No Shelf Control

By Susan Dennard

Thanks so much to Tor Teen for providing me with an ARC copy of The Executioners Three. All opinions are my own. The Excutioners Three is coming August 26th, be sure to grab a copy!

The Executioners Three is a fun, thrilling, and slightly eerie YA mystery that makes for a perfect fall read. Blending high school rivalries, long-standing legends, and a suspenseful murder mystery, Dennard crafts a story that is both cozy and chilling at once