Overall Rating & First Impressions
Overall, I’d give this book a solid 3.8, rounded up to a 4. The world-building is minimal, partly because the story takes place in a small U.S. town that doesn’t require much setup. Still, the atmosphere is vivid enough to give the setting its own personality, and I loved that the entire plot unfolds around the filming of a documentary, it added a unique layer to the story.
Character Highlights
The characters are really what carry this book. I genuinely enjoyed most of them. The main character feels similar to other protagonists in Holly Jackson’s novels, but still real, grounded, and easy to connect with. The supporting cast is likable yet mysterious in a way that keeps you second-guessing everyone’s motives. Even with a large number of characters, it never becomes confusing; each one has a clearly distinct voice.
Plot & Pacing
The plot is another strong point. The documentary framework adds a fresh angle, rather than using podcast transcripts like some other books, this one leans more into behind-the-scenes moments and what’s happening off-camera. I did guess the mystery at one point, but the story throws enough twists, red herrings, and clever misdirection that I completely forgot about that theory until the end. I really appreciated that the reveal wasn’t obvious, and the twists felt satisfying.
Writing Style
Holly Jackson’s writing is incredibly readable, smooth, fast-paced, and addictive. I never had to slow down or reread to understand what was happening. While it isn’t a deeply emotional story, it’s compelling and fun, and her writing style plays a big part in that. Even at around 400 pages, it feels like a quick read.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I liked this book a lot. It’s a great choice for a book club because there’s so much to discuss and plenty of theories to unpack. I’d recommend it to fans of Holly Jackson or anyone who enjoys thrillers that keep you guessing.
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