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It Will Last Longer
When a struggling photographer finds herself at the center of an strange and macabre creative scene, she is forced to choose between her conscious and passion, in this gripping descent into the seedy underbelly of art in Los Angeles.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty.
Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty.
Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
244 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 20, 2025
ARC for review. To be published September 16, 2025.
3.5 stars (I really wish we could give half stars. 3.5 is exactly on the nose.)
Viv Klein is a semi-struggling young photographer in L.A. when she is vilified for taking a photo of a murder victim and publishing it online. Many of her small number have f clients choose not to work with her after her infamy goes public and in an effort to help Viv (and himself) her friend, David brings her into the strange world of death photography. Abby Katz, a reporter with the L.A. Times interviews Viv about her original photo, then becomes fascinated by Viv’s new job and wants to write a big story about it.
This one was weird for me. Does it make any sense if I say it was very L.A., both in subject matter and tone? I quite liked it; lots of morally gray areas here (kind of. I know that people do death photography on the regular, especially with infants) and I’m a big fan of FMCs who are far from perfect, so Viv worked. If the subject matter interests you it’s worth a look.
3.5 stars (I really wish we could give half stars. 3.5 is exactly on the nose.)
Viv Klein is a semi-struggling young photographer in L.A. when she is vilified for taking a photo of a murder victim and publishing it online. Many of her small number have f clients choose not to work with her after her infamy goes public and in an effort to help Viv (and himself) her friend, David brings her into the strange world of death photography. Abby Katz, a reporter with the L.A. Times interviews Viv about her original photo, then becomes fascinated by Viv’s new job and wants to write a big story about it.
This one was weird for me. Does it make any sense if I say it was very L.A., both in subject matter and tone? I quite liked it; lots of morally gray areas here (kind of. I know that people do death photography on the regular, especially with infants) and I’m a big fan of FMCs who are far from perfect, so Viv worked. If the subject matter interests you it’s worth a look.
September 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
(rounded up from 4.5)
This was genuinely one of the more novel subjects for a novel I have read in a while. If you've ever casually perused an article about old-timey death portraiture and thought "That would be kind of interesting to learn more about, but also a bit creepy", you may enjoy this book.
Viv Klein is a photographer with a strong vision that does not stop at the idea of death being without beauty. She's the Internet's newest punching bag for taking a photo of a dead girl she came across in an alley after she called the police and then having the bad taste to share the photo online as part of her art.
Abby Katz is a young journalist trying to make her name, ideally one separate from her Oscar-winning costume designer mother. On a random assignment to interview Viv Klein about her photograph, she finds herself intrigued by Viv and following her down a dark rabbit hole of photography of a disturbing sort in search of the one long-form article that will help her establish herself as a serious journalist.
Through her friendly rival, David, Viv is pulled into the world of death portraiture. In the modern day, this is both a way to grieve the very recently passed loved one as well as an art form, capturing the appropriately staged picture with the deceased person for the loved one to remember them fondly. Abby is, in parts, intrigued and a bit intimidated by both Viv and her job, but drawn to both.
The story is told interestingly through point-of-view chapters, news articles, and discord server excerpts that cover different perspectives on the same events as we work through the events of this novel. There is an interesting line to walk for an artist to create lucrative work that she is also passionate about, but will likely never be viewed by anyone except the family that commissions it. Viv is deep in the legalities and investigative journalism pool on this story, which is a once-in-a-lifetime subject and likely just skirting the boundaries of being illegal. Together, they are antagonistic to each other in interviews discussing art and also attracted to each other by virtue of being co-conspirators on these assignments. It's a really interesting dynamic, and Tara Sanders Brooks does well making each of them distinctly interesting and complex people dealing with very unorthodox circumstances for work.
After a slower start as we get to know the main characters and the secondary cast, I was engrossed in the implications of this business and how risky it is, even without tempting fate by stealing corpses for a brief photography session. Truly, this was one of the most original ideas for a novel I've read this year and I really enjoyed it!
