I was instantly drawn to this book because of the blurb description, the massacre seemed like it would be very suspenseful and it did not disappoint, my heart was pounding from start to finish. I think the characters (especially Amy) were developed so well and you cant help but root for her. The author did a wonderful job with this book and so glad I had the opportunity to arc read this. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery with lots of twists and turns. 5 stars!

One of the first books I read with multiple characters I could easily follow along with. That being said - did we really NEED 10 characters in the present plus 5 in the past? It was a bit confusing at first having to flip back to see how each character related to 10 years ago and even the author slipped up in an early page calling Oliver Conner. I liked that it was all told from 1 POV by the main character who was present in the cabin 20 years ago and shows up to this party to finally speak her truth with 2 pages given here and there to the other characters to give us potential clues and motives. I actually really enjoyed this book!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. This book drew me in and kept me guessing along the way.

This book may be one of my favorite thrillers of the year. It was really good. I couldn’t stop reading. Thank you netgalley.

After being humiliated at a party, Amy Brewer left. After a scary and creepy walk through the woods, she learns that the others at the party, all five of them, are dead. Murdered. Amy suffered from guilt and was a suspect in the “Memorial Day Massacre.” She left town to escape and began using her middle name - Therese. She became an FBI Agent.

She receives an invitation some twenty years later from a journalist who wants to do an article. Somewhat reluctantly, she joins nine other people who all, it turns out, have a connection to that night when the party goers were murdered.

There is no journalist. What is going on? A vicious storm breaks. All of the participants’ cell phones and car keys go missing.

So begins an engrossing journey into murder, suspicion, lies and mistrust. As some of the ten people begin to be murdered, fear begins to grow. Does this have anything to do with the original murders of twenty years earlier? Is someone among them the killer? Then and now?

This is a well written and plotted novel. For brevity, I imagine, only background given for the characters was as it related to the original murders. I usually like to know the characters and their motivations more thoroughly. The reader learns about the terror, theories (everybody seemed to have one), and accusations thrown about different members of the group.

I really liked the premise of this book and thought it had such a strong introductory chapter. Unfortunately, the rest of it was a let down.

The majority of the characters - and there were a lot to keep track of - were sort of one note, and they were led by an incredibly bland main character. I didn't find a single character to be likable, which made it difficult to get invested in what they were going through.

A lot of the motivating triggers for the plot also felt overly manufactured and I struggled to find them believable.

Finally, while the big reveal at the end made a lot of sense, I had also guessed who the killer was very early in the book so there wasn't any shock factor for me.

336 pages

4 stars

After being humiliated at a party, Amy Brewer left. After a scary and creepy walk through the woods, she learns that the others at the party, all five of them, are dead. Murdered. Amy suffered from guilt and was a suspect in the “Memorial Day Massacre.”

She left town to escape and began using her middle name - Therese. She became an FBI Agent.

She receives an invitation some twenty years later from a journalist who wants to do an article. Somewhat reluctantly, she joins nine other people who all, it turns out, have a connection to that night when the party goers were murdered.

There is no journalist. What is going on? A vicious storm breaks. All of the participants’ cell phones and car keys go missing.

So begins an engrossing journey into murder, suspicion, lies and mistrust. As some of the ten people begin to be murdered, fear begins to grow. Does this have anything to do with the original murders of twenty years earlier? Is someone among them the killer? Then and now?

This is a well written and plotted novel. For brevity, I imagine, only background given for the characters was as it related to the original murders. I usually like to know the characters and their motivations more thoroughly. The reader learns about the terror, theories (everybody seemed to have one), and accusations thrown about different members of the group.

I want to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"She Left" by Stacie Grey is a gripping and suspenseful mystery novel that masterfully blends elements of thriller and psychological drama. The story centers on Amy Brewer, the sole survivor of a tragic event known as the Memorial Day Massacre, which claimed the lives of her five friends twenty years earlier. Amy's journey back to a remote cliffside house with ten others connected to the crime sets the stage for a harrowing tale of secrets, survival, and suspense.

