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This Is How We End Things
Riley Sager meets If We Were Villains in a compelling new psychological thriller by RJ Jacobs, following a tight-knit group of graduate students studying the psychology of lying. When one of them is discovered dead after an experiment, everything the group thought they knew about deception crumbles...
Campus is empty, a winter storm is blowing in, and someone is lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to kill again.
Forest, North Carolina. Under the instruction of enigmatic Professor Joe Lyons, five graduate students are studying the tedious science behind the acts of lying. But discovering the secrets of deception isn't making any of the student's more honest though. Instead, it's making it easier for them to guard their own secrets – and they all have something to hide.
When a test goes awry and one of them is found dead, the students find themselves trapped by a snowstorm on an abandoned campus with a local detective on the case. As harbored secrets begin to break the surface, the graduates must find out who's lying, who isn't, and who may have been capable of committing murder. It turns out deception is even more dangerous than they thought...
A foreboding new dark academia thriller of deception and suspense, This is How it Ends follows the unraveling of a close group of students as they contend with what it means to lie, and be lied to.
Campus is empty, a winter storm is blowing in, and someone is lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to kill again.
Forest, North Carolina. Under the instruction of enigmatic Professor Joe Lyons, five graduate students are studying the tedious science behind the acts of lying. But discovering the secrets of deception isn't making any of the student's more honest though. Instead, it's making it easier for them to guard their own secrets – and they all have something to hide.
When a test goes awry and one of them is found dead, the students find themselves trapped by a snowstorm on an abandoned campus with a local detective on the case. As harbored secrets begin to break the surface, the graduates must find out who's lying, who isn't, and who may have been capable of committing murder. It turns out deception is even more dangerous than they thought...
A foreboding new dark academia thriller of deception and suspense, This is How it Ends follows the unraveling of a close group of students as they contend with what it means to lie, and be lied to.
330 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2023
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September 5, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
I read and enjoyed both And Then You Were Gone and Always the First to Die by this author but This Is How We End Things was a bit of a disappointment. I love a good academia story, especially if it's a dark thriller and I super enjoyed reading about a snowstorm during this hot Toronto August. Jacobs sure can set up a scene and his descriptions put me right in the action.
The downfall of this one was the characters, I didn't really like any of them in this book except the kid, Iris. They weren't authentic to me and every single one of them had secrets and when they are revealed I had a hard time believing there would be so many people in the program like this and that would get away with it. There was very little character development and the dialogue felt forced and/or fake and their thought processes were confusing at times. I often asked myself "Why would they do that!?" I also did not like or believe the two romantic angles with Scarlett.
The premise of this one was intriguing but the execution fell flat. I had figured this whodunnit out before the forty percent mark. Sometimes that's okay because the reader enjoys the journey to see if they are right, that wasn't the case here. Did I love this book? The short answer is no. Would I read this author again? Absolutely, he creates scenes well and has an easy-reading writing style.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
2.5 Stars
I read and enjoyed both And Then You Were Gone and Always the First to Die by this author but This Is How We End Things was a bit of a disappointment. I love a good academia story, especially if it's a dark thriller and I super enjoyed reading about a snowstorm during this hot Toronto August. Jacobs sure can set up a scene and his descriptions put me right in the action.
The downfall of this one was the characters, I didn't really like any of them in this book except the kid, Iris. They weren't authentic to me and every single one of them had secrets and when they are revealed I had a hard time believing there would be so many people in the program like this and that would get away with it. There was very little character development and the dialogue felt forced and/or fake and their thought processes were confusing at times. I often asked myself "Why would they do that!?" I also did not like or believe the two romantic angles with Scarlett.
The premise of this one was intriguing but the execution fell flat. I had figured this whodunnit out before the forty percent mark. Sometimes that's okay because the reader enjoys the journey to see if they are right, that wasn't the case here. Did I love this book? The short answer is no. Would I read this author again? Absolutely, he creates scenes well and has an easy-reading writing style.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
August 6, 2023
When a brutal murder occurs in the science department and the only suspects are a bunch of graduate students with tragic, sealed pasts, full of secrets and knowledge about the art of deception, how can you find out who the real perpetrator is?
This book is an exciting and intelligent whodunit, more than just a dark academia novel. Its fast and dynamic pacing, claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere, and brilliant mind games will keep you guessing the identity of the murderer, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the last chapter. Especially the last third was outstandingly hyperventilating and heart-throbbing. I guessed the culprit’s identity when I got closer to the end, but I really enjoyed how the mystery unfolded and how the pieces of the puzzle were perfectly positioned without leaving a loophole behind.
Six graduate students study the psychology of lying, assisting on the project conducted by Joe Lyons. Scarlett is divorced and raising her six-year-old daughter Iris. She seems like the peacemaker of the group. Robert is the most senior assistant of the project, work-oriented, disciplined, and named as the teacher’s pet because of his adoration and devotion to Joe. Britt is tattooed, has dark jet-black hair, is impulsive, secluded, and tight-lipped. Chris is a popular bad boy, straightforward, careless, and the best friend of Britt, rejecting to talk about their pasts. Elizabeth is beautiful, cunning, calculating, the secret lover of Joe, and becomes the target of the other students because of her affair.
Joe hires a new team member called Veronica, a lawyer, to conduct their research on a legal basis. She gives creepy vibes with her unfriendly attitude around the group members and has had a dispute with one of them in the past.
One night, one of the students is brutally killed and the rest of them are at the scene of the murder. Any of them could have committed the crime and hide with lies because that’s what they’ve been trained for.
Who is the perpetrator? What’s their plan? Who’s the most effective liar among them? Detective Larson will team up with King to find out the buried secrets and watch those liars as if they’re test subjects to solve the mystery.
Overall, I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5. I wish there were more details about psychology studies to inform us about the lying techniques. However, this book is focused on the murders and the mysteries behind them, which still piqued my interest and hooked me up until the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this riveting thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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This book is an exciting and intelligent whodunit, more than just a dark academia novel. Its fast and dynamic pacing, claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere, and brilliant mind games will keep you guessing the identity of the murderer, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the last chapter. Especially the last third was outstandingly hyperventilating and heart-throbbing. I guessed the culprit’s identity when I got closer to the end, but I really enjoyed how the mystery unfolded and how the pieces of the puzzle were perfectly positioned without leaving a loophole behind.
Six graduate students study the psychology of lying, assisting on the project conducted by Joe Lyons. Scarlett is divorced and raising her six-year-old daughter Iris. She seems like the peacemaker of the group. Robert is the most senior assistant of the project, work-oriented, disciplined, and named as the teacher’s pet because of his adoration and devotion to Joe. Britt is tattooed, has dark jet-black hair, is impulsive, secluded, and tight-lipped. Chris is a popular bad boy, straightforward, careless, and the best friend of Britt, rejecting to talk about their pasts. Elizabeth is beautiful, cunning, calculating, the secret lover of Joe, and becomes the target of the other students because of her affair.
