14 Ways to Die

 Book 61 of my 2023 Reading Challenge

read from July 4 - 6

14 Ways to Die

by Vincent Ralph

Summary (via the book jacket)

When Jess was seven, her mother was murdered by the Magpie Man. She was the first of his victims, but not the last.

Ten years later, the killer is still at large, and Jess applies to appear on an internet reality show in which she'll be filmed once a week for a whole day. All her social media, every text, and all personal interaction will be seen by viewers. She knows this is her chance to remind the public of what she has lost and to finally find the vital clue that will lead her to her mother's killer.

When the show starts airing, Jess becomes public property, and her life is an open book just waiting to be read. Then the anonymous text messages start, and Jess begins to realize that the Magpie Man is watching her every move.

My Opinion

4 stars

This book had an unique, interesting concept and was immensely readable.  The short chapters kept the suspense going and engagement high.

There were some coincidences that the reader has to ignore which is pretty typical to keep a mystery moving, and some of the situations felt justhisclose to remaining plausible but just as I started to think it was going off the rails and needed to wrap up it stayed on track (haha, continuing the train theme) and ended.  I was also worried at the beginning about a relationship developing between two of the characters (I even wrote "no love story!!!!" in my notes) but luckily nothing came of it.

All in all, a good way to pass the time as long as you don't overthink the ending and enjoy the ride.