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Murder Academy #1
Lessons in Death: A thrilling new murder-mystery series
Just who can you trust when secrets and lies are at the heart of everything. The first book in a new murder-mystery series from Sophie McKenzie, the bestselling author of million-copy-seller,
Girl Missing with a twist you won't see coming!
Georgia and Billy have always been the best of friends but when new girl, Wren, arrives at Maywood High, the balance of their friendship is tested. And, unbeknown to the new trio, Wren and Georgia have a secret history.
When auditions for the school play take place and Wren gets the main part, divisions become even wider. Then Georgia finds the drama teacher, dead, but his body vanished, and no one believes her.
Just where is the teacher? Is he really dead? When people start to receive sinister messages from his phone, the three new friends set out to get to the bottom of it all.
Praise for Girl,
'Page-turning' The Independent
'Will have you gripped for hours' Sunday Express
'Please read this it is brilliant!; The Guardian
'Whenever I hear the phrase YA thriller I only ever think of one name - and that's Sophie Mckenzie. Why? Because noboody does it better' Phil Earle, award-winning author
'Sophie's thrillers are brilliant... you can't stop reading' Robert Muchamore, bestselling author
'Brilliantly described, scary and touching' The Daily Mirror
10 YEARS OF AWARDS FOR Girl, Missing
Manchester Children's Book Awards
Bolton Children's Book Award
Soilhill Book Award
Winner of the Sakura Medal
Red House Children's Book Award
Richard and Judy Best Kids' Book
Lewisham Children's Book Award
Georgia and Billy have always been the best of friends but when new girl, Wren, arrives at Maywood High, the balance of their friendship is tested. And, unbeknown to the new trio, Wren and Georgia have a secret history.
When auditions for the school play take place and Wren gets the main part, divisions become even wider. Then Georgia finds the drama teacher, dead, but his body vanished, and no one believes her.
Just where is the teacher? Is he really dead? When people start to receive sinister messages from his phone, the three new friends set out to get to the bottom of it all.
Praise for Girl,
'Page-turning' The Independent
'Will have you gripped for hours' Sunday Express
'Please read this it is brilliant!; The Guardian
'Whenever I hear the phrase YA thriller I only ever think of one name - and that's Sophie Mckenzie. Why? Because noboody does it better' Phil Earle, award-winning author
'Sophie's thrillers are brilliant... you can't stop reading' Robert Muchamore, bestselling author
'Brilliantly described, scary and touching' The Daily Mirror
10 YEARS OF AWARDS FOR Girl, Missing
Manchester Children's Book Awards
Bolton Children's Book Award
Soilhill Book Award
Winner of the Sakura Medal
Red House Children's Book Award
Richard and Judy Best Kids' Book
Lewisham Children's Book Award
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 11, 2025
About the author
Sophie McKenzie
92 books1,515 followersHey there! Welcome to my Goodreads page where you can keep up with all my stories - both the ones that are already published and the works in progress!!
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 30, 2026
⚕◟⸝⸝⸝𖦹 lessons in death by sophie mckenzie ༄.°
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ rating: 1.25/5 stars ˙𐃷˙ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
𖤓 if a 13-14 y/o read agggtm (a book series by holly jackson) and suddenly wanted to manifest that story in her life to spice things up, then i’d imagine the sequence of events to occur the way it has in this book.
✶ the only thing that salvaged this book for me was wren and billy. but georgia… i was not fond of her… she’s too reactive, but considering their age, it makes sense. also, it was a very quick read, so at least it’s done!
my thoughts:
▸ it’s like when we’re young, and we think teachers live and breathe school — like they don’t have a life of their own; they eat, sleep, and lounge at school… and their friends and people in their lives are those at school only, as if they don’t have lives outside of school, including their friends, but of course we realise later on when we’ve grown up and matured that teachers are their own people/human beings just like us.
಄ oh, the sheer absurdity of this book! it’s as if the plot is propelled by sheer whimsy, with characters conveniently possessing skills that just so happen to advance the story. we have a kid who inexplicably knows too much about blood and cytometry, another who is a bank statement whiz, and yet another who makes a tenuous connection between a death and the suspects. it’s like a comedy of coincidences!
಄ and then there’s the teacher, who, in a moment of baffling trust, hands her phone over to the students to take a photo. why on earth would she do that? it’s supposed to be a quick snap, but of course, the kids can’t resist snooping around for a few minutes. seriously, what was she thinking?
