#Review - Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich #Thrillers #Suspense

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: March 8, 2022
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Thrillers & Suspense

Summer in Ferry, Connecticut, has always meant long, lazy days at the beach and wild nights partying in the abandoned mansions on the edge of town. Until now, that is.
 
Natalie Temple, who’s never been one for beaches or parties in the first place, is reeling from the murder of her favorite teacher, and there’s no way this true-crime-obsessed girl is going to sit back and let the rumor mill churn out lie after lie—even if she has to hide her investigation from her disapproving mom and team up with the new boy in town…
 
But the more Natalie uncovers, the more she realizes some secrets were never meant to be told.

Brenna Ehrlich's Killing Time follows a true-crime obsessed teenager who sets out to uncover a killer when her favorite teacher is murdered. With a dual POV that sends the reader back twenty years, this engrossing and twisty thriller is perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Karen McManus. The story takes place in Ferry, Connecticut, and Evanston, Illinois. 18 year old Natalie Temple is a lover of anything true crime who just graduated from High School. Thanks to Mrs Halsey, Natalie and her best friend Katie joined her High School's the true crime club.

 

After her mother found out about the club, Natalie and Katie decided to create a podcast called Killing Time about true crime and murders. When her favorite teacher is murdered, Natalie races to find out what really happened and to feature it on her podcast. But when she finds a warning not telling her to stay out, the mystery grows even more. She won't let false information spread about someone she cared about. Natalie must hide her investigating ways from her mom as she doesn't approve of her daughter's fascination in true-crime. 

 

When her teachers husband is found murdered as well, Natalie finds herself in a similiar situation to her own mother 20 year earlier. Helen Temple, Natalie's mother, was in her freshman year at college when a fellow student disappeared without a trace. Helen is told that if she wants to be involved, then she needs to start asking questions of the family. 

 

The flashbacks give readers reasons why Helen is so protective of Natalie, and why she choose to return home and open up her own business in order to support Natalie when she goes off to college. Both Natalie and Helen make mistakes that could easily be avoided, but that also made them seem realistic. One of the biggest mistakes on both of their parts was lack of communication and respect. I think had Helen sat down and explained to Helen what happened 20 years ago, things might have been easier for Natalie. There are poor decisions and immature actions abound in this novel. Natalie’s best friend Katie Lugo is a brilliant character who is heading off to M.I.T. in the fall. Katie ends up coming up with a brilliant idea that wraps the book up nicely.

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