ೃ⁀➷ Rating:
5 stars

ೃ⁀➷ summary:
Our genres: Interactive, Mystery, Mystery Thriller
Our setting: A 1940s manor (dual timeline, separate POVs)
Our protagonists: A journalist, her missing twin sister, the famous owners of a mysterious manor house, and a bunch of other characters in their twenties. Oh, and YOU!
Plot synopsis: “An overnight costume party at a historical manor turns deadly. The body of Sillian Parks, host of the elaborately unhinged costume event, is found by her twin sister Jane. The resulting investigation is one the reader gets to play a part in. What is the link between this modern mystery and the unsolved one that is the chosen venue’s legacy? It’s up to you to solve the case.

ೃ⁀➷ Review:
This book was an experience. It’s rare to see books that think outside the box when it comes to the conventions of literature, and this book felt like a love letter to the choose-your-own-adventure books of my childhood. It’s always lovely to get to play detective.

You can tell that the author put a lot of care and effort into making this book feel like the experience that it was. Every puzzle and every case file felt well crafted. I read most of this book in a single sitting, because I couldn’t look away.

I don’t want to rehash the plot of this books in my review, but I adored the quick pace and the irreverent narrators. I didn’t want to miss anything, so I found myself reading closely. While reading the Sophomore chapters, I noticed that the author adjusted her writing style to include more “vintage” vocabulary. This, in my opinion, helps it feel authentic and set off from the more modern tone of Jane’s account.

Speaking of Jane, I like that the characters in this book felt like distinct entities. It was a lot of fun to watch them be themselves (they were all so interesting and suspicious!) some of them made me angry, some of them made me sad, but all of them made me feel something.

Also, the satisfaction of finishing the case file and being RIGHT was unparalleled. This was a twisty, riveting book that had me hooked from start to finish! If it can be compared to a game, I’m so happy that I got to play.

This was an interesting book. I was initially drawn in by it being an "interactive novel". I thought it might be along the lines of Cain's Jawbone in that it made you think or really take action. However, I think some of the "interaction" actually detracted from the story. I think it would have been stronger had the interruptions not been there. It got to the point that I just skipped them.

The story itself was interesting, and now I need to have a puzzle house (so let me know if you know any puzzle architects).

This was a murder mystery novel with a difference. It's described as an "interactive" mystery, which means the reader gets to play the part of the detective. I do think it is a really interesting format, and I found it enjoyable because I felt it encouraged me to engage with the content in a different way. I think my crime book club would enjoy something like this, and it may spark the interest of murder mystery fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I have never heard of an interactive novels before and I thought it was such an interesting and unique concept, it reminded me of those choose your own adventure books!

Everything is laid out really cohesively for you to try and figure out the mystery as you read, you get interviews, witness accounts and other documents to figure out the case and it's very fun! I liked that it's explained at the end so you can see if you were right or what you missed.

This definitely would have worked as a regular novel but I think the interactive aspect really makes it shine. A very fun read/experience!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

During a long weekend in March, a group of twentysomethings from Virginia meet for an overnight costume party at the historical Sophomore Manor: a place where the most prestigious socialites of the 1940's and ‘50s partied until the celebrity owners mysteriously went missing. At the height of the party, Jane Parks notices her twin, Sillian has vanished from the scene. It isn’t until Jane finds her sister’s body that the real guessing game begins. That’s where you come in. It’s up to you to expose a present-day link between the victim, the guest list, and Sophomore Manor’s unsolved history.

First off, can we just appreciate that stunning cover? It definitely caught my eye when scrolling on Netgalley.

The plot itself is so intricately detailed that I really did struggle trying to piece things together. You can tell how much time and care was taken with all the clues. As for the interactiveness, I think I would've prefered it in a physical format so I could actually jot things down and annotate. However, the interactiveness also makes the book a great gift for a murder mystery fan.

There were a lot of characters, and like always I did struggle to keep up with them. However, I liked that in this story. It really added to the chaos of the whole situation.

I loved the mixed media element, as most of my favourite murder mystery and crime books use the same concept. The idea of the reader becoming the detective was clever, it really forces you to pay attention.

While I did have some theories that ended up being correct, there were still twists that I didn't expect. Personally, I love it when I can predict some things in a mystery and not others. It makes me feel clever and humbles me at the same time.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone wanting a murder mystery to immerse yourself into.

Sunch an interesting and fun experience!
I'll be honest the first 50% i wasn't really feeling it. But just past 50% everything flipped. It was hard to put down once things start really moving.

I really enjoyed being part of the story!
I was able to catch a few things while going through the files. But it's safe to say I'm not a detective, sadly. My Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie knowledge did not shine through!

As someone who loves murder mysteries of all kinds. I enjoyed this mystery in which you actually get to play a part in solving the mystery as well as having a say in how the story pays out. Because its a choose your own adventure but with a mystery.

