4.5 stars rounded up. This is truly a gripping and thought-provoking read that completely pulled me in from the first page. As a huge fan of true crime and someone who followed the Idaho Murders in real-time, I truly appreciated how Winstead wove so many elements from the real case into the story without simply copying it. It felt like an authentic, suspenseful exploration of true crime, how the media portrays it and the people involved and then she added in how grief affects your thinking and choices. It was just all tied together so beautifully.

I have to say, Winstead's writing style is phenomenal—immersive, raw, and emotionally charged. I felt so connected to Jane, the main character, especially since I’ve also experienced the loss of my father at a young age (I was 33), which made her journey all the more relatable and emotional for me.

While the pacing slowed down a bit in parts and I wanted a touch more closure at the end, those are just minor complaints in an overall 4.5 star rating from me!

I cannot recommend this book enough. I’m already excited to read more from Ashley Winstead!

*𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 NetGalley, Ashley Winstead 𝘢𝘯𝘥 Source Books 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

I could not put this book down. I know the topic is a bit controversial because Winstead used the situation and details of an actual murder case, but the book actually revolves around a group of internet sleuths. I enjoyed being a part of their investigation as they tried to determine the killer. The book focuses more on the sleuths and how they think and work together, as well as the ethics of internet sleuthing, than it does on the case itself, so I did not mind that the case in the book is based on a true crime. Recommended if you are interested in true crime and found family stories.

I loved this book through most of it. It pulled me right in and reminded me of a great true crime podcast or miniseries. I found myself thinking “I need to finish watching that” when I actually needed to keep reading! That’s how engaging it was. Then I figured out the big twist before the reveal and the ending fell a little flat for me. So - mostly amazing, a little lackluster at the end (IMO). It was a wild ride while it lasted!

Wow, what a unique book! I went into this essentially blind and I think that is key. I had no knowledge of any of the brutal murders that were portrayed in this book, nor have I heard of the term “sleuth.” For me, I found this aspect very fascinating as it brought me into a world of the internet that I never knew existed! However, it will not be suitable for all readers as it is very graphic in terms of the crimes committed (to be expected in true crime books). But, I appreciate the author’s note regarding the content warning prior to reading to let me know what I was in for!

I must say it is very lengthy. But, having it sectioned into 3 parts, along with the internet dialogue from the chat rooms, I found myself not wanting to put it down. Again, with no knowledge going in, there were times I had to remind myself that it was fictional. Honestly, it read like a true investigative crime/autobiographical recount and I had no idea which direction it was going to go. Her writing was powerful, descriptive, yes gruesome and explicit, but very well-written. Given the close similarity of the University of Idaho murders, I thought it was still respectful towards the victims too (especially given the ongoing trial which I wasn’t aware of until looking it up afterwards). This book wasn’t just about those murders, it was also about grief and loss (make sure you read the author’s note and if you skimmed over it, look back again at why and how this book was formed and then reread from a different perspective).

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

*Book publication date: March 25, 2025*
*Reviewed January 23, 2025*

read if you like:
📍 the Moscow, Idaho murder investigation
💻 Internet sleuths
📚 unique plots

summary:
OH MY GOSH THIS BOOK!! This is a perfect storm of intensity, emotion, true crime and suspense. It follows Jane Sharp, a 20-something year old who drops out of college after the sudden and tragic death of her father. In a quest to find purpose and meaning, she finds herself on the internet, exploring true crime investigations on TheRealCrimeNetwork.Com, a message board for crime junkies to share their findings (think Reddit). She finds friendship among a small group of committed experts, going only by their screen names, after they help solve a local crime together where a woman was found dead in a lake. Their biggest challenge is yet to come though, when the death of three college girls in Delphine, Idaho shocks the nation. Jane and her friends immediately jump in, and find the case much more complicated than anything they’ve faced. The police are resistant to their help, the media has swarmed the small town, and when other girls are found dead, everyone fears they have a serial killer on their hands. Wanting to find answers, the group heads to Idaho, and finds themselves more trapped than they ever could have imagined….

This book is told from Jane’s perspective a year later, and we know from her writing that something went terribly wrong. The story itself is a painfully slow burn - we watch the friends explore a myriad of leads, false clues and dead ends. You definitely have to pay close attention to keep up, but it’s written in a way that feels like you’re a part of their investigation. I found myself thinking more about their clues, trying to piece things together and come to my own conclusions, even though it isn’t a true story! The plot does loosely follow the Moscow murders though, although it deviates throughout and ends completely differently.

As far as the ending, I was floored. I actually couldn’t even believe it happened. It was equal parts insane, heartbreaking and validating, and it took me forever to get my jaw off the floor. If you are a true crime fan or a fan of real life investigating, this book is ABSOLUTELY for you.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and Net Galley for the advanced copy, and preorder this book so you are ready for its release on August 27!

This book was all over the place! From true crime, internet sleuthing, death, grief, murder, friendship, chaos, and intensity, parts of it were intriguing and I had to keep reading while other parts were slow and tough to get through. I have so many mixed feelings about this book. It truly was a wild ride.

**A Grief-Heavy Thriller That Feels Exploitative**

*This Book Will Bury Me* fictionalizes a recent, unresolved true-crime case, and for me, that was a major issue. The author’s choice to use a still-ongoing, horrific crime as the backbone of a thriller felt uncomfortable and exploitative. While the case itself has the potential for a compelling story, it often feels like the real tragedy is being used more for sensationalism than meaningful exploration.

The protagonist’s emotional struggle with her father’s death adds a layer of personal drama, but this subplot quickly overwhelms the crime narrative. Her obsessive desire to make a name for a man who didn’t deserve one slows the story to a halt, dragging down the pacing every time it shifts focus. Though the characters are well-drawn, the book’s split focus makes it hard to stay invested in either storyline.

By the end, the unresolved crime and the emotional journey both feel unsatisfying. The pacing, distracted by personal grief, undermines any real resolution, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, this is not it. If you’re sensitive to recent real-world tragedies being used for fiction, proceed with caution.

**Verdict:** A book that falters by mixing personal drama with a recent true crime, leaving readers questioning whether it should have been fictionalized at all.

This and the Last Housewife are tied for best Winstead book in my mind. I really enjoyed how this story was written. I loved the messages back and forth and the commentary on true crime and the sick, twisted fascination people have with murder today.

AH-MAZING five star read!

Jane has just lost her father and is searching for answers to figure out why her father wouldn’t take medication that could have prevented his heart attack. In her grief, she turns to her computer and is drawn into the story of a local woman who was murdered and found dismembered. She stumbles upon online true-crime groups who are asking questions about the murder and Jane is hooked!

As Jane, taking the online name of Searcher24, delves deeper into amateur sleuthing, she finds a like minded group who invite her into their world. Over time, the small group becomes her family, and Jane becomes obsessed with solving crimes.

Can she figure out the answers she seeks of her father’s death? Does she have anything to contribute to this group of successful yet amateur sleuths? And what will Jane uncover when she travels to the location of the murders she’s obsessed with? Will she help find the killer or killers? What will she do if they find her first?

I would HIGHLY recommend reading this with a reading buddy or with a book club so you have someone to talk to along the way! I had all sorts of questions and theories that I would have loved to have discussed with someone!

When (not if) you read this thrilling and propulsive novel, clear your calendar because once you start reading, I guarantee you won’t want to stop!

Thank you NetGalley, Ashley Winstead, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this ahead of its expected release date of March 25th, 2025. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’m giving this one 5 stars strictly because it gave me nightmares last night! I stayed up late because I couldn’t put it down, finishing today. This book was INSPIRED by a current crime case awaiting trial, and is the one of the most riveting and tragic cases that I can remember in recent history. This book is definitely not a true retelling of the crimes committed, but it’s used as a basis for the storyline and the trend of armchair detectives trying to solve crimes before the authorities. I found it riveting, chilling, somehow scarier just because of the true crime angle.

Thanks to Ashley Winstead and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance readers copy. Definitely on my purchase/reread list for March!

A really well-done, emotionally compelling suspense about a young woman whose awesome father dies unexpectedly and she ends up losing herself in an online true crime sleuthing forum. Her grief drives her to take risks and delve deep into a recent case of murder at a college campus, and she and her online friends decide to go "help" the police with their investigation. There are some elements of their ability to help that border on unbelievable, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel. The story is told in a first-person narrative style, well after the events of the story have taken place, in reaction to another book Jane tells us about that paints her in a very unflattering light. It makes for a fun and flippant style at odds with the very well-developed characters of Jane and her mother especially, and their grief for Jane's father. Read this if you are looking for something compelling and emotional, but easy to read with humor and unexpected moments of joy.

This Book Will Bury Me, A Novel, by Ashley Winstead.

I rated this 4 stars.

