fantastically fun! this is an incredibly strong debut, I thought this hit it out of the park and totally delivered on everything promised in the description. I appreciate that it didn't withhold too much from the reader, with satisfying reveals over the course of the book. I loved the ending. probably the only thing keeping this from being an absolutely perfect mystery for me was the 'writing about writing' thing got a little old. as soon as I finished, I went back to reread certain chapters to see what breadcrumbs I missed. I can't wait for Ande Pilego's next book.

Loved reading this!! Very suspenseful read that's a perfect homage to Agatha Christie -- can't wait to add to my collection once it releases!

This book was such a fun ride! It felt like stepping into a modern, sharp, and suspenseful version of Clue with a fresh, intriguing twist. The characters were so well-developed—each one felt unique and added something fascinating to the story. I especially loved how their good and bad sides unfolded throughout the mystery. The island setting was mesmerizing and added an eerie, atmospheric layer that kept me on edge.

Just when I thought I’d lost my grip on the mystery and felt the frustration of not quite piecing it all together, another clever reveal would fall perfectly into place, keeping me hooked. The pacing was spot-on, and the conclusion was both satisfying and rewarding. If you love a well-crafted puzzle with plenty of surprises, this is definitely one to add to your list. I absolutely loved it!

Not convinced? You’ll like this book if you enjoy who dunnits, thrillers, murder, mansions on private islands or The Inheritance Games. So, basically everyone. :)

I began this book in early December but with the chaos of that month, I wasn't able to get into it. BUT then a few days ago, I restarted it. And I am SO glad that I did. It hooked me right away this time around and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

We meet the cast of characters as they are embarking on a ferry ride to a private island owned by a reclusive and anonymous author, J.R. Alastor for a writers' retreat. They are greeted on the shore of the island by the event coordinator, Mila, who has secrets and intentions all her own. She has partnered with Alastor in order to exact revenge on the person she blames for stealing her life.

Over the next few days, Alastor (through Mila) orchestrates multiple games in order to convince the authors to confess their various sins. What Mila didn't expect was a murder to occur and not the one she had been plotting. That's when Mila realizes that Alastor is not who she thought he was and she must try to survive without communication to the outside world, a storm cutting off the island, and everyone having secrets, some murderous, of their own.

This was a great ride full of twists and turns and I enjoyed every minute of is. This author will be an auto-buy for me going forward.

I was graciously given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Six thriller writers are invited to participate in a writer’s retreat at the isolated estate of a renowned, but anonymous, legend of the genre. They are greeted not by their host, but by his assistant and co-conspirator, Mila. Things start going horribly wrong right away. One of the guests disappears during the first night and his mutilated body is found by the other horrified guests. It doesn’t take long for the guests to realize someone on the island has it in for each of them—and there is no way out.

The story drags on too long for it to be truly suspenseful. The romantic element is a successful diversion from the horror of the on-going murders and gives the reader characters to root for. Figuring out “whodunit” was definitely possible and the ending was reasonably satisfying.

I really don't know how to word my review. I guess the first thing I will say is that I think I am over the closed room/someone gets murdered trope. TOO many thrillers have this concept lately, and it is getting SO overdone. That is the main reason I didn't mesh with this book. Another is that there were too many characters to keep up with and I felt like I was studying rather than reading for enjoyment. I'm sorry but this was just a miss for me.

Six writers are invited to an exclusive retreat where they’re told they’ll be meeting their host J. R. Alastor, best selling thriller author known for being so incredibly private that nobody even knows what he looks like, and working together on writing exercises. Instead the group falls prey to classic tropes within the genre and must wrangle their own secrets if they want to survive.

Loved this. It was so fun trying to figure out who among the guests was Alastor, and how they’d wronged each other. That said, I think the connections needed to be a little bit more fleshed out. It would’ve been helpful to know what Rodrigo represented Fletcher for, and what the motive was for Olivia. The twist of who Alastor was also was really well done in my opinion. Additionally, I really liked the trope pages to introduce what the mood is for the following chapters.