Grey's storytelling is atmospheric and intense, skillfully capturing the tension and claustrophobia of the isolated setting. The narrative effectively weaves between the present-day gathering and the events of the past, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and suspense. The characterization of Amy is particularly well-done, portraying her as a complex and haunted figure, struggling with guilt and the weight of survival.

The premise of the novel is intriguing, reminiscent of classic whodunits but with a contemporary twist. As the guests begin to die, the plot thickens, and the suspense escalates, keeping the reader engaged and guessing. Grey's writing style is sharp and engaging, with well-paced twists and turns that maintain a sense of urgency throughout the story.

However, readers who prefer more action-driven thrillers may find the novel’s focus on psychological drama and character development less appealing. Additionally, the complex web of relationships and backstory might be challenging for some to follow.

Content warnings for themes of murder, guilt, and psychological trauma are appropriate. "She Left" is ideal for readers who enjoy mystery and thriller novels that delve into the complexities of the human psyche and the darkness that can linger from past traumas.

In conclusion, "She Left" by Stacie Grey is a compelling and suspenseful novel that offers a deep dive into a chilling mystery and the psychological aftermath of tragedy. Its combination of atmospheric setting, complex characters, and gripping plot make it a must-read for fans of the mystery and thriller genres.

I'm a huge fan of the locked-in thriller genre, and for the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast paced with an intriguing and mysterious storyline that kept me glued to the story. The suspense was maintained throughout and kept me guessing until the end. The writing was well done, but it was hard to keep track of the characters and their relations to the Memorial Day massacre. The majority of the story is told from the POV of Amy/Therese with vignettes from the other characters mixed throughout. I finally had them all figured out by the halfway point, but my confusion distracted me from the story. I was also a little let down by the reveal. It wasn't as epic as I had hoped. Still, overall, a decent thriller and solid debut that was worth the read. I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to the author, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

She Left - an enjoyable wee thriller, with the same feel of an Agatha Christie. I love a setting of a bunch of people with a connection, trapped in a remote location. It didn't fully captivate me - but I think it would really appeal to a lot of readers.

I liked the characters, the occasional change in perspective, and the ending was a slight let down but the reveal was a surprise to me - so that was done well.

A great summer or plane read, it's exciting enough, has a few twists and turns and some strong female characters. Worth a read.

This was a great story and I hope the first of many about Amy Therese Brewer. The character is well drawn by Stacie and backed up by a good supporting cast. I was a little confused by the different ones at first, but thankfully Stacie whittled them down for the reader. There are a number of typos in the book which will need sorting before its final release. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy.

A solid closed-room mystery, similar in style and feel to “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. A group of people, tangentially connected to a massacre that happened years ago find themselves trapped in a remote location, when things start to go very wrong- what happened in the past, who can you trust, and how is it all connected?
This book falls into the category of what I consider an “airport thriller”. It isn’t genre defying, but it’s fun, and easy to read. I love a good closed-room mystery, and this mostly delivers. It gets a little slow towards the end, so I kinda feel like it could’ve been 50 pages-ish shorter, but overall each character is interesting, with their own motives that keep you guessing. I like the occasional jump to the other characters POVs, it gives you insights into what they may be hiding, leaving breadcrumbs to help build the story.
The final reveal feels a little anti-climactic, but makes sense with the story and lead up.

Wow! What a great thriller. I couldn't put this down. I read it in one evening. This was engaging and unputdownable! Everything you'd want in a thriller!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of She Left by Stacie Grey. It started out great and I loved the atmosphere of Amy’s solitary walk. I found myself alternating between really loving this book and being bored. I love a good locked-room mystery and I wish the characters had been more defined and distinct so I could keep their stories straight. As it was I could only really remember how Amy, now known as Therese, and a couple of the others were connected to the massacre. The story was intriguing and I wanted to find out who the killer was and why. I did wonder what motivated everyone to travel to meet the journalist because they didn’t all have a reason to relive the past. They seemed to waste a lot of time because no one took the lead to try to get them help. In any group someone takes a leadership role, so this was a little strange. I liked how the book got exciting near the end, even though the big reveal was kind of an anticlimax. This book wasn’t really for me, but if you love locked-room stories, this might be just what you’re looking for! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Couldn’t put this down. Loved it from start to finish. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So, “She Left,” has a feel akin to Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” Where it worked for Christie, it fall short for Grey.