Joe hires a new team member called Veronica, a lawyer, to conduct their research on a legal basis. She gives creepy vibes with her unfriendly attitude around the group members and has had a dispute with one of them in the past.
One night, one of the students is brutally killed and the rest of them are at the scene of the murder. Any of them could have committed the crime and hide with lies because that’s what they’ve been trained for.
Who is the perpetrator? What’s their plan? Who’s the most effective liar among them? Detective Larson will team up with King to find out the buried secrets and watch those liars as if they’re test subjects to solve the mystery.
Overall, I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5. I wish there were more details about psychology studies to inform us about the lying techniques. However, this book is focused on the murders and the mysteries behind them, which still piqued my interest and hooked me up until the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this riveting thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
December 27, 2023
This held my attention from start to finish. The plot was interesting and there was plenty of guessing involved. The suspense was there and it was well written!
September 8, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up. Decent thriller
I think I especially liked this because I listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Chelsea Stephens, gave the story a chilling, sinister feel and made the characters seem smarter than they probably would have seemed had I read them on the page.
Five graduate students are doing a study on deception. Then one night, one of them is murdered. Then their supervising professor is murdered. The list of suspects is small, and the police detective assigned to the case needs to uncover what is going on before more people die. But the problem with people who are studying lies is that you never know who is telling the truth.
Overall, this is a fast paced, decently well-plotted mystery. The ending does wrap things up a little too quickly, I feel like a bit of a slower reveal would have been nice, but then I probably would have figured it all out a lot sooner. As it was, I did have my suspicions about one person and I was correct. I thought there could have been a number of more intriguing twists due to the deception storyline, my mind went a million different ways, but it was still a decent mystery overall.
If you like books set in academia and enjoy a good whodunnit, this is a great choice. This is the second book I've read by this author and I definitely want to read more in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I think I especially liked this because I listened to the audiobook. The narrator, Chelsea Stephens, gave the story a chilling, sinister feel and made the characters seem smarter than they probably would have seemed had I read them on the page.
Five graduate students are doing a study on deception. Then one night, one of them is murdered. Then their supervising professor is murdered. The list of suspects is small, and the police detective assigned to the case needs to uncover what is going on before more people die. But the problem with people who are studying lies is that you never know who is telling the truth.
Overall, this is a fast paced, decently well-plotted mystery. The ending does wrap things up a little too quickly, I feel like a bit of a slower reveal would have been nice, but then I probably would have figured it all out a lot sooner. As it was, I did have my suspicions about one person and I was correct. I thought there could have been a number of more intriguing twists due to the deception storyline, my mind went a million different ways, but it was still a decent mystery overall.
If you like books set in academia and enjoy a good whodunnit, this is a great choice. This is the second book I've read by this author and I definitely want to read more in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 13, 2023
Who loves dark academia?? This girl!! 🙋♀️ LOVED it!! @rjjacobs75 delivered a dark twisted, creepy story that kept me glued to the pages. 😍
Dorrance University…known for their exciting, cutting edge research studies. You too may have the opportunity to join Professor 👨🏫 Lyons in his exciting research-now that you have been accepted into their Psychology program!! 😍🙋♀️Oh how fun right?! I got so excited when I received this acceptance letter from @rjjacobs75 !! 😳😂😉 Little did I know what was in store for me… 😬😳🤯
When a grad student is found murdered… on campus.. well things got really.. interesting.. and intense! 😳This dark academia book just got darker!! All her “friends “ were suspects in my mind! Not to mention the participates that she… may have misled..😮😬
Creepy…locked room mystery.. set in one of my very favorite locations!! I never guessed how this would end!! Less than one week until this baby is out in the wild!! Run 🏃♀️ and get a copy!!
🖤🖤🖤 Is this on your list? Do you have a favorite @rjjacobs75 book?? I have read two and loved both!! Are you a fan of dark academia?? 🖤🖤🖤
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy!
Dorrance University…known for their exciting, cutting edge research studies. You too may have the opportunity to join Professor 👨🏫 Lyons in his exciting research-now that you have been accepted into their Psychology program!! 😍🙋♀️Oh how fun right?! I got so excited when I received this acceptance letter from @rjjacobs75 !! 😳😂😉 Little did I know what was in store for me… 😬😳🤯
When a grad student is found murdered… on campus.. well things got really.. interesting.. and intense! 😳This dark academia book just got darker!! All her “friends “ were suspects in my mind! Not to mention the participates that she… may have misled..😮😬
Creepy…locked room mystery.. set in one of my very favorite locations!! I never guessed how this would end!! Less than one week until this baby is out in the wild!! Run 🏃♀️ and get a copy!!
🖤🖤🖤 Is this on your list? Do you have a favorite @rjjacobs75 book?? I have read two and loved both!! Are you a fan of dark academia?? 🖤🖤🖤
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy!
October 6, 2023
In the idyllic college town of Shepard, North Carolina, a small group of grad students and their renowned professor, Joe Lyons, are looking into the dark depths of the psychology of lying. Through carefully orchestrated experiments, the five students have had to learn how to deceive on top of analyzing data and correlating results. And for all of them, it’s merely made it easier to cover their own dirty actions as well.
When their latest experiment with a brand new test subject ends up with the police at their door, however, Professor Lyons decides to halt their research—albeit only temporarily. The news doesn’t go over well with the grad students, though. After all, it’s their dissertations on the line and without the data, they’re definitely going to be left in the lurch. Just the same, Lyons decides it’s better to be safe than rather than sorry.
So when one of the students is found dead the very next morning, it’s almost as if the professor knew what was coming. But as Detective Alana Larson starts to investigate, the academics quickly discover she’s anything but a bumbling local police officer. Rather, she’s rather adept at uncovering one hidden secret after another. With each reveal, the students begin to wonder: have any of them been telling the truth?
Now trapped on an abandoned campus in the midst of an unexpected blizzard, they’re forced to look one another in the eye. As realization sets in, one thing is obvious to not only the detective, but each of her suspects as well. Someone’s lies have led to murder. Now they’re all left questioning whether the perpetrator will be caught before it happens again. Because one thing is for certain, while the research remains unfinished, the results are in—lying is bad for your health.
Oh. My. God. What an altogether mind-blowing, unputdownable, binge-worthy novel This Is How We End Things was! In fact, as soon as I shut the cover, I started wishing and hoping that this was just book one of what would be an altogether brilliant series. Exactly why, might you ask? Well, sit tight and I’ll explain…
From the first moment I read the synopsis, I knew that this book was for me. I mean, dark academia? The psychology of lying? A locked room mystery? Yes, please, to all! And while the blurb had me anticipating an out and out thriller, what I found instead was more of a combination of that with a fast-paced police procedural instead. Told through multiple POVs, this epic puzzle of a plot left me ripping through the pages right from the start.
