This is the latest novel from British author Cynthia Murphy, writer of several Young Adult horror and thriller novels. “Win Lose Kill Die” is a high-school slasher novel, perfect for fans of Holly Jackson.
Liz returns to Morton Academy for the new school year with a lot of unease. Just a few months ago, Liz’s classmate and head of the school’s secret society, Morgan, drowned in the school’s lake during an initiation ceremony, and Liz was injured trying to save her. When the new leader of the secret society dies during the first week of school, Liz and her closest friends, Taylor, Marcus and Kat become suspicious. Within a week, Liz and new boy Cole stumble across another murdered student, and they are certain that a serial killer is targeting the students. As the friends get together to investigate, they discover that the school had a similar situation occur in 1999, when a cult leader was involved. Soon everyone is a suspect, including the head mistress, the creepy groundskeeper, and the students. As more bodies pile up and the school is plunged into lockdown, Liz and her friends are in a race against time to take down the killer or become their next victims.
The audiobook is captivating and deliciously entertaining from beginning to end. The story begins at a boarding school in the middle of nowhere with a secret society meeting beneath an old chapel, and listeners might be wondering where this story could possibly be headed. But the story quickly takes off as seen through the eyes of emotionally vulnerable and weary Liz, the quintessential slasher-movie heroine. Each new character that is introduced carries motive and suspicion, keeping listeners in suspense as they attempt to identify the killer. The story builds in drama and intrigue throughout, culminating with a lethal twist at the very end.
Narrator Rachel Atkins’ mastery of narration is on full display in her performance. Atkins makes her audience feel as though they’re listening to the audio of a top-notch teen thriller, with cleverly placed dramatic outbursts and a constant stream of nerve-wracking suspense throughout. The storyline may not be the most original or electrifying thriller you’ll listen to this year, but the narration and final twist definitely make this one worthwhile!
