With its student body full of suspicious characters, the Heybuckle School makes an intriguing setting for a murder mystery. Readers will race to follow the clues along with Jess—but, with so many possibilities in so many different directions, This Book Kills may leave readers feeling fatigued.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

This Book Kills is a young adult mystery that tries to cram a few too many subplots into one book.

Jess is one of only two scholarship students at the prestigious British prep school Heybucket. She is constantly worried about losing her scholarship and embarrassing her ethnic Indian parents. Meanwhile, her best friend Clem (short for Clementine-Tangerine) is glad to be away from her parents, who have always been more concerned with their business than with her.

When Clem’s boyfriend, Hugh, is found murdered on school grounds, suspicion falls on Hugh’s ex-girlfriend, Millie. After all, she had just threatened to kill him for cheating on her with Clem. However, Jess soon receives a text thanking her for helping with Hugh’s murder. It seems that the absurd murder scene is straight out of a short story that Jess wrote. There is also a side plot about a secret society at the school that bullies the students. And, of course, the police are totally incompetent and basically do nothing throughout the book.

I realize that This Book Kills is marketed for young adults but some of the many subplots seemed to be to cribbed from other, better, books. The poor scholarship student angle has been done to death in classic literature. Secrets societies at prestigious prep schools are no surprise either. Overall, this book is recommended only for preteens who haven’t had much reading experience. 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an advanced review copy.

I greatly enjoyed This Book Kills! Jess' character is one I really enjoyed and the author did a wonderful job of detailing her feelings that you can clearly see and understand a lot about her. The plot of the story was excellent I honestly didn't want to put this book down which made for a rough morning but definitely worth it! Truly a wonderful story! Thank you Colored Pages Book Tours, Ravena Guron and SourceBooks Fire for sharing this book with me!

Cool boarding school murder mystery, with a dark academia angle, also exploring privilege, race, and class. The writing was mostly smooth and the chapters weren't too long, often ending on cliff-hangers - students will eat this up. Great for fans of The Good Girl's Guide to Murder!

There is a popular idiom that you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Jess Choudhary, a young woman of Indian descent, must learn this rule the hard way as she becomes involved in several murders at her elite private, boarding school when she receives a text thanking her for the inspiration to kill one of the students in the same manner as a character in a short story Jess wrote. Add to the mystery a secret society composed of students that is daring people to do more dangerous pranks.

This book is a very well-written YA mystery with well-developed characters and very realistic dialogue. I could totally relate to being the scholarship student at an elite private school and being used and ridiculed for coming from a different culture or following a different religion. The murder, and the planning and execution of it, was totally plausible. The book was a scathing rebuke of elites who think they can use people and get away with murder. In the end, Jess triumphs and learns that her family cared deeply for her, and what matters is not how much money they had. She learned the value of true friendship, along with solving several murders.

This book was one of the best YA mystery novels I have read. There were lots of red herrings which kept you guessing, although I had a hunch who the murderer was. There were a few things that leave the reader wondering, like how Jess could solve the murder that a PI could not. Having said that, I would highly recommend to anyone who has read Holly Jackson books, or anyone who enjoys mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book and provide my unbiased opinion.

The title of this book is the thing that immediately grabbed my attention when I first came across this book. I was like, uhh... How?? Oh, well, let me tell you how: Jess and her classmate Summer wrote a story for a class, a murder mystery, but the story was stolen from the teacher’s desk and the next day one of their classmates was found DEAD in the exact same way that Jess had described the fictional murder in their story. It was WILD! I loved the premise of this book, and overall, I ended up liking it for the most part. I enjoyed the mystery of it all and just following Jess as she tried to figure out what was going on. Unfortunately for Jess, there were A LOT of suspects, especially considering that there was a super suspicious Super Secret Society at this school for rich kids. The more we discovered about this society and the victim, the more interesting it got.

Unfortunately for me, I didn’t really care for any of the characters. I mean, Jess was fine, but I just didn’t connect with any of them. Although I did appreciate the unlikely friendships she built through this unpleasant journey. That was really nice.

As for the killer, I can’t say I had them pinned down for sure. The thought, “Oh, what if it’s THIS person,” crossed my mind offhandedly about the person who turned out to be the killer, but then when it was revealed that it WAS them I was shocked! Especially because I had no clue what their motive could possibly be. BUT THEN we got another twist that I did not see coming at all! That whole scene at the end there with all the revelations was insane! It was also very sad because Jess had a realization about someone... and I am being super vague because spoilers, but I just felt really bad for her.

However, I was enjoying all the revelations and villainous monologues... until I wasn’t. It went on for way too long. There was too much talking and not enough attempted murder in my opinion 😆 AND THEN the climax was over and I thought we were wrapping up but NO! I looked at the table of contents and we still had three chapters AND an epilogue left! Just- why? Why was the ending so long? 😭 It just dragged on forever! I’m not gonna lie, I was getting a little impatient there. But I did like the way Jess stood up for herself in the end with all those condescending school board people. I was SO happy for her!