಄ the reveal of the murderer is another head-scratcher. how could the students be so oblivious? it’s like the author thought, “oh, the readers will not see this coming a mile away,” and yet, here we are... well, at least i saw i long before the reveal.
಄ and let’s not forget the infamous
಄ the motive is laughable. does the killer really have nothing better to do? it’s so superficial, like something a prepubescent teen might concoct for a creative writing assignment.
಄ the plot armour is off the charts! the play mimicking and then giving g the idea of the culprit or causation was unnecessarily pivotal. it felt like a crutch rather than a clever plot device.
಄ the only redeeming quality is wren. she’s genuinely nice and portrayal of misplaced jealousy and miscommunication.
─ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ date read: 30th may, 2026
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈ rating: 1.25/5 stars ˙𐃷˙ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁
𖤓 if a 13-14 y/o read agggtm (a book series by holly jackson) and suddenly wanted to manifest that story in her life to spice things up, then i’d imagine the sequence of events to occur the way it has in this book.
✶ the only thing that salvaged this book for me was wren and billy. but georgia… i was not fond of her… she’s too reactive, but considering their age, it makes sense. also, it was a very quick read, so at least it’s done!
my thoughts:
▸ it’s like when we’re young, and we think teachers live and breathe school — like they don’t have a life of their own; they eat, sleep, and lounge at school… and their friends and people in their lives are those at school only, as if they don’t have lives outside of school, including their friends, but of course we realise later on when we’ve grown up and matured that teachers are their own people/human beings just like us.
಄ oh, the sheer absurdity of this book! it’s as if the plot is propelled by sheer whimsy, with characters conveniently possessing skills that just so happen to advance the story. we have a kid who inexplicably knows too much about blood and cytometry, another who is a bank statement whiz, and yet another who makes a tenuous connection between a death and the suspects. it’s like a comedy of coincidences!
಄ and then there’s the teacher, who, in a moment of baffling trust, hands her phone over to the students to take a photo. why on earth would she do that? it’s supposed to be a quick snap, but of course, the kids can’t resist snooping around for a few minutes. seriously, what was she thinking?
಄ the reveal of the murderer is another head-scratcher. how could the students be so oblivious? it’s like the author thought, “oh, the readers will not see this coming a mile away,” and yet, here we are... well, at least i saw i long before the reveal.
಄ and let’s not forget the infamous
“i’ve done the math and according to my calculations”line. there was nothing to calculate! it was just a feeble attempt to sound smart. and if they could unseal the box, why not just turn off the gas that was within reach? problem solved, right?
಄ the motive is laughable. does the killer really have nothing better to do? it’s so superficial, like something a prepubescent teen might concoct for a creative writing assignment.
಄ the plot armour is off the charts! the play mimicking and then giving g the idea of the culprit or causation was unnecessarily pivotal. it felt like a crutch rather than a clever plot device.
಄ the only redeeming quality is wren. she’s genuinely nice and portrayal of misplaced jealousy and miscommunication.
─ ⋆ ꩜ ⋆ date read: 30th may, 2026
February 7, 2026
for those MUCH younger than my elderly early-twenties self
March 26, 2026
I think I'm too old for this book.
Giorgia was so annoying to me, but at the same time I feel she was right for her age.
Giorgia was so annoying to me, but at the same time I feel she was right for her age.
September 8, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 3.25 stars.
This is a fun fast paced YA mystery with A Good Girls Guide to Murder vibes with a little Pretty Little Liars sprinkled in there. I like the plot and the characters, it was an easy engaging read. I will say I think at first I found Billy and Georgia a little irksome because they come across quite naive and the amount of finger pointing they did tipped me over the edge a bit. As a couple other characters join the duo and Georgia/billy’s guesses turn into a more concrete investigation, the story becomes much more enjoyable.
This is a fun fast paced YA mystery with A Good Girls Guide to Murder vibes with a little Pretty Little Liars sprinkled in there. I like the plot and the characters, it was an easy engaging read. I will say I think at first I found Billy and Georgia a little irksome because they come across quite naive and the amount of finger pointing they did tipped me over the edge a bit. As a couple other characters join the duo and Georgia/billy’s guesses turn into a more concrete investigation, the story becomes much more enjoyable.
February 22, 2026
3.75 stars
February 22, 2026
Georgia thought losing the best part in the school play was bad, but then she discovered a body.
