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Strange Nature
Jasmin has always known that monsters are real. When she was a child, she witnessed her famous, adored grandfather attempt to kill her grandmother.
Now Jasmin is seventeen, watchful and curious. She hangs out at the local college, sneaking into the lectures of charismatic professor Theo Merrick and spying on an intoxicatingly cool group of older students. She can only dream of being part of their world.
Then, when a college student dies in mysterious circumstances, Jasmin seizes her chance to join the group as they try to solve the mystery - while unwittingly unraveling her own dark past.
Strange Nature is a richly layered thriller, a journey into mystery, myth and memory, and a story of love in all its forms.
Now Jasmin is seventeen, watchful and curious. She hangs out at the local college, sneaking into the lectures of charismatic professor Theo Merrick and spying on an intoxicatingly cool group of older students. She can only dream of being part of their world.
Then, when a college student dies in mysterious circumstances, Jasmin seizes her chance to join the group as they try to solve the mystery - while unwittingly unraveling her own dark past.
Strange Nature is a richly layered thriller, a journey into mystery, myth and memory, and a story of love in all its forms.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2025
19 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 25, 2026
you can simply never trust a man. 😔
April 13, 2026
What a delightful surprise this book was! For some reason I thought this was going to be a non fiction and forgot that I’d requested it from the library. The minute it landed in my inbox and I started listening to it, I was hooked.
I sooo love a dark academia vibe and this one was great. We have a murder mystery, sense of looming threat that completely held my attention. I couldn’t wait to listen to it when I had some spare time and it was soo addicting.
Loved the vibes, loved the story and the plot was compelling and coolly mysterious.
I sooo love a dark academia vibe and this one was great. We have a murder mystery, sense of looming threat that completely held my attention. I couldn’t wait to listen to it when I had some spare time and it was soo addicting.
Loved the vibes, loved the story and the plot was compelling and coolly mysterious.
January 2, 2026
Strange Nature is one of those books that quietly pulls you in, then slowly tightens its grip the more you think about what’s really going on beneath the surface.
From the start, Jasmin’s belief that monsters are real feels less metaphorical and more like a warning. The childhood trauma involving her grandfather casts a long shadow, and Watson does a great job of letting that unease seep into every interaction and observation Jasmin makes. She’s watchful, slightly feral around the edges, and deeply compelling as a narrator.
The mystery element has a very Mystery Inc. vibe—snooping around, an alluring group of older students, secret knowledge, and a death that invites questions rather than answers. That sense of teenage investigation mixed with myth and academia was genuinely fun, and I loved the creeping feeling that Jasmin might be uncovering something about herself as much as about the crime.
Where the book really shines is in its atmosphere and themes: memory, inherited violence, love in its many warped and tender forms. It’s layered and thoughtful, even when the pace occasionally slows and the mystery doesn’t hit quite as sharply as I expected.
From the start, Jasmin’s belief that monsters are real feels less metaphorical and more like a warning. The childhood trauma involving her grandfather casts a long shadow, and Watson does a great job of letting that unease seep into every interaction and observation Jasmin makes. She’s watchful, slightly feral around the edges, and deeply compelling as a narrator.
The mystery element has a very Mystery Inc. vibe—snooping around, an alluring group of older students, secret knowledge, and a death that invites questions rather than answers. That sense of teenage investigation mixed with myth and academia was genuinely fun, and I loved the creeping feeling that Jasmin might be uncovering something about herself as much as about the crime.
Where the book really shines is in its atmosphere and themes: memory, inherited violence, love in its many warped and tender forms. It’s layered and thoughtful, even when the pace occasionally slows and the mystery doesn’t hit quite as sharply as I expected.
June 19, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4 stars.
I liked this dark academia mystery, it jumps right in with our main character who is a mystery to herself in a way with monsters from the past keeping her a closed book. Her past seems to bleed into the present as she makes new friends and follows clues to figure out a mysterious death. The story takes unexpected turns, you cannot trust anyone.
This felt like an academic setting scooby doo/A good girls guide to murder type scenario and I mean that in the best way.
I liked this dark academia mystery, it jumps right in with our main character who is a mystery to herself in a way with monsters from the past keeping her a closed book. Her past seems to bleed into the present as she makes new friends and follows clues to figure out a mysterious death. The story takes unexpected turns, you cannot trust anyone.
