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MurderTrending #2
#Murderfunding
WELCOME TO WHO WANTS TO BE A PANIAC?, the latest reality TV show on the hunt for the next big-hit serial killer. But don’t worry—no one is actually going to murder anyone, as real as the fake gore and pretend murder may appear . . . uh, right?
Seventeen-year-old Becca Martinello is about to find out. When her perfectly normal soccer mom dies in a car crash, a strange girl named Stef appears to let Becca know that her deceased mom was none other than one of Alcatraz 2.0’s most popular serial killers—Molly Mauler. Soon, Becca ends up on Who Wants to Be a Painiac? to learn the truth about her mom’s connection to Molly Mauler, but things turn sinister when people are murdered IRL. Will Becca uncover dark secrets and make it out of the deadly reality show alive? Or will she get cut?
Seventeen-year-old Becca Martinello is about to find out. When her perfectly normal soccer mom dies in a car crash, a strange girl named Stef appears to let Becca know that her deceased mom was none other than one of Alcatraz 2.0’s most popular serial killers—Molly Mauler. Soon, Becca ends up on Who Wants to Be a Painiac? to learn the truth about her mom’s connection to Molly Mauler, but things turn sinister when people are murdered IRL. Will Becca uncover dark secrets and make it out of the deadly reality show alive? Or will she get cut?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2019
298 people are currently reading
4590 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen McNeil
20 books2,141 followersGretchen McNeil is the author of the YA horror/suspense novels POSSESS, 3:59, RELIC, GET EVEN, GET DIRTY, and TEN (a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Horror Fiction for Youth) all with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins. Gretchen’s first YA contemporary I’M NOT YOUR MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL, also with Balzer + Bray, hit shelves in 2016, and her next novel will be the horror-comedy #MURDERTRENDING for Disney/Freeform in August 2018.
Gretchen’s novels have been published internationally in Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, and Czech. The film adaptation of TEN starring China Anne McClain (Descendants 2, Black Lightning), Rome Flynn (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Callan McAuliffe (Flipped, I Am Number Four), directed by Chris Robert for Rain Maker Films, premiered on Lifetime on September 16, 2017.
Gretchen is repped by Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown, Ltd. You can find Gretchen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on her website.
Gretchen’s novels have been published internationally in Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, and Czech. The film adaptation of TEN starring China Anne McClain (Descendants 2, Black Lightning), Rome Flynn (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Callan McAuliffe (Flipped, I Am Number Four), directed by Chris Robert for Rain Maker Films, premiered on Lifetime on September 16, 2017.
Gretchen is repped by Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown, Ltd. You can find Gretchen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
August 7, 2021
This was so ridiculously, laughably bad, it was actually good.
How do I even start reviewing this nonsense?
Should I point out logic holes like the one *spoiler?* where murders were being televised with millions of people watching, but our characters can't prove it wasn't them who committed them because show only aired in Russia and not US cable television??? hdkdndhdisjdbd what???
Or that all the intense scenes were less believable than a cheap action movie, where the lead gets into a car crash, tumbles 53739 times, then somehow falls into a volcano and survives?
Or that our MC truly and deeply loooooves someone she'd known for like ten days?
Oh God, I can't even with this book.
And yet, no matter how many times I've rolled my eyes and sighed loudly, I actually enjoyed this and would've continued on with the series if there were more sequels.
How do I even start reviewing this nonsense?
Should I point out logic holes like the one *spoiler?* where murders were being televised with millions of people watching, but our characters can't prove it wasn't them who committed them because show only aired in Russia and not US cable television??? hdkdndhdisjdbd what???
Or that all the intense scenes were less believable than a cheap action movie, where the lead gets into a car crash, tumbles 53739 times, then somehow falls into a volcano and survives?
Or that our MC truly and deeply loooooves someone she'd known for like ten days?
Oh God, I can't even with this book.
And yet, no matter how many times I've rolled my eyes and sighed loudly, I actually enjoyed this and would've continued on with the series if there were more sequels.
May 23, 2020
The first book was just so much better and spaced out. This book just had so much happen so quickly. I really missed the writing that happened in the original.
February 27, 2019
#Murderfunding - Serves 1
1. Mix two parts GLOW with one part Suicide Squad.
2. Add a splash of The Hunger Games. Stir well to combine.
3. Simmer at low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens, and character and world building have evaporated completely.
Best served with a sprinkle of glitter, to mask the bland taste.