This is the first interactive mystery I have encountered and while I appreciate the format and the style, this particular one was maybe not for me. I felt the word use was hard to read, the evidence files were too wordy in general in my opinion. I found myself drifting while reading. The plot was good but I had guessed the outcome within the first 20% of the book. It will not be my last interactive mystery, but this one turned into more like literal work to get through.

It took me a moment to dive into this book, primarily because I wanted to truly enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed - as a game - where I'm the Private Investigator. Unfortunately, time was not on my side and I ended up reading it like a novel. I LOVED it! The story changes between the historical twins that owned the home and the current day twins (told through Jane's eyes). The historical twins are trying to figure out how to balance a successful life as actors while taking a break from the limelight. They are involved in a bit of a scheme which I anticipate is similar to some of the modern day "faux feuds" that litter Page Six. Bounce to modern day and you have Jane, hopeful journalist, along with her twin Sillian. Somewhat opposites, Sillian is full of life and hijinks - the life of the party (which she throws for a living) while Jane is the opposite - inquisitive and people pleasing in nature. Jane is caught between pleasing her boyfriend or pleasing her sister as she double books herself one weekend. In an effort to do both, she becomes tied up in a missing person's case - notably - her sister.

The book is fast-paced, with stops to thing about what is being read - this is a game of sorts - where the reader is just as much a part of the investigating party as Jane. There were several moments where my head spun as I realized the clues I'd missed, and then some I caught some right away. I'm intrigued to see this in print.

As a special note, I loved the story the Lindsey Lamar shared at the end. The reason behind self publishing. As a kid, I envisioned a book much like this, but with maps to help readers along the way. My vision was less murder mystery and more adventure, but the idea was the same - wanting the reader to be IN the book - engaged in more than just reading. I applaud this effort and will be at the store to see how it came together. I know my true crime obsessed friends will love this book and can't wait to share it with them!

Thank you Netgalley and Lindsey Lamar for my ARC ♥️

Imagine a soirée of unparalleled opulence, where the crème de la crème gather at a mysterious manor, their attire as extravagant as the evening itself. But as the night wears on, the festivities take a dark turn. Welcome to Sophomore Manor, where the lines between truth and tale blur like the shadows on the walls. Each chapter unfolds like a velvet curtain, revealing police dispatches, interview transcripts, and cryptic documents that whisper secrets of the past. Can you unravel the enigma that lies at the heart of this labyrinthine mystery? Indulge in this literary experiment, where the boundaries of storytelling are pushed, and the truth awaits your discerning eye.

I wanted to love this story, it in the end, I was mostly frustrated. It had potential, but the execution felt like a choice of style over substance. A nice effort, and I’d be interested to see what the author does next.

Thank you Lindsey Lamar, Experiment 42, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely adored this story, halfway between thriller and escape game. The reader has the choice between being carried along by the plot or investigating. I chose the second option and, while I managed to find a few elements, some were very hard to find and eluded me. I would have liked to read with more concentration, with a small notebook at hand. The atmosphere is incredible: family secrets, a mysterious manor, flashbacks that take us back to the 40s... I was immediately charmed by this novel and wouldn't hesitate to repeat the experience with a new case to resolve. Thanks for a great read!

Hm. I am not exactly sure how to rate this one. Maybe a 3.5?

You've Been Summoned feels very much like I'm reading a computer game. Or maybe a video game. You know, back when you'd click the envelope and another clue in a letter opens up? And then an NPC comes along and gives you another clue or instruction? Very much like that. This was a very unique idea, but in the Answer chapters, it's a bit confusing when the detectives are referring back to specific chapters or clues (like they'll say "remember clue 5.3?").

The book is presented where you are reviewing a bunch of case files, and you will be asked at the end to make your decision. But it's odd because "the detectives" hold information back from you until the very end. There are two mysteries here: Sill's disappearance at a themed party (where Jane is the only one worried), and some actress sisters who previously owned the old, weird house. I think that the story about Marcie and Mary was more interesting than Jane's search for Sill. It was an easy way to spend an evening reading this book, but I kind of wish that the author had just written Marcie and Mary's mystery instead because I was really interested in that story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Experiment 42 for this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing access to this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

« Nothing could be more catastrophic than building a future out of our past. »

Rating: 3⭐️
Genre: Mystery Adult Fiction
Format: ARC Ebook
Pages: 376
Spice: 0 🌶️
POV: Multiple POVs
S/S: Standalone
Check trigger warnings for any book

A very interesting format for this follow-along mystery and investigation.

We follow Jane as she goes over to her twin sister’s party. Going there she knows something is off with her twin and that she might be hiding something. Same thing for the crowd, there are secrets lingering.

The story is set in a historic mansion. We are considered detectives as we read through the case files. From journals to recordings to retellings. We are to guess the suspect and the motive.

