When I initially read the description of this one, I wasn't 100% sold it would be for me (I'm no tone for too creepy and definitely not anything resembling horror), but it's Susan Dennard and I trusted her. So glad I did, because I absolutely tore through this mystery. She's such a masterful storyteller, creating characters you really want to spend time with, to get to know, and who you would follow through any storyline.

I loved that this felt a little nostalgic, like stepping back into a 1990s or early 2000s mystery thriller with an eerie vibe, and I really enjoyed the mystery. It felt fun and exciting, and kept my attention just as much as the characters and the romance. Even as a huge scaredy cat, I really enjoyed this one!

Susan Dennard does it again! I absolutely devoured this book in less than 24 hours and while it's Creepy and creepier than I usually like, especially the first 40%, I could not put it down. The fall/Hallween/spooky vibes are immaculate. I love Freddie, Theo and the entire cast! Sooz does an amazing job of fleshing out a huge cast for a not particularly long book. I would absolutely read more Freddie books.

If you told me a small-town prank war could somehow spiral into a cursed, spine-tingling mystery full of cryptic poetry, supernatural symbols, and heart-thumping romance—I wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am, absolutely consumed by The Executioners Three and ready to shout about it from the rooftops.

Susan Dennard doesn’t just craft a story—she summons it, and this one rises from the foggy woods with the perfect mix of eerie folklore and 90s teenage chaos. At the center of it all is Freddie Gellar, a delightfully stubborn amateur sleuth with a nose for weirdness and a tendency to find herself in the worst kind of trouble. She’s the kind of character you want to sit next to at lunch and solve a mystery with after school.

What starts as a well-intentioned 911 call turns into a wildfire of secrets, ghost stories, and grisly discoveries. And as Freddie digs deeper, you start to feel the creeping dread inching up your spine right along with her. There’s something ancient at play in this town—something that hums through the trees and watches from the shadows.

The book doesn’t just deliver on scares (and it definitely delivers), it also nails the emotional heartbeat of its characters. The banter, the crushes, the friendships—it’s all so vivid and real. Freddie’s bond with her best friend Divya? Pure gold. And Theo? Let’s just say he’s the kind of rival/love interest that makes you swoon one page and question his motives the next. Delicious.

This is one of those rare reads where the mystery is just as fun as the characters, and every twist feels like a jolt of adrenaline. The town’s dark past, the curse, the haunting references to “The Executioners Three”—it’s all layered so beautifully, I couldn’t look away. And yes, I stayed up way too late flipping pages with a flashlight app and second-guessing every creak in my house.

If you love your thrillers with a nostalgic twist, clever protagonists, and just the right amount of supernatural horror—this book will absolutely grab you by the collar and not let go.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group / Tor Teen for sharing this unputdownable teen fantasy novel's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts that I highly appreciate.

I didn't really enjoy the writing style. I didn't grab me, and I had a hard time finishing the book.

I went into this one kind of leery based on the summary as this felt like it would be very different from her other titles that I had enjoyed - but it was all for nothing! I adored the story- the plot, the characters, the story telling! Just perfect! (Like Lance Bass lol)

I thought this was really well plotted and had just the right amount of snark and romance!

Thank you for the opportunity to read early!

Susand Dennard stuns me every time she writes a new book. Her worlds are just SO lush and draw you in and this book I think has been the best book yet! The Excecutioners Three was so fun and thrilling to read I could not put it down.

this is a dnf for me 😭 i thought i was getting myself into a bit more romance from the description but this was HEAVY on the mystery aspect- which, in that case if it’s your cup of tea, i wouod highly recommend!

Given that I loved The Luminaries trilogy, I had a feeling that I would enjoy Susan Dennard's newest novel. I absolutely loved it! It was fun with a bit of a Riverdale feel to it. I loved the sarcasm of the characters (Freddy especially) and the nostalgia from that era was heartwarming. Don't get me wrong, this was also a twisty, turny book and Dennard absolutely nailed it! The genre felt a bit like comedy horror and I am here for it! I believe Dennard has become an auto-buy author for me!

