Twenty-Seven Minutes

by Ashley Tate

AN INSTANT #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE 2025 CRIME WRITERS OF CANADA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR BEST FIRST CRIME NOVEL

"[Ashley Tate] is a writer to watch." —Globe and Mail

In this stunning and propulsive debut, a town grieves the loss of a young girl--but some fight to keep the truth about her death a secret. For fans of Jane Harper, Ashley Flowers and Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.

Welcome to West Wilmer.

Where everyone knows everyone.

And where everyone has a secret.

THE QUESTION No one in the small, claustrophobic town of West Wilmer can forget Phoebe Dean, their sweet, beloved golden girl. It’s been ten years since the car crash that tragically took her life, yet one question Why did it take her brother, Grant, twenty-seven minutes to call for help after the accident?

THE SECRET As the anniversary of Phoebe’s death approaches, Grant is consumed by memories of that night and everything he his future, his reputation, his little sister. And the secret he’s been keeping all these years is threatening to undo him. But he and Phoebe weren’t the only ones in the car that night. Becca was there, too, and she’ll do anything to protect Grant.

THE TRUTH Everyone in West Wilmer remembers Phoebe, but only June Delroy remembers the other person lost that same night. Her brother, Wyatt, disappeared ten years ago, without a trace.

Until someone appears at her door.

Someone who may know where Wyatt went all those years ago.

Someone who knows what really happened that night.

Someone who is ready to tell the truth.

Taking place over three days and culminating in a shocking twist that will leave you breathless, Twenty-Seven Minutes is a gripping story about what happens when grief becomes unbearable, dark secrets are unearthed, and the horrifying truth is revealed.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Adult

Audible Audio

First published January 30, 2024

About the author

Ashley is a Canadian author; Twenty-Seven Minutes is her debut novel.

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-Seven Minutes, what I would classify as a slow-burn Literary Suspense novel, is a debut for author, Ashley Tate.

In this story, we settle into the small town of West Wilmer, where 10-years ago, their local It-Girl, Phoebe Dean was killed in a car accident on the way home from a party.

Her brother, Grant, was the driver that night and for unknown reasons, he waited 27-minutes after the crash before he called 9-1-1.



Yeah, it's suspicious and rumors have swirled for years that the reason he waited so long was that he needed to sober up.

For a multitude of reasons, this tragedy hit the town especially hard. As the 10th-anniversary approaches, a memorial is planned for Phoebe and the town is abuzz again with theories and speculation about that night.

As you can imagine, this causes stress for those closest to the incident. It's like they have to keep repeating the worst night of their life over and over again. Why won't people just let them forget?



This story is told via multiple POVs and a dual timeline, as we follow those most effected by the events of that night.

Basically, if Phoebe's death were a pebble dropped in a pond, we'd be following the ripples closest to impact. And honestly, that's how I thought of this set-up. It worked.



As past and present begin to merge, the truth about that night is finally made clear for the Reader. It's an emotional and angst-filled journey that doesn't rush anything along.

I enjoyed this one. I found it to be well-written and the mystery behind that night, the pace at which all is revealed, I thought was really well done.

I think it is important to keep in mind though, this is a slow burn. If you are looking for a fast-paced Thriller, there may be better options. You have to be comfortable just sitting with characters and getting to know them through their thoughts and reflections.



For me, this was truly a story about surviving grief and trauma. Each journey through that space is going to look different. People deal with such events using the resources available to them, and some fare better than others.

I loved the small town atmosphere; she ran deep. I feel like anyone who grew up in a small town could relate with a lot of the vibes Tate created here.

I also enjoyed all the messy, damaged relationships and characters. I found them interesting and frankly, I don't trust characters who are too perfect. I thought Tate did a great job of blending all of their stories together and pulling off a solid conclusion.



Overall, I think for Readers who really love to sink their teeth into fabulous character work, and they don't need to like those characters, this will be a great read.

As far as this being a debut, I'm impressed. I think Tate brought everything she needed and more to this story. I am really looking forward to getting more from her!



Thank you so much to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

While this wasn't exactly what I expected it to be, I am very pleased with what I got!

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big sigh of relief! I finally finished this long, endlessly repetitive, soap-opera style-drama, go-nowhere lackluster mystery!



You will have to read all those other mind-boggling 5-star reviews for a run down on the (non)action and the plastic characters of this story. I can't summon the energy to do it. I never felt that any of these characters were fully fleshed out, so I couldn't be bothered to care one way or the other what became of them.



The final reveal was a major let-down and anticlimactic to boot. As the police are fond of saying at the site of any traffic accident: nothing to look at here folks. It took me so long to read this book that I often lost track of which character had done what thus far.



My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am totally going against the tide on this one and rating it 2 disappointed stars out of 5.

