If you like stories that are ripped from the headlines, this might be for you. I am not sure how I feel about that aspect of it. The book borrows many many details of the Idaho college murders for this, and while on one hand it is interesting to see how she spun it into fiction, on the other there is something a little off putting about it. I found some of the plot points a little unbelievable, but this is pretty typical in thrillers. All in all I think I was lukewarm on this book. Not the worst thriller I've read, but not the best either.

With sharp and beautiful observations of grief, a found-family of fully realized oddball characters, and sinister crimes whose spark points unravel throughout a deftly executed plot, Winstead has written a true tour de force in This Book Will Bury Me.

After Janeway Sharp's father unexpectedly dies her senior year of college, her grief is infinitely crushing. When a woman in her town is found dismembered, she finds her way to an online true crime network of amateur sleuths. After she helps them solve the case, she's invited to a more exclusive group of armchair detectives, and she immediately finds purpose and connection with them. When three sorority girls at Northern Idaho University gain national attention, Jane and her new friends gravitate toward the case. As they attempt to sort out who committed such devastating crimes, Jane is forced to decide where her line of ethics lies, and what could be worth crossing that line.

Told through the lens of Jane writing her own memoir about her experience, Winstead explores the complexities of true crime obsession, violence against women, overwhelming grief, and our innate, human desire for purpose and connection. With the use of mixed media, Winstead authentically depicts the often unnecessarily cruel vibes of online forums, while also doing what she always does best: lovingly fleshing out characters in misunderstood corners of society, allowing readers to challenge stereotypes from a more nuanced understanding of what motivates people.

Fans of slow-burn mysteries, fully realized ensemble casts, and contemplations on grief, friendship and family will absolutely devour This Book Will Bury Me!

This book was a tad out of my element. Although I love true crime, the gore surrounding this book with the realistic ties to the Idaho murders made me rethink my initial interest in the novel.

4 ⭐️

This was my first Ashley Winstead book and I enjoyed it! Loved the true crime aspect and all the twist and turns. The only con was it was on the longer side!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I loved the journey this book took me on! I am not one who watches a lot of serial killer shows or documentaries nor do I look stuff up online but I’m not opposed to them, and I have friends who enjoy them. Diving into a fictitious version of what I expect it’s actually like was super fun to read. I did figure out one thing and knowing I was right is satisfying. How the story played out was enjoyable to read. Ashley Winstead definitely writes a fun thriller. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC to review.

Okay, this is what it feels like to read a book that is tied up so beautifully with a shiny ribbon. This took me so long to read. Not because of its content but because of my own distractions. I write this because the slow burning build to this plot felt like exactly that a little monotonous but very quickly the reader understands why each detail mattered. Because of the pacing at the start of the book, I was SO incredibly surprised by the ending. The pace stayed consistent but truly the twists kept coming and at the end I felt like every single thing was tied up so nicely. So many times you read a mystery or a thriller that leaves you frustrated with more questions than solutions. This book nailed the ending for me.

I have to say this book was kind of boring. I struggled to finish it. Very slow moving. I should have dnf’d it.

Twenty-four-year-old Jane Sharp is distraught after the death of her father. The world of true crime becomes a perfect diversion when she is invited to join a diverse group of amateur online crime solvers. Adopting the alias Searcher, Jane teams up with Citizen, Goku, Lightly, and Mistress, forming the Newsline 5. Following the shocking murders of three female college students in Delphine, Idaho, the group gets so involved in the hunt for the killer that they become a part of the story, which keeps getting more and more complicated. Jane recounts this compelling tale one year after the case has concluded and reveals the complete truth behind the murders. 

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead is a work of fiction inspired by real cases, as noted in the author's introduction. While a gripping crime thriller, it is also a story about grief and love, as Jane comes to terms with the loss of her father, a man she realizes she never fully understood. The book raises intriguing thoughts about the role of armchair detectives who may aid in crime-solving but can also create havoc. The media can also cause damage to an investigation and its victims. Winstead became a must-read author following her 2021 debut, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, and she continues to produce dark, chilling stories. She has also written two entertaining romance novels, which amazes me how she can juggle such different genres. If you are a fan of true crime, you'll want to read this book. 

4.25 stars.

