Member Reviews

3.5 stars

This Book Will Bury Me has a great title, though I’m not sure it fully lived up to the expectations it set. At 480 pages, it’s on the longer side, but for the most part, the pacing worked well. I especially enjoyed the back-and-forth shared through online forums, which added an engaging layer to the story. Around the 70% mark, the momentum stalled a bit, making it feel slower than the rest of the book. That said, I liked the dynamic between the different characters in the group and was genuinely surprised by the ending.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Holy cannoli... this was.... a lot. Whew. I'm not sure where to start. How about some of the positives? It has some shock value and a handful of twists, so it certainly had its "entertaining" moments for a crime novel. Several of the characters were lovable, and the found family vibes are nice. That might wrap things up for the positives!? I learned near the end that this book closely resembles a real-life crime - the Idaho murders in 2022, so that feels a little soon and a little icky, in my opinion. I think my main dislikes are related to length and editing. I feel like this book had everything but the kitchen sink. It recalls multiple murders and cases that don't feel related at the start, it looks at grief and loss, it discusses how media and law enforcement prioritize white victims over black victims, it has some odd fat-shamey vibes (which I really didn't like or understand), there are little side stories about parental abuse and personality disorders, and all of this is somehow addressed in a story about a girl who is trying to "create a lasting legacy" for her dad. I think it could have been a lot shorter and needed a little more focus or direction. I figured out where it was headed (for the most part) and still had a little over 4 hours of listening to go. It was an entertaining read in some aspects, but this one ultimately just wasn't for me.

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This Book Will Bury Me should have been prophetic when I heard its title. The book was way too long. The twist was good, but it took forever to get there. The side story with Jane’s father was not necessary. I’ve like Ashley Winstead’s stories before, but this is not one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this audiobook. I enjoyed the narration by Leslie Howard and would recommend listening to other books read by her.

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I really struggled with rating this one. It was an entertaining, suspenseful thriller. The perspective from the true crime/amateur sleuth community was interesting. If it weren’t for the real life connections, I would say it was a great thriller and highly recommend it.
However, it just had too many similarities to the Idaho killings. I feel like there would have been ways to draw inspiration without copying the real life case that isn’t even closed yet.

Thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for a copy of this audiobook.

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Shrouded in grief, Janeway Sharp finds solace in the true crime community with devastating consequences.

Twists at every turn, Ashley Winstead's latest novel is a gripping page turner that will have readers hooked from the very beginning.

I listened to the audio version of this book and couldn't stop listening to see what was going to happen. I had my suspicions on some of the twists before they came to fruition, but this didn't take away from the enjoyment of listening as it all played out.

The narration really brought this story to life, with the narrator displaying great depth with varying voices and emotions to the characters.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, Sourcebook Landmarks for the ARC.

This book comes out this week and it is LONG. I was able to get an ARC for the audiobook and it took me the entire work week to get through. It is thinly veiled portrayal of the Idaho murders not even changing the state, the suspects, or the victims. I loved the concept of the behind the scenes and motivations of true crime keyboard warriors. It was interesting to see how they work (or don’t work ) with the law enforcement to solve unsolved murders. But it was too long and the end was not worth the long journey.

I felt like this book was insensitive to the family, especially since they have not gone to trial yet. Kinda gave me the ick. I am fascinated by the case too… but maybe wait until the verdict to cash in.

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I loved this audiobook! The narration was fantastic! This was my book by Ashley Winstead and I absolutely loved it!! It was such a cool premise to tell the story from the perspective of a true crime Reddit group and it hooked me right away until the very end! It’s also a beautiful look at grief and identity, and I loved how she wove together all the final pieces. Such an entertaining read!

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Rating: 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 3/25

This book was everything from the characters to the story to the connection of everything to the twists to the ending. I absolutely devoured it and loved every single second of it.

Right from the start I felt connected to Delphine and the rest of the group on the forum. I loved their banter and just how a group of people could come together to solve crimes. I am also a huge true crime junkie so this one just hit the mark for me.

This is a fast paced read as the group navigates through the murder. I love how this was written as a “tell all” for people who know what happened. There are perfectly timed twists that will have you unable to put this one down. That ending was absolutely explosive, and the best possible ending for this story.

I listened to this one while reading my eARC. Leslie Howard was phenomenal. I highly recommend the audio if you are going to pick up this book.

Overall, this book is superb, amazing, phenomenal, all of the incredible words or simply put - A MUST READ! Ashley Winstead continues to grace the book community with addicting and bingable reads! I will forever read anything that she puts out. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Winstead, Tantor Audio and Sourcebooks for the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

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First, what this book absolutely nailed — Ashley Winstead’s portrayal of losing a parent is painfully spot on. She captures that strange, conflicting feeling of grief where you feel so special in your grief (because how could anyone else possibly understand this level of devastation?) while also recognizing that death is one of the most universal and non-unique human experiences

I’ve always loved Winstead’s writing, and this book is no exception, but I did have some issues with the plot. One of the biggest disconnects for me was the main character’s driving motivation around trying to ensure that her dad is remembered and known after his death — she’s so focused on creating a legacy for her dad, and it felt like she was overlooking that he already left a legacy of his own. It’s clear she wants to honor him, but it felt like she was stuck trying to prove his worth to the world after he was gone. It felt like the more she leaned into this misson, the more I wanted her to let his legacy be his legacy and to stop trying to force things. It felt like a missed emotional arc for her to never realize that her memories of him and the person he was could just be enough, and it's not what she was hoping to build in his name after he was gone that made him important.


I also wanted more about the mysterious "book" written by "she who shall not be named" — it’s positioned as this major catalyst for the main character and is ultimately the inspiration for her to write her own book (which we, as readers, are supposedly reading). But that thread felt like it lacked in followthrough.

Anywaaaaays, all that being said, the last thing I want to point out was that I TOTALLY CLOCKED THE TWILIGHT REFERENCE. Girl, Ashley, you just can't resist can youuuu?

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I’ll admit, slow-burn thrillers aren’t typically my cup of tea—I often find myself impatient for the action to kick in. But this book proved me wrong in the best way possible. The author, paired with a stellar narrator in the audiobook version, masterfully doles out just enough intrigue to keep you hooked, building a tension that simmers beautifully until it explodes into a jaw-dropping twist at the end. What could have felt like a slog instead became a gripping journey I couldn’t put down.

At the heart of the story is Jane, a deeply relatable protagonist grappling with the sudden death of her father. Seeking solace, she stumbles into a true crime group dedicated to solving active cases—a premise that immediately piqued my interest. Through this group, Jane finds not only a distraction from her grief but also a makeshift family of complex, lovable characters, each drawn to the cause by their own haunting pasts. The bonds they forge feel authentic and layered, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

The plot thickens when the group’s latest case takes a dark turn. What starts as a collective mission spirals into chaos for them—and pure, addictive entertainment for the reader. The slow unraveling of clues and the mounting stakes kept me on edge, and the payoff was well worth the wait. The originality of the story stood out; it’s not every day you encounter a thriller that blends true crime obsession with such raw human connection.

The audiobook experience elevated it further. The narrator breathed life into Jane, capturing her vulnerability and strength with a performance that made her feel like a real person. Every character shone through the narration, making the group’s dynamic even more compelling.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adored this book. It’s a testament to the author’s skill that they turned a slow-burn skeptic like me into a fan. If you’re looking for a thriller with heart, depth, and a twist that hits like a freight train, this one’s a must-read—or better yet, a must-listen.

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Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audio book copy of this book! Definitely an interesting premise. Predictable at times but still a good listen. I know a lot of people are up in arms about the very blatant similarities to a certain on going in the media case - and yes it’s plain to see where many of the beginning details were taken straight from that case. However - with this book being about an arm chair investigator I found it absolutely acceptable to include details made public in a very public case. In this day and age with a whole world of armchair investigators - what else can we expect with people and the media so hungry for more, grittier details, it holds a mirror up to everyone. Don’t be so quick to chastise an author for only being one of the many.

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First I would like to thank RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

After her father’s sudden death, college student Jane Sharp dives into the world of true crime for a distraction. She connects with a group of amateur sleuths who teach her the ropes, and when three college girls are mysteriously killed in Delphine, Idaho, Jane and her friends are eager to solve the case. However, as they dig deeper, the situation becomes increasingly bizarre, with missing pieces and elusive police responses making things more complicated. The investigation leads them into a web of questions, hinting that their killer might be more cunning than they anticipated. A year later, Jane is ready to share the shocking truth about the Delphine Massacres. Her revelations are bound to surprise even die-hard true crime fans.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The narration gave life to the characters. There were twists and turns that really had me tuned in. The book has a slow build in the middle, but overall, it’s engaging and offers a captivating look at the characters, especially the dynamics among Jane and her fellow sleuths. With a cliffhanger ending and a dark, gripping narrative, it’s hard to put down. I will definitely be hoping for a sequel! If you love true crime, this book might just be your next favorite!

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Jane a student at UCF, is your typical college student, mostly happy and adjusted to lifecaway from home. Then her world comes crashing down with one phone call. Her father has suddenly and unexpectedly dies. When a body washes up on the shore of Lake Okeechobee she gets interested in the crime. She joins a true crime message board and is pulled in.  The " true crime junkies" do attempt to assist the local police with the investigation. After some of the information the group provided to law enforcement leads to an arrest, she is fully committed to amateur sleuthing. When the murder of college coeds in Idaho rock the nation,  she and her group of friends are determined to find the killer. How far will Jane and her friends go to bring the killer to justice? Who can be trusted? This very fast paced story will leave you breathless. Full of twists and turns. Highly enjoyable.

Thank you to Tantor Media for tge ALC. The narrator,  Leslie Howard, was great.

4.5 stars

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Everyone must read this gem! You won’t be able to put it down, the story is completely gripping and addictive. The characters? Absolutely unforgettable—truly the cream of the crop. And the message throughout is powerful, leaving a lasting impact.
This is a masterpiece I cannot stop thinking about it!

After Jane Sharp suddenly loses her father, she finds herself searching for a way to cope with the overwhelming grief of his death. Jane stumbles onto the internet world of true crime and she becomes obsessed with it all. Here she finds a community of amateur web detectives, and together they dive into unsolved mysteries from afar…until they decide the best way to solve this particular case is to take it on the road!

Jane is very excited about this road trip. At this point, she feels a profound connection to her four new friends that are quickly becoming her “found family.” So, the five sleuths head to Idaho where three college sorority girls are tragically murdered. This trip starts the unraveling of well, basically everything!

If you’re a true crime aficionado, look no further. This book hooked me from the start! The details are brilliant, I felt I was right there with Jane & the sleuths on their journey for justice. Every chilling twist kept me on pins & needles, and the camaraderie among the team is truly inspiring.

I am so in awe of the superb storytelling! I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy of this book! I will also be diving into Ashley Winstead’s backlist of books. As soon as I finished, I found myself searching for everything she’s ever written. I am truly captivated!

This emotional story comes full circle with its brilliant ending. It deserves more than five stars, and it will definitely be a book of the year contender!

Narrator, Leslie Howard brings this story to life, and she deserves accolades for her flawless narration.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟+
I highly recommend this book!
Bravo!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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This Book Will Bury Me
Out 3.25.25

This book honestly sucked me in from the beginning. I loved the twist of amateur sleuths trying to solve crimes. Ashely Winstead does a really great job of writing complex characters that are well written. After losing her father, I think Jane was lost herself and needed to find something to occupy her mind and finding a group of people that liked to solve crimes in their spare time was not what she expected, but she fell into the world pretty easily. I thought this was crafted really well even with the authors note that this was heavily inspired by true crimes that have been committed. There were satisfying twist and turns and mystery. Some I guessed but also some I didn’t see coming.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and this one is a great one for true crime lovers that want to escape to a world of crime solving!

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This Book Will Bury Me 📚🪦

After her father's death, Jane Sharp dives into true crime and joins online sleuths. When three girls are murdered in Delphine, Idaho, Jane and her group investigate, uncovering shocking secrets. A year later, Jane reveals the truth behind the case, leaving true crime fans stunned.

This book was loosely based on the real Idaho murders in 2022. As someone who enjoys true crime, I felt that the book became a bit predictable toward the end. I did like the true crime aspect and the police procedural, but it felt a little much at times. It kept my attention, and I really wanted to know how the book would end, even though I figured it out halfway through.

Read if you like:
Police like procedures 🚔
Internet sleuth 💻
True crime 🔪

Ratings:
⭐️: 3/5
📖: 480
📚: mystery/ psychological
🍾: 3/25/25

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I loved this book so freaking much, we all know my @ashleywinsteadbooks admiration runs deep! I have read and reviewed this one on my page already, but when the audio came out from @tantoraudio I had to do a reread! I had high expectations for the narration and
@lesliehowardnarrates does this book justice! Her voice is so airy and soft spoken and perfect and she does an excellent job conveying those raw emotions. Howard's range is incredibly impressive when switching between characters! I had to double check that there weren't more narrators, her ability to completely change her voice and take on each character is so impressive! And when she reads from the headlines, or the newscaster with such force! She brought this amazing book to life!

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Thank you to Net Galley for the Advance Listener Copy of this title.

I was immediately intrigued by this book. It follows a young woman who is grieving the loss of her father. During her grief she started looking for more information about her father. Then she quickly found herself connecting to a group of true crime internet sleuths. While the murders that were being investigated read a lot like a current case, it was still a great read. The twists and turns throughout were surprising and then in the end… you’ll never believe it! The narration was also well done.
Solid 4 stars

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Janeway, a grieving college student is looking for a greater purpose when she discovers an online true crime community and becomes friends with its inner circle. As they dig into the details of a particularly brutal crime she begins to question everything.

The author notes that this book is inspired by the a true story and provides some context for her basing the story on this true crime. The perspective and storyline were interesting and unique. We follow Janeway, in an almost memoir-like fashion as she moves through her grief, discovers the true crime community and gets deeply involved in both the case and the new friendships she’s built. We also see the potential benefits as well as the toxic, snowballing way this community can twist facts and injure innocent parties.

While I found this book to be a quick and engaging read, I struggled to like many of the characters due to what seemed to be a single-minded focus with little care for unintended impact, which may have been intentional by the author. As someone unfamiliar with the true crime it was based on, I found the book a bit twisty and the perspective new. I also feel I’ve learned a lot about the underbelly of the armchair detective community.

The narrator seemed to match the character and emotion during the book, so added to the experience.

Thank you to the author, Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

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This book was fantastic. I didn’t want the book to end. I felt part of the group and the character development was amazing. Each character was unique and we got to know each of them. I listened to this on audio and Leslie Howard does an amazing job with the different voices. The story follows Jane after losing her dad she becomes part of a group of true crime arm chair detectives working to solve cases the police have struggled with. When 3 girls are murdered in a sorority house, Jane and her group of friends help the police with the investigation and end up getting a little too close. This book flows soo well and kept my attention throughout. 5 stars 🌟

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