1. Mix two parts GLOW with one part Suicide Squad.
2. Add a splash of The Hunger Games. Stir well to combine.
3. Simmer at low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens, and character and world building have evaporated completely.
Best served with a sprinkle of glitter, to mask the bland taste.
September 8, 2019
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
If I skim more of the novel than I actually read - we've got a problem.
Gretchen McNeil,
I rated the prequel, #MurderTrending, 4.5 Stars. It was fun, innovative, and engaging - it may have had me rolling my eyes from time to time but it was something I honestly could not get enough of. I'm a sucker for Prison+Serial Killer tropes, 80s references, and plays on cliches. That's why #MurderTrending was such a delight for me to read and why I was so stoked to read the sequel.
Unfortunately, I think the positive praise resulting from the first book led McNeil to rush through completing this sad sequel...and it def shows, what with the dramatized and unrealistic scenes, one-dimensional characters, convenient plot devices, and far fetched political schemes that seemed poorly developed. #YIKES
Honestly, my biggest issue with this novel was how much you had to suspend belief. It was almost like the author didn't even try to assist us in identifying ways to connect the narrative dots. How did we get from point A to Point 43 without anyone coming to some sort of logical conclusion??? 'Oh yeah, because Russians. Thats all you need to know, trust me.'
I stopped falling for Jedi Mind Tricks in elementary school. You gotta give me some sort of realistic and feasible connection in order to have me willingly fall for your bullshit - like I did for #MurderTrending. Like, I dont need much but I do need soooomething.
I also disliked that there's a clear focus on characters outside of the prequel, which made the eventual DRBC crew appearance and integration into the main plot feel distant and superficial. This was majorly inconvenient for me because I gave ZERO FUCKS about Becca and her constant distraction due to her crush.
We get it. Stef is edgy and hot and cool but, like, you are literally facing murderers and possible painful deaths for you and your loved ones - can we keep it together, Becca?
And after all that infatuation nonsense, their almost-but-not-really-relationship still felt unnecessary and fake. Like, I didn't sense *any* chemistry between these two characters. It just happened cuz #YOLO, I guess.
Things I enjoyed:
- So many LGTBQ+ rep! The main protagonist has two moms and pursues a relationship with another lady. A contestant is also gay and another is definitely open to possibilities. However, even the thing I enjoyed (this rep) had it's drawbacks. At times I felt that Lars (the contestant who's gay) was portrayed as extremely stereotyped, which left me a bit sad tbh.
- Still vaguely intriguing enough for me to want to finish it, even if it meant skimming over large chunks of passages. Thats gotta count for something, right?
- Scenes with the original DRBC members. I wanted more from #CinderellaSurvivor and a better scene than the one provided for her introduction to Coop and Becca. Ugh so many scenes would have vastly improved with a few tweaks here and there.
Notice how all my points for things I enjoyed are immediately followed by salt. Fitting, since that basically describes what the author did to this series as a whole.
Overall, the book was melodramatic, cliche, rushed, and extra af. It basically ruined everything I loved from the first novel. If there's more of a storyline following this book, I won't be reading it.
If I skim more of the novel than I actually read - we've got a problem.
Gretchen McNeil,
I rated the prequel, #MurderTrending, 4.5 Stars. It was fun, innovative, and engaging - it may have had me rolling my eyes from time to time but it was something I honestly could not get enough of. I'm a sucker for Prison+Serial Killer tropes, 80s references, and plays on cliches. That's why #MurderTrending was such a delight for me to read and why I was so stoked to read the sequel.
Unfortunately, I think the positive praise resulting from the first book led McNeil to rush through completing this sad sequel...and it def shows, what with the dramatized and unrealistic scenes, one-dimensional characters, convenient plot devices, and far fetched political schemes that seemed poorly developed. #YIKES
Honestly, my biggest issue with this novel was how much you had to suspend belief. It was almost like the author didn't even try to assist us in identifying ways to connect the narrative dots. How did we get from point A to Point 43 without anyone coming to some sort of logical conclusion??? 'Oh yeah, because Russians. Thats all you need to know, trust me.'
I stopped falling for Jedi Mind Tricks in elementary school. You gotta give me some sort of realistic and feasible connection in order to have me willingly fall for your bullshit - like I did for #MurderTrending. Like, I dont need much but I do need soooomething.
