I’ve been hit or miss with Ashley Winstead books, but This Book Will Bury Me is a home run. It’s twisty, idark, and unpredictable, must-haves for me in a thriller. There’s a character in TBWBM that I think everyone can identify with, which is why I predict it will be in beach bags everywhere this spring and summer. Even if true crime isn’t your thing, this peek behind the dark side of sleuthing is so entertaining!

Winstead has become one of my favorite authors when she writes thrillers, so I knew I had to read this one. I love her story telling and her twists and this did not disappoint. When you are fully headed in one direction, she pulls the rug out from under you. I love it!



This book has an underlying theme of loss and grief. I lost my dad seven years ago, and while it was not sudden like in Jane’s story, I can appreciate the grief she felt and her longing for distraction. However, while I know there needed to be a reason for her to get into the true crime forums, this part didn’t completely work for me. It just seemed forced and out of place with the rest of the story.



That said, I did love the true crime element along with the friendships formed. Found family is one of my favorite themes, and I really appreciated how this one was executed. It was also interesting how they went about solving the crimes – though maybe not 100% believable. My advice is just to go with it and enjoy the ride.



The most unsettling part about this one (thanks or my bookstgram friends that helped me put a word to it) is the similarity to the 2022 University of Idaho murders. I continue to have mixed feelings about it, but I would still recommend it with caution. True Crime lovers please read it and let me know what you think!



This one is out this week, March 25, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t read Winstead before, be sure to check her out!



Thank you to @netgalley and @bookmarked for the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review. The narration was very well done!

Okay, Ashley Winstead has done it again! I’m a huge fan of her work, and while this one wasn’t quite my favorite of hers, it *did not* disappoint!

This audiobook has all the good stuff: true crime, serial killers, suspense, and a gripping thriller that pulls you in from the start. After Jane suddenly loses her father, she takes up a new hobby to cope with her grief, and it leads her to an unlikely group of friends… and WAY more trouble than she ever expected. The character development? Top-notch, as always. Jane was such a complex and relatable character, and I loved the quirky, unique group of people she gets tangled up with—each one adding something special to the story.

Let’s talk about the narration: Leslie Howard absolutely nailed it. Her voice work was clear, and she expertly shifted between male and female characters, making each one feel distinct and real. The pacing was just right, keeping me hooked the entire time. You could feel the emotion in her voice, and she really brought the suspense to life.

It took me a little bit to really get pulled into the story, but once I did...... I was ALL IN. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and there were definitely some emotional moments that tugged at my heartstrings.

Overall, I’d give this 4 stars! If you’re into crime thrillers with a solid emotional punch and fantastic narration, this one is definitely worth checking out! 🔍📖

Thank you to SourceBooks and Macmillan Audio for the digital copy to review.

I have loved all of Winstead’s books and this was no different. It is centered around Jane Sharp, who has suddenly lost her father and finds the best way to deal with her grief is to channel it into an obsession with true crime, and she finds she is pretty good at it, and then the Idaho murders occur, so she sets out to Delphine, Idaho with other fellow sleuths that she has befriended.

This is a story of loss, grief, and coping, more so than a ‘thriller’ per se, and I think that is why I was drawn to this. I really felt for Jane, for all that she was going through, and for trying to understand her feelings, which were big feelings, and how to handle someone you are so close to being there one day and tomorrow they are not. Grief affects people in vastly different ways, and Winstead does a great job at capturing this in here. I had both ebook and audio, and the audio was wonderful. I listened in one sitting, I could not stop. This Book Will Bury Me is out this week, and I hope it is on your list.

Jane’s father has died unexpectedly and to try and handle her grief she becomes engrossed in the amateur sleuth world online. Here, she meets people that are eager for her ideas in solving a murder that’s been in the news. After that murder is solved, the news is flooded with reports of 3 sorority girls deaths in Idaho. So Jane and her new friends travel to Idaho to discover who killed these girls and to hopefully stop this monster before he strikes again.

I love true crime so this was definitely up my alley! I thought the chat forums were very realistic as well as the different people coming together to try and solve these murders. I was slightly disappointed with the twist. I had a gut feeling as to where it was going about half way through. And then the ending did feel slightly unrealistic. It was gearing up to possibly be a cliff hanger so I thought there might be a sequel but then the author seemed to have forced the ending. Still did enjoy it and would rate this 3.5 ⭐️

Thabk you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this admission lol in exchange for an honest review!

