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Secrets of the Dead
Can you keep a secret?
The night eighteen-year-old Dani Bishop went to Brittles Cove, she knew one of her roommates was going to die.
Dani couldn’t be trusted, and everyone at Stedmond College knew it. She held secrets for sport, testing their owners and the limits they would go to hide their truths. So when she packed her bag to spend the weekend at Brittles Cove, known for its idyllic, secluded beach, she knew there was a target on her back. But with the support of Vivienne Marks—the girl with the perfect looks, perfect friends, perfect life—Dani assumes she’s safe. But not everything is as it seems, and when she starts to let secrets slip, she finds they only matter when the owner has something to lose.
Now Dani is stuck in Brittles Cove, with the very people whose lives she’s ruined, and they won’t stop until she has paid in blood. Filled with betrayal, mystery, and secrets. Don’t miss Secrets of the Dead the prequel novella to the Secrets Series by Simbi Feyisara, for fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, and Maureen Johnson.
The night eighteen-year-old Dani Bishop went to Brittles Cove, she knew one of her roommates was going to die.
Dani couldn’t be trusted, and everyone at Stedmond College knew it. She held secrets for sport, testing their owners and the limits they would go to hide their truths. So when she packed her bag to spend the weekend at Brittles Cove, known for its idyllic, secluded beach, she knew there was a target on her back. But with the support of Vivienne Marks—the girl with the perfect looks, perfect friends, perfect life—Dani assumes she’s safe. But not everything is as it seems, and when she starts to let secrets slip, she finds they only matter when the owner has something to lose.
Now Dani is stuck in Brittles Cove, with the very people whose lives she’s ruined, and they won’t stop until she has paid in blood. Filled with betrayal, mystery, and secrets. Don’t miss Secrets of the Dead the prequel novella to the Secrets Series by Simbi Feyisara, for fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, and Maureen Johnson.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 28, 2024
This book hooked me from the first page, I was so entertained that I read it in one sitting.
In this book we have Dani, a college student with a strange personality who tends not to get along with anyone because she sees people as means to an end. She lives in "The Bells" and has several housemates who all have secrets they are desperate to keep. Vivi, Dani's roommate is the main focus of the story, as she is a very rich and kind girl used by everyone.
The atmospheric cabin in the woods also worked great as a setting, it's not the most original but it did contribute to the vibe of the story.
The twists and turns were great! I wasn't entirely surprised, but I enjoyed them and I think Dani's journey to discover everything that was going on was very well crafted. Dani's character and the story in general were also well written, which is always a pleasant surprise in thriller books.
I definitely want to read the second installment!
*Thanks to NetGalley uk, the publishers and the author for the ARC*
In this book we have Dani, a college student with a strange personality who tends not to get along with anyone because she sees people as means to an end. She lives in "The Bells" and has several housemates who all have secrets they are desperate to keep. Vivi, Dani's roommate is the main focus of the story, as she is a very rich and kind girl used by everyone.
The atmospheric cabin in the woods also worked great as a setting, it's not the most original but it did contribute to the vibe of the story.
The twists and turns were great! I wasn't entirely surprised, but I enjoyed them and I think Dani's journey to discover everything that was going on was very well crafted. Dani's character and the story in general were also well written, which is always a pleasant surprise in thriller books.
I definitely want to read the second installment!
*Thanks to NetGalley uk, the publishers and the author for the ARC*
July 8, 2024
This fast-paced novella immerses you in the world of deceitful college girls, filled with betrayal and selfishness. If you're a fan of YA novels featuring dramatic characters, this book is sure to captivate you. Despite its alluring cover and intriguing premise, it didn't quite resonate with me, but it might be your perfect read!
Thanks to the author and BlackEcho Press for providing this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#secretsofthedead #SimbiFeyisara #blackechopress #netgalley #yathriller
Thanks to the author and BlackEcho Press for providing this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#secretsofthedead #SimbiFeyisara #blackechopress #netgalley #yathriller
May 21, 2024
Title: Secrets of the Dead by Simbi Feyisara
Release Date: June, 27th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
The night eighteen-year-old Dani Bishop went to Brittles Cove, she knew one of her roommates was going to die.
