You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: February 11,2025

Publisher: Bantam

Pages: 384

Genre: Mystery

Rating: 5/5

You Are Fatally Invited is an isolation locked room mystery that is perfect for true lovers of the genre and aspiring writers. We follow six thriller authors has they arrive at the secluded island home of the intensely private and legendary author, J.R. Alastor. Alastor has personally invited all of them to a week long writing retreat taking place at his house that includes games and riddles to test them. Mila, is the event coordinator hired to make everything go off without a hitch but she is in over her head when guests start turning up dead.

This was such a fun time. I started this book and had such a hard time putting it down until I finished it. I was totally swept up with the characters, the reveals and seeing it all come together. Many books label themselves as Clue themed books but You Are Fatally Invited truly understood the magic of that movie. Not only are all the characters distinctive but the pacing of the movie slowly builds using the house as an integral backdrop and Pliego nailed it. But it is subtle enough that it doesn’t overpower the story and may only be noticeable to those who are obsessed enough with the movie to quote it.

I also admire how Pliego told the story with each part following a different day and slowly incorporating in other perspectives. The group is stranded due to a terrible storm and the internet and communication are down so they are just trying to survive until the supply boat comes on day 7. The tension of the events was exhilarating and I loved all the games and the sinister background of the characters.

This is Pilego’s debut novel so some of the themes and plot were a bit heavy handed but as a fervent lover of the mystery genre I adored every second. I have not stopped thinking of these characters and the experience I had reading it. This is the perfect read to curl up with on a cozy weekend and just lose yourself in this stunning novel.