You Are Fatally Invited is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat, can't-put-down locked room mystery. Six thriller/horror authors are invited to an exclusive writing retreat on a remote island owned by the renowned (and anonymous) author J.R. Alastor. Mila, a former writer who has recently befriended Alastor, has agreed to assist with the week and help put the "exercises" in play. Of course, each exercise is themed around a common thriller/horror trope. When one of the writers is discovered dead, the authors begin to turn on each other. And, then, when a storm results in all communication being down, who knows how many bodies will accumulate.

You Are Fatally Invited is easily one of the better locked-room mysteries that I have ever read. Each main character is a POV and has something to hide. The reader has no idea who to trust. The estate is designed just like the mansion from Clue - there is even a Clue-esque map at the beginning of the book (*loved* this detail). While all of the characters have flaws, it was fun getting to know each of them and their back stories. The games that Alastor created were truly horrifying. The book is full of twists and suspense. I can't believe this is a debut novel. You Are Fatally Invited is already a favorite read of 2025!

A disturbingly suspenseful locked room mystery! A group of mystery writers are invited to a private island retreat, hosted by the infamous writer JR Alastor, who no one can claim to know his actual identity. But this is no normal writer's retreat; everyone has secrets that they're dying to keep hiding. I love a locked room mystery and this one was one of the best I've read! Cannot believe this is a debut author! Despicable characters, loads of secrets, lots of twists and mystery. This is a definite must read!!

This book started off extremely well so much so that it reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel. The ending 10 pages really did not do anything for me, but I did enjoy the last day of the book because it felt very reminiscent of Christie's novels wherein you find out how everyone was connected and fit together.

Ande Pliego’s debut novel, You Are Fatally Invited, is a deliciously suspenseful locked-room mystery that channels the spirit of Agatha Christie, with a modern twist. Set on a secluded private island, the story brings together a group of mystery writers invited by the enigmatic and reclusive author JR Alastor. But Alastor’s motives are far from benevolent. As the guests begin to uncover hidden secrets about each other, the real mystery begins to unfold—one that involves more than just literary intrigue.

As the bodies start piling up, the writers are forced to confront their own buried sins, while simultaneously trying to figure out who among them is the murderer. Pliego masterfully ramps up the tension with a series of clever twists and red herrings that keep you guessing until the very end. The beauty of this book lies in how the intricate web of secrets and betrayals gradually unravels, leading to a shocking conclusion that I genuinely didn’t see coming.

What stands out about this debut is Pliego’s ability to craft a gripping, atmospheric story that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. The confined setting of the island and the claustrophobic dynamics between the characters mirror the classic locked-room mysteries of Christie, but with a contemporary edge that feels fresh and exciting.

The multiple twists in the plot are expertly executed, and as each layer of the mystery is peeled back, it’s clear that You Are Fatally Invited is more than just a whodunit—it’s a sharp commentary on secrets, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Bantam for sharing this ARC. If you’re a fan of classic mystery novels with a modern flair, this is definitely one to pick up. Ande Pliego has proven herself a promising new voice in the genre, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next.

5 out of 5 starts! if you’re a fan of the game or movie 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐞, this is a must-read! it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and that ending 🤯! I won’t spoil anything, but you absolutely need to experience it for yourself.

Ande Pliego’s You Are Fatally Invited is a gripping and ingenious thriller that redefines the genre. Set on a storm-battered island, the novel invites six thriller writers to a high-stakes retreat hosted by the mysterious J.R. Alastor and his assistant, Mila del Angél. What begins as a week of trope-inspired games turns deadly when an unplanned murder sets the stage for a chilling game of survival.

Pliego masterfully balances suspense, humor, and razor-sharp commentary on storytelling, crafting a tale that is as meta as it is immersive. The alternating character perspectives, interspersed with excerpts from Alastor’s fictitious writing guide, elevate the narrative to dazzling heights.

With its clever structure and relentless twists, You Are Fatally Invited is a must-read for thriller fans.

Congratulations Ande Pliego on this amazing debut!