This felt like an academic setting scooby doo/A good girls guide to murder type scenario and I mean that in the best way.
December 30, 2025
4⭐ for “Strange nature”
When Jasmin was a child she witnessed her beloved grandfather strangle her grandmother.
Now Jasmin is seventeen, and she knows monsters can hide in plain sight.
She spends her free time around the university her grandfather used to teach at, observing people. Driven by her endless curiosity she finds herself trying to solve a murder with a group of college friends she used to admire from afar.
“Strange nature” is a fun YA dark academia book. It’s got everything a murder mystery needs.
Jasmin is still in highschool while her new friends aren’t. She needs to work around the constrictions of a high school schedule, while her friends enjoy the freedom of college life. This wasn’t ignored, which made the character very believable.
Jasmin also suffers from anxiety and uses coping mechanisms a therapist would recommend you, adding another layer to the high school student you meet at the beginning of the book.
The story was fast paced, didn’t drag, en wrapped up with a satisfying reveal. Would definitely recommend for younger readers looking for fun murder stories.
Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!
When Jasmin was a child she witnessed her beloved grandfather strangle her grandmother.
Now Jasmin is seventeen, and she knows monsters can hide in plain sight.
She spends her free time around the university her grandfather used to teach at, observing people. Driven by her endless curiosity she finds herself trying to solve a murder with a group of college friends she used to admire from afar.
“Strange nature” is a fun YA dark academia book. It’s got everything a murder mystery needs.
Jasmin is still in highschool while her new friends aren’t. She needs to work around the constrictions of a high school schedule, while her friends enjoy the freedom of college life. This wasn’t ignored, which made the character very believable.
Jasmin also suffers from anxiety and uses coping mechanisms a therapist would recommend you, adding another layer to the high school student you meet at the beginning of the book.
The story was fast paced, didn’t drag, en wrapped up with a satisfying reveal. Would definitely recommend for younger readers looking for fun murder stories.
Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!
February 25, 2026
Vond het echt wel een leuk boek. Ik begon eraan denkende dat het een fantasy boek was, maar het was uiteindelijk een soort murder mystery. Het boek had ook echt een aantal plottwists die wel goed waren en op het einde zat ik het echt op men zenuwen te lezen. Het enige wat ik aan te merken heb is dat het allerlaatste stukje voor men gevoel een beetje snel afgewerkt was en net een beetje te vaag, dat je niet goed kunt inbeelden hoe het na het verhaal verder zal gaan.
May 5, 2026
A little disappointed with the ending. Felt like it all came apart really quickly all of a sudden even though it took so long to get to the end.
April 20, 2026
Maybe it is good and kind to let monsters be monsters.”
Strange Nature is a slow-burn thriller that follows Jasmin, her traumatic past, and her new group of friends as they try to uncover a murder.
I was looking forward to reading this, but the start was really slow. The pacing was tough to sustain, and the early parts didn’t always help the characters grow. I only got hooked around the 70% mark, and after that, I finished it fast. Before then, it felt like it dragged.
The story uses a deep third-person point of view. Even though I read an early copy, I thought this style fit the story well. It’s easy to see how Jasmin views and feels about those around her. Still, except for one clear exception, the rest of the group blended together, and I struggled to remember what made each person unique. Jasmin’s family relationships were more interesting and kept my attention. The way her trauma was introduced at the start was what kept me reading.
At times, the story leans a bit too much into a supernatural vibe. I didn’t expect it to be fantasy, but some scenes made me wonder if it would turn in that direction. It doesn’t, though, so some readers might find that a bit misleading.
I enjoyed the final twists, and overall, it was a decent read. Still, I didn’t love it, mainly because the slow pacing and group dynamics didn’t give me the emotional connection I usually want.
If you like slow-burn thrillers with a dark academia feel, this could be a great pick for you.
June 26, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!
17-year-old Jasmin spends her time hanging around the local university, where her grandfather once taught before he was sent to prison for a terrible crime. After a talk by famous scientist Theo Merrick, a student is found dead. Jasmin joins forces with a group of journalism students to find out what happened—but everyone is hiding secrets, and Jasmin’s own dark family history keeps coming back to haunt her.
