Who wouldn't want or need a sixth of a million dollars just for sharing a night in a castle?
    The fact that the castle was the sight of the brutal murders of three teenagers twenty years ago might make the invitee think twice, but the fact that all 6 attendees had some relationship with that event and had their lives changed by it didn't stop them all from saying yes. They wanted answers and the cash.
     Chapters focus on one individual at a time so the reader learns of their lives now but as the book evolves, a deeper peek into their association with the event presents a different picture.
    As a reader I anticipated the chain of events that occurred but the author's slow dribble of the terror they incurred heightened the readers interest. My guess as to who was the terrorist was accurate but I was missing so many other components it was still a shock.
    Lots of blood, gore and exciting moments.

This was such a great who done it/locked room thriller! I loved the premise and the build up for the overnight mysterious event. Having the view point of all of the contestants was so exciting to try and figure out who that host was and who the former and current killer is.
There were times that when I stopped in the middle of a chapter, it took a bit to figure out who's POV we were reading from since a few of them sounded very similar when you got into it.
There was a great range of characters with different backgrounds and motives. They set you up nicely to guess the obvious choice of the killer, but you still find out the killer with them. I'm happy with the order everyone was killed in, nothing seemed out of the plot and not upset that anyone of them did die.
I had a great time reading it, and the length was perfect.
Thank you to netgalley and One More Chapter!!

I loved this, this is a really cosy read, a locked room murder mystery. A crumbling mansion, eclectic characters, spooky suspense, a perfect read for a cosy evening in.

This was giving me House on Haunted Hill meets Agatha Christie with a dash of classic slasher and I loved it! It is a VERY quick and fun read. About a quarter of the book is just introducing all the players, none of which are people you really want to root for. Every character is very flawed with their own motives for going to the "castle." From there we learn more and more as folks start to die and we try to piece together who the killer is.. I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it for those looking for a fun summer thriller.

Wickedly fun and highly addictive! Lynch delivers a thrilling locked-room mystery, loaded with gloomy atmosphere, scandalous characters, and twists you won't see coming. The Traitors is a delicious read with all the elements of a perfect whodunit! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a review.

I really liked the sound of The Traitors. I love a good locked room murder mystery and the sinister premise and spooky location were really appealing.

The books starts slowly. Six people have been invited to Beechwood Castle, a decaying mansion with a horrific past. It’s gloomy atmosphere casts a long shadow over the town.

Each of the different people are introduced. They have different connections to the house. There’s a true crime writer, a clairvoyant, a former detective linked to the case, a podcaster, an architect and a survivor of the original massacre. If they can survive a night in the house there is a big cash prize available.

The build up was slow and interesting. You get to find out about each of the characters, their secrets and motivations for going to the house. The problem I had was that I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable and wasn’t rooting for any of them. They all seemed like potential imposters to me.

The last third of the book was a lot faster paced. Once the killer put in an appearance it turned into a very different book.

I didn’t guess who the killer was. But by then I didn’t really care. This one just just didn’t work for me. There were bits of it that I really liked, but my lack of investment in the characters led to a bit of a disconnect.

Thank you to NetGalley for my gifted copy of The Traitors. A generous 3 stars

I really like a locked doors ‘whodunnit’ murder mystery and found the plot very intriguing. The plot is written from all characters perspectives which I enjoyed and I was definitely questioning everyone. However, it was a little tricky at times to distinguish each characters voice. I liked how Lynch used the final girl trope in a unique way as this added another layer to the plot.

The plot was slow paced at first but the introductions to each character were essential and the pace picked up once we were at the castle. I had a vague idea who the killer was and I felt some suspense was lost particularly as everything was revealed fairly quickly.

I do recommend this for anyone who enjoys murder mysteries!

A huge thank you to the publisher for giving me access to read and review this book!

A locked room thriller that will keep the reader on the edge of the seat. The tension builds throughout as the characters grapple with their pasts, secrets, and suspicions.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

At first this book was a little slow. But that's to be expected with some books. It does pick up and get good. It will leave you guessing about who is the killer. C. A. Lynch does a fantastic job with the story. She tells the story by changing the perspective of each chapter. You get to see each person's POV, which keeps things from getting monotonous. It's one of the most interesting books I've read this year. Definitely, an unusual one, too easy the least.

Thank you to NetGalley, C. A. lynch, and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this arc.

The Traitors by C.A. Lynch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: 01/02/2024
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A new author to me but after being OBSESSED with the traitors TV programme I must say it was the title that caught my attention.
6 strangers are invited to an abandoned manor house to take part in a game. The prize, a share of 1 million pounds. But with this being a historic murder scene, will anyone want to return to tempt fate?
This book certainly got me guessing. We hear from each of the 6 people’s viewpoints, why they were invited, what happened to them at the house- the whole time trying to guess who the imposter is.
Thank you to NetGalley, C.A. Lynch and Harper Collins UK for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Couldn't get past the first few chapters of this one. I love traditional murder mysteries but this was chaotic and confusing. And I know it's perfectly normal British slang/expression to use 'cunt', but it's not a north american one to repeatedly call your female characters that. Might want to consider before putting on the north american market.

