This is one hell of a first foray into adult fiction. Holly Jackson, I have, and always will, read anything you write. The plot is pacy, unique and well-researched, and her writing is full of dark humour and dry wit. Jackson’s authorial voice absolutely sings. This novel is also a masterclass in the unlikeable character. What Jackson always does is give meaning to every single writing choice she makes. Yes, Jet is acting obnoxious, but there is a purpose - the need for urgency - to her actions. Her backstory is relatable and her motivations for solving her murder are delightfully and understandably selfish. And I think beneath all of this, what makes this a truly great adult thriller debut, is the underlying study threaded through the plot: what does it feel like to ‘live’ without constantly fearing the worst? What does a traumatic and quite literally life-altering event do to a person’s mindset? Jet has already died, the worst that could happen has already happened. Instead of an operation with a small percentage chance of success, she chooses to experience the freedom of one week with no consequences. A truly thought-provoking read. [Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an ARC]

Holly Jackson has been an auto buy author for me since I read the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. I was mostly curious about the shift from ya to adult and such a poignant title. This book has changed me. I know that sounds like such a blanket statement but to become close to a character knowing their undeserving end rips your heart out. Everything you could imagine with investigating your own murder happens. Jet isn’t the easiest to read from and all the stages of grief she faces makes it a turbulent read, understandably. She’s 27 years old and her life is over before she figured things out. The investigative moments specifically the event, played in my mind which doesn’t always happen. I still can picture the scene and it does haunt me at times. This will be the one thing she is determined to finish before her time is up. There are certain moments that I still can see - the night of and a moment when she goes to a scene, I won’t say where so it doesn’t spoil anything. The exploration of Jet being 27 years old feeling she was without purpose and not knowing what she wanted was welcomed and refreshing to read. By the end I was desperate that there would be a different outcome. You spend the story slowly building to yearning for it. Only a skilled author can carry out the mystery of who did it and build the character in such a way that you deeply care for them. It didn’t feel like we’d spent just a week with Jet.

Received this book yesterday, (pre-order) I now know what they meant by rollercoaster, definitely rollercoaster of emotions, it made me laugh, it made me cry, I did work out, much to my sadness who killed her, but not till just before she died, saying while still reading “no please don’t let it be them”

Highly enjoyable.

Jet is back home at the age of 27 and feeling like she is waiting for her life to begin. Then on Halloween night someone attacks her in her family home. She is determined to find out who did it before her injuries run their course. I really enjoyed this book. Jet is a great character and Billy, her side kick, is a sweetheart. This is half thriller and half puzzle which worked really well. Holly Jackson's first adult book has the brilliance of her ya books combined with a great ability to express the stuck feeling you might get in your late twenties if you end up back home living with your parents. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy of this book.