(rounded up from 4.5)
This was genuinely one of the more novel subjects for a novel I have read in a while. If you've ever casually perused an article about old-timey death portraiture and thought "That would be kind of interesting to learn more about, but also a bit creepy", you may enjoy this book.
Viv Klein is a photographer with a strong vision that does not stop at the idea of death being without beauty. She's the Internet's newest punching bag for taking a photo of a dead girl she came across in an alley after she called the police and then having the bad taste to share the photo online as part of her art.
Abby Katz is a young journalist trying to make her name, ideally one separate from her Oscar-winning costume designer mother. On a random assignment to interview Viv Klein about her photograph, she finds herself intrigued by Viv and following her down a dark rabbit hole of photography of a disturbing sort in search of the one long-form article that will help her establish herself as a serious journalist.
Through her friendly rival, David, Viv is pulled into the world of death portraiture. In the modern day, this is both a way to grieve the very recently passed loved one as well as an art form, capturing the appropriately staged picture with the deceased person for the loved one to remember them fondly. Abby is, in parts, intrigued and a bit intimidated by both Viv and her job, but drawn to both.
The story is told interestingly through point-of-view chapters, news articles, and discord server excerpts that cover different perspectives on the same events as we work through the events of this novel. There is an interesting line to walk for an artist to create lucrative work that she is also passionate about, but will likely never be viewed by anyone except the family that commissions it. Viv is deep in the legalities and investigative journalism pool on this story, which is a once-in-a-lifetime subject and likely just skirting the boundaries of being illegal. Together, they are antagonistic to each other in interviews discussing art and also attracted to each other by virtue of being co-conspirators on these assignments. It's a really interesting dynamic, and Tara Sanders Brooks does well making each of them distinctly interesting and complex people dealing with very unorthodox circumstances for work.
After a slower start as we get to know the main characters and the secondary cast, I was engrossed in the implications of this business and how risky it is, even without tempting fate by stealing corpses for a brief photography session. Truly, this was one of the most original ideas for a novel I've read this year and I really enjoyed it!
December 6, 2025
📚It Will Last Longer
✍🏻Tara Sanderss Brooks
Blurb:
When a struggling photographer finds herself at the center of an strange and macabre creative scene, she is forced to choose between her conscious and passion, in this gripping descent into the seedy underbelly of art in Los Angeles.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty.
Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
My Thoughts:
Viv Klein is a photographer with a strong vision that does not stop at the idea of death being without beauty. She's the Internet's newest punching bag for taking a photo of a dead girl she came across in an alley after she called the police and then having the bad taste to share the photo online as part of her art.
Abby Katz is a young journalist trying to make her name, ideally one separate from her Oscar-winning costume designer mother. On a random assignment to interview Viv Klein about her photograph, she finds herself intrigued by Viv and following her down a dark rabbit hole of photography of a disturbing sort in search of the one long-form article that will help her establish herself as a serious journalist.
Through her friendly rival, David, Viv is pulled into the world of death portraiture. In the modern day, this is both a way to grieve the very recently passed loved one as well as an art form, capturing the appropriately staged picture with the deceased person for the loved one to remember them fondly. Abby is, in parts, intrigued and a bit intimidated by both Viv and her job, but drawn to both.
The story is told interestingly through point-of-view chapters, news articles, and discord server excerpts that cover different perspectives on the same events as we work through the events of this novel. There is an interesting line to walk for an artist to create lucrative work that she is also passionate about, but will likely never be viewed by anyone except the family that commissions it. Viv is deep in the legalities and investigative journalism pool on this story, which is a once-in-a-lifetime subject and likely just skirting the boundaries of being illegal. Together, they are antagonistic to each other in interviews discussing art and also attracted to each other by virtue of being co-conspirators on these assignments. It's a really interesting dynamic, and Tara Sanders Brooks does well making each of them distinctly interesting and complex people dealing with very unorthodox circumstances for work.