I also disliked that there's a clear focus on characters outside of the prequel, which made the eventual DRBC crew appearance and integration into the main plot feel distant and superficial. This was majorly inconvenient for me because I gave ZERO FUCKS about Becca and her constant distraction due to her crush.
We get it. Stef is edgy and hot and cool but, like, you are literally facing murderers and possible painful deaths for you and your loved ones - can we keep it together, Becca?
And after all that infatuation nonsense, their almost-but-not-really-relationship still felt unnecessary and fake. Like, I didn't sense *any* chemistry between these two characters. It just happened cuz #YOLO, I guess.
Things I enjoyed:
- So many LGTBQ+ rep! The main protagonist has two moms and pursues a relationship with another lady. A contestant is also gay and another is definitely open to possibilities. However, even the thing I enjoyed (this rep) had it's drawbacks. At times I felt that Lars (the contestant who's gay) was portrayed as extremely stereotyped, which left me a bit sad tbh.
- Still vaguely intriguing enough for me to want to finish it, even if it meant skimming over large chunks of passages. Thats gotta count for something, right?
- Scenes with the original DRBC members. I wanted more from #CinderellaSurvivor and a better scene than the one provided for her introduction to Coop and Becca. Ugh so many scenes would have vastly improved with a few tweaks here and there.
Notice how all my points for things I enjoyed are immediately followed by salt. Fitting, since that basically describes what the author did to this series as a whole.
Overall, the book was melodramatic, cliche, rushed, and extra af. It basically ruined everything I loved from the first novel. If there's more of a storyline following this book, I won't be reading it.
Want to read
August 12, 2018Seriously though... How am I suppose to wait for a whole effing year.... I need it like RN. July 2019 Come Soon
September 24, 2019
These books are just so much fun. I didn't love it as much as the first one but it was still a great time. RTC
Want to read
June 20, 2018I need this book like yesterday!! I don’t think I can wait a whole year to read this! #murderwhat #wtf #crowsarealwayswatching
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to Disney for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
My thoughts for this are basically identical to my thoughts for book one so feel free to check my review.
This series is definitely creative but it wasn't an all-time favorite. Give this one a try!
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July 30, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#MurderFunding by Gretchen McNeil wastes no time in getting down to business. It's a fast-paced follow up to last year's #MurderTrending. Just like it's predecessor, this makes great use of feeling up to the minute with its use of language, social media, and depressingly even a bit of the politics. It's easy to quickly tear through this story because it's just so compulsively readable. If only I had a nice tub of popcorn to go with it.
#MurderFunding by Gretchen McNeil wastes no time in getting down to business. It's a fast-paced follow up to last year's #MurderTrending. Just like it's predecessor, this makes great use of feeling up to the minute with its use of language, social media, and depressingly even a bit of the politics. It's easy to quickly tear through this story because it's just so compulsively readable. If only I had a nice tub of popcorn to go with it.
August 8, 2019
Sadly this book wasn’t as good as the first one. We didn’t get to connect to the characters at all and things were far fetched even for this type of book. The first book had great characters, twists and political questions with various what ifs... this book doesn’t deliver on many accounts sadly!
September 19, 2019
Welcome Back!
Last week I took a bit of a break from posting reviews and doing posts in general. I was really busy with stuff for work and my house (just trying to finish settling in and picking out bookcases and such) that I just wanted to spend the time I was not working reading my current reads and finishing those up! Also, I spent my time trying to start up a few new television shows I have been meaning to watch forever and catching up on my Youtube watch later list which is full of booktubers, gamers, and teachers. One of the first books I got the chance to finish up reading was #MurderFunding, the sequel to #MurderTrending. A book I read last year (reviewed, the review is still up on my page) and loved!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Now that Alcatraz 2.0 has been disbanded and people are set to get in trouble for the situation we have a whole new craze. See this television company has decided they are going to cast for a whole new show based off the Paniacs, they call it Who Wants to be a Paniac? and the lucky people who make it onto the show will get to fake kills in the style of Alcatraz 2.0 (except these won't be real). So where does this leave our death row breakfast club? They are all still in hiding, people are hunting them, they are loved and hated all at once. Some people want them dead for what happened on the island while others think they are heroes. On top of all of this people are trying to hunt down the real identities of the previous Paniacs from Alcatraz 2.0. One of these possible Paniacs is Becca's mother. Who recently passed away due to a car crash but before this, she was a suburban stay at home mom who loved scrapbooking. However, a girl named Stef shows up at her funeral and then confronts Becca at her school, the girl's make an agreement to try to prove one another wrong. However, in order to do so, the must go try out for Who Wants to be a Paniac?