Our protagonist, Amy Brewer, left a party early twenty years ago and as she was walking home, the house blew, with all her “friends” inside. Now, while working as an FBI agent, she is invited, along with former friends and family members by a journalist to a remote home to revisit that long ago night. Well, the journalist doesn’t show and when they wake up the next morning all means of communication and transportation have been removed.

Then, bodies start to fall…

Keep in mind, Brewer, is not a reliable narrator. Hence, the story becomes somewhat confusing, but is predictable. The characters are being picked off, one by one, and obviously the past is catching up, and the question is, Can Amy figure it out before she becomes a victim?

Grey, is not a bad writer. I picked this novel because Christie is one of my favorites, and this sounded though it was reminiscent of ATTWN. I was entertained enough to stay with it, there were fleeting elements of a classic whodunit but it was forgettable after the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A spectacular locked room mystery that you are sure to love!
I simply cannot believe this is Stacie Grey's first novel and can barely wait for her next.

She Left features ten people that have been invited to a media event to discuss the violent death of a group of friends over 20 years ago.

Therese is the only one who survived and she is unsure whether she should attend, but she will do anything to assist with solving what happened and finding out why. She joins 9 others in a winter lodge that is quite remote and without internet access. As you might guess, there are many different personalities and fingers are pointed left and right when one of the attending dies mysteriously.

Grey takes an old idea that I love and imbues it with fresh details and fun conflicts. I read anything locked room/vacation-gone -wrong and I was not disappointed. Anxiously awaiting her next novel! #Posionedpenpress #staciegrey #sheleft

Amy 'Therese' Brewer, invited to revisit a decades-old teen murder, faces a deadly weekend retreat with a group tied to the tragedy. Stacie Grey excels in character complexity and unique plot twists. This murder mystery, set apart in a saturated genre, delivers expected puzzles with unprecedented surprises. A must-read for fans. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Every time I start a book that uses Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None motif, I’m a little skeptical. While Stacie Grey’s She Left shows some promise, it’s a little uneven. And, I do have a complaint. The premise is that twenty years after the unsolved Memorial Day Massacre, a group of people peripherally connected to the victims are brought together. Haven’t these people ever watched a horror movie? Why in the heck would you show up to this? And, the main character is a survivor, now an FBI Special Agent. What was she thinking?

Amy Brewer was seventeen when she left the party on Memorial Day weekend, and walked home. She’d had enough abuse from the group she thought of as friends. After she left, the cabin exploded. Those that survived the bombing were then killed with a knife. Five victims, although Amy Brewer was a victim in so many ways; a victim of the media and later social media.

Twenty years later, Brewer gave up using her first name and goes by Therese Brewer. She’s an FBI agent who has spent two decades distancing herself from that night. But, when a journalist invites people who were connected with that case to come to a remote house, Therese goes. In fact, the friends and relatives who were invited do show up, but the journalist, their host, doesn’t. Instead, the next morning when they realize their cell phones and car keys are missing, one of the guests says she invited them all, and she wants to discuss the case. But, before the group can turn on her, someone beats them to it. She’s murdered, and they have no way to contact anyone from their remote location.

As a killer takes out one guest after another, Brewer realizes she’s fighting to stay alive. But, which person has that connection to the past that could have made them a killer twenty years earlier? Now, they have more deaths on their hands.

While this is a typical spin on the Christie motif, Brewer is a little different as a narrator. She herself admits she’s not a reliable witness because she’s basing so much of the story on her experiences as a seventeen-year-old. And, how reliable is a seventeen-year-old with hurt feelings and anger?

Would I recommend She Left? Only for those who can’t get enough of And Then There Were None.