Thank you to the author, #partner, for an advanced copy of Not Good People in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Counterplay Press
Published: October 14, 2025
Summary:
When a group of strangers win a weeklong stay at a primitive-style castle in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it feels like they’ve won the lottery. But when a deadly snowstorm hits the moment they arrive, unease settles in because now they’re bound to the secluded castle with no way out.
Once they’ve unpacked, it’s revealed that a mysterious source paid for all of their stays—and the contest that brought them there was nothing more than a trap, designed to lure them into the same place at the same time, causing suspicion to rise, and paranoia to spread.
Then, the boxes begin to open. One per day. Each revealing a devastating, reputation-shattering secret—broadcast not only to everyone inside the castle, but to the outside world as well. And if anyone tries to leave before the game is finished… one of them will die.
Seven days. Seven secrets. Because someone has decided they’re NOT GOOD PEOPLE.
My thoughts:
This is the 4th book I have read by this author and while her 1st book, One Little Word will always be my favorite, this one comes pretty close to topping it! I know I can count on her for a twisty thriller and this one totally delivers!
I loved the locked-room, isolated location with this story. And when you add in a snow storm, being stranded with a bunch of strangers and someone pulling strings, it gives off a “And Then There Were None” feel to it but with her own unique twist.
This is such a fun, unique story with plenty to think about. And I loved that it’s on the shorter side, making it easy to binge in a sitting or two.