Alright, so this book was a bit of a wild ride at times however, it was not as wild as book one. I feel like maybe I compared this book to book one a lot and had super high expectations after the first book. I loved the story of Alcatraz 2.0, the death row breakfast club, and the Paniacs. I was so ready to meet Becca and see a new generation of Paniacs but I feel like this book went in a different direction as things went on and after about 100 or so pages I called the plot before it happened. Now sometimes I am okay with this happening because I still really want to see it happen, and I still wanted to see it happen, however, it was not as exciting as I wanted it to be. I still really love this series and I think the first book is beyond amazing and it still gives me Deadman Wonderland vibes, however, I am not as into this second book. If there will be a third book I will definitely give it a try but I feel like most if not all the plotlines with the Postman and the kidnapping are all tied up now (which I really love having those answers). I am giving this book three stars on Goodreads.
**I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Last week I took a bit of a break from posting reviews and doing posts in general. I was really busy with stuff for work and my house (just trying to finish settling in and picking out bookcases and such) that I just wanted to spend the time I was not working reading my current reads and finishing those up! Also, I spent my time trying to start up a few new television shows I have been meaning to watch forever and catching up on my Youtube watch later list which is full of booktubers, gamers, and teachers. One of the first books I got the chance to finish up reading was #MurderFunding, the sequel to #MurderTrending. A book I read last year (reviewed, the review is still up on my page) and loved!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Now that Alcatraz 2.0 has been disbanded and people are set to get in trouble for the situation we have a whole new craze. See this television company has decided they are going to cast for a whole new show based off the Paniacs, they call it Who Wants to be a Paniac? and the lucky people who make it onto the show will get to fake kills in the style of Alcatraz 2.0 (except these won't be real). So where does this leave our death row breakfast club? They are all still in hiding, people are hunting them, they are loved and hated all at once. Some people want them dead for what happened on the island while others think they are heroes. On top of all of this people are trying to hunt down the real identities of the previous Paniacs from Alcatraz 2.0. One of these possible Paniacs is Becca's mother. Who recently passed away due to a car crash but before this, she was a suburban stay at home mom who loved scrapbooking. However, a girl named Stef shows up at her funeral and then confronts Becca at her school, the girl's make an agreement to try to prove one another wrong. However, in order to do so, the must go try out for Who Wants to be a Paniac?
Alright, so this book was a bit of a wild ride at times however, it was not as wild as book one. I feel like maybe I compared this book to book one a lot and had super high expectations after the first book. I loved the story of Alcatraz 2.0, the death row breakfast club, and the Paniacs. I was so ready to meet Becca and see a new generation of Paniacs but I feel like this book went in a different direction as things went on and after about 100 or so pages I called the plot before it happened. Now sometimes I am okay with this happening because I still really want to see it happen, and I still wanted to see it happen, however, it was not as exciting as I wanted it to be. I still really love this series and I think the first book is beyond amazing and it still gives me Deadman Wonderland vibes, however, I am not as into this second book. If there will be a third book I will definitely give it a try but I feel like most if not all the plotlines with the Postman and the kidnapping are all tied up now (which I really love having those answers). I am giving this book three stars on Goodreads.
**I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2020
I want to give it three stars but I want to also give it two stars. This one didn't do it for me like the first one did. I thought the first one was amazing and so good. I even put it under my favorite books but this one was a little disappointing. I was expecting more. I was expecting it to be better. But I still liked reading it. That's why I'm sticking with three stars. It just didn't live up to how the first book did. It didn't make me want to keep reading and not sit the book down. I would have been happy with the first book just being a standalone. Maybe that might just be me though.
June 5, 2022
Yesssssss! Ok so the first one was better, but this was so good.
April 4, 2022
You ever read a book that's so ridiculous you can't help but enjoy it? That was this book for me. I don't know what it is, but this was like teen horror candy and I could not put it down.
After the events of #Murdertrending, our DRBC (Death Row Breakfast Club for those who haven't read it yet) are in hiding. Despite uncovering that Alcatraz 2.0 was a sham and proving their innocence, there are still people out there who are angry that they destroyed the Postman App. But when a new TV show is casting for fake "Paniac's", they realize they must stop what is going on before more people die.
