As the book progresses, the author’s expert ability to dole out subtle clues and craft convincing red herrings will keep readers fully invested; this is one of those books where everyone has a dark side and seems like they might just be capable of murder. One of the unique selling points of Ashley Winstead’s debut novel is its ensemble cast, and the riveting glimpse Winstead offers her readers into the inner workings of its central friend group, a clique known as the “East House Seven. i read thrillers for real life gasping reveals and this along with most of the thrillers i read just didn’t make the cut. A college reunion turns dark and deadly in this chilling and propulsive suspense novel about six friends, one unsolved murder, and the dark secrets they’ve been hiding from each other—and themselves—for a decade.

They are each distinguished well and the developing cracks in their relationships add a lot of dark, brooding suspense in an already sinister-feeling mystery. Twisty and compulsively readable, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife will have you turning pages late into the night, not just to figure out who murdered beloved Heather Shelby, but to see whether friendships forged under fire can ever be resurrected again.She’s put her life back together since her best friend, Heather was murdered and Jack, one of the East House Seven was accused of the crime. The novel has some surprising revelations, and one stunning final admission that I didn’t see coming. Part murder mystery, part coming of age, these flawed (and somewhat unlikable characters) will challenge you in the best way possible, and perhaps convince you to feel for them just a bit by the end? As the story—which alternates between past and present and is narrated at one point by many of the friends—unfolds, secrets will be revealed, grudges will be unearthed, and old scars will be reopened. Now that I've had some time to reflect on it, I can honestly, and confidently say this novel will very likely be one of my top reads for 2021, and with the number of thrillers I read, that’s saying quite a bit!

I know I would have loved this one a lot more if I hadn’t read a similar book before, but sometimes that’s just how it goes! It's an addictive story, dark academia at its best, but also it’ll leave you with a shadow of nostalgia for something that happened but it's now over.

At times, this was reminiscent of the old '80s classic, Clue, and at other times it read quite similar to L. Taut and atmospheric, with scenes from Jessica's childhood and college years interposed with the dramatic events of the present day, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife will keep readers guessing until the very last moment.