Release date: August 26 2025
Publisher: Daphne Press
Pages: 352
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars
Synopsis
Review
The Executioners Three is a really fun and engaging YA paranormal mystery – it’s full of atmosphere and absolutely perfect for spooky season.
The story follows Freddie Gellar who, one night, hears screaming in the woods and calls the police. She ends up getting half the pupils from a rival high school arrested. How was she to know it was a party? Freddie is hailed as a hero and becomes an official member of the prank squad. When a body is found in the woods the following day, the police rule it a suicide, but Freddie isn’t so sure. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets out with her trusty camera to find clues, but what she uncovers is a centuries-old curse and a whole host of secrets.
This was a thoroughly entertaining read that I raced through in a few sittings. It was fast paced with a tense, creepy atmosphere. There are plenty of really eerie, spooky moments in this story, particularly in the woods. There were also lots of twists and turns (and the reveal at the end was not one I suspected at all). I really enjoyed Dennard’s writing style and I found this a really easy story to get lost in.
I thought the characters were really well done, and I really liked seeing the friendships and rivalries between the different groups. I thought the romance was well developed, and I loved the portrayal of friendship between Freddie and Divya. Freddie is a bright protagonist, and I particularly enjoyed seeing her searching for clues and unravelling the mysteries. The only reason this wasn’t a five star read for me was that I felt there were one too many 90s references. Freddie frequently mentions Lance Bass, NSYNC, The Backstreet Boys, X-Files, and her Nokia phone. After a while, these felt a little jarring and took me out of the story. Despite this I had a really terrific time with The Executioners Three so if you’re looking for a compelling paranormal mystery with a brilliant protagonist, this one is definitely a must read.
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