Jane Sharp is an older college student trying to figure out how to embrace her life at her university when she gets the call from her mom that her dad has had a heart attack. After his death she struggles to find meaning in anything. She doesn’t return to school, picks back up her Starbucks job and falls down a rabbit hole of online true crime sleuthing. When she gets invited to a more exclusive group she decides this could be her calling and her way to honor her dad’s memory. She starts working with 4 others to find out who killed 3 sorority girls in Idaho. What unfolds will change her life forever.

Grief does crazy things to people. I sympathized with Jane the whole book. As a lifelong Daddy’s Girl, I ached right along with her. As a true crime junkie myself I can absolutely see how she found purpose in her digging. Winstead can sure tell a story and I’m here for it every time…she is an auto read for me now.

THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME by Ashley Winstead follows Jane Sharp, who dives into the world of armchair detectives to investigate a mysterious case at an Idaho university. The novel excels at showcasing a “found family” dynamic among the group of sleuths; their camaraderie and collective sense of purpose are highlights of the story. It also offers a fascinating look at the allure—and pitfalls—of amateur investigation.

While the pacing is compelling, the ending feels somewhat abrupt, and the narrative focus on the perpetrator overshadows the victims. Though Jane’s grief is central to the plot, her character could have been explored in greater depth. Additionally, the title doesn’t quite capture the nuanced story within.

Overall, it’s an engrossing read for those intrigued by online sleuthing and strong group dynamics. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: March 25, 2025.

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead had a premise that hooked me immediately.

After the death of her father, Jane Sharp is looking for distraction from her grief. She happens upon a true crime website, with amateur sleuths with extricate means looking to solve crimes. She finds herself hooked after helping to solve one murder. When three college girls are murdered on a college campus in Idaho, Jane and her friends think they must go to the source, get closer to find the killer. Delphine, Idaho doesn’t necessarily want their help though and the media storm blows up this case more than any of them can fully realize.

I thought this book was fine. The premise was intriguing and there was some good character development early on to establish the true-crime network and all those involved. The longer this went on, I found our main character less likable and it made it hard for me to continue to stay invested. I also felt the balance between Jane and her friends trying to solve the murder and Jane looking into her father’s past was unbalanced and at times fighting against each other. I felt like I saw the twist coming a mile away and the final twist frustrated me.

I also noticed that some of the plot points in the Delphine, Idaho case were eerily similar to the 2022 University of Idaho murder case, which is going to trial this summer. There’s something about this that made me feel icky and almost made me DNF this book.

I was really excited for this one, but felt a bit disappointed in the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: 3/25/25

Ashley Winstead Proves She's An Auto-Buy Author Again & Again

"This Book will Bury Me" is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dangers of obsession and the true crime world. College student Jane Sharp, grieving her father’s death, becomes immersed in the dark realm of online sleuthing. When three college girls are murdered in Delphine, Idaho, Jane and her new friends are determined to solve the case before anyone else. However, the more they dig, the more the case unravels into an unsettling mystery that doesn't add up.

Told a year after the events, Jane reveals the shocking truth behind the Delphine Massacres. This twisty, suspenseful novel dives deep into the ethical dilemmas of internet sleuthing and the fine line between fascination and obsession. With unexpected twists and a chilling ending, it’s a must-read for fans of true crime and psychological thrillers.

4.25 ⭐️

THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME by Ashley Winstead shows grieving main character Jane Sharp becoming immersed in the world of armchair sleuthing and a specific case at a university in Idaho. Her network of sleuths even go to Idaho from different parts of the country to investigate.

➕ I thought this was a very engaging novel, and I wanted to pick it up at any spare moment.
➕ The found family element was very strong. After losing her father, Jane felt lost. The other armchair detectives felt fringe for one reason or another, and I loved their interactions with one another.
➕ Really like learning about being an armchair detective.

➖ I was a bit disappointed in the ending.
➖ The current culture is to give attention to the victim rather than the murderer. The victims, especially in Idaho, were just names with so much more attention given to the perpetrator.
➖ I wanted to know more about Jane. It felt like all the reader gets is that she’s grieving.
➖ The awful title

I felt like I was in the sweet spot target demographic of this book. I have heard of armchair detectives through Michelle McNamara’s book I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, but I haven’t read much about them other than her book. I really enjoyed seeing the inner dynamics unfold. I’m sure the author dove into these forums to understand them more, and I was super pulled into these parts of the novel.