Speaking of the plot, despite a mildly slow burn start, it was rife with an adrenaline-fueled climax that went on for ages, potential suspects galore, and one delicious secret after another. To be frank, this was no plodding crime fiction novel to be sure. No, instead the storyline was steeped in a very definite sense of impending doom. One were the threat of a blizzard merely doubled down on the already pre-existing foreboding. With non-stop suspense and palpable tension, this plot was on point.
But it was the final twist that took this book into a while other stratum. Seemingly coming out of the blue, I have to admit that I had just a teensy, tiny inkling as to who the murderer was. At the same time, however, the why, the what, and the how stayed wonderfully out of reach. So despite my peek behind the curtain, it didn’t ruin this one for me at all.
Then there was the setting. Taking place on an idyllic, deserted college campus allowed that dread to bubble and percolate, turning more and more claustrophobic and tense with every page. Even better, it was all described with such evocative prose that I could envision it all like a film in my head. And let me tell you, this book would definitely make one heck of a movie.
The only bit that wasn’t absolute perfection had to do with those multiple POVs. Each without much of their own identity and a definite bouncing back and forth between them all, it took away a little from this altogether dynamite book. Personally, I would have preferred one or two instead of a handful. Maybe just Larson and Scarlett? I think that may have kept me from figuring out the who of this whodunnit early, which, while not a game changer, would’ve definitely turned this into a 5+ star book.
All in all, R.J. Jacobs has grabbed my attention. The first by him that I’ve read, it most certainly won’t be the last. Coming out on September 12th, I highly recommend both adding this book to your TBR and heading online to pre-order this puppy now. Trust me, your brain will thank you. After all, with complex, genuine characters, red herrings that had me second guessing myself, and one truly top-notch literary detective, how could you not love this book? Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to R.J. Jacobs and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 12, 2023
Trigger warning: illicit professor-student relationship, stabbing, breaking and entering, shooting, mention of: infidelity, stalking, drug addiction, school shooting
When their latest experiment with a brand new test subject ends up with the police at their door, however, Professor Lyons decides to halt their research—albeit only temporarily. The news doesn’t go over well with the grad students, though. After all, it’s their dissertations on the line and without the data, they’re definitely going to be left in the lurch. Just the same, Lyons decides it’s better to be safe than rather than sorry.
So when one of the students is found dead the very next morning, it’s almost as if the professor knew what was coming. But as Detective Alana Larson starts to investigate, the academics quickly discover she’s anything but a bumbling local police officer. Rather, she’s rather adept at uncovering one hidden secret after another. With each reveal, the students begin to wonder: have any of them been telling the truth?
Now trapped on an abandoned campus in the midst of an unexpected blizzard, they’re forced to look one another in the eye. As realization sets in, one thing is obvious to not only the detective, but each of her suspects as well. Someone’s lies have led to murder. Now they’re all left questioning whether the perpetrator will be caught before it happens again. Because one thing is for certain, while the research remains unfinished, the results are in—lying is bad for your health.
Oh. My. God. What an altogether mind-blowing, unputdownable, binge-worthy novel This Is How We End Things was! In fact, as soon as I shut the cover, I started wishing and hoping that this was just book one of what would be an altogether brilliant series. Exactly why, might you ask? Well, sit tight and I’ll explain…
From the first moment I read the synopsis, I knew that this book was for me. I mean, dark academia? The psychology of lying? A locked room mystery? Yes, please, to all! And while the blurb had me anticipating an out and out thriller, what I found instead was more of a combination of that with a fast-paced police procedural instead. Told through multiple POVs, this epic puzzle of a plot left me ripping through the pages right from the start.
Speaking of the plot, despite a mildly slow burn start, it was rife with an adrenaline-fueled climax that went on for ages, potential suspects galore, and one delicious secret after another. To be frank, this was no plodding crime fiction novel to be sure. No, instead the storyline was steeped in a very definite sense of impending doom. One were the threat of a blizzard merely doubled down on the already pre-existing foreboding. With non-stop suspense and palpable tension, this plot was on point.
But it was the final twist that took this book into a while other stratum. Seemingly coming out of the blue, I have to admit that I had just a teensy, tiny inkling as to who the murderer was. At the same time, however, the why, the what, and the how stayed wonderfully out of reach. So despite my peek behind the curtain, it didn’t ruin this one for me at all.
Then there was the setting. Taking place on an idyllic, deserted college campus allowed that dread to bubble and percolate, turning more and more claustrophobic and tense with every page. Even better, it was all described with such evocative prose that I could envision it all like a film in my head. And let me tell you, this book would definitely make one heck of a movie.
The only bit that wasn’t absolute perfection had to do with those multiple POVs. Each without much of their own identity and a definite bouncing back and forth between them all, it took away a little from this altogether dynamite book. Personally, I would have preferred one or two instead of a handful. Maybe just Larson and Scarlett? I think that may have kept me from figuring out the who of this whodunnit early, which, while not a game changer, would’ve definitely turned this into a 5+ star book.
All in all, R.J. Jacobs has grabbed my attention. The first by him that I’ve read, it most certainly won’t be the last. Coming out on September 12th, I highly recommend both adding this book to your TBR and heading online to pre-order this puppy now. Trust me, your brain will thank you. After all, with complex, genuine characters, red herrings that had me second guessing myself, and one truly top-notch literary detective, how could you not love this book? Rating of 4.5 stars.
Thank you to R.J. Jacobs and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: September 12, 2023
Trigger warning: illicit professor-student relationship, stabbing, breaking and entering, shooting, mention of: infidelity, stalking, drug addiction, school shooting
September 14, 2023
When it ranks as one of the highest anticipated books and a must-read book for 2023...I'm in!!! Then you add a dark academia thriller in a locked room mystery, you can bet this one will be on everyone's radar. Never mind the YA label for those of you that do not like them, you will forget when you start this psychological thriller. Set in North Carolina in Dorrance Uni, all the students have gone home except for a select few working in graduate studies with Professor Joe Lyons about the science of lying.
Their studies is put to test when one of them is murdered then another....They all have something to hide. When Det. Alana Larson is locked on campus with them, the police procedural is face paced and well plotted. The characters are strategically placed and well-developed with a lot of deception when they all appear as experts on the subject of lying. With multiple POVs, you are chilled by their deceptive behavior and will have no idea who to turn to for the truth.
It is tense and eerie...nothing more creepy than an empty campus or classroom. Shadows are lurking in every corner..beware.