Our protagonist, Jasmin, feels just like a real 17/18-year-old, with her desire to fit in, her anxieties, her impulsiveness. She’s likeable, but at the same time, has flaws. The idea of her as a ‘watcher’ was really interesting, and I enjoyed seeing her develop from passive witness, to investigator, to an active decision-maker.
Jasmin’s relationship with the four older students she becomes obsessed with is deliciously complicated. She’s lying to them, but it’s also clear that they’re lying to her, and even though at points they clearly do all get on well, there is an undercurrent of tension throughout. It’s complex, just like relationships are, and a neat display of the dangers of hero-worshipping real, complicated people.
Her relationship with her family is a nice contrast to this, and it’s nice to read a YA book where the protagonist does have a support system.
The plot is engaging and fast-paced. There are so many suspects for the murder, so many red herrings, and throughout it all, subtle hints at something not quite natural going on.
Overall, a twisting dark academia thriller I found hard to put down!
17-year-old Jasmin spends her time hanging around the local university, where her grandfather once taught before he was sent to prison for a terrible crime. After a talk by famous scientist Theo Merrick, a student is found dead. Jasmin joins forces with a group of journalism students to find out what happened—but everyone is hiding secrets, and Jasmin’s own dark family history keeps coming back to haunt her.
Our protagonist, Jasmin, feels just like a real 17/18-year-old, with her desire to fit in, her anxieties, her impulsiveness. She’s likeable, but at the same time, has flaws. The idea of her as a ‘watcher’ was really interesting, and I enjoyed seeing her develop from passive witness, to investigator, to an active decision-maker.
Jasmin’s relationship with the four older students she becomes obsessed with is deliciously complicated. She’s lying to them, but it’s also clear that they’re lying to her, and even though at points they clearly do all get on well, there is an undercurrent of tension throughout. It’s complex, just like relationships are, and a neat display of the dangers of hero-worshipping real, complicated people.
Her relationship with her family is a nice contrast to this, and it’s nice to read a YA book where the protagonist does have a support system.
The plot is engaging and fast-paced. There are so many suspects for the murder, so many red herrings, and throughout it all, subtle hints at something not quite natural going on.
Overall, a twisting dark academia thriller I found hard to put down!
April 20, 2026
Oh. My. Gosh!
This book had me so invested that everything around me completely disappeared. From beginning to end I was hooked and always needed more. It slowly pulled me in and then tightened its grip on me so fiercely until I had finished and even now…I’m still here, thinking about what went down.
Jasmin knows monsters are real, she’s seen them as early as 8 year old when her grandad attacked her grandma, she knows they can so easily hide in plain sight.
When she witnesses a woman in distress her mind is on her and when she’s found dead by supposed suicide, jasmine knows there’s more going on than what’s been said and so she sets out to get answers starting with the group of friends she’s been watching from afar.
Watching Jasmin’s determination to get the truth along with her friends has been fantastic, these friends are very similar yet different at the same time. They won’t stop until they know the truth no matter what gets in the way.
Sometimes in books a storyline is dragged out but not this one, the story was built quite quickly along the pages and it felt like everything was happening all at once in the best way possible. Mary Watson did a brilliant job on this beauty. I’m just sad I’m finished.
and I just have to mention..that PLOT TWIST at the end?? Because WHY *insert shocked emoji* *insert crying emoji* I was on my knees.
Strange Nature is a fast paced, YA dark academia book, it’s an utterly addictive read with all the greatest parts a murder mystery entails, the chase, the questions, the twists, everything flowed so perfectly into this brilliant book.
This book had me so invested that everything around me completely disappeared. From beginning to end I was hooked and always needed more. It slowly pulled me in and then tightened its grip on me so fiercely until I had finished and even now…I’m still here, thinking about what went down.
Jasmin knows monsters are real, she’s seen them as early as 8 year old when her grandad attacked her grandma, she knows they can so easily hide in plain sight.
When she witnesses a woman in distress her mind is on her and when she’s found dead by supposed suicide, jasmine knows there’s more going on than what’s been said and so she sets out to get answers starting with the group of friends she’s been watching from afar.
Watching Jasmin’s determination to get the truth along with her friends has been fantastic, these friends are very similar yet different at the same time. They won’t stop until they know the truth no matter what gets in the way.
Sometimes in books a storyline is dragged out but not this one, the story was built quite quickly along the pages and it felt like everything was happening all at once in the best way possible. Mary Watson did a brilliant job on this beauty. I’m just sad I’m finished.
and I just have to mention..that PLOT TWIST at the end?? Because WHY *insert shocked emoji* *insert crying emoji* I was on my knees.
Strange Nature is a fast paced, YA dark academia book, it’s an utterly addictive read with all the greatest parts a murder mystery entails, the chase, the questions, the twists, everything flowed so perfectly into this brilliant book.
February 28, 2026
An engaging premise, a strong start, some great writing but ultimate it felt a little lifeless to me.
I loved the concept, and the first chapter where we see the mystery of her grandpa seem to randomly just try and murder his wife... it was brilliant and I was really excited to see where this went. But then we flashed forward and although there was an attempt to explain what had happened and why, it never really hit the spot for me.
There are hints at the supernatural, quite a few and I was intruiged to see how it would play out, if there would be actual elements of that or if it would just warp the character's views of the world. Neither seemed to really happen.
I expected this to be more about her Grandfather, to be about the scar, the tragedy of what happened when she was eight, but her Grandpa felt more like a plot device than an actual character in his own right. Instead the focus was all on this murder mystery with just a couple of attempts to link them. (and the four friends trusted her way too easily, one question and she was a part of the gang?)
This worked best when it was an expression and exploration of grief. It could be quite powerful at times, when it forgot the actual story it was telling and instead focused on the people moving within it.
Overall it was a decent read. But I didn’t fall in love with it, and I was left a little cold by both the main character and the ending.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I loved the concept, and the first chapter where we see the mystery of her grandpa seem to randomly just try and murder his wife... it was brilliant and I was really excited to see where this went. But then we flashed forward and although there was an attempt to explain what had happened and why, it never really hit the spot for me.
There are hints at the supernatural, quite a few and I was intruiged to see how it would play out, if there would be actual elements of that or if it would just warp the character's views of the world. Neither seemed to really happen.
I expected this to be more about her Grandfather, to be about the scar, the tragedy of what happened when she was eight, but her Grandpa felt more like a plot device than an actual character in his own right. Instead the focus was all on this murder mystery with just a couple of attempts to link them. (and the four friends trusted her way too easily, one question and she was a part of the gang?)
This worked best when it was an expression and exploration of grief. It could be quite powerful at times, when it forgot the actual story it was telling and instead focused on the people moving within it.
Overall it was a decent read. But I didn’t fall in love with it, and I was left a little cold by both the main character and the ending.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
July 27, 2025
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
STRANGE NATURE is a murder mystery with lots of avenues of investigation.
This is a twisty murder mystery about students at a university caught up in the orbit of a charismatic leader and the different ways students can be dismissed. There are so many suspect all with ties back to this professor and it feels like he must be involved but he seems insulated from it by them. Trying to find that connective thread kept me turning the pages.
The number of suspects was also compelling, providing Jasmin and her friends several avenues to go down, all these chances to stumble across what they needed. But there are friendship tensions and witnesses too scared to come clean making their job harder. There are so many turns and reveals and discoveries of other issues that makes it such a nice mystery to sink your teeth in.
I thought, initially, that this book was a contemporary fantasy - based on both this cover looking very SFF and Mary Watson's previous work. However, despite the characters referring to legends, this is very much a thriller without any fantastical elements. I kept expecting there to be some ritualistic element to the killing or some belief in magic that was propelling them along, but that never turned up, and it took me a while to get used to this idea.
STRANGE NATURE is a murder mystery with lots of avenues of investigation.
This is a twisty murder mystery about students at a university caught up in the orbit of a charismatic leader and the different ways students can be dismissed. There are so many suspect all with ties back to this professor and it feels like he must be involved but he seems insulated from it by them. Trying to find that connective thread kept me turning the pages.
The number of suspects was also compelling, providing Jasmin and her friends several avenues to go down, all these chances to stumble across what they needed. But there are friendship tensions and witnesses too scared to come clean making their job harder. There are so many turns and reveals and discoveries of other issues that makes it such a nice mystery to sink your teeth in.
I thought, initially, that this book was a contemporary fantasy - based on both this cover looking very SFF and Mary Watson's previous work. However, despite the characters referring to legends, this is very much a thriller without any fantastical elements. I kept expecting there to be some ritualistic element to the killing or some belief in magic that was propelling them along, but that never turned up, and it took me a while to get used to this idea.
August 21, 2025
Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.
I feel like I’m definitely re-entering my academic era, and Strange Nature is the perfect book to fuel that mood. The opening chapter hits hard—intense, atmospheric, and immediately leaving you wanting. It has that edge of dark academia but wrapped up in a fast paced YA thriller.
The story is tangled with obsession and passion, which mirrors our FMC Jasmin so well. She’s curious to the point of fixation, always chasing answers once something catches her eye. I really enjoyed her as a character. She is flawed, scarred by unresolved childhood trauma, but I feel that made her layered and real.
The friendship dynamic gave me such a wave of nostalgia for my own college days. That messy but exciting period where everyone’s trying to find themselves. Each character had their quirks that made them stand apart, yet somehow they worked as a group. They didn’t quite belong anywhere else, but they belonged to each other—and that sense of found family really hit me.
If anything, I wish we’d had more of Jasmin’s grandmother, Georgina (and yes, I loved seeing my own name in there). From the very beginning her story pulled at me, and I’d honestly love to see Mary Watson give her a full backstory novel one day.
Overall, this was a good 3.75 star read. Fast paced, addictive, and atmospheric. It was honestly hard to put down, and it left me wanting more in the best way.
I feel like I’m definitely re-entering my academic era, and Strange Nature is the perfect book to fuel that mood. The opening chapter hits hard—intense, atmospheric, and immediately leaving you wanting. It has that edge of dark academia but wrapped up in a fast paced YA thriller.
The story is tangled with obsession and passion, which mirrors our FMC Jasmin so well. She’s curious to the point of fixation, always chasing answers once something catches her eye. I really enjoyed her as a character. She is flawed, scarred by unresolved childhood trauma, but I feel that made her layered and real.
The friendship dynamic gave me such a wave of nostalgia for my own college days. That messy but exciting period where everyone’s trying to find themselves. Each character had their quirks that made them stand apart, yet somehow they worked as a group. They didn’t quite belong anywhere else, but they belonged to each other—and that sense of found family really hit me.
If anything, I wish we’d had more of Jasmin’s grandmother, Georgina (and yes, I loved seeing my own name in there). From the very beginning her story pulled at me, and I’d honestly love to see Mary Watson give her a full backstory novel one day.
Overall, this was a good 3.75 star read. Fast paced, addictive, and atmospheric. It was honestly hard to put down, and it left me wanting more in the best way.
August 18, 2025
At first, I was hooked. The first chapter had this dark academia, supernatural vibe and I was hyped. Then it started dragging on, and I was struggling to keep my focus. It even became repetitive in a way. In the end, I think the plot twist was a bit forced but it was a decent read.
The hints of supernatural througout the book were... misleading. Jasmin, the main character, keeps referring to an ancient text about monsters and shadowy figures, but all it does is add a hint of suspense, without actually delivering on that promise.
I also find it hard to believe how Jasmin came to be a part of the friend group. She asked them a question and all of a sudden they include her in everything? I don't think that's how it works in real life, but maybe that's just me.
Overall, the book was okay. It kept me hooked enough to finish it, and I enjoyed the personal story of Jasmin. The book has an emotional layer that I didn't expect from a YA murder mystery. It was kind of slow-paced, which is not my thing for thrillers, but if you're into that than this book might be just the one for you.
The hints of supernatural througout the book were... misleading. Jasmin, the main character, keeps referring to an ancient text about monsters and shadowy figures, but all it does is add a hint of suspense, without actually delivering on that promise.
I also find it hard to believe how Jasmin came to be a part of the friend group. She asked them a question and all of a sudden they include her in everything? I don't think that's how it works in real life, but maybe that's just me.