Seemingly less 'inspired by' a true crime and more like a slight adjustment of real-life events. Approaching this as a piece of fiction, I was enjoying the exploration of the impact of citizen sleuths on criminal investigations. However, I found it too close to a current untried real case.

🪦 This Book Will Bury Me - Ashley Winstead

3.25 ⭐️ - Man, I wanted to like this more. I struggled with this - If you’ve done any research or following along on Bookstagram, you know this one is “based on” the Idaho University murders. While I say based on, I really mean, very closely mirrored.

I liked the blog/reddit vibe of the amateur sleuthing online. I liked the audiobook. I struggled to read this once I knew what it was about but the audiobook felt easier to digest. Like someone was telling me a story about the murders and not a fictionalized mirrored account. I love Winstead and her dark academia books but this is at the bottom for me. That case isn’t closed yet and the families don’t have closure, so it feels a bit icky to already have a factionalized tale about it. If you’re interested in Winstead books, let me recommend one of her others for you!

Thank you Netgalley, Tantor Audio, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the early ARC and audio copy! This one is out 3/25.

AH-MAZING five-star read and an incredible audiobook—I was hooked from the very first chapter!

Jane is grieving the sudden loss of her father and desperate to understand why he refused to take medication that could have saved his life. In her search for answers, she stumbles across the chilling case of a local woman found dismembered and is quickly drawn into an online true-crime group obsessed with the case. Adopting the name Searcher24, Jane finds comfort—and purpose—among this tight-knit crew of amateur sleuths who quickly become her second family. As her obsession with solving crimes grows, so does her confidence… and her curiosity.

But when Jane travels to the murder scene, everything changes. The stakes skyrocket, the danger feels very real, and Jane begins to wonder: Can she uncover the truth about her father’s death? Will her instincts help catch a killer—or put her directly in their path?

When (not if) you pick up this propulsive thriller, clear your calendar—you will not want to stop once you start. I'm a huge fan of audiobooks, and the narrator absolutely nailed it—bringing every character and suspense-filled moment to life. The tension practically jumped off the page!

I highly recommend reading or listening to this one with a buddy or your book club—I would have loved having someone to talk to about my questions, theories, and reactions!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Ashley Winstead, and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to read this ahead of its release on March 25, 2025. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While *This Book Will Bury Me* shares surface-level similarities with the Idaho murders, it quickly takes its own unique direction. Readers should go in with an open mind, as it veers away from the true details of the Idaho college murders. The banter between the group of characters adds a compelling dynamic, balancing the darker elements of the plot. Though the initial resemblance to real-life events made it a bit difficult to settle into, the novel ultimately stands on its own as an engaging and suspenseful read.

There is some controversy surrounding this book. I will touch on that in the review. I did finish the entire book because I was hooked and even when I tried reading something else, I wanted to finish this.

Jane feels unmoored after her father's death. In her grief, she ends up becoming obsessed with a local crime and joins a true crime forum. She ends up being instrumental in solving the case and this obsession blooms. In her forum, she becomes part of a group with a retired police detective, a retired librarian, a computer whiz (hacker), and a man in the Navy. After being highlighted by a national news program, they become famous and are made fun of a lot in the forum. When a horrific crime, the stabbing death of three sorority girls in Idaho breaks, the group decides to descend upon the college town to solve the crime. But what they bring maybe even worse.

Okay, the similarities between the case in the book and the real-life slaying in Idaho are uncomfortable, to say the least. The author could have easily changed more details and the location to make this less disconcerting for the reader. However, as the book goes on and another crime is committed, there are some major differences. Also, the role of the true-crime investigators in the happenings is the true subject of the book. I am taking a star because I found this crass.

Additionally, there are some parts of this that were incredibly predictable. Another star off for that.

If you can stomach the similarities to a murder case that still has not gone to trial, you may enjoy this book as there are differences.

The narrator was excellent and had great voices for the characters.

Thank you to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for the DLC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Tantor Audio for the gifted ALC, and thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark from the gifted ARC!