Five amateur sleuths are hunting for an elusive killer. Jane Sharp is seeking a distraction from her own grief after the sudden loss of her father, so she throws herself in to true crime. Finding friends who help her learn to solve crime from a distance, she begins to find her purpose.

Three college students from Idaho are killed, the story takes the world by storm, Jane and her friends flock to the area to help solve/cover the investigation but as evidence comes in nothing adds up. The police are cagey, the media is in a frenzy, the sleuths are theorizing but the evidence isn’t adding up. Could the killer be smarter and more prolific than what has been seen before. The story is told by Jane one year after the Delphine Massacres, and she’s going to share what really happened.

If you love true crime I recommend reading this, and will definitely try other books from the author. The book is slightly predictable, I caught on to the twist about halfway through but it is still a good suspenseful thriller.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Struggling after her father's unexpected death, Jane Sharp stumbles upon an exclusive group of armchair detectives who welcome her with open arms. Jane quickly becomes obsessed with solving the shocking deaths of three college girls.

One year after the events that concluded the case, Jane has decided to break her silence and tell the true story of the Delphine Massacres.

I really enjoyed this book, as much as you can enjoy a twisted book about murder. Another well-written thriller from Ashley Winstead!

4.5/5 I LOOOOOVED this omg I could not put it down. It gave me just enough creepy vibes to not want to read it late at night with a bonus found family trope!!! This isn’t the most thrilling of thrillers but it gives don’t f*ck with cats vibes (the Netflix doc). Also this was such a fun format for a thriller. My only critique is the end (last 15%) was a bit drawn out and could have moved faster.

Winstead is definitely a multifaceted author, but her thrillers are my far my favorite. This Book Will Bury Me was so incredibly entertaining, & I did not see the twist coming (though it was definitely due to my mom brain because the twist wasn’t that crazy, but I still enjoyed it, lol). I personally followed the 2022 UofI murder case closely, so when I first realized it was based on it/there were big similarities, I was not sure how much I would enjoy it; however, I was glad to see that there were multiple crimes & this was not simply a sort of fictional retelling. My favorite aspect was the online dialogue between the sleuths; I love when novels have online chats, text messages, letters, emails - something to make the reader feel like a detective as well. So immersive. I crave books like this that make me feel so involved, I never want them to end. That’s exactly what this one did for me!

Highly recommend!

Entertaining with an interesting structure. I started to figure out the twist but I was still interested in finding out what happened.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this book. Unfortunately, I had to DNF as it was just way too for me. I am more of a domestic thriller or mystery that is truly fictional. This will likely be my last book by Ashley Winstead. Her books seem to be all over the place (no signature writing style across her 4 thriller books) and the only one I really enjoyed was “In My Dreams I Hold a Knife”.

ARC Review: This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead
Big thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the chance to dive into this thrilling ride early!

This book had me hooked from the first page—seriously, I couldn’t put it down. It kept me guessing, piecing together clues like a frantic detective. Jane’s story starts with tragedy: she loses her father and turns to true crime as both an escape and obsession. Through it, she meets a group of internet sleuths, and together they’re thrust into the spotlight when the shocking deaths of three girls in Delphine take center stage.

This story is full of tension, secrets, and an epic twist that will leave you reeling. It’s smart, gripping, and completely unputdownable. You won’t just read this book—you’ll live it.

A college student who loses her dad becomes obsessed with true crime and hooks up with like-minded individuals to solve a murder scene in Idaho. This was an interesting read although I do have to mention the many similarities between this fictional work and the real crime of 4 college students that took place a few years ago in Idaho. I felt like the beginning of this had stuff going on that didn’t need to be there and made the start of this slow. It did pick and become more interesting later on. Sometimes the plot was a little far-fetched and there was too much occurring all at once. I did like the true crime solving team aspect. I figured out what was going on with the plot early on and wasn’t surprised by the ending. Still this was a worthwhile read for fans of Michele Campbell and Robyn Harding.

I truly enjoyed Ashley Winstead's latest, This Book Will Bury Me. The plot moved very fast and that kept it really intriguing. I truly was taken for a ride through the main character's recollection of events that happened a year prior. I found the premise - a true crime community getting involved in a criminal investigation - really interesting, as I think it did reckon with the complications of armchair detective-ing that those communities tend to do.

The way the story is told, you really feel like you were in the story with Jane, and it gave me similar vibes as The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (which I really liked!).

Overall this book kept me extremely entertained and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a true crime community mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Note: There is a small plotline of fatphobia as a person's heart attack is implied to be a product of solely high weight, but it didn't take me totally out of the story, just something to be mindful of!