* I got this book for review for the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I thought this was super well crafted mystery thriller. I really liked how this book was had podcast element mixed with two mysteries and also a strong LGBTQ realtionship. I really was so emotionally invested in these characters. I really liked the pacing of this novel. I really liked both mysteries a lot. I thought there was alot of plots and some of them, where not fully developed as i wanted and felt some of these plots pieces wanted a bit more from some. I really enjoyed this read and loved the diversity of this read. I loved how much this mystery impacted the main character. It was super fun read and wonder if maybe a second book is in the future. Some triggers warming's for PTSD, Smoking! It was the prefect thriller to kick off halloween season! ( )

* I got this book for review for the publisher for my honest thoughts*

I thought this was super well crafted mystery thriller. I really liked how this book was had podcast element mixed with two mysteries and also a strong LGBTQ realtionship. I really was so emotionally invested in these characters. I really liked the pacing of this novel. I really liked both mysteries a lot. I thought there was alot of plots and some of them, where not fully developed as i wanted and felt some of these plots pieces wanted a bit more from some. I really enjoyed this read and loved the diversity of this read. I loved how much this mystery impacted the main character. It was super fun read and wonder if maybe a second book is in the future. Some triggers warming's for PTSD, Smoking! It was the prefect thriller to kick off halloween season! ( )

2.75 stars. i really liked this right up until close to the ending. i am sure that once i read enough of them, that i'll get sick of it, but right now i really like the podcast thriller thing, in the couple of books i've seen it in. i don't listen to podcasts, but i like how the books use them. this one did a great job with it, both integrating the script into the book and using the podcast listeners as laptop detectives that not only helped dee (the podcaster and main character) solve crimes, but also saved her in the end. i liked the vague, sweet, incidentally lesbian (or bi) characters and their "romance" if you can even call it that.

what i didn't like as much was the way it all wrapped up. the culprits sort of fell from the sky, as did the cult or whatever that kidnapping pipeline was. and everything else about them was above board? they just this one time decided to kidnap someone but otherwise have been just living off the grid, no problem? it all felt hastily thrown together as a solution.

but the tension was high, the familial relationships were loving (always appreciated, especially in ya), the writing was engaging, and the plot definitely kept me interested, even as i was disappointed in the ending. ( )

3.5 Stars

Well this was a reasonably engaging YA mystery.

I liked the podcast element and the collective contribution of people trying to solve cases through information sharing online. It added an interesting layer to the story. I don't think it had the depth of some similar YA stories but I was still drawn in and interested to see what happened to Sibby. The relationships were probably a strength in this book with a sweet romance in the mix. I am glad I listened to the audiobook as it suited the format. ( )

I love a good crime mystery. I love cold cases being solved. And I'm really digging this whole laptop detectives thing. I adored The Amateurs by Sara Shepard so I was very excited to see a release in a similar vein. In this case it's a true crime podcast that inspires the laptop detectives to come together to solve cold cases.

The plot was really interesting and I loved the mystery and how it unfolded. I liked the injections of the podcast script and the updates on how the community was working together to find Vanessa and Nia. I loved that those two kicked ass and took names. The flashbacks kind of missed the mark, the narration of those parts felt weird and out of sync with voice of the book.

I liked the characters and the portrayal of Dee's family - particularly the fact her parents are people too (and her stay at home dad and working mother) and that you could clearly see how much they loved her and how much she loved them. Parents tend to be relegated to being distant pot plants in YA. Not that they made much appearance in this but they at least were around - even though not directly involved.

The romance between Sarah and Dee was sweet but nothing particularly moving, which brings me to the characters. I really liked Dee. I loved Burke. But there was a major disconnect between me and the characters. I felt like they were exactly that - characters. They lacked real emotion and depth. I liked what I saw but I wouldn't say they particularly stuck out. It was an easy read because the characters were likeable if not memorable but the plot was the main driving force between why I kept reading.

Overall it was an enjoyable read. A tame YA mystery with a interesting plot. 3 stars. Maybe 3.5. ( )