Not Quite Dead Yet

On Halloween night, 27-year-old Jet Mason returns home after her family’s annual event, ready to resume her aimless life of putting things off with her mantra: “I’ll do it later.” But a violent attack leaves her with a catastrophic brain injury and a chilling diagnosis—she has exactly seven days to live before a ruptured aneurysm ends her life. With time running out, Jet refuses to spend her final days in hospital beds or surgery rooms. Instead, she embarks on a desperate race against the clock to solve her own murder before she’s gone for good.

Teaming up with her childhood friend Billy, whom she reconnects with after moving in above his pub, Jet navigates the shadowy corners of her small Vermont town. Every lead, every secret, and every tense conversation becomes a lifeline as she digs into her own past, unraveling hidden connections and motives she never saw coming. Their dynamic fuels the investigation—Billy’s loyalty clashes with Jet’s sharp, abrasive personality, yet their bond proves unbreakable even as danger closes in.

The urgency of Jet’s ticking clock transforms ordinary interactions into high-stakes confrontations. She uses her limited time to confront suspects, exploit loopholes, and chase truths others would bury, all while grappling with the emotional weight of leaving behind her parents, her beloved dog Reggie, and a life she never fully lived. Holly Jackson masterfully balances raw vulnerability with relentless pacing, making every page feel like a breath held too long.

As a debut adult novel from the acclaimed author of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder YA series, this story showcases Jackson’s evolution into sophisticated, emotionally charged suspense. The small-town atmosphere of Woodstock, Vermont, becomes a character itself—full of whispered rumors, buried histories, and deceptively quiet streets that hide explosive secrets. Readers will feel the grit of Jet’s determination and the ache of her unfinished business.

Without leaning into cheap thrills, Jackson crafts a narrative that’s as psychologically rich as it is propulsive. Jet’s journey isn’t just about finding a killer; it’s about reclaiming agency in the face of oblivion, forcing painful conversations, and discovering what truly matters when tomorrow isn’t promised. The result is a haunting, clever mystery that lingers long after the final page.