Dani couldn’t be trusted, and everyone at Stedmond College knew it. She held secrets for sport, testing their owners and the limits they would go to hide their truths. So when she packed her bag to spend the weekend at Brittles Cove, known for its idyllic, secluded beach, she knew there was a target on her back.
But with the support of Vivienne Marks—the girl with the perfect looks, perfect friends, perfect life—Dani assumes she’s safe. But not everything is as it seems, and when she starts to let secrets slip, she finds they only matter when the owner has something to lose.
Now Dani is stuck in Brittles Cove, with the very people whose lives she’s ruined, and they won’t stop until she has paid in blood. Filled with betrayal, mystery, and secrets.
This book hooked me from the first page, so much so that I devoured it in one sitting! The twists and turns were engaging and enjoyable, even if not entirely surprising. Dani's journey to uncover the truth was compelling, and both her character and the overall story were exceptionally well-crafted—a pleasant surprise for a short thriller.
The plot was fast-paced, keeping me guessing until the very end. Dani isn't your typical badass female lead; instead, she's portrayed as human, scared, and not particularly likeable, yet she has a strong character.
The story realistically explores how jealousy can transform a person.
I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment, especially after the intriguing extra chapters!
Thank you to The Publisher BlackEcho Press,The Author Simbi Feyisara & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Release Date: June, 27th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
The night eighteen-year-old Dani Bishop went to Brittles Cove, she knew one of her roommates was going to die.
Dani couldn’t be trusted, and everyone at Stedmond College knew it. She held secrets for sport, testing their owners and the limits they would go to hide their truths. So when she packed her bag to spend the weekend at Brittles Cove, known for its idyllic, secluded beach, she knew there was a target on her back.
But with the support of Vivienne Marks—the girl with the perfect looks, perfect friends, perfect life—Dani assumes she’s safe. But not everything is as it seems, and when she starts to let secrets slip, she finds they only matter when the owner has something to lose.
Now Dani is stuck in Brittles Cove, with the very people whose lives she’s ruined, and they won’t stop until she has paid in blood. Filled with betrayal, mystery, and secrets.
This book hooked me from the first page, so much so that I devoured it in one sitting! The twists and turns were engaging and enjoyable, even if not entirely surprising. Dani's journey to uncover the truth was compelling, and both her character and the overall story were exceptionally well-crafted—a pleasant surprise for a short thriller.
The plot was fast-paced, keeping me guessing until the very end. Dani isn't your typical badass female lead; instead, she's portrayed as human, scared, and not particularly likeable, yet she has a strong character.
The story realistically explores how jealousy can transform a person.
I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment, especially after the intriguing extra chapters!
Thank you to The Publisher BlackEcho Press,The Author Simbi Feyisara & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2024
Dani is not liked by the other girls from our college dorm but still she decides to go with them to spend the weekend at a secluded cabin in the middle of the woods. She knows everybody's dirty littles secrets so what could go wrong?
I asked for the ARC of the novella because I wanted a quick fun read and boy did I get exactly what I was asking for. The pace is breakneck and you fly from one scene to the other and yet I was never lost or confused. At the beginning I was afraid that the side characters would be too similar to one another but their differences are emphasized just enough that you can tell them apart with ease. This novella is just the right length and leaves you satisfied and wanting for more at the same time. I'm excited about reading the next one in the series.
Where the book shines is truly through its main character Dani. She is extremely unlikable and her actions are never justified because things are from her POV. She just does what she does and it is never good. I loved being inside her head and seeing her being so mean and selfish but at the same time quite human. I love me some well rounded characters.
I would say that the other main character is Vivi and it was very interesting to get to know her through the other characters because we never get into her head. We just have her actions and words to judge her. And she is judged indeed.
