"This Book Will Bury Me" is a thriller Jane who becomes caught in the world of internet sleuths to help solve crimes. I enjoyed the story but at times it felt way too similar to a real crime that occurred. If you don't mind that part, then I definitely recommend this book.

There are so many wrong things with this book, besides that it will bury you in boredom.
Let me start with the most obvious thing – using a real life murder case. Why was this necessary – to convey how people are obsessed with true crime??! Or to make us feel something more about the victims?!?! But no, it’s not that one, because the victims are so at the back of the narrative you know only their physical appearance, nothing about their personalities. But whatever, authors can exploit real life cases to be “inspired”, I guess.
Also, this book depicts the police force as absolute incompetent morons - taking tips without verification, accusing people based on no evidence, waiting for the next internet sleuth to solve their cases. Plot holes as expected here and there, it is sad how there is absolutely no relevant comment on how being a crime solver without being an actual crime professional would ruin cases and people’s lives. There is a reason why there are professionals working murder cases, you could be a consultant but it’s absolutely abominable to be hired by the police to help on a murder case, when you are a drop out college girl.
The plot with the father and his history was just put here to make us more sympathetic to the MC, but it didn’t work for me, I disliked her a lot. The other people on the “team” solving the crime were more interesting than her, but you could almost instantly detect where things would go. The killer is pretty obvious, there are some twist regarding that, but it’s still unsatisfying by the end.
The narrator was okay, the male voices were a bit exaggerated, but overall this was a good audiobook. I would recommend listening to it, rather than reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio and RBmedia for providing me with the ALC.

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Format: Audio 🎧
Perfect for:
✅True Crime Junkies

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Being a fan of true crime stories, I was immediately drawn in. This story laid a solid foundation for the final outcome & every time I began to wonder where it was heading, this author delivered in the best way!

This story follows Jane, after loosing her father she is seeking a way to deal with her grief. She drops out of college with no real plan, until she joins an online platform of true crime junkies, where she meets others that are obsessed with solving true crimes. When a triple homicide occurs on a college campus, Jane & her murd3r sleuths jump in the case head first! But no one is prepared for the secrets uncovered & depths of this investigation, as mind blowing twists are revealed.

The narration in this audiobook was amazing and Leslie Howard (The Crash, Never Lie, The Inmate) is slowly becoming one of my favorite narrators.

Overall, a very good read that I highly recommend and I will be reading more from this author. Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead is a thriller that grips you from the start with its dark, twisty plot. The story follows Jane Sharp, a college student grieving her father's death, who becomes immersed in the world of true crime and amateur sleuthing. When a series of shocking murders occur in a small town, Jane and her friends dive headfirst into the investigation, determined to solve it before anyone else.

What really stood out for me in this book were the endless twists and turns. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, it would surprise me again. The unpredictability kept me on edge, and I genuinely couldn't put it down at times. The layers of mystery build up, and the complexity of the case makes you question everything you read.

That said, the book felt a bit too long. At almost 500 pages, there were moments where the pacing dragged, and I felt like the plot could’ve been tightened up. Some sections seemed repetitive or unnecessary, and I found myself wishing a few hundred pages had been trimmed. If the pacing had matched the intensity of the plot, it would have been a more streamlined, engaging experience.

Still, Winstead has crafted an intriguing and chilling story that will appeal to fans of true crime and psychological thrillers. While it could’ve used some editing for tighter pacing, the twists and suspense definitely make it worth the read.

‘This Book Will Bury Me’ by Ashley Winstead is a dramatic and engrossing read that explores the notoriety of true crime as entertainment and delves into the motivations of Jane Sharp, who becomes infatuated with a group of amateur internet sleuths after the death of her beloved father. Jane joins an elite team with their hearts set on enabling justice to prevail… but can they identify the perpetrator of a gruesome massacre or will it tear them apart?

Unusually, I’m going to start this review - of a book I absolutely recommend to those who love a good thriller - with two red flags… 1) I didn’t love all of the focus on Jane’s late father’s obesity - I’m not sure that moralising his weight really added to the examination of grief at the heart of the novel, and 2) the fictional case whose horror permeated the pages of the book bears significant similarities to a real crime that has not yet reached its trial, which feels quite uncomfortably raw. While this made me uncomfortable, fictionalised reality is not unusual and the ethical dilemma the book presents feels raw and gripping. Those factors almost put me off, but I was ultimately glad I read this!

