Margot, a faded pop star, thinks of herself as top dog in the sleepy village she lives in. Life is turned upside down when Liv becomes her new neighbour.

You Killed Me First is the first book I've read from author John Marrs. I have no idea why I haven't read anything previously by the author as the style is exactly what I like; mystery, thrills, dark humor, twists galore and layers of secrets.

The prologue immediately grabs your attention as we witness a woman waking to find herself inside a bonfire that has just been lit. Tightly bound, she is unable to escape and the noise around makes it impossible for anyone to hear her cries for help. Through a Bluetooth earpiece, she is mocked and informed "You killed me first". Those final words make you desperately want to know more.

The story then jumps back in time almost a year and we slowly learn of the uneasy friendship of Margot, Anna, and newcomer, Liv. Margot was once part of an extremely successful pop group. The split of the group saw her fame decline until she was offered a chance at redemption by taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. Things didn't quite go to plan and she's been vilified by the press and public ever since. Despite keeping a low profile she still flounces around as if she's an A-lister.

Anna is Margot's neighbour and couldn't be more different. Quite, unassuming and meek; she's constantly at Margot's beck and call. New neighbour Liv cannot understand why Anna puts up with the way Margot treats her

Liv has left a job in banking for a quieter life. Liv and Margot immediately dislike each other, they have very similar personalities. I loved the bitchiness between the pair and the way Margot is consumed by jealousy. You just know that this isn't a friendship that will last. Over ten months we learn that all three women are hiding secrets. The pace never lets up thanks to chapters that alternate between the three women over the ten months.

The bitchiness and gloss are all superficial; below the surface, everything is murkier. As the secrets are slowly revealed we learn of despicable acts in this sinister and complex story. The title, combined with a surreal element, makes you question who can be trusted. This uneasiness builds as we get closer and closer to the events in the prologue with added ambiguity every now and again from a nameless voice. Even when secrets are revealed there are still more twists to come in this intricate tale of lies and deceit.

John Marrs does it again! This book was fantastic! We get to know each character in such a unique way with the perfect amount of character building. A true physiological thriller. Just when you think you know what's happening, the perfect twist comes in and knocks you down!!

John Marrs KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES. When you expect a zig, you get a zag. When you expect a happy ending, he shocks you instead. John Marrs is DIABOLICAL and a master of his craft. Don't miss this!

I have just been on a journey with Margot, Anna, and Liv....three neighbours in a forced friendship. One of them seems to have everything, one of them seems to have lost everything, and one of them seems to have nothing.. This is a tale about Karma and trauma, and celebrity and authenticity. It is a story about what we do for love, and what we would do for fame.. written in the twisty page turner style of Jonn Marrs that gets you thinking ',what if?'. Full of wit, vengeance and murder...Read it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

What a wild ride! 🚨 John Marrs does it again with You Killed Me First, and honestly, my only regret is waiting so long to read it. This story dives into the lives of Margot, Anna, and Liv—three neighbors who look picture-perfect but are hiding some seriously dark secrets. Think Desperate Housewives meets murder mystery, and you’re spot on.

Told through alternating perspectives, you get to know each woman deeply—and wow, your feelings about them will definitely change along the way. Marrs is a master at crafting characters you’re not sure if you love, hate, or trust, and just when you think you’ve figured them out, BAM—a twist you didn’t see coming.

The drama starts as a slow burn, but once it takes off, it’s pure chaos in the best way. And those cryptic chapters from a mysterious narrator? Chilling and fun to piece together. Oh, and that epilogue? 🤯 What. An. Ending.

If you’re into twisty, fast-paced thrillers with short, cliffhanger chapters and juicy, catty drama, this one’s for you. If you’re already a John Marrs fan, this one will hit all the right notes. Keep an eye out for its release in 2025—it’s 100% worth the hype.

This would be a good book to start on Halloween and finish on Guy Fawkes night, which is where we first meet one of the characters as they wake to find themselves trapped in the middle of bonfire….but who is it and why does someone want them killed in the most grisly way possible?

As with other books from this author, you are right into the heart of the action from the word go. The short and snappy chapters hold your attention hostage as you wince at the level of vitriol and spite between the frenemies.

It’s infinitely readable and entertaining. Yet at times, it feels like a bit much. It sounds like a contradiction, but my experience of reading it was equal parts predicting elements of the plot but equally finding the plot a tad implausible. There is a LOT going on between the characters and within themselves - secrets, betrayals and then a whole other level of psychosis for one person. I felt at times it would have worked just well with less elements to the plot. .

While You Killed Me First is not my favourite read from one of my favourite authors, I did enjoy reading it and would recommend it for fans of the author and thriller books in general.

Thanks for the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

He’s done it again! Twists and turns that keep you guessing and staying up way past bedtime for “just one more chapter”. Highly recommended for JM fans and those who a looking for a new favourite author!

An insanely good book.
Which is not surprising for John Marrs.

If you have not read any of John Marrs books I highly recommend picking them up!

I will be posting a full review nearer to the publishing date on my socials and blog.

But this was most definitely a 5* read!

You Killed Me First is another John Marrs book that will make you question who did what and who hides the most secrets. Better yet who is the best liar.

This book was really good and I throughly enjoyed the point of view from each of the three main characters. Margot, Anna and Liv orbit one another in a quaint neighborhood where all three hold smoldering life changing secrets. Liv is the newest edition to the neighborhood and quickly attempts to befriend Margot and Anna but Liv realizes something is off. I can say that this book will take you on a wild ride as Marrs unravels the lives and secrets of these three women.

Absolutely 5 stars! Love this book!

I’m a huge fan of John Marrs work, both his speculative fiction and psychological thrillers. You Killed Me First did not disappoint.

The three main characters are so well fleshed out. There’s snarky, sarcastic and very b*itchy Margot. Her demure next door neighbour Anna. Then there’s Liv who just moved in across the road. She appears to have everything. Or does she? Is Anna really that timid? As the plot develops the deceit and lies build.

The short chapters, multiple pov, and enough twists and turns means this book is one that once you start you won’t want to put it down. How twisted is twisted? Read this and find out! I’m not sure how John Marrs does what he does but I am happy that he does!

Thank you to John Marrs and Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I do enjoy John Marrs books, he is one of my favourite authors. This book was so entertaining I really enjoyed it!!

Marrs knows how to write compelling premises that ask great what-ifs. However, I must confess, I am more a fan of his SFish books than the thrillers, and this firmly falls into the second category.

The main characters are three different women - neighbours who are barely polite to one another yet pretend to be friends. We know one of them will end up enroute to burning to death on a bonfire. But who will it be and why? Along the way we find out their secrets, why they keep them, and why some of them might even kill to ensure they stay that way.

It's a fast-paced read - Marrs knows what he's doing - but I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I went along for the ride, but I wouldn't climb back on (apologies for the mangled metaphor). I will however happily look out for his next book!

Margot, Liv and Anna live on the same street and quickly forge a pretence of friendship. Each holds a secret and soon cracks begin to appear. When one woman wakes up tied in the middle of a bonfire it becomes apparent that some secrets can be deadly.

I love a John Marr’s thriller as they are always dark, shocking and twisty. This is definitely no exception! Although this one starts a bit more slowly than his usual books, it soon picks up and I found myself hooked to the pages, especially when the craziness and twists start. The author did a great job building an intricate, clever plot that all comes together in a shocking way.

The story is told in the point of view of each of the main characters. Although some were hugely unlikeable, they were entertaining to read and each had their own unique voice, where you could easily distinguish them all. I will admit that I had a good few shock moments when the multiple twists arrive. Overall I had great fun reading this entertaining, wild, multilayered thriller and I would certainly recommend. 4.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

I’ve read most of John Marss’s books, and this one is up there with my favorites. I loved the alternating time frames and it kept me guessing throughout the whole book.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Wow... John Marrs NEVER disappoints and You Killed Me First was no exception.

The first chapter of the book sets you up for utter intrigue and every chapter thereafter left me completely wanting more.

3 women, all 'close friends' but hiding JUICY secrets from each other... I'm sold!

*Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book before release*.

Thank you to John Marrs and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!!
This book will be released March 4, 2025. Be sure to grab a copy!!

At this point, I don't think John can execute a bad book. This one was another page-turner.
Three women. Soooo many secrets. So much deceit. Twisty, dark, and surprising!

John Marrs never fails to come up with mind-boggling stories. You Killed Me First is next in line.

We see the story through three women, Margot, Anna, and Liv. Every woman has a secret. But now one of those three is burning in a bonfire with no way of escape. Will they be able to escape? Or will some unsaid secrets tumble out?

I loved Margot. She is the queen of backhanded compliments - so crabby and petty. It is the level I wish to reach some day. Another thing I really liked about the book is that the voices of all the three protagonists are different and remain so until the end.

Of course, there should be some suspension of disbelief. But it's John Marrs so he can write the moon is blue and I would swallow it.

4 stars!

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

I am a huge John Marrs fan, and have loved all of his previous books. I thought this one was good, but not great. The problems I had have to do with the length of the story. It was a little too long, and the beginning of the book was very confusing. I don't normally mind being a little confused, but there was too much to keep track of, and I found myself having to backtrack and re-read things. This may be why the book felt longer to me.
Towards the second half of the book, things did begin to come together and make sense. I thought the plot twists were great! John Marrs always has the most unique plot twists, and clever storylines. This story does move rather quickly. I enjoyed that the story was told from multiple POV's. It kept me engaged.
Overall, this was a good read. I didn't feel the need to DNF, as I was invested in the story and characters, and wanted to know the outcome. Even with it's flaws. I would recommend this book and rate it closer to a 3.5.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

This book literally had my jaw on the floor multiple times, I LOVED the cattiness of this!
Definitely recommend!

Great!! Love john marrs and this does not disappoint. Loved this from start to end. A great read overall.