This Book Will Bury Me

This is an intense, dark, and unique novel that makes for addictive reading. Ashley Winstead takes us into the fascinating world of online true crime groups, where armchair detectives—who love to solve puzzles—hunt for clues and information on current crimes, sometimes to the point of obsession, often causing more hindrance than help to the police.

College student Janeway (Jane) Sharp is distraught when her father dies suddenly. They were very close, so she feels adrift and totally paralyzed with grief. She returns home to be with her mother. Jane has always loved true crime, so when the dismembered body of a woman is found in a bag in a lake not far from her home, she can’t help wanting to find out more about the crime.

Coming across an online group of armchair detectives renowned for solving crimes, Jane starts to follow their discussion. Able to assist in solving the case, she is invited to join the group of four. When the news breaks of the murder of three college students in Idaho, the group becomes intensely involved—not only discussing but also following clues to find the killer. Jane soon finds herself immersed in a close-knit community of people who accept her, instilling in her a sense of purpose she hasn’t felt before.

Jane is the narrator of this tale, relating her version of events and how they unfolded one year on. She also reflects on the overwhelming pain she felt over the loss of her father and her desire to do something to honor him. The group of five is an eclectic bunch with an interesting dynamic due to a wide range of ages and experiences, including a retired librarian, an ex-police detective, an ex-naval officer, and a computer programmer. While their success as a group makes them respected, they are also a target for jealousy and rivalry from other online groups ready to deride any mistakes.

This novel has attracted some controversy, as it is based on the 2022 real-life murders of a group of University of Idaho students in eerily similar circumstances. The man accused of their deaths will not stand trial until late 2025, so the case is still fresh in people’s minds and distressing for the close family and friends of the victims. The author’s note is worth reading, as she explains why she chose to base this novel on these horrific murders.

I found this tale of grief, loss, and obsession a twisty, gripping read. It is an enthralling slow burn, always changing direction with enticing cliffhangers left at the end of chapters to draw you in. It did slow somewhat in the middle, especially when Jane is mulling over the loss of her father, but the ending has a shocking twist that more than compensates. Readers of crime, especially true crime, will enjoy this portrayal of online groups with their bizarre theories and the discussion of whether they sometimes go too far in getting involved in the search for answers.

With thanks to Aria and Aries for a copy to read.