What I really liked was getting to see our original characters again and how they are or aren't adjusting to life after everything happened. While I wasn't so thrilled on the newbie POV, it was still entertaining. However, Becca annoyed the crap out of me and I just wanted her to shut up.
I will say, you can definitely tell this was written during a certain President's reign just based on some of the snide comments that were thrown in and how much shade was thrown at the "former reality start President" and colluding with Russia. This book/series is also the perfect social commentary for just how obsessed as a society we are with social media and feeds and even murder. The need to be involved in everything right away and feel like you're a part of something really shows in the social media sections of this story.
Overall, a good time and a quick read.
After the events of #Murdertrending, our DRBC (Death Row Breakfast Club for those who haven't read it yet) are in hiding. Despite uncovering that Alcatraz 2.0 was a sham and proving their innocence, there are still people out there who are angry that they destroyed the Postman App. But when a new TV show is casting for fake "Paniac's", they realize they must stop what is going on before more people die.
What I really liked was getting to see our original characters again and how they are or aren't adjusting to life after everything happened. While I wasn't so thrilled on the newbie POV, it was still entertaining. However, Becca annoyed the crap out of me and I just wanted her to shut up.
I will say, you can definitely tell this was written during a certain President's reign just based on some of the snide comments that were thrown in and how much shade was thrown at the "former reality start President" and colluding with Russia. This book/series is also the perfect social commentary for just how obsessed as a society we are with social media and feeds and even murder. The need to be involved in everything right away and feel like you're a part of something really shows in the social media sections of this story.
Overall, a good time and a quick read.
April 3, 2024
I give it 4.5 ⭐️
I did not expect that ending
I did not expect that ending
December 26, 2019
**Review can be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
After the debacle that was Alcatraz 2.0, the country is in a total uproar. The president is on trial for potentially having a part in the popular murder show, the identity of the killers is being researched, fans are going wild- and a new television show is seeking contestants to participate in a fake murder show. Becca just wants to mourn the loss of her mom, but something is just not right. When a conspiracy theorist starts stalking her, things get real- fast.
#MurderTrending blew me out of the water with it's uniqueness and danger and nonstop adrenaline and plot. It was one of the craziest yet amazing books I have read this year and I loved every blood splattered minute (which makes me wonder about myself, but oh well). When I started reading #MurderFunding, I felt a little like I was floundering. I hoped for the same basic thing, the thing that set #MurderTrending out in my head, but that was not what I got. I fully realize that this is probably due to my own misguided expectations, expecting the same thing but part 2, which just would not fly in the real world. Instead, the first half of #MurderFunding was a slow build, new characters being introduced and a new mystery to get on board for and I was a teensy bit bored. Nothing was wrong with the book, I just missed the action and danger that was the entire first book.
That being said, about half way through the book, the action and horror hit! I was basically steamrolled (sorry, couldn't resist- read the book!) by the twists and turns the story took. It was an adrenaline ride that I finished in a day because I could not put it down (keep in mind it took me weeks to get through the first half) . I had no idea what would happen with all the murder and mayhem thrown around like confetti. I rate the second half 5 stars and the first three stars so it averages out to 4 stars for the book overall. The ending felt a little like there might be more coming, and I really hope there is! This series is so unlike anything else, perfect for those who like gore, action, mysteries, (usually deadly) surprises, and the fact that nobody is safe!
After the debacle that was Alcatraz 2.0, the country is in a total uproar. The president is on trial for potentially having a part in the popular murder show, the identity of the killers is being researched, fans are going wild- and a new television show is seeking contestants to participate in a fake murder show. Becca just wants to mourn the loss of her mom, but something is just not right. When a conspiracy theorist starts stalking her, things get real- fast.
#MurderTrending blew me out of the water with it's uniqueness and danger and nonstop adrenaline and plot. It was one of the craziest yet amazing books I have read this year and I loved every blood splattered minute (which makes me wonder about myself, but oh well). When I started reading #MurderFunding, I felt a little like I was floundering. I hoped for the same basic thing, the thing that set #MurderTrending out in my head, but that was not what I got. I fully realize that this is probably due to my own misguided expectations, expecting the same thing but part 2, which just would not fly in the real world. Instead, the first half of #MurderFunding was a slow build, new characters being introduced and a new mystery to get on board for and I was a teensy bit bored. Nothing was wrong with the book, I just missed the action and danger that was the entire first book.
