This is a modern day retelling of And Then There Were None. Six people invited to a private island, in this case they are all writers invited to a murder mystery retreat, the real mystery is that they all have something to hide and someone knows al about it and starts killing off the guests, who will survive the retreat and who is doing the killing? This was an entertaining read, and I did enjoy figuring out what was going on, who was responsible and why they were doing it.

Writing retreat style books seem to never fully grip me. I'm unsure why. The premise sounds so interesting.
With this at times I felt the book felt messy. With multiple characters all telling lies, it was hard to keep track or who was who. But I also think that was part of the story. Everything was to keep you guessing.

You Are Fatally Invited is a taut, clever, and delightfully twisty debut that reinvents the locked-room murder mystery genre. Set on a private island off the coast of Maine, this thrilling novel transports readers to a weekend of games, riddle-filled fun, and sinister surprises hosted by J.R. Alastor, a reclusive, legendary thriller writer. When a real murder disrupts the festivities, the stakes quickly escalate, and the island becomes a deadly trap where nothing—and no one—can be trusted.

Mila del Angel, an event coordinator, is hired to host the murder mystery weekend, catering to a select group of thriller writers who thrive on deception and misdirection. The setting is perfect: a secluded island, a storm cutting off all escape routes, and a guest list of authors who know every trick of the trade. The narrative teases that the weekend will be filled with playful suspense, but things take a dark turn when a guest is killed. From that point on, the novel keeps readers on edge with a constantly shifting web of clues, red herrings, and dangerous games. The writers at the centre of the story are experts at creating tension, plotting twists, and weaving complex narratives—so when they become the ones caught in a deadly game, the tension is palpable.

The pacing is sharp and keeps the plot moving forward even as the web of intrigue deepens. Just when you think you have figured it out, there is another twist, keeping you on your toes and ensuring that you can't predict the outcome. The denouement is satisfying and rewards readers with a final, satisfying revelation that ties together all the carefully laid threads.

This is a gripping debut filled with tension, wit, and a brilliant mastery of genre conventions. It will keep you eagerly turning pages to uncover the next shocking twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

Six authors are invited to a writers retreat on a island - and each one of them has something in their past which could ultimately cost them their lives - but only some of them. Plenty of twists and a clever take on a locked room who dunnit. A fast paced read that kept me fully involved to the last page. Would recommend.

I loved the title and premise - six thriller writers stuck on an island writing retreat - run by an anonymous but famous author - then one by one they start to die. Fun, fast read. and well written with lashings of atmosphere. The twists and turns keep you guessing, with surprises around every corner. Despite the deaths, it has a feel-good ending that’s not too bleak.

The cover is stunning. I love fountain pens, so was immediately attracted, but the whole structure of the cover is inviting. As for the content, this takes the locked room mystery to a new level. Simple premise, a reclusive writer invites a number of authors to a mystery island. Let the mayhem begin. A host of fascinating characters; intriguing and interesting. Who is the reclusive host and why were these individuals invited? This is fast paced and although it’s a well known formula, the twists are brilliant and I had no idea where the overall story was heading. Absolutely loved it; quirky and original take.

Wow!
What a great locked room thriller
Loved the different povs even though I did get lost in a couple

A riot of a read.

The book admits it uses and delves into commonly used tropes but builds upon them and keeps the intrigue fizzing.

You can feel the depth of the characters when they are in dialogue or being described but I was a little disappointed with the constant switching between point of views and this is when you lose track of the character.
For that reason I do have to knock a star off but overall it’s still a fabulous and clever debut novel in the style of a modern Agatha Christie.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

This is a complicated, "locked room" style murder mystery with a cast of crime fiction writers, each with their own dubious background, and with an invisible host who is also a writer of crime fiction who they are all looking forward to meeting. I had my suspicions quite early on in the novel, and think the author keeps readers very well-engaged as the elaborate plot unfolds. I'm sure that I missed several vital clues in my haste to reach the end of the book, and this is certainly one I shall be rereading before too long.

Thank you to netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was really fun! A little out of my comfort zone in terms of some thriller elements, but so fun in terms of a clever mystery full of twists and turns. There were many key details I guessed as I followed the thread of the story, but others I totally missed.
Complicated and a little hard to follow in a couple of places, but overall a worthwhile rollercoaster ride.

Ande Pliego's "You Are Fatally Invited" offers a dazzling reinvention of the classic locked-room mystery, weaving a tapestry of suspense that is intricately layered with a clever metafictional twist. Set on a hauntingly beautiful yet isolated island during a prestigious writer's retreat orchestrated by the mysterious and elusive author J.R. Alastor, the novel envelops its characters—and readers—in a thrilling game of cat and mouse, where the lines separating fiction from reality blur in alarming and unexpected ways.

**Pros:**

**Intriguing Premise:** The story's foundation—a diverse ensemble of thriller writers trapped in the midst of a genuine murder mystery—is irresistibly compelling and tantalizingly clever. Pliego expertly manipulates this framework to subvert conventional genre norms, enriching the narrative with a metafictional quality that deepens its intrigue and allure.

**Compelling Characters:** Each author at the retreat comes to life with vibrant details, showcasing an array of unique traits, intricate motives, and distinct writing styles. This rich constellation of personalities not only intensifies the narrative tension but also keeps readers engaged as they attempt to decipher which character might harbor the deadly secret at the heart of the mystery.

**Twisty Plot:** The storyline propels readers on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride, teeming with shocking twists and heart-pounding revelations that leave one breathless. Pliego adroitly interweaves multiple narratives and cleverly placed red herrings, constructing a complex puzzle that challenges even the sharpest sleuths among the audience.

