Jessa Maxwell’s I Need You to Read This is a clever, suspenseful, and addictive mystery that will have readers hooked from the first page. Drawing comparisons to her earlier work, The Golden Spoon, Maxwell once again proves her knack for creating atmospheric tension and layered mysteries, this time centering on an advice columnist who becomes dangerously entangled in her predecessor’s unsolved murder.

The protagonist, Alex Marks, is a compelling character with a carefully constructed life in New York City. Having fled from her past, she keeps a low profile, avoiding close relationships and limiting herself to the familiar comfort of her daily routines. But the sudden murder of Francis Keen, the famed advice columnist of Dear Constance, whom Alex had long admired, throws her world into chaos. Alex’s decision to apply for Francis’s vacant position is impulsive and somewhat out of character, but it adds an intriguing element of fate to the story, as if Alex is being pulled toward something darker and more dangerous than she realizes.

Maxwell excels at building tension, especially as Alex begins to settle into her new role as the voice behind Dear Constance. The advice column, which once provided solace to Alex in her younger years, now becomes a source of unease. Strange letters start arriving, and Alex can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching her—perhaps the same person responsible for Francis’s death. The steady, mounting paranoia is palpable, and Maxwell captures Alex’s gradual unraveling as she gets closer to uncovering the truth.

One of the strengths of I Need You to Read This is how it blends the professional world of advice columns with the dark undercurrent of murder and suspense. Alex’s knack for solving other people’s problems through her writing contrasts sharply with her inability to solve the mystery of Francis’s death—or to confront her own buried secrets. This duality makes her a relatable and complex character, as she’s drawn deeper into a mystery that threatens not just her job, but her life.

The cast of characters around Alex is equally intriguing, particularly her boss, Howard Dimitri. Maxwell crafts Howard with enough ambiguity to keep readers guessing—his late nights at the office and heavy drinking make him a prime suspect, but is he truly capable of murder? The other office staff and the people Alex interacts with as she investigates also keep the reader questioning everyone’s motives, turning the novel into a tense game of cat and mouse.

The novel’s pacing is generally effective, though there are moments where the tension could have been heightened with more urgency. The middle sections, in particular, feel a bit stretched, as Alex wades through the office politics and mysterious letters without enough immediate danger. However, the final act ramps up the stakes, taking Alex from the bustling streets of Manhattan to Francis Keen’s secluded summer house, the site of her grisly murder. Maxwell skillfully uses this change of setting to create an isolated, almost claustrophobic atmosphere that culminates in a thrilling and chilling confrontation.

If there’s a critique to be made, it’s that some readers might find the mystery’s resolution predictable. While the journey to uncovering the truth is filled with twists and red herrings, the ultimate revelation may not shock readers who are seasoned mystery enthusiasts. That said, Maxwell’s strength lies in her ability to craft atmospheric tension and character-driven suspense, which makes the journey just as compelling as the destination.

Final Thoughts:
I Need You to Read This is a sharp, atmospheric thriller that keeps readers engaged with its blend of psychological tension and dark secrets. Jessa Maxwell has crafted a well-paced mystery with a complex protagonist in Alex Marks, whose journey from passive observer to active investigator is both intriguing and satisfying. While some twists may be predictable, the novel’s eerie atmosphere and well-developed characters make it a gripping read for fans of mysteries like The Haunting of Hill House and The Golden Spoon.

3.5 rounded up to 4. I have not read any books by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I really liked this one. Was it predictable at times? Absolutely. Was it unrealistic at times? Absolutely. But I flew through it and wanted to confirm my suspicions. Trigger warning: the book contains domestic abuse and mentions of sexual assault. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I wanted to love this more than I did. The cover of the book is wonderful, and the plot drew me in, but unfortunately the book itself wasn't for me. It was quite repetitive and it seemed to take ages for anything of substance or anything exciting to happen, and once it did, the reveals and twists weren't anything majorly shocking, and the final one just felt anticlimactic.

I NEED YOU TO READ THIS is a wonderfully addictive character-driven mystery. Maxwell crafted a story full of heart, suspense, and carefully placed reveals.

This story begins and ends with Alex. I connected instantly with Alex and enjoyed watching as she navigated through trusting people and overcoming her past. She is the backbone of this thriller and is put through it all as she stumbles down the rabbit hole to discover who killed Francis Keen. And it is not only our main character that adds depth to this mystery. The reader is gifted with a brilliant cast ranging from our Bluebird crew, Janice and Raymond to Alex’s coworkers at the HERALD to a surprising new man entering her life, Tom. They are what made this book for me. The interactions, the personalities, and the way they all fit within the investigation of the murder were perfect.

I would be remiss to mention that there are weighty issues addressed in this book. What Alex went through and her escape to New York is something many women of domestic violence have to deal with daily. This coupled with a few of the other’s back stories enriched the narrative in a way that didn’t exploit any topic just for the storyline.

Simply stated. I devoured this book. The writing was perfectly paced. There were just the right amount of twists, turns, and moments of intense suspense. It took me know time to realize that this was exactly what I needed to read. Maxwell delighted me with THE GOLDEN SPOON and has pulled me in again with I NEED YOU TO READ THIS. I cannot wait to see what she has next for us.

Who do you ask for guidance when your favorite advice columnist has been murdered?

Alex lives a life of routines, working from home in her small NYC apartment & having breakfast every morning at the Bluebird with waitress Janice & retired NYPD detective Ray. When the news breaks that the acclaimed Dear Constance column is seeking a new writer after the unsolved murder of the previous columnist less than a year ago, Alex is incensed - no one can replace Francis Keen, & after a few glasses of wine Alex decides to see what exactly the criteria for the job listing entails, & ends up impulsively applying. As fate would have it, she is hired - & between the creepy old part of the building she works in, the new man in her life, the sinister letters she starts receiving, & her own secrets from the past, this new job may just be the end of Alex…

I loved how this book captured the way that NYC can be an anonymous place, & it was interesting to see everything that Alex encountered her first week on the job with piles of snail mail to answer & a chock-full email inbox as well. The way the author framed advice columns in general changed my perspective on them a bit: Maxwell talks about how they are a way to see a problem solved in a newspaper after reading about global tragedies that are vastly more complex, & they’re about the need for human connection.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was very good! I enjoyed the concept and characters and definitely wanted to read until I figured out what happened. Felt like it got a little predictable at the end but it never took away from my engagement!

What a fun popcorn thriller. It was easy, it was readable and it was suspenseful. The pages turned quickly and before u knew it, I had finished.

The premise of the book is that a young writer with a past accepts a new job answering advice columns for a national newspaper. Her predecessor, Francis, was murdered, opening up this position. In a nationwide search, Alex Marks scores the job with her well thought out, empathetic responses. It doesn't take long for things to go awry. Alex has to confront her past to be able to solve Francis' murder and the deceit that lies within.

I cannot wait to read more from this author!! Thank you!

This was such a fun thriller/mystery. There were definitely a few plot points that I figured out before the ending, but I still enjoyed the ride! I also did not expect the Lucy twist!! Jessa distracted me with Francis' murder. I purchased The Golden Spoon right after this.

This book has a great premise and I loved the NYC setting especially as someone who has lived in the city.

I just don’t have many outstanding thoughts as I felt like I didn’t connect with the story or Alex & some twists surprised me but others I could see coming.

Not a bad thriller or book, just not for me.

I really couldn’t get into this one. I found the main character juvenile and the story overall lacking.

This one was a bit slow moving but wrapped up nicely. I recommend if you enjoy a slower thriller. It was twisty and I recommend not reading to much into the story before starting.

3.5/5 stars

"I Need You to Read This" offers an intriguing mystery, though it took a bit to hook me. The story follows Alex Marks, who steps into the role of an advice columnist after her idol's death. The early chapters felt slow, but once the plot picked up—especially with the eerie letters and Alex’s investigation into the murder—the tension ramped up, and I found myself more engaged.

The setting of the newspaper world added an interesting layer, and the story developed nicely after the very VERY slow sluggish start. If you enjoy mysteries with a gradual build, I'd recommend this book. Just be ready to get through the slow start.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

4.25/5, rounded down

Thank you Atria Books for the advanced reading copy!

I really enjoyed this book! It was super quick and I was INSTANTLY hooked. I loved the writing style, premise and storyline. All of the characters were well-developed and fun to read, with none of them being too unlikeable (a pet peeve of mine). While there were some fun twists and surprises, I figured out the major mystery a little to quickly to rate this one 5 stars, despite still enjoying the journey of reading it. I've heard great things about Jessa Maxwell's last book, THE GOLDEN SPOON, and this definitely made me want to grab that one ASAP -- along with anything else Jessa writes in the future!

SYNOPSIS -- Alex Marks has a very regular life. She goes to her regular diner, does her boring job, and keeps to herself. When an opportunity arises to replace her late childhood hero, Francis Keen, as the recently-murdered woman behind advice column Dear Constance, she takes a chance. Against all odds, Alex is given the job and has to dive in head-first to solving other peoples' problems. As threatening letters start to show up intermixed with the others, Alex starts to wonder if Francis's murder is still out there, and coming for her next. Unfortunately, in order to uncover the truth behind Francis's death, Alex must also dredge up some of her own secrets first.

Overall I really enjoyed this one. There were bits that were predictable and other times that I was completely caught off guard. I struggled with the main character and my dislike for her made it difficult for me to love the book. But perhaps the main character will speak to you a bit more than myself.

A big thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy!

Alex Marks, a quiet, seemingly reserved young woman, has recently moved to New York and is a copywriter for a pharmaceutical company, a job she finds extremely boring. She is a fan of the Dr Constance advice column written by Francis Keen which she claims has gotten her through some very tough times. When Keen is murdered, and the paper advertises for a replacement for her, Alex, impetuously, decides to apply and, to her surprise, she is hired. Although a bit intimidated by her new job, she is excited for the opportunity. But, almost immediately, she senses something is off in the office and with her new boss. Alex decides to do her own investigation into Francis’ death. And then she starts receiving letters threatening that, if she’s not careful, she will end up just like Francis.

For the most part. I really enjoyed I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell. It is well-written and, despite taking some time to set up Alex’s story, Maxwell keeps the story moving by interspersing the narrative with letters to Dear Constance. My major problem, however, is with the character of Alex. Although she clearly has something or someone in her past that she is hiding from, she seems rather naive regarding her own safety and makes some very questionable choices. She trusts some people and believes terrible rumours about others, in both cases, with little to no evidence given how little time she has known them. She also stays alone at night in the newspaper office despite her concerns, then walks home alone and, later, visits Keen’s isolated murder site without capable backup.

Still, overall, there was a lot to like about the novel. It is well-written and kept my attention throughout. Despite my reservations about Alex’s choices, she is a very likeable protagonist. The mystery was interesting and, if some of it was fairly predictable, much of it still kept me guessing and I definitely did not see the end coming. Overall, a fun, entertaining read, perfect for a lazy afternoon with no distractions because, despite my reservations, it's a hard book to put down.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Let me start by saying that I could not put this book down. I kept coming back for more, and before I knew it, I had finished.

Our story starts with Alex, who is extremely guarded and doesn't go out much, besides to the cafe across the street from her apartment, and then she goes back to work from home. Her best neighbors and co-workers are the two pigeons who hang out by her window.

This changes when Alex finds out The Herald is ready to find their next Dear Constance. She applies, partially out of sarcastic amusement and partially out of anger that they would even try to replace THE Francis Keen. She's shocked when she's called in for an interview and offered the position.

Overall, this story was fast-paced and kept my interest. The story is lighter on any aspects of crazy twists throughout, and there is little to no goriness or profanity. This story does have some light aspects of a dual timeline, but it's fairly minimal and doesn't bounce back and forth between POVs.

One thing I did wish this book had was more character development. One thing that made me pause a few times was some of the decisions Alex made. For example, she's very cautious and guarded, yet would sit in an office building, that she's not familiar with, very late into the evening, and then walk home alone. But then would be panicky over noises she'd hear outside her own building. It didn't entirely make sense to me. That said, things tie together at the end, but again, I think more development would have made it easier to empathize with Alex.

The twist at the end was absolutely not expected. I did not even remotely guess it, or lean in the direction of it, and I am always appreciative of an author who stumps me.

If you enjoy hidden pasts, and fast-paced thrillers set in the big city, you'll definitely enjoy this one!

I went into this book blind. Because of that, I started off wondering what the timeframe of the book was and wondering exactly how old Alex was. I questioned that she was a huge fan of an advice columnist in a print newspaper. I spent a long time trying to wrap my head around making that make sense but ultimately, it doesn't even matter. It is part of the story being told.
This entire book was written with a sense of unease. I could feel myself tensing up any time Alex was in her office or doing something job related. All of this put together made for a great psychological thriller. If Alex got the job because the former columnist was killed, who's to say she didn't just sign up for the same fate. Especially when she starts going through the pile of letters and finding threats that are recent.
Scattered throughout the book are letters that were written to the advice column. The reader can start to guess pretty early one who was writing them. They might even think they know where the story is going and who is out for revenge. I know I thought I did, but was unsure enough that I wouldn't confidently say I figured it out.
I enjoyed <i>I Need You to Read This</i> more than I expected, especially after letting myself just get into the book without questioning the scene that was being set.

She took the job of writing for an advice column not knowing what would come with it. Why would this job put her in danger? Why would she need to be worried? What was going to happen next to her? These questions kept me going after a shocking and then kind of meh beginning. It picked up! It was worth the read. Solid 4.2

I Need You to Read This, Follows Alex as she replaces a murdered advice columnist, she then goes on to investigate the murder herself. It starts off pretty slow but the last act had me hooked. It is a very fast read and a fun time, and it being a fast read allowed for the fact I couldn't see every twist coming. Which while frustrating at times kept me on my toes.

The plot to this one was engaging and different froma a million others out there. I did not mesh with the author's writing style as it seemed a bit stilted and not indicative of how people act and think in the real world - at least in my experience. I think thriller readers will definitely enjoy this storyline and I encourage you to do so and judge for yourself.