While I'm typically a sucker for boarding/prep school thrillers, this one didn't do it for me. The plot felt slow moving and I stopped reading much more frequently than other books. I did enjoy the twist toward the end, but I don't really feel like things were wrapped up - all of a sudden it just stopped! I didn't care the main characters, and the writing felt kind of forced - I can't quite put my finger on it, but the writing style just wasn't for me. I think this could be a good pick for older middle school/younger high school students who are new to the genre, but it lacks if you are an avid thriller/suspense reader. I'm willing to try something else by Murphy, but this book wasn't my cup of tea. Thank you for the ARC!

A much better book than I anticipated, to be honest. With some awesome twists and edgy surprises. I’ll get it for the mystery/horror kids at my library. 💜📚

I don't think this book was for me, and I don't think my students will find it very interesting. The main characters were pretty one dimensional,

I had great hopes for this book, but sadly was very disappointed in it. It is very predictable and just not a good read.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mystery, murder, and a secret society. Set in a school separated from the world in a sense. No technology for the kids who attend and who are all gifted in someway. School promises success but this school year there is a high cost. Plot twist that many might not expect but can be recognized if you pay attention to details. Enjoyable quick read.

This is a fantastic horror novel (super violent and gory!) that will be a huge hit with teen readers. Unreliable narrator and fabulous plot twists. The sections written from the killer's perspective adds suspense. A great choice for first chapter Friday!

It's a swift read, killer loose in the school mystery, very engaging throughout the story. I enjoyed the detail of the characters and their interaction. The one thing that I was not too pleased about was the fast wrap-up at the end. I felt I was being rushed out of a store at closing time. Yeah, that could have been extended for more of a thrill.

I enjoyed this one as it's unique--and as a former teacher--I love books in a school setting. Liz attends Morton Academy and is happy as college is "guaranteed" after graduation. But Liz suffered a brain injury and often gets debilitating headaches, though she always continues to attend class and study. There's a Secret Society of Jewel and Bone connected to the school's history; all know about but only the few "chosen" will be Head and Deputy each year. And then the deaths begin....New boy, Cole is interested in Liz and wants to help her solve the mysteries but there are things--and people--at play behind the scenes--that make sleuthing difficult. Great storyline!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This was a solid YA boarding school read that doesn't really have anything new, but is well written, entertaining, and checks off all the marks that readers are looking for in their mysteries. My only drawback was that this was an "elite" school for "very smart" students that were terribly unobservant and horrible and problem solving. I could have dealt with a little more mystery and a little less cheesy romance, but this was a nice quick read.

Really uninspired and uninteresting mystery about murders at a private school. The writing was unengaging, the characters were forgettable and unrelatable. Not phenomenally bad, just incredibly mediocre.

Do you have a killer to-do list? If you do, this book is a perfect fit.

Everyone at Morton Academy, a school for those reaching for the stars, everyone wants to be the "it" or Head Girl. More importantly, the perks that come with it. Unfortunately, bodies began stacking up as the competition gets deadly. Race to the finish and find the killer....before it is too late.

Wow! I guessed everyone except the narrator. Well done indeed. At the very end, when you realize there's two choices left I still didn't pick her.

This was okay. I think that the direction of the mysteries, and the murders, it was pretty obvious. I also feel like the steaks didn't really exist. Our main characters never truly seem to be in danger, like yeah they could be killed but they also could have removed themselves pretty easily from that situation? I think given that there are a lot of popular ya thriller mysteries right now, this isn't necessarily going to stand out as the next big thing, but I do think this was pretty well written. I wish that the mystery had been a little bit more convoluted, honestly, because it was very easy to see the direction that the story was going in from the very beginning. Solid ya thriller mystery, though!

