When renowned anonymous author J. R. Alastor hires former aspiring writer Mila del Angél to host a writing retreat at his private manor off the coast of Maine, she jumps at the chance—particularly since she has an axe to grind with one of the invitees. The guest list? Six thriller authors, all masters of deceit, misdirection, and mayhem.
Confess the crimes, survive the tropes.
Alastor and Mila have masterminded a week of games, trope-fueled riddles, and maybe a jump scare or two—the perfect cover for Mila to plot a murder of her own. But when a guest turns up dead—and it’s not the murder she planned—Mila finds herself trapped in a different narrative altogether.
One by one, you’ll lose your turn.
With a storm isolating the island, and the body count rising, Mila must outwit a killer who knows literally every trick in the book.
Until only one of us remains . . .
You Are Fatally Invited is a gripping locked-room mystery and the highly acclaimed debut novel of Ande Pliego. Set on a manor off the coast of Maine, the story follows Mila, an events coordinator organizing an exclusive retreat for a select group of crime writers, hosted by the enigmatic bestselling author J.R. Alastor. Mila also has her own motives—she wants revenge on one of the writers. Just as a storm cuts off the island from the outside world, the retreat takes a deadly turn, and guests begin to meet gruesome fates. Despite her ulterior motives, this is not what Mila signed up for—and as paranoia grows and secrets unravel, she must uncover the truth before she’s the next victim.
The isolated island setting, cut off from the world during a relentless storm, is the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. The atmospheric manor, complete with secret passageways and a museum of horror memorabilia, adds to the sense of impending doom. Pliego’s writing is fresh, witty, and filled with captivating dialogue. The narrative also features excerpts from the mysterious J.A. Alastor’s own novels, all of which mimic the murders that occur, making the story more compelling and immersive.
All of the characters are morally grey and are harboring secrets, even the ones that first come across as innocent. Mila is a very intriguing protagonist, torn between her need for vengeance and her moral code. Her crucial backstory is revealed later on, so patience is required to understand her motivations. The narrative includes a large cast of characters; some are more developed than others, and their interactions and shifting alliances add layers to the plot. The story is not only told from Mila’s POV, but also from several of the guest writers, and it frequently changes. If reading by audio, it’s recommended to listen at a slower speed—not only to keep track of the alternating POVs, but also because the audiobook is a full cast narration and all the different voices can be overwhelming. On the positive side, the multiple perspectives (and full cast narration) offer insight into each character’s psyche, as each character provides clues and insight into solving the tangled mystery.
The story has a slow-burn start followed by an intricate plot full of clues, red herrings, and twists. The first 25% of the story establishes the cast of characters, their associations, and the ominous island/manor setting—if you’re finding the pacing too slow at first, rest assured that it does get better. By the 2nd half, the story greatly improves in pacing and intensity, as many secrets are revealed and some dramatic showdowns occur. Pliego does an especially good job planting detours, keeping readers guessing right until the very end. The epilogue and follow-up “interview” give further resolution to the story and add entertainment value but don’t offer much else. A last-minute surprise twist or more open-ended conclusion might have been more interesting.
Overall, You Are Fatally Invited is a cleverly crafted mystery that will appeal to fans of locked room thrillers and Agatha Christie-style whodunnits. In her debut, Pliego showcases an ability to write an intricate narrative with compelling characters and well-placed twists. If all of this sounds intriguing, then definitely add this one to your immediate reading list!