That being said, about half way through the book, the action and horror hit! I was basically steamrolled (sorry, couldn't resist- read the book!) by the twists and turns the story took. It was an adrenaline ride that I finished in a day because I could not put it down (keep in mind it took me weeks to get through the first half) . I had no idea what would happen with all the murder and mayhem thrown around like confetti. I rate the second half 5 stars and the first three stars so it averages out to 4 stars for the book overall. The ending felt a little like there might be more coming, and I really hope there is! This series is so unlike anything else, perfect for those who like gore, action, mysteries, (usually deadly) surprises, and the fact that nobody is safe!
January 1, 2020
I had such high expectations for this one. I absolutely loved the first book. I was very excited when I heard about the sequel but it was all too convenient. It was hard to suspend disbelief. Half of the book was dragging and the other half was action packed but ultimately the reveal was disappointing. I loved the parts from the characters in the first book. I wished we knew more about the Paniacs. Why did they do it ? How were they recruited etc.
August 18, 2019
What an enormous disappointment. What a bland but aggravating follow-up. I was bored by page thirty, rolling my eyes by page forty, and seriously considered DNF'ing by page sixty. I misunderstood what the sequel was going to be about in a very fundamental way, as well. I knew it was going to be from the POV of Molly Mauler's kid, but thought it'd all be set up and executed (pun unintended) differently. I was bored or annoyed by every person in this book, but thought it clever that the original survivors were included. Somehow I thought the original cast would return, but only those three did. The world-building in this is terrible. Just because this is a sequel doesn't mean world-building isn't needed. "The Hunger Games" and "Harry Potter" (1-7 anyway) as examples, are terrific at using their sequels and subsequent books to enhance the built worlds. This book is coded as taking place right now., with its incessant references to President Cheeto and his cronies, but it quickly turns into a plot device. I kid you not, this novel has Russian agents involved, and Russians are some of the Paniacs' biggest fans. It could have been scathing commentary but instead is so, so stupid. The unfortunate implications from the first book are multiplied and intensified here. There's a Bury Your Gays trope four times over, alone, along with continued negative portrayals of POC and gay people before they died. But she did that in the first book too, so it wasn't surprising, just enraging. The cast doesn't start Paniac stuff until two hundred pages into the book. Around that time, supposedly strong bonds are unconvincingly formed and Enemies to Lovers is a trope that the author rams into my brain. This book has a lot of tropes I hated. The book ended with an incredibly melodramatic funeral scene, with the last line suggesting a sequel. I rolled my eyes and was glad the book was over. I'll reread the first one because it was interesting, but ignore this and further ones.
July 14, 2019
I gave #MurderTrending 5-stars, but I'm kind of bummed out by this one. RTC.
October 21, 2019
I hope you're joining us for the #MurderFunding read-a-long because there are some AMAZING prizes. Enter here.
——
If anyone can take the current US presidency and add a bucket of murder somehow turning it into a palatable story we can all read, it’s Gretchen McNeil.
#MurderTrending was a murderous ride featuring a familiar world and #MurderFunding takes all of this and kicks it up a notch. Set a bit after the end of #MurderTrending, the #CinderellaSurvivor crew take a backseat as a new crew of Paniacs are recruited for the next generation of murder.
I can’t say much without giving away the story but I can say this:
- The deaths in this book are 10x more horrific and they’ll have you desperate to look away but also clamoring to read every page.
- Yes, we see familiar faces from the first book.
- Yes, the questions left over from book 1 get resolved.
- There are several big twists that you won’t see coming.
All in all, the most fictional part of the story is not the murder and mayhem but that the senate would impeach the president (who is not Trump buttttt…….).
——
If anyone can take the current US presidency and add a bucket of murder somehow turning it into a palatable story we can all read, it’s Gretchen McNeil.
#MurderTrending was a murderous ride featuring a familiar world and #MurderFunding takes all of this and kicks it up a notch. Set a bit after the end of #MurderTrending, the #CinderellaSurvivor crew take a backseat as a new crew of Paniacs are recruited for the next generation of murder.
I can’t say much without giving away the story but I can say this:
- The deaths in this book are 10x more horrific and they’ll have you desperate to look away but also clamoring to read every page.
- Yes, we see familiar faces from the first book.
- Yes, the questions left over from book 1 get resolved.
- There are several big twists that you won’t see coming.
