This has all the makings of something I should love, but somehow, I just didn't connect. There is a complex story. The narrator is either unreliable or is hiding things from the reader. The facts slowly seep out as I read. It was all there and yet it just didn't quite come together for me.

It was an easy read. Unlike my last thriller, this one stayed where it was believable. I'm not sure I liked the MC but that isn't a deal breaker for me in a thriller if there is something else that grips me.

It's a slow burn, layered mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

Marisa Calin narrates this one and did a fine job. She wasn't able to overcome my lack of feeling for the story.

The synopsis of Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead immediately grabbed my attention. The beginning showed great potential and even had shades of dark academia, which I really enjoyed. However, it took a long time for the characters to develop in a way that made me care about them. The relationships and plot twists felt too far-fetched at times, almost to the point of undermining the story itself.

That said, I still enjoyed the book. Even though the narrative often felt like it was going off the rails, it ultimately led to an ending I didn’t see coming. While not necessarily satisfying, it was unpredictable enough to keep me engaged. I’m definitely curious to see what Hollander writes next.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander is a psychological thriller that blends trauma, ambition, and the haunting power of the past into a suspenseful, character-driven narrative. With a gripping premise centered around a woman trying to outrun a dark chapter of her life, Hollander dives deep into themes of guilt, reinvention, and the masks we wear to survive.

The story unfolds at a steady pace, pulling readers into a world of secrets and media scrutiny, with a plot that balances both mystery and emotional depth. Hollander does an excellent job creating a tense atmosphere, and the psychological layers of the protagonist add complexity that keeps you invested.

However, while the central mystery is intriguing, the narrative sometimes wavers between thriller and slow-burn drama, leading to uneven pacing. Certain twists land perfectly, but others feel slightly telegraphed, and a few character arcs could have used more depth to fully resonate.

Despite its flaws, Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead is a smart, well-crafted debut that offers more than your typical thriller, leaning into the psychological and emotional aftermath of trauma. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy suspense with a literary edge, even if it doesn’t quite hit every mark.

3.5 stars — a dark, thought-provoking read that lingers, even if it’s not flawless.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Overall not a bad read, would consider rereading

The characters are layered and relatable, their struggles and triumphs resonating on an emotional level. The prose flows effortlessly, creating a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. This book is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story.

In "Scarlet Christmas," Hollander delves into the gripping story of Charlie Colbert, a woman haunted by the nightmarish events at her elite graduate school on Christmas Eve, known to the public as the "Scarlet Christmas." Positioned as a "witness" by the press and police at that time, Charlie understands that her role went far beyond mere observation.
I am glad I finished this book. However, as an audiobook, there were too many characters to keep track of. I had the ending figured out long before the end (which is fine.) It was a litle long winded with the angst, but it was still an interesting story.

Jenny Hollander's Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the aftermath of a tragic event known as "Scarlet Christmas." The story follows Charlotte "Charlie" Colbert, a survivor who has meticulously rebuilt her life in New York City, only to have her past resurface when a former classmate plans a film about the incident. As Charlie's memories of that night become increasingly unreliable, Hollander masterfully explores themes of trauma, memory, and the lengths one will go to protect their secrets. If you're into twisty narratives that keep you questioning reality, this debut novel is worth a read.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander is a graphic memoir that explores themes of grief, identity, and self-forgiveness. Hollander’s debut work is an intimate, visually striking narrative that intertwines personal reflection with illustration. The book primarily revolves around her complicated relationship with her late father, and how his death led her to confront painful emotions surrounding both his passing and the unresolved issues between them. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

What if everything you know about the worst night of your life turns out not to be true?

Thank you Minotaur Books, Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me review copies of this book in exchange for an honest review! I was reading this book and decided to DNF it at 64% because I’m not emotionally invested in this story and also because I don’t like the main character or her friends. The main character and her friends are kind of annoying.

"Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead" by Jenny Hollander is a haunting and deeply introspective memoir that delves into themes of grief, loss, and the complex nature of forgiveness. Through her candid and poignant writing, Hollander reflects on her experiences following the tragic death of her father, exploring the emotional landscape that such a loss creates.

Hollander's prose is raw and evocative, allowing readers to feel the weight of her sorrow while also providing moments of clarity and insight. She navigates her memories with honesty, revealing the intricacies of her relationships and the ways in which grief can reshape our understanding of love and connection. The memoir's structure, interspersed with letters and reflections, creates a powerful narrative that pulls readers into her world.

One of the standout aspects of the book is Hollander's exploration of forgiveness—not just of others, but of herself. Her journey is relatable and universal, making it easy for readers to connect with her struggles and triumphs. The emotional depth of her writing invites contemplation on the nature of reconciliation, both with those we've lost and with ourselves.