**Atmospheric Setting:** The isolated island is crafted with such rich detail that it transcends mere backdrop, evolving into a character in its own right. The visually arresting descriptions instill a profound sense of claustrophobia and imminent dread, amplifying the novel's tension and cultivating a pervasive feeling of unease that lingers throughout.

**Fast-Paced Narrative:** The plot unfolds at an exhilarating pace, sweeping readers into a whirlwind of events that maintain a relentless momentum. This brisk tempo ensures that readers remain entirely absorbed in the unfolding drama, turning pages feverishly to uncover the array of surprises lying just ahead.

**Clever Exploration of Genre Tropes:** With a delightfully playful nod to metafiction, Pliego engages readers in a thoughtful examination of the very tropes that define the thriller genre. The characters exhibit a keen awareness of these conventions, imbuing the narrative with a whimsical self-reflection and humor, while adeptly utilizing those tropes to provide clever misdirection.

**Cons:**

**Pacing:** While the rapid pacing is often a highlight, certain segments of the story might feel slightly rushed. Some character developments and emotional arcs could have benefitted from a more deliberate exploration, granting readers a chance to delve deeper into their journeys.

**Depth of Clues:** Although the overall mystery is intricately designed, some readers may find the array of clues somewhat limited in scope. A more intricately woven trail of hidden clues could have enhanced the thrill of the unraveling puzzle, making the intellectual engagement even greater.

**Occasional Contrivances:** A few plot points may require readers to suspend their disbelief—particularly regarding some character decisions and motivations. Nevertheless, these instances are relatively minor and do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the narrative.

**Overall:**
Despite these minor critiques, "You Are Fatally Invited" emerges as an immensely engaging and satisfying read. Pliego's ingenious premise, beautifully crafted characters, and intricately twisted plot deliver a gripping experience, while the metafictional elements infuse the story with a refreshing layer of depth and insight. The atmospheric setting, combined with the brisk pace of the narrative, ensures that readers will remain spellbound until the very last page.

**Recommendation:**
This novel is an absolute must-read for aficionados of locked-room mysteries, thrillers, and metafiction. If you're seeking a clever and suspenseful adventure that keeps you poised on the edge of your seat, "You Are Fatally Invited" promises to be an exhilarating literary journey.

**Rating:** 5 out of 5 stars.

A quite good read, with solid construction, and many meta reflections on crime fiction. A crime thriller whose characters are crime thriller writers who are trying to find who is killing them.
Very well writing, with distinct first-person voices for many different characters, and a satisfying, well-wrapped conclusion. Very heartily recommended.

This book really was calling my name. If you know me at all, you will know that locked room murder mysteries are my favourites. Add to that, the remote location and the fact that this house was full of famous thriller writers. Right?! I just had to read it and I am so glad that I did. It was so fun, so addictive and so clever.

This debut novel will be a massive hit in 2025 in my opinion. Writers playing games to survive, writers being murdered in similar ways that they wrote about in their novels. A secretive host who is famous but nobody know what they look like. It just has it all…. Oh and did I mention a wild storm? There has to be one right.

This book ticked so many boxes for me and was really well done. Thanks so much to Random House Uk, Transworld Publishing for my advanced copy of this fantastic book to read. Out in the world on February 13th.

Wow - absolutely fantastic read for me

What a captivating murder mystery retreat for 6 authors to be invited to an island - just my sort of thriller I love to read., kept me hooked. Absolutely fantastic, short chapters, full of twists, written so well

Highly recommended to thriller, murder mystery fans

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing

If you enjoy a good murder mystery this is definitely a book for you. Imagine being invited to an authors only retreat on an island from a famous author who is well known but not known at all.
Its clue meets murder mystery evening. You have to play a game to survive but you have no idea what the game or the rules are.
A great twist and a mystery that will keep you guessing
I highly recommend trying this debut novel.

This was a good thriller, and a different take on a ‘locked room’ mystery. I liked the variety of characters and the pace.

5/5 stars! The idea of this book is so fun. A book filled with mystery authors at a writer's retreat + murder. What was so clever about this story, is the humor woven into the thrill. Reading this + watching Knives Out = a delightful way to spend a weekend.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Six thriller writers are invited to the island estate of J.R. Alastair, a famous author who has never been seen and is possibly a pen name for another famous author, for a writers retreat. While there, they will participate in games but they don’t know that Mila, the assistant facilitating the weekend has plans to kill one of the participants. Even she is shocked when the first person dies and it isn’t who she intended to kill.

I liked the concept of this book. Although I sometimes struggle with keeping the characters straight in a locked room mystery that wasn’t much of an issue here. What I struggled with was the different points of view and keeping up with whose point of view we were getting in that chapter. Sometimes the chapter said who it was. Other times I don’t think it did and led to confusion and reduced enjoyment of this book. Overall it was ok for me.

Set on a remote island, six famous mystery writers are invited to a luxurious writing retreat by a mysterious, reclusive author. One by one, the authors are murdered in ways that echo the plots of their own books, leaving everyone wondering: who’s the killer, and why?

If you love stories that feel like a real-life game of Cluedo, or are a die hard fan of Agatha Christie-style mysteries, then this book is perfect for you!

What a rollercoaster!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC of this book.

Knives Out and The Glass Onion meet a very twisty, turny and murderous game of Cluedo that keeps you guessing.

Fast paced which made some of the characters hard to keep up with but I really enjoyed it