[Southern Lady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books where I don't see the ending coming. Twenty-Seven Minutes is a great pick for that element of surprise and for almost an uplifting feeling because characters who need to be set free from their oppression get to go on with their lives to be happy.

You can read something so incredibly sad about the tragedies behind small-town living - and believe me, as a Kentucky gal, I've seen too many of those tragedies firsthand - and then be so uplifted when one person makes it through. In this case, the stagnant town of West Wilmer is holding onto the tragic death of Pheobe Dean. One rainy night before she even had a chance to graduate high school, her brother lost control of the car, and the only people still alive to tell the tale were her brother and his secret girlfriend. Fast forward 10 years later, and things still aren't adding up.. but the 10th anniversary of Pheobe's death is coming around the corner... and someone wants those secrets out.

I'm not adding many notes on the genre because I think it will give it away, and I want you to be left with the same feeling I had when I finished!!

After I finished this a few days ago - it put me in such a mood to read thrillers, so I hadn't had a chance to review it yet. Overall - I love a book that has perfectly floppy pages, is an easy read, and keeps you guessing!! If you've loved Stephen King novels but want something a little faster and lighter - Ashley Tate's newest 'Twenty-Seven Minutes' would be an entertaining pick!

↑↑ Update - Finished January 15th, 2024 ↑↑

Starting this today! I just read something incredibly emotional so I need a thriller to balance all that emotion out.

↑↑ Update - Started January 4th, 2024 ↑↑

**Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

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[Lindsay L · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars.

A death in a small town haunts the community a decade later.

I should have DNF’d this but I kept hoping it would come together. My 2 star rating is me being generous as this was more of a 1.5 star reading experience.

There were many issues for me throughout this book, the timeline being my biggest problem. This storyline happens a decade after a tragic death in the community. The conversations and (cheesy) dialogue between the characters happening ten years after the incident didn’t ring true at all. The sudden memories and lingering secretive relationships were eye-rolling. The characters behaviours, decisions and relationships didn’t seem realistic to be happening ten years after the incident. The overall storyline was questionable and filled with plot holes.

I didn’t care for any of the characters. None of them were likeable or root worthy. They seemed very surface level and primary. I was confused between characters multiple times as several of them were similar and not memorable enough to stand out. The overall tone had a soap opera feel. My disconnect from the storyline meant that I was too distanced from the plot to feel any sort of atmosphere.

Overall, this was a huge disappointment. When I posted my initial thoughts and rating on IG, I was overwhelmed with the amount of messages I received agreeing with my rating. I would like to say I’m an outlier with my thoughts, but I don’t think I am…consider this your warning…

Audio rating: 3 stars. The narrators did a good job presenting the story but nothing that stood out or enhanced my reading experience.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy! Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

West Wilmer lost one of its angels ten years ago. One fateful night, teenager Phoebe Dean left a party never to be seen again alive. Suffocating under their grief and regret, her family has fractured and only continued living in theory. Her brother, Grant, in particular, has never been the same since he stood beside his sister’s broken body on the bridge all those years ago. A horrendous car crash that claimed her young life, what ifs run through his mind every hour of every day. After all, he’d been the one driving.

What the town wants to know, however, is why it took Grant a shocking twenty-seven minutes to call for help that tragic rainy night. Ever since, curious rumors and mean-spirited gossip have been whispered into ears and repeated by drunks. Was there more to the story than what Grant said occurred? It’s possible, of course, given that the only reason there was no real investigation was because of Becca. In the wrong place at the wrong time, she was in the backseat of the truck when it happened.

Little does anyone know, however, but someone else who knows what really happened is finally back in town. And the memorial service planned for the tenth anniversary of Phoebe’s death will be the perfect opportunity to settle the score. With a town full of questions and plenty of sorrow, delusion, and remorse swirling in the air, the four people at the center of the event come together to finally hash out the truth. Will the past at long last be set free? Or can those desperate to protect their lies manage to maintain their secretive web?

I am quite literally stunned into silence after finishing Twenty-Seven Minutes. A poignant tale of reverberating loss, deep grief, and unending regret, it also rang throughout with heaps of foreboding. At the same time, however, this was no psychological thriller. Despite a truly shocking twist at the end, this book was instead a superbly drawn drama. And while I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, I wish I’d known ahead of time so that I could’ve adjusted my expectations.

From the get-go, the characters were immaculately described with *chef’s kiss* prose as they led the plot in their search for the truth. Devastated by the events of one night a decade ago, the multiple distinct voices demonstrated personas that showed the various ways a character can be unreliable. Believe me when I say, I didn’t know who to believe and what facts to trust. All of which created a storyline filled to the brim with emotion.

Speaking of that plot, told via multiple POVs in dual timelines, it drew a startlingly clear picture of what could’ve happened that heartbreaking night while also leading me by the nose with multiple red herrings. Just the same, I do have to admit that I figured out the big, huge, whopping twist well ahead of the reveal. After all, the scattered clues provided just enough of a hint that I was able to put the puzzle pieces together.

At the same time, this was most definitely not a thriller or even a very intense novel of suspense. The biggest strengths were down to the well-drawn grief and sorrow expressed within these stunning pages. Don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of dread alongside a bit of impending doom, but even put together the two didn’t add up to a very strong whatdunnit in the end. No, this was instead a beautiful trip into dramatic fiction that held a literary edge.

All in all, this raw exploration of what trauma and secrets can do to a person created a bewitching picture of suffocating sadness. Complete with fully fleshed out individuals who had thick backstories including a town rife with gossip so real that it felt like a character itself, I was utterly captivated. Still, don’t go into this one looking for a thriller, as no matter how hard you search, it’s simply not there. Rating of 4 stars.

Thank you to Ashley Tate, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: January 30, 2024

Trigger warning: death of a parent, hallucinations, gaslighting, stalking, driving under the influence, fatal car accident, cancer, death of a sibling

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten years have passed since Phoebe died in a car crash with her brother Grant behind the wheel. What baffled the investigation, why did Grant call 911 27 minutes after it happened? Becca was in the car with them and injured. She has promised to keep Grant's secret.
As the ten year anniversary and memorial services are to be held, another car crash in the same location occurs stirring up memories and gossip in the small town of West Wilmer. Everyone knows and points, stares and talks in whispers about what happened that night. One person in town, June remembers the night well when her brother vanished. She blames Grant's family because all of the grief went into Phoebe instead of the search in her brother's disappearance.
Dark secrets are revealed and the horrifying truth.
This story shares regrets, loss and how the past can never be changed. As it haunts the small town, the twist will haunt you even more.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐
Genre ~ drama fiction
Setting ~ West Wilmer (maybe in Alabama)
Publication date ~ January 30, 2024
Est page Count ~ 377 (p+ 62 chapters +e)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 51 minutes
Narrator ~ Nikki Thomas
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, dual timeline ~ 10 years later & 10 years ago, flashbacks, short chapters, small town, parental death due to cancer, drunk driving, underage drinking and drug use, secrets, lies

Pheobe was killed in a car crash when she was 17. Her brother, Grant, was behind the wheel.
Becca was in the accident and spent 18 days in the hospital. She sounds super unhinged and delusional in both the present and flashbacks
Siblings June & Wyatt each have things to say about that day.

Although each character is unlikable they were each distinct and it wasn't hard to keep track of the POV's. I can't name one character at all that I liked. Now don't think I am a terrible person here because obviously I don't wish this on anybody, but I couldn't even drum up sympathy for the deceased since it's slowly revealed how crazy she was. The 10 years ago chapters were each told by someone different that was at the party that shed a little light on things, which I liked. The 10 years later chapters only span 3 days, but it felt much longer.

Overall, this was fine as a debut, but it reads like YA to me since the characters still hadn't matured 10 years after the accident. It's definitely suspenseful with it's super slow buildup, since it took ages and ages to get to the meet of the story. I will say I was a little surprised about the twist, so that was nice. I do think this author has potential, so I'll give her next book a go.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference. I do want to add though that I am not sure that the flashbacks would be cohesive. You can tell they are based on the italic font, but I'm not so sure it would be easy to figure out. I'm not talking about the 10 years ago chapters, but flashbacks within the now.

*Thanks to the author, Poisoned Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written, psychological thriller which is told in two time-lines by multiple narrators. It is a fast paced and suspenseful novel, which is focused on the secrets and mystery surrounding a small town tragedy. Its conclusion is gratifying and surprising!
Many thanks to Ms. Ashley Tate, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley who provided me with an ARC of this novel. This is my honest opinion.

[Deeksha Bhardwaj · Rating 2 out of 5]

“𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝; 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐥 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞—𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧.”

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛
Twenty-seven minutes follows the death of Phoebe Dean. For the past ten years, the town has grieved the death of Phoebe but there is only one question that needs to be answered.. “why did it take Grant Dean twenty-seven minutes to call for help?”

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
See this started out good and the prologue was intense and grotesque, and I loved the vivid images of death and gore it made me see.

It was a pretty fast-paced book with a captivating plot and writing that keeps you hooked. This was the reason I couldn’t DNF it because the curiosity was still intact even though nothing was happening..

With multiple POVs, it took me a while just to get to know different characters. The plot gave each and every single character a back story, grief and trauma that made things very complicated and profound.

There were timeline jumps to fill in the gaps, which didn’t bother me. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝-𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡! How come nothing happens for the whole 90% of the book and in the last 10% only one thing happens?

Even though that twist at the end was unpredictable and amazing, I had lost the zeal for anything at that point. So it was not that impactful but it was well-thought and unpredictable, at least by me!

And the plot was very grief heavy! Each character was dealing with grief and trauma, and the instances were very well-written, and for that, I want to applaud the author.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
Overall, even though the plot was captivating, the end was unpredictable and the characters were written with depth, the slow build-up of suspense dragged the story and nothing happens till the very end.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫, 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞-𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

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[Mandy White (mandylovestoread)]

Unfortunately this is a DNF for me. The opening chapter was great and I was excited for more. After that we meet a whole group of highly unlikeable people who are all very self obsessed. It was slow and not really going anywhere. I find myself not caring and that is when I need to stop reading.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. Too YA feeling for me.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Tate, and Penguin Random House Canada, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always up for a great thriller, I turned to this piece by Ashley Tate. With a story that spans three days in the narrative, Tate tells the story of a young man who waited a baffling about of time before calling the authorities, as his sister lay dying. As the story gains momentum, the reader learns more of the dark secrets that surround that night, as well as the decade’s worth of guilt that has haunted one man. Tate offers up a twist in the closing pages, when things finally come together for all.

It has been a decade and the small community of West Wilmer still ponders how Grant Dean could have waited an excruciating twenty-seven minutes to call for emergency assistance while his sister, Phoebe, lay dying. The car accident that took Phoebe was significant, but with no injuries of his own, Grant could easily have helped his sister. He did nothing and has held onto the reason for all this time.

As the ten year anniversary approaches, Grant is subsumed with guilt and memories about that night and his little sister. He knows that the secret that he kept will soon take him over, but it is too crippling to share it with others. He struggles, but knows that he cannot keep it to himself for too much longer. There was another passenger there that night and Becca knows what really happened. Will she keep the secret or tell the truth when asked?

While she was not there, June also remembers that Becca was in the car with Phoebe and Dean. Everyone remembers the tragedy that befell Phoebe, but June’s own brother, Wyatt, also went missing around that time. Now, alone and with no family to console her, she is thinking that she ought to reveal what she knows, if only to shed light on the truth as the anniversary approaching. Told over three days, with great flashbacks, Tate tells this story and ends with an impactful twist that no reader could have seen coming.

Ashley Tate does a great job at developing a strong story, filled with twists and just enough secrets to keep the reader intrigued. With strong characters and a number of keen perspectives, the story advances and develops with ease, without getting too bogged down in minutiae. The struggles of Deran, June, and even Becca come to life in this piece, which pushes the limits and keeps the reader fully involved.

The reader is left to grasp for any shed of evidence they can in this thriller, but ends up at the whim of a great writer and the narrative that guides them along through a number of red herrings. Tate keeps things on point and I could not have asked for more. I hope to return for another Ashley Tate adventure soon.

Kudos, Madam Tate, for providing me with a great story and a wonderful twist at the end.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Amina · Rating 2 out of 5]

✰ 2.25 stars ✰

​ “But the truth, it will come out. Nothing can keep the truth buried; it will always unfurl itself, lay itself bare. It is unstoppable—like the tide, or a storm, or a ghost.

It will hunt you down.​”

It may have taken Grant Twenty-Seven Minutes to call the ambulance to save his younger sister, Phoebe, after a near-fatal car accident, but it was a decision that left a heavy toll on his heart and on the ones who were there in that horrific tragedy. As the ten-year anniversary of her death approaches, tensions escalate as the ones closest to the tragic accident slowly start to fall apart, as secrets and truths start to surface over what really happened that fateful day on the bridge.

​“Not with the memorial hanging over everyone so they clung to it, wrapped themselves in that old grief, obsessing over it again.

Everything felt just like it had a decade ago— except she had lost so much more since then.”

While I was a bit annoyed by all the characters' behaviors, I think the author did a decent job of portraying just how unlikable everyone was. It was odd to see how this small town was still so grief-stricken and overcome with questions about what really happened to Phoebe - the star student that everyone placed their hopes as the one who would finally have a future away from this small town of theirs. 'How could you narrow down just one special memory of the town’s sparkling fucking treasure?' But, as the various perspectives are shown, I got the sense that there was a hidden meaning to how they were behaving - a cover up of guilt or madness, or even sorrow that was not yet fully addressed by any one of them. 🥺 All those heightened feelings escalated in a certain rushed madness that had to come out before it consumed them all.

There was no real semblance of truth, which kept me invested in knowing what the actual truth was. I didn't really empathize or sympathize with any of the characters. There was some deeper intent towards why the author wished to convey about their respective personalities, and as the story escalated, it slowly became clear. 'Ten years was a lifetime to be gone from a place.' 😟 The fact that each of them had their own tragic troubled pasts, it then does seem only fair in an a sense, that none of them moved on from their seventeen-year-old selves, stuck in this ever-lingering limbo of despair and grief and guilt that threatens to consume them completely until some light is shed on what really happened in those twenty-seven minutes? They were not exactly friends, but then again, the inclusion of how unsettling their own lives were made it more apparent that these people were truly capable of anything and would do anything to fit their own personal gain - no matter the cost.

“How far would Phoebe have gone for her brother? How far would Becca and Grant have gone to protect themselves from her?

And then Wyatt’s voice in her ear: See, Juney, that’s the thing about lies. They’re like string—once they start unraveling, you’re fucked.”

The novel was a bit more lengthy than what should have been a necessary amount, and I found myself having to push myself to read till the end; there was just so much negativity and repressed hatred within this tight-knit and rather closed-off community that I couldn't understand why there was just this general disdain and vitriolic temperament against everyone. So much lingering doubt and hurtful spiteful comments aimed at one another that seemed to exist even before Phoebe's unfortunate death. 😥 But, I think it was necessary for the author to examine all aspects of how the unbearable weight of truth can shake everyone's center - especially, when its one that is already in such a precarious state. At times, I thought the story would head in one direction, but then something else would happen that would derail my own rational thought. I did like the steady build up to the climatic reveal, but it just felt like such a push to get to it that I couldn't feel that emotional hit when it finally came. 😮‍💨

Far too many inconsistent flashbacks and a countdown that didn't quite feel necessary made it harder for me to keep track of everything - especially when the flashbacks would come in between a present time frame. What's the point of ten years ago, if its not going to fulfill its purpose. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But, in hindsight, this story depicted the dark side of grief and how trauma can lead to disillusions of the truth and cause one to seek out any possible means to regain some control of their conscience thought. It makes one do some questionable actions and doubt your own mind frame; add to the mystery of what really was the truth made for an interesting read, for sure - just not a very favorable one. 😔

[Sarah (berriesandbooks) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was going to give this two stars, but that insinuates I found something about it redeemable, when it was awful from start to finish.

Phoebe died ten years ago in a tragic car accident. She might have been saved, but her brother Grant waited twenty-seven minutes to call an ambulance, and no one knows why. We follow Grant’s POV, along with three other characters who have a connection to the awful accident.

Four POVS was too much, especially since they were all awful and boring. None of them had a distinct voice, and they all were so flavorless. The only character who sparked any emotion was Becca, and that’s just cause of how annoying she was. Even then, I didn’t care what happened to her; at least her chapters made me feel something.

Nothing happens until the last 10%. The whole book is just our characters going “No one can know what happened!” Okay, but you have to give me something to keep me reading. Whether it’s strong characters, or small clues along the way, if you leave the whole mystery for the last 10% I will feel cheated. By that point, I didn’t even care what happened, I just wanted the book to be over. The big reveal? I guessed it within the first quarter, so that was even worse.

Mysteries don’t have to be insanely clever or outside of the box to be entertaining. Figuring out what happened before the characters do is half the fun. Yet, when all of the characters are insufferable, and nothing about the book is entertaining, there should at least be a good ending to make up for it.

I wouldn’t recommend this.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[John (LHBC) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow ascent, suspenseful twists, and a sudden drop…

Book Information

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate is a 336-page mystery/thriller that is due to be published on January 30, 2024. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book for review.

Summary

In the past decade, the tight-knit town of West Wilmer has grappled with the mystery surrounding Grant Dean's delayed call for help on the tragic night his sister, Phoebe, lost her life in a car accident. As the anniversary approaches, Grant, haunted by memories and a hidden secret, faces the weight of what he lost that night. Unbeknownst to many, Becca, a witness to the accident, is willing to go to great lengths to help Grant protect his concealed truth.

While Phoebe's memory looms large in West Wilmer, only June remembers the other tragedy from that night—the disappearance of her brother, Wyatt. Now, alone and without family or friends, June's world is shaken when someone arrives at her door, holding the key to Wyatt's whereabouts and the real events that unfolded on the bridge. A revelation is on the horizon, and the truth is poised to finally emerge.

My Thoughts

"Twenty-Seven Minutes" by Ashley Tate is a suspenseful thriller that kicks off with a gripping and shocking opening scene. However, as the narrative progresses, the pacing slows down considerably, with the next 80% primarily focused on suspense building. The story unfolds through multiple points of view, providing insights from the main characters and spanning two timelines.

One notable aspect is the abundance of characters, occasionally posing a challenge for readers to keep track of the various relationships and individuals. Despite this, the primary characters are fairly well-developed, contributing depth to the narrative.

A significant drawback for me was the lack of likable characters, as most of them come across as dark and unrelatable. The inclusion of a character with apparent psychological issues raises concerns, as the portrayal of mental health challenges without proper resolution helps to perpetuate stigmas.

I figured out the pending big twist at around the 60% mark. However, we don’t reach resolution until it unfolds abruptly in the final pages, marking a stark contrast to the extensive 350 pages of buildup. It seemed like a very long way to go to get to what is a substantial surprise if you haven’t figured it out, but a few pages of surprise may not satisfy some readers based on the investment.

Recommendation

"Twenty-Seven Minutes" delivers an intense opening and a well-developed set of primary characters, but its slow-paced progression and an abundance of dark and unrelatable personalities may deter some readers. While the big twist introduces a compelling element, the abrupt resolution in the final pages may leave others yearning for a more satisfying conclusion. Overall, it's a book for those who appreciate prolonged suspense and are willing to navigate a complex web of characters.

Rating

3 Small Town Stars

[Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like every chapter in this book was trying so very hard to be SHOCKING and SUSPENSEFUL and INTRIGUING that the overall plot just got lost. The concept wasn’t overly original, and the characters were nothing special. Everything about this book was just fine, but that’s it. Fine. I wasn’t a fan of the reveal at the end, it seemed very anticlimactic to me and was quite a let down. Overall, the book was okay, but it wouldn’t be one I’d say you must read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC.

[Kimberly R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoebe died in a car crash 10 years ago with her brother Grant at the wheel and friend Becca in the back seat. 10 years later the families are just as dysfunctional as ever and a memorial ceremony is going to be held. Not everyone believes it was an accident and secrets and lies are revealed.
This was a very good story that I finished quickly. I hope to read more by this author. Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC that will be published January 30, 2024!

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely transfixed by TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES, a taut, raw, powerful suspense that centers around a decade-old tragedy that's traumatized a community. Every character carries both a darkness and moments of goodness inside them as each grapples with their own memories and secrets of the night that took one of their own. Ashley Tate has written a masterful collision course of pain, sorrow, and grief that sliced open my veins and tore out my heart.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ten years ago, the small town of West Wilmer woke to the news of a terrible car accident involving three teenagers that left young Phoebe Dean dead. It was also the night that young Wyatt Delroy left home, never to return.

Now as the town gathers for the ten year memorial, the story shows that for Grant Dean and June Delroy the absence of their siblings has left them locked in one place. For fellow classmate Becca, who was in the Dean vehicle that tragic night, it has left her a victim of the memories that she can not seem to recall. What really happened that night?

One thing is for sure, the memorial is only days away and someone is looking at the town of West Wilmer with a promise that all secrets will finally be revealed.


What I liked...

-There was a very claustrophobic atmosphere surrounding this novel and I felt that I was as confined to the going ons of this town as the characters were.

-The in-between italic texts that gave readers a play by play in-between the switching povs of Phoebe's last days before the accident.

- Incredible Foreshadowing... I had a feeling as we were climbing to the climax what would be revealed. Yet, Ashley Tate managed to give me a few " oh, I didn't really see that coming."

- June Delroy was the most compelling of the characters. My heart ached for her the most. I credit the author's development of her story for these feelings. On the other hand, Grant and Becca- drove me to madness. I feel like both were true villains in this story that had been painted for too long as victims. However, I credit the author's development of their stories for these feelings.

What I didn't like

- The whole time I was reading, I felt the author was circling around the revelations and I did have this ache to just know what it was.

- The ending was bitter sweet. I craved some hope for the town and for the characters that needed it.

- I had a few questions that I have lingering and it really ticks me off when things are open ended like that.


Would I read more from Ashley Tate? Absolutely!


Publication Date 23/01/24
Goodreads Review 23/02/24

[✨️ Jessica's Bookshelf ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a dark but wild ride but this surpassed my expectations. This book comes out January of 2024. Thanks to netgalley ancPoison pen press for the ARC. This was a slow but steady slow burn. Twenty seven minutes is a told in dual timelinesabout a town tragedy that has consumed it while searching for the truth about a teenagers death. Everything about this books story line had me intrigued.

[AndiReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entire town obsessed with the death of their most promising high school senior....Phoebe's death rocked the town to it's core. There have always been mysterious circumstances surrounding it - from the illegal teen party, to the amount of time it seems that it took her brother to call the ambulance that may have saved her. At the ten year mark, a celebration and remembrance is planned. Those who have kept secrets from the night become more and more agitated and those that are searching for answers may not like what they find!

Great. plot and pace, I was truly surprised by the ending and you will be too! If you like your thrillers thrilling, your suspense taunt and are ready to read the next best writer in the genre, Twenty-Seven Minutes is for you!
—Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push


#AshelyTate #TwentySevenMinutes #poisonedpenpress

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This debut novel tells the story about Phoebe, a teenage girl in a small town who died in a car crash ten years ago and the impact her death had on her brother and their friends. There has always been speculation about what caused the crash and why it took her brother, the driver of the car, 27 minutes to call the ambulance. The upcoming ten-year anniversary of Phoebe’s death revives speculation as to what exactly happened that night.

The story is told from multiple points of view and alternates between the past and present. The novel starts of with a powerful scene but then turns into a slow-paced mystery. It is a dark read with the largely unlikeable, troubled characters dealing with grief and trauma, secrets, manipulation and lies. In fact, a large part of the story focuses on the impact of Phoebe’s death on the characters and on their unraveling due to their grief - this unraveling is well described. The unfolding of the mystery of what happened that night occurs near the end of the book and there is a good, unexpected twist; however, there was too much of a slow build throughout the novel for me. Fans of dark, character-driven slow-burn mysteries should check this one out.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the night of a drunken high school party, Phoebe Dean died in an accident on a bridge in her small town. Her brother, Grant, was driving, and their friend Becca was also in the truck. Grant and Becca lived, but were both badly injured, emotionally and physically. Becca can’t remember much about the crash, but Grant explained how he hit a deer and swerved into the guardrail. He did wait twenty-seven minutes to call for help though…what was that about?

Ten years later, a woman in her 90s also crashed and died on the bridge, and now the town is debating whether to take it down. Most people in town would like to see it disappear, but there are a few people who would be devastated if the bridge was removed - for a variety of reasons. As all this is happening, a memorial is scheduled to honor the ten-year anniversary of Phoebe’s passing, and emotions are running high in this little community.

This book has relatively low ratings, and I think I may know why. This started as a straight mystery book, but ended almost as a horror novel would. I like horror more than mystery, so I enjoyed the ending much more than the slow beginning, but I can see how it might throw off people who don’t like that genre. When you think you’re reading a pretty straightforward book, then it leans into horror or fantasy, sometimes the cohesiveness of the story is lost. I think that may have been the case with this one.

Overall, I do think this is a decent book, it’s just not one I’d read again. There were a couple of really good shocks, the writing was good, and I liked watching the troubled characters’ layers peeling away as the story went on. For a debut that tackled some hard subjects, I think the author did just fine and I’m interested in seeing what their next book will bring! 3.5 stars.

(Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Ashley Tate and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 30, 2024.)

[Sue Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller reminded me so much of Agatha Christie's books where the focus is on the characters and their inner struggles and demons until you come to the big reveal and everything makes sense.

There are many things I loved about this book, but the most I enjoyed is the fact that I did not see the twist coming!

a rarity that happens when I read mystery books lately. I usually am able to predict the ending halfway through

The other thing I loved about this story is the fact that I DID NOT LIKE one single character. They were written in a way that showed how dark and unrelatable they were. You do not root for anyone to be innocent.

10 years ago, young Phoebe Dean died in a tragic accident. Her brother Grant, who was driving, waited 27 minutes before calling for help! Why? We follow the POV of four people who are somewhat connected to this mystery, Grant (the brother), Becca (his secret girlfriend), Wyatt (the runaway who comes back), and June (Wyatt's sister). The book delves into each person's inner thoughts to see how this tragedy affected them. So mainly this was more a Character-based mystery than plot. We are not supposed I guess to feel satisfied and have a closer once everything is revealed but more understand the "Why" did they act like that.

While reading, I kept asking myself, why did they, especially Grant, stay in the wretched town after the accident when everyone was suspicious of their involvement? But the ending explains a lot!

The story explores the deep dark side of the human psyche and delusion and how jealousy can fester inside oneself to the point of destruction.
I wish I could write more about this, but I would spoil a lot of the book. So better read it and enjoy the depravity of these characters.

a thank you to NetGalley and the author for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own of course.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What really happened the night of the accident ten years ago?

Why didn't Grant call the ambulance immediately instead of waiting twenty-seven minutes to call for help.

It has been ten years and those people that know what happened have been struggling with the truth they didn't make known all of these years.

Now that they are going to have a memorial service for Phoebe, Grant's sister, will the truth come out?

Why do they need this memorial when another person just got killed on that same bridge, and talk of tearing it down are in the works?

And what about the disappearance of Wyatt on the same night? Had he been involved?

TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES goes back and forth in time telling events and life situations from ten years ago and present day.

The book took a while to catch my interest, and the odd characters were none that I could warm up to or sympathize with, but it does get better so don't give up.

There is a surprise ending. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy publication day!

This one was a little disappointing. The plot was messy. The author attempted multiple different character perspectives and time frames from 10 years ago to present.

No matter the messiness, I persisted hoping that the inevitable plot twist would be worth it. I’m not sure it was.

Grant and his younger sister, Phoebe, are in a horrible car accident. This accident ends in her death. Questions arise on whether or not that should’ve been the case. Grant survived and there are twenty seven minutes unaccounted for before he called authorities. She could have lived. What really happened?

As the lives of the persons involved are unspooled ten years later, the reader learns that there was a lot more going on than meets the eye.

This novel was entertaining at times, frustrating at others. All of these people weren’t very likable and were descending into madness. It might be foolish of me, but all of this happening ten years later seemed a little irrational. I feel like things should have hit the fan the way that they did a lot sooner.

I was originally going to give it a solid three stars, but after consideration, I’m not sure I would recommend it to others. I’m going down to 2.5 stars rounded up.

A great thank you goes out to Ashley Tate, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penso che mi sia capitato rare volte che un libro mi lasciasse senza parole e mi trasmettesse i brividi ma solo una volta giunta alle ultime pagine. Per tutto il libro la ridondanza degli eventi, ma soprattutto il continuo cambio di pov, mi hanno confusa parecchio e a tratti annoiata. Una volta che la storia é avanzata al punto da essere alle battute finali mi sono sentita risucchiata come dentro un vortice! I brividi che ho provato una volta realizzata la verità e quello che era accaduto e che stava accadendo. Le quattro stelle meritate solo per il gran finale.

[donna backshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried. Really, I did.

There may be decent fiction story in there, but it was all jumbled up in people, places, and times that took forever to gel.

We aren't introduced to the main characters in a way that makes us care about them, and we find that most of them are unlikeable at their core anyway. The big mystery wasn't all that, certainly nothing compelling. As the truth of what happened unfolded, I wasn't even a little excited to find out.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Jan. 30, 2024

“Twenty-Seven Minutes” is the debut novel by Canadian author Ashley Tate that asks the question- how far would you go to be seen?

Ten years ago, brilliant and beautiful high school student Phoebe Dean was killed when a car, driven by her brother Grant, went off a bridge in their small town of West Wilmer. Even now, the entire county is still grieving the loss, especially Grant. At the time, rumours and speculation flew- why did Grant wait twenty-seven minutes before calling the police? But Grant isn’t the only one keeping secrets about that night and as the ten-year celebration comes closer, the whole town is on edge, desperate for answers.

“Minutes” is tense and suspenseful, full of unexpected twists and turns. Narrated by various characters who played important roles on the night of the accident (Grant, Becca, Grant’s girlfriend and June and Wyatt Delroy, the local troublemaker and his sister) the story is told over the three days leading up to the ten-year memorial. Of course, each narrator shares their various flashbacks and memories as well, helping the reader piece together what really happened on that night, through a slow and careful reveal.

The story’s main theme is the devastating impact of tragic loss, not just on family and friends but an entire community. Secondary to that is the struggle many of the characters suffer just to be seen, to be acknowledged, heard and understood by someone and made to feel their thoughts and feelings matter. Although there is no doubt this novel belongs to the suspense genre, there are emotional elements to “Minutes” as well that add an extra layer of depth to the plot and contribute to building character rapport.

There were a few plot points that were predictable and easy to guess, but Tate manages to throw a few surprises in the mix, including some paranormal elements that were both unexpected and chilling. The story flows well and the plot caught my attention right from page one. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s and Tate shows burgeoning skill in her ability to tie everything together in a conclusive way.

“Twenty-Seven Minutes” is a debut that shouldn’t be missed, and I anticipate the next work by Tate.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the decennial of Phoebe’s death in an auto accident approaches and a memorial is planned, the main characters from that fateful night converge to reveal what really happened and why it took her brother, who was driving, twenty seven minutes to call 911. Phoebe was seen as the perfect child by her mother and community. Her brother, not so much. That fateful night had devastating affects on her family and Becca, who was also in the car. Far reaching, it also
touched others including Wyatt who disappeared that night and his family.

This almost reads like a YA novel, but it is far too dark to be anything other than an adult read. I found the characters to be unlikable and could not engage with the story. The narrative seemed to go on and on in a mosaic of obsession, guilt, and grief. I did like the different POVs, but the characters were all such sad people. Curiosity about the real events of that night ten years ago will keep readers hooked.

There are others who will really like this book, but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to #netgalley and #poisonedpenpress for the ARC

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my advanced copy and the chance to review it honestly.

I received Twenty-Seven Minutes as an ARC through NetGalley. I really wanted to love this book but it fell on the average part of the scale for me. Maybe it was just my mood but it felt repetitive and a tad bit long winded for me. What I did enjoy was that it was entertaining enough for me to want to finish the book and I would definitely give this author’s next book a chance. I am also happy with the way the book ended. I’d recommend this book if you like slow burn thrillers. The good stuff mainly happens at the end but it’s the first chapter that really hooks ya!

Happy reading!