Overall I think this novella executed perfectly what The Things We Do to Our Friends failed at : rich toxic friend group gone bad. You could even sprinkle some female rage on top.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book. I will definitely tune in for the next one in the series !
I asked for the ARC of the novella because I wanted a quick fun read and boy did I get exactly what I was asking for. The pace is breakneck and you fly from one scene to the other and yet I was never lost or confused. At the beginning I was afraid that the side characters would be too similar to one another but their differences are emphasized just enough that you can tell them apart with ease. This novella is just the right length and leaves you satisfied and wanting for more at the same time. I'm excited about reading the next one in the series.
Where the book shines is truly through its main character Dani. She is extremely unlikable and her actions are never justified because things are from her POV. She just does what she does and it is never good. I loved being inside her head and seeing her being so mean and selfish but at the same time quite human. I love me some well rounded characters.
I would say that the other main character is Vivi and it was very interesting to get to know her through the other characters because we never get into her head. We just have her actions and words to judge her. And she is judged indeed.
Overall I think this novella executed perfectly what The Things We Do to Our Friends failed at : rich toxic friend group gone bad. You could even sprinkle some female rage on top.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book. I will definitely tune in for the next one in the series !
June 3, 2024
Secrets of the Dead is a fast paced, atmospheric, novella full of secrets, lies, betrayals, jealousy, and danger. Dani is an interesting character. She is not likeable and enjoys holding secrets over others. She and her college roommates pack up and head to Brittles Cove to spend time at Vivienne Marks' family's rustic vacation home. Tension is high as the other roommates are not happy that Dani will be coming. She is not liked or trusted, and the other women make this known to her.
How well do you know those in your life? How well do they know you? Those are the questions that this book presents to readers. It also examines toxic friendships, deception, and secrets.
Things seem fine, tense, but fine at first, but soon revelations will be made, and the roommates become aware that this is not going to be the fun and happy weekend they envisioned. Soon the group begin to show their true colors, intentions and motivations.
This was an enjoyable read but at times I wanted to know more of Dani's backstory and relationships with her roommates. This is a short quick read which can easily be read in one sitting so I realize that I was given just enough information to enjoy the story.
Fast paced, entertaining, enjoyable, atmospheric, and dark.
Thank you to BlackEcho Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
How well do you know those in your life? How well do they know you? Those are the questions that this book presents to readers. It also examines toxic friendships, deception, and secrets.
Things seem fine, tense, but fine at first, but soon revelations will be made, and the roommates become aware that this is not going to be the fun and happy weekend they envisioned. Soon the group begin to show their true colors, intentions and motivations.
This was an enjoyable read but at times I wanted to know more of Dani's backstory and relationships with her roommates. This is a short quick read which can easily be read in one sitting so I realize that I was given just enough information to enjoy the story.
Fast paced, entertaining, enjoyable, atmospheric, and dark.
Thank you to BlackEcho Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
May 18, 2024
Secrets of the Dead by Simbi Feyisara
Rating: 4.5/5
Release Date: 27 June 2024
At Stedmond College, Dani was notorious for her untrustworthiness. She collected secrets for sport, pushing their owners to the brink to see how far they’d go to keep their truths hidden. Heading to Brittles Cove—a picturesque, secluded beach—for the weekend, Dani knew she was a walking target. But with the backing of Vivienne Marks, the girl with the perfect looks, perfect friends, and perfect life, Dani believed she was safe.
However, appearances can be deceiving. As Dani begins to reveal secrets, she realises their true weight when the owners have something to lose. Now, trapped in Brittles Cove with those whose lives she's upended, Dani faces a vengeful reckoning. They won't rest until she has paid in blood.
This quick read by Simbi Feyisara took me by surprise, but I absolutely loved it. The author masterfully packed a wealth of detail into just a few pages. The characters, especially Dani and Vivi, were exceptionally well-developed and crafted to perfection. The cliffhanger at the end has left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Black Echo Press, and the author, Simbi Feyisara, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Rating: 4.5/5
Release Date: 27 June 2024
At Stedmond College, Dani was notorious for her untrustworthiness. She collected secrets for sport, pushing their owners to the brink to see how far they’d go to keep their truths hidden. Heading to Brittles Cove—a picturesque, secluded beach—for the weekend, Dani knew she was a walking target. But with the backing of Vivienne Marks, the girl with the perfect looks, perfect friends, and perfect life, Dani believed she was safe.
