The book is just brilliantly written. I have read a few murder mystery stories with unique plots and unexpected twists. But this book delivers the story on another level. It is my first time reading an unreliable narration. Such a type of narration in a murder novel has made the story great.

Liz, a high school student, witnessed her classmate's "accidental" death last summer; while she was in her recovery phase, another "accidental" death occurred. The story revolves around Liz and her friends trying to find the reason behind the deaths.

To be very honest, I found the murderer at the very beginning of the story. But the interesting part is, even after I was sure about the murderer, the story wasn't boring. The thrill that starts at the beginning of the book lasts till the end. Overall, this novel is a must-read for those who appreciate murder mysteries with a compelling narrative structure.

First, thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for the Kindle version of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Here we are in the UK in a boarding school for high school juniors and seniors that are by far more intelligent than the average student. They have been hand picked to attend Morton Academy where they seem to have no contact with the outside world. No cell phones allowed, although some have burner phones.

Liz is a senior who spent six weeks recovering from a head injury that happened before their break from school. She hit her head when the canoe she and Morgan were in tipped over. Morgan died in this accident (or was it an accident?) Liz is also our narrator of the story.

Liz and her small group of best friends spend the semester trying to figure out who is murdering the "Head Girl".

The story is full of twists and turns with many past secrets about the school and some of the characters slowly being revealed. Because it is a small school it seems that everyone is a suspect in the murders.

Win Lose Kill Die is another mystery set in an exclusive boarding school. The mystery has a nice twist, but somehow it just didn't do it for me. None of the characters seemed to be real people, and the normal teens would probably have a hard time relating to the setting. to them. There was not much character development and the dialogue did not do much to pull me in. I received this as an arc from NetGalley and was not pressured for a positive review.

This was suspenseful all the way to the end! Fun to read, easy to pick up and put down as needed. I like that the chapters are short, because I get uninterested if they’re really long. The suspense was insane and I had multiple thoughts running through my head while I read, just to be thrown off again by something else! The end was a turn that I never expected, I absolutely love this book!

Win Lose Kill Die by Cynthia Murphy is an action-packed YA thriller. Unfortunately, I saw spoilers on another IG account, so I knew what happened. Otherwise, I would have been surprised by the twists and turns this story took. I enjoyed not knowing what to think about the different characters…at times so many of them were likable, but at other times they were also suspicious. My favorite part was the short chapters from the killer’s perspective. I found them so intriguing and they really made me wonder about who the killer could be. This is a book that I’d eagerly recommend to my high school thriller/murder mystery fans.

Thank you to @netgalley @randomhousechildrens and @cynthiamurphyya for the opportunity to review this title.

#bookstagram #highschoollibrary #highschoollibrarian #schoollibrarian #winlosekilldie #cynthiamurphy #yathrillers #yabooks #randomhousechildrensbooks #netgalley

I received this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

The highest of the high-achieving students at this elite boarding school are being targeted, one by one. Someone is determined to kill them each and the reader gets the task of trying to figure out who is doing it and why.

I thought this was a fun YA novel, reminiscent of a boarding school/college slasher film. I like how the chapters switch narrators so we got to spend some time in the killer's mind before we know who it is. I'm not sure I was sold on the "why" of it all, but then again, how often does a slasher killer's rationalization make sense? If you're looking for the book equivalent of a quick slasher, I'd say check this out.

A secret society, a cult, murder, all taking place in an exclusive, scholarship-only boarding school - what more could a reader want? I really enjoyed this quick read, and didn’t see the murderer reveal coming.

“I didn’t mean to kill the first one. Honest. It was just… too easy, I suppose.”

Morton Academy is a high-end school filled with the smartest students. Morgan, your typical mean girl who was perceived by the adults and the school as a ball of sunshine, was murdered the previous year in a boating “accident.” The school is now in shambles and mourning for Morgan. However, mysterious events keep happening that result in multiple deaths. More victims start to pop up who all have one thing in common: they were the “perfect girls,” the ones who held the title of head girl for Morton Academy. Why is this happening? Someone is trying to climb their way to the top, but who? Sometimes the enemies we don’t know of are the ones who we keep close.