All in all, the most fictional part of the story is not the murder and mayhem but that the senate would impeach the president (who is not Trump buttttt…….).
March 27, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this review copy of #Murderfunding.
I really enjoyed #Murdertrending and was looking forward to reading the sequel but I wasn’t sure where the story would go.
I like the infusion of new characters and the Alcatraz 2.0 storyline. Becca was a very sympathetic character although she took a lot of impulsive risks and her catchphrase of “can not hang” got old. It was good to see Dee, Nyles and Griselda back in action in their respective roles. The storyline of the president, Russians and treason was a wink at our current times.
Both #Murdertrending and it’s predecessor #Murdertrending are wildly dramatic and improbably stories perfect for people who enjoy Scooby Doo-esque plots with a big reveal at the end with lots of laughs along the way.
I really enjoyed #Murdertrending and was looking forward to reading the sequel but I wasn’t sure where the story would go.
I like the infusion of new characters and the Alcatraz 2.0 storyline. Becca was a very sympathetic character although she took a lot of impulsive risks and her catchphrase of “can not hang” got old. It was good to see Dee, Nyles and Griselda back in action in their respective roles. The storyline of the president, Russians and treason was a wink at our current times.
Both #Murdertrending and it’s predecessor #Murdertrending are wildly dramatic and improbably stories perfect for people who enjoy Scooby Doo-esque plots with a big reveal at the end with lots of laughs along the way.
November 3, 2019
Hmm.. So I didn't like the first book (in fact I was very disappointed with the first book), so why did I think the second book would be any better?
Maybe it's just me. Maybe this series just isn't for me. But the concept of this series is so interesting and so modern yet slightly futuristic and dystopian, but the execution of both books just didn't work for me.
I thought maybe switching the POV for Dee and the Breakfast Club to Becca, and the concept that her mother was one of the Painiacs, would improve the series for me. But I guess I hate Becca more than I hated Dee.
Another disappointing read. :(
Maybe it's just me. Maybe this series just isn't for me. But the concept of this series is so interesting and so modern yet slightly futuristic and dystopian, but the execution of both books just didn't work for me.
I thought maybe switching the POV for Dee and the Breakfast Club to Becca, and the concept that her mother was one of the Painiacs, would improve the series for me. But I guess I hate Becca more than I hated Dee.
Another disappointing read. :(
August 4, 2019
I had to read #murdertrending before reading #murderfunding so it took me a while to get to reading this one. Honestly, I questioned how this could be a sequel to #murdertrending other than the inclusion of characters from that book as minor characters in this book. The book moved so SLOW until almost midway through and then it moved at lightening speed and I saw how it could be the sequel. I felt like the characters were stereotypical and not well developed. Plot twists also didn’t give me the “holy cow” factor. It’s an ok book, it just took way too long to become a page turner.
January 10, 2020
One of my most anticipated books of the year and it didn't disappoint.....they will do anything to reboot this show, I love it. I have so many more questions now though! like all sequels this book also has sequel syndrome, I think the first book had more impact but I still cannot wait to see what becomes of this dysfunctional group of characters that have death in common and not much else...... :)
December 18, 2020
Unlike the first story, this one went chronologically, but bounced between the point of view of two characters. This story includes two lesbian couples, but is certainly not graphic or detailed. This is my second of Gretchen McNeil's books, and I think she writes well. I found the book intriguing, fun, and it kept my interest - wanting to know what would happen next. I am amazed at all the oddball characters she could come up with for contestants. At the end of each chapter there were posts on a message board for somethings similar to GoFundMe. There is more character building than in some YA books, enough that I cared what happened to the some of the characters. You may want to make a note of the characters as you read as there are many. I did like the first book better though, but still recommend this book. I see a third book is out now, so that's now on my to read list!
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#abookaboutorinvolvingsocialmedia
June 14, 2019
I thought the first book was pretty fun if you didn't want to think about it too hard. Sure, there are better mysteries and there are better murder books and there are better nightmare-reality-TV books, but it was still fun. This one was just not.
Issue 1: We followed two groups of people. Our time was not split evenly, and Dee's story wasn't especially interesting or, honestly, necessary.
Issue 2: The crowdfunded murder TV show took up very little of the book, comparatively, and we didn't really get to know the characters that well before they started dying. This doesn't matter for the first few that died, but I just did not care.
Issue 3: The conspiracy theory was not entertaining enough to take up as much of the book as it did.
Issue 1: We followed two groups of people. Our time was not split evenly, and Dee's story wasn't especially interesting or, honestly, necessary.
Issue 2: The crowdfunded murder TV show took up very little of the book, comparatively, and we didn't really get to know the characters that well before they started dying. This doesn't matter for the first few that died, but I just did not care.
Issue 3: The conspiracy theory was not entertaining enough to take up as much of the book as it did.
May 29, 2024
A tad disjointed and not as well fleshed out. The camp and absurdity that the first had was a slight sprinkle in this one with a plot that was too ridiculous and far-fetched. I felt like it was very basic and bland. Everything was speeding through and there was not enough grounding in the story or characters. The relationships were surface level and the characters presented I neither liked nor disliked. The appearance of characters from the first book made no sense as they weren't developed enough nor gave enough of their story. Too many storylines competing with each other. Very apathetic as nothing was being presented to root for or against. The first book was very strong and wrapped up nicely. I won't be continuing with the series
May 13, 2024
Three months after the events of #Murdertrending, the survivors are still hiding out due to threats on their lives, & they can't believe that a new reality show based on the now dead serial killers called 'Who Wants to be a Painiac?' is about to get up & running. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Becca Martinello's mum, Ruth, died recently in a car accident. At the funeral, Becca spots a strange girl taking photos & this girl also appears to following her at school.
Becca decides to confront her & finds out her name is Stef & she tells Becca that she is there to get proof that Ruth was none other than Molly Mauler. Becca doesn't believe a word but decides to help Stef whilst secretly plotting to destroy any evidence. The two girls decide to audition for the new show to try & track down new leads. The show is supposed to be non-lethal, but when several of the auditioners disappear & Becca witnesses an undercover agent get shot & killed, they realise that they've been lied to & all their lives are at stake.
This one wasn't quite as gripping as the first book, but it's still a pacy read with bodies dropping left, right & centre. There's also an enemies-to-lovers subplot & the original survivors pop up in several chapters which was nice as I didn't warm to the new characters in this one. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
TWs: graphic violence, death.
Becca decides to confront her & finds out her name is Stef & she tells Becca that she is there to get proof that Ruth was none other than Molly Mauler. Becca doesn't believe a word but decides to help Stef whilst secretly plotting to destroy any evidence. The two girls decide to audition for the new show to try & track down new leads. The show is supposed to be non-lethal, but when several of the auditioners disappear & Becca witnesses an undercover agent get shot & killed, they realise that they've been lied to & all their lives are at stake.
This one wasn't quite as gripping as the first book, but it's still a pacy read with bodies dropping left, right & centre. There's also an enemies-to-lovers subplot & the original survivors pop up in several chapters which was nice as I didn't warm to the new characters in this one. 3.5 stars (rounded up)
TWs: graphic violence, death.
March 17, 2025
This book was so bad it was good.
First of all, nothing made sense. The entire time I was reading I was trying to figure out what was going on.
The climax was so…anticlimactic? The first book did the “final boss fight” or whatever you want to call it so well. It was suspenseful and crazy and I loved it. In this book, these people show up to callbacks for the show and a randomly hauled into a deadly arena where people just start dying.
And please tell me how these murders we’re streamed to MILLIONS of viewers but the MCs claimed to have no way of proving their innocence…?
The dialogue was also all over the place and I felt as if I couldn’t bring myself to feel remorse for any of the characters.
Despite all of this, this book had me hooked for reasons I can’t explain, even though I’m slightly traumatized.
First of all, nothing made sense. The entire time I was reading I was trying to figure out what was going on.
The climax was so…anticlimactic? The first book did the “final boss fight” or whatever you want to call it so well. It was suspenseful and crazy and I loved it. In this book, these people show up to callbacks for the show and a randomly hauled into a deadly arena where people just start dying.
And please tell me how these murders we’re streamed to MILLIONS of viewers but the MCs claimed to have no way of proving their innocence…?
The dialogue was also all over the place and I felt as if I couldn’t bring myself to feel remorse for any of the characters.
Despite all of this, this book had me hooked for reasons I can’t explain, even though I’m slightly traumatized.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
It was good, I liked the premise of the book. There were definitely moments that were shocking which is to be expected. However, the romance literally came out of nowhere and didn’t make sense. I wish I could’ve heard more about the other perspectives. It’s supposed to be different perspectives but it was disproportional. Can’t wait to read the third book though.
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