Overall, I thought this book was fine. It wasn’t bad, but I also didn’t love it. The mystery was intriguing, and while I liked Jess well enough, I just didn’t really connect with any of the characters. Not to mention what I felt like was a very drawn-out ending.

This book doesn’t kill. It killed a few hours of my time. It was intriguing and perfect for a certain population of young readers. It is not scary. It is not unpredictable or surprising. It was a look, through teenage eyes, at the classism, racism, and sexism of an elite school in England. I can see it appealing to you teenaged readers.

There’s been a murder at Heybuckle Prep, and Jess is afraid she will be blamed. She wrote a short story that used the murder weapon and another key detail that very few others would know anything about. She needs to find the real culprit so she doesn’t lose her scholarship, or her life.

This Book Kills, a young adult thriller by Ravena Guron, lays out what seems like a fairly straightforward murder mystery set in a teen centered universe. While it covers a lot of the normal teenage tropes, it also includes some discussion of social class, (and to some degree race) delving into have and have-nots and how different one can be treated depending on which side of the spectrum they fall. For a thiller, I thought the writing was fine, but everything just seemed too neatly tied up in a bow at the end, it was lacking the depth it needed. Having read my share of YA, I know it’s possible to include this type of range, even while gearing your story up for a younger audience.

I received this free advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

When Jess Choudhary writes up a murder story for her creative writing class, she never expects it to actually happen... and now the killer is leaving her notes and she has to figure out who did it before she is blamed for the murder. All Jess was ever meant to do was keep her head down, keep up her scholarship, and get through highschool. As a scholarship student and one of the only 2 students of Indian heritage, Jess is a rarity in her elite school.... and when one of the most popular and richest kid who happens to be dating Jess's friend ends up murdered in the same manner as she wrote in her fictional creative writing story.... Jess finds herself at the center of the investigation. When she receives an anonymous message from the killer thanking her for the inspiration for the murder... Jess knows she needs to figure it out before she is blamed or becomes the next victim. In a school of filthy rich kids, elitist, and secret societies... betrayals lie await at ever corner and Jess doesn't know who she can trust. Anyone of the students could be the murderer and with a secret society going after her as well... Jess has her work cut out for her if she wants to figure out who the real killer is. This was such a fun murder mystery read. I loved all the twist and turns and really enjoyed Jess as a protagonist, her voice was fun to read from and she was an interesting character to follow along with. I liked how everything wrapped up and the mystery flowed really well. It's a fun read and one I'd definitely recommend for mystery lovers!

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

One of the best YA murder mysteries I’ve read…and I don’t say that lightly!

I audibly gasped more than once as the twists kept hitting me. I didn’t know who to trust, who to suspect, or what lead to follow, I loved it.

IJess, the main character, was such a breath of fresh air in this genre!

Highly recommend!

Thank you to Soucebooks Fire and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Unfortunately I had to DNF this. I understand that it is YA, but the plot is atrocious. I didn’t mind the cutest asides in the writing, but the dialogue and action feel like reading a terrible fan fiction. Not for me at all.

This Book Kills incorporates a murder mystery set at a boarding school with a secret society ran by wealthy families. Two students, Jess and Summer, were the only students who were enrolled on an academic scholarship. The plot was so well executed with secrets and clues that it was hard to guess who killed Hugh. Every time I thought I figured out who did it, something else happened and I was back to square one. This is the first book where I enjoyed every character and how well they fit into every situation. Jess was my favorite from beginning to end. I was happy to see Jess grow throughout the book and became more self aware of everything and everyone around her. She became more confident in herself and the decisions she made along the way. She no longer felt like she had to gravitate towards Clem’s friendship and found her own friends. The boarding school and secret society (The Regia Club) gave dark academia vibes with their pranks. Fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson would definitely love this book!

Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Fire Publishing for an eARC ♥️

The story follows Jess, a scholarship student at a prestigious boarding school, who's already struggling to find her place among her wealthy and privileged classmates. She's constantly feeling like an outsider, and the pressure to perform well academically is mounting.

I have to admit, I'm a total sucker for books set in boarding schools - there's something about the closed-off, insular world that just fascinates me. And this book delivers on that front, perfectly capturing the claustrophobic atmosphere and the complex social dynamics of a boarding school.

Then, the unthinkable happens - a popular student named Hugh is found dead, and the school is thrown into chaos. Jess is shocked and disturbed by the murder, but she's also determined to get to the bottom of it. She teams up with a few friends, including a rebellious artist and a quiet but brilliant tech whiz, to start investigating.

As they dig deeper, they uncover a complex web of secrets and lies that lead them to suspect several people of the crime. There's Hugh's girlfriend, who stands to inherit a vast fortune from his family; the school's charismatic headmaster, who seems to be hiding something; and even Jess's own friends, who may be keeping secrets of their own.

