will the sale still be happening?

Lisa Gray has a sharp eye for character traits, and it shows. The chance of making big money brings out the worst in some people - but makes for a very exciting read! Every one of the colleagues has a good reason for wanting to get their hands on the cash, while each of them is aware that it's a race to see who can land the buyer first. Then there's the matter of the murder - who was it, who did it - and will it affect the house sale? I was glued to this one, reading well into the early hours, unable to put it aside; sleep wasn't as important as finding out where this was going! A stunning, well planned and beautifully written book which I'm delighted to give five glowing stars and my definite recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Are these people your coworkers or your competition?

Andi has successfully moved her real estate career to LA from New York, & after years of working with four other realtors at a firm owned by a husband & wife where the husband doesn’t take his marriage vows too seriously, Andi’s ready to strike out on her own. When the opportunity to sell a house with a commission of $1 million arises, everyone in the firm starts scrambling to find clients rich enough to change their lives. As the five realtors become desperate some of them start doing things they normally wouldn’t in an attempt to secure the money, each for their own secret reasons.

This book revolves around a body being found in the pristine pool of the luxury home up for sale - there’s before, after, during, & a brief look back to twenty years earlier; the way the story is told by skipping around & focusing on different players as the drama unfolded kept me on my toes. I really enjoy Gray’s writing style (I need to read more from her private investigator series, Jessica Shaw) with fun little things like the mention of Magnum, P.I. I did NOT see one of the minor characters being such an important component, very cleverly plotted - & the bit at the end with another real estate broker was perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.