Jane was an interesting character and watching her deal with bereavement by taking up an (albeit strange) hobby and forming meaningful connections online was captivating. The reflective structure of the chapters made them totally addictive, and some of the twists were jaw-dropping! I rushed through the pages, the novel feeling much quicker than its 400+ pages. The diverse members of Jane’s investigation group started to feel like family, to her and to me as the reader, and a couple of their stories really resonated with me.

I listened to some of this in audiobook format and was impressed with the narration. Overall, it was a four star read for me.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Aria & Aries and an Advance Listening Copy of the audiobook from Tantor Audio via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.5/5
This book was a trip. It really enveloped me and had me feeling like I was apart of their group trying to solve crimes. The twist actually surprised me.

A twisty thriller about a true crime enthusiast who gets caught up in a group of fellow amateur sleuths as they attempt to solve major crimes only to discover one of the biggest killers might be among them. I think this is my new fav by Ashley Winstead and highly recommend it to fans of true crime podcasts/murder stories. Great on audio and def worth picking up! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. After doing more research and reading the author's note she shared online regarding this book's content, and it's true crime inspiration, I have decided not to read this book at this time. I appreciate the author's honesty about her mindspace in writing this book, especially her own grief story, but don't feel comfortable reading a fiction novel about a nonfiction open case.

If I choose to read this at a later date I will come back and update this review. Thank you!

I enjoyed this Advanced Listening Copy by RB Media! I really enjoyed MIDNIGHT IS THE DARKEST HOUR, so I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this new novel. It has facts from real true crime cases, so it may not be for everyone, but as a narrative, it was suspenseful and layered with memorable characters and fun popular culture references. I did guess the killer, but this book still made my mouth drop open in the last ten minutes, and that’s what I always strive for when reading a thriller. I also found myself thinking about this one even when I wasn’t listening to it, which is another hallmark for me of a good book. As an audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator, and though it was on the longer side, i’d have read more of this story because I truly connected with the characters. If you’re into true crime, Star Trek, or just want a good thriller, I recommend this one. It releases on March 25 2025.

3.5 stars rounded down

This Book Will Bury Me is a commentary on family, grief, and the fascination we have with true crime. Ashley Winstead is a fantastic author who weaves another engaging, thrilling novel following a group of people drawn into a serial killer’s spree killing young sorority girls.

Overall I enjoyed this work, but I do think it was a bit long and very predictable. I’m usually not great at figuring out mysteries but I guessed the ending quite early in this book. I still enjoyed the characterizations and the little found family that was developed between these online sleuths. Winstead draws you into her worlds and makes you care. I’ll still be picking up her future works!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Sourcebooks Landmark for access to this work. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by this author but definitely won't end up being the last!

The plot felt like a great mix of true crime podcast, documentary and book all rolled into one. This had so many twists and turns and each chapter kept me interested and wanting to carry on to find out more.

The characters were varied and the narrator did a great job at all the varying voices. I found out main character a strong voice to lead the story.

Towards the end this did feel a little too long and probably would have benefit from being 40-50 pages shorter.

Overall this was a great listen and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys true crime, whoodunnits and intriguing thrillers.

Thank you Tantor Audio + NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an ALC of This Book Will Bury Me before it's released. I didn't enjoy the story itself (unlikeable MC, irrational need to become an armchair sleuth) but Leslie Howard's narration was engaging. Had I been reading this myself and not on audiobook, I would have inevitably DNF'd this. It's also worth noting that since finishing the book I have been made aware of the Idaho 4 Murders, it feels super icky that it was used as inspiration for this book, especially when the trial hasn't even started yet.

5 stars for narration.

1 star for the story.

This was a fast paced super fun thriller ! It was my first by this author and wont be my last !

If you love true crime this one is absolutely for you. I truly loved the pod cast style story and the audio brought it even more to life!

I was shocked with the twists at the very end! I think at some points it was far fetched , but still really enjoyed it!

This was so fun to listen to, what an audiobook! As a big Ashley Winstead fan, I knew I had to read this. And what a title - if that doesn’t already sell this one to you.
A captivating thriller, absolute must read for true crime lovers. I was hooked!

I really liked the group of characters in this book and enjoyed the true crime sleuthing aspects of the story. I found it to be an easy listen and the narrator did a great job.

Oh my goodness this book had me screaming and on the edge of my seat. Another fantastic Ashley Winstead thriller.
Jane wants to set the record straight about her crime sleuthing after one of the biggest police investigations blows up in their faces.
Jane has just lost her dad and through her grief she inadvertantly gets mixed up in internet sleuthing. It is all she can focus on, if she can find out what happened to these people then she can maybe come to terms with what happened to her father.
Jane meets a group of four others that take her in and treat her like one of their own. They are popular on the network and well known in the community. When a second set of women are targeted, the group decides they need to go to Idaho and investigate themselves, in person.
The first part of the book I was not sure of. It was really close to the show on the Idaho four that I had just watched and I could see a lot of the same elements. Then the book just kept taking turn after turn. There were a lot of subtle hints in here of what was to come but I only picked up on a few, and then was screaming when I realized what I had missed all along.
The first time Jane was called Veronica from Heathers, I knew this book was for me. If you like True Crime, internet sleuths, twists and turns and Heathers... you will LOVE this book. I honestly couldn't stop thinking about it after it was over.
Thank you to Tantor, Netgalley and Ashley Winstead for an ALC.

Thriller Thursday: Audiobook Edition
Jane is an everyday college student when her father's death sends her reeling. She moved back home and tries to find meaning in life while dealing with the sudden passing of her dad. She stumbles along a chat room for true crime junkies turned case solvers.
She begins chatting with other sleuths and locks onto a case of a murdered woman. She can't let this one go and takes it into her own hands, while putting herself in danger, but she solves the case. This puts her in with a group of serious sleuths. She becomes very close with them, chatting constantly.
When tragedy hits in Idaho and 3 sorority girls are slain, her group decides this is their case to solve.
I love the way @ashleywinsteadbooks writes thrillers. You are invested early on in the book, and there are twists and turns throughout to keep you hooked.
When you first start listening, you are wondering where this book might lead, and then it felt like I was listening to a true crime podcast. If you're a thriller lover, into true crime and podcasts, you will love this audiobook.
Thank you @ashleywinsteadbooks @netgalley@tantoraudio for the copy of this audiobook.
Release Date: March 25, 2025

8.5/10

True crime is a real phenomenon of recent years. Podcasts, documentary series, paradocuments, books – fascination with the dark world of crime seems to grow by the day. But what if too much involvement brings with it an avalanche of events that cannot be controlled?

We learn the story from the perspective of Jane – a grieving daughter who, after the death of her father, seeks solace in amateur crime solving. Seemingly innocent fun slowly turns into a life-derailing obsession – from triumphs, through fame, to infamy and traumatic consequences. The engaging plot “plays with the recipient”, provoking the same analysis and surrendering to the desire to delve, which to some extent it condemns. The solution to the mystery takes the reader by surprise, but looking back, all the facts come together, and the subtle clues make sense. The first-person narrative is a mix of confession and self-reflection, accompanied by fragments of chats, emails and forum posts. Because of the latter, I would probably suggest reading the story – the audiobook can be tricky at times.

Although we get to know Jane the most, the secondary characters are just as interesting (if not more so at times). The group of amateur detectives that the protagonist joins is an intriguing mix representing specific archetypes (father, matron, nerd), but has its own identity, and the number of secondary characters – witnesses, suspects, and law enforcement officers – is just as colorful. Learning about their motivations and following their actions is just as satisfying as solving the main mystery.

The whole thing is dark, intense, but not without glimmers of hope. I highly recommend it, also as a warning.

Thank you NetGalley and the Tantor Audio for a copy of this advanced listened copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

This one gave me some mixed feelings. After Janes father died, she needed something to occupy her time. She finds her way on true crime feeds and becomes obsessed. She befriends a group of other amateur sleuths and start investigating active investigations in the US. After a murder of 3 college girls sweeps the nation, they want to be the ones to solve It. Then the killer turns into a serial killer. Details don’t add up and they keep finding more questions than answers.

As an audiobook, i loved the narrator, she was great. As for the story itself, if you think It sounds familiar, that’s because It is. She copies the exact details of the Idaho murders that are still in trial and not concluded yet. Which 1. Just rubs me the wrong way and 2. Made It pretty boring in the middle since you know what’s going to happen. If she was going to copy the case, i wish she made It more satirical potentially and explored the dangers of internet sleuths or explored some other politically important topic. But Im not quite sure the purpose of this novel and that’s what bothers me.

Controversial. This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead uses a real life horrific murder, the Idaho Murders, as a fictional plot device. Yet, it’s not what the book is about. “After the unexpected death of her father, college student Jane Sharp longs for a distraction from her grief. She becomes obsessed with true crime, befriending armchair detectives who teach her how to hunt killers from afar.” It’s the true crime aspect that is at the forefront and the relationships that develop between the members. I’m not someone who enjoys True Crime and I was hooked. I soon forgot about the murders and concentrated on who-done-it. My only complaint is that the narrator uses a whispery voice sometimes for the main character and I had to keep raising the volume. ALC was provided by Tantor Audio via NetGalley. I received an Audiobook Listening Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.