whitneydaniell

Goodreads Summary

It’s been ten years since Priscilla and her Zeta Phi Zeta sorority sisters graduated college. Ten years since they were all in the same room together. Ten years since one of them died. And now Lupe’s killer has been released from prison on a technicality, days before their ten-year reunion.

Priscilla decides that the party must go on; Lupe would have wanted it to. And besides, an epic reunion bash might be the perfect distraction. Back together, the Zetas party like it’s 2012, and it’s wild, just the way it used to be. Maybe too wild. At least everyone makes it out alive this time…or so they think.

When one of them doesn’t return home after the party, Priscilla begins to realize that there might be more to Lupe’s murder and that someone is out for blood. With the murderer in their midst circling closer and closer, the Zetas are forced to confront what really happened the night Lupe died—and the secrets each of them swore to keep.

Character Summary

Priscilla, the queen bee and former Zeta chapter president. Now a marriage therapist married to an ER surgeon, Kenan.

Chanel, the pulled-together, never-make-a-mistake suburban wife and mother.

Zoë, the girl everyone loved. She wouldn’t hurt a fly and was only confrontational when absolutely necessary. Now married to Liam.

Dionne, the wild one—never too far from brown liquor and a fight.

Alexis… she’s just there.

Val, a few years younger than the group. She’s usually on the periphery, remembered mostly as Lupe’s one-time college girlfriend.

Lupe and Priscilla had been best friends since third grade, eventually going to college together and joining the Zetas. During their last week of school, Lupe is pushed down a flight of stairs and dies. When her body is discovered, Priscilla sees Travis Wolfe, another student at Acadia University, running from the scene. Her testimony helps convict him, and he serves 10 years in prison.

My Thoughts

This book could have been 100 pages shorter. The pacing of the plot and the way the story unfolds moves so dang-on S L O W.

Pacing aside, I liked the overall plot. I was stumped until about the midway point, and then I figured it out. What sucked most about that was knowing who and why halfway through, but still having to read 266 more pages without all the pieces filled in.

To be fair, even though I had nailed the main whodunit, there were a few side plots that were interesting enough—though ultimately aggravating—because they felt unnecessary by the end.

Priscilla initially seems like a reliable main character, but you quickly realize she makes everything about herself. She’s self-centered, and even ten years removed from college and sorority life, she still craves the attention of being “the queen bee.” When backstories about her friends start unfolding and she learns there are things they’ve kept from her, she’s shocked—as if she doesn’t keep things to herself too. It’s annoying. She’s annoying.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times… I hate sloppy police work. Detective Burgess and Officer Gomez tried, I guess, but their best wasn’t good enough. Also, why the weird emphasis on Burgess’ clothes and the upkeep of her office? It felt like she was written to be Priscilla’s stark opposite, just to give Priscilla a reason to turn her nose up at her. Again, another reason I didn’t care for Priscilla.

As for the other women—the “sisters”—Chanel, Dionne, Zoë, and Alexis… they’re just there. Especially Alexis. She added nothing to the plot and could have been left in an earlier draft.

There are a lot of red herrings, distractions, and “look over here” moments meant to pull your eyes away from what’s really happening. But if you’re perceptive, you’ll figure it out just like I did.

Despite the dragging pace, the writing and dialogue were clear, and the descriptions were crisp. But character development and backstories? Seriously lacking. I wish we had more than just Priscilla and Lupe’s narrative—maybe flashbacks from the other women to establish stronger connections and help us understand them in the present.

Final Verdict

I didn’t hate it. But it was too long, with too much going on outside the main plot. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it. Very middle-of-the-road as thrillers go. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to get to the last page—I was over itttttt.

If you like drama and mess, and don’t mind a slow, dragging plot—and if you’ve got a few days to burn—sure, pick it up.

Me, though? I like my thrillers fast-paced, to the point, and with a twist I don’t see coming.