Her drama teacher, Mr Truckle was fine during auditions and drama practice. He was his usual kind self, heaping praise on everyone, and making things fun for all involved. Finding him slumped over a desk in the library comes as a shock to Georgia when she comes back to school after forgetting something.
Things get worse as she reports her discovery, only to find upon return, an empty library.
At first, no-one will believe her. When her best friend Billy does, it's a relief. Things have been sketchy between them lately, as a new girl at school has caught his attention. Wren is rich, pretty, an excellent actress and good at winding people around her little finger.
Billy is supportive but Georgia feels out on a limb, trying to solve a murder everyone else is ignoring. Wren has a family link to Georgia's past, but she still won't accept her as a friend. It's only when Georgia goes too far in her sleuthing that things finally boil over.
The first in the Murder Academy series, set in a fictional school called Mayfield Academy. This series will be perfect for ages 11-13 aged readers who love to follow clues, be misdirected by plot, and enjoy reading about school life and friendship dynamics.
The main characters find themselves in more and more dangerous situations until their actual lives are seriously at risk. Using their combined knowledge which in some instances has made them outsiders at school, they work together to narrow down suspects. These skills also prevent more murders - their own.
Author - Sophie McKenzie
Age - 11+
Publisher – Simon & Schuster UK
Set in – UK / Fictional School / Present
Viewpoints – 1st person - present tense
Orphan? – No
Violence – Threat / Smoke inhalation
Real Life – Yes
Fantasy – No
Sex - No
Blend – YA Thriller / Friendship Dynamics
Her drama teacher, Mr Truckle was fine during auditions and drama practice. He was his usual kind self, heaping praise on everyone, and making things fun for all involved. Finding him slumped over a desk in the library comes as a shock to Georgia when she comes back to school after forgetting something.
Things get worse as she reports her discovery, only to find upon return, an empty library.
At first, no-one will believe her. When her best friend Billy does, it's a relief. Things have been sketchy between them lately, as a new girl at school has caught his attention. Wren is rich, pretty, an excellent actress and good at winding people around her little finger.
Billy is supportive but Georgia feels out on a limb, trying to solve a murder everyone else is ignoring. Wren has a family link to Georgia's past, but she still won't accept her as a friend. It's only when Georgia goes too far in her sleuthing that things finally boil over.
The first in the Murder Academy series, set in a fictional school called Mayfield Academy. This series will be perfect for ages 11-13 aged readers who love to follow clues, be misdirected by plot, and enjoy reading about school life and friendship dynamics.
The main characters find themselves in more and more dangerous situations until their actual lives are seriously at risk. Using their combined knowledge which in some instances has made them outsiders at school, they work together to narrow down suspects. These skills also prevent more murders - their own.
Author - Sophie McKenzie
Age - 11+
Publisher – Simon & Schuster UK
Set in – UK / Fictional School / Present
Viewpoints – 1st person - present tense
Orphan? – No
Violence – Threat / Smoke inhalation
Real Life – Yes
Fantasy – No
Sex - No
Blend – YA Thriller / Friendship Dynamics
September 17, 2025
Actual Rating: 3.5⭐
Lessons in Death wasn’t quite what I expected, but it turned out to be a surprisingly entertaining read—I finished it in just one day! There’s something about the story that kept me flipping pages, despite a few bumps I found along the way.
The mystery itself was pretty engaging. I liked watching the characters come up with wild theories about how the teacher died, who might’ve done it, and why. It had that classic whodunnit vibe.
Now, the fact that the main characters are in Year Nine did make things a bit frustrating at times. Their decisions had me yelling “Why would you do that?!” more than once. But hey, they’re still kids, and I get that—so I tried to be patient with their logic.
One of the highlights for me was the friendship that formed between Billy, Georgia, Wren, and Rome. Their dynamic added a lot of charm to the investigation. Honestly, without Wren and Rome, I don’t think Billy and Georgia would’ve cracked the case anytime soon 😂
I was pretty sure none of the suspects they pointed fingers at were the actual killer, but the reveal still managed to surprise me.
And the ending? It totally hints that the gang’s mystery-solving days aren’t over. I’m guessing the next one might take place at a summer camp—and I’m looking forward for it!
Overall, this is a fast-paced, fun YA mystery. I’d definitely recommend it to teens who are just dipping their toes into the mystery/thriller genre—it’s a great intro.