This author always keeps me guessing. Just when I think I have it all figures out, she throws me for a loop. The Traitors was another thrill ride of a novel that I enjoyed from cover to cover.

Spinet, atmospheric and an entertaining read.
I was pulled into this book and couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
It have a spoken, eerie vibe that had me hooked.
Thank you

The Traitors is a dark and tense read that I enjoyed.
Beechwood Castle was the site of three horrific murders years ago. One survivor. Now six people receive an invitation to attend the crumbling disused castle for one night only. A million dollars will be split between the survivors of the night. When they get to the house they receive a note to say “All of you are traitors but one of you is an imposter, work out the imposter to survive and get extra money”. Let the night begin!!
This was a fairly quick read for me that I enjoyed partly because of that. The book is told from all six peoples POV which worked really well and was explained at the beginning of each chapter clearly so you knew who was speaking. This was a tense read and trying to figure out who the imposter was amongst all the characters was very well written. This was a different type of read for me as I don’t usually go for a closed room book but I thought this was well executed and the storyline flowed well with characters that were all different.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This whodunnit had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! It reminded me of a more macabre "Clue", and I loved every twist and turn. That ending had my jaw dropping. Definitely recommend that you pick this one up ASAP!

This book is a mysterious journey, who will choose to stay and follow the rules in an old manor with a history of murder and horror!
The six main characters are different from each other, but they all share a goal, to earn their portion of one million dollars! The characters include someone who survived a previous bloodbath at The Castle, there’s a lot to take in as the story unfolds.
The storyline keeps the questions coming, one is who is the traitor, is there one? Sometimes the details are a bit drawn out but overall you’ll want to know more!

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While this story kept me turning the pages, ultimately I found it a disappointing read. I couldn’t visualise the characters, the house and the plot was thin. Each chapter was devoted to a particular character, but they all had the same ‘voice’.

Tension Fuelled..
Beechwood Castle is the site of one of the most infamous murders in modern history. When six people receive an invitation to spend a night there it may well be a night that they will never forget. An alluring premise draws the reader into a solid mystery with a propulsive plot populated with a deftly drawn and eclectic cast of characters. A pacy narrative laced with an underlying vein of menace maintains the reader momentum throughout. Compelling and tension fuelled.

Book Review: The Traitors by Carissa Ann Lynch

Rating: ★★★★☆

I recently delved into the mysterious and suspenseful world created by Carissa Ann Lynch in her novel, The Traitors, and, it did not disappoint. From the intriguing premise to the captivating characters, this book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

In The Traitors, six individuals receive an enigmatic invitation to spend 24 hours in the eerie Beechwood Castle, with the chance to win a portion of one million dollars. However, the dark history of the castle, tainted by a brutal murder, sets the stage for a night filled with treachery and deception. As the night unfolds, it becomes clear that among the six participants, one is an imposter and all are harboring secrets that could prove deadly.

Lynch masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, drawing readers into a web of mystery that keeps them guessing until the very end. The pacing of the story is relentless, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. The author's writing is engaging and evocative, effectively setting the scene within the decaying walls of Beechwood Castle.

One aspect of the book that truly stood out to me was the diverse and well-developed cast of characters. Each individual brought their own secrets and motivations to the table, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. As alliances shift and suspicions rise, it becomes increasingly difficult to discern friend from foe.

I must also commend Lynch on the brilliant cover design of the book, which immediately sets the tone for the thrilling story that lies within its pages. It's evident that the author has a keen eye for detail and knows how to craft a compelling story that keeps readers hooked until the very last page.

In conclusion, The Traitors is a gripping and entertaining read that seamlessly blends mystery, suspense, and a touch of darkness. If you're looking for a book that will keep you guessing and leave you wanting more, look no further than Carissa Ann Lynch's captivating novel.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

The Traitors by C.A. Lynch  is a mystery novel.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Harper Collins, One More Chapter - in particular Chloe Cummings for sending me a widget,  and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals,but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Beechwood Castle is now a crumbling mansion, and is about to be renovated by a new, unknown owner.  It has a history of violence, most recently when three teenagers were massacred.    Before the renovations begin,  six people will be invited to spend 24 hours within its haunted walls, and each will be able to claim their portion of the million dollars being offered.

Most, but not all of the six are in need of the money, and all six have done things that are at the most mean, and some unethical.  They are all looking for redemption of some form.

Staci, the true-crime podcaster.  Lolly, the sole survivor of the massacre.  Cornelius, the out-of-work architect.  Penelope, the washed-up author. Bonnie, out on parole.  Rad, the disgraced police officer.  One of these is an imposter.  One of them may be a killer.
 

My Opinions:
This was a bit of a locked-room mystery with a definitely creepy feel.

All of the characters had faults, but a couple of them were easier to like than others.  Lolly, Bonnie and Rad had some redeeming qualities, but I couldn't say I particularly liked the others.  That being said, they were all interesting.

The plot was quite good, and I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong about the murderer -- hence the 4 stars  (I was at 3.5 before that).

The short chapters made it a fast read, and overall, it was a fun, entertaining mystery!