However, appearances can be deceiving. As Dani begins to reveal secrets, she realises their true weight when the owners have something to lose. Now, trapped in Brittles Cove with those whose lives she's upended, Dani faces a vengeful reckoning. They won't rest until she has paid in blood.
This quick read by Simbi Feyisara took me by surprise, but I absolutely loved it. The author masterfully packed a wealth of detail into just a few pages. The characters, especially Dani and Vivi, were exceptionally well-developed and crafted to perfection. The cliffhanger at the end has left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Black Echo Press, and the author, Simbi Feyisara, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
June 19, 2024
Secrets of the Dead is a fast paced, atmospheric, novella full of secrets, lies, betrayals, jealousy, and danger. Simbi Feyisaraani pulls you in fast and keeps you hooked. I see a lot of people not liking Dani, but I found her character intriguing. Probably the best character to enter this group through. They all have secrets and she likes collecting them. Now it’s time for a Girls Trip. Nothing could possibly go wrong; Until it does. She and her college roommates pack up and head to Brittles Cove to spend time at Vivienne’s family cabin. No one is happy that Dani is on this trip. No one is shy about letting her know.
Things get tense when Dani starts revealing some secrets. Tempers flare. Will everyone survive trip? Be warned this book leaves some unanswered questions. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I need to know where it goes.
Thank you to BlackEcho Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Things get tense when Dani starts revealing some secrets. Tempers flare. Will everyone survive trip? Be warned this book leaves some unanswered questions. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I need to know where it goes.
Thank you to BlackEcho Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 30, 2024
Secrets of The Dead is a fast-paced thriller novella that follows a group of college girls and their lies and deceits as they leave for a weekend in a secluded cabin. All of this is told from the point of view of Dani, the insolent and unlikable main character. While that premise sounded too interesting to pass up on, the story left me feeling confused and underwhelmed.
I would’ve loved the fighting, stealing, obsession, murdering, and all the girly things if they made any sense. But they just didn’t. Characters’ motivations made no sense, their backgrounds lacked any semblance of depth, and it was all just very shallow - like an out-of-context episode of Pretty Little Liars.
All of this for a failing fashion brand? No way.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I would’ve loved the fighting, stealing, obsession, murdering, and all the girly things if they made any sense. But they just didn’t. Characters’ motivations made no sense, their backgrounds lacked any semblance of depth, and it was all just very shallow - like an out-of-context episode of Pretty Little Liars.
All of this for a failing fashion brand? No way.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 3, 2024
I usually enjoy a fast paced YA mystery thriller but I just couldn’t connect with this one.
The story is told from the point of view of Dani and her character was well established as being unreliable, holding many secrets and choosing her moment to use them against someone. But for me there were too many under-developed characters without a back story or any idea as to their motivations. It can be difficult to build tension and explore the plot in such a short story so it was hard sometimes to work out why the girls were behaving in that way and the total absence of likeable characters meant there was no-one to get behind.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
The story is told from the point of view of Dani and her character was well established as being unreliable, holding many secrets and choosing her moment to use them against someone. But for me there were too many under-developed characters without a back story or any idea as to their motivations. It can be difficult to build tension and explore the plot in such a short story so it was hard sometimes to work out why the girls were behaving in that way and the total absence of likeable characters meant there was no-one to get behind.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC
June 3, 2024
2.5 stars ✨⭐️.
I think that the author did a great job establishing the main character as superficial and unreliable from the beginning and building her relationships with the other characters.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get through half of this book, even though it was supposed to be a quick read. In this first chapter (which was twelve pages), I noticed there were about five characters, and I didn't feel like that was necessary if the book was so short.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC e-book.