Overall, "Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead" is a beautifully crafted memoir that resonates with anyone who has faced the complexities of loss and the search for understanding. Jenny Hollander has written a profound and moving account that will stay with readers long after they finish the last page. This book is a must-read for those seeking solace in shared experiences and the courage to confront their own grief.

I loved the title and the cover of this book, and it drew me in convincing me I needed to read it. The premise of the book was intriguing, a group of college kids, 3 dead…an even that becomes known as “scarlet Christmas”. I even liked Charlie, the main character who was at the scarlet Christmas. I liked that Charlie’s sister had Down syndrome and they had such a cute relationship.

This was about the end of my enjoyment. The book was very slow for a thriller. Nothing really happens. You wonder about the scarlet Christmas and who killed those 3 people yet You read about Charlie and her new dog, which has no relevance to the story. Charlie is convinced she killed them because of her spotty memory of that night. This is all weird to me. There is no point for Charlie to lie if she doesn’t remember initially, her being knocked out basically eliminates her as a suspect anyways….and if I wake up from being unconscious—-there is no way I’m convinced I killed someone

This book had fun moments but overall fell flat. However I appreciate the ARC I received from the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review. I thank them for the opportunity to be introduced to a new author to me. I would give Jenny Hollander another try, her next book may be a home run. Thanks

This book had a great start, but it started to drag towards the middle for me. The mystery was a slow burn, which is very hit or miss for me. And while I was interested in trying to figure out what happened, I was ultimately annoyed and the final reveal. I believe this is a debut, which if it is, then it was great for a debut! I'd be interested in reading more by this author.

Really riveting premise but I felt like it fell apart in execution. I struggled to enjoy the characters — classic not good enough or not bad enough to be compelling situation.

Intro

Nine years after an event dubbed "Scarlet Christmas" occurred, Charlie Colbert has completely rebuilt her life. Engaged and holding a high position at a magazine, Charlie knows that a movie being made about Scarlet Christmas could tear apart everything that she's worked so hard for.

Charlie doesn't remember everything about that night, and she doesn't know exactly what the movie could reveal. In order to prevent the movie from being made, she has to confront the memories hidden within herself, and she's not so sure she's going to like what she finds.

My thoughts

I am sad to say that this is one of the novels that I liked the idea of more than I enjoyed the actual story.

There are definitely things that I enjoyed about this book. I will always love a murky memory story. An "I don't know what happened bit it wasn't good and I think I had something to do with it" story. I also really liked the dual timeline. THEN, as Charlie pieces together the awful night nine years ago, and NOW as she does everything she can to avoid the prevent the movie from being made and potentially destroying her life.

The premise was there. The foundation was strong. I really thought this would be at least a four star read for me, and it was shaping up to be one, for awhile at least. I was really enjoying Charlie's descent into paranoia. But soon, the plot became slow and repetitive, and around the 50% mark, I found myself losing interest. I continued reading because I was waiting for the reveal at the end, but I found even the climax to be lackluster.

This story isn't what I hoped it would be, but I would give the author another look because there were aspects of the writing that I did enjoy. This story just fell a little short for me overall.

What started off with a promising premise slowly devolved for me with a lot of characters to keep track of, and a slow burn storyline. Not enough details were shared throughout the book regarding Scarlet Christmas until the end keeping the reader in the dark and then the quick wrap up left me feeling unsatisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book.

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead centers around Charlie Colbert, an unreliable heroine with a distorted memory, who attempts to piece together the memories of a tragic event that occurred ten years earlier during her graduate school days. The narrative oscillates between the past and the present, revealing a complex web of friendship, trauma, and survival. Charlie, now having rebuilt her life, faces a new challenge when one of the other survivors decides to create a movie about the incident, threatening to unravel her carefully constructed reality.

Jenny Hollander's debut is a dark and dazzling psychological thriller that offers a deep dive into the human psyche. Its strengths lie in its well-crafted characters and the exploration of complex themes such as trauma and memory. While the pacing may be slow for some readers, the novel's emotional depth and intricate plot make it a worthwhile read for fans of psychological thrillers and dark academia.'

For those interested in a thought-provoking and suspenseful read, Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead is a commendable choice.

Book 159 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟

A star for the narrator. I just couldn't get into the story. The story felt meh, and I usually like reads like these. Oh, wells.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Honestly, I wouldn’t have finished this book if I hadn’t received it from the publisher. The more I read, the less I cared about what happened on the fated night of the crime. There are much better thrillers out there, and this is a title that can be skipped.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Book for giving me a chance to listen to the audiobook of "Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead" by Jenny Hollander. This was a quick read! The plot line held my interest the entire time and will catch you with a twist. The execution at the end felt a bit too on the nose. This includes trigger warnings of anxiety, death, stalking. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a murder mystery and enjoys suspense.

I did not finish the book because I was simply not interested. I don't know if it was the narrator or the plot, but this story just didn't hold my interest.