You Killed Me First by John Marrs

 

"That all action in the universe creates a reaction that will return to you. That’s why you are where you are now." - from You Killed Me First by John Marrs

This book.  This book!  What can I say but this book!

If you are in a reading slump, this is the book for you.  I was really slumping through the Christmas holidays.  I had quite a little pile of Christmas books that I intended on immersing myself in and I did not even make a dent.  Don't get me wrong - these were not poor books.  They had excellent reviews and are written by solid authors.  For reference, I was reading two that I was enjoying but I just could not get myself focused and going.  Enter John Marrs. 

John Marrs is a relatively new author to me.  I did read The One after hearing a UK-based BookTuber rave on and on about him and The One in particular.  She was not wrong.  I really should review The One because it's a five-star read.  So although I was meant to be reading another book - and was - I saw that I had You Killed Me First on my Kindle (thank you, Kindle First Reads) and just went to the first page for reasons that I'm still uncertain of.  When I say I could not put this book down, I mean I had to force myself to put this book down because of work and sleep and, you know, things that tend to get in the way of reading. 

You Killed Me First grabs you from the first page and it does. not. let. go.  It's an absolute slump buster.  If you're like me, you just have to know what's going on and what's going to happen.  And you absolutely will not guess what's going to happen.  This book has so many twists and turns there should be a twirl-and-hurl warning on the front.  (Okay, no hurling but adding "twirl-and-hurl" was too good to resist.)  Also, if you are like me and enjoy books that take place in the U.K. (check!) and with neighbors in close quarters (check!) with some fierce competitiveness going on (check!) and tensions bubbling under the surface (check!), resulting in appearances being very deceiving (check!), this is your book.  Like, what are you waiting for?  Get it now! 

Our three main characters - Margot, Anna, and Liv - were fascinating, each in their own way.  Of course, this being a John Marrs book and a thriller, there is more than meets the eye.  To say they all have secrets is a massive understatement.  And, naturally, some of these secrets are worth killing over.  To sit back and "watch" these three "friends" being so diabolical, so cutthroat was - dare I say - enjoyable?  The story, like the characters, is completely unhinged and I am here for it.  You Killed Me First proves that you can have absolutely, unapologetically unlikable characters and still have your readers so invested that "just one more chapter" is complete nonsense.  

Thank you, John Marrs, for getting me going again.  With two books down, both five stars, you are now a go-to author for me.  

I currently have The Marriage Act, The Stranger in Her House, and The Vacation sitting on my TBR cart.  What shall it be?  Which book should be next?  No matter what it is, I do not worry that it won't be an amazing read that I will continue thinking of after I finish the book.  

In short, would I recommend You Killed Me First?  Hell, yes.  (Sorry, not sorry.  Cursing is necessary here).  Do I regret reading this?  Hell, no.  Does it set the bar pretty high for other thrillers?  Absolutely.  Will I now need to buy the physical copy to put on my bookshelves?  In all likelihood, yes.  

Disclosure:  I scored You Killed Me First through Kindle First Reads.  I was neither paid nor compensated for this review.  My views and opinions are my own.  I am also not the president of John Marrs' fan club - although I would seriously consider it at this point.