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Quick answer: If you liked Not Quite Dead Yet, try Five Survive, As Good as Dead, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, One of Us Is Lying, Ace of Spades and The Inheritance Games. All are twisty thrillers with sharp heroines and surprising endings.
Holly Jackson's 2025 thriller follows Jet Mason, who is racing against a ticking clock to find out who wants her dead. It combines a countdown, a closed circle of suspects and Jackson's trademark twists. These 15 books bring the same mix of clues, red herrings and fast pacing.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Good Girl's Guide to Murder | Holly Jackson | 14+ | more Holly Jackson |
| Five Survive | Holly Jackson | 14+ | fans of locked-room thrillers |
| As Good as Dead | Holly Jackson | 14+ | readers who finished the series |
| Kill Joy | Holly Jackson | 14+ | readers who want a quick read |
| One of Us Is Lying | Karen M. McManus | 13+ | readers who like many suspects |
| Two Can Keep a Secret | Karen M. McManus | 13+ | readers who like small-town mystery |
| Ace of Spades | Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé | 14+ | readers who want a social-issues thriller |
| The Inheritance Games | Jennifer Lynn Barnes | 13+ | readers who love puzzles |
| Truly Devious | Maureen Johnson | 13+ | readers who love cold cases |
| We Were Liars | E. Lockhart | 13+ | readers who love twist endings |
| The Cheerleaders | Kara Thomas | 14+ | readers who like creepy secrets |
| The Naturals | Jennifer Lynn Barnes | 13+ | readers who like crime shows |
| Pretty Little Liars | Sara Shepard | 14+ | TV fans |
| The Appeal | Janice Hallett | Adult | readers who like puzzle novels |
| The Thursday Murder Club | Richard Osman | Adult | readers who want a cozy mystery |
1. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Pip investigates a murder that was closed five years ago. The start of Jackson's best-known series.
Best for: more Holly Jackson.
2. Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Six friends on a spring break road trip are held at gunpoint in an RV. Tense and claustrophobic.
Best for: fans of locked-room thrillers.
3. As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson
The finale of the Pip trilogy, with a stalker and a trail of secrets. Dark and fast.
Best for: readers who finished the series.
4. Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
A prequel story about Pip and a murder mystery party that she must solve. Short and fun.
Best for: readers who want a quick read.
5. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Five students enter detention, and one leaves in a body bag. Each has a secret.
Best for: readers who like many suspects.
6. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
Ellery returns to a town where her aunt vanished, and another girl goes missing. Twisty and atmospheric.
Best for: readers who like small-town mystery.
7. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Two Black students at an elite school are targeted by an anonymous texter. A twisty, timely thriller.
Best for: readers who want a social-issues thriller.
8. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery Grambs inherits a billionaire's fortune and a puzzle-filled mansion. Fast, fun and full of riddles.
Best for: readers who love puzzles.
9. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Stevie Bell investigates a cold case at an elite boarding school. Clever and funny.
Best for: readers who love cold cases.
10. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Cadence tries to remember what happened on her family's island two summers ago. Short and twisty.
Best for: readers who love twist endings.
11. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas
A town's tragedy comes back when Monica starts to doubt what she was told. Dark and gripping.
Best for: readers who like creepy secrets.
12. The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Cassie joins a team of teens with gifts for solving crimes. Fast and crisp.
Best for: readers who like crime shows.
13. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Four friends are stalked by someone who knows their secrets. Soapy and addictive.
Best for: TV fans.
14. The Appeal by Janice Hallett
A mystery told through emails and messages, and the reader must work out the killer. Clever and fun.
Best for: readers who like puzzle novels.
15. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four retirees in a quiet village solve cold cases until a real murder occurs. Warm and funny.
Best for: readers who want a cozy mystery.
How to Choose
If you have not read Holly Jackson's older work, start with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. For similar mysteries with many suspects, pick One of Us Is Lying or Truly Devious. For puzzles, read The Inheritance Games or The Appeal. For something darker, choose Five Survive or The Cheerleaders. Most YA titles on the list include mild violence and some swearing. If you enjoy puzzle-style mysteries, read with a notebook and keep a list of suspects, motives and alibis; Jackson plays fair with clues, so a careful reader can often guess part of the answer. Audiobooks suit the countdown structure well, because chapters end on hooks that make you want to keep listening.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read Holly Jackson's other books first?
No. Not Quite Dead Yet is a standalone novel.
Is it YA or adult?
It is written for older teens and adults, with a young adult heroine.
Is it as twisty as her earlier work?
Fans say yes, with a countdown that keeps the pace tight.
What should I read after Holly Jackson?
One of Us Is Lying is the most common next step.
Is there romance in these books?
Some have light romance, but the focus is on the mystery. The Inheritance Games has the strongest romantic thread.
Are there content warnings?
Most contain murder, threats and some strong language, and a few touch on abuse or assault.