I have always wanted to attend a murder mystery dinner party and this felt like I was finally able to participate in the antics. I truly enjoyed the suspense throughout this book.

I enjoyed the concept of this book. I think any good mystery should have the feeling of the reader being the detective. However, this just fell a little short for me. It didn’t feel full resolved.

Sillian plans a murder mystery party at a historical mansion but mysteriously goes missing, leaving the reader to solve her disappearance. The interactive concept, reminiscent of Clue and Nancy Drew, initially draws you in. However, while the premise is intriguing, the plot and characters felt a bit flat, with the story dragging at times and an underwhelming reveal.

The interactive elements, like following clues and making notes, are engaging and fun, but the ebook format makes it hard to navigate. A physical copy would enhance the experience, allowing readers to annotate and flip back through clues more easily.

Despite the clunky pacing and occasional irrelevance of certain details, the book's unique premise and the fun of playing detective keep it interesting. The large cast of characters and the use of various media to present clues are well-handled, making it easier to keep track of suspects.

Overall, while the execution could be improved, the book offers a unique and engaging experience for fans of interactive mysteries.

In this unique novel, Sillian has planned a murder mystery party for her friends at a historical mansion. However, when Sillian goes missing, the reader must discover who caused her disappearance before the end of the book and the motive is revealed.

The premise and the interactive nature of this mystery is what initially drew me in. I have never quite read a book like this, which is reminiscent of Clue mixed with Nancy Drew. However, the book itself fell a little flat for me. The story dragged on, and the reveal was a little ridiculous because of the interactive mystery component. Overall, I think this is a really interesting and unique concept, but the plot and characters were a little lackluster to me.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Experiment 42 for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea of an interactive murder mystery novel, which provides the evidence and allows the reader to make their own notes at the end of each chapter about who they suspect. However, this felt a lot like a first draft of the book, the plot felt quite clunky and detached, which made it difficult to follow. There were times where the chapters were very slow, and I felt some of it didn’t have much point being present as it added nothing to the plot.

Regardless, I thought this was quite fun to read.

DNFed at approximately 15%

First things first, my main issue with this one was the ebook format. If I was reading the physical copy, I would have pressed on a lot longer. I constantly wanted to flick back and forth through the case file in the story, which was really hard to do in the ebook, and it's the kind of story that I would have wanted to annotate.

My other main issue was that Jane's recounting of her story and Mary Sophomore's diary were formatted more as standard novel scenes, rather than being written as the evidence documents they were intended to be.

Specifically, Jane's story included her admission that she'd essentially sleepwalked to her boyfriend's house, stalked him because she thought he was cheating on her, and was basically unable to do her job she was being paid for. These details were not ones I'd have expected someone to willingly offer to the police in such detail as she was giving.

And the diary again included details you wouldn't have expected an up-and-coming celebrity actress to include in her diary. I wish it had been written specifically as a diary rather than as a way to include details for the case file.

The story itself was very fascinating though, with many elements that I wanted to see where they ended up. I might pick this book up another time, if I can find a physical copy somewhere.

I'm rating it a three star - I can see myself enjoying the book once I give it another try, but I can't rate it any higher than that without reading the entire book.

This book was really cool. I enjoyed the way you analyze what's going on in the book with the clues and police investigations, texts and interviews all set in the book. It's like interactive so you can find out what really happened at the end. It was a fun read, had me intrigued to know what was going to happen and overall really, really cool. I felt like a detective while reading and trying to figure everything out.

I absolutely adored this interactive mystery! This was so unique and reminded me of the choose your adventure books I read in my teens, but better. This was so good! I can't get it out of my head!!
I just reviewed You've Been Summoned by Lindsey Lamar. #YouveBeenSummoned #NetGalley
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I really enjoyed the way the author moves back and forth in time to give you two accounts of two stories that soon become one.
Filled with twists and turns I enjoyed the intensity of the story.