The subject matter of death portraiture was simultaneously unnerving and intriguing. I would say that the chapters exploring the photo shoots were some of the most interesting, and the way that Brooks manoeuvres between making the scenes uncomfortable and yet still very artistic is something I applaud. Very entertaining, fast paced
Thanks NetGalley, and Author Tara Sanders Brooks for the advanced copy of "It Will Last Longer" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation .#NetGalley
#TiaraSandersBrooks
#ItWillLastLonger
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Tara Sanderss Brooks
Blurb:
When a struggling photographer finds herself at the center of an strange and macabre creative scene, she is forced to choose between her conscious and passion, in this gripping descent into the seedy underbelly of art in Los Angeles.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty.
Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
My Thoughts:
Viv Klein is a photographer with a strong vision that does not stop at the idea of death being without beauty. She's the Internet's newest punching bag for taking a photo of a dead girl she came across in an alley after she called the police and then having the bad taste to share the photo online as part of her art.
Abby Katz is a young journalist trying to make her name, ideally one separate from her Oscar-winning costume designer mother. On a random assignment to interview Viv Klein about her photograph, she finds herself intrigued by Viv and following her down a dark rabbit hole of photography of a disturbing sort in search of the one long-form article that will help her establish herself as a serious journalist.
Through her friendly rival, David, Viv is pulled into the world of death portraiture. In the modern day, this is both a way to grieve the very recently passed loved one as well as an art form, capturing the appropriately staged picture with the deceased person for the loved one to remember them fondly. Abby is, in parts, intrigued and a bit intimidated by both Viv and her job, but drawn to both.
The story is told interestingly through point-of-view chapters, news articles, and discord server excerpts that cover different perspectives on the same events as we work through the events of this novel. There is an interesting line to walk for an artist to create lucrative work that she is also passionate about, but will likely never be viewed by anyone except the family that commissions it. Viv is deep in the legalities and investigative journalism pool on this story, which is a once-in-a-lifetime subject and likely just skirting the boundaries of being illegal. Together, they are antagonistic to each other in interviews discussing art and also attracted to each other by virtue of being co-conspirators on these assignments. It's a really interesting dynamic, and Tara Sanders Brooks does well making each of them distinctly interesting and complex people dealing with very unorthodox circumstances for work.
The subject matter of death portraiture was simultaneously unnerving and intriguing. I would say that the chapters exploring the photo shoots were some of the most interesting, and the way that Brooks manoeuvres between making the scenes uncomfortable and yet still very artistic is something I applaud. Very entertaining, fast paced
Thanks NetGalley, and Author Tara Sanders Brooks for the advanced copy of "It Will Last Longer" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation .#NetGalley
#TiaraSandersBrooks
#ItWillLastLonger
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 16, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
It Will Last Longer follows Viv Klein, a photographer who finds herself embroiled in online controversy following her posting a photo of a dead body. When the tide of the public opinion against her turns for the better, she finds herself being given a strange opportunity to use her newfound skills.
The premise of this book was very interesting and not something I'd ever seen before. I was expecting something Nightcrawler-esque, but it ended up being milder than I expected. I thought Viv and Abby were really interesting characters and I enjoyed seeing their banter and the push-and-pull of their interactions.
I finished this book ultimately wanting a bit more from it. I felt like there was a lot of tension building up throughout of it but the climax was kind of weird and out of place. It's very possible I missed out on some foreshadowing, but I reread the sequence of events a few times because it was disorienting and didn't really make sense based on the lead-up, and I wish it had gone in a different direction.
The ending was also very ambiguous, but I feel like it worked for the story. I think that this book had a whole lot of potential and it *almost* delivered on it, but it didn't quite make it there for me. The writing style was very enjoyable, however, and I was always eager to pick it back up and keep reading. For a debut, it is very strong and I can see Brooks being an author to keep an eye on.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for this ARC in exchange for review!! 🖤
It Will Last Longer follows Viv Klein, a photographer who finds herself embroiled in online controversy following her posting a photo of a dead body. When the tide of the public opinion against her turns for the better, she finds herself being given a strange opportunity to use her newfound skills.
