I'll Read What She's Reading

Episode: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson | August Book Club
Date: September 3, 2025
Hosts: Mikayla, Reggie, Kennedy

Episode Overview

This episode is the August Book Club discussion for Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson. The hosts—Mikayla, Reggie, and Kennedy—dive deep into their thoughts, ratings, and reactions to Holly Jackson’s newest “adult” thriller. The discussion covers what resonated, what missed the mark, standout plot points, the most memorable character moments, and even includes their fan casting if the book were adapted for screen. The trio also compares this work with Holly Jackson’s prior thrilling novels, explores issues of genre expectations, and debates just how effective the book is as an adult thriller.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Book Club Format & Listener Participation

• The episode follows the usual book club format—overall thoughts and ratings, dislikes, likes, and fan cast.
• Fable app and link tree shout-outs highlight the interactive book club community.

  “If you haven't joined the Fable, honestly, …you should really go join it. I thoroughly enjoy your guys’ comments.” – Reggie (00:31)

First Impressions & Expectations

• All three hosts report entering with positive expectations, based on Holly Jackson’s reputation for shocking twists.
• There is disappointment among the hosts that, despite being labeled "adult," the book reads closer to Jackson's YA thrillers, but with more swearing.

  "I felt like this read like Good Girl's Guide to Murder, just with more F words." – Kennedy (03:54)

• The group agrees the book was less shocking and dark than anticipated.
• All mention the audiobook narration as a key reason for disconnect, with multiple references to it sounding juvenile and distracting.

Star Ratings & Brief Justifications

• Kennedy: 3 stars. Narration style and lack of truly adult themes made the book less compelling.
• Mikayla: 3.5 stars. Compared to Jackson’s previous books, this one felt predictable and lacked the author’s trademark wild plot twists.
• Reggie: Generous 3 stars, entirely because of the “awful” audiobook narration. Wishes the narration had suited the adult marketing of the book.

Story & Characters—What Worked, What Didn’t

Dislikes and Weaknesses

• Audiobook Narration: Consensus is that the chosen voicing felt far too childish, which undercut the adult label and suspense.

  “All of the voices were, like, young adult voices, like they were 12 years old.” – Reggie (08:25)

• Family Subplots: The ever-present family, especially Jet’s close ties, made the story feel less high-risk and more YA.

  “Her family was so, like, involved... I wish she wasn't as close with, like, her brother...it would have made it more high risk.” – Reggie (09:15)

• Predictability: Many plot points, including the killer’s identity and several twists, felt telegraphed or lacked surprise value.
• Abrupt Ending and Monologuing: The resolution happens suddenly, followed by a standard thriller-style villain monologue and almost everyone in the family going to jail.

  “I just kind of hated how sudden the ending was...it just felt like the classic little monologue thing.” – Kennedy (20:14)

Plot Mystery—Who Did It?

• Initial major suspects: Jet’s sister-in-law (“nowhere to be found”), her brother Luke (who picks up the wig), and Billy.
• The group felt the “surprise” reveal of Billy’s dad as the killer was both unexpected and underwhelming.
• The secondary plot twist about Jet’s sister’s death felt like misdirection and detracted from the main narrative for some.

  “I didn't really enjoy the whole ...now we're trying to solve her sister's murder. It wasn't actually an accident.” – Kennedy (22:04)

Likes and Strong Points

• Unique Premise: The "seven days to live" whodunit was refreshing in the thriller space.

  “So starting to read it and finding out that she's got a day...she's terminal...was really refreshing because I've never read a thriller like that.” – Kennedy (25:26)

• Emotional Letters: The letters Jet writes before her death add real emotional heft not often found in this genre.

  “The letters at the end...honestly, so I hated Jet...but then I read the letters, and immediately I liked her.” – Kennedy (25:31)

• Romance Subplot: Jet’s dynamic with Billy (her love interest) is described as sweet and grounds the wildness of the main plot.
• Page-Turner Quality & Tight Pacing: Despite their reservations, all hosts found the novel propulsive and quick to read.

  “There’s never a time where there’s, like, a lull, so. Which I think is important in thriller books to keep your attention, keep you captivated, keep you questioning things.” – Reggie (37:34)

The “Would You Read It Again?” Test

• All hosts said they would not re-read the book; thrillers generally lose their appeal once the mystery is solved unless they were exceptional.

  “No...but I kind of am like that with most thrillers, like, since, you know it.” – Kennedy (38:00)

• “Maybe” from Reggie—if a physical re-read would redeem the book after the poor audio experience.

Holly Jackson Book Ranking & Recommendations

• Not Quite Dead Yet is their least favorite Jackson book to date.
• Kennedy and Mikayla encourage new readers to try her other books, where the twists are stronger and the YA label better matches the content.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Like I was enjoying it. And then it was over. And then I was like, oh, that was it. Okay." – Mikayla (05:20)
• "I don't think I've really cried reading a thriller before, but this book made me cry." – Mikayla (06:03)
• "You read them, and yet none of the thrillers are very... they're not usually happy endings, but you don't leave her books feeling icky." – Kennedy (30:32)
• “Every single member of that family should go to jail.” – Kennedy (21:58)

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Intro & Book Club Format (00:12–02:23)
• Overall Ratings and First Impressions (02:26–11:56)
• What Didn’t Work (Dislikes, including 'who did it' theories) (12:01–24:35)
  • Suspects and plot analysis (12:26–19:09)
  • Plot holes/questions on the solution (19:10–22:42)
• What Worked (Likes, emotional beats, pacing, writing) (24:57–33:00)
• Jet’s Medical Dilemma (Surgery vs. 7 days) (31:07–32:45)
• Comparison to Other Holly Jackson Books & Final Thoughts on Readability (35:41–38:47)
• Adaptation/Fan Cast Segment (39:54–47:11)
  • Streaming platform ideas & miniseries pitch (40:10–40:40)
  • Actresses for Jet: Haley Lu Richardson (41:09), Ella Purnell (42:18), Maya Hawke (43:01)
  • Billy: KJ Apa (45:30)
• Next Month’s Book Pick Announcement (47:13–49:08)

Fan Casting — “If It Were a Screen Adaptation...”

• Jet:
  • Primary: Haley Lu Richardson (“White Lotus”) (41:09)
  • Alternate: Ella Purnell (“Yellowjackets”), Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) (42:18, 43:01)
• Billy: KJ Apa (“Riverdale”) for his musician cred and “could be a killer or golden retriever energy” (45:30)
• Format & Platform: Envisioned as a short-run miniseries—1 episode per day—on Netflix or Prime Video.

Closing Thoughts

• Not Quite Dead Yet provides a fast-paced, character-driven twist on the whodunit, but ultimately doesn’t reach the twisty, dark heights fans expect from Holly Jackson.
• The powerful letter-writing at the end and the romance subplot are standouts.
• The book’s identity confusion (YA or Adult) is a recurring gripe, especially when compared to Jackson’s previous work, and the miscast audiobook only amplified this.
• All hosts recommend Holly Jackson’s other books more highly, but still see this as worth reading for die-hard fans—or as a page-turner with a unique premise.

For September, the group has picked Immortal Consequences by Ivy Marie. Listeners are encouraged to join the chat and share their reactions, especially if they felt differently than the hosts about this month's book.

Whether you love, hate, or are just meh on the book, the hosts invite listeners’ thoughts via social or Fable. Tune in next month for more book club chaos!