It was a really interesting way to go through a mystery disappearance and investigation. Definitely enjoyed the case files and all that. As for the plot, we were missing a lot at the end. The ending felt like a forced wrap-up to try to connect everything together. The middle of the story was fun but the ending was quite rushed. The mirrored history was a cool input but again felt a bit forced when linked to the present.

Favorite quotes (MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS):

« The amount of erotically charged jealousy in this situation is astronomical. »

« What could possibly go wrong this weekend? »

« A lot of stuff that you do sounds stupid out loud. »

« We must take care of our families when we find them. Welcome to mine, Mary. »

Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Four stars.
What a trip this was! I can't say very often, after the thousands of books across many genres that I have read, that I often come across something that is truely unique. This book is definitely that, a book that stands on it's own for the creativity, individuality, and creating its own spot on the book food chain.
For someone like me who loves a mystery, loves historical fiction and a dual time line, this book brought these aspects together in a distinctive way of it's very own. I loved that as the reader, I was included in the story, I got to piece together the clues as a private investigator assigned to investigate this case.
I did mark down one star because at times I felt a little lost, I think it would have been easier to read this as a physical copy in which I could flip back and forth and look again at previous clues and testimony. As an ebook, the only way for me to do this was with copious swiping. I keep it all in my head after all. Despite this, did I correctly intuit the culprit? And the answer to this is a big resounding YES!! Go me! Haha. I did feel quite a sense of achievement and satisfaction upon getting this right. And I have to give the book brownie points for that because I don't remember feeling that after finishing a book in a long time.
One more thing. A shout out to Lindsey Lamar - you are clearly a very intelligent and talented woman and author and I will proudly read everything else you ever write. And I have already started telling people to get hold of a copy of this to read for themselves. What an unexpected treat.

Thank you Netgalley, Experiment 42 and the talented Lindsey Lamar for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If you are a lover of the Agatha Christie vibes with a millennial twist, this book is for you! Also the best part of this book, you, the reader is the detective! I loved being at this point of view!

The cover art drew me in, but the description is what got me hooked. I’ve never seen an interactive mystery novel before - such a cool concept. It’s like a murder mystery party for introverts! If you’re always flipping back in your book to check on a clue or theory, this was written for you. It would make a great buddy read since you can share theories along the way.

Sillian goes missing during her Halloween in March party at an old mansion. YOU - yes, you, the reader - are a detective working on the case. By reviewing firsthand accounts, interviews, and other artifacts, you’ll crack the case and find out what happened to Sillian. As you read, keep track of the suspects and clues. After being presented with all the evidence, you’re asked to make a recommendation - who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit this crime? Once you’re finished, the mystery is explained, so you can see if you’ve got the right suspect and find out which clues you overlooked.

Despite being wrapped up in a neat package at the end, the story itself is a well-crafted, dual-timeline mystery with a solid smattering of believable yet misleading clues. I would have thoroughly enjoyed this as a straightforward novel, but the interactive element bumps it up to a spectacular reading experience. I applaud the author for taking the risk on this concept - I think it totally paid off. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

A very well written, fully entertaining whodunnit. A reader of mystery book always enjoy playing the sleuth while reading, this time, the clues, and the evidence are in the reader's hands. The indications, documents, and supports are absolutely great, bravo ! I'm going to offer the book as gifts and can't wait to have news from the author about her other projects. I truly enjoy being able to be involved in the solving of the mystery at my own pace and with documents. The story line could be of a very good novel, the plot is complex with different timelines, this also contributes to a great enjoyment of the concept.
All opinions are mine, thank you to the author and NetGalley.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Experiment 42 for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: February 27, 2024

<i>You’ve Been Summoned</I> is an interactive mystery where the entire story is presented as case files with mixed media and you, as the reader, assume the role as detective/private investigator.

Predominantly set at the historical Sophomore Manor, this blends together two mysteries involving twin sisters: one in 2023, and the other in 1944.

YBS is a unique take on the whodunnit sphere of mystery/thrillers, but didn’t quite capture my attention.
The strongest part for me was the house itself with the hidden compartments which I found clever and enticing.
I was able to figure out the culprit very early on before the main character even reached the manor house, so in that sense it read pretty predictable.
I also found that the end of chapter recaps came across as infantilizing and I kept wondering if this wanted to be YA or Adult.

I’d say it’s best to view this one as more of an experience rather than a traditional novel with fully fleshed out plot points and characters.

I've always loved mystery novels and this was a really fun twist on them. I liked the way the story was presented through the evidence. It was a breath of fresh air.

The characters felt a bit flat to me, but the story itself was twisty and had enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I didn't have it all figured out by the end, though some of my suspicions were right.

All in all, I'd say this was a fun book and it'd be interesting to read another story with a similar format.