Overall, the book was okay. It kept me hooked enough to finish it, and I enjoyed the personal story of Jasmin. The book has an emotional layer that I didn't expect from a YA murder mystery. It was kind of slow-paced, which is not my thing for thrillers, but if you're into that than this book might be just the one for you.
March 1, 2026
A dark academia, mystery thriller focused on a close knit, and slightly bizarre, group of friends.
We follow Jasmin, a lonely 18 year old high school student, who becomes obsessed with this group of university students who haunt the same campus coffee shop that she does. Jasmin has had a rough life, after witnessing her beloved grandfather, a professor at this same university, attempt to murder her grandmother as a child. When a student is found dead, seemingly by suicide, Jasmin ends up infiltrating this friendship group to help investigate if this death was as open-and-closed as it seems.
I mostly felt very 'meh' about this book - I really didn't like Jasmin, our main character (she was honestly a not-like-the-other-girls/creepy stalker/naive child). The plot felt like it wasn't sure if it was trying to be paranormal creepy or regular creepy, and mainly it felt like it was trying really hard to be like If We Were Villains - the group of friends who are all slightly strange, too obsessed with each other, too cool for anyone else, a death... Sound familiar?
I will say, this book did build suspense really well - I did guess who dunnit in the end, but only because I genuinely suspected every character in the book, so it didn't feel too obvious, while still making sense.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
We follow Jasmin, a lonely 18 year old high school student, who becomes obsessed with this group of university students who haunt the same campus coffee shop that she does. Jasmin has had a rough life, after witnessing her beloved grandfather, a professor at this same university, attempt to murder her grandmother as a child. When a student is found dead, seemingly by suicide, Jasmin ends up infiltrating this friendship group to help investigate if this death was as open-and-closed as it seems.
I mostly felt very 'meh' about this book - I really didn't like Jasmin, our main character (she was honestly a not-like-the-other-girls/creepy stalker/naive child). The plot felt like it wasn't sure if it was trying to be paranormal creepy or regular creepy, and mainly it felt like it was trying really hard to be like If We Were Villains - the group of friends who are all slightly strange, too obsessed with each other, too cool for anyone else, a death... Sound familiar?
I will say, this book did build suspense really well - I did guess who dunnit in the end, but only because I genuinely suspected every character in the book, so it didn't feel too obvious, while still making sense.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
October 14, 2025
This book turned out to be far more interesting than I expected. It had that perfect mix of mystery and tension that kept me wanting to see what would unfold next. The pacing was steady, but never dull, with each chapter adding new pieces that made the story feel layered and unpredictable. The characters’ interactions were sharp and full of unspoken emotion, and their chemistry was magnetic in a way that made even simple moments feel charged.
Beyond the relationships and tension, what impressed me most was how it handled deeper ideas. It explored several themes, from trust and manipulation to the blurry lines between morality and ambition. The topic of unethical investigation on humans stood out the most, giving the book a darker, more thought-provoking edge that’s rare to see done this well. The writing managed to stay accessible while still carrying depth, and it left me thinking long after I finished
Beyond the relationships and tension, what impressed me most was how it handled deeper ideas. It explored several themes, from trust and manipulation to the blurry lines between morality and ambition. The topic of unethical investigation on humans stood out the most, giving the book a darker, more thought-provoking edge that’s rare to see done this well. The writing managed to stay accessible while still carrying depth, and it left me thinking long after I finished
January 14, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The dark academia, gothic premise sounded thrilling, but it wasn’t quite there for me.
Our main character, Jasmin, has long been haunted by witnessing a brutal crime committed by her grandfather ten years ago. Scarred by these events, Jasmin is transfixed by a group of vibrant university students in her local town.
When a shocking death of a student occurs, Jasmin bands together with this group as they try and get to the bottom of it. Jasmin’s past may be more related than she thinks.
The premise and the plot had the best of intentions, but unfortunately were let down by badly written characters. I never connected with Jasmin, and a lot of the dialogue felt wooden.
The setting was great, and I didn’t see some of the twists and turns coming. I was happy with the ending, but sadly it wasn’t the page turner that I was expecting it to be.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The dark academia, gothic premise sounded thrilling, but it wasn’t quite there for me.
Our main character, Jasmin, has long been haunted by witnessing a brutal crime committed by her grandfather ten years ago. Scarred by these events, Jasmin is transfixed by a group of vibrant university students in her local town.
When a shocking death of a student occurs, Jasmin bands together with this group as they try and get to the bottom of it. Jasmin’s past may be more related than she thinks.
The premise and the plot had the best of intentions, but unfortunately were let down by badly written characters. I never connected with Jasmin, and a lot of the dialogue felt wooden.
The setting was great, and I didn’t see some of the twists and turns coming. I was happy with the ending, but sadly it wasn’t the page turner that I was expecting it to be.
July 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this YA dark academia book. Set in Ireland, Jasmin is in the final year at school, feeling like an outcast, but then gets involved with a group of new older friends who are at university. There is a murder that they work together to solve, and the story pulls us through twists and turns as they try to find out what happened. I liked the character of Jasmin - she is easy to warm to, and her responses and family dynamic seem authentic to someone of her age. The ending wasn’t predictable, and there was a good amount of drama throughout. It was a tad long for me - I’m not a fan of the slow burn and I could have done with it picking up the pace. But that doesn’t take away from the great story, and it has full potential for a sequel.
This book is out on 14th August - I received an e-arc for my honest review. All views are my own.
This book is out on 14th August - I received an e-arc for my honest review. All views are my own.
October 11, 2025
Older teen/YA mystery thriller. Jasmin, MFC, is intriguing and some of her backstory brings mystery. There’s plenty of suspense, some twists amongst the very grey morals of others in the cast of characters. An ending that isn’t new but suits the story.
This is one of these, the Police/Garda can’t do the job, so the young will take on the job of putting themselves in danger without really demonstrating any self-preservation. But maybe that is a young person thing.
The author exposes the culprit by midway through if you’ve got any nonce at all.
But I go back to Jasmin, from the start it was her character that drew me through the book.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK) and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
This is one of these, the Police/Garda can’t do the job, so the young will take on the job of putting themselves in danger without really demonstrating any self-preservation. But maybe that is a young person thing.
The author exposes the culprit by midway through if you’ve got any nonce at all.
But I go back to Jasmin, from the start it was her character that drew me through the book.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK) and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
May 31, 2025
I picked this up on NetGalley as I was drawn in by the cover and the Blurb.
An academic thriller where a school girl Jasmin with a compulsion to know the answers, finds herself working with the university students she has admired from a distance to solve a murder.
Jasmin is a clever and determined character who whilst is still struggling with traumas of her past is not willing to let another life be lost and forgotten. Especially when she is worried an encounter the same day as the Murder may have been what triggered it all.
This is not just a story of a group of friends trying to solve a murder mystery but it is a story of growing up, complex friendships and the impact of past trauma. As the group work through their murder board and suspects their list of possibilities is growing and they uncover something much worse than the death of one student on campus.
It becomes a race against time to solve the murder and get the evidence needed before anyone else gets hurt. But lies always come out and they are not always forgivable….
This is not a fast paced thriller but you know that from the blurb going in, but with this story line it works. The risk is heightened as the book goes on and the pace picks up at the times you need it to building your emotions in the right places to be impacted by what is happening. The characters are unique in their own way but each bring something different to
the table.
Unexpected twists and turns make you want to consider your own Murder Board to work alongside the sleuth student detectives to pull together all the clues.
If you like academic thrillers, complex murder mysteries that expand into much more than just X murdered Y then I think you will enjoy this book. I was pleasantly surprised to also see a character with the same name as me in the book - granted it was a tall lanky male and not a short female like me but when you have an unusual name this almost never happens!
An academic thriller where a school girl Jasmin with a compulsion to know the answers, finds herself working with the university students she has admired from a distance to solve a murder.
Jasmin is a clever and determined character who whilst is still struggling with traumas of her past is not willing to let another life be lost and forgotten. Especially when she is worried an encounter the same day as the Murder may have been what triggered it all.
This is not just a story of a group of friends trying to solve a murder mystery but it is a story of growing up, complex friendships and the impact of past trauma. As the group work through their murder board and suspects their list of possibilities is growing and they uncover something much worse than the death of one student on campus.
It becomes a race against time to solve the murder and get the evidence needed before anyone else gets hurt. But lies always come out and they are not always forgivable….