I did not particularly love this book because it fell flat. The setting and plot were decent and unique in their own ways, but the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn’t really form an attachment to any of them; they were one-note characters. All the girls who had died had something in common—they were perfect and the head girl of the school. Liz, the main character, is the antithesis of that. She is not perfect, her family is terrible, and she wants more out of her life. Yet, she was boring and predictable. She wanted it all; she wanted to be what Taylor is at the school. Taylor is the current head girl and has her life together—she is pretty, she is sweet, she has a great boyfriend, she has everything. Apply these characteristics to Morgan, Jameela, Taylor, Emily, and Kat. There is no diversity or substance to the characters. No spoilers, but the twist at the end of the book was… a choice. It could have been a good twist if done well. However, I would have liked it if it wasn’t so obvious. Within the first few pages I knew who the culprit was, and the author did not really leave any breadcrumbs for the audience. I wish I was not made aware of certain characters and how they act before the twist was revealed.

The quick cut: A series of murders starts taking out students at a high achievement private school. Chaos ensues as everyone tries to figure out who's behind the killings.

A real review:
Thank you to Delacorte Press for providing the arc for an honest review.

Achievement in high school tends to be a common focus for many because it can lead to better opportunities for the future. How much of your life are you willing to risk to get the most? For the students at Morton Academy, it may be too much when a string of murders begin.

Everyone at the exclusive Morton Academy is a high achiever, especially since entry is based on academic excellence. However, the title of Head Girl is one that comes with prestige and success. When students start dying for it though, it seems one among them is willing to kill for it. Who could be killing the student body?

I really found the premise of this story interesting, especially since it combines thriller and elite school stories together. Unfortunately, I got to the end and felt frustrated instead. The killer reveal is one I definitely should have seen coming, but the story failed to properly engage me from the start. Its the only way that plot twist works.

This is another one of those stories where it feels like they drop you into it as a reader in the middle. Due to that lack of foundational setup, you really don't get to know any of the characters well from the start. This leads to them all blending together and not really standing out on their own. In the end, without that caring about the characters as individuals, you end up uninvested as a reader.

The story here also isn't helped by the fact that there's a lot of private school stories, many of which were written far better than the one here. I found myself comparing a lot as a read, which only highlighted the flaws here. When it takes getting two thirds of the way through to pique my interest, that's not a good sign.

A story with unrealized potential.

My rating: 3 out of 5

It's possible I just wasn't in the mood for this, but I struggled to get through. I liked the boarding school setting and that the people dying were the top students, which gave a little extra thrill since you knew who would be the next target. What I didn't care for were the characters, who all seemed too similar for me to tell apart and I thought the killer was pretty obvious.

This is fairly short and quick paced, so if you're in the mood for a YA thriller, you may want to give it a shot.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy.

A shivery, twisty thriller of a YA murder mystery, set in a secluded boarding school where someone is murdering students in a secret society. It will keep you guessing until the very end!

Incredibly fast paced, I could not put this down! YA vibe, but still extremely enjoyable for an adult. Spooky atmosphere, private school, secret societies and a great setup for a sequel. Would definitely recommend and would love to read more by this author!!

3.5/5

This was a fun quick read. I wish there was more information as to why each character knew things and why they did everything.

I'm a sucker for a boarding school/campus based murder mystery. The plot revolves around Liz, who attends a prestigious boarding school where people start dying one-after-one in ways that become clear are not accidents. She and her friends start doing their own investigating, worried that they might be next.

It took me a hot minute to get into it, and for once the “who” was whom I thought it was, but there was a nice little twist. Overall, this was good YA read.

Fun and twisty, Win Lose Kill Die is the perfect pick for teens who are looking for some thrills and chills in their reading. The book is light on worldbuilding and character development, focusing mostly on building steady suspense among this friend group at school. Who is the killer and who is their next victim?

Perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying!

Being accepted to Morton Academy was a dream come true for Liz Williams. Morton has a reputation of accepting only the best of the best, scouting all the schools in England every year for fifty smart, talented students and enrolling them on scholarship regardless of means or background. For Liz, being at Morton is a chance to escape her less than ideal home situation, even if she’s reluctant to tell her fellow students the full truth of her life outside Morton.

