This is the debut novel from writer Lauren Munoz, a lawyer and former teacher living in Southern California.
Following their high school graduation, Kassidy Logan invites her best friend Izzy Morales and five other friends to the renowned Ashwood Manor for a 1920s-themed getaway. Once at the manor, all their cell phones are taken, and they are dressed in vintage, glamorous 1920s attire. All is festive and fun until Blaine, Kassidy’s boyfriend, is found murdered in his room. Investigators are quick to arrive on the scene and begin interrogating each of the friends. Meanwhile, Izzy Morales, the girl who left a knife in Blaine’s room, is determined to maintain her innocence and begins eavesdropping on all the interrogations from a hidden passage. When a raging storm brews outdoors, the detectives and the suspects are suddenly locked together in the estate, and the killer will stop at nothing.
The audiobook is entertaining and easy to listen to. The story is a well-paced, whodunnit murder mystery with an air of suspense throughout. However, if you’re expecting a complex, multi-layered novel, you may be disappointed. Most of the exciting reveals and twists come at the very end, so this is one where you’ll need to be patient and enjoy the character development and the many flashback scenes that give listeners clues to the mystery.
Narrator Diana Bustelo delivers an entertaining performance as Izzy, accurately portraying a headstrong teenager navigating a very distressing situation. Although this audiobook could have benefited from multiple narrators, Bustelo does a formidable job bringing the different teenage personalities and clever detectives to life. If a unique YA whodunnit with plenty of character development and a few good twists (at the very end) tickles your fancy, then this book is a great option!
