**Review of *This Book Kills* by Ravena Kaur Guron**

*This Book Kills* by Ravena Kaur Guron is a thrilling, fast-paced mystery with a unique twist that blends high school drama with dark intrigue. The novel opens with an intriguing premise: Jess Choudhary, a scholarship student at an elite school, suddenly finds herself entangled in a murder investigation after a classmate, Hugh Henry Van Boren, is found dead in a way that eerily mirrors a story Jess wrote. What starts as an accidental brush with danger quickly becomes a race against time as Jess is forced to unravel the mystery or risk becoming the next victim.

From the very beginning, Jess's voice is relatable, grounded, and refreshingly honest. She’s an introverted, intelligent student who’s just trying to get through high school without drawing attention to herself—particularly because she's one of only two students of Indian heritage in a predominantly privileged, mostly white school. Guron does a fantastic job at weaving Jess's cultural identity and the pressures she faces into the story, making her a character that feels deeply authentic. Jess's constant struggle to maintain a low profile in an environment that’s not entirely welcoming adds a layer of complexity to her character, and the tension between her desire to stay under the radar and the circumstances she faces is palpable.

When Hugh’s death occurs, the novel’s pace shifts into high gear. Jess’s accidental connection to the murder—a story she wrote that mirrors the crime—propels the plot forward, adding layers of suspense and mystery. The investigation into Hugh’s death intensifies, and Jess finds herself forced into a position she never wanted: the center of attention and a potential suspect. What I love most about this book is how Jess’s initial reluctance to get involved gradually transforms into a gripping need to solve the mystery, all while trying to navigate high school social dynamics and her own safety. Her character arc is one of growth and bravery, as she evolves from a passive observer into a smart, determined investigator.

The anonymous text Jess receives thanking her for the "inspiration" is the catalyst that propels her forward, injecting a sense of urgency into the narrative. Jess’s knowledge of her own writing, combined with her analytical skills, positions her as an unlikely detective, but one that is highly capable. As the mystery deepens and rumors swirl around the school, Jess becomes increasingly paranoid and paranoid, which adds to the gripping, edge-of-your-seat atmosphere of the book.

Guron expertly builds tension throughout the novel, offering red herrings, twists, and clues that keep readers guessing. Jess’s investigation isn’t just about finding out who murdered Hugh—it’s also about unmasking the dangerous forces at play within her school and dealing with the fallout of her own involvement in a crime that was never hers to begin with. As Jess digs deeper into the mystery, the stakes grow higher, and it’s clear that uncovering the truth could cost her everything. The psychological suspense is well done, and the pacing never lets up, ensuring readers are hooked until the very end.

*This Book Kills* also excels in character development, with Jess being a standout protagonist. She’s smart, resourceful, and multi-dimensional, making her an engaging lead. The secondary characters are equally well-crafted, each adding a layer of intrigue or complexity to the plot. Jess’s relationships with her family, friends, and classmates create a realistic backdrop to the more dramatic aspects of the story, and these personal dynamics add an emotional depth that complements the thriller elements.

In short, *This Book Kills* is an exciting, thought-provoking thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It combines a compelling mystery with a relatable, nuanced protagonist and a fast-paced plot that grips from beginning to end. Fans of young adult thrillers and mysteries will find themselves unable to put this book down, as it blends suspense, tension, and mystery in a way that makes for an unforgettable read. Ravena Kaur Guron has delivered a standout debut, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

This was my last read of 2024! I binged it in a day and was really invested as to where this story went. This book was very YA. As an adult, I found myself rolling my eyes a couple times, but that’s ok because I’m not the target audience here. I will 1000% be recommending this to my YA students!

Jess has written a short story for class, a thriller. But then the details come to life as one of her classmates has been found dead! With all the tell tale markers of her fictional killer. And now Jess herself is getting threats. She has to solve this while she still can.

Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooksfire for an advance digital copy. All opinions are my own!

I had high expectations for this story and it did not disappoint . Multiple persons of interest that could be the killer, lots of twists and turns.

This was wonderful! I loved the writing style, the characters, the world-building…everything about it was top-notch. I will definitely be recommending this book!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a teen girl at an elite boarding school. When someone is murdered and they use her short story as inspiration for the murder. Jess needs to find the killer before she's next.

I thought this book was just ok. I will start with the positives first. I liked how the story was based around another short story and it was interesting. I thought Jess was a good main character to follow as well. She seemed pretty smart and made good decisions (which is not always the case for teens in YA books.) I liked how different friendships developed and how Jess grew as a character. I also liked the boarding school and dark academia vibes throughout.

On the other hand, I was just a bit bored throughout. I think the book could have been shorter and it would have gotten the same point across. I was really invested in the first half but it started to drag as the story went on.

Overall, I thought this book was decent and would probably still recommend it. I think it just needed to be shorter.

I liked this book. I read and love mysteries and murder mysteries so I felt like I had a good idea who it was early on BUT that being said, I still enjoyed reading it. It wasn't un-put-down-able for me but I kept coming back to it. Solid read.

I really enjoyed this one! I liked all of the characters, which is sometimes tough in a YA mystery. The plot was developed really well. I also liked how it was more mysterious than scary. I truly did not know who the guess the killer would be until the end.

Oh, I love a story where murder gets meta—the interweaving of real-life crime and mystery with literature in this one was clever and twisty.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. This book was actually what I expected from reading the synopsis.

So I was kindly sent this book by the publisher and I appreciate it so much. Having said that not a fan of the book. A boy is murdered at an expensive prep school and the murder was commuted in the same way that the poor, scholarship wrote it a story for class. Now she is racing to solve the crime before she is either kicked out of the school for causing a disturbance, or sent to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Basic boilerplate mystery with nothing new to add. When I read this book I was going to give some grace because it is written like a debut, however, when I researched the author she had written several books. I guess the writing style wasn’t for me.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this mystery! The added element of a boarding school makes this one extra fun.

Thank you for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This books is following Jess, a scholarship student at one of the best boarding schools in the UK. Her best friends boyfriend is murdered and Jess starts getting thanked for the inspiration for how the murder was committed. To protect her name she starts investigating the murder but soon the target is on her back.

This was a fast paced fun read, with a lot of character growth and development. It was one of the few thrillers I have read recently that did not feel predictable, and I was truly shocked by the ending.

I would recommend this for fans of Kara Thompson and Karen Mourning.

This was a quick and fast-paced YA mystery thriller. In a high stakes, elite school environment, competition takes a turn when a well-known student is found dead, murdered in a way that echoes a short story our main character wrote. We follow Jess as she tries to clear her name and find the killer, while navigating all the secrets that everyone is trying to keep.

I thought this was pretty well-written, had good pacing, and brought in a diverse cast of characters. The main character is easy to root for and likeable (especially compared to some of the other students). The book was a really quick read and I liked it a lot.

This was such a quick and easy read. I read this in the middle of a massive reading slump and finished it in two days. As for the plot I’m of the opinion that you should go in blind to Mysterys and thrillers.

The main character was likable and I would definitely recommend this, if you loved A good girls guide to Murder.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

The classic amateur sleuth teen mystery/thriller whodunnit. Had the boarding school trope as well.
Felt similar to A Good Girls Guide To Murder. But less thought out.

I wanted to love this one! From the summary, I thought there were multiple short stories, and multiple murders copying the different short stories over the book--however, there was only one short story-murder that ended up being pretty incidental. I also had a hard time with the ending--the killer was very James Bond villain, with a whole monologue at the end.

Still, grateful to Netgalley and SourcebooksFire for the arc!

This book kills caught my interest because I love a good thriller/suspense novel. Sadly, it was my favorite read of the year but I do give it a good 3 1/2 stars. I personally didn't like the authors writing style.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Ravena Kaur Guron’s This Book Kills is a young adult mystery that masterfully blends suspense, high school drama, and a touch of dark humor. Set in the elite and competitive environment of Heybuckle school, this novel keeps readers guessing until the end.

The story follows Jess Choudhary, a scholarship student and one of the few students of Indian heritage at her prestigious boarding school. Jess’s primary goal is to keep a low profile and excel academically. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when Hugh Henry Van Boren, one of the school’s most popular and wealthy students, is found dead in a manner eerily similar to a murder described in a short story Jess wrote. As the prime suspect, Jess must navigate a web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives to clear her name and uncover the true killer. 

Guron excels in creating a diverse and relatable cast of characters. Jess is a compelling protagonist whose intelligence and determination make her easy to root for. Her best friend, Clementine-Tangerine Briggs, provides a perfect foil with her vibrant personality and unwavering loyalty. 

Guron’s writing is sharp and engaging, with a knack for witty dialogue and vivid descriptions. The pacing is well-balanced, maintaining a steady build-up of suspense while allowing for moments of introspection and character development. 

This Book Kills explores themes of identity, privilege, and the pressures of academic excellence. It also delves into the complexities of friendship and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. 

This Book Kills is a standout in the young adult mystery genre. Ravena Kaur Guron has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, with a protagonist who is as relatable as she is inspiring. The novel’s clever plot twists and well-drawn characters make it a highly enjoyable read.

Fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus will find much to love in this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ravena Kaur Guron for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for This Book Kills, which was released September 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy YA murder mysteries. I thought featuring characters of Indian descent made the book more interesting. I really loved the first half of the book. I lost some interest in the second half of the book. I won’t give anything away, but it was a little more drawn out for me. I would check out other books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA mysteries!

I really enjoyed this YA thriller and the boarding school setting. I loved the character of Jess and her motivation was clear and easy to root for her: she wants to keep her scholarship. The story was suspenseful and I did not guess the murderer at the end. With that being said, I was really shocked by the twist at the end which I guess is the point? Although it felt a little like "here's why I did it" info dump at the end making it feel a little convoluted. But overall, I tore quickly through the book and will recommend it to other YA thriller fans.