Most of the other kids are just as excited as she is to be there, even if their parents are much prouder of them than hers are. As new student Cole asks:

QUOTE
“Were your parents the same? I mean, you got in here last year; you must be super clever. Not like us wait-list dweebs. I bet they were proud.”

“Yeah.” I think of the day I sat in my head teacher’s office with Dr Patel. Dad had stayed in bed and Mom was pacing back and forth outside, one of her so-called friend’s dramas playing out on the phone she held in one hand as she took long puffs off a cigarette with the other. We watched her from the window and I realized she wasn’t even slightly aware that she was late for our meeting.

“Yeah,” I repeat. “They were thrilled too. Anyway!” I force brightness into my voice. “How’s your first week been?[“]
END QUOTE

Another reason for Liz’s determination to put up a good front is a recent school tragedy. Cole has only been able to enroll at Morton following the accidental death of former head girl Morgan, in a boating accident that traumatized Liz and a good number of their fellow students. Never mind that Morgan had been something of a bully. Hopefully, the appointment of her friend Jameela to the position of head girl will make things better. But when Jameela receives a threatening note and is subsequently poisoned, the student body can’t help but wonder if someone is deliberately targeting the most powerful girls in school.

One of Liz’s best friends, Taylor, is next in line for the prestigious position. Being head girl at Morton isn’t just about resume-building: students granted that title are virtually guaranteed entry, tuition and board to any university of their choice, worldwide, due to the influence and finances of the academy’s vast web of alumni. It’s a coveted spot, but no one would really kill in order to gain that kind of advantage, would they?

Liz has no interest in testing that theory by putting Taylor’s life on the line. As she and her friends – including her new love interest, Cole – investigate, they discover disturbing truths about Morton and its people. Sure, Liz and her inner circle all know about Morton’s secret society. As the best of the best, they’ve all been initiated into the club’s gothic pageantry, with Jameela herself presiding over the ritual that elevated Taylor to the position of her own deputy back when she was still alive:

QUOTE
Taylor keeps her head held high as Jameela takes the knife. It’s an old blade, as old as the body they are flanking, I’d guess, and just as encrusted in jewels. The blade is kept sharp, though, something that is evident as Jameela slices into her own palm, and then Taylor’s upturned one. They both step toward the skeleton, and, as the glass case is opened for them, they each lightly grasp an arm bone, smearing their blood upon the blood of hundreds of previous pledges.
END QUOTE

But what truly is the point of all these elaborate rituals and secrecy? As Liz and her friends dig further into the history of Morton, they discover secrets with stunning repercussions for the present day. Will the students be able to survive their tenure at the academy, even as a serial killer lurks in the shadows, waiting to murder them one by one?

I was completely lulled by Cynthia Murphy’s propulsive writing into guessing that all the wrong people were responsible for the murders in this smart Young Adult thriller set in the seemingly perfect boarding school. Like Liz, I wanted so much to believe in Morton as an escape route, even as the academy’s picture-perfect facade was crumbling right before our eyes. I loved the final reveal of the killer, even as I was impressed by Ms Murphy’s skill at both misdirection and sheer human empathy.

Something bad is happening to students at Morton Academy. Specifically to members of a secret society with promising futures. Ruled as accidents at first, but some begin to suspect there is more to it and decide they need to look into what is happening. This is a fast paced thriller, with some horror flick vibes. The story throws a fair number of twists, some I saw coming, some I didn’t. Would probably make for a fun limited series for one of the streaming services out there. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC of Win Lose Kill Die.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/win-lose-kill-die-cynthia-murphy/1140139287?ean=9780593705476&bvnotificationId=72b53aa8-8e33-11ee-a4f4-0a68b6564fbf&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/264449169

WIN LOSE KILL DIE is a suspenseful thriller set at a private high school where the student leaders of a secret society get murdered one by one. There is suspicion from the start, with twists and turns as the main character and her friends try to figure out who the murderer is before it's too late. Definitely recommended to fans of One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.

This story has lots of red herrings with all its twists and turns. One culprit was too obvious so I knew it wasn't her, but I wasn't completely sure which of the others it was until the end. I had an original guess but then wavered since I couldn't figure out if it was who I thought it was for sure. It's fairly rare for a story to keep me guessing until almost the end, so that was well done.

I liked the group of characters as they each had their own unique personalities. This affected how they interacted with each other and how they began figuring things out. There were some one-dimensional side characters, but the main ones were well developed. I liked the friendships and the sweet romance that were weaved through the story, but that didn't overtake it. The suspense takes center stage as it should, while there were also other things going on.

The story is somewhat violent and bloody as the murders continue. If you're a bit squeamish, this won't be for you. As more people died, characters that I had started to know better, it made me sad, so definitely some feels in this one. There's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, which I very much appreciated. It meant this book didn't tie up in a perfectly, pretty bow, which I felt fit the story quite well.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a suspenseful thriller with some feels, likable characters, and enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Definitely a book to grab and an author to follow if this is your kind of read.

Content: Some mild swearing, underage drinking, innuendo and suggestive content, bloody violence.
Source: I received a complimentary copy NetGalley through TBR and Beyond Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Must Read Today!


Greetings, Cynthia Murphy, it's a pleasure to connect with you through the pages of "Win Lose Kill Die." As a newcomer to the YA literary realm, I've found myself captivated by your storytelling prowess. Although this may not mark your debut in the literary landscape, "Win Lose Kill Die" has served as an excellent initiation for me. Your ability to craft a compelling narrative has undeniably won me over, earning this book a well-deserved five-star rating in my literary journey.
Navigating the corridors of "Win Lose Kill Die" felt like an enthralling journey into the heart of Morton Academy, a prestigious institution where brilliance opens doors to futures paved in gold. As a recent initiate into the YA literary realm, I found myself spellbound by your storytelling prowess.

The narrative unfolds within the hallowed halls of Morton Academy, where the promise of a brighter future beckons to the brightest students. The secret society of Jewel and Bone casts its shadows, and from its members emerge the coveted positions of head girl and head boy—gateways to a funded future education. However, beneath this facade of academic ambition lies a darker undercurrent, as mysterious deaths, initially dismissed as tragic accidents, weave a sinister web. A pattern emerges: each victim held the esteemed position of head student or deputy head student, and whispers of a cult that haunted the campus a quarter-century ago linger.

"Win Lose Kill Die" brings a macabre delight, reminiscent of the thrill found in the twists and turns of a season of Riverdale. The narrative doesn't shy away from drama, delivering a perfect dose befitting a tale of secret societies. What stands out is the well-crafted characters, breaking free from teen drama stereotypes and contributing depth to the narrative. The unexpected twist, unveiled towards the clear end, adds a refreshing layer to the storytelling.

Yet, amidst the enjoyment, a few elements stood out, flirting with the line between on-the-nose and nostalgic. The groundskeeper dubbed "Creepy Billy," an apparent homage to Billy Loomis from Scream, felt like a nod that might elude those unfamiliar with the iconic film. Similarly, the ignorance of Charles Manson among the characters, save for the true crime enthusiast, raised eyebrows, creating a generational disconnect that, at times, pulled me from the narrative.

Despite these minor hiccups, the overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable. My gratitude extends to Netgalley and Scholastic for the ARC, a key that unlocked a tale I'll undoubtedly recommend and perhaps gift to those in my life. If you're considering a journey into the intriguing world crafted by Cynthia Murphy, the link below awaits your exploration.

Graduating from Morton Academy can be a stepping stone to a bright future especially if you’re a member of the inner circle of the secret society there, but only if you live long enough to graduate. And that might not be as easy as it sounds. There have been a number of death. Merely accidents or is there more to it all? Care to guess, lol? More to it of course! There are also a few fun nods that make it clear Ms. Murphy is a bit of a movie buff, (no spoilers though I’m sure plenty will catch it) and while I could complain about a few things, for the most part an intriguing story, some interesting characters, and a twisty plot made this one a fun read. I’d like to thank Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Win Lose Kill Die.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RO1NR3GGPS03K/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv