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Jill and the Killers
Returning to school after the unsolved disappearance of her mother, teenager Jill Estrada can’t wait for things to return to normal . . . even as her friends become obsessed with Box Killers, a true-crime subscription game where each month’s “unsolved case” is custom-tailored to the life of its player. There’s only one catch: Jill’s game seems to be all too real—and when her clues begin to connect the dots to a very real series of disappearances in her hometown, Jill and her friends must conquer their fears and own personal struggles to solve the case.
But can they find the killer before one of their own becomes the next victim?
But can they find the killer before one of their own becomes the next victim?
136 pages, Paperback
Published November 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 15, 2024
4.5 ⭐ rounded up!
I really liked this! I loved the plot and I had no idea who the killer was till its reveal. I loved the art style a lot. I will say some dialogue was an interesting choice. I liked our characters for the most part although some where less lovable than others but I think it was done on purpose, very intrigued to see if they'll continue with this series since the ending was fairly open and there are still unanswered questions. I would happily read like 20 volumes of this!
Thank you netgalley and the publishers for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review
I really liked this! I loved the plot and I had no idea who the killer was till its reveal. I loved the art style a lot. I will say some dialogue was an interesting choice. I liked our characters for the most part although some where less lovable than others but I think it was done on purpose, very intrigued to see if they'll continue with this series since the ending was fairly open and there are still unanswered questions. I would happily read like 20 volumes of this!
Thank you netgalley and the publishers for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review
October 20, 2024
"Jill and the Killers" is fun, fast paced teen noir drama with heavy suspense and horror elements that will charm fans of the genre. Jill, the titular protagonist, is whip smart and channels both Nancy Drew and Rene Montoya while emerging as a wholly new and original character. The story incorporates familiar elements of loss and suffering but remains both hopeful and unpredictable. Expect a tight and edgy mystery, a group of compelling and original Scoobies, a well meaning but ineffective police force and a troubled heroine who never gives up. This book is recommended for anyone who thought "Veronica Mars" was not dark enough.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Oni Press, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Oni Press, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 7, 2024
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley. Content warning for violence and PTSD.)
Jill Estrada seemingly dropped off the face of the earth when her mom disappeared - or at least that's what it seemed like to her friends. Now a year has passed, and Jill has finally convinced her dad to let her return to school. Trouble is, her friend group has kind of moved on: they've got new slang (is any of that really real? asking as an adult); a mysterious, witchy new friend; and a new obsession - Box Killers, a podcast-slash-IRL game that invites subscribers to solve cold cases.
Desperate to get back in her friends' good graces, Jill buys a subscription - but what arrives is a little too real and custom-tailored to be legit. Before long, Jill and her friends are right in the middle of an honest-to-goodness cold case ... one that heats up with the disappearance of one of their own.
JILL AND THE KILLERS has the bones of a good story, but didn't quite do it for me. For starters, the villain? Kind of silly. Especially the reveal. The clown getup is over the top and unnecessary.
Also, I was hella confused about the plot line with Jill's mom, Juliet. A detective (the town's only competent one, apparently), she disappeared without a trace, save for her abandoned patrol car. Jill's dad holds out hope that she's still alive, but Jill insists that she's dead - otherwise, she certainly would have found her way back home by now, right?
From the story's beginning, Jill is haunted by nightmares and images of a car submerged in water - either she's trapped, or trying in vain to rescue someone who is. As a former competitive swimmer, this fear of the water has caused Jill no small amount of distress. The way the story unravels - we don't learn the details about Juliet until much later - I assumed that Jill and Juliet were in a car accident, and Jill was unable to save her mom. And then with the introduction of Ginger, who's an amputee, I thought that maybe Ginger lost her leg in an accident for which Jill feels responsible. But nope, none of this is true. Honestly, I'm still not sure what the nightmares about drowning are supposed to mean, other than that they're a manifestation of Jill's grief and PTSD. At best it feels like a rather confusing way to convey both.
Jill Estrada seemingly dropped off the face of the earth when her mom disappeared - or at least that's what it seemed like to her friends. Now a year has passed, and Jill has finally convinced her dad to let her return to school. Trouble is, her friend group has kind of moved on: they've got new slang (is any of that really real? asking as an adult); a mysterious, witchy new friend; and a new obsession - Box Killers, a podcast-slash-IRL game that invites subscribers to solve cold cases.
Desperate to get back in her friends' good graces, Jill buys a subscription - but what arrives is a little too real and custom-tailored to be legit. Before long, Jill and her friends are right in the middle of an honest-to-goodness cold case ... one that heats up with the disappearance of one of their own.
JILL AND THE KILLERS has the bones of a good story, but didn't quite do it for me. For starters, the villain? Kind of silly. Especially the reveal. The clown getup is over the top and unnecessary.
Also, I was hella confused about the plot line with Jill's mom, Juliet. A detective (the town's only competent one, apparently), she disappeared without a trace, save for her abandoned patrol car. Jill's dad holds out hope that she's still alive, but Jill insists that she's dead - otherwise, she certainly would have found her way back home by now, right?
From the story's beginning, Jill is haunted by nightmares and images of a car submerged in water - either she's trapped, or trying in vain to rescue someone who is. As a former competitive swimmer, this fear of the water has caused Jill no small amount of distress. The way the story unravels - we don't learn the details about Juliet until much later - I assumed that Jill and Juliet were in a car accident, and Jill was unable to save her mom. And then with the introduction of Ginger, who's an amputee, I thought that maybe Ginger lost her leg in an accident for which Jill feels responsible. But nope, none of this is true. Honestly, I'm still not sure what the nightmares about drowning are supposed to mean, other than that they're a manifestation of Jill's grief and PTSD. At best it feels like a rather confusing way to convey both.
September 18, 2024
Massive thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for the digital copy.
I devoured this in one sitting, an absolute page turner. Creepy, heart-felt, mysterious, funny, and great characterization.
I'm so looking forward to reading future installments of this series. I cannot wait to see how the cliffhanger unfolds!
I devoured this in one sitting, an absolute page turner. Creepy, heart-felt, mysterious, funny, and great characterization.
I'm so looking forward to reading future installments of this series. I cannot wait to see how the cliffhanger unfolds!
November 18, 2024
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
While I did like some parts, I just wasn’t always a fan of the MC, Jill. Who apparently expected that everyone just put down their lives while her life was in chaos after the disappearance of her mom. She even got pissed (and stalkerish) when she found out there was a new friend in the group, oh and her ex was dating her. She apparently thought that she could just step into things and everyone would be back to normal. Nope. That is not how that works. Maybe after a few weeks, but this seemed to have been months, maybe even a year? It is not very clear to me. After a while she did get better, but there were moments that I just wanted to throttle her.
The murder/mystery parts were well written and I love that the writer didn’t shy away from body parts, plus I love how it isn’t just one murder, but many. How our team, despite it getting quite scary, didn’t stop, they wanted to figure things out, rescue a friend, and more.
But at times I didn’t like how it didn’t connect together. How new revelations were just revealed while we were just talking about something. Like with the lights flickering, how the heck do you not check what is going on until right before the deadline?
I love the idea of mystery boxes (and what they entail), but who the heck has 200 dollars a month for one mystery box? What the actual fuck? I would have accepted 50 or 70, but 200??
I love finding out a bit more about the mom and get some clues on what could have happened. Plus, those boxes addressed to her. I am very curious what happened to Jill’s mom, is she alive? Is she dead? What was she investigating?
The art was quite good, not always, but quite a lot of times I enjoyed the style + the character designs were fun.
All in all, while I had some issues with Jill (the MC) and some of the stuff felt a bit disconnected, in overall I am happy I read this and I would definitely want to give the next volume a shot as well.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
While I did like some parts, I just wasn’t always a fan of the MC, Jill. Who apparently expected that everyone just put down their lives while her life was in chaos after the disappearance of her mom. She even got pissed (and stalkerish) when she found out there was a new friend in the group, oh and her ex was dating her. She apparently thought that she could just step into things and everyone would be back to normal. Nope. That is not how that works. Maybe after a few weeks, but this seemed to have been months, maybe even a year? It is not very clear to me. After a while she did get better, but there were moments that I just wanted to throttle her.
The murder/mystery parts were well written and I love that the writer didn’t shy away from body parts, plus I love how it isn’t just one murder, but many. How our team, despite it getting quite scary, didn’t stop, they wanted to figure things out, rescue a friend, and more.
But at times I didn’t like how it didn’t connect together. How new revelations were just revealed while we were just talking about something. Like with the lights flickering, how the heck do you not check what is going on until right before the deadline?
I love the idea of mystery boxes (and what they entail), but who the heck has 200 dollars a month for one mystery box? What the actual fuck? I would have accepted 50 or 70, but 200??
I love finding out a bit more about the mom and get some clues on what could have happened. Plus, those boxes addressed to her. I am very curious what happened to Jill’s mom, is she alive? Is she dead? What was she investigating?
The art was quite good, not always, but quite a lot of times I enjoyed the style + the character designs were fun.
All in all, while I had some issues with Jill (the MC) and some of the stuff felt a bit disconnected, in overall I am happy I read this and I would definitely want to give the next volume a shot as well.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
October 9, 2024
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Jill and the Killers is about a girl named Jill who returns to school after a year-long absence due to her mother's disappearance after a tragic accident. Upon returning to school, she finds that all her old friends have moved on. Desperate to find some common ground with them again, she feighs interest in murder documentaries and crime podcasts and offers to buy the next Cloozy (a detective subscription box for $200!!) that sends you a mystery for you to solve, except the box gets mixed up, and they end up trying to solve an actual double homicide case.
The premise of this story is interesting, and it's what made me pick this book up, but I'm extremely disappointed in it. The ⭐️⭐️ is for the artwork and idea of it, but this comic leaves much to be desired. The only saving grace for me was the beautiful artwork and the plot twist at the end.
What really bugged me early on in the story was the vocabulary and speech used between some of the students in the high school. It was gibberish, generation z/alpha ridiculousness. This is a prime example of the younger generations needing to spend more time in class and less time on social media. The abbreviations and slang are ruining the English language. It's sad to see this in an actual published work.
I didn't find the characters all that lovable. For one thing, Jill is extremely nonchalant for someone who thinks her mother drowned to death.
Ginger: Are you sure you're alright? After everything?"
Jill: Duh, why wouldn't I be?"
Does that sound like normal behavior??? It comes across as uncaring and heartless. No teenager who's lost their mother to a mysterious car accident/drowning would ever behave that way and act like their death didn't matter. SHE TOOK A YEAR OFF FROM SCHOOL!!! It doesn't make sense!!
And MRS. CUNNINGHAM!! I had a really difficult time understanding 99.9% of everything she said. All the words are misspelled and make it appear as though she is talking with no teeth or with a severe lisp. Just because she is a little old lady doesn't excuse you from using proper grammar. Every word out of her mouth was misspelled and hard to follow.
Some of the scenes transition effortlessly, but there is one in particular where Jill crashes her friend/enemie's car when trying to avoid the police and she screams for her mom and then says "Where are you,mom?" and she's alone??? I get it, she's probably wishing her mom was there, but it doesn't come off as a grief-ridden moment, and it makes the reader question why she's bringing it up at that moment in the first place when she spent the whole book yelling at anyone who will listen that her mom is dead.
Jill and the Killers is about a girl named Jill who returns to school after a year-long absence due to her mother's disappearance after a tragic accident. Upon returning to school, she finds that all her old friends have moved on. Desperate to find some common ground with them again, she feighs interest in murder documentaries and crime podcasts and offers to buy the next Cloozy (a detective subscription box for $200!!) that sends you a mystery for you to solve, except the box gets mixed up, and they end up trying to solve an actual double homicide case.
The premise of this story is interesting, and it's what made me pick this book up, but I'm extremely disappointed in it. The ⭐️⭐️ is for the artwork and idea of it, but this comic leaves much to be desired. The only saving grace for me was the beautiful artwork and the plot twist at the end.
What really bugged me early on in the story was the vocabulary and speech used between some of the students in the high school. It was gibberish, generation z/alpha ridiculousness. This is a prime example of the younger generations needing to spend more time in class and less time on social media. The abbreviations and slang are ruining the English language. It's sad to see this in an actual published work.
I didn't find the characters all that lovable. For one thing, Jill is extremely nonchalant for someone who thinks her mother drowned to death.
Ginger: Are you sure you're alright? After everything?"
Jill: Duh, why wouldn't I be?"
Does that sound like normal behavior??? It comes across as uncaring and heartless. No teenager who's lost their mother to a mysterious car accident/drowning would ever behave that way and act like their death didn't matter. SHE TOOK A YEAR OFF FROM SCHOOL!!! It doesn't make sense!!
And MRS. CUNNINGHAM!! I had a really difficult time understanding 99.9% of everything she said. All the words are misspelled and make it appear as though she is talking with no teeth or with a severe lisp. Just because she is a little old lady doesn't excuse you from using proper grammar. Every word out of her mouth was misspelled and hard to follow.
Some of the scenes transition effortlessly, but there is one in particular where Jill crashes her friend/enemie's car when trying to avoid the police and she screams for her mom and then says "Where are you,mom?" and she's alone??? I get it, she's probably wishing her mom was there, but it doesn't come off as a grief-ridden moment, and it makes the reader question why she's bringing it up at that moment in the first place when she spent the whole book yelling at anyone who will listen that her mom is dead.
September 19, 2024
The plot was a bit too rushed and the characters weren’t overly likeable, but overall I did have a good time reading this novel and might continue reading (possible?) sequels.
September 9, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced copy.
I didn't quite know what to expect with this one but I really enjoyed it! The author's note at the beginning says that she went into writing the story with just the idea of a murder-mystery subscription box and it became a story about friendship and grief.
And Cuartero-Brigg's story really does well with its depiction of changing friendships and their complications. The story starts post-conflict, with the lead character, Jill, re-engaging with her friend group a year after her mom went missing. She's repressed any hope and grief and just wants things to get back to how they were, some semblance of 'normal'. Her friends, Ginger, Cher, O'Brien, and Clyde also are all experiencing their own grief or conflict in some way, to varying degrees of severity.
Because this is mostly Jill's story though, we don't get too in-depth into the other characters, except for maybe Clyde, the new girl and semi-antagonist. Throughout the book Clyde and Jill butt heads and snipe, due to lack of communication and misunderstandings. Working together on the case continues to raise emotions as well, as it stirs up painful memories for both girls. The relationship between the two of them is the one I'm most interested in seeing more of, though I think it was wrapped up nicely by the end.
As to the actual murder-mystery - there is indeed a couple murders and mysteries, but they mostly take second fiddle to the relationship drama and character growth. I don't mind this, tbh, and actually like it in a comic most of the time, but this one felt a sudden jolt, with the story just ending and the motive laying unanswered. And of course - it's left with a door to more issues or another volume, with the reveal at the end and the mystery of Jill's mom still out there. I wanted to take a star for the lack of motive reveal but that felt extreme for what's really a drop in the bucket in a mostly fulfilling story.
The art, by Roberta Ingranata is good too. I love her background design, it's detailed in such a way that makes the book feel quite lively. Night scenes are especially well done, with great use of shadow and shading, just very cool, dynamic stuff.
I really, really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more (hopefully)!
I didn't quite know what to expect with this one but I really enjoyed it! The author's note at the beginning says that she went into writing the story with just the idea of a murder-mystery subscription box and it became a story about friendship and grief.
And Cuartero-Brigg's story really does well with its depiction of changing friendships and their complications. The story starts post-conflict, with the lead character, Jill, re-engaging with her friend group a year after her mom went missing. She's repressed any hope and grief and just wants things to get back to how they were, some semblance of 'normal'. Her friends, Ginger, Cher, O'Brien, and Clyde also are all experiencing their own grief or conflict in some way, to varying degrees of severity.
Because this is mostly Jill's story though, we don't get too in-depth into the other characters, except for maybe Clyde, the new girl and semi-antagonist. Throughout the book Clyde and Jill butt heads and snipe, due to lack of communication and misunderstandings. Working together on the case continues to raise emotions as well, as it stirs up painful memories for both girls. The relationship between the two of them is the one I'm most interested in seeing more of, though I think it was wrapped up nicely by the end.
As to the actual murder-mystery - there is indeed a couple murders and mysteries, but they mostly take second fiddle to the relationship drama and character growth. I don't mind this, tbh, and actually like it in a comic most of the time, but this one felt a sudden jolt, with the story just ending and the motive laying unanswered. And of course - it's left with a door to more issues or another volume, with the reveal at the end and the mystery of Jill's mom still out there. I wanted to take a star for the lack of motive reveal but that felt extreme for what's really a drop in the bucket in a mostly fulfilling story.
The art, by Roberta Ingranata is good too. I love her background design, it's detailed in such a way that makes the book feel quite lively. Night scenes are especially well done, with great use of shadow and shading, just very cool, dynamic stuff.
I really, really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more (hopefully)!
November 5, 2024
This started out kind of boring and annoying, but it ended up being really intriguing and entertaining! I can’t wait to read the next volume!! I figured out who the killer was as soon as they were introduced in the story, but it was still a fun read and I gotta know what happens next.
February 12, 2025
Wonderful crime thriller - friendship drama mash up. Ingranata's art is vividly expressive and engaging. Would love to spend more reading time with Jill and the gang.
September 2, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Jill and the Killers” is an engaging graphic novel reminiscent of TV crime dramas by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, beautifully illustrated by Roberta Ingranata. The story follows Jill Estrada, a teenager grappling with the mysterious disappearance of her mother while trying to navigate the complexities of returning to school and reconnecting with her friends.
The plot centers around a game called "Box Killers," a subscription service that delivers monthly "unsolved cases" tailored to its subscribers. Jill, hoping to repair her fractured friendships, joins her friends in solving the game’s mysteries. However, they soon realize that the clues provided in the game are connected to actual disappearances in their town. As the line between game and reality blurs, Jill and her friends must work together to uncover the truth before another person goes missing. The story reminded me of a TV crime pilot episode, and I can definitely see this being a series you can binge in one night.
The artwork is one of the standout features of this graphic novel. Ingranata's illustrations are visually stunning, with a glossy style that brings each character to life. The facial expressions are particularly noteworthy (though there were facial expressions at times that looked a little odd), capturing a range of emotions that add depth to the storytelling. The backgrounds are particularly noteworthy as they are just filled with life and have all these little details that are fun to take notice of as you’re reading. I also really liked the LGBTQIA+ representation in the story with diverse characters and relationships that are woven seamlessly into the story, which I think many readers will like, especially younger readers who may relate to the characters.
The story reminded me of a modern teenage Nancy Drew mystery, filled with suspense and unexpected twists as well as some cliches, such as the stupidity of the police in a small town, which is an extremely common trope in crime TV. The blend of mystery, family drama, and teenage friendship creates a compelling story that keeps you engaged, especially with the background of Jill’s mother’s disappearance. The exploration of trauma, particularly Jill's struggle with her mother's disappearance, adds emotional depth to the plot, making it more than just a simple crime-solving adventure.
However, the dialogue in Jill and the Killers is a mixed bag. While I did really appreciate the quirky humor (I actually found myself laughing at loud at times), some of the dialogue was cringeworthy and out of place. The language choice can sometimes detract from the overall storytelling experience, making certain parts difficult to get through.
Despite these shortcomings, Jill and the Killers is an enjoyable read with a well-paced storyline and plenty of intrigue. The book does an excellent job of wrapping up its main plot while leaving enough open-ended questions to set up for future installments, hinting at more mysteries for Jill and her friends to solve. This first volume lays a strong foundation for what should be an exciting and binge-worthy series.
“Jill and the Killers” is an engaging graphic novel reminiscent of TV crime dramas by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, beautifully illustrated by Roberta Ingranata. The story follows Jill Estrada, a teenager grappling with the mysterious disappearance of her mother while trying to navigate the complexities of returning to school and reconnecting with her friends.
The plot centers around a game called "Box Killers," a subscription service that delivers monthly "unsolved cases" tailored to its subscribers. Jill, hoping to repair her fractured friendships, joins her friends in solving the game’s mysteries. However, they soon realize that the clues provided in the game are connected to actual disappearances in their town. As the line between game and reality blurs, Jill and her friends must work together to uncover the truth before another person goes missing. The story reminded me of a TV crime pilot episode, and I can definitely see this being a series you can binge in one night.
The artwork is one of the standout features of this graphic novel. Ingranata's illustrations are visually stunning, with a glossy style that brings each character to life. The facial expressions are particularly noteworthy (though there were facial expressions at times that looked a little odd), capturing a range of emotions that add depth to the storytelling. The backgrounds are particularly noteworthy as they are just filled with life and have all these little details that are fun to take notice of as you’re reading. I also really liked the LGBTQIA+ representation in the story with diverse characters and relationships that are woven seamlessly into the story, which I think many readers will like, especially younger readers who may relate to the characters.
The story reminded me of a modern teenage Nancy Drew mystery, filled with suspense and unexpected twists as well as some cliches, such as the stupidity of the police in a small town, which is an extremely common trope in crime TV. The blend of mystery, family drama, and teenage friendship creates a compelling story that keeps you engaged, especially with the background of Jill’s mother’s disappearance. The exploration of trauma, particularly Jill's struggle with her mother's disappearance, adds emotional depth to the plot, making it more than just a simple crime-solving adventure.
However, the dialogue in Jill and the Killers is a mixed bag. While I did really appreciate the quirky humor (I actually found myself laughing at loud at times), some of the dialogue was cringeworthy and out of place. The language choice can sometimes detract from the overall storytelling experience, making certain parts difficult to get through.
Despite these shortcomings, Jill and the Killers is an enjoyable read with a well-paced storyline and plenty of intrigue. The book does an excellent job of wrapping up its main plot while leaving enough open-ended questions to set up for future installments, hinting at more mysteries for Jill and her friends to solve. This first volume lays a strong foundation for what should be an exciting and binge-worthy series.
September 9, 2024
I mostly enjoyed this graphic novel, but there were several elements I didn't. The dialogue is so bad! It's like how bad some of the dialogue was in Life is Strange dialed up to a 10. These characters are meant to be teenagers in high school, yet they don't talk like any teenager I've ever heard speak. The mystery of the case was sort of interesting. I liked how it has a deep connection to what I assume with be the series' overarching plot. The plot of this volume was a bit unevenly paced. The reveal of the "true killer" in the end was honestly ridiculous. It wasn't even scary, it just made me go "THAT'S the killer? What the everloving f/ck". It was honestly a face-palm moment for me. The art style is okay, but it does the thing a lot of American-style comics do. Where I can't tell if the characters are meant to be teenagers or not, because they're drawn like they're in their late twenties.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 11, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was a very interesting story. I love a girl detective and it was fun that Jill had a whole gang of girl detectives! What was a little confusing was the stuff surrounding Jill's mom. Why was Jill so afraid of the water if her mom hadn't actually drowned/the police car hadn't gone over the embankment? The whole thing leading up to the reveal made it sound like her dad was dealing with grief in different way, trying to deny that his wife was actually dead and then you find out it's Jill who is trying to accept she's dead because she can't handle the emotions that come with the thought that her mom left her and her dad on purpose. Did Jill just assume that her mom had drowned? Or was that fear just to bring us to that climax where she has to help Ginger not drown. The ending of the story was pretty rushed. It felt like there were full sections missing about what happens with Mrs. Cunningham and like if O-Brien is in the hospital. It didn't even show how Jill's coach felt about his (mom? Aunt? grandma? I don't remember) being the killer. The ending with al the boxes in the attic was odd too. I know you have to keep the story going somehow but having the dad say "Hey if we solve these cases, maybe we can find your mom" like... that doesn't seem to have any correlation to me. Anyways, I did enjoy the characters and the story. I like how the group worked together.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was a very interesting story. I love a girl detective and it was fun that Jill had a whole gang of girl detectives! What was a little confusing was the stuff surrounding Jill's mom. Why was Jill so afraid of the water if her mom hadn't actually drowned/the police car hadn't gone over the embankment? The whole thing leading up to the reveal made it sound like her dad was dealing with grief in different way, trying to deny that his wife was actually dead and then you find out it's Jill who is trying to accept she's dead because she can't handle the emotions that come with the thought that her mom left her and her dad on purpose. Did Jill just assume that her mom had drowned? Or was that fear just to bring us to that climax where she has to help Ginger not drown. The ending of the story was pretty rushed. It felt like there were full sections missing about what happens with Mrs. Cunningham and like if O-Brien is in the hospital. It didn't even show how Jill's coach felt about his (mom? Aunt? grandma? I don't remember) being the killer. The ending with al the boxes in the attic was odd too. I know you have to keep the story going somehow but having the dad say "Hey if we solve these cases, maybe we can find your mom" like... that doesn't seem to have any correlation to me. Anyways, I did enjoy the characters and the story. I like how the group worked together.
November 6, 2024
Thank you to @onipress for making the ARC of 'Jill and the Killers Vol. 1' by Olivia Cuartero-Briggs available as an ARC on @netgalley
It's been a year since Jill's mother went missing, and she desperately wants to return to some kind of normalcy. Returning to school, she finds that things have changed dramatically, and the only thing that might allow her to reconnect with her friends is doinf her part to solve a murder mystery subscription box. When their first box leads to the discovery of a real crime, though, Jill and her friends find themselves caught up in a truly dangerous game.
With the rise in popularity of true crime, this story feels very on trend. And while the quippiness of the dialogue puts it firmly within the well-trod path of 'Veronica Mars,' et al, there's an ironic self-awareness to its use that helps to keep it fresh and funny.
Roberta Ingranata's illustrations are generally good, but really shine in those moments that she's able to explore the weirder, more uncanny parts of the story - and I wish there'd been more opportunities to explore that.bj Hu
I do think the tone might be a bit light at times, given the subject matter, but as long as you keep in mind that it's not meant to be horror, that's not that big of a deal.
It'll be interesting to see how long the concept can sustain itself without feeling a bit stale. For now, though, I'll be keeping an eye out for the next volume.
'Jill and the Killers' comes out November 19 2024.
It's been a year since Jill's mother went missing, and she desperately wants to return to some kind of normalcy. Returning to school, she finds that things have changed dramatically, and the only thing that might allow her to reconnect with her friends is doinf her part to solve a murder mystery subscription box. When their first box leads to the discovery of a real crime, though, Jill and her friends find themselves caught up in a truly dangerous game.
With the rise in popularity of true crime, this story feels very on trend. And while the quippiness of the dialogue puts it firmly within the well-trod path of 'Veronica Mars,' et al, there's an ironic self-awareness to its use that helps to keep it fresh and funny.