The premise of this book was very interesting and not something I'd ever seen before. I was expecting something Nightcrawler-esque, but it ended up being milder than I expected. I thought Viv and Abby were really interesting characters and I enjoyed seeing their banter and the push-and-pull of their interactions.
I finished this book ultimately wanting a bit more from it. I felt like there was a lot of tension building up throughout of it but the climax was kind of weird and out of place. It's very possible I missed out on some foreshadowing, but I reread the sequence of events a few times because it was disorienting and didn't really make sense based on the lead-up, and I wish it had gone in a different direction.
The ending was also very ambiguous, but I feel like it worked for the story. I think that this book had a whole lot of potential and it *almost* delivered on it, but it didn't quite make it there for me. The writing style was very enjoyable, however, and I was always eager to pick it back up and keep reading. For a debut, it is very strong and I can see Brooks being an author to keep an eye on.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for this ARC in exchange for review!! 🖤
September 16, 2025
4.25 rounded down. A big thank you to NetGalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It Will Last Longer is unlike any other book I have read; it’s marketed as a thriller, which, to an extent, it is, but this is more a matter of tone than narrative. There is a definite creep factor that follows the story, and something about it had me gripped, as though I was waiting for the next bad thing to happen at any moment; however, I think this only added to my enjoyment of the book.
The subject matter of death portraiture was simultaneously unnerving and intriguing. I would say that the chapters exploring the photo shoots were some of the most interesting, and the way that Brooks manoeuvres between making the scenes uncomfortable and yet still very artistic is something I applaud.
It was nice to have the different perspectives in the characters' chapters, and the subjects of gender, race, and sexuality were explored sufficiently to hold weight in the story without feeling forced.
Though you may not like this book if you are looking for happy endings and resolved stories, there’s something about the way that this book ends that I feel is right. Sometimes, art should represent real life, even if it’s not positive. Which, if anything, is the message Viv Klein has been telling the audience all along.
It Will Last Longer is unlike any other book I have read; it’s marketed as a thriller, which, to an extent, it is, but this is more a matter of tone than narrative. There is a definite creep factor that follows the story, and something about it had me gripped, as though I was waiting for the next bad thing to happen at any moment; however, I think this only added to my enjoyment of the book.
The subject matter of death portraiture was simultaneously unnerving and intriguing. I would say that the chapters exploring the photo shoots were some of the most interesting, and the way that Brooks manoeuvres between making the scenes uncomfortable and yet still very artistic is something I applaud.
It was nice to have the different perspectives in the characters' chapters, and the subjects of gender, race, and sexuality were explored sufficiently to hold weight in the story without feeling forced.
Though you may not like this book if you are looking for happy endings and resolved stories, there’s something about the way that this book ends that I feel is right. Sometimes, art should represent real life, even if it’s not positive. Which, if anything, is the message Viv Klein has been telling the audience all along.
August 27, 2025
I came out of reading this book with mixed feelings, mostly positive but simply craving just a bit more out of it.
The atmosphere was heavy yet slow in its delivery, and the plot unfolded with continual interest as to what might happen next. I wish the beginning had been more effective and significant because it is the defining incident that drives the entire plot. Staying with the emotional but not physical descriptors of the main character, Viv, it felt unnecessarily repetitive, and the events progressed too swiftly for the significance they deserved.
Moving on I was hooked by the story and how the characters interacted,as well as the events unfolding at a quicker pace. Nothing felt dragged out, at times even providing a craving to know more as you stayed in those impactful moments just a bit longer.
Overall, the book concludes nicely, closing out the arcs of all the characters, more to imagine how it’ll fare outside the pages.
It's both sad and beautiful, with grief manifested in various ways and everyone reacting differently to it. For individuals who don't mind a slow and, at times, sorrowful story and want to think about how death is portrayed through the photographer's eyes, this could be a good fit.
The atmosphere was heavy yet slow in its delivery, and the plot unfolded with continual interest as to what might happen next. I wish the beginning had been more effective and significant because it is the defining incident that drives the entire plot. Staying with the emotional but not physical descriptors of the main character, Viv, it felt unnecessarily repetitive, and the events progressed too swiftly for the significance they deserved.
Moving on I was hooked by the story and how the characters interacted,as well as the events unfolding at a quicker pace. Nothing felt dragged out, at times even providing a craving to know more as you stayed in those impactful moments just a bit longer.
Overall, the book concludes nicely, closing out the arcs of all the characters, more to imagine how it’ll fare outside the pages.
It's both sad and beautiful, with grief manifested in various ways and everyone reacting differently to it. For individuals who don't mind a slow and, at times, sorrowful story and want to think about how death is portrayed through the photographer's eyes, this could be a good fit.
September 10, 2025
I've been reading quite a lot of very formulaic thrillers lately, so this has been a wonderful change from that. I found the characters were interesting and complex, and in many ways relatable. I felt that there was some real interesting growth in the main characters through the course of the book, and in ways that felt realistic in their imperfections. The topic of death photography was one that was both interesting to me and refreshing - it's definitely not something I've come across in a book before. I can understand that readers looking for a very plot-centric read might not enjoy this so much, but I absolutely adore more insular, ponderous stories that explore dark and complex themes.
While I've used the word 'complex' multiple times, the book was written in a way I found very easily readable, and it felt like an ideal balance for me. With the author's writing style so easy to digest on a surface level, I felt more able to participate in my own private dialogue with the more poignant points.
Also really enjoyed having some queer representation that didn't feel forced or awkwardly jammed in for diversity points.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for providing the ARC for review.
While I've used the word 'complex' multiple times, the book was written in a way I found very easily readable, and it felt like an ideal balance for me. With the author's writing style so easy to digest on a surface level, I felt more able to participate in my own private dialogue with the more poignant points.
Also really enjoyed having some queer representation that didn't feel forced or awkwardly jammed in for diversity points.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for providing the ARC for review.
April 21, 2026
When a struggling photographer finds herself at the center of an strange and macabre creative scene, she is forced to choose between her conscious and passion, in this gripping descent into the seedy underbelly of art in Los Angeles.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty.
Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
Really enjoyed the story. Will recommend to others
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty.
Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
Really enjoyed the story. Will recommend to others
March 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book was slow. Very slow. It also left quite some loose threads at the end, which I didn't really like. It felt like it started a whole new subplot on the exact page it ends (like, why is the police coming????), with no explanation, and considering how absolutely sluggish this novel was for majority of it, I really don't see why the author needed to do that when there was so much in this novel that could have been cut and instead give us some more closure at the end. I also definitely wouldn't call this a thriller or mystery, at all.
Then there were a lot of relationships and characters, but instead of making it feel like these people are real people with real lives and real relationships, it just felt messy, in my opinion. The idea itself was alright, very interesting and unique, and I think that this could have been a great novel had the execution been different, but alas. It just didn't do it for me.
This book was slow. Very slow. It also left quite some loose threads at the end, which I didn't really like. It felt like it started a whole new subplot on the exact page it ends (like, why is the police coming????), with no explanation, and considering how absolutely sluggish this novel was for majority of it, I really don't see why the author needed to do that when there was so much in this novel that could have been cut and instead give us some more closure at the end. I also definitely wouldn't call this a thriller or mystery, at all.
Then there were a lot of relationships and characters, but instead of making it feel like these people are real people with real lives and real relationships, it just felt messy, in my opinion. The idea itself was alright, very interesting and unique, and I think that this could have been a great novel had the execution been different, but alas. It just didn't do it for me.
