Not bad, but could have been better. The plot is about a group of people who have found themseles in a house together, they all knew 3 people who were murdered 4 years ago. Some one was convicted, but released on appeal and the investigating detective was later sacked. The story is told over different timelines and from the point of view of different people. The good- the suspense was built up well and you do experience the terror of the ticking clock, the characters well described (though you don't feel much sympathy for any of them) . The earlier timeperiod is more interesting as the group start to fight among themselves.
What could be better? The motive and the set up all seemed too farfetched and the investigation missed quite a lot which felt a bit too unrealistic.
I did make it to the end and the book was a little unsatisfying, though most of the loose ends are tied up
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

This is a very fast paced page turner. If you like your thrillers full of twists and turns , this is for you .The story is told in two timelines, four years ago when several people were killed brutally and then to the present day when seven people who are some how connected to the murder are all drugged and gathered together in one place. The voice on the speaker demands to know who is responsible for the murders. They have 12 hours before they all die, unless a confession is made. It’s full of red herrings and no one is telling the truth. As the pace picks up we find out about each of them , their motives and connections to the murders. There is lots of violence and corruption, everyone is hiding something. It is a little far fetched but as far as thrillers are concerned its certainly keeps you guessing to the very end .

This was a first for this author for me and I found the book engaging.

The story is told over two time lines the present and the past, where the truth is sought in a race against time.

The characters are a mixed bunch of selfish narcissistic individuals who are hard to like but that's why they're in the position they are.

A dramatic action packed read look forward to reading more.

I've read a few different Simon Kernick books and ultimately this was the worst of the lot so far - but that's in the context of a very high typical standard bar to hit.
Normally his books are high-octane thrillers, which is right up my street.

This one was also a thriller but 90% of the book is set in the same location and so it's not quite as fast-paced as I'm used to, or would have liked.

The premise of the book was good - trap/lure a group of people related to a crime to the same location at the same time and keep them there until one of them confesses to the crime. Cue, perhaps inevitably, some in-fighting, escape attempts and a few twists and you finally end up, just about, knowing what has gone on.

The bottom line was that there were a few too many people for me to properly keep track of or get empathy for. I admit, with this particular title, that was partly due to me reading it a bit disjointedly. But the fact I didn't make proper time for it, like I normally would, also speaks volumes.

After such an elaborate set-up I'm not entirely left satisfied by the conclusion either (no spoilers).

There wasn't quite enough unravelling of a bigger picture to keep my interest as it went along.

Overall 4 stars from me. Won't put me off the author at all but in my opinion it isn't his best one.

I found this thriller a bit over complicated. It drew me in with the opening chapter, then it seemed to get more and more complicated with characters and I rather lost the plot. It was certainly a different story and I enjoyed it to a degree.
It was quite a dark thriller.

This is a fast-paced whodunnit in typical Simon Kernick style.
Seven strangers wake up in the same house. As they begin to meet each other, they realise that they have a connection to a gruesome crime that happened four years ago.
Before they can be released, they are told that someone in the house has to own up to the killings. Told in several POVs and two timelines there are plenty of twists and turns uncovered.
This tale is full of dislikeable characters who create a tense atmosphere.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

Lots of twists and turns, keeping you guessing but yes as the book says it's a disappointing end.
I've read other Simon Kernick novels before and I think I was expecting more.

Wow wow wow wow wow! Five wows do not do this book justice!

It was such an amazing concept and the author, Simon Kernick, has produced a stunning novel to relish.

The book content is a bit of a mix between Agatha Christie and Harlan Coben! Stylish creativity and it screams Hollywood Blockbuster in the pipeline!

The plot was such a clever concept and made you simply want to rapidly turn the pages faster and faster to find out more. The characters were all intriguing and I repeatedly found myself alternating between determining guilt and innocence on a reglar basis.

Now the ending is such a clever idea. I read a lot and feel that I can second guess what is happening or at least how it will turn out. I did not come close here though. Simon Kernick is already one of my favourite authors and I was delighted to see that he managed to delight me further.