Guaranteed, Ashley Winstead will write one of the buzziest books of the year any year she puts out a book. I knew This Book Will Bury Me would captivate me to the point of obsession.

I wanted to savor this book. Reading Winstead is a unique experience for me, because I often start her books, and then restart them at a random point because I don’t want them to be over. I’ll do anything to prolong spending time with her words. The depth and layers of this story made that an even more enjoyable experience. Which is weird to say about a book that pays homage to the Idaho murders. But she did the subject matter justice.

It’s true that solving murders has changed with “armchair sleuths.” I loved how this book highlighted the good and bad side of a community of amateur detectives being involved in solving high profile cases.

It goes without saying that I loved this book. It was layered, intelligent, engaging and completely captivating. Winstead gets better and better with each book, and I cannot wait to read what she writes next.

You better believe that I SQUEALED when my dear friend @ashleywinstead asked to send me an ARC of her latest book! Followed by a finished copy as well from @sourcebooks - your girl feels SPOILED! Thank you so much for the variety of ways you allowed me to access & read this one - I am SO grateful!

In the age of internet sleuths & the true crime community being ever present - This Book Will Bury Me takes the best (& arguably the worst) of this community and brings it to LIFE! Inspired by various true crime cases, Ashley brings to life a group of amateur sleuths who find one another in an online true crime forum & are hell bent on solving the case at hand and ensuring justice is found. Driven by morally gray characters, a Winstead signature, you’ll find yourself torn between being upset with and rooting for each of them, especially the MC!

The MC, Jane Sharp, who is grieving the recent & abrupt loss of her father carries a profound impact on the way in which the storyline plays out. The way in which her grieving & seeking support is woven into the details of this book is not only a powerful touch, but an even more personal one as well for Ashley, who lost her dad recently.

Knowing the personal component of this book, I can only commend and compliment Ashley for the way she could create such a story out of something so challenging that she was enduring herself. It not only takes immense courage, but it also is an honor to her own father - which is incredibly well done!

In being aware of the inspiration behind this book, I feel it’s important for me to state that Ashley truly goes above and beyond in her work to bring us these books. Her attention to detail in changing aspects of the storyline to be respectful of these real life cases is admirable and should be noted. This intentionality is clear through the authors note and additional information shared in the end of the book, which I want to direct future readers attention to - because it’s incredibly important! Do not neglect to read that additional information!

I am continually impressed and captivated by Ashley’s books & the way in which she writes - Bury Me was NO different and dare I say her best work yet?! 🙌🏼

The audiobook was incredibly well done - featuring deep emotion, suspense & intrigue! Loved it!

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

Thank you Netgalley and Tantor Audio for my ALC!

Jane Way Sharp, a 24 y/o college student, finds herself moving back home after the unexpected death of her father. Jane is reeling from her father’s death and finds it difficult to accept her new reality. In the hopes of distracting herself, she becomes involved in solving the grisly murder of a woman from a nearby town in Florida. Jane puts herself in dangerous situations intent on finding answers for this woman and due to her instrumental role in solving the case, she is invited to join an elite group of armchair sleuths.

The sleuths include Goku, a tech guy, Mistress, a retired librarian, Citizen, a military officer, and Lively, a retired police officer, all solving homicides from the comfort of their own homes. Jane loves being apart of this group and feels like they are a family – especially when it seems her own mother doesn’t understand her and her newfound family does.

Soon after, there is a brutal triple homicide that Jane and her fellow sleuths become obsessed with. As they work the case, they realize they cannot solve the murders from googling online and must meet in person. The sleuths are determined to solve this case by visiting the crime scene, talking to the family, and working with the police. Unfortunately, when they think they’re close to finding answers, they become the center of the case.

Winstead brilliantly tells this story through Jane, the narrator. Jane is writing a memoir about her experiences with the armchair sleuths and “setting the record straight” as some other characters have painted her in a different light. Winstead also expertly weaves in the story of a young woman grieving and trying to find her place in the world. Leslie Howard did a wonderful job narrating this story and was able to portray how Jane was feeling with ease.

Well, this story may seem a bit too close to reality for some due to it being inspired by true events – 2022 University of Idaho Killings, which is set to go to trial later this year. This book is going to be a must-read for true-crime fanatics!