February 11, 2026
I really enjoyed the plot, the idea of it was great. A photographer teams up with a journalist to photograph dead people, it was interesting and also I can understand seeing the beauty even in death
However it dragged on for too long, a large chunk could have been cut out to make the book shorter and that would have made it more gripping, the author gives a lot of detail which some people will love but for me I wasn’t a fan
This author certainly knows how to write a unique book that’s for sure and I did enjoy it despite the pacing issues. I have no doubt that some people will find this is a 5* read.
* full disclosure I received this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
However it dragged on for too long, a large chunk could have been cut out to make the book shorter and that would have made it more gripping, the author gives a lot of detail which some people will love but for me I wasn’t a fan
This author certainly knows how to write a unique book that’s for sure and I did enjoy it despite the pacing issues. I have no doubt that some people will find this is a 5* read.
* full disclosure I received this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
December 31, 2025
When a struggling photographer finds herself at the center of an strange and macabre creative scene, she is forced to choose between her conscious and passion, in this gripping descent into the seedy underbelly of art in Los Angeles.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty. Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
~
I thought that this was going to be something different than it ended up being. It just wasn't the book I thought it was, but that's okay. Just because I didn't like it doesn't make it a bad book, or badly written. It just wasn't my thing.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
After sharing her photographs of a young woman’s dead body for publication—sparking a heated debate about exploitation—Viv Klein’s five minutes of infamy seemed to have passed. That is, until she is unexpectedly cast as a hero for her role in helping to solve the woman’s gruesome murder. Still, the inescapable online and industry chatter has left her career teetering. Her conscience may be clear, but her inbox is empty. Relieved when her work catches the attention of a powerful film producer—and intrigued when an LA Times reporter wants to learn more about her story—Viv seizes the chance to revive her sputtering career. But she never expects that this newfound lifeline will pull her into an undisclosed world of death photography and haunting secrets, alongside the tenacious young journalist who can’t seem to resist following her deeper down the rabbit hole.
~
I thought that this was going to be something different than it ended up being. It just wasn't the book I thought it was, but that's okay. Just because I didn't like it doesn't make it a bad book, or badly written. It just wasn't my thing.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
November 9, 2025
It was an interesting and mostly enjoyable read. Character growth through the book that felt realistic.
The start is a bit slow but I was intrigued by the business of death portraiture. It's a bit creepy but interesting to learn about. There were moments that I just wanted to know immediately and at other points the pacing felt a bit off. The story is told through mixed media that covers different perspectives on the same events.
Thank you NetGalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for an e-arc.
The start is a bit slow but I was intrigued by the business of death portraiture. It's a bit creepy but interesting to learn about. There were moments that I just wanted to know immediately and at other points the pacing felt a bit off. The story is told through mixed media that covers different perspectives on the same events.
Thank you NetGalley and Tara Sanders Brooks for an e-arc.
August 28, 2025
An easy popcorn read. Very entertaining, fast paced, simple to follow through. I didnt really care for the characters, they felt really distant and not that relatable. For a contemporary fiction there is a very cartoony villain, it really took me out of the story. Besides that the plot was very intriguing but the author just scratch the surface.
September 28, 2025
Reading this book was somewhat tedious. It is about a photographer, Viv who specializes in death portraits and an LA Times Reporter, Abby who is obsessed with Viv. There are lots of bizarre relationships presented throughout the story. The style of writing is slow and somewhat monotonous. I did finish the book because I was intrigued by the mysterious turns throughout.
March 14, 2026
Such an interesting storyline with unpredictable outcomes. I enjoyed how the author kept you guessing which direction the story would head. I appreciated the vivid descriptions of the desert that made me feel like I was hiking in Joshua Tree. While a little too many words at times I definitely increased my vocabulary!
September 16, 2025
Loved it!! Characters were imperfect and complex and the story kept me guessing the whole time. The setting was described beautifully and I felt like I was there the whole time! 10/10 recommend!!!!
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