Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
4 Stars
The Book At A Glance
Jet Mason has seven days to live. After a brutal Halloween night attack leaves her with a catastrophic head injury, doctors warn that a fatal aneurysm will end her life within a week. Refusing a risky surgery that might take her remaining time, Jet decides to spend her final days uncovering the truth. As she looks at her wealthy family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, and her ex-boyfriend with new suspicion, Jet realizes the attacker might be closer than she ever imagined. With the help of her childhood friend Billy, Jet has one last goal before time runs out: Solve her own murder.
Bookish Thoughts
I spotted this book at the library and the premise immediately caught my attention. Since I absolutely loved her A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, I couldn’t wait to see what she would do with her newest novel.
Book Review
In Not Quite Dead Yet, Holly Jackson delivers a haunting, emotionally charged mystery about a girl racing against time. Jet knows she is dying — and she knows someone is responsible. With only days left, she becomes determined to uncover the truth about what happened to her before it’s too late. As suspicion swirls and secrets unravel, Jet pieces together the people and moments that shaped her life — and may have led to her death. What unfolds is a twist-filled story layered with heartbreak, love, and the aching desperation of unfinished business.
This book was so well written. Holly Jackson builds tension slowly and carefully, almost deceptively, and then pulls the rug out from under you again and again. The pacing felt intentional, emotional, and sharp — every chapter mattered. The plot twists kept coming; just when I thought I had everything figured out, something shifted. Even though I correctly guessed some of the major twists before the final reveal (which is why I landed at four stars instead of five), the journey there was still incredibly compelling. The clues were layered intelligently, and nothing felt random or thrown in just for shock value.
More than anything, I loved Jet. Watching her growth throughout the novel was one of the most powerful aspects of the story. She begins raw, scared, and desperate for answers, but as the clock runs down, she becomes braver, softer, and more reflective. There’s a heartbreaking clarity she gains about her life, her choices, and the people she loves. Knowing the entire time that she was going to die made everything feel heavier — and it absolutely wrecked me that she didn’t get to figure out who killed her before she passed. That lack of neat closure made the story feel even more tragic and real. Life — and death — don’t always give you the answers you want. And those letters? I was in tears. Completely undone. They felt intimate and final in a way that lingers long after you close the book.
Billy was such a genuinely good man — steady, loyal, and loving in that quiet, unwavering way. I wanted so badly for him and Jet to have the long life together they deserved. Their relationship felt tender and real, deeply human without being overly dramatic. I genuinely wish him all the best — which feels dramatic to say about a fictional character, but here we are.
Even though I anticipated some earlier twists, that final moment still had me reeling. I did not expect that ending. It was bold, slightly unhinged, and honestly kind of iconic. I closed the book just sitting there thinking, wait… what just happened? Overall, this was a great novel from Holly Jackson, and I highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for a thriller that will keep you guessing and leave you in tears.
“I think I’ve spent so long waiting for it all to begin, for life to really start, that I missed out on what it was really all about.”
Holly Jackson
Shelf To Table
The perfect food pairing for this novel is a Spider Ring Taco, which combines the comfort of a hearty, shareable meal with a fun Halloween theme. Its playful spider design fits perfectly with the spooky carnival setting at the beginning of the story, while the warm, taco-seasoned filling makes it feel like a cozy comfort food. It strikes the perfect balance of fun, slightly spooky, and delicious—making it an ideal treat to enjoy while reading this suspenseful fall mystery.
Spider Taco Ring
Designed to resemble a playful spider, this dish features crescent-style dough shaped into legs with a ring of dough forming the body, filled with a savory taco-seasoned beef mixture.
Book Club Bite
Halloween treats such as caramel apple cider, candy, and candied apples would make the perfect book club snacks since the novel begins on Halloween night at a carnival. These festive treats match the autumn atmosphere while also reflecting the eerie mystery and suspense that drive the story’s plot. With its Halloween setting, small-town secrets, and fast-paced thriller elements, this novel also makes the perfect fall read—ideal for curling up with seasonal treats while trying to solve the mystery alongside Jet.
