by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

YA Mystery/Thriller, 2026 by Putnam, 403 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• There are a lot of background characters here to keep track of. From the multiple teams of 4 to the vast amount of team members keeping the show running, you’ll have a lot of names to remember. 
• Suspend your disbelief at the idea that a contestant could die and yet the show would still get renewed for another season. Maybe suspend it a LOT because that’s going to keep coming up and you’re not going to get a satisfactory answer to how the heck that was allowed. 
• The escape rooms themselves are fascinating but the entire concept of someone being able to get on the set of something like that and plant clues felt like a bit of a reach. 

What I Did Like:

• Excellent concept. Melding the idea of an escape room with reality TV is very cool. Starting with a murder during all of that is WILD. 
• The four major puzzle solvers are good characters. Sort of a band of misfits that come together on this show and become this found family. Fun and good concept. 
• The mystery was satisfying. You get answers you’re looking for and they fit with the clues you were given in a satisfying way. 

Who Should Read This One:

• YA mystery readers. This has a young cast and a young sort of appeal to it. 
• Readers who like the reality TV and escape room vibe will get the most from this one. 

My Rating: 3 Stars