Prob 4.5 rating Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own. Man, I liked this one. Not gonna lie, I didn’t know anything about this author, and when I read the intro note from her that mentioned her being on Wattpad, my heart sank. I have ready many a flop that had wattpad as their claim to fame. But I knew about a chapter in after meeting Freddie that I was hooked and would not be disappointed. Freddie considers herself kind of an amateur detective/cop who did a ride-along and helped nab a shoplifter as her claim to fame. When there seems to be murder in her town that people are calling an accident, her interest is piqued. Throw in a prank war with the private school in town that leads her to meet a guy of interest named Theo, and it ends up being an exciting ride. This novel is set in the 90s, which worked great and was not shoved down the reader’s throat as some books tend to do. Every once in a while I forgot about the setting until Freddie or Divya mentioned their love of boy bands and Lance Bass haha The dialogue is witty, the story is fresh with a touch of creepy and weird, and I could totally see me reading another one should this be a series. I’m adding it to our order list for my school library because kids are always looking for mysteries, and this one has some love interest to boot. Highly recommend, even if stuff gets a little “out there” in the end. FYI violence, a little heavy marking out (but just kissing), some profanity

The Executioners Three delivers a fantastic plotline filled with tension and intrigue, keeping readers on edge with some truly heart-racing moments. The story’s suspense and unexpected twists make it a gripping read, but there are sections where the pacing slows, making it feel like it’s dragging. Additionally, certain parts seem cobbled together, disrupting the otherwise strong narrative flow. Despite these flaws, the characters and overall execution remain engaging, making it a compelling thriller. While not perfect, it’s a solid and entertaining read that earns a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars.

This was a really fantastic read! I've really enjoyed Susan Dennard's previous books, and this one sounded really enjoyable, and I'm glad that I was sent an e-ARC copy of this book! I really enjoyed getting to know Freddie as she dealt with this whole situation.

This book is set in the fall of 1999. It's so weird to say that it's historical, because this is a time when I was alive. I was 4 years old, but I was here on this earth. Like, time flies! I barely remember what happened last week, let alone something 25 years ago, but all the references, like the boy bands, was so much fun!

I don't know how I'd react if an accident led me to being welcomed in by the popular kids at school, including a crush. That she has a gut that's good for detective work, and turns out to be pretty great at pranks, was a nice, fun element in this book which for the most part, pretty spooky!

The whole mystery with the Executioners Three, and the murders in the past, as well as the town's history, and how it all came together, loved it! Adding in the romance, and this book had a lot of wonderful elements that came together to tell a wonderful story!

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Susan Dennard!

Had me laughing. So many nostalgic reference, boy bands, tv shows. Balances small town murder mystery and humor brilliantly.

SO GOOD! I fell in love with Dennard's wry writing style with The Luminaries, but I found that The Executioners Three was even more fun. Loved the late 90s references, loved the main characters, loved the adorable romance and the spooky mystery. This book was the most fun I've had reading in a while! Absolutely awesome!

Reminded me alot of the early seasons of Riverdale and the cw version of Nancy Drew. Kids solving mysteries and trying to catch a killer. Lots of twists and turns, comedy, thrills, mystery, and some romance. Was a good YA book.

Dennard has done it again with an incredible X-Files, 1990's filled book. It follows a very Romeo and Juliet, West-Side Story vibe with those at the rich school, and those in the town. You encounter Freddie, and then another secondary main character, Theo. The primary focus on the book is that there are weird things happening in their historically minded small town, and that they seem to follow a creepy poem. The secondary focus is the cutesy romance that I'm sure will leave any teen kicking their feets with their will they won't they dynamic. I believed the story while enjoyable was predictable in some aspects, while in others I was surprised by. I think that the 1990's timing was nostalgic for me personally, it might lose some Young Adults in the referencing of tech. I would 100% purchase this for my library. For those that need to know for RA: the romance is not spicy, only making out. Some language is used. Murder is depicted.

This was my first read by this author. The cover, the title and the description caught my attention. I will admit it was a little slow in the beginning but after a few chapters it drew me in.
It took place in a small historical town. As in most towns it was preparing for its Halloween festival and pageant. This town also has a mysterious past that comes to light during this time which is where we are introduced to two groups of teenagers who are in different schools and play pranks on each other . While playing these pranks and planning the festivities all hell brakes loose and the fun and action begins.
The characters are like able except for one . In this book there is mystery, murders, suspense , complicated relationships, romance, history, and twist and turns. It was scary at times too! I would recommend reading this book in the fall around Halloween!! It was a fun read!!!

Interesting in premise, I found the writing to be hard to follow and I was not a fan of the main character. there were one or two supporting characters that stood out to me but all in all, one that I will not revisit.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Susan Dennard delivers an irresistibly fun and spooky ride in “The Executioners Three,” a YA mystery-horror book filled with supernatural chills, high school drama, and 90s nostalgia. Set in 1999, the book follows Freddie Gellar, a witty and ambitious high school senior who wants nothing more than to be popular, and participating in a prank war with a rival school is a perfect way to gain the attention of her classmates. But when dead bodies start piling up—including one particularly gruesome decapitation—Freddie and her new friends find themselves entangled in an eerie, decades-old curse that no one in town seems willing to talk about.

Dennard masterfully balances humor with horror. Freddie’s sarcastic and quirky voice is a highlight, and her character growth—especially as she begins to care less about popularity and more about uncovering the town’s dark secrets—is well-executed. Though she starts off a little boy-crazy and naive, her transformation over the course of the story feels realistic and rewarding. The mystery unfolds with perfectly timed reveals and unexpected twists, keeping the suspense high while still making room for playful high school antics, including an ongoing prank war between rival schools.

The supernatural horror elements are genuinely unsettling, with a creeping sense of dread that lingers even amid the humor. It’s hard to believe that no one in town is talking about the murders, but the eerie small-town secrecy adds to the book’s atmospheric tension. The generational curse tied to the town’s history is fascinating, though the villain was a bit obvious to me, though the motivation as unique.

Romance plays a strong role in the story, with Theo Porter as the undeniable green-flag love interest. His chemistry with Freddie is electric, their banter is charming, and their relationship—while fast-paced—feels organic and well-developed. Freddie’s friendship with Divya is another standout aspect of the novel. Their deep, unwavering bond adds emotional depth, and Divya’s presence provides much-needed LGBTQ representation.

Perhaps the most delightful aspect of “The Executioners Three” is its nostalgic setting. Dennard weaves in countless 90s references, from boy bands to old-school cell phones, making the book a love letter to the era. The setting feels authentic, and older readers who grew up in the late 90s will especially appreciate the attention to detail.

While there are some minor plot holes, and Freddie sometimes feels younger than a high school senior, the book’s mix of humor, horror, and heart makes for an undeniably engaging read. With its witty dialogue, eerie mystery, and a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends—including hinting at an exciting future for Freddie—"The Executioners Three” is a must-read for fans of supernatural thrillers with a nostalgic twist. Whether you’re here for the scares, the romance, or the prank wars, this book is pure entertainment from start to finish.

Love, love, love it! Freddie Gellar is the epitome of a 90s teen detective (very Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys) and she puts her sleuthing skills to the test amid a school prank war. Cue Theo Porter caught in the crossfire of said prank war and drawn into the chaos that is Freddie.
This book was amazing, mystery, romance and a little supernatural thriller all mixed into one. I had never read anything by Susan Dennard but this book made me a fan. Her writing is fast paced, detailed and so immersive. She caught the vibes of a teen in the 90s perfectly and Freddie felt like Freddie not a knock off of other teen sleuths. 100% would recommend!

Thank you to Tor Teen for providing an Advanced Reading Copy of this book via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

As an elder millennial, I couldn’t get enough of the 90s references sprinkled throughout The Executioners Three. Susan Dennard crafts a story that feels both nostalgic and fresh, weaving in nods to an era that shaped so many of us. The moment I realized that I graduated high school the same year as Freddie, I felt an instant connection—honestly, I think we would have been friends in real life. Her quirky, offbeat personality was one of the highlights of the book for me. She’s smart, a little awkward, and endlessly determined, making her a protagonist I couldn’t help but root for.

That said, I was completely unprepared for how scary this book would actually be. The supernatural elements were incredibly well done, setting a creepy and unsettling tone that lingered long after I put the book down (which, to be fair, wasn’t often). Once the mystery started unraveling, I found myself unable to stop reading—I even read straight through my lunch and barely noticed my stomach growling.

One of the strongest elements of the book was the loyalty between Freddie and her best friend, Divya. Their friendship felt so authentic, with its mix of unwavering support, inside jokes, and the kind of fierce devotion that can only come from years of shared experiences. It’s rare to find female friendships in fiction that are this well-developed, and I absolutely loved seeing their dynamic unfold.

And then, of course, there’s Theo. The interactions between Freddie and Theo were an absolute delight—filled with tension, humor, and just the right amount of heart. Their chemistry jumped off the page, making every scene between them something to look forward to.

With the quirkiness of the characters, the Buffy-esque dialogue, and the cozy yet terrifying mystery, The Executioners Three felt, in the very best way, like the early books of Sarah Rees Brennan. The blend of humor, horror, and heart made for a truly immersive reading experience. If you love books with smart, quirky protagonists, strong friendships, and a touch of 90s flair, this one is definitely worth picking up!