I was able to get the audio which is a double enhancement of the suspense. The narrator Chelsea Stephens does an excellent job keeping the book fully charged for a high stakes whodunnit. No need to study for this course...they are all high achievers.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks and Landmark Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! Great job by this author!
Their studies is put to test when one of them is murdered then another....They all have something to hide. When Det. Alana Larson is locked on campus with them, the police procedural is face paced and well plotted. The characters are strategically placed and well-developed with a lot of deception when they all appear as experts on the subject of lying. With multiple POVs, you are chilled by their deceptive behavior and will have no idea who to turn to for the truth.
It is tense and eerie...nothing more creepy than an empty campus or classroom. Shadows are lurking in every corner..beware.
I was able to get the audio which is a double enhancement of the suspense. The narrator Chelsea Stephens does an excellent job keeping the book fully charged for a high stakes whodunnit. No need to study for this course...they are all high achievers.
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks and Landmark Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! Great job by this author!
September 7, 2023
3.5 STARS
R.J. Jacobs has quickly become a favorite author of mine in the psychological thriller genre. As someone who has firsthand experience in psychology, his books give off the authentic vibe of someone who knows what they’re talking about, all while making it feel less text book and more armchair detective. While this wasn’t my favorite of the author’s books, as the culprit felt more obvious in this story than his previous ones, he does a fantastic job of creating a cool atmosphere that plunges the reader directly into the setting. If you’re looking for a reliable read, give this one a shot.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
R.J. Jacobs has quickly become a favorite author of mine in the psychological thriller genre. As someone who has firsthand experience in psychology, his books give off the authentic vibe of someone who knows what they’re talking about, all while making it feel less text book and more armchair detective. While this wasn’t my favorite of the author’s books, as the culprit felt more obvious in this story than his previous ones, he does a fantastic job of creating a cool atmosphere that plunges the reader directly into the setting. If you’re looking for a reliable read, give this one a shot.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
January 2, 2024
the setup…
Dorrance University psychology Professor Joe Lyons is conducting a study on lying and deception using five graduate students to assist and college student as subjects. It’s controversial and edgy so when one of the tests runs afoul, one of the graduate students ends up dead in the middle of an impending snowstorm. The situation doesn’t lack of suspects and all are experts in the art of deception. Detective Alana Larson has her hands full in this small North Carolina college town with limited resources to investigate.
the heart of the story…
The story begins with a chilling prologue that I couldn’t forget as I tried to make it fit with the things that came next. I was suspicious of everyone, trying to figure out who was the unidentified person in the opening, knowing that it was pertinent to the study and the subsequent murder. I went back and forth on suspects until a minuscule clue set me in the right direction. Otherwise, I would have been all over the place.
the narrator…
I loved the narrator who made this feel like there were multiple performers. She also managed to bring something sinister in the storytelling. She’s gifted!
the bottom line…
The plotting is intricate, the characterizations are complex and sneaky and the setting adds an ominous quality. I was glued to this story and even though I was strongly certain I knew the identity of the murderer, the intricacies of the plot still had me second guessing. Everyone was hiding something! This was my kind of mystery, one where subtleties are key and you have to pay close attention to everything.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to HighBridge for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Dorrance University psychology Professor Joe Lyons is conducting a study on lying and deception using five graduate students to assist and college student as subjects. It’s controversial and edgy so when one of the tests runs afoul, one of the graduate students ends up dead in the middle of an impending snowstorm. The situation doesn’t lack of suspects and all are experts in the art of deception. Detective Alana Larson has her hands full in this small North Carolina college town with limited resources to investigate.
the heart of the story…
The story begins with a chilling prologue that I couldn’t forget as I tried to make it fit with the things that came next. I was suspicious of everyone, trying to figure out who was the unidentified person in the opening, knowing that it was pertinent to the study and the subsequent murder. I went back and forth on suspects until a minuscule clue set me in the right direction. Otherwise, I would have been all over the place.
the narrator…
I loved the narrator who made this feel like there were multiple performers. She also managed to bring something sinister in the storytelling. She’s gifted!
the bottom line…
The plotting is intricate, the characterizations are complex and sneaky and the setting adds an ominous quality. I was glued to this story and even though I was strongly certain I knew the identity of the murderer, the intricacies of the plot still had me second guessing. Everyone was hiding something! This was my kind of mystery, one where subtleties are key and you have to pay close attention to everything.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to HighBridge for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
September 17, 2023
Love the setting and concept.
However, I failed to establish an emotional connection with any of the characters. Overall, just an okay read for me.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, R.J. Jacobs, and HighBridge Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
However, I failed to establish an emotional connection with any of the characters. Overall, just an okay read for me.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, R.J. Jacobs, and HighBridge Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
September 21, 2023
A dark and dreary atmosphere surrounds the university at the end of a long cold winter while five psychology graduate students and their professor Dr. Joe Lyons conduct a study experiment in lying and deception on a number of diverse students who aren't privy to the subject matter at hand. Shortly after the study begins an unprecedented volatile reaction from one of the subjects fuels another student's violent response bringing about a sudden unexpected halt to the experiment but before the experiment can be called off an extremely brutal murder occurs without rhyme or reason which has the detective working the case stumped. Just when the police believe they've found their main suspect another murder occurs that completely baffle them and they are at a loss on who could be responsible and now everyone will become a suspect since there are many clues floating around although no hard evidence is readily available.
An enjoyable an entertaining mystery thriller filled with several suspects, red herrings and inexplicable murders. The author R.J. Jacobs did a fine job of keeping my interest with colorful and interesting characters while trying to figure out the "Who Done It" puzzle and why? Especially, why were the murders so violent and gruesome? Could one of Dr. Lyon's small study really be a cold blooded killer? If so, the experiment should have been about murderers and their victims instead of simple deception. Recommended for any reader who enjoys locked room mysteries or a good mystery in general.
I want to thank the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 PUZZLING 🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
An enjoyable an entertaining mystery thriller filled with several suspects, red herrings and inexplicable murders. The author R.J. Jacobs did a fine job of keeping my interest with colorful and interesting characters while trying to figure out the "Who Done It" puzzle and why? Especially, why were the murders so violent and gruesome? Could one of Dr. Lyon's small study really be a cold blooded killer? If so, the experiment should have been about murderers and their victims instead of simple deception. Recommended for any reader who enjoys locked room mysteries or a good mystery in general.
I want to thank the publisher "Sourcebooks Landmark" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 PUZZLING 🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
August 9, 2024
✰ 2 stars ✰
“You sound a little suspicious of them,” she says.
The cruiser door creaks as he pushes it open. “I trained my team to deceive people, detective. You can’t think you’re the exception to anyone’s rule.”
