This book was not how I wanted to start out my 2023 reading. The best thing I can say about it is that at least I only paid $1.99 for it as a Kindle Daily Deal. Ashley Flowers hosts a super popular true crime podcast called Crime Junkies. I have to assume after slogging through her debut novel that the reason she got it published was her name recognition, because it definitely wasn’t based on her storytelling skills.

Basically, she spent the first half of the book recreating aspects of the JonBenet Ramsey case, just changing the setting from Colorado to her home state of Indiana. None of the characters were well-developed, and to say the plot was lacking is a major understatement. The book limps towards its conclusion, and then it’s almost like she forgot (after writing one last flashback scene) to go back and finish the present-day story. It ends without an actual ending. I’m incredibly annoyed that I wasted my day on this book.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