They Want Us Dead - by CL Montblanc (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this new mystery from CL Montblanc, the author of Pride or Die, two internet enemies are forced to work together after a true crime meetup turns into a deadly case of its own.

Seventeen-year-old Sam Tombs hopes to get more eyes on the videos they make to raise awareness of crimes against LGBTQ+ teens. A true crime content creator event seems like the perfect opportunity to grow their channel--until the group becomes stranded at an eerie Victorian mansion, and one of them is killed in the night.

Sam's alibi, and the only person they can trust, happens to be their mean, dorky internet nemesis Dylan. But the two must now put aside their rivalry and use their investigative skills to figure out who among the remaining teens is the killer, before their own deaths become tomorrow's trending content.

Review Quotes

Praise for They Want Us Dead:

"A mystery as fun as it is suspenseful, They Want Us Dead is full of turns to keep you guessing and shocking murders that will have your jaw in the floor. Montblanc's witty one-liners and the slow-burn romance unfolding between two rivals makes this wild ride hard to put down." -Jamison Shea, author of Roar of the Lambs

"With more twists, turns, and secrets than a creepy Victorian mansion, They Want Us Dead had me hooked from the first page. I was reading late into the night to find out what happened next (and to get more banter between Sam and Dylan!)" -Jen Wilde, author of This Is the Way the World Ends

"They Want Us Dead is a tightly plotted whodunnit with an abundance of wit, heart, and thrilling twists--it will keep you guessing to the last page." -Kate Alice Marshall, author of What Lies in the Woods and We Won't All Survive

"A page-turner of a locked room murder mystery with an enemies-to-lovers romance that's as messy as it is charming, They Want Us Dead is a worthy addition to the suspense genre." -Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the #murdertrending series

Praise for Pride or Die:

"This dark and comedic mystery by debut author Montblanc deftly explores the gray areas between right and wrong, successfully addressing the complexity of people's characters...the fast-paced plot and delicious mystery more than carry the narrative. A delicate queer romance that slowly blossoms throughout the story is the icing on the cake." -Kirkus

"Using arch prose, debut author Montblanc candidly depicts the queer protagonists' experiences living "in a town full of 'traditional' families with bigoted values." An unlikely romance and splashes of gallows humor add playful energy to this clever mystery." -Publishers Weekly

"A swift and suspenseful mystery full of righteous anger, comedic cynicism, and queer joy in spite of small-minded attempts to suppress it." -School Library Journal

"The teen characters are delightfully authentic down to the way they each message their group chat...joyful queer chaos is present and accounted for throughout." -Booklist

"Pride or Die is an entertaining mystery novel for young adults that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of murder mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels will enjoy trying to solve who attempted to kill Kenley and whether the murderer is still out there." -YA Books Central

"Pride or Die will hit audiences with some Scooby Doo meets Heathers vibes and a dash of sweet romantic tension." -Den of Geek

"Timely, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud hilarious, PRIDE OR DIE is the kind of book I wish I had as a queer teenager growing up in a conservative state. Truly, this book has everything: attempted murder, gay chaos, and some of the most charming and relatable friendship dynamics I've ever read about. CL Montblanc is one to watch." -Kayla Cottingham, author of This Delicious Death

"With a loveable, wacky friend group, a sweet, budding sapphic romance, and an absolutely killer voice, PRIDE OR DIE is a masterful genre blend. This suspenseful delight of a book shows the importance of identity acceptance and brings 'be gay, solve crime' to hilarious new heights." -Justine Pucella Winans, author of Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything

"The funniest debut of the year. Exceptionally timely, and the most lovable, chaotic cast. CL Montblanc is an author to watch." -Page Powars, author of The Borrow a Boyfriend Club

"Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. With an incredibly fresh voice, witty dialogue, and a cast of characters you'll love, Pride or Die is the most fun you'll ever have reading about attempted murder!" -Elle Gonzalez Rose, author of 10 Things I Hate About Prom

"Filled with laugh-out-loud worthy prose, breathtaking plot twists, and timely social commentary, Pride or Die is a compelling (almost) murder mystery that is at once unapologetically and delightfully queer. If you love stories about gay people solving crime, CL Montblanc's debut is a must-read." -Victoria Wlosok, author of How to Find a Missing Girl

About the Author