You definitely have to read fast can’t wait to see what happens next to the seven people who have been poisoned and only have 24 hours to live they need to find out who carried out the killings 4 years previously.

It goes back in time so you get the gist of what happened all those years ago definitely recommend if you like fast thrillers.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline Books for an ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️
A murder from years ago, a secluded house, all the suspects poisoned - the antidote will only be given when someone confesses.

This book made me feel differently along the journey. At times I really liked it and at other times it really bothered me.

It’s that whodunnit! But I had such mixed emotions with it. I liked the ending, but didn’t like the ending?

I did guess one of the side plots which was good, but if I’m honest I was expecting a little more.

I am a fan of Simon Kernick's work and I have enjoyed 99.99999% of the books I have read and this is another that I will add to that list.

I can't say much more than the blurb without giving things away but what I will say is that this is a great mystery and whilst there are very few redeeming qualities about any of the characters, that didn't seem to make much difference to me. It's written at a great pace with some excellent twists and turns many of which I didn't see coming.

This was a quick read for me as I was desperate to find out how it all came together and the killer was revealed and I wasn't disappointed. Many thanks to the author, Headline and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this, another great read from Simon Kernick.

Loved this book!! So full of suspense and twists around every corner. I love a locked room mystery and this book had that in abundance, whilst also including a clever past plot too. The ending totally got me and wasn’t what I was expecting, which is always a good sign of an excellent thriller!!

You All Die Tonight by Simon Kernick was another brilliant read and I ended up reading it in one sitting. Simon's books are brilliant from start to finish and will have you turning the pages over quickly to find out what happens next, this book was No different.

THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE............IS IF SOMEONE CONFESSES TO MURDER. WoW

When 7 strangers wake up in a remote mansion. Their doors are all locked. Why?
They have No idea how they got there or where they are?.............and who brought them here.
The biggest questions are WHY are they all here???
and how can they escape.

They all quickly realise they all have a connection to the grim Black Lake killings which took place four years prior.
where they all knew the victims of a dreadful crime committed but that's all that links them?

Then, a voice echoes through the house with a terrifying message, that sends a chill down their spine!.
They've been poisoned!!! and they have less than 12 hours to live. WoW!!!!!!

Tick Tock the clock is ticking!!!

However, there's an antidote but only if someone admits to being a killer.
But, they're all innocent..........someone is lying - Who?

Time for the confession is rapidly running out. and no one is owning up!

How many will survive the night and see the sun rise tomorrow morning?

WoW. this book was so good I ended up reading this in one day and found it hard to put this book down.
Just brilliant from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.





Big thank to NetGalley and Headlines for my ARC.

Simon kernick is one of my favourite authors and yet again this book doesn’t disappoint. You always know you are going to be guaranteed a fast paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Very well thought out plot that keeps your attention all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A literal locked door mystery, follows the golden age rules but with updated nasty 21st century scenarios

A group of people awaken in an old house with no idea how they got there but then a mysterious voice tells them they are dying but if someone confesses to a murder they are all linked to, they will survive but who is the guilty party?

Wow what a thrill ride this was. I was hooked from start to finish. This is one of those books you could also see making a good movie. The plot is clever and full of twists along the way. I had figured out some bits but not all so the big reveal was so good. The ending even better, what a way to finish the book. I almost didn't want it that way and yet it was how it should be. The plot is mostly told by Colton but we see a little from the others too. It also jumps back in time to the original murder showing how they all ended up where they did. The characters are fascinating and you don't know who to like or trust. A brilliant thriller.

3.5 of 5 stars rounded to 4
https://lynns-books.com/2024/11/14/review-you-all-die-tonight-by-simon-kernick/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Fast Paced, Plenty of Twists

You All Die Tonight was my first book by Simon Kernick. I enjoyed it and would definitely look out for what he comes up with next. This is a locked room murder mystery where the stakes are high. Told over two timelines it involves a murder case from the not so distant past and a number of people who could be the potential killer but seem to have escaped justice to this point.

As the story begins we are quickly introduced to a number of characters. They’ve all woken up in a mysterious house and within fairly short order it becomes apparent that they’re being kept there with a very real purpose in mind. Each of them could potentially be the killer of a terrible case that remains unsolved. They all have motive and it seems that predominantly their albies for the night in question are dodgy at best.

The Black Lake House murders took place four years ago. Barratt, the owner of the house, his wife and son were viciously murdered, his partner and wife (who were also at the house on the night in question) were also attacked, one dead and the other left seriously injured. A man was convicted of the murders but was later released after appeal.

So, I’m not going to go into all the names and details because I don’t want to unwittingly give away any clues, so I’ll leave the plot summary there. You’re on your own when it comes to solving this.

What I liked about this.

Firstly, I can’t deny that I’m enjoying murder mysteries at the moment and this was a quick paced and compelling read. The really crucial element to the story is that all the potential murderers/victims have been poisoned. They’re being monitored. And, whoever is responsible is waiting for a confession before the others are given the antidote. As you can imagine the tensions are high, some characters believing they can bludgeon a confession out of some of the others. Pretty soon things turn lethal and the problem is – if anybody dies, well, they could have been the murderer and so a confession will never be forthcoming. It’s a tricky situation and the captives gradually descend into crazy behaviour as the clock ticks down, like caged animals restlessly looking through the bars trying to figure a way out.

The writing is good, I mentioned already the quick pace, made essential by the fact that the characters are on a serious countdown. We easily get to know them and they’re all quite distinctive. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the Black Lake House murders and the way we gradually uncover what took place that night and the way in which all these characters are connected. There is one brief interlude where one of the character goes on something of a side mission but I won’t elaborate on that.

Did I guess the murderer – no. I tried to follow the clues but as a rule you can pretty much guarantee that I’ll be wrong at any attempts to second guess the outcome.

The characters – well, the more I got to know them the less I liked them. All of them. You might think this would lower the attraction to read on but the mystery still kept me glued to the page.

I’m not totally sure about the ending although given the extra time I’ve spent thinking about it whilst writing this review I think the more I appreciate it.

This is a strange mix of Saw – not in the same horror soaked way but the fact that all these characters are brought together in sneaky ways and all have secrets – and then also like a strange homage to Agatha Christie, particularly in the sort of ‘hammed up’ aspect to the characters.

In conclusion a fast read with plenty of twists that will (probably) keep you guessing.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion

Not read anything by this author before, but what a story. Full of twists and turns, characters you wouldn’t believe. A very good plot with a very
Interesting ending. Thank you for this ARC.

4.5⭐

Simon Kernick is back with another whiplash inducing thriller.

As seven people awake in a remote mansion to find there is no way out.

They have no idea where they are, or how they come to be there, and more importantly who is responsible. Just that each person is linked to a horrific crime that happened four years ago.

Then a voice through the walls tells them they have been poisoned and have less than twelve hours to live and no way to escape.

UNLESS one of the seven admits to being a killer. But of course they're all innocent or so they claim.

And now the race is on.

As time rapidly runs out for the seven. The prospect of death looms large, and counter accusations and survival instincts kick in.

But is anyone willing to confess and save the others or will they all die tonight?

And with a fast-paced mystery, mixed timeliness and several character points of view. This is a story full of urgency and secrets and of course unlikable characters. And it kept me guessing up to the very surprising and brilliant ending.

I would happily recommend to all.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for this eCopy to review

You All Die Tonight is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story revolves around seven people who wake up in a remote mansion, all drugged and with no idea how they got there. They soon discover that they’ve been poisoned and have less than 12 hours to live. The only way to get the antidote is for someone to confess to a murder that happened four years ago.

The seven individuals, who all have connections to the victims of the Black Lake Massacre, find themselves in a race against time. A disembodied voice informs them that they’ve been given a slow-acting poison and that they must find out who among them is the killer. If the killer doesn’t confess, they will all die. The tension builds as they try to piece together the events of the past and figure out who is responsible for the murder.

The novel explores themes of guilt, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves. The high-stakes situation forces the characters to confront their past actions and make difficult choices.

Kernick’s writing is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The multiple twists and turns add to the suspense, making it a thrilling read.