I think that the author did a great job establishing the main character as superficial and unreliable from the beginning and building her relationships with the other characters.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get through half of this book, even though it was supposed to be a quick read. In this first chapter (which was twelve pages), I noticed there were about five characters, and I didn't feel like that was necessary if the book was so short.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC e-book.
July 4, 2024
This was an action packed novella that made me super interested into diving into book 1 of Simbi Feyisara's series. Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this eARC. Secrets of the Dead jump straight into a winter weekend at a cabin among dorm mates gone bad. Dani has bad blood with about everyone in her dorm, but she isn't the one planning on murder that night. This was action packed from the begging and really made me interested in Simbi's next book Our Secrets Die With Her. I'd recommend this novella before diving into the first book.
June 24, 2024
Incredible suspense! I stayed up late to finish it because I couldn’t put it down.
My one complaint would be some of the characters did not have enough development to give me reasons to believe their motives/intentions. We just have to believe the author about who the characters are. BUT I was willing to do this because I was hooked on the story.
I look forward to reading the next story!
My one complaint would be some of the characters did not have enough development to give me reasons to believe their motives/intentions. We just have to believe the author about who the characters are. BUT I was willing to do this because I was hooked on the story.
I look forward to reading the next story!
June 27, 2024
An intriguing little novella. Although I disliked Dani, the fmc, as her behaviour was very grey. It brought a nice little change from all the nice fmc driven novels I‘ve recently read.
It read more like a teenage drama at times than a mystery or anything else. Hence only 4 stars.
But it really was a nice change in between all the fantasy for me.
It read more like a teenage drama at times than a mystery or anything else. Hence only 4 stars.
But it really was a nice change in between all the fantasy for me.
June 8, 2024
What happens when a bunch of mean girls get together at a cabin in a dark forest with greed, obsession, and jealousy in the mix? A whole lot of backstabbing and murderous intent.
This story was super quick to read, and I’m pretty hooked on seeing what comes next in this series!
This story was super quick to read, and I’m pretty hooked on seeing what comes next in this series!
July 23, 2024
Although the story picks up at half, I found it all very confusing and wanting more details or context to what was going on. The theme is good, but it left a feeling that there wasn’t enough story to back it all up.
May 19, 2024
This story had me hooked from the first page, and I read it in a single sitting. For a short read this story was full of detail, twists and turns. I will definitely read more from this writer.
June 4, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed this thriller novella!
The storyline was well done and has enough detail to keep you interested and entertained even though it’s for a short few chapters. If I had the ability I definitely could have read it in one sitting. The twists were not the most out of pocket, but we’re still surprising enough that it wasn’t predictable.
Overall this was a good read!
I really enjoyed this thriller novella!
The storyline was well done and has enough detail to keep you interested and entertained even though it’s for a short few chapters. If I had the ability I definitely could have read it in one sitting. The twists were not the most out of pocket, but we’re still surprising enough that it wasn’t predictable.
Overall this was a good read!
June 27, 2024
I read this is one sitting! It had tons of twists and turns, the layout was confusing at times and you have to figure out what is going on!
July 8, 2024
A group of “friends” go off for a weekend and little did one of them know it would end in death. It was a great concept I just wish it was longer and had more to it.
June 28, 2024
The first few chapters were a bit difficult to get into, a lot of people are introduced in a very short period of time and makes it a bit confusing to remember who’s who. It took me 3 or 4 chapters to really get into it but once I did; WOW! I read chapter 4 to 12 in one sitting, even took my kindle in the bath tub with me because I couldn’t put it down!
Definitely add this to your tbr lists! And add all the books that will follow in this series too, I know I will!
In the meantime I’m gonna re-read this one to understand the characters a little better because I wanna read any following book as soon as possible!
Thank you so much for letting me read this arc!
Definitely add this to your tbr lists! And add all the books that will follow in this series too, I know I will!
In the meantime I’m gonna re-read this one to understand the characters a little better because I wanna read any following book as soon as possible!
Thank you so much for letting me read this arc!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews