Most Likely to Murder

by Lish McBride

Yearbook superlatives turn deadly in this darkly funny young adult thriller.

The rumor mill has never been kind to Meadowvale High seniors and best friends Rick and Martina, labeling them outcasts (sure), stoners (no comment), and pranksters (okay, this one’s fair). But for the most part, they have successfully flown under the radar.

That is, until they’re targeted in a prank that replaces yearbook superlatives with grisly forecasts of student and faculty deaths. Sure, Rick and Martina were never going to be voted Most Likely to Succeed . . . but Homecoming’s Cutest Corpses? Thanks for the cute, no thanks on the corpse.

At first, the senior class is annoyed by the prank. But when the body of Mr. Stephens, Most Likely to Sleep with the Fishes, is dredged from the bottom of a lake, suspicions arise that something truly sinister is going on. And as more people turn up dead in the exact ways the yearbook promised, it becomes clear someone’s killing off the student body one page at a time.

Now Rick and Martina must find the yearbook killer before their vicious superlative comes true. So much for surviving high school without drawing attention. Now Rick and Martina just want to survive.

For fans of Holly Jackson, Karen M. McManus, and Danielle Valentine!

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Fiction, High School, Suspense

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Lish McBride is the author of funny and creepy Young Adult books such as Hold Me Closer, Necromancer; Necromancing the Stone; Firebug; and Pyromantic. She has published short stories in the Normal School, Tor.com, and the anthologies Cornered, What to Read in the Rain, Freaks & Other Family, and Kisses & Curses. She got her BFA in creative writing from Seattle University and her MFA from University of New Orleans. Lish is also currently a bookseller and event host at Third Place Books, a giant thriving indie bookstore just outside of Seattle. Her first book, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults title, Morris Award finalist, and won the Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award. While she has no long term goals for world domination, she would like her own castle.


http://us.macmillan.com/author/lishmc...

Reviews

[Sharon Anastasya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder mystery with a side of sass? Absolutely yes. This book had me grinning one moment and trying to piece together clues the next. The characters are delightfully quirky, the dialogue is snappy, and the mystery keeps you guessing without ever feeling too heavy or dark.

It’s fast-paced, funny, and full of charm, the kind of story that makes you want to keep flipping pages just to see what ridiculous or shocking thing will happen next. Perfect if you like your mysteries with plenty of humor and personality mixed in.

[MissAllieReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

”The days ticked on. Things went back to normal. The fear, the horror of it all, started to ebb away. No one can stay on alert forever.”

I had difficulties reading and I usually enjoy books like this. I loved the characters but had a hard time connecting with them.

I was invested to figure out who could the killer be.
Did I know who the killer was? No, but it also wasn’t surprising because I expected it to kinda relate towards that ending.

Thank you to Lish McBride, Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

[luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC!

The cover and the premise are very Karen M. McManus. That made me want to read it immediately. And I'm so glad I did! If you're a fan of One of Us is Lying and McManus' other books, pick this up immediately!

The story is fast-paced, funny and interesting. The premise is really good, kudos to Lish McBride's son for thinking of it lol. The writing is good, easy, and kept me hooked. Rick and Martina's friendship is adorable and so so special. I'm obsessed with how they're always so casually affectionate with each other; they're always touching and I feel like it's really important to showcase that physical touch can be platonic and can be such an important part of friendship. They ground each other, they push each other forward, they keep each other sane. Their friendship (and their families' friendship!) is definitely a high point of the story. The romance is also on point, super sweet and genuine, but the friendship!!!

One thing that really made me chuckle was how in the loop the adults were! They always know what's going on, even if it's scary and creepy. It's a big change from whatever else I've seen of the genre (YA mystery); usually the kids always do everything they can so the adults won't know anything about what they have going on. Also, the way the scenes roll out... everything is so cinematic! It plays out the way an episode of Criminal Minds or Bones would go lol, it was a nice touch! And Rick's dreams are so creepy, so vivid, so interesting and well written.

I did guess the next targets, like, who would be next on the hit list, but I don't see it as a bad thing. Honestly, it was really fun like "There it is! Called it!". The big, final reveal though... I had absolutely no idea, it took me completely by surprise. And it made sense, like... I had a suspect in mind, but it seemed too obvious, then turns out I was wrong, but not really.

One thing that did bother me was how little we get of Martina's voice. The POV is mostly always Rick... because there are other POVs here and there, and because of how close they are, I expected Martina to have as many as Rick had. Unfortunately, that is not the case. However, Rick is a good main character and it's really interesting to be inside his head. He's so oblivious, and he loves Martina and his family so much. That said, I wish Martina was more of a main character. Also, one of Martina's POVs (finally! I thought) near the end is... underwhelming (oh, no! I thought). Things are starting to Happen with a capital H, and I expected some deep, on-the-edge-of-my-seat tension, however, things felt a bit flat... even the romantic parts don't feel as deep as Rick's, for example. It feels rushed. His scenes, the creepy ones and the romantic ones, are intense! But Martina's just isn't the same. I feel like there was space and opportunity to delve into her more that's kind of wasted. Made me a bit sad because she is very interesting and sweet.

The ending is chilling. I had a huge smile on my face and then... oh no. Damn. Very Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus. If you've read it, you'll know. I'll definitely be reading more of this author.

[Sue Miz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think something is wrong with me because why did I enjoy the death scenes of teenagers????



seriously! Those chapters were the best thing about the book, and I wanted all the characters to die so I could read the masterful writing the author has described their moment of death.

So thank you to Netgalley, the author Lish McBride, and the publication company for this eARC.

I also think that one more tag should be added, which is romance, cause the cute courting between Rick and Nika is what I wish to read in every YA Romance, even though this is a crime thriller

So imagine this:
You get your yearbook, but instead of the "most likely to get famous" or "most likely to get married first", you see a death sentence under your name: "most likely to sleep with the fishes"
Then, people are murdered according to their "most likely..." and the yearbook becomes a murder list.
Who is doing this? why are they targeting these teenagers?

⚜ rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟
⚜Genre: Thriller
⚜Theme: YA Romantic Crime Thriller
⚜Targeted audience: 15+
⚜Characters: Rick - Martina - Nika - the yearbook club
⚜Representation: LGBTQ+, Mental Disorder, POC
⚜ driven: Plot driven
⚜Pace: Medium
⚜TW: child abandonment, mental abuse, violence, murder
⚜ POV: multiple third person, mostly Rick
⚜standalone: yes
⚜Ending: resolved (but that epilogue is something else)
⚜Book read: eARC

What I liked

The mystery stays until the big reveal. There are no clear clues given as to who is committing the crimes
The tight friendship relationship between Rick and Martina is a breath of fresh air. I love seeing platonic friendship in books.
The side romance between Rick and Nika was so cute
The juxtaposition of the parent figures
The masterful chapters of the death scenes were truly interesting.

What I didn't like

The lack of clues: usually in thrillers, when the big reveal happens, you go "oh I should have seen this coming because of this and that". We do not get that here.

As much as I loved the romance, I thought it overshadowed the main theme of the thriller

It was still a very enjoyable read

[tiana ♡]

pre-read notes:

I got the ARC for this book! 🩵 excited to see what this mystery/thriller has to offer 👀💫
As always, manifesting a good book! ✨ it’ll be my first book by this author 🌤️

[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.5
Thanks to the G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and Penguin Teens for this early copy

Most Likely to Murder is marketed as a darkly kinda funny YA thriller.  Rick and Martina are best friends and outcasts at school. They have a story of pranking (sometimes taking it that far). So when the senior yearbook gets hacked, the usual superlatives are replaced with creepy death predictions. Naturally, Rick and Martina were initially the prime suspects in the students' eyes, at least until those predictions started to come true.

The story is fresh, and teenage chaos was fun to read. I loved the added touch of family involvement, which made the characters feel grounded and real. Dynamics among all characters, both adults and teenagers, were so natural and fun to read. I rarely say this, but the character development carried this book rather than the story. Rick and Martina’s friendship stood out to me, full of sarcasm, loyalty, and care. Their banter made even a dark situation better. Rick and Nika's romance was slow-burning (One in YA books is so rare nowadays), and they were awkward, which made them teenagers and real.

The story seemed like just going on without much development, then everything started to happen at the end. Killer was entirely unpredictable, which, surprisingly, wasn't a positive thing here. The killer’s motive didn’t completely click for me. I wanted proper reasons and clues throughout the book to make sense of it. The suspense builds nicely, but toward a lackluster ending.

Overall, I'd recommend it if you like teen drama with some mystery.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one because I absolutely positively was obsessed with Red in Tooth and Claw and it’s one of my most favorite YA books ever.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t grab me like that one did. The beginning was so slow and I feel like the main characters were meh. Once the murders started happening, things picked up, but overall it ended up feeling kind of rushed at the end and there were no clues about who the murderer was so the ending seems to come out of left field.

[Rebeccah Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

All opinions are my own! Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC!

Martina and Rick are in no way popular; the best friends have managed to skate through school mostly under the radar. They are, however, known for their pranks. So when someone messes with the yearbook, all eyes go to them.

Certain yearbook superlatives have been changed, now foretelling the ways certain classmates will die. “Most Likely to Die Poisoned by School Spirit”, “Head-less of the Class”. The best friends swear they had nothing to do with it. Especially when they see they were chosen as “Homecoming’s Cutest Corpses”.

What seemed like a joke becomes all too real when the singular staff member nominated dies in the same way the yearbook stated (“Most Likely to Sleep with the Fishes”).

Rick and Martina (along with their fellow nominees) are determined to find the identity of the killer and keep everyone alive. But as the other students start dying in the ways it was written, they find themselves racing against the clock to prevent their own superlative from coming true. Suddenly, surviving high school just got ten times harder.

I enjoyed this book a lot! The blurb does suggest that fans of Karen M. McManus would enjoy this, and I agree! It was a fun thriller that definitely gave me similar energy to a few of McManus’ books!

The yearbook being the catalyst and set up was unique, and I actually quite enjoyed it. It’s something we see in many a YA novel, but being used in a sinister way was definitely a nice choice!

I really loved the way Rick and Martina were written, though I’ll admit I would have rather had a dual POV than just having Rick.

They do feature chapters that give a third person “fly on the wall” perspective of the victims as they meet their ends, which I also enjoyed a lot. It was very fun to determine how, exactly, the superlatives would be used in certain cases, as some of them were a bit broader than others.

I loved the adults in this novel too! In many YA thrillers, the adults are not very helpful or basically absent, but not in this one! I loved that especially Rick and Martina’s families played such significant roles and did their best to help as much as they could.

I will say the twist at the end absolutely floored me, and I was definitely not expecting it! It was a really great twist, and McBride did a great job of not giving it away, and allowing the twist to be a complete surprise.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Do I recommend it to anyone who loves a YA thriller? Definitely.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. Pains me to say but DNF at just about 50%. This one started off solid, with clear voices for Rick and Martina, snappy, witty dialogue, and an intriguing mystery. But then once the group of students decided to team up to figure out the culprit, things started to feel far fetched. Every student feels like their own caricature of a high school stereotype—the jock, cheerleader—that it really took me out of the immersion. And while I love the banter, it didn’t feel very on par in a novel with such high stakes.

I do think the premise here is great, two students being framed as they’re the usual suspects for these kind of “pranks,” but I’m not very invested in finding out who is actually responsible yet. I might come back to this one, but for now I’m going to painfully call it quits. Bummer.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you could find out how you’re going to die, would you do it? I know I certainly wouldn’t, and when a group of students see their impending deaths outlined in the high school yearbook, they didn’t feel too good about it either.

This was everything a YA thriller should be. There were intricate characters, hilarious commentary, and a murderer that I couldn’t figure out. Rick and Martina’s friendship was refreshing and fun to read about, and it made me miss my high school friendships.

My only complaint was who the killer ended up being. While the author gets points for making it unpredictable, it also ended up being very unbelievable. The killer’s motive just didn’t convince me.

Overall, this was a page-turner that gave me chills and made me laugh all at the same time.

Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for my gifted copy!

[Ayeley 𐙚 ·˚(hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒ ⭒
3.0 stars


ꨄ︎ Okay, so I’m a bit surprised at how low-key good this book actually turned out to be. Because that very first chapter had me thinking I was about to suffer through one of the worst reading experiences of my life. But thankfully, that weird writing style disappeared almost immediately, and things honestly got pretty good.

ꨄ︎ That said, somewhere along the line, the book started to get a bit boring. I expected the characters to actively try to solve the murder (collecting clues, piecing things together, following proper threads ) but the investigation felt scattered. The reveal felt a little disconnected, like something you really have to stop and think about to “get,” which isn’t necessarily the book’s fault, but it did take me out of it.

ꨄ︎ And the ending scene lost a few points for me. After all the build-up, the final moment felt way too hasty. Like… that’s it? It needed more weight, more time, more something.

ꨄ︎ But overall, I actually liked the book. I had fun reading it. And honestly, sometimes that’s all that matters.

Thank you Penguin young readers group for a copy of this arc

[Jine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!
First off it’s a ya mystery type of book involving high school students when their yearbook is hacked and predictions of their deaths posted!
The storyline is so good and you warm up to the different characters ver quickly! This is my first book by this author but will definitely read more and I love that the ending opens it up for a sequel which I would love because of the characters alone!

[Lauren | Wordsbetweenlines · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I love a YA murder mystery. This was fun and felt fresh in the sense that it gave us a m*rder list out of a year book.

I found this to be an easy read and the story was wild enough to keep me keen.

The one thing that kept coming up for me was that the main characters were in their senior year but read like they were early teens and that kept pulling me out of their characters.

Pub date: March 24

Thank you penguinteenca for the arc 🤍🤍

[Trisha]

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Emma Coffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loveeeee a young adult thriller, and this was no disappointment. Most Likely to Murder has such a fun premise to it and it kept me hooked. It was the perfect length - not too long to where I got bored but also not too short. This is hilarious & dark & I had the best time. The characters are great too! 4 ⭐️

Thank you to Penguin/G.P. for the advanced copy. Out Mar 24!

[Danae Mckain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Overall this book was very similar to others written like it, but I did really enjoy the main characters and their development throughout. The author also did a good job of putting in some red herrings to throw you off the real killer.

[Meaghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most Likely to Murder has an intriguing premise, but unfortunately a lackluster execution. We follow Rick and his best friend Martina as they navigate the murder "predictions" listed in the school yearbook as disturbing superlatives for them and a few other classmates.

Honestly, the stakes didn't feel high enough and the pacing of the story was very slow. There were too many characters in the "Survivor Club" with not enough depth to any of them to make me care about the threat of their impending murder. The ending, although exciting and more fast-paced, wasn't incredibly satisfying because the killer came out of left field, since no real breadcrumbs were left for the reader to piece it together. It was definitely an interesting motive but it felt a little half-baked, in the context of the rest of the story.

The actual murder scenes were the best part of the novel, where the descriptions were disturbing and impactful. Unfortunately, they didn't really hit until closer to the halfway mark and the rest of the novel didn't match the tone, in my opinion. I feel like this book needed to decide if it was going to go the darker route or the more lighthearted, but sort of lost it's footing trying to balance the two.

Overall, this book was entertaining enough, but not really for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Gina Malanga · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one, and I did really like the characters they were quirky and interesting. The problem was is that nothing happened for the first almost half of the book. And there were so many other storylines and details that just really didn’t need to be there and took away from the Pace of the murder mystery. I understand that the details were maybe there to help the reader connect with the characters more but honestly, it didn’t achieve that for me.

[Emma VanOrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC provided by Net Galley andPenguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. I DNF'ed this at 31%. I was bored and had a hard time picking it back up. There are a lot of extra details that do not pertain to any of the story. I was skimming through them. I understand you need to paint a picture, but it just didn't work for me. The main plot is that the yearbook "prank" has certain teachers and students pinpointed for a hit list. Nothing really happened until 1/4 of the way in. Too slow for me to continue. Less detail=more fast paced.

[Evie Oliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate writing reviews on my phone but will right now state for the record that I LOVED this book, great thriller ode to classics from Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine. McBride hit it out of the park with this one. In-depth review goes up tomorrow afternoon.

My thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and Lish McBride for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

A long time ago, nearly a dozen years maybe, I picked up a book called . The title made me chuckle because of the connection to the song and while I didn't grow up when the song was popular, I had eventually found my way to Elton John so I could appreciate the fun the title was having with it's rhyme. Then I started reading the book, about a young man named Sam who discovers he is a necromancer and I slowly became a fan for life of Lish McBride. What truly sold me on that first book was the name of the main character. You see, Sam was born on Samhain, the pagan holiday, and his mother decided to give him that for his name. And at first the fact that he was called SAM was making me a little disappointed until Sam explained that his name is pronounced SOWIN, he was only called Sam because his Dad wanted to get back at his mom for giving his that name.

SOLD!! Seriously, it might be insignificant but I knew, from that sentence forward, I would read everything that McBride wrote from then on out. I have read several books that have Samhain pronounced Sam-hane, actually going to the trouble to explain that is how it is pronounced and it would just bug me so much. So Lish McBride gained my admiration and full devotion as a reader with that sentence alone. Obviously it helped that the book was amazing. I've bought copies of ALL of them since (still waiting on word of a new Uncanny Romance, fingers crossed), so this was automatically added to my cart when it was available to order. I jumped at the chance to read it when I found it for review and I'm happy to report that it was exactly what I expected as a teen slasher written by Lish McBride. Dark and funny, filled with memorable characters and creepy deaths, I devoured this book in a day.

Most Likely to Murder follows two seniors and best friends, Rick and Martina, two teenagers happy enough with their lives on the fringes at school and the supposed culprits behind a few big pranks (never proven). When the school yearbook gets passed out at lunch, the layout for the "Most likely to..." page has been redone, listing certain classmates and faculty with macabre titles, the words coming off as threats as they hint at ways these specific people will die. Rick and Martina are automatically suspected of the prank, despite the fact that they too are featured on the page. When their school counselor is pulled out of the lake, the same way his picture and its title predicted he'd die, the whole school is on edge. Then more students end up dead the way the layout predicted and now Rick and Martina and the surviving members of the layout page have to come together to figure out who the killer is and why they are on the list before another one of their ranks ends up dead.

The story drew me in from the start. The idea of it was enough to draw me in, being a former member of my own school's yearbook staff, so the logistics and the image it made in my mind made me eager to give the book a try. The plot is perfect for the readers who grew up reading Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine, just like McBride states on the acknowledgements page, and if you're familiar with those books, you'll see the inspiration easy. The book was exactly what I wanted, creepy enough to keep me reading with characters I cared about, and I was invested from the start. I loved Rick and Martina, their families and their interests.

I admired Rick, a young man trying his best to pick up the slack for his mom and sister after his father abandoned the family. I wanted a best friend like Martina, who kept her head when the adults at the school suspected she and Rick were behind the prank, and who fought back and protected Rick when some students pushed back too hard about being targeted even though they had no proof that Rick and Martina were behind it. They were easy to love and I wanted to keep these two safe from harm. As their group expanded to include the other kids targeted in the yearbook, I slowly came to care for each character. A book becomes a great book when you have a group of teenagers on a page and are able to name each one and what their interests are without any trouble. Sometimes characters bleed together but not with this book.

In terms of plot, the reveals worked with keeping me hooked to the story. Add in chapters that fill in background story, things happening off the center stage of the story, and I am completely invested. Those extras caught me a little off guard but if you're familiar with slashers, it is par for the course and a must need to keep your attention. It was creepy and the descriptions made my eyes widen in surprise and I was constantly either smiling because of the banter between the teenagers or dropping my jaw a little when another character bit the dust.

I was trying to figure out who the villain was and while my prediction was right, I was not in any way disappointed by figuring it out early. I've just read a LOT of these kinds of books. It's a point of pride to be able to figure these out but it does not in any way detract from the experience of reading this story. It is a quick read and that is in thanks to the way it was written and the way the story unfolds, all plusses in my opinion. Nothing drags or feels out of place, everything just adds to the story and to the world in general. If McBride decides to set other books in this world, expanding this into a kind of series, I would be first in line to read those books.

I want to talk about so much more about this book but to do so would veer into spoiler territory and this book deserves the reveals it earned. The story unfolded the way it needed to, the characters earned their place as kids that deserved to live and breathe and survive and be happy, and when I got to the end of the book, I wanted to see more. Read this book if you loved teen slasher stories filled with good scares and smart teens. I'll be here waiting to see what Lish McBride writes next.

Rating on my scale: 9.5 Stars. I LOVED this book but it is a short book/fast read kind of deal. Some people might only like the book because of that but this is a very respectable read. If you've kept up with Lish McBride books, this is exactly what you'd expect a teen slasher from McBride to be. If this is your first time reading Lish McBride, believe me when I say you should go back and read other books by McBride. Everything I've read by McBride has kept me coming back for YEARS, and I will continue to read her books for as long as she writes.

[Atlanta Colling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Likely to Murder is a wickedly clever and darkly funny young adult thriller that takes the familiar world of secondary school gossip and gives it a gloriously macabre twist. When best friends Rick and Martina — Meadowvale High’s self-proclaimed outcasts — become the target of a prank that replaces yearbook superlatives with gruesome predictions of death, it all seems like a joke at first. That is, until those “jokes” start coming true.

What follows is a tightly wound, fast-paced mystery full of razor-sharp wit, eerie twists, and that familiar teenage chaos that somehow makes everything feel twice as dramatic. Lish McBride balances the absurd and the sinister with real skill; she knows exactly when to make you laugh and when to make your stomach drop. The deaths themselves are just over-the-top enough to be entertaining without losing their edge, and the growing tension builds beautifully towards a satisfying conclusion.

Rick and Martina are what truly make the book sing. Their friendship is brilliantly written — sarcastic, messy, and full of affection. They’re flawed in all the best ways, the kind of characters who feel real because they’re a bit daft and occasionally selfish, but always loyal where it counts. Their chemistry gives the story its emotional weight, and McBride captures that complicated mixture of teenage bravado and vulnerability with real authenticity.

The supporting cast, too, adds colour and chaos: classmates who care too much about appearances, teachers with secrets, and small-town dynamics that feel claustrophobic yet recognisable. There’s something distinctly British about the humour here — dry, a little self-deprecating, and perfectly timed to undercut the horror just when it threatens to go too far.

If I had to nit-pick, I’d say a few of the plot twists were easier to spot than I’d hoped, and occasionally the pacing rushes past moments that could have lingered longer emotionally. But honestly, those are small quibbles in what’s otherwise a wonderfully entertaining and original story.

McBride’s prose is clean, confident, and genuinely funny, and her dialogue absolutely crackles. She captures the feeling of being a teenager — that mix of cynicism, confusion, and hope — in a way that feels authentic without trying too hard to sound “young”. The result is a story that’s both ridiculous and relatable, grim and strangely comforting.

Overall, Most Likely to Murder is a cracking read — equal parts dark comedy, mystery, and coming-of-age story. It’s the kind of book you finish with a grin, even after all the bloodshed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – clever, funny, and quietly heartfelt. Perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Scream, and anyone who’s ever wanted to survive school with their dignity (and their pulse) intact.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Most Likely to Murder
✍🏻Lish McBride
Blurb:
Yearbook superlatives turn deadly in this darkly funny young adult thriller.

The rumor mill has never been kind to Meadowvale High seniors and best friends Rick and Martina, labeling them outcasts (sure), stoners (no comment), and pranksters (okay, this one’s fair). But for the most part, they have successfully flown under the radar.

That is, until they’re targeted in a prank that replaces yearbook superlatives with grisly forecasts of student and faculty deaths. Sure, Rick and Martina were never going to be voted Most Likely to Succeed . . . but Homecoming’s Cutest Corpses? Thanks for the cute, no thanks on the corpse.

At first, the senior class is annoyed by the prank. But when the body of Mr. Stephens, Most Likely to Sleep with the Fishes, is dredged from the bottom of a lake, suspicions arise that something truly sinister is going on. And as more people turn up dead in the exact ways the yearbook promised, it becomes clear someone’s killing off the student body one page at a time.

Now Rick and Martina must find the yearbook killer before their vicious superlative comes true. So much for surviving high school without drawing attention. Now Rick and Martina just want to survive.

For fans of Holly Jackson, Karen M. McManus, and Danielle Valentine!
My Thoughts
Most Likely to Murder is a wickedly clever and darkly funny young adult thriller that takes the familiar world of secondary school gossip and gives it a gloriously macabre twist. When best friends Rick and Martina — Meadowvale High’s self-proclaimed outcasts — become the target of a prank that replaces yearbook superlatives with gruesome predictions of death, it all seems like a joke at first. That is, until those “jokes” start coming true. Rick and Martina's friendship is adorable and so so special. I'm obsessed with how they're always so casually affectionate with each other; they're always touching and I feel like it's really important to showcase that physical touch can be platonic and can be such an important part of friendship. They ground each other, they push each other forward, they keep each other sane. Their friendship (and their families' friendship!) is definitely a high point of the story. The romance is also on point, super sweet and genuine, but the friendship, This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good YA mystery.
Thanks NetGalley, G.P Putnam's Sons books for Young Readers and Author Lish McBride for the advanced copy of "Most Likely to Murder" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

[Nicole Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Darkly funny, delightfully twisted, and packed with sharp banter, “Most Likely to Murder” is a young adult mystery that perfectly balances suspense, humor, and heart. Lish McBride returns with another genre-blending story that’s as much about friendship and growing up as it is about catching a killer.

The story begins when the senior yearbook at North Point High is released, except someone has hacked the “Most Likely To…” page, replacing the usual senior superlatives with chilling predictions about how each student (and even a staff member) will die. At first, everyone assumes it’s just another elaborate prank by class clown Rick and his best friend Martina. But when the predictions start coming true, the line between joke and danger vanishes fast.

Rick and Martina make a fantastic duo; their friendship is full of genuine warmth and the kind of sarcastic, chaotic energy that feels utterly real. Their banter adds levity to the darker moments, and the book shines whenever they’re on the page together. There’s also a sweet, slow-building romance between Rick and Nika that feels natural and well-earned, though it sometimes edges out the murder plot. Still, McBride captures that messy teenage mix of first love, fear, and loyalty beautifully.

Structurally, the story alternates perspectives, even giving you brief glimpses into the victims’ lives before their deaths. It’s a clever touch that builds tension and empathy, though with so many characters, it can be hard to keep every name and “most likely” prediction straight. I found the pacing to be uneven as the mystery takes a while to gain momentum and the investigation occasionally spins its wheels. But when the action hits, it hits: an adrenaline-fueled climax, a killer’s monologue worthy of a classic slasher movie, and a satisfying conclusion that ties up loose ends while leaving the door open for a sequel.

What really makes “Most Likely to Murder” stand out is its tone. McBride delivers a murder mystery that doesn’t drown in darkness; instead, it’s fast-paced, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt. It’s a story about friendship under pressure, about what it means to grow up and take things seriously even when the world still expects you to be a kid.

“Most Likely to Murder” is a slasher with a sense of humor. The story is a clever, quirky, and surprisingly warmhearted YA mystery. Come for the murders, stay for the banter, and don’t be surprised if you laugh as much as you gasp.

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not the kinda cheesy and fast-paced YA thriller that I thought it would be, but the story was very much to my liking anyway and I got much more out of it than I expected. I can totally see why readers would be disappointed by this book, though. The premise of yearbook superlatives turning deadly is positively wild, but the story is more on the slow side and it focuses more on the reaction of the main characters than on moving the murder plot forward. There are some death scenes, but it doesn't get thrilling until the very end. But Lish McBride's style just really worked for me. We mainly follow the high school student Rick and his best friend Martina and I found them to be very relatable. Rick is an anxious mess and everything he says is either awkward or pessimistic, but he is actually the most caring sweet boy imaginable. Martina on the other hand is more outgoing and loud, and their dynamic was just lovely. Their friendship was honestly so cute, even though they come from completely different backgrounds and have opposite personalities. They are basically part of each other's family, constantly standing up for each other and complementing the other perfectly. And their banter was just so funny to me. The whole book was sassy and easy to read, but it got surprisingly deep into the emotions of the characters. People start dying as announced in the yearbook and everyone is freaking out and constantly scared and paranoid. But they also talk about their feelings and connect with others through that. I think that's a part that's often missing in YA thrillers and here it was done so nicely. I could really feel the strong friendships and the little romances were charming too. I liked the casual queerness of it all and how the novel just ignores gender norms without really talking about it, even if it's just small things in the background like male cheerleaders and female football players. I also appreciate the random hate for The Catcher in the Rye, because it was hands down the worst school reading experience ever for me. I'm super happy that I finally read and enjoyed a Lish McBride book, because I wanted to check her out for ages. I can't wait to dive into her other books now, which I've already accumulated actually.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an addicting mix of sass, humor, and edge-of-the-seat danger, the tale holds tension and so much more.

Rick and Martina have been best friends forever, and that's never going to change. Since both like to let their rebellious sides show every so often, they are also the first to be pegged by the school as suspicious when the yearbook comes out with an altered page—a list with several people and how they will find their deaths. Everyone believes it's a prank, but then, the listed people begin to die. The police aren't convincing in their attempts to figure things out, so the teens on the list decide to form their own group to try to get to the bottom of things. But the murderer is slippery, and every step they take forward seems to send them, one by one, to their death.

While there's tension, mystery, deadly moments, and quite a few surprises that make this into a grabbing read, the author has also added spunk, heart, and quite a bit of character arc. Rick and Martina form the backbone of the tale, not as the main sleuths, but rather, their relationship gives a solid backing to the rising suspense. Their friendship (and it is pure friendship) isn't only golden but works as a solid balance against the darker scenes. Not only is their dialogue sarcastic and humorous, but both are vulnerable in their own ways to create needed authenticity. Especially Rick steers aspects of social awkwardness and grows throughout the read. All along, the horror of the murders and even some gore, keep the thriller aspect high.

Unlike many books in this genre, the adults aren't left in the dark, and their concern also adds natural richness. At the same time, the adults' activities are dampened to let the teens face the danger mostly on their own. I wondered at the inability of the parents, police, and school, actually, but it was, at least, realistic enough to grab and hold the reader in the pages the entire way through. The tension builds with every chapter and creates a very exciting ending. It wasn't easy to figure out who the murderer was, and while the reasoning behind it could have used a little more foundation, it's anything but boring.

Fans of thrillers, who want smarter characters who come across with depth, are sure to enjoy diving into this one.

[Ashley Reindeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this one. Dark humor? YA thriller? Yearbook superlatives turned into murder predictions? Sign me up, hand me a snack, let me live. And honestly, the characters are what kept me from yeeting this book across the room. Rick and Martina are exactly the type of sarcastic, messy, loyal weirdos I root for. The whole cast has this chaotic found-family energy that made even the slower parts fun.

The story setup? Delicious. Two outcast best friends suddenly find themselves at the center of a prank gone way too far—someone swaps the senior superlatives with creepy death forecasts. Everyone rolls their eyes… until a teacher ends up dead exactly the way their superlative predicted. Then more deaths hit the school, each matching the yearbook page like some nightmare Mad Libs. Rick, Martina & gang have to figure out who’s turning the class of Meadowvale High into a grim roll call, all while trying to avoid becoming fish food themselves.

But the reveal? Ooof. Let me be dramatic for a moment: I’ve seen IKEA instruction manuals with more context. When the “who and why” finally dropped, it felt rushed, thin, and about as believable as a senior who actually enjoys group projects. I kept flipping pages thinking, “Wait… that’s IT? Did a whole chapter fall out of my copy?”

It wasn’t bad, just… not cooked all the way through. Like thriller sushi.

Still, the humor hit, the pacing mostly worked, and again—I truly liked spending time with this cast. That alone earned the three stars.

Here’s hoping McBride’s next book gives me a reveal with a little more seasoning, because the setup shows she’s capable of something great.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, for sharing this eARC with me in exchange for my honest opinion. This review is based off of an uncorrected proof which did not sway my opinion either way. If this sounds like your cup of murder, be sure to grab it March 31st 2026!

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐

MOST LIKELY TO MURDER by Lish McBride (March 24, 2026)

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Teen for the earc.

When superlatives are replaced with d*ath forecasts, it is believed to be a prank...then the first body shows up. D*ad like the prediction, Rick and Martina---best friends---team up with others on the list as they fight to survive.
MOST LIKELY TO M*RDER is a YA m*rder mystery with a unique spin...superlatives and m*rder.
This was a bit hard to read, and it was boring at times. When everyone involved was together, it was hard to really get the conversation because there were so many people talking, arguing at the same time, so many times where the pov felt random. It didn't help that these characters are very, very unlikeable. There was just a strange dynamic---I don't know how to describe it---between them. I assume that came from these characters being from different walks of life. I also felt like this was slow. A slow start with chapter one, slow when it came to the yearbook "prank," slow as the characters (and I) waited for the b*dies to pile up. With lives on the line, I was expecting more fast-paced. More thrills. Just, overall, more.
I breathed a sigh of relief when things started looking up. (Or in this case started going wrong). The book no longer felt like a chore to read. This happened past the 50% mark, so there was a lot of holding out before everything really started going done. I was glad I stuck it out. Mainly because I wanted to know the whodunnit. Nope, not want...it was a necessity. I needed to know who was sadistic enough to commit such heinous acts. Still, I had much higher hopes for this. I was really hoping for thrills throughout, to continually be on the edge of my seat. Though it fell flat in some aspects, the last twist was surprising, which is always a plus.

[Jesaka Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

MOST LIKELY TO MURDER by Lish McBride is very high energy and filled with memorable details. I devoured this book because I wanted to know what was going to happen to the characters on "the murder list" and I wanted to see how this situation would resolve (answer: brilliantly). Main character Rick and his long-time best friend Martina are known in their high school for a few pranks; otherwise they are not really in their school's social hierarchy. When the previous year's yearbook comes out in the early fall, students are shocked to see that the superlatives--most likely to succeed, cutest couple, etc--have been replaced with ominous labels like "Most Likely to Sleep with the. Fishes" and "Homecoming's Cutest Corpses." Rick and Martina are credited/blamed for what seems like a prank until the body of school counselor Mr. Stephens surfaces. This kicks off a series of murders from the superlatives list, a.k.a the murder list.

This deadly situation brings together an odd mix of students from all areas of the school, leading to new friendships and potential romances. All of the characters feel well developed and have issues/interests/worries outside of the threat to their lives. For the most part, it's easy to root for this group to survive. As a reader, I've seen the trope of bringing unlikely students together to form new friendships. It's obviously part of MOST LIKELY TO MURDER but it feels fresh here; the "roles" the students fill are unique rather than the same ones we usually have (i.e., the wealthy cheerleader, etc.).

I highly recommend this book for its originality, plotting, and Rick's furry van The Beast.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing this eARC.

[tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!!

If I had to sum it up quickly,
A high school murder mystery following a rag-tag group of kids written with a Holly Jackson vibe!
I loved One of Us is Lying and this cover was giving the exact same vibes, so I was very excited to recieve this ARC!

In full,
Most Likely to Murder was a short and sweet murder mystery.
Following the kids of Meadowvale High, someone is after a very specific list of kids & have explicitlity outlined their plans using the school's yearbook!
Martina & Rick are the #1 suspects due to their long history of pranks, but they also happen to be on the hit list.
One by one, the murderer works their way through the list and the remaining survivors work tirelessly to unsolve their identity before it is too late for them.

I spent a majority of this book trying to solve the crime myself but it was SO hard for me! I had no idea who it could possibly be, and to be honest, the reveal let me down slightly. I definitely was surprised by the murderers identity, but so surprised that it felt slightly unrealistic.

On the plus side - I loved Martina as the FMC. I thought she was witty & funny & relatable.
Also LGBTQ+ representation!! She was one of the main reasons I wanted to keep reading. I had to make sure nothing happened to my homegirl.

Alternatively, the story follows Rick mainly - Focusing in on his love interest Nika. I liked this bit as it added a bit of romance in the book and it gave you a couple to root for.

I liked this! There was nothing particular about it that stood out to me or kept me hanging on. But, it was short enough that I was intrigued from beginning to end!

I was satisfied for my first read from this author and I would read another book from her in the future!

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent YA mystery --not the same caliber of "One of Us is lying" as there are not numerous twists throughout besides the big reveal, but the premise is a good one with the high school yearbook being hacked showing those on a "murder list." These students that are named in the yearbook are ones that do ordinarily hang around with other leaving them to wonder connects them together. It starts with a teacher being murdered and then the targets are revealed.
At first, the senior class is annoyed by the prank. But when the body of Mr. Stephens, Most Likely to Sleep with the Fishes, is dredged from the bottom of a lake, suspicions arise that something truly sinister is going on. And as more people turn up dead in the exact ways the yearbook promised, it becomes clear someone’s killing off the student body one page at a time. Best friends Rick and Martina are included as well as the girl Rick has been pining for--as a side note, it is sweet that this boy is clueless to flirting as he does not pick up on any ques and is so enamored with this girl, he can't speak. The slow pacing of their budding relationship was on point.
Told mostly through Rick's POV, the characters, who are not necessarily friends, have clashing traits. Some are likeable, others not so much but it is understood where they are coming from. As they try to figure out who is doing this, more is unearthed about each other. The dark humor is appreciated as well as the "gang" sleuthing together. And although they agree to stay together, like a true teen that is not always the case.
A good story.
Thank you Penguin Teen and Netgalley for this eARC