As for adults, you might find yourself a little frustrated with the characters’ choices, but if you’re in the mood for something quick, light, and entertaining, this one’s worth a shot.
I received a review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: murder, death
Lessons in Death wasn’t quite what I expected, but it turned out to be a surprisingly entertaining read—I finished it in just one day! There’s something about the story that kept me flipping pages, despite a few bumps I found along the way.
The mystery itself was pretty engaging. I liked watching the characters come up with wild theories about how the teacher died, who might’ve done it, and why. It had that classic whodunnit vibe.
Now, the fact that the main characters are in Year Nine did make things a bit frustrating at times. Their decisions had me yelling “Why would you do that?!” more than once. But hey, they’re still kids, and I get that—so I tried to be patient with their logic.
One of the highlights for me was the friendship that formed between Billy, Georgia, Wren, and Rome. Their dynamic added a lot of charm to the investigation. Honestly, without Wren and Rome, I don’t think Billy and Georgia would’ve cracked the case anytime soon 😂
I was pretty sure none of the suspects they pointed fingers at were the actual killer, but the reveal still managed to surprise me.
And the ending? It totally hints that the gang’s mystery-solving days aren’t over. I’m guessing the next one might take place at a summer camp—and I’m looking forward for it!
Overall, this is a fast-paced, fun YA mystery. I’d definitely recommend it to teens who are just dipping their toes into the mystery/thriller genre—it’s a great intro.
As for adults, you might find yourself a little frustrated with the characters’ choices, but if you’re in the mood for something quick, light, and entertaining, this one’s worth a shot.
I received a review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: murder, death
January 9, 2026
LESSONS IN DEATH is the start of a new thriller series from Sophie McKenzie.
Sophie McKenzie remains my go-to recommendation for lower YA thrillers (aka YA actually aimed at teens). She's been writing in this area since I was a tween and continues to put out excellent tales for this readership. I really appreciate her not aging up with her audience but deciding to keep writing for an oft-overlooked age group.
Being a lower YA/teen book, the relationship focus is on friendship not romance. Georgia takes an immediate dislike to Wren and slowly learns that she can have another close friend (or two) in her life. Secondary school is such a volatile age for friendships and this book looks honestly at our insecurities around our friendships at that age.
We also get a fast paced mystery as Georgia tries to work out why her teacher has been killed, but the killer is always one step ahead. It involves a lot of sneaking around school and breaking many, many school rules (which I think is always a fun element in teen books - let the characters live out the idle daydreams we all had in boring lessons!) I did enjoy how the school itself was utilised to be a dangerous place for the finale.
This is the first in a new series that promises a deadly school experience for Georgia and co. I will be picking up the next instalment.
Sophie McKenzie remains my go-to recommendation for lower YA thrillers (aka YA actually aimed at teens). She's been writing in this area since I was a tween and continues to put out excellent tales for this readership. I really appreciate her not aging up with her audience but deciding to keep writing for an oft-overlooked age group.
Being a lower YA/teen book, the relationship focus is on friendship not romance. Georgia takes an immediate dislike to Wren and slowly learns that she can have another close friend (or two) in her life. Secondary school is such a volatile age for friendships and this book looks honestly at our insecurities around our friendships at that age.
We also get a fast paced mystery as Georgia tries to work out why her teacher has been killed, but the killer is always one step ahead. It involves a lot of sneaking around school and breaking many, many school rules (which I think is always a fun element in teen books - let the characters live out the idle daydreams we all had in boring lessons!) I did enjoy how the school itself was utilised to be a dangerous place for the finale.
This is the first in a new series that promises a deadly school experience for Georgia and co. I will be picking up the next instalment.
September 23, 2025
This was a quick and enjoyable book to read. However, I wished it were longer and went more in-depth.
The overall plot was well done, but I found the investigation to be a bit rushed due to the length of the book. I found the ending to be particularly rushed, especially the last chapter, as we didn’t actually see what happened. However, I found the big reveal to be well done.
The two main characters, Billy and Georgia, were not great detectives and constantly jumped to conclusions that didn’t work. I was so glad when Wren joined the group and had some sense. I enjoyed her character and seeing her grow. I hoped we would get more Romeo for this exact reason.
At the start, I hated how Georgia acted with Wren. I get that she may not want to be friends due to her mum pushing it, and she was jealous, but it still annoyed me. I get her being jealous because she got the role Georgia wanted, but that doesn’t mean she can be downright bitchy.
