⭐️⭐️⭐️½ — She Didn't Stand a Chance by Stacie Grey

In the scorching heat of Palm Springs, secrets fester and jealousy simmers in this tense family thriller. Gertie, estranged from her siblings since early childhood, is summoned back to the family estate for the reading of her father's will. To her shock—and her siblings’ fury—she inherits a significant stake in the family business and their father's beloved home. But Gertie’s inheritance quickly becomes the least of her worries when a suspicious death, a near-fatal accident, and whispers of murder make it clear that someone in the house doesn’t want her there.

This is my second book by Stacie Grey, having read She Left last year (3⭐️), and some of the same issues carried over. While Gertie is a likable and resilient protagonist, the supporting characters—particularly her half-siblings—felt disappointingly one-dimensional. The clear division between “good” and “bad” characters missed the chance to explore more nuanced motivations or moral ambiguity. I would have loved more insight into why her siblings became so bitter and greedy, rather than being told they simply were.

The desert setting had so much potential for adding atmosphere and tension, and while it gave the book a distinctive backdrop, I wish it had been used more thematically. That said, the pacing kept me engaged (aside from a slight lull in the middle), and the payoff was both satisfying and chilling. I did peg the killer early on, which took some of the suspense out, and the Hayley subplot (refusing to provide an alibi out of sheer stubbornness?) really tested my suspension of disbelief.

Mrs. Phan was a standout character and added some much-needed warmth to a mostly cold cast. And while the title doesn’t really align with the plot, the premise—family secrets, a contested will, and a ticking clock as bodies fall—remains a compelling one.

📚 She Didn't Stand a Chance is out August 12th.
Thank you to Stacie Grey, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the ARC!

She Didn't Stand a Chance is a fun sprint of a mystery. Gertrude Glass shows up to her long-estranged father's house to hear the reading of his will and quickly finds herself tasked with solving his murder. All the while she is harangued and hampered by a pack of entitled, spiteful half-siblings that will make the reader's jaw clench. Gertie is a likable, self-reliant main character who is used to rising above hard knocks. The hits start early and come fast, making it hard to believe the whole story takes place over just a few days. Set in the baking desert, the inhospitable landscape is palpable, and is a great companion for her hostile family. Both create dangers readers won't see coming.

Wow! This book was intense! A whodunit mystery and family drama that blended seamlessly into a dark tale of secrets, murder, and greed. The suspense was utterly relentless with several pulse-pounding moments and claustrophobic situations. I felt like an animal caught in a trap for most of the book. I adored Gertie's character and empathized with the abuse she had to endure, but I am so happy that the author gave her some backbone. It's not often that I have such a deep hatred for characters, but this family of siblings were the worst kind of humans imaginable. They had me seething and gritting my teeth throughout the entire book. None of them were trustworthy, and they all had hidden motives. I had no idea who the guilty party was. The author provided what seemed like an endless list of possibilities that continually dwindled down to a select few and it was still somewhat of a shocker! I very happily can admit that I was hooked from start to finish. I would have liked one final chapter with a final FU from Gertie, but the absence of this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I loved it and definitely recommend!

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you poisoned pen press and NetGalley for this arc.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was dark and twisty. The characters were well developed and the plot was structured well. I will definitely read more from this author.

This book? Intense. Stacie Grey delivers a raw, gripping story that pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let you go until the very last. She Didn’t Stand a Chance is a dark, thrilling ride full of twists, heart-pounding moments, and characters who are impossible to forget.

The plot is filled with tension, drama, and unexpected turns that keep you guessing and flipping the pages faster than you meant to. The stakes are high, and the emotional depth makes it more than just a suspenseful story—it’s an exploration of strength, survival, and what happens when everything goes wrong. The characters feel real and raw, and as much as I wanted to see them succeed, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of every decision they made.

This book has a way of making you feel everything: the fear, the urgency, and even the hope, all tangled up together. It’s a dark, thrilling, and utterly addictive read that’ll stay with you long after you’re done.

*She Didn't Stand a Chance* by Stacie Grey is a tense, slow-burn mystery steeped in family drama and desert heat. The atmosphere is thick with suspicion, making every page feel claustrophobic in the best way. Gertie is a compelling protagonist—thrust into a house full of bitter siblings and long-buried secrets, her growing paranoia feels justified as the danger creeps closer. Grey does a great job layering the suspense, with enough twists to keep you guessing. Some pacing lulls slightly in the middle, but the payoff is satisfying and chilling. A solid, character-driven mystery that simmers with emotional heat and just the right touch of menace.

I enjoyed the storyline in this book. There were a few mistakes that I found but nothing that kept me from reading. I enjoyed how the characters developed and the plot was good. I recommend this book!

Thank you for the opportunity on reading an early copy. Really enjoyed the plot, some twists, it was a definite page turner. Stayed up late because I didn’t want to put it down

Stacie Grey’s She Didn't Stand a Chance is a gripping blend of family drama and locked-room mystery, set against the scorching backdrop of the California desert. When Gertie returns to her estranged family’s Palm Springs estate for the reading of her father’s will, she finds herself entangled in a web of resentment, secrets, and suspicion. As tensions rise and mysterious incidents occur, Gertie must navigate a treacherous path to uncover the truth.​
Grey masterfully crafts an atmosphere thick with suspense, drawing readers into a world where every character harbors hidden motives. The isolated setting amplifies the sense of claustrophobia and danger, reminiscent of classic Agatha Christie tales. While some characters could benefit from deeper development, the narrative's twists and turns keep the pages turning.​
In conclusion, She Didn't Stand a Chance delivers a compelling mystery that will satisfy fans of psychological thrillers and family sagas alike. It's a testament to Grey's storytelling prowess and a promising addition to the genre.

The book was interesting to say the least for sure. I enjoyed it. Familiar drama. Exciting plot. Thanks for the early release.

Gertie Glass in this book was my favorite and some of the things were just quirky and cute, loved it! Mrs. Phan was unpredictable as well; didn't know who was responsible of the murder. This was a huge twist toward the end, but it was able to keep me entertained throughout.
Gertie was on a mission to find out who killed her father sending us on a fun mystery of "who did it?".
This was such a fun read and I couldn't put it down! Thank you for ARC.

Summary: Gertrude Glass hasn’t seen her father since she was a toddler, but now she receives a letter summoning her to his Palm Springs home for a reading of his will. Gertie is the daughter of Arnold Glass from his second short-lived marriage to her flighty and unpredictable mother Carla. She arrives at the desert modern home in Palm Springs, much to the dismay of her four half-siblings, who object to her presence there. When the will is read and Gertie has inherited a share of the business and the Palm Springs house, they are outraged and spitting with anger, vowing to contest the will. Suspicious about the circumstances around her father’s death, Gertie becomes convinced that his death was not an accident. Soon Gertie is on the receiving end of threats and acts of vandalism, and a member of the household staff dies after being struck by a car. Gertie races to uncover the murderer before she becomes the next victim.

Thoughts: The stark, baking desert and the sparse modern home of Arnold Glass provide the backdrop for the familial drama of the Glass siblings as they spar over the possessions and inheritance from their father. Although Arnold Glass is dead, his actions and attitude during his lifetime provide all the kindling for this family to go up in flames. He was a despicable man, obsessed with his legacy and his name, and treating everyone in his life as disposable. He unceremoniously dumped his first wife and four children for a relationship with Gertie’s mother and after a few years leaves them behind as well without a second glance.

Gertie, on the other hand, is an admirable heroine of this story. She is pragmatic, resourceful and resilient, standing up to the rest of the family and investigating the cause of her father’s death. There is a final ironic twist of fate at the conclusion of the novel which was satisfying and made me chuckle. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for this evocative and entertaining read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was instantly hooked from the beginning. An estranged family, sibling rivalry, and a reading of a will. When people continue to lose lives at their father’s estate, the clock is ticking to find out who’s done it. I was flying through this book to get to the end.

Review Script

I enjoyed this book. It’s a quick read domestic thriller. I think you should add it to your TBR. Gertie hasn’t spoken to her father in 25 years. She has to go to his house to settle his estate with her four half siblings from his first marriage. They are not happy with the outcome of the will reading causing the home to erupt in non stop chaos. It doesn’t help that Gertie is stirring up drama by questioning the circumstances of her father’s death. Check it out.
⬇️see description⬇️

After Gertie's estranged father has passed away she is willed his house and portion of his business, when her half siblings find this out at the reading of the will they are are outraged at her inheritance. There are questions regarding how her father has passed and Gertie is set to figure out who killed her father and why. The more she unravels, the more danger she’s realizes she's in.

I did enjoy this book and thought the characters were well written, everyone was a suspect from the house help to the siblings to the fathers latest girlfriend, who acted like a spoil child in my onion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

Well, Gertie is one of my favorite main characters so far this year. She is seems demure and understated, but in reality she’s a feisty bulldog of a girl and I loved every second of her. Along with Gertie there was wonderfully unlikable cast of characters. They were all well developed and fun to hate. This was really an entertaining read. I can’t say exactly what hooked me in, but before I knew it I was half way through this. The mystery was deep and Grey kept you guessing through the entire story. I did feel like the reveal was almost a little anticlimactic, but it didn’t detract from the overall story too much. Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this book. Gertie is our protagonist and is willed a massive house by her estranged father. Enter her frightful half siblings who are outraged at her inheritance.
Gertie sets out to discover who killed her father and why. The more she unravels, the more danger she’s in.
Engaging story but the main highlight was the brilliant characterisation.
ARC from the publisher via Netgally

Just when I thought l’d worked everything out, another plot twist appeared. I read it in two nail-biting sittings as I didn’t want to put it down.

It was fabulous grabs you at page one and never lets go. Prepare for a rollercoaster thriller with a twist that will leave you breathless!


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars from me!

Love love love this book! It is a great who did it mystery about a girl inherited a house and meets 4 her siblings after her father died unexpectedly. It will leave you on the edge of your seat and you won't put it down..

Can I tell you how much I loved Gertie??? I thought she was going to be one of those annoyingly plucky girl Friday types, but she ended up being a slightly bitey bulldog and I was so here for it.

This is a blast of a mystery full of some of the most annoying characters you never want to meet in real life. I was wishing for the downfall of almost everyone and I loved to read them.

There's definitely some humor here, along with a lot of feels.

I still have no idea what the title refers to, lol, but I want more from the author!

* ARC via Publisher