First of all, I'm a sucker for beautiful book covers and this cover is stunning. And second, I'm also a sucker for books that are about anything bookish, which for this one is the idea that an author is giving a writing retreat for some select thriller authors = perfection for this reader.

This was an excellent locked-room mystery and it didn't use just one type of mystery trope, the author used several, which made the book both so original and also so interesting.

I seriously did not have any idea who was going to be responsible for all of these deadly games and acts and was completely surprised once I got to the part where you figure out who the "bad guy" is, so to speak.

I had a lot of fun with this twisty murder mystery and think that it's going to be loved by a lot of other readers as well.

My reviews can also be found on GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/brandisbooks.

Thank you to both Bantam and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is expected to be published: February 11th 2025.

I can't believe we are only 7 days into 2025 and I may have found my favorite book of the year. I have never had the experience of simultaneously wanting to finish a book and hoping it never ends, until You Are Fatally Invited. Ande Pliego manages to bring in not only every thriller trope, but also all our worst fears, into one beautifully written novel. I found myself highlighting sentences in almost every chapter because I was so impressed with the way she constructed them. I also felt that I needed to read every single word when, admittedly, I tend to skip around a lot.

Synopsis: Six thriller writers are invited to a retreat on a remote island and given the chance to work with JR Alastor, the anonymous bestselling author. Everyone has their own agenda, and no one knows what to expect. Alastor and his hired assistant Mila have planned a week of giving these authors a taste of their own designs. But when one of the authors ends up dead, the remaining people realize they are more pawns than players.

The way this mystery unfolds is like no other book I’ve read. The chapters switch back and forth between character voices, all while quoting and following Alastor’s own book on how to write a thriller. The creativity in this book is endless.

Each character has their secrets, their quirks, their downfalls but for some reason the character of Fletcher really stood out to me. He has such an air of superiority but in a way that you know is so false. He is the best and worst at the same time. He is so quick witted and sharp, and I was laughing lout loud at his snarky quips to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC. I feel honored to be one of the first to read this incredible work. And thank you, Ande Pliego! I already can’t wait for whatever you have next!

Thank you to Ande Pliego, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC of You are Fatally Invited. This book gives major CLUE mixed with escape room vibes! This debut novel by Pliego was amazing! I love multiple POVs and the setting of a writing retreat was right up my alley! While I feel like the story was easy to follow and ultimately predict, I can appreciate a very well-thought out storyline. Will Mila make it off of this island unscathed? The secrets the other writers are harboring are unthinkable! 4/5 stars for me!

I really enjoyed this and couldn't put it down! Some things I guessed and some things I didn't (like I didn't guess who JR Alastor was). I'd be curious to see how they choose to narrate an audiobook because that might help others keep some of the characters straight. Pliego does a pretty good job of changing her writing style with the changes in viewpoints (like Fletcher uses British terms) but Violet, Olivia and Mila were difficult to keep straight, especially toward the end. This had vibes of "And Then There Were None" as well as plot beats that reminded a Japanese mystery I just finished (which also involves lovers of mystery and an island). There were some light horror aspects too (knives glinting in the dark and creepy voices and recording systems), but nothing that was too much for me. I have some questions about the resolution and how it all could have been done, but I don't want to give anything away and overall, it's okay - it was still a fun read. I'm curious if there will be more books featuring some of these characters. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!

This is an AMAZING twisty locked room, umm house, murder mystery based around a thriller author retreat on a secluded island.
When I first started reading, I thought this book was going to be a slow burn, but the further I read, the more I couldn't wait to put the clues together!
Ande Pliego had me HOOKED, I fell asleep reading this book and woke up THINKING about this book!
Do not miss the debut author, Ande Pliego, and her novel.

I loved this.. I did not want to stop reading!

The whole time I needed to know who it was and what everyone has coming to them.
This kept me guessing..

not telling if I figured it out or not

Since this a writers retreat for thriller/horror authors (which is my fave) there is some making fun of tropes that i enjoyed

Thank you Random House and Netgalley, You Are Fatally Invited was great first read of the year. This book was a fun read, super twisty, and had all the Agatha Christie locked room murder vibes.