I thought it was clever how they were wrong about the killer, which meant they fell into his trap. This caused the tension to rise. Overall, though, I did enjoy reading this book, and I liked how fast-paced it was.
The overall plot was well done, but I found the investigation to be a bit rushed due to the length of the book. I found the ending to be particularly rushed, especially the last chapter, as we didn’t actually see what happened. However, I found the big reveal to be well done.
The two main characters, Billy and Georgia, were not great detectives and constantly jumped to conclusions that didn’t work. I was so glad when Wren joined the group and had some sense. I enjoyed her character and seeing her grow. I hoped we would get more Romeo for this exact reason.
At the start, I hated how Georgia acted with Wren. I get that she may not want to be friends due to her mum pushing it, and she was jealous, but it still annoyed me. I get her being jealous because she got the role Georgia wanted, but that doesn’t mean she can be downright bitchy.
I thought it was clever how they were wrong about the killer, which meant they fell into his trap. This caused the tension to rise. Overall, though, I did enjoy reading this book, and I liked how fast-paced it was.
September 3, 2025
I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
When I requested this book I thought it was going to be a teen/YA murder mystery as on NetGalley it’s labelled as children’s fiction AND teen and YA. Therefore, I acknowledge that this low rating is partly due to me not doing the research beforehand so bare that in mind if you are going to pick this book up. However, this book read extremely young even though the characters are supposedly in high/secondary school. Now I have enjoyed books like Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens and that is also labelled as 9-12 fiction on Waterstones. This leads me to think that I just didn’t gel with this author’s writing.
If you know someone who is younger (9-12) that would enjoy a murder mystery series then they may enjoy this first book. However, if not then I struggle to see myself recommending this book sadly.
When I requested this book I thought it was going to be a teen/YA murder mystery as on NetGalley it’s labelled as children’s fiction AND teen and YA. Therefore, I acknowledge that this low rating is partly due to me not doing the research beforehand so bare that in mind if you are going to pick this book up. However, this book read extremely young even though the characters are supposedly in high/secondary school. Now I have enjoyed books like Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens and that is also labelled as 9-12 fiction on Waterstones. This leads me to think that I just didn’t gel with this author’s writing.
If you know someone who is younger (9-12) that would enjoy a murder mystery series then they may enjoy this first book. However, if not then I struggle to see myself recommending this book sadly.
September 8, 2025
This was a really fast paced, entertaining read!
Georgia was a great main character, who was filled with determination and bravery as she courageously begins to try and solve the murder of one of her favourite teachers. Georgia had found him dead in the school library, but when she went to grab someone for their help - he was gone! And now on one will believe her, except her best friend Billy and her friend Romeo. There’s also this new girl, Wren, but Georgia can’t see past her jealousy as Billy and Wren become friends.
I liked how this book dealt with friendship issues! Georgia could sometimes be very mean and I liked how Billy never stood for it and how Georgia had to learn to apologise and deal with her feelings herself.
I thought the plot was interesting, with some very intense and high stake moments! I do sometimes win however there was a bit more to the mystery, like some more clues and investigating!
I think for younger readers - who this is aimed towards - this will be a fantastic entry point (or addition!!) to murder mystery stories, as the characters are interesting, the plot is intriguing, and the pace is good.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children's | Simon & Schuster Children's UK for this e-arc
Georgia was a great main character, who was filled with determination and bravery as she courageously begins to try and solve the murder of one of her favourite teachers. Georgia had found him dead in the school library, but when she went to grab someone for their help - he was gone! And now on one will believe her, except her best friend Billy and her friend Romeo. There’s also this new girl, Wren, but Georgia can’t see past her jealousy as Billy and Wren become friends.
I liked how this book dealt with friendship issues! Georgia could sometimes be very mean and I liked how Billy never stood for it and how Georgia had to learn to apologise and deal with her feelings herself.
I thought the plot was interesting, with some very intense and high stake moments! I do sometimes win however there was a bit more to the mystery, like some more clues and investigating!
I think for younger readers - who this is aimed towards - this will be a fantastic entry point (or addition!!) to murder mystery stories, as the characters are interesting, the plot is intriguing, and the pace is good.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children's | Simon & Schuster Children's UK for this e-arc
September 15, 2025
This has set itself up to be an addicting and interesting series to come. I read this on the train in pretty much one sitting and it made the miles go past really quickly!