This Is How We End Things or alternatively entitled in my head as This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things had all the worthwhile promise of an entertaining character-driven story. Dark academia vibes. Murder Mystery. Psychological Thriller. All the right flavors for an appetizing read that made me give R.J. Jacobs a chance.
What went wrong?
Everything.
I think this was an unfortunate sad case of expectation being crushed by reality - the blurb holds so much potential, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find anything remotely interesting enough for me to be engaged with the story. I wish I didn't sound so harsh, but what I hoped would be a worthwhile read was such a disappointing one, that I feel like I may have missed something that others saw.
None of the characters were likeable (they didn't even feel like a close group of friends) - the execution of the mystery was very weak and flat (why do writers make it so conveniently easy to narrow down the prime suspect!!) - I didn't vibe with any dark academia vibes - if there were any, at all. 😩 And rather than a psychological thriller, it began reading more like a crime detective story, with Detective Alana Larson, as the lead. It almost felt like this was actually the set-up to a potential future series for this character, instead, rather than giving time to the characters, actually present in this story. 🤔
“The attack was last night in a department office—in your office, actually—and she didn’t survive.
I know hearing this must be very hard.”
See, this delivery, right here - so so empty - void of any character - any essence that makes one care about the situation or characters being depicted. And that's why my greatest grievance lay with the writing - it did not resonate well with me. 😒 The dialogue was stilted - and the lack of intonations in the expressive details made it harder for me to empathize with any of their feelings. I didn't like how the transitions between the character perspectives was portrayed - let alone how many we were given - two or three key characters would have been more than enough! 😩
Why highlight that this is the character POV that is up next, when the narrative is still continuing from their point of view - why feel the need to headline it?? Plus, there were certain instances, where I didn't quite appreciate the word choices being used, that I really thought to myself 'is the author using a thesaurus to prove a point about his vocabulary skills?' Or am I the only one who doesn't know what it means, when the writer describes a police dispatcher as 'septuagenarian'. ☹️ If anyone knows the definition of this word without looking it up, you have my respect.
But, I think the resounding nail on the proverbial coffin really made it's mark, when a 47-year-old character 'cooed' to his much-younger girlfriend that I inwardly cringed and thought of all words to express himself, 'why this?'. 😬 It happened much early on in the story, so I should have known then and there that this was only going to get a lot worse. And sadly, it did, when was ultimately meant to be the climatic conclusion to the mystery, was marred severely by this blatantly cheesy attempt of including the title in the story - 'I’m sorry to tell you this, but there won’t be a place for you in the next study. This is how we end things.' 🙄
I really wanted to like it, but I just ended up feeling underwhelmed. the cover, itself, had such an eerie unsettling feel to it, that I thought there would be this imminent danger and prevalent threat throughout the story, but when even majority of the scenes take place off campus, it doesn't quite set the tone in an appealing or compelling light. And the fact that I was noting down more points that irked me, rather than the good stuff that stood out - then, there's definitely a problem.
And well, the only redeeming factor I did enjoy from this read - it's strong opening hook -chilling, expressive, and alluring. I was reeled in, completely prepared for an enticing suspenseful story, only to be cast ashore and set adrift, as quickly as I was caught into it's snare. 😞
“You sound a little suspicious of them,” she says.
The cruiser door creaks as he pushes it open. “I trained my team to deceive people, detective. You can’t think you’re the exception to anyone’s rule.”
This Is How We End Things or alternatively entitled in my head as This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things had all the worthwhile promise of an entertaining character-driven story. Dark academia vibes. Murder Mystery. Psychological Thriller. All the right flavors for an appetizing read that made me give R.J. Jacobs a chance.
What went wrong?
Everything.
I think this was an unfortunate sad case of expectation being crushed by reality - the blurb holds so much potential, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find anything remotely interesting enough for me to be engaged with the story. I wish I didn't sound so harsh, but what I hoped would be a worthwhile read was such a disappointing one, that I feel like I may have missed something that others saw.
None of the characters were likeable (they didn't even feel like a close group of friends) - the execution of the mystery was very weak and flat (why do writers make it so conveniently easy to narrow down the prime suspect!!) - I didn't vibe with any dark academia vibes - if there were any, at all. 😩 And rather than a psychological thriller, it began reading more like a crime detective story, with Detective Alana Larson, as the lead. It almost felt like this was actually the set-up to a potential future series for this character, instead, rather than giving time to the characters, actually present in this story. 🤔
“The attack was last night in a department office—in your office, actually—and she didn’t survive.
I know hearing this must be very hard.”
See, this delivery, right here - so so empty - void of any character - any essence that makes one care about the situation or characters being depicted. And that's why my greatest grievance lay with the writing - it did not resonate well with me. 😒 The dialogue was stilted - and the lack of intonations in the expressive details made it harder for me to empathize with any of their feelings. I didn't like how the transitions between the character perspectives was portrayed - let alone how many we were given - two or three key characters would have been more than enough! 😩
Why highlight that this is the character POV that is up next, when the narrative is still continuing from their point of view - why feel the need to headline it?? Plus, there were certain instances, where I didn't quite appreciate the word choices being used, that I really thought to myself 'is the author using a thesaurus to prove a point about his vocabulary skills?' Or am I the only one who doesn't know what it means, when the writer describes a police dispatcher as 'septuagenarian'. ☹️ If anyone knows the definition of this word without looking it up, you have my respect.
But, I think the resounding nail on the proverbial coffin really made it's mark, when a 47-year-old character 'cooed' to his much-younger girlfriend that I inwardly cringed and thought of all words to express himself, 'why this?'. 😬 It happened much early on in the story, so I should have known then and there that this was only going to get a lot worse. And sadly, it did, when was ultimately meant to be the climatic conclusion to the mystery, was marred severely by this blatantly cheesy attempt of including the title in the story - 'I’m sorry to tell you this, but there won’t be a place for you in the next study. This is how we end things.' 🙄
I really wanted to like it, but I just ended up feeling underwhelmed. the cover, itself, had such an eerie unsettling feel to it, that I thought there would be this imminent danger and prevalent threat throughout the story, but when even majority of the scenes take place off campus, it doesn't quite set the tone in an appealing or compelling light. And the fact that I was noting down more points that irked me, rather than the good stuff that stood out - then, there's definitely a problem.
And well, the only redeeming factor I did enjoy from this read - it's strong opening hook -chilling, expressive, and alluring. I was reeled in, completely prepared for an enticing suspenseful story, only to be cast ashore and set adrift, as quickly as I was caught into it's snare. 😞
September 12, 2023
This is How We End Things
by R.J. Jacobs
Pub Date 12 Sep 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
General Fiction (Adult)
Rating: 4.25/5
R.J. Jacobs' This is How We End Things is a creepy thriller of deliberate trickery and mystery. The story follows a group of students who learn first hand what it means to deceive, and to be deceived. As secrets are revealed, the main characters must confront their own biases and beliefs. The story explores the consequences of lies and manipulation, and friendship's power. In the end, it is a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
An experiment for a class involves five psychology graduate students directed by their professor. The assignment involves deceiving others to clinically measure their stress levels. In the aftermath of one of the five students being found dead, the remaining participants become suspects. Will they be able to conceal their own dishonesty and secret information while proving they are not guilty?
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark @Bookmarked and R.J. Jacobs for sending me this suspenseful thriller for review. It was a gripping tale that kept me on the edge of my seat - definitely a must read for anyone who loves a good mystery. I look forward to reading more from this incredible author.
#ThisIsHowWeEndThings #RJJacobs #gifted #bookmail
#bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
by R.J. Jacobs
Pub Date 12 Sep 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
General Fiction (Adult)
Rating: 4.25/5
R.J. Jacobs' This is How We End Things is a creepy thriller of deliberate trickery and mystery. The story follows a group of students who learn first hand what it means to deceive, and to be deceived. As secrets are revealed, the main characters must confront their own biases and beliefs. The story explores the consequences of lies and manipulation, and friendship's power. In the end, it is a thrilling and thought-provoking read.
An experiment for a class involves five psychology graduate students directed by their professor. The assignment involves deceiving others to clinically measure their stress levels. In the aftermath of one of the five students being found dead, the remaining participants become suspects. Will they be able to conceal their own dishonesty and secret information while proving they are not guilty?
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark @Bookmarked and R.J. Jacobs for sending me this suspenseful thriller for review. It was a gripping tale that kept me on the edge of my seat - definitely a must read for anyone who loves a good mystery. I look forward to reading more from this incredible author.
#ThisIsHowWeEndThings #RJJacobs #gifted #bookmail
#bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
July 22, 2023
This was a classic locked-room mystery; it’s listed as a psychological thriller in the synopsis, but I’d call this a mystery that was suspenseful, not really a thriller. That being said, it was still a good read!
The story is of a group of psychology students who are conducting an experiment on deception and lying. Their methods are slightly unethical, but they are gaining valuable information about the human mind, and how to catch people in lies. Maybe it could even help police when they are questioning a subject? We actually find out in this book, as one of the students in the group was murdered while spending a late night at the university. Nobody in the group liked her, but none of them would kill her, right?
That question becomes a lot more important when right after that, the professor running this group and its program is also murdered. All of the students spend a lot of time and have a lot of late nights at the university. They were all there at various times the night the student was killed. What are their alibis for the night their professor was also murdered?
I really liked how this was dealing with the psychology of lying, because you soon realize these students are literally experts on the subject. They all know ways to tell if a person is lying, and that knowledge could come in handy if you want to tell a few lies yourself. Even the police start second-guessing themselves and their years of intuition while trying to solve this case.
The only thing that bummed me out was that I immediately knew who the killer was, but it was still fun to read how everything came about, and why. The writing in this was great, and while I don’t normally gravitate to straight mystery books, I liked this one. 3.5 stars, rounded up!
(Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, R.J. Jacobs, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 12, 2023.)
The story is of a group of psychology students who are conducting an experiment on deception and lying. Their methods are slightly unethical, but they are gaining valuable information about the human mind, and how to catch people in lies. Maybe it could even help police when they are questioning a subject? We actually find out in this book, as one of the students in the group was murdered while spending a late night at the university. Nobody in the group liked her, but none of them would kill her, right?
That question becomes a lot more important when right after that, the professor running this group and its program is also murdered. All of the students spend a lot of time and have a lot of late nights at the university. They were all there at various times the night the student was killed. What are their alibis for the night their professor was also murdered?
I really liked how this was dealing with the psychology of lying, because you soon realize these students are literally experts on the subject. They all know ways to tell if a person is lying, and that knowledge could come in handy if you want to tell a few lies yourself. Even the police start second-guessing themselves and their years of intuition while trying to solve this case.
The only thing that bummed me out was that I immediately knew who the killer was, but it was still fun to read how everything came about, and why. The writing in this was great, and while I don’t normally gravitate to straight mystery books, I liked this one. 3.5 stars, rounded up!
(Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, R.J. Jacobs, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 12, 2023.)
August 21, 2023
Dark academia, locked room mystery in a snow storm…and a murder?? Why in earth wouldn’t you race to pick this book up.
I absolutely flew through this twisty and intriguing story of PHD students studying lying and deception. When one of them is murdered on campus, how are the police going to solve this? They are all masters of deceit, and are all hiding something dark from their pasts. Any of them could be the killer? But who? And why?
I have read several of this authors books now and throughly enjoyed them all. Never quite knowing where things will go, and so many twists and turns you will feel like you are on a roller coaster at Disneyland.
Highly recommend. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. Get your copy on September 12th and be prepared to lose your day reading it.
I absolutely flew through this twisty and intriguing story of PHD students studying lying and deception. When one of them is murdered on campus, how are the police going to solve this? They are all masters of deceit, and are all hiding something dark from their pasts. Any of them could be the killer? But who? And why?
I have read several of this authors books now and throughly enjoyed them all. Never quite knowing where things will go, and so many twists and turns you will feel like you are on a roller coaster at Disneyland.
Highly recommend. Thanks so much to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. Get your copy on September 12th and be prepared to lose your day reading it.
September 16, 2023
3.5⭐️ Locked room mystery, set at a university, and in the middle of a snow storm…say less.
When I think of spooky season, I think of dark academia. Therefore, the minute this arrived on my doorstep, I knew I was going to enjoy it. While it has a large cast of characters, and was a bit confusing for me at first (audio didn’t help this) once I got into the swing of things, I couldn’t put it down. I did manage to guess a few of the twists, but still had fun getting to know this intense cast of characters and enjoyed seeing how things unraveled.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
📚dark academia
🏢psychological thrillers
🗝️locked room mysteries
📏ensemble casts
⏰ quick reads
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and Dreamscape Media for the gifted copies.
When I think of spooky season, I think of dark academia. Therefore, the minute this arrived on my doorstep, I knew I was going to enjoy it. While it has a large cast of characters, and was a bit confusing for me at first (audio didn’t help this) once I got into the swing of things, I couldn’t put it down. I did manage to guess a few of the twists, but still had fun getting to know this intense cast of characters and enjoyed seeing how things unraveled.
ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴅ ɪ ғ ʏ ᴏ ᴜ ʟ ɪ ᴋ ᴇ :
📚dark academia
🏢psychological thrillers
🗝️locked room mysteries
📏ensemble casts
⏰ quick reads
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and Dreamscape Media for the gifted copies.
September 16, 2023
Bored 😐
October 1, 2023
This book, from my perspective, did not get off to a great start, to the point where I almost gave up on it. But, once past that first chapter, the storyline started to kick in and the characters started to develop. From there it picked up quite a lot and became quite a page turner.
The story is set on a University campus where a group of psychology students are running an experiment that tricks their participants in quite a harsh way, this becomes apparent where a participant completely loses his temper and starts making threats. This becomes a serious situation and the experiment looks like it may get shut down. However, things take a more sinister turn when one of them is murdered and it all points to being an 'inside job'.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
The story is set on a University campus where a group of psychology students are running an experiment that tricks their participants in quite a harsh way, this becomes apparent where a participant completely loses his temper and starts making threats. This becomes a serious situation and the experiment looks like it may get shut down. However, things take a more sinister turn when one of them is murdered and it all points to being an 'inside job'.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
Shelved as 'dnf'
May 11, 2024I’m begging people to limit POVs. More than 3 is so unnecessary
August 21, 2023
Thank you so much to RJ Jacobs and Sourcebooks for my copy of this book! It was so intriguing that I couldn’t help but read it in a few hours. The book was about Professor Joe Lyons, a psychology professor doing research on lying. Along with his five graduate students, they test subjects hoping to gain insight into what makes a liar. When one of them is found dead, the students are trapped by a snowstorm and their secrets start to come out. Someone is capable of murder, and anyone could be next.
Thoughts: This is such a fun premise! I love the setting of a university psychology department doing research. I loved hearing about the psychology of lying and seeing the story come together. It was a fun locked room mystery that had so many potential victims and suspects. Even though it was plotted very obviously, the amazing writing made it enjoyable to read.
It was a bummer how obvious the culprit was, but I loved how fast paced it was and the way the story talked about all the different characters. I really liked the main detective and thought she was a perfect person to solve the case. The chapters were really long, but they always ended in a way that kept me guessing. I gave it 4-stars and recommend it to anyone who likes locked room mysteries!
Thoughts: This is such a fun premise! I love the setting of a university psychology department doing research. I loved hearing about the psychology of lying and seeing the story come together. It was a fun locked room mystery that had so many potential victims and suspects. Even though it was plotted very obviously, the amazing writing made it enjoyable to read.
It was a bummer how obvious the culprit was, but I loved how fast paced it was and the way the story talked about all the different characters. I really liked the main detective and thought she was a perfect person to solve the case. The chapters were really long, but they always ended in a way that kept me guessing. I gave it 4-stars and recommend it to anyone who likes locked room mysteries!
August 28, 2023
THIS IS HOW WE END THINGS is an excellent psychological thriller! This is my second book by R.J. Jacobs and I would say that I am now a fan of this author. I really enjoyed this story of graduate students doing research in the study of lying. R. J. Jacobs’ writing is outstanding and you can expect well developed and believable characters in this story. I was hooked from the start and I really loved the ending. I think most mystery/thriller fans will love this one!
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
October 23, 2023
This was such a fantastic, suspenseful psychological thriller. I loved it!! This is the first book I've read by R.J. Jacobs and it's definitely not going to be my last. It's a dark academia, locked room mystery about a small group of graduate students studying the science of lying. One of them ends up murdered and they all become suspects. The thing is, you just don't know who you can trust. The police are having a hard time piecing the crime together because these characters are all super sketchy and have secrets to hide. They are all so deceptive. There were 2 characters I was thinking it could be and in the end it was one of them. I had a fun time reading this and I highly recommend it if you enjoy tense, dark academia books. This is a winner!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 10, 2023
This is How We End Things is an average campus thriller with a phenomenal twist. The story has the typical setup of a tight-knit group of eccentric students with dark pasts who are thrown into chaos when one of them turns up dead. Based on the premise I see why this book was likened to If We Were Villains, however, This is How We End Things fails to deliver the dark academia vibes and enticingly complex interpersonal dynamics that make If We Were Villains stand out from the crowd. I would suggest readers go in expecting something more along the lines of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife.
The thriller is told from a range of POVs, however, two perspectives eventually dominate the story: one of the grad students, Scarlett, and the lead detective, Alana Larson. I was a bit disappointed that the police officers took up so much of the story. Instead of building complex interpersonal relationships between the grad students, Larson methodically reveals each character's "deep dark secret."
There was a lot of wasted potential with the psychology focus and the study of deception. The grad students are set up to be "masters of deception" but that never really goes anywhere. Maybe it's because I was a psychology major, but I would have liked to see more psychology beyond references to Milgram and the Stanford Prison "Experiment."
Though I was only vaguely interested for most of the story, I was really hooked by the plot twist. It was such an unexpected direction and yet it connected nicely with a few earlier moments in the book. I do think it could have been woven throughout the story a bit more. But after that twist, I couldn't stop listening.
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge for the audiobook ARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
The thriller is told from a range of POVs, however, two perspectives eventually dominate the story: one of the grad students, Scarlett, and the lead detective, Alana Larson. I was a bit disappointed that the police officers took up so much of the story. Instead of building complex interpersonal relationships between the grad students, Larson methodically reveals each character's "deep dark secret."
There was a lot of wasted potential with the psychology focus and the study of deception. The grad students are set up to be "masters of deception" but that never really goes anywhere. Maybe it's because I was a psychology major, but I would have liked to see more psychology beyond references to Milgram and the Stanford Prison "Experiment."
Though I was only vaguely interested for most of the story, I was really hooked by the plot twist. It was such an unexpected direction and yet it connected nicely with a few earlier moments in the book. I do think it could have been woven throughout the story a bit more. But after that twist, I couldn't stop listening.
Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge for the audiobook ARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
August 23, 2023
This is a captivating psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of the human mind. Jacobs excels at creating a tense and eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout the book. I loved the university setting placed amongst a snowy backdrop. There is just something about dark academia that is so satisfying to read. This book alternates between many POV (nine that I counted) which sounds like it would be an extremely chaotic way to present a book but, here, it worked very well. The pacing of the novel is well done, with tension building steadily as the story progresses.
What I didn’t particular care for was the study itself that the book revolved around. The details of it seemed a bit confusing or like there wasn’t enough of a background for it. In fact, I didn’t even find it necessary to the execution of the plot and I found myself skimming a lot of the sections where it was brought up.
Thank you to NetGalley for my digital copy! Out 09/12/2023!
What I didn’t particular care for was the study itself that the book revolved around. The details of it seemed a bit confusing or like there wasn’t enough of a background for it. In fact, I didn’t even find it necessary to the execution of the plot and I found myself skimming a lot of the sections where it was brought up.
Thank you to NetGalley for my digital copy! Out 09/12/2023!
September 19, 2023
I love a good psychology centered thriller, and this definitely delivered. A much different take on dark academia that was very refreshing. There are a lot of characters to follow and keep straight, and a lot of hidden details that are important. Really necessary to pay close attention! Overall I think the story was really well rounded and concise, I would strongly recommend the read. I decided to give it 4 stars instead of 5 because it wasn’t the most shocking ending to me, but it’s 100% worth the read.
The story follows a group of psychology students as one of them ends up dead, followed by the professor. Who is responsible? While they all have secrets from their past, which one of them is a psychopath?
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!
The story follows a group of psychology students as one of them ends up dead, followed by the professor. Who is responsible? While they all have secrets from their past, which one of them is a psychopath?
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!
September 19, 2023
𝗕𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
𝗥. 𝗝. 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝘀
𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄
📖 When a student is murdered on campus, finding the killer is next to impossible when all the suspects are experts at lying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Dark academia / psychological thriller / whodunnit
• Snow storm / locked room mystery
• When a research study goes wrong
• Collage campus setting
• Atmospheric / wintery vibes
• Multiple potential suspects
• Explores the psychology of lying
• For fans of "Lie to Me" show
• Very fun, twisty, and kept me guessing til the end
🎧 Chelsea Stephens nails this performance of a large cast of characters
Thank you #partners @bookmarked & @recordedbooks for my #gifted copies
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
𝗥. 𝗝. 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯𝘀
𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄
📖 When a student is murdered on campus, finding the killer is next to impossible when all the suspects are experts at lying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Dark academia / psychological thriller / whodunnit
• Snow storm / locked room mystery
• When a research study goes wrong
• Collage campus setting
• Atmospheric / wintery vibes
• Multiple potential suspects
• Explores the psychology of lying
• For fans of "Lie to Me" show
• Very fun, twisty, and kept me guessing til the end
🎧 Chelsea Stephens nails this performance of a large cast of characters
Thank you #partners @bookmarked & @recordedbooks for my #gifted copies
September 7, 2023
Let me start by saying I’m a sucker for a book that has psychological aspects and this one hit the nail on the head. AND it was a campus thriller? YES PLEASE!
I admit the beginning of this book had me confused. We are thrown a lot of characters at once and it was hard to keep them all straight. Once I got the characters down I flew through this book. I think bouncing between physical read and audio really helped me.
Every single character in this book is a suspect at one point but I guarantee the big twist will leave you going wtf? - I did guess it pretty early on but I still love how the ending was executed.
If you like psychology and campus thrillers then I definitely recommend this one!
I admit the beginning of this book had me confused. We are thrown a lot of characters at once and it was hard to keep them all straight. Once I got the characters down I flew through this book. I think bouncing between physical read and audio really helped me.
Every single character in this book is a suspect at one point but I guarantee the big twist will leave you going wtf? - I did guess it pretty early on but I still love how the ending was executed.
If you like psychology and campus thrillers then I definitely recommend this one!
May 22, 2024
Honestly, if I'd read this book alone, I would have finished it in one sitting, given it a 2-star rating, and written a scathing review. My thriller reading strategy involves reading the first 50 pages to form a theory, then speeding through the rest to see if I'm right (or, rarely🤪, wrong). However, reading this with my book club made it more enjoyable. We pointed out clues and cast suspicions, which definitely enhanced the experience and I'm grateful for that. RJ Jacobs should also be grateful for that 👀
As a thriller, I was not thrilled. I guessed the killer and their motive right when they were introduced. My gut feeling never wavered, despite the red herrings and irrelevant (and overabundant) one-off clues. Additionally, the typos were distracting and undermined the book's seriousness in the genre. Finishing the book with the audiobook, there were also spoken mistakes. I don't know how to excuse that.
As far as the claim to dark academia: sure, it was set on a college campus with a murder, but the atmosphere lacked the essence of academia for me.
Overall, this book was.....something. While I'm rounding up to 3 stars for the experience of reading it, RJ Jacobs, you're on thin ice. Here's hoping you stub your toe on a sapphire ring (metaphorically, of course, because the ring isn't important). Psychologize your way out of that.
As a thriller, I was not thrilled. I guessed the killer and their motive right when they were introduced. My gut feeling never wavered, despite the red herrings and irrelevant (and overabundant) one-off clues. Additionally, the typos were distracting and undermined the book's seriousness in the genre. Finishing the book with the audiobook, there were also spoken mistakes. I don't know how to excuse that.
As far as the claim to dark academia: sure, it was set on a college campus with a murder, but the atmosphere lacked the essence of academia for me.
Overall, this book was.....something. While I'm rounding up to 3 stars for the experience of reading it, RJ Jacobs, you're on thin ice. Here's hoping you stub your toe on a sapphire ring (metaphorically, of course, because the ring isn't important). Psychologize your way out of that.
June 6, 2024
I feel like when I read/listen to mystery novels, I really want to understand the why of things. This does NOT do a great job clarifying the motivation of the villain. There were some other issues that just didn't feel really plausible (the sudden recognition for one). I enjoyed listening to it, but I felt it could have been tighter plot wise.
April 16, 2023
A dark academia locked room thriller in the PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT of a university, and the action takes place during a snowstorm? Yes, please! I was eagerly anticipating this new read from R.J. Jacobs, and it did not disappoint!
Professor Joe Lyons and his graduate students are conducting some morally ambiguous experiments on the science of lying, but when an experiment goes wrong and a volunteer becomes violent, police are called in. The student had a knife in his backpack, and his backpack made it into the research room.
During a late night of work at the office, one of the grad students is murdered. Everyone involved in the study is a suspect. Ironically, when the police realize all of their suspects are masters of deception and all of them have secrets they're anxious to hide, finding the suspect proves taxing.
I was initially worried about the number of characters to keep straight, but with expertly crafted personalities, each one soon stood out. Layered with tension and unease, this book was everything I had hoped for since I read the synopsis. Lovers of psychology, dark academia, locked room settings, and tense thrillers will love this one! Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for the early read. This title will publish September 12, 2023.
Professor Joe Lyons and his graduate students are conducting some morally ambiguous experiments on the science of lying, but when an experiment goes wrong and a volunteer becomes violent, police are called in. The student had a knife in his backpack, and his backpack made it into the research room.
During a late night of work at the office, one of the grad students is murdered. Everyone involved in the study is a suspect. Ironically, when the police realize all of their suspects are masters of deception and all of them have secrets they're anxious to hide, finding the suspect proves taxing.
I was initially worried about the number of characters to keep straight, but with expertly crafted personalities, each one soon stood out. Layered with tension and unease, this book was everything I had hoped for since I read the synopsis. Lovers of psychology, dark academia, locked room settings, and tense thrillers will love this one! Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for the early read. This title will publish September 12, 2023.
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