I loved this book, but I analytically realize there were some problems with it. Still, I will remember what a propulsive reading experience it was.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmarkfor an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes March 25, 2025.


#thisbookwillburyme #ashleywinstead #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #bookstagram

3.5 stars rounded up --- wow this book was a mind f*ck. On the one hand, I literally could not put it down. I loved the characters of this true crime small group and how they each came to be obsessed with trying to find answers to unsolved crimes. And I loved how it was written in the format of a tell-all book being published a year after the investigation was closed.

Jane Sharp, the main protagonist, felt like she could be any of us -- a 24 year old woman reeling from the sudden loss of her beloved father and trying to grasp on to anything that gives her some semblance of control in her life. A college dropout working as a barista at Starbucks, this online community she stumbles upon gives her the purpose and the motivation she so desperately seeks. And when she successfully helps solve a local crime, she is immediately hooked.

But when this group of five decides to come out from behind their respective screens and head to the actual scene of the crime they are investigating, it ups the ante -- and the danger.

Good pacing and great twist of a conclusion. My only true complaints are the rushed job of tying everything up the end and the fact that this was so clearly based on a very recent, graphic true crime case. Which, of course, completely makes the point about society's obsession with true crime. But would have liked this far more without those parallels.

This was my first book by Ashley Winstead. This was an interesting read! I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books in this genre.

Unfortunately, this novel was completely ripped from the headlines of the ACTUAL Idaho murders with nary an original thought in it. Very sad.

🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍
The way Ashley Winstead writes is intoxicating. I’m always thinking about her books when I’m not reading them!

This Book Will Bury Me is a fictional true-crime account of the “Barbie Butcher” serial killings and the team of successful true-crime sleuths who are recruited by the FBI to work on the case. Jane is our protagonist and she tells us the story. If you liked the documentary Don’t F**k with Cats, you’ll enjoy this book.

It’s a hard read because Winstead does use details of the real-life cases of the University of Idaho, Gabby Petito, Golden State Killer, and Abraham Shakespeare, but in doing so showcases the obsessions people have with true crime and how those obsessions can impede investigations, but also advance them. It’s a very meta book and I would only read it if you can stomach true crime, especially for a case that is ongoing and awaiting trial this year (Idaho).

I’ll read anything Winstead writes. I’m such a fan of her work! The plot and the grief in this book were written so gently and profoundly. The pacing was slower at times, but that wasn’t an issue for me. I loved the personalities of all the sleuths, especially Jane (duh), and the ending was quite literally jaw-dropping. Masterful.

Searcher is Jane’s sleuth handle, but she’s really on a quest to find her identity (justice, friends, love, investigative journalism), her father in his death, and solace. It’s a study of the transition from teen to adulthood and all the things we have to bury along the way.

It’s a dark book, but there’s also mention of Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Faith, Veronica and JD of Heathers, fan fics, Reddit, and a dog named Gatsby... just things I enjoyed as a millennial woman!

I highly recommend picking this one up when it comes out on March 25th! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC!

This book had from the beginning. I loved all the soothing
and twists. Can’t wait to recommend this one to all my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It's a 'like' from me. This book begins with an author's note explaining that Winstead's plot was drawn from some real-life true crime cases. After her father unexpectedly dies from a heart attack, Jane Sharp becomes enraptured by TheRealCrimeNetwork.com. Think Don't F**k With Cats—it is a place for amateur online sleuths to come together and solve crimes. At first, the website is a simple distraction, but it quickly develops into more as Jane's online relationships with other home investigators grow. The characters were really awesome, but I unfortunately guessed the killer at around 50-60% of the novel. After that, I was just reading for the sake of my reading goal.

Firstly, thank you to the publisher and author for my free ARC.

Okay, so, I have multiple issues with this book. I wasn't fond of the characters; could've been shorter; dragged on quite a bit.
My biggest issue, though, is that this book is supposed to be inspired by the Idaho murders but it seems to be a carbon copy, to me. I do want to note that regardless of this, I still didn't LOVE this book, so my rating is from all angles here.

I do not believe the author purposely meant this to be controversial but it is. This book is set to be published before the trial this same year...
For a book that was "inspired" by a true crime, it is WAY too similar to what went down.

I do not in any way mean to disrespect the author, this is just what I took from this book as a whole. My heart goes out to the author whom lost her father recently.