Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 22/08/2025
Published by: Penguin Michael Joseph
ISBN: 9780241753682
I dove into ‘Not Quite Dead Yet’ with high expectations, and while the story was definitely entertaining, it occasionally lost momentum along the way.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Witty, defiant, and an unstoppable force of nature, Jet Mason is both an exciting and frustrating main character. While there isn’t much depth to her character, Jet’s personality made her incredibly real, and she had some heartwarming growth. I also liked her morbid humour, which keeps the story from getting too dark or heavy.
Turns out dying feels a lot like living.
Jet’s reckless sleuthing and dwindling time propel the storyline forward. Though the pace is initially slow, the cliffhanger chapter endings and constant reveals made it easy to keep reading as the story gained momentum and tension. Jackson’s clever and layered writing style also helped keep the story engaging, as it builds anticipation for later reveals and encourages readers to read between the lines. Even the red herrings are well-executed and lead to a satisfying resolution. I just wish the loose ends for some secondary characters could have been tied up.
Home is wherever you are
A solid cast of secondary characters supports the storyline, but Jet’s dysfunctional family, with their problematic traits and secrets, were the most memorable. I also couldn’t get enough of the subtle romance subplot and the male lead, who is a sweet and caring counterbalance to Jet’s fiery personality. From the very start, I was completely invested in their cute interactions, which only made the emotional weight of the ending hit even harder.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
For another book with amateur sleuthing and a character determined to unravel the mystery of her own murder, check out How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. Don’t Tell Me How to Die by Marshall Karp is another option, although I have to admit it didn’t grip me as much.
Q: Which of the revealed secrets surprised you most?
Definitely the reveal that Sophia was poisoning her father-in-law! The cold, calculated way she allowed him to suffer for her husband’s benefit stunned me. It added a sinister twist to her character that I never saw coming.
Q: Were you satisfied with the ending?
In some ways, yes. The mystery’s resolution was great, but I was gutted that Jet did not survive a few minutes longer to solve her own murder. She had fought so hard and came so close to the truth! I also wanted to know her reaction to finding out that Luke was her attacker. Plus, I craved more closure about Luke, Sophia, and Henry, as their storylines felt too open-ended.
Q: Have you seen any of the Chucky movies?
Q: Were you a fan of Jet’s personality?
Q: Have you ever had an awkward breakup? How did you handle it?
Q: What do you think actually caused Jet and Sophia’s friendship to fall apart when she went to law school?
Q: Have you or someone you know rejected a marriage proposal?
Q: Have you ever participated in a spelling bee?
Q: Were you aware of Polycystic Kidney Disease before reading this book?
Q: Is your personality more like Jet’s or Billy’s?
Q: Would you have made the same choice as Jet about the bone fragment?
Q: Which character did you initially suspect attacked Jet? Did this change over time?
Q: What was your theory for Sophia’s repeated visits to Jet’s house on the day of the attack?
Q: What are your thoughts on the members of Jet’s family?
Q: Have you ever been a victim of fraud?
Q: Did you manage to figure out any part of the mystery?
Q: Do you have something you are really good at?
Q: Were you secretly hoping Jet would survive? When did you realise she wouldn’t?
Q: Which moment between Jet and Billy did you find the cutest?
See my other review for Holly Jackson:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder:
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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