Roberta Ingranata's illustrations are generally good, but really shine in those moments that she's able to explore the weirder, more uncanny parts of the story - and I wish there'd been more opportunities to explore that.bj Hu
I do think the tone might be a bit light at times, given the subject matter, but as long as you keep in mind that it's not meant to be horror, that's not that big of a deal.
It'll be interesting to see how long the concept can sustain itself without feeling a bit stale. For now, though, I'll be keeping an eye out for the next volume.
'Jill and the Killers' comes out November 19 2024.
November 11, 2024
Jill is going to finally be going back to school after her mother's disappearance. She's not prepared, but she tries to shove herself back into the friend's group after not communicating with them for a full year. As expected, things have changed in a year, but Jill decides that it doesn't matter and she's going to force it to be the way it was. They decide to get together to do a "murder mystery box" after Jill begs her dad for this expensive subscription. The box shows up, but inside leads them to a cold case murder mystery that Jill's mother was working on. The police are bumbling idiots throughout the whole novel, and keep letting Jill get away with things because of her mom's disappearance and being a detective on the force. Jill is a bratty teenager who doesn't listen to anyone, badgers her way into everything, has many mental health issues to deal with but ignores instead, and is pissed at her dad for trying to keep functioning after his wife and mother of his child went missing. Jill magically stumbles into the answer and is able to help solve the one mystery of this book, and it is set up to lead into many, many, more mysteries. Her friends all forgive her, her dad forgives her, and she continues blindly stumbling her way through life without accountability for anything.
This is set up to be a really cool young adult mystery graphic novel series, but Jill kills the whole book. The artwork is good.
Copy provided by publisher.
This is set up to be a really cool young adult mystery graphic novel series, but Jill kills the whole book. The artwork is good.
Copy provided by publisher.
September 11, 2024
The Riverdale teens are back...errr...the Scooby gang? The Paper Girls? It's a mix bag of all of them in this graphic novel AND it's so so good. A murder mystery that you should miss! I thought the cover art would reveal how intense the book will be, but I was wrong. It's a PG-13 but it made the story not lacking if it's not a violent comic. It's a good balance of detective and real life drama. At first I can't get into the story because of those Gen Z lingos. It all clears up when I pass a few pages and the comic gets into business. When the comic sways to the drama side, I feel that this comic won't satisfied me with the detective side of it feeling that it will be a rush ending. Well, again, I'm so wrong. The main characters back stories are treated well and their interactions are gold. Their chemistry are dynamic and all of them are given enough spotlight to shine. Of course, Jill is the main protagonist of them all get the lion share of this comic. Her missing her mom really added pressure not just her personal and high school life but also her searching for the killer.
The art is good! It really captures the drama, action and (a bit of) horror in the story. Nothing brooding or dark to give you the eerie vibe but again it didn't steal any thunder that this book brings. The art from the flash backs are my favorite.
The art is good! It really captures the drama, action and (a bit of) horror in the story. Nothing brooding or dark to give you the eerie vibe but again it didn't steal any thunder that this book brings. The art from the flash backs are my favorite.
September 15, 2024
A big thanks to #NetGalley and @OniPress for giving me the opportunity to read this e-ARC of #JillandtheKillers!
(Review in Swedish down below)
I really like the idea of subscribing to a murder mystery, it's a fun and unexplored way to tackle the detective genre, but I rather not find myself recieving a box like the one Jill got.
Clues are revieled one by one to keep your focused on the target, to stay ahead of the main characters. I fail every time. The side story about Jills missing mother is interesting and gives me several occations of speculation.
If there is a sequel I really want to read it because ending the story like this is cruel!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gillar verkligen idén med att prenumerera på en mordgåta, det är ett underhållande och outforskat sätt att angripa deckargenren på. Att det sedan inte blir riktigt som Jill och hennes vänner tänkt sig är ju kanske inte lika underhållande.
Lagom många ledtrådar utportionerade pö om pö gör att man hela tiden håller fokus på att försöka ligga steget före huvudpersonerna, men jag går bet varje gång. Sidostoryn om Jills försvunna mamma är också intressant och blir gärna föremål för diverse spekulationer.
Vill verkligen läsa en fortsättning, för att avsluta så här är bara grymt!
(Review in Swedish down below)
I really like the idea of subscribing to a murder mystery, it's a fun and unexplored way to tackle the detective genre, but I rather not find myself recieving a box like the one Jill got.
Clues are revieled one by one to keep your focused on the target, to stay ahead of the main characters. I fail every time. The side story about Jills missing mother is interesting and gives me several occations of speculation.
If there is a sequel I really want to read it because ending the story like this is cruel!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gillar verkligen idén med att prenumerera på en mordgåta, det är ett underhållande och outforskat sätt att angripa deckargenren på. Att det sedan inte blir riktigt som Jill och hennes vänner tänkt sig är ju kanske inte lika underhållande.
Lagom många ledtrådar utportionerade pö om pö gör att man hela tiden håller fokus på att försöka ligga steget före huvudpersonerna, men jag går bet varje gång. Sidostoryn om Jills försvunna mamma är också intressant och blir gärna föremål för diverse spekulationer.
Vill verkligen läsa en fortsättning, för att avsluta så här är bara grymt!
October 11, 2024
I love teen murder mysteries and this one is a really fun read, with a few flaws.
Jill is returning to school after the disappearance of her mom. Jill desperately wants things back to the way things were before, but a new student prevents that from happening. While the overall story and mystery are pretty good, the pacing is breakneck, even by comic standards. Things that should be a bigger deal are brushed away quickly and conflict is resolved without much struggle. This is really evident with Jill's character. She is traumatized but doesn't seem to be in therapy, instead taking it out on her friends, especially the new girl (who is another issue in herself). Pacing and character issues aside, the art is amazing and the overall story is intriguing. The ending of the mystery was a bit of a let down, and, while I am looking forward to more, the set up for sequels was wild considering how against solving mysteries Jill's dad was.
Thank you Netgalley for access to this ARC
Jill is returning to school after the disappearance of her mom. Jill desperately wants things back to the way things were before, but a new student prevents that from happening. While the overall story and mystery are pretty good, the pacing is breakneck, even by comic standards. Things that should be a bigger deal are brushed away quickly and conflict is resolved without much struggle. This is really evident with Jill's character. She is traumatized but doesn't seem to be in therapy, instead taking it out on her friends, especially the new girl (who is another issue in herself). Pacing and character issues aside, the art is amazing and the overall story is intriguing. The ending of the mystery was a bit of a let down, and, while I am looking forward to more, the set up for sequels was wild considering how against solving mysteries Jill's dad was.
Thank you Netgalley for access to this ARC
August 31, 2024
I loved this. The characters are perfectly drawn, believably real teenagers presented in a glossy style. The story line mystery draws you in. It’s like a modern Teenage Nancy Drew with friends mystery crime series. Jill Estrada is trying to recover from her mum’s disappearance or possible death. Returning to school she finds her friends are now into solving true crimes. Buying a subscription game offering the chance to solve a crime is the start of something bigger than Jill could imagine. At the end of this complete story, the reader is given an idea that there are lots more crimes to solve for Jill and her friends to solve, and maybe an answer to what has happened to Jill’s mother. Having read this first volume this is one series of comics I want to read to the end. Thank you to ONI Press and NetGalley for the comic ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
September 8, 2024
As a fan of true crime shows, I was immediately engrossed with this graphic novel. The stunning art complemented perfectly the struggled that the main character is going through, the trauma she’s trying to overcome and the rekindled and new friendships with the other girls.
Following this group of teenage girls investigating, I found all the hallmarks I expected, from the idiotic police officers, to the suspense and classic plot twists, as well as great LGBTQ+ representation.
The only thing that I could not enjoy was the sometimes cringey dialogues, whether with the mix of languages of the expressions used by Jill and the other teenagers.
Despite that issue, I can’t wait for the second volume and hopefully some more answers as to the disappearance of Jill’s mother.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC.
Following this group of teenage girls investigating, I found all the hallmarks I expected, from the idiotic police officers, to the suspense and classic plot twists, as well as great LGBTQ+ representation.
The only thing that I could not enjoy was the sometimes cringey dialogues, whether with the mix of languages of the expressions used by Jill and the other teenagers.
Despite that issue, I can’t wait for the second volume and hopefully some more answers as to the disappearance of Jill’s mother.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC.
September 16, 2024
This was such a fun read. Defintely something I would typically pick up from my local comic book shop. JIll and the Killers really knows it's target audience. With true crime still being huge, this is the perfect story for any true crime fan.
The characters were diverse and easy to follow. Sometimes in comics it's easy to get lost with characters but I always felt like I knew what was going on.
The ending was quite a shock! I thought I had it figured out but it took a twist I did not see coming. The last couple of pages however, I felt like part of the story was missing. There was a weird gap with the conversation with Jill's dad. I kept scrolling back to see if I had missed a clue or something that led to the conversation.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Oni for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were diverse and easy to follow. Sometimes in comics it's easy to get lost with characters but I always felt like I knew what was going on.
The ending was quite a shock! I thought I had it figured out but it took a twist I did not see coming. The last couple of pages however, I felt like part of the story was missing. There was a weird gap with the conversation with Jill's dad. I kept scrolling back to see if I had missed a clue or something that led to the conversation.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Oni for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2024
This was so much fun to read and I really enjoyed it! This follows a ragtag group of friends, who are rediscovering their bond with one another, as they look into mysterious disappearances and deaths in their town. It isn't until one of their own goes missing as well that they throw caution to the wind and vow not to stop until they bring him back home. The case in this wasn't super drawn out and it was able to be wrapped up nicely in this one volume but the ending did set things up perfectly for a series continuation. The cops in this were also so funny and ridiculous and I liked that that is how the police were approached in this story. Overall, the mystery was pretty solid and I would definitely continue to read more if the author puts them out.
Content Warning: dismembered body parts, kidnapping, assault, murder, loss of a loved one, ptsd
Content Warning: dismembered body parts, kidnapping, assault, murder, loss of a loved one, ptsd
September 29, 2024
Me costó bastante adentrarme en esta historia. Sentía que había muchas cosas que me hacían ruido o simplemente que los personajes no llegaban a interesarme del todo. Pero por suerte lo continué y cuando termine quería seguir leyendo porque claramente esto es solo la punta del iceberg.
Jill and the Killers tiene una premisa muy linda, aunque no logré conectarla mucho con lo que sucede (en parte si, pero no tanto como pense que iba a estar relacionada). Más alla de este detalle, fue una lectura entretenida y que te mantiene muy alerta de la mitad en adelante.
¿Cómo continuará esta historia? ¡Ya quiero saber!
Gracias Oni Press por el ARC que leí en NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Jill and the Killers tiene una premisa muy linda, aunque no logré conectarla mucho con lo que sucede (en parte si, pero no tanto como pense que iba a estar relacionada). Más alla de este detalle, fue una lectura entretenida y que te mantiene muy alerta de la mitad en adelante.
¿Cómo continuará esta historia? ¡Ya quiero saber!
Gracias Oni Press por el ARC que leí en NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.
October 13, 2024
Absolutely playing into the true crime fandom that exists but with a twist-- Jill's mother is presumed dead (at least she thinks so) while her dad holds out hope that she's just missing as a copy whose car was found at the bottom of a lake.
When Jill returns to school and some normalcy, her friends explain that they're into these true crime box subscriptions in which they can solve crimes, feeding into their obsessions and as the box's information start to reveal, it seems less a nebulous crime to solve and more in line with connecting the dots about her mother's mystery-- which is creepy.
The unfolding story, visuals of the graphics, and overall story make it a strong comic series out of the gate.
When Jill returns to school and some normalcy, her friends explain that they're into these true crime box subscriptions in which they can solve crimes, feeding into their obsessions and as the box's information start to reveal, it seems less a nebulous crime to solve and more in line with connecting the dots about her mother's mystery-- which is creepy.
The unfolding story, visuals of the graphics, and overall story make it a strong comic series out of the gate.
October 22, 2024
I'm rounding up, but this was more of a 3.5 for me. I'm intrigued by the plot, and since it seems like the first of a series they're planning to really develop I think it could be a good starting point, but the plot points felt a little all over the place. I'm intrigued by the overarching plot of Jill's missing mother, and the dynamics between Jill, Ginger, and Clyde, but many of the plot points felt forced or overly convenient. It's got a queer Nancy Drew vibe though, which is very fun, and having a monster of the week style series with greater plot linking the stories together is a style I really enjoy and can see building well on itself. I'm interested enough to read further as more issues/volumes come out.
July 17, 2024
Fantastic read! I knocked this out in one sitting because I could not put it down.
Love the art style, especially the facial expressions. A+ story with multiple mysteries intertwined, family drama and exploration of trauma, and side plots centering sapphic romance and the strength of teenage BFFs.
I loved that the author gave us a clean conclusion to the primary story arc of this volume, while still leaving the door open for some of the longer arc mysteries to continue in the next edition. Very excited to see where this series goes and lamenting the fact I will have to wait a while to find out!
Special thanks to Edelweiss+ and Oni Press for an ARC in exchange for review.
Love the art style, especially the facial expressions. A+ story with multiple mysteries intertwined, family drama and exploration of trauma, and side plots centering sapphic romance and the strength of teenage BFFs.
I loved that the author gave us a clean conclusion to the primary story arc of this volume, while still leaving the door open for some of the longer arc mysteries to continue in the next edition. Very excited to see where this series goes and lamenting the fact I will have to wait a while to find out!
Special thanks to Edelweiss+ and Oni Press for an ARC in exchange for review.
November 3, 2024
Jill and the Killers is a really fun graphic novel about a group of teenagers who are trying to do a monthly true crime mystery subscription box, when they end up accidentally working on an actual crime. There was so much to love about this one! The snarkiness definitely gave Veronica Mars vibes, which was great. I liked that weird dynamics of high school girl friendships were also playing out during some super scary settings. Also, one of the first times I've seen a successful jump scare in a graphic novel, and I loved that. Thanks to NetGalley, Olivia Cuartero-Briggs, and Oni Press for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!
December 4, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 rounded up
This was a very enjoyable murder mystery to follow along with. There were definitely a few things that left me confused, mostly about the logistics of the killings (how did the killer ensure this certain thing happened during their desired timeframe). The story of overcoming grief was interwoven well throughout the story, with Jill battling hers and the villain twisted by their own. The art had some funky moments but was overall very solid. I'd definitely recommend this quick read for anyone who likes YA murder mysteries.
3.5 rounded up
This was a very enjoyable murder mystery to follow along with. There were definitely a few things that left me confused, mostly about the logistics of the killings (how did the killer ensure this certain thing happened during their desired timeframe). The story of overcoming grief was interwoven well throughout the story, with Jill battling hers and the villain twisted by their own. The art had some funky moments but was overall very solid. I'd definitely recommend this quick read for anyone who likes YA murder mysteries.
October 25, 2024
Jill just wants to go back to school and feel normal after her mother's disappearance and her absence. However, when she gets back to school, she finds that her friends have moved on without her, and she still has some trauma to work through. Her friends are now into true crime stuff, and to get back into their good graces, she volunteers to get a big box of a crime tailored to her. They got a box that ended up being for a real crime. The mystery of her missing mother and cases being sent to her, and a young group of teens to figure out the case.
October 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this thrilling graphic novel. I opened it just to see what the format was like, with the intention of finishing my current book and then coming back to it. Well, that didn't happen! I couldn’t put it down. I was drawn into the story straight away.
The illustrations are really cool and the teenagers are portrayed realistically. I even laughed out loud at some parts. Some of the language was a bit odd but that was mainly one quirky character. There are also some back story elements that are not resolved which makes you eager for more.
All in all, an exciting quick read with an interesting unpredictable storyline. Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the eARC.
The illustrations are really cool and the teenagers are portrayed realistically. I even laughed out loud at some parts. Some of the language was a bit odd but that was mainly one quirky character. There are also some back story elements that are not resolved which makes you eager for more.
All in all, an exciting quick read with an interesting unpredictable storyline. Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the eARC.
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