Cynthia Murphy's "Win, Lose, Kill, Die" takes readers on a pulse-pounding journey through the dark underbelly of an esteemed high school for high-achievers. With a lethal twist and a cast of ambitious characters, this slasher mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Set in the prestigious Morton Academy, where academic excellence reigns supreme, the story follows a group of students vying for the coveted title of Head Girl. However, their dreams of success quickly turn into a nightmare when a series of gruesome murders begin targeting the school's brightest minds. As the bodies pile up, the pressure intensifies, and the race to uncover the truth becomes a matter of life and death.

Murphy expertly weaves together a thrilling plot filled with suspense, secrets, and unexpected twists. The author skillfully keeps readers guessing, leading them down a labyrinth of possibilities as the protagonists—Liz, Taylor, Kat, Marcus, and Cole—set out to unmask the killer. Each character brings their own unique perspective and motivation, making them both relatable and intriguing.

The author's portrayal of the academic pressure and cutthroat competition within Morton Academy adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a typical slasher story. Murphy delves into the psyche of high-achieving students and explores the lengths they are willing to go to secure success, fame, and the coveted position of Head Girl.

The pacing of the novel is relentless, with every chapter delivering new revelations and increasing tension. Murphy's writing style is engaging and descriptive, effectively painting a vivid picture of the eerie atmosphere within Morton Academy. The author skillfully captures the fear and paranoia that plague the students as they navigate a web of dark secrets and hidden agendas.

While the book is undoubtedly gripping and suspenseful, some readers may find certain plot twists predictable or familiar. The slasher genre conventions are present, and the story does not deviate significantly from its established tropes. However, Murphy's execution and the strength of the characters make up for any predictability, ensuring an enjoyable reading experience overall.

"Win, Lose, Kill, Die" is an enthralling page-turner that will appeal to fans of Holly Jackson and those who relish in mysteries with a touch of horror. Cynthia Murphy's ability to craft an immersive and spine-chilling narrative showcases her talent for suspenseful storytelling. Prepare to lose yourself in the dark corridors of Morton Academy as you desperately try to uncover the identity of the killer before it's too late.

If you love Holly Jackson then you will love Cynthia Murphy! A highly enjoyable teen mystery where I couldn't put it down and felt like I was at Morton Academy with them! I would recommend this to teens and adults looking for something that will hook them in and get them to read in one sitting.

An elite high school, a secret society, and a killer going after members of it's club... who could the killer be? At Mortan Academy, only the best of the best get into this high school, and when you get into this school the greatest honor would be to get Head Girl, a position in the exclusive secret society that would give you a full ride scholarship and an in to any school of your choosing, its the ultimate access to prestige and success.... yet someone has started killing off people for that position. Friends and members of the society Liz, Taylor, Kat, Marcus and Cole will have to work together to figure out who is hunting them down... but while they do that they'll have to find a way to avoid getting killed themselves and they soon discover that their school has a much darker history itself. This was a unique twist to the story and overall I had fun with it. If you enjoy a quick slasher/who-done-it definitely give this one a go!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was a fun YA twist on And Then There Were None, and would be good for fans of Freida McFadden. I liked the element of surprise and the red herrings, but I, as an adult reviewer, felt that the killer's plan to throw others off their scent wasn't as strong as it could have been. YA readers may not be as concerned by that. Overall it was a good murder mystery with an element of horror that I really enjoyed.

Whew, this one was fast pace, and I finished it in several hours. A murder mystery at an elite boarding school for the super smart, some of them are clearly too smart for their own good. When I had girls at their school, all of them are in a secret society, start turning up dead everyone knows that something is going on. But not everybody at the school is what they seem or who they seem to be, and as secrets begin unraveling, and more people turn up dead The reader is left wondering exactly who any of these people are.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the advance copy of Win Lose Kill Die. I was surprised by some of the developments throughout the story, but I also never really felt like our main characters were in true danger. In a market that's pretty saturated with teen-focused thrillers, I think Win Lose Kill Die will be absorbed instead of standing out. It was fine. I enjoyed it, and I'm not mad I read it. But.... it's just not a stand out for me.

The ending was obvious. I was very bored the entire time and figured out the twist at the 25% mark.

The writing was good tho