You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
published 13 February 2025
by Bantam Books

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Zooloo’s Book Tours – Book Tour Schedule (13-26 February)

Purchase Link

Goodreads

The Book

Blurb

Six thriller authors. One writing retreat.
You’d die to be on the guest list . . .

The Host
Legendary mystery author J. R. Alastor’s books are sold all over the world, but no one knows his real name. After years hiding in the shadows, he has sent out six invitations to an exclusive murder mystery retreat on his private island.

The Assistant
Mila del Angél has been hired to ensure the week runs smoothly. She has yearned for revenge on a ghost from her past for years – and this could be her chance to get it.

The Players
The six bestselling thriller writers accept their invitations without question – it’s an opportunity any author would kill for.

The Game
What should have been a week of trope-filled games takes a sinister turn when one guest is found dead, and the others find themselves in the midst of a nightmare drawn from Alastor’s dark imagination. They may have written thrillers – but now they and Mila must survive one...

The Author

ANDE PLIEGO began writing stories when she discovered she could actually wield her overactive imagination for good.

A lover of stories with teeth, she writes books involving mind games, dark humour, general murder and mayhem, characters pushed to the edge of themselves, and most importantly, finding the hope in the dark.

When not reading or writing, she can usually be found dabbling in art, scheming up her next trip, or making constant expeditions to the library.

Born in Florida, raised in France, and having left footprints all over the globe, Ande is settled in the Pacific Northwest, USA, with her craftsman husband and little son.

Ande Pliego can be found on Instagram and X

My Review

A thrilling, twist-filled mystery that keeps you guessing! You Are Fatally Invited is an atmospheric and intricately woven suspense novel that lures you in with its irresistible premise and slowly tightens its grip, delivering a chilling experience.

Six bestselling thriller authors, all eager for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, accept an exclusive invitation to a secluded retreat on a private island. Their host? The legendary yet enigmatic J.R. Alastor – an author whose books are known worldwide, but whose identity remains a mystery. Assisting in the retreat’s execution is Mila del Angél, a woman with her own hidden motives and a past she can’t escape. But what starts as a literary getaway soon turns into a terrifying game of survival when one of the guests turns up dead. Trapped, isolated, and unsure who to trust, the remaining authors must confront their deepest secrets – because in this game, fiction and reality blur, and the price of a wrong move could be fatal.

The novel does a fantastic job of building tension, layering suspicion upon suspicion. The setting—a creepy, storm-lashed mansion on a remote island—adds a sinister edge, heightening the claustrophobic, inescapable dread that seeps through every page. The authors, each successful in their own right, bring unique personalities, egos, and secrets to the table, making for an explosive dynamic as suspicions rise and alliances fracture. It’s clear from the outset that everyone has something to hide, and Ande Pliego masterfully peels back those layers, keeping the reader constantly on edge.

The multiple POVs add depth to the story, but at times, they made it difficult to keep track of who was who. I found myself needing to take notes to stay on top of the shifting perspectives, and while this complexity adds to the novel’s immersive nature, it also made certain sections feel a little dense. I was extremely grateful to have a physical copy in hand, as I don’t think I would have been able to follow as easily on a device.

Even with the complexity, the story maintains a strong pace, building tension gradually while allowing key moments the space they need to land with impact. There’s an almost cinematic quality to the way the story unfolds—each twist hitting at just the right time, each reveal pulling you deeper into the mystery. And just when you think you have a handle on what’s happening, the novel pulls the rug right out from under you. More than just a suspense thriller, You Are Fatally Invited flirts with horror elements, making for an unsettling and truly gripping read.

For fans of locked-room mysteries, dark academia-style intrigue, and unsettling psychological suspense, You Are Fatally Invited delivers in spades. It’s an immersive, twisty, and atmospheric read that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Thank You

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the blog tour for You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego. Running from 13 to 26 February 2025, the tour is hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours. A huge thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours, Bantam Books, and Ande Pliego for the opportunity to take part and for sending a physical copy—this kind of novel is so much more immersive when you can feel the weight of the story in your hands!

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All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.

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