I thought I would be into this but I had to DNF it. I didn’t love the narrator and I didn’t realize this was ripped off a real case. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

National bestselling author Ashley Winstead returns following Midnight is the Darkest Hour with her latest highly anticipated emotional and intense psychological/crime thriller, THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME.

A book within a book inspired by true crimes (a year's experience from a young woman grieving her father) while joining a group of amateur sleuths taking center stage while hunting down dangerous killers driven by their obsession and need.

It's the most famous crime in modern history.
But only SHE knows the true story.

This is Jane's story. Please sit back and enjoy Jane as she tells you, the reader, her story.

About...

Aug 31, 2023
Jane, age 24, a student at the University of Central Florida (UCF), at a party. She meets her new best friend, Gabby. This was the last time Janeway Sharp was innocent.

A frantic phone call from her mother. Her father has had a heart attack. She must leave now. Her friend drives her to the hospital in Ft. Pierce, FL. When she arrives, she is too late.

Jane Sharp is now grieving after the unexpected death of her beloved father. As a way to find purpose and deal with her grief, she turns to a group of sleuths to solve crimes. She feels she owes her father a legacy.

She is invited into this elite group after she helps solve a South Florida dark, brutal murder of a woman who was tossed in a lake. She decides to drop out of college while she explores this journey.

The person she was closest to, who loved her the deepest, had died suddenly and unexpectedly, and nothing would ever be the same for Jane. Due to this, the next chapters of her life would unfold in strange, fateful ways.

Five amateur sleuths
~Lightly. Mistress. Goku. Searcher. Citizen.
Jane is a Searcher.

The group consists of
~Ex-Cop.
~Grandmother/Retired Librarian.
~Computer genius/High-level tech.
~College dropout/ barista.
~Ex-Military Officer.

Mistress has a theory borrowed from her favorite book: those drawn to true crime could be divided into four main types by what drew them in.

~The Detective (motivated by the hunt for answers)
~The Defender (hero type, to protect victims)
~The Victim (identifies with those who have been wronged)
~The Killer (who feels an affinity with the perpetrators)

"Our desire to order the unknowable, touch the unreachable, shine a light on what's hidden—it's universal. We're uncomfortable with ambiguity, with living suspended in the mess of the world."

From Central and South to the Treasure Coast of Florida, fictional Delphine, Idaho, and beyond (Italy), these armchair detectives must hit the road versus behind a screen to solve these complex cases. The latest being the three college girls in Delphine, Idaho.

The world is watching, listening, observing. From forums, true crime addicts, social media, the press, and the TV media. Do they know the real truth?

Told one year after the events that concluded the case and left the world reeling, Jane finally decides to break her silence about what truly happened. The true story of the Delphine Massacres. And what she has to confess will shock even the most seasoned true crime fans. Her secrets will be revealed.

My thoughts...

Told in three parts, THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is a fascinating exploration of true crime and how these communities respond to these unfolding crimes.

It is a well-written thriller and deeply emotional narrative that delves into the complexities of grief, loss, the human need for closure, and the mysteries loved ones leave behind. This book will resonate with readers who appreciate a more profound, unique reading/listening experience.

Please DO read— the Author's Note about the novel's inspiration, her grief of losing a parent, and its complexities.

Narrative style...

In addition to being a superb thriller, the author cleverly uses a self-conscious narrative style, often called metafiction. This unique technique, which includes footnotes that draw attention to the story as a fictional work, blurs the lines between reality and fiction and prompts critical engagement from the reader. Jane is recounting a year after the fact, adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative.

The author also brilliantly draws from real-life cases in which there have been significant true crime and media responses and ones which we may know more than others, such as Gabby Petito, The OJ Simpson, JonBenét Ramsey, Golden State Killer, Abraham Shakespeare and the 2022 University of Idaho case which has not yet been solved.

THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is engrossing, standout, thought-provoking, and fresh. The author's BEST yet—delving into many aspects of true crime, social commentary, media, sleuthing, and emotions. A pageturner, you will be hooked from page one to the satisfying conclusion.

Movie-worthy, prime for the big or small screen series! Being a Floridan (South Florida), I always enjoy novels set in my state.

It is an emotional modern thriller with heart—Compelling, part crime fiction with elements and dangers of true-crime culture, psychological, coming of age, and literary fiction.

Audiobook...

For those who enjoy audiobooks, THIS BOOK WILL BURY ME is a must-listen. Narrated by Leslie Howard, one of the most talented in the industry, she delivers a stellar performance that elevates the novel to new heights. Howard's narration captures the story's essence, mood, and setting, bringing the characters to life and providing an engaging listening experience. If you're a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend listening to this version.

Recs...

For fans of the author, true-crime addicts, and those who enjoy unique, chilling, complex narratives and smartly dynamically written psychological/crime thrillers. Fans of Megan Goldin, Amy Tintera, Kate Marshall, and Lisa Jewell will devour. (all favorites)

Also, for fans of (Danish author turned Floridan, Willow Rose), most of her crime novels are set in Florida and inspired by specific true crimes (she links in her Author's Notes). A fan.

Interview...

Want to know more behind-the-scenes exclusives and this talented author? Join me for a fun, fascinating, featured blog, #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat QA with Ashley (part of the #AuthorElevatorSeries collection), coming pub date March 25th!

Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Tantor Media for an advanced review and listening copy for my honest review and the honor of hosting Ashley!

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: March 25, 2025
March 2025 Must-Read Books
March Newsletter
Mar Featured #LitLiftMiniAuthorChat

I first read this book in October and shared my thoughts in January, but I felt drawn back to it, so I decided to reread it on audio. I already knew the twists and how everything would unfold, but this time, my focus shifted. Instead of being caught up in the mystery itself, I paid more attention to the characters and their journeys.

The story follows a group of strangers who connect online while discussing a murder case. What starts as an internet conversation soon turns into something far more intense, leading them to investigate a serial killer. Their relationships evolve as they work together, moving from distant online acquaintances to something much more real. Experiencing this story again made me reflect on those connections even more.

Listening to the audiobook made certain moments hit differently. Some scenes carried more weight, and I caught details I hadn’t noticed before—small things in the dialogue and how the characters reacted to each other. The pacing still worked so well, building tension gradually before pulling everything together. And the villain’s presence felt even stronger this time, making me think more about their motives and how they fit into the bigger picture.

Even though I already knew the outcome, this reread gave me a different perspective. Instead of focusing on the plot, I found myself thinking more about the emotions behind everything—the way trauma, fear, and trust shaped the characters. Experiencing the book in a new format added more depth to the story, and I’m glad I took the time to revisit it.

I couldn’t put this down. The concept was so addicting. I loved the characters and the sleuth plot. The twists were fantastic and I didn’t see them coming. I did find it strange that when the group met up they were still calling each other by their usernames. All in all a great story!

I was excited for this book. I love other books by the author. This one was too close to a current case though. It felt disrespectful to be listening to it for fun when it is so close. The narrator was fantastic

Audiobook

Reeling from the sudden death of her father, 24-year-old Jane seeks solace in the world of online true crime sleuths. Quitting college and losing her job, Jane becomes obsessed with helping a group of other sleuths solve crimes. As they gain more success and notoriety, so too does their confidence. Different ages, sexes, and stages of life, the group bonds and decides to take on the case of murdered sorority girls. However, as quickly as notoriety is gained, so too is public scorn.

Disclaimer - I was not aware of the recent actual murders in Idaho that the internet tells me are very similar to the events in the book. I hope the author makes more of a link.

The story is overall pretty good. The story does drag at parts but keeps a good pace overall. However, the breadcrumbs of the killer are very obvious early on. But I still enjoyed learning more about the group of sleuths and can see the draw and thrill of getting involved. However, I felt Jane's investigation into her father was distracting. Also, "official FBI consultants" was a stretch.

Thank you, Netgalley and Tantor Audio, for the Advanced Listening Copy. All Opinions are my own.

It really is rare for me to rate a mystery/thriller so highly (especially when there’s an online forum or podcasting element) because I often find that they get tedious quickly. The audio narration was incredibly well done and I flew through this book. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened, and the truth was not what I was expecting at all! Read this book if you aren’t usually a mystery/thriller fan but want to give the genre another chance! (4.5 stars)