This is not a fast paced thriller but you know that from the blurb going in, but with this story line it works. The risk is heightened as the book goes on and the pace picks up at the times you need it to building your emotions in the right places to be impacted by what is happening. The characters are unique in their own way but each bring something different to
the table.
Unexpected twists and turns make you want to consider your own Murder Board to work alongside the sleuth student detectives to pull together all the clues.
If you like academic thrillers, complex murder mysteries that expand into much more than just X murdered Y then I think you will enjoy this book. I was pleasantly surprised to also see a character with the same name as me in the book - granted it was a tall lanky male and not a short female like me but when you have an unusual name this almost never happens!
September 27, 2025
Thank you to the author and publisher for an early copy of this!!
This book was the perfect palette cleanser for me. It was fun, shocking and exciting. I really loved how all of the characters interacted with each other and I really feel like this author is great at capturing that new adult feel with friendships and interpreting the world. It was easy to get lost in this book and I was really excited to get back into it and read it whenever I was busy! There were plot twists that I didn’t expect (and tried to guess but failed), there was heartache, and there was a lot of banter. I really enjoyed this book and I think the author is so talented at getting you invested into this book!
This book was the perfect palette cleanser for me. It was fun, shocking and exciting. I really loved how all of the characters interacted with each other and I really feel like this author is great at capturing that new adult feel with friendships and interpreting the world. It was easy to get lost in this book and I was really excited to get back into it and read it whenever I was busy! There were plot twists that I didn’t expect (and tried to guess but failed), there was heartache, and there was a lot of banter. I really enjoyed this book and I think the author is so talented at getting you invested into this book!
August 31, 2025
Strange Nature is YA dark and twisty thriller. I loved the murder mystery plot with paranormal vibes. The FMC has a traumatic past and she is hyper vigilant. This made her pretty perfect for solving a case. She infiltrates a group of friends and I loved the dynamics this caused and this could have been expanded upon. It read a bit like Now, Conjurers and Scooby Doo. Overall the pacing was a bit slow but the ending is worth it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
October 2, 2025
My mind is blown, this is a slow start and by start I mean the first 50% i struggled with but after that half way point everything starts coming together and that twist WOW not even on my radar, its a great ending and I loved that feeling of something supernatural but it was just ordinary humans being the monster in the shadows. I do recommend reading just get through the slow start and winding roads for a mind blowing conclusion
December 29, 2025
DNF. Couldn’t get into it after reading roughly a quarter. All the characters were these weird over the top caricatures that were honestly just trying too hard to be cool.
And the killer for me is as soon as someone’s lips are described as ‘full and kissable’ The minute an author uses those words in a book they are dead to me!
And the killer for me is as soon as someone’s lips are described as ‘full and kissable’ The minute an author uses those words in a book they are dead to me!
August 29, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up
It was a decent murder mystery with a little mystical element thrown in but this is not a fantasy. It was just soooo slow until the last 1/4 of the book, I almost DNFed it but the end was good.
It was a decent murder mystery with a little mystical element thrown in but this is not a fantasy. It was just soooo slow until the last 1/4 of the book, I almost DNFed it but the end was good.
October 16, 2025
Yes, I predicted the killer right away. BUT, the journey of solving the mystery was so fun and there was enough mind-fuckery that by the end I half convinced myself I was wrong, just because I didn’t want to be right.
November 19, 2025
I felt this started with so much potential. I was really intrigued to see where it was heading. However as it went on I just felt that it became too padded out. Pretty much knew from the beginning who the culprits were. Could be great for someone else, just not for me!
February 13, 2026
4.5🌟
I don’t know how to feel right now. I’ll come back and do a proper review bc this was incredible, every time I thought I had it figured out it sent me for A RIDE. My heart is actually breaking a little bit at the ending, I feel like I’m grieving
I don’t know how to feel right now. I’ll come back and do a proper review bc this was incredible, every time I thought I had it figured out it sent me for A RIDE. My heart is actually breaking a little bit at the ending, I feel like I’m grieving
August 10, 2025
DNF - Too slow a burn for me, and I found the main protagonist too annoying and immature
August 15, 2025
3.5 stars
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