You Are Fatally Invited
- Judith D Collins
- Feb 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 11
By: Ande Pliego
Alejandro Ruiz, Dawn Harvey, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, John Lee, Will Damron, Victoria Villarreal, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Feodor Chin Random House Audio
ISBN: 9780593871577
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: 02/11/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
An exclusive thriller writer’s retreat hosted on a private island turns lethal when one of the authors is found murdered.
“Twisty and fabulously fun . . . This debut is not to be missed!”—Amy Tintera, New York Times bestselling author of Listen for the Lie
“Deliciously twisted . . . perfect for thriller fans hungry for a fresh spin on a locked-room murder mystery.”—Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child
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 . . .
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My Review
Wickedly delicious, Ande Pliego's YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED is an atmospheric debut thriller featuring a writer's retreat hosted on a private island that turns lethal in this locked-room mystery.
The title, 'YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED,' hints at the deadly nature of the invitation to the retreat, setting the tone for the thrilling narrative that unfolds.
About...
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 has a revenge plan in mind with one of the invitees. The guest list comprises six thriller authors, all masters of deceit, misdirection, and mayhem.
One of the writers stole Mila’s book, ruining her life. When no one believed her claim, she was forced to watch her stolen work rise to fame under the thief's name. Struggling to make ends meet and care for her mother’s medical bills, Mila plans events. Then Alastor reaches out, offering her a chance for revenge at the retreat.
Alastor and Mila have a week of games planned, including Mila's murder plot. But when a guest turns up dead and is not the one she planned, Mila finds herself trapped. What is happening?
Who will remain alive, and who will be able to escape? The uncertainty of survival adds a layer of anxiety to the story. Who is the monster among them?
My thoughts...
Cleverly told, YOU ARE FATALLY INVITED takes us over Six Days to the Epilogue of two years later. This unique structure allows the story to unfold quickly and suspensefully, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
The Wolf Harbor Estate in Maine sets the stage for the last week of October, promising a killer time. The other allure is why Alastor would engage with the world of writers after thirty years of obscurity.
Of course, it would not be a locked room thriller without a storm cutting off the island as the body count rises. Now, Mila must outwit a killer who seems to know every trick in the book and is possibly more intelligent than herself.
Complex and twisty, can Alastor be trusted? Who will make it off the island alive? The complexity of the characters keeps the reader engaged and guessing.
Recs...
If you are a Knives Out, Agatha Christie, or Clue fan, this one is for you!
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 11, 2025
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Praise
“You Are Fatally Invited is a novel with black ink in its veins and a cheeky smile on its face. RSVP immediately.”
—A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
“Twisty and fabulously fun, You Are Fatally Invited is a locked-room mystery that readers won’t want to put down. With its clever use of tropes and an expertly drawn cast of characters . . . This debut is not to be missed!”
—Amy Tintera, New York Times bestselling author of Listen for the Lie
“Deliciously twisted . . . perfect for thriller fans hungry for a fresh spin on a locked-room murder mystery.”
—Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child
“Wickedly delightful mayhem! It’s Agatha Christie on steroids.”
—Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of the Rizzoli & Isles series
“This meta, ironic, fun thriller will keep you turning pages late into the night. You won’t know who did it or how or why until the very juicy end!”
—Sascha Rothchild, Emmy award–winning author of Blood Sugar
“As fun and as intense as a game night with friends . . . It’s a pitch-perfect debut.”
—Kellye Garrett, author of Missing White Woman
“Diabolical and utterly entertaining.”
—Darby Kane, #1 internationally bestselling author of Pretty Little Wife
“This is the debut of 2025! Riveting . . . You Are Fatally Invited winks at the tropes while delivering twist after twist after twist.”
—Alex Finlay, USA Today bestselling author of If Something Happens to Me
“One of the most entertaining thrillers I’ve read in a long time . . . Clear your weekend, because once you start, you won’t want to put it down.”—Kristen Perrin, USA Today bestselling author of How to Solve Your Own Murder
“And Then There Were None via Knives Out meets . . . On Writing?! An ingeniously plotted, deliciously dark treat for thriller fans—I enjoyed every page.”
—Catherine Ryan Howard, #1 bestselling author of The Trap
“Pliego has concocted the perfect recipe for murderous mayhem, and I couldn’t put it down.”
—Jilly Gagnon, author of All Dressed Up
“A darkly glittering gem of a book! Enthralling and deliciously clever, You Are Fatally Invited pays homage to the best mystery tropes while also smartly upending them.”
—Emily Bain Murphy, author of Enchanted Hill
“A murderously fun thriller, full of dark games, and trope-fueled puzzles . . . This is the most intriguing locked-room thriller I’ve read yet!”
—Jessica Payne, author of Never Trust the Husband
“Agatha Christie meets Knives Out in this intricately plotted and compelling thriller which that will have you racing through the pages to find out what happened.”
—Rhiannon Barnsley, author of The Clique
“Original and atmospheric.”
—Catherine Cooper, author of The Island
About the Author
Ande Pliego began writing stories when she discovered she could actually wield her overactive imagination for good. A lover of stories with teeth, she writes books involving mind games, dark humor, general murder and mayhem, and most importantly, finding the hope in the dark.
When not reading or writing, she can usually be found dabbling in art, scheming up her next trip, or making constant expeditions to the library. Born in Florida, raised in France, and having left footprints all over the globe, Ande is settled in the Pacific Northwest, USA, with her craftsman husband and young son.