I got lost into the story of murder and intrigue and would also be suitable for younger readers as well as YA as it was simple yet engaging. It was also super fast paced and I swallowed up the pages in no time - I was surprised at how quick I read it!
I liked all the characters, especially the budding friendship between Wren and Georgia. It wasn’t complicated to get into and was one of those effortless reading, murder mystery type school dramas that are easy to enjoy.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I got lost into the story of murder and intrigue and would also be suitable for younger readers as well as YA as it was simple yet engaging. It was also super fast paced and I swallowed up the pages in no time - I was surprised at how quick I read it!
I liked all the characters, especially the budding friendship between Wren and Georgia. It wasn’t complicated to get into and was one of those effortless reading, murder mystery type school dramas that are easy to enjoy.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Read
November 3, 2025While I knew this was a young adult book, I just wasn’t prepared for how young it reads, for the premise of the book I expected it to be at minimum 16 year olds not 13, and the youth was very evident. While the plot was good the characters just came across as immature and not actually responsible enough to take on the tasks that they were actually doing, lots of mistakes were made and things that’s were mentioned that were obvious to the plot but glossed over by every single character,
However if you or your young teens want a fast paced thriller then this is it,
E-Arc provided by Simon and Schuster UK via NetGalley
However if you or your young teens want a fast paced thriller then this is it,
E-Arc provided by Simon and Schuster UK via NetGalley
October 10, 2025
It's bad enough to find a dead teacher in the school library but it is far, far worse to return with help only to find that the aforementioned dead teacher has disappeared...
That is exactly the situation that Georgia finds herself in - and to make things even worse nobody believes there ever was a body in the library!
The first in a new series, Sophie Mackenzie delivers an entertaining read with likeable characters in the form of Georgia and Billy. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
That is exactly the situation that Georgia finds herself in - and to make things even worse nobody believes there ever was a body in the library!
The first in a new series, Sophie Mackenzie delivers an entertaining read with likeable characters in the form of Georgia and Billy. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
May 3, 2026
3.5 stars for me. Think this one is OK the crime is your typical one and Yes it's based in a school but nothing really made this a really enjoyable read for me I'd say just OK. Maybe as I'm an older reader though I've read other children/young adult books that have been great but sadly not this one.
June 8, 2026
3.5 rounded up. This was a solid mystery meant for young teens. I don’t know what age the characters are meant to be, they are in high school but they skew younger especially with the friendship drama. Which is fine with me because my middle school students are craving murder mysteries. Overall it was a solid read with enough twists to keep me reading.
October 19, 2025
I am not the target audience for this book, as it is more geared towards older children / young adult. Therefore I did work out the murderer very early on in the story, but even so I still found the read enjoyable particularly regarding the budding friendships.
June 9, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ rounded down. Cute book. I am definitely not the targeted age audience and therefore felt this book was a bit young for me. The character development and writing was not mature enough because of this.
December 3, 2025
it’s giving meddling kids in a bad way
Read
December 16, 2025no rating.
December 30, 2025
It was very good a bit funny also
February 16, 2026
Quick, entertaining what more can u want
February 19, 2026
finished quickly and didn't guess the murderer however skipped a lot of time and paced too quickly
March 9, 2026
3.4⭐️
This is a pretty basic murder mystery book, enjoyable but nothing special. I was quite disappointed because Sophie McKenzie's usually books are brilliant.
This is a pretty basic murder mystery book, enjoyable but nothing special. I was quite disappointed because Sophie McKenzie's usually books are brilliant.
March 11, 2026
I think it was good, Bit slow and i disliked georgia first cause she was a little mean at first but it was alright
it wasn’t the overall best book ive read but not bad
it wasn’t the overall best book ive read but not bad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2026
this is for the younger side of young adult. and i think because of that, i didn't enjoy it as much as i wanted to. still, not bad if i were the age group this book is obviously intended for.
May 19, 2026
Dnf - 10 minutes is long enough for me. More NA than YA, and the youthfulness is just annoying 😂
May 21, 2026
Really good book. Lots of plot twists
December 1, 2025
Great fast paced, fun read! I read this in less than 24 hours, whilst simple it was nice to be able to fully relax reading a book and just have some fun. Great characters, all very likeable and great plot with one twist that I genuinely didn’t see coming! Would definitely recommend if you just want a gentle thriller for some fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews