Not quite dead yet

Author: Holly Jackson  Release date: 22. Juli 2025  Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Fiktion, 

Content:

Jet Mason‘s favourite thing to say is „I will do it later“ She’s 27 years old and lives with her wealthy parents in Vermont. But on Halloween night someone attacks her leaving her with only 7 days to live and taking away her “laters”. Determined to solve her own murder Jet only has her childhood best friend Billy to help her. While time is running out for Jet she must start questioning everything and everyone, even her family. 

Review:

I really liked Jets character. She is so determined to solve her own murder because she is shown as a person who never truly accomplished much in her life. She is also this sarcastic and confident girl who won’t let herself get pushed over. 

Jet is one of the oldest leads I have read about and also the oldest lead in all Holly Jackson books. I didn’t think that her age made a lot of difference because I did still understand her and what was going on in her head and in many ways she behaves like any normal teenage girl. The only significant difference I noticed that there was a lot more cussing in this book in comparison to other Holly Jackson books which I think was her attempt at making Jet seem older but it wasn’t very convincing for me. 

I also really really loved Billy. You don’t see many shy and soft male leads and I think he was written perfectly. Throughout the book he was this sweet guy who just wanted to help everyone, especially Jet.

The plot was so unique in this one since Jet is solving her own murder. I also really like the family relationships and aspects in books which definitely played an important role in „not quite dead yet“. 

The ending was also so sad and there was also a twist. And I would have enjoyed it much more if I hadn’t guessed the plot twist. I still really liked it and also the reveal even though I would have loved a happier ending more. (But thats just because I wanted Jets and Billys story to continue. I LOVED the ending eventhough it broke me)

I also really like Holly Jackson’s writing. It’s so simple but also realistic with the way she writes thoughts forming. For example I noticed that she left some sentences open and they weren’t all super complex. She also gives her characters traits that make them even more realistic. Jet had an „old man laugh“ which is just so real. She also has this way of writing that keeps the story flowing but when she makes it emotional it definitely hits. You could also feel how the writing and plot became more „sadder“ or emotional as the book graduated and the days went on.

I would recommend “not quite dead yet” for readers 14 and up but you should be able to handle mentions of blood and swearing but if you've read other of Holly Jackson's books you should be fine. 

Buchbuzz rating:

5/5 - definitely read it. Such a great book especially if you’re a mystery fan and reader