Book Review: You've Been Summoned by Lindsey Lamar

Rating: 4 stars

I recently delved into the intriguing world of "You've Been Summoned" by Lindsey Lamar, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by the unique experience this book offered. Set against the backdrop of the historical Sophomore Manor, this interactive mystery novel invites readers to step into the shoes of a detective and unravel a complex web of secrets and deception.

The story unfolds during a costume party at the Sophomore Manor, where a group of twentysomethings find themselves entangled in a gripping mystery. When one of the guests goes missing and is later found dead, the stakes are raised, and it's up to you, the reader-turned-detective, to piece together the clues and solve the puzzle.

What truly makes this book unique is its interactive nature, allowing readers to engage with integrated clues and analyze interviews to crack the case. The writing is top-notch, keeping the pace brisk and the suspense high throughout. The dual mysteries woven into the plot are cleverly plotted, keeping you guessing until the very end.

I particularly enjoyed the captivating setting of Sophomore Manor, with its rich history and enigmatic past adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. The diverse cast of characters brings depth to the story, each hiding their own secrets and motives, keeping you on your toes as you navigate through the twists and turns of the investigation.

As I turned the pages, I found myself engrossed in the story, eager to uncover the truth behind the mysteries lurking within Sophomore Manor. The ending took me by surprise, delivering a satisfying conclusion that tied up all loose ends while leaving me wanting more.

In conclusion, "You've Been Summoned" is a refreshing and engaging read that seamlessly blends traditional mystery elements with interactive storytelling. With its captivating plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Lindsey Lamar has crafted a compelling narrative that will keep you guessing until the final reveal.

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

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Rating: 3.5⭐️
I initially requested the ARC for this story because I was genuinely intrigued by its interactive features. It felt like one of those unsolved case file games that were immensely popular a few years ago. The narrative was gripping and fast-paced as I tried to unravel the mystery.
However, I found the layout of You’ve Been Summoned somewhat distracting. It reminded me of reading a computer game or a video game from the past—where you’d click on an envelope to reveal another clue in a letter, and an NPC (non-player character) would provide additional hints or instructions. While this unique approach was interesting, it became confusing in the Answer chapters when the detectives referred back to specific clues (like saying, ‘Remember clue 5.3?’).

In my opinion, the book would have been even better if it followed a more traditional format. Still, if you enjoy interactive books, You’ve Been Summoned is worth a read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Experiment 42 for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Overall I enjoyed reading this interactive mystery. There are two mysteries. One historical mystery and one present day. In the modern day a group of friends have gathered at an old mansion for a party. Unknown to them the hostess is also hoping to solve the mystery of the original owner’s disappearance. When she disappears it is up to the reader to solve the mystery. It was a fun quick read. The clues are all presented so you can solve the crime but there are also a lot of twists and turns. I enjoyed the historical mystery the most. I was able to solve it. Enjoy this unique mystery

A little confusing at first with the duel timelines but I’m glad I stuck it out. The characters were interesting and the story line engaging. A little different but I enjoyed it.

Thank you Experiment 42 and NetGalley for the eARC of You've Been Summoned! All opinions in this review are my own.

I love that the author took a risk with the format of You've Been Summoned! I couldn't put this one down and while I wasn't able to solve the murder, I liked feeling like I could! While I wish the connection between the past and present was made more apparent earlier in the book, this was overall a really fun read and I look forward to more from this author!

An Interactive Mystery..
An interactive mystery, a whodunit with a twist - complete with the ideal Manor House backdrop and a costume party weekend theme. A mystery where you, the reader, plays detective - pick up clues, identify red herrings and consider the cast of suspects to come to a conclusion- whodunit? A fun and attractive concept, a great premise, which is largely well executed.

This was a really fun read, and I loved the interactive aspect to it! The two timelines and POVs was done very well, and I really enjoyed how everything all came together in the end. Such a great book, and I definitely recommend it!

This was a different book than I have read before and I throughly enjoyed it. I thought it was fun and enjoyable and kept me on my toes. If you are into mysteries this is worth the read!

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

This was a ton of fun to read! The format is really unique and fun! If you enjoy mysteries, I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to Lindsay Lamar, Experiment 42 and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.