“That final week, not quite long enough, not quite dead yet.
But if it’s a frog to you, then it’s a frog to me too.” – Not Quiet Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
Format : 400 pages, Hardcover
Published : July 17, 2025
Genres : Mystery, Thriller, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Book Club, Crime, Adult, Contemporary, Suspense
Tropes : Strong fmc, solving her own murder, childhood best friends, partners in crime, dysfunctional family, secrets, small town, halloween, murder mystery
*Important – I don’t own all the pictures used in this post or on my edits, so I always mention the source and credits as all the rights go to respective owners. But I only claim the editing so please contact me if you have any problem. Thank you.
*Disclosure : Some of the links in this post are affiliated, which means if you make any purchase through the link I gain a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support the blog so thank you!! <333
Related to Not Quiet Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
- Author Guide : Holly Jackson, About, Books, Reading Order, 2 upcoming books & more
- The Ultimate Guide to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder TV Series 1 : Everything You Need to Know
- A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson Review + Guide (Spoiler Free) – 2024
It’s been a while since I posted a book review. And it’s kinda shocking for me because that’s what I have been doing the most ever since I started my blog. But it’s okay I am back and I am hoping to post at least one book review every week or two from now on.
I may have stopped posting the book reviews but didn’t stop reading. That’s not possible actually, like… ever… So, let’s begin with the first one I read this year, which is Not Quiet Dead Yet by Holly Jackson aka one of my favourite authors. Loved the title and the book of course (but hated the ending bc I bawled like a baby and will do more as I finish up this review I think).
So, let’s get to the book and review along with the stuff I add in my book reviews.
About Not Quiet Dead Yet by Holly Jackson/Summary
Set on Woodstock, Vermont the book begins with Jet celebrating halloween with her family. But soon the celebrations end as she gets attacked violently which causes her severe brain injury. Severe enough that she has only 1 week survival time. She gets an option to undergo a surgery that has a high risk of not surviving or just live the remaining 7days the way she wants.
And, she decides to go with the latter and solve her own murder before her time is up. While she teams up with her childhood friend Billy to solve it, we see her find out long buried truths, secrets, and betrayal by the people she trusted all her life too.
‘So … you’re saying that I’d be dead in about a week?’
No one answered.
When I first read about the book I thought there is no way I am reading a book about a girl solving her own attempted murder in a week and then dying but I still begin reading hoping the main character jet will somehow survive. I was gaslighting myself so I continued reading. And, to be honest I was really intrigued because I have never read something like this ever. I don’t know if I will be able to read something like this ever again too.
What did she want? She wanted her life back. She wanted to go back two days and unbreak her head, make sure none of this ever happened. She wanted what she’d always wanted. To do something, achieve something big, something undeniably great, to prove that she could.
-Knowing her time is running out and wondering why this happened. The plans she made, dreams and everything she still had to achieve but time is not in her favor. And, slowly accepting it and taking the decision to spend the rest of her time in the world solving her own murder because that’s the only thing left for her. It was absolutely painful to even read and wonder even as a reader.
I’m going with her!’ Billy screamed, and Jet mouthed his lines with him, memorized after the sixth time. He reemerged, coming out different too. His white-and-brown-check shirt stained red instead, his own glistening handprint over his chest, a smear under one eye. ‘She can’t be alone!’ they said together: Billy yelling, Jet whispering. ‘I’m coming too! So is the dog! No, no, Dad. I’m not leaving him. Jet wouldn’t want that!’ Jet smiled sadly, pressing pause, freezing them all in that moment of chaos.
– This part gave me some comfort and reminded me of my beloved pip and Ravi and barney too. How they teamed up to solve the first case. But things are so different in this book. I used to get so excited and kept reading and having fun to see Pip and Ravi investigating. But reading Jet and Billy just gave me sadness. I could feel happy, frustrated and sad at the same time.
Also Ever since I read about Billy I only imagined another version of Ravi. From letting her move into his house, agreeing to be her partner to solve her case and helping with stuff every single thing reminds me of Ravi.
‘Well, you’ve probably ruled some things out. I’m no detective, but it probably wasn’t aliens or Taylor Swift. She’s very busy.’
– This was kind of funny and cute. No matter how sad and frustrating this book was at times, the classic Holly Jackson sarcasms were also right in place. And, probably that gave the readers some amount of comfort too. Also, I love the Taylor Swift reference. As much positive as most Taylor Swift references are, it is equally negative sometimes too. So, reading this genuinely felt good.
Jet felt the hairs standing up along her aching arms. She hugged them to herself. Billy Fucking Finney, eh? Who would have thought?
And, we also got the Holly Jackson classic small slow burn romance subplot in this murder mystery and this is the only thing that got me going to be honest. Because I just felt sad most of the time. And, after reading this book I have full beef with Holly. Because I don’t know why she is allergic to giving her characters a happy ending?? I am still hoping she writes a rom com and gives the characters a very most awaited happy ending.
And, that’s all for the not spoilery part. I don’t actually want to add the painful parts in this review. I honestly loved reading it because it was Holly’s new book and I love her writing. 2nd, the book and its plot was very unique. And finally the fact it hurt to the point it made me cry.
You know when a book makes you smile, laugh or cry and you get the overwhelming and content feeling that yes, I read it and felt something even though you can’t put into words what exactly. It was one of those books. I had a hard time continuing when I picked it up last year because I knew it was sad.
And, I always try to avoid sad books, or the books that have tropes and stuff I don’t like or even recommend reading others but I still gave a try and it was honestly worth it. But I don’t know if I can do it again. I hope Holly doesn’t write something like this again. I haven’t moved on from as good as dead’s ending and then this book.
So, yes that’s all for the review, I hope jet is in a good place and reading some good books too.