What I loved most about this book is how it perfectly balances the drama and angst of being a teenager with the suspense and intrigue of a classic whodunit. Ravena Guron gets the teenage voice just right - Jess and her friends feel like real, relatable people, with all the usual insecurities and anxieties. But at the same time, the mystery is expertly plotted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.🔥

This Book Kills by Ravena Guron, 368 pages. Sourcebooks Fire, 2024. $12.
Language: PG13 (26 swears, 0 “f” + British swears); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Hugh (17yo) and Millie are the it couple of their private school, which makes their public breakup even more of a spectacle. But then Hugh ends up dead—the exact same way that Jess (16yo) imagined the murder in her short story for a class assignment. As questions and accusations fly, Jess’s scholarship is put on the line, and she goes digging for the truth herself.
The whole murder mystery is a convoluted mess for the characters trying to solve the case, which was enjoyable as the reader trying to put the pieces together with them. Guron made the scenario feel pretty realistic with all the red herrings that have to be waded through and with the ways real life and biases get in the way of teenagers attempting to investigate murder. My only disappointment is that the perpetrator seems to come out of left field instead of being revealed in an aha moment that makes everything click.
Jess is Indian-British, and Lucy is undefined but also non-White, with the rest of the characters implied British. Summer is gay, and Hattie is bi. The mature content rating is for kissing, underage drinking, partial nudity, and illegal activity. The violence rating is for assault and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This cover doesn't do this book justice to be honest lol
It seems plain with a hint of thriller and....it wasn't that at all. It wasn't dull and while there were murders going on, it didn't feel as much a thriller as a mystery. Still pretty good though!
I thought with the backdrop being a school of over privileged kids who get away with everything that it would be pretty predictable. Boy was I wrong!
Just when I'd be screaming inside "it's SO obvious it's THAT person!" The author threw me in for a loop! I had NO idea 😂
And while these kids did bully and were up to nonsense, it was much more tame and they got their comeuppance 😌 Which made me happy 🤭
So many twists, that by the end i thought....huh, this author is a genius! 😆
It did read a bit slow in parts, with the girls investigation going in circles, but between the secret society, murders, love triangles, police cover ups, etc. I never lost interest!
For someone seeking a fun murder mystery set in a remote boarding school that keeps u guessing.....READ THIS! If nothing else for fun & for the challenge 😉😎 haha

I love books about schools so this was right up my alley! Jess is a "scholarship" student at an elite boarding school and her best friend, Clem makes being around the rich kids bearable. But then fellow student, Hugh is found dead on the grounds. Unfortunately, Jess and her writing partner, Summer have just submitted a story that's eerily similar to the manner in which he was murdered so suspicion naturally falls on them. But there may be external forces at work as the Regia Club is a famous group on campus, inviting only those deemed "worthy" to join. And when anonymous messages find their way to students threatening lives as they've each done "something terrible and deserve to die," Jess is terrified and now worried she may be next!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

This Book Kills is an outstanding murder mystery set at a boarding school. As soon as I read the book's synopsis, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible! And this book didn't disappoint me!

The characters are well-written, and the plot is so executed so well that even as it twists and turns, you are never confused. The investigation and the clues were well-planned, and I was unable to guess who killed the person.

And, speaking of characters, Jess was my absolute favorite. She had intriguing ideas and perspectives through which to see the narrative, and she was also humorous and self-aware. It was satisfying to witness Jess, the protagonist, gain self-assurance throughout the narrative, which led to more sincere friendships and an enjoyable conclusion.

The eerie, historic boarding school atmosphere was excellent! This created a somewhat dark academic vibe, especially with the Regia Club involved. This atmosphere contributed significantly to the mystery.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I want to read more works by this author in the future. I wholeheartedly endorse, particularly for readers who enjoy the works of authors such as Holly Jackson.

Officially convinced that if it has a little flame on the cover, I’m going to be obsessed with it! This was so fun!

Ever tried to start a book and then you find you couldn't get into it at the time and it ended up being a DNF? Then maybe months later or often in my case, it can be a year or more later. You pick up that book again and decide to give it another go, sometimes I have found that even if I give it a second chance - it still ends up being a DNF. However, sometimes it works the other way and I end up enjoying the book and finishing it. This is what happened with Ravena Guron's book "This Book Kills". I recently got a new Kindle and I have been busy downloading all my books back onto it and I saw this one, the cover, and title grabbed me. As I started reading it, it felt familiar and I checked Goodreads and I had tried to read it back in September 2023. This time around though, It had kept my attention and as someone who loves writing and mysteries, I loved the premise of this book. A short story that Jess used for her Gifted and Talented class has been used as the inspiration for the murder of one of the most popular boys in their school Hugh. The thing though is that Jess didn't kill him, but who else had access or knew about her short story, and why was Hugh killed? This was another fun YA whodunnit boarding school mystery and I have to admit when the killer was revealed, it shocked me as I didn't see this one coming, but I did love all the little connections that the author used in solving the mystery. If you love wealthy boarding schools, secret societies, murder mysteries, and stories where the students solve them before the teachers or police - then take a deep breath and open this book and PS - remember if you aren't careful enough, "This Book Kills" and a small takeaway for you as a reader - sometimes it pays to give books like romance a second chance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. I love young adult thrillers, and this did not disappoint. Very quick read, and mid book, I did have an idea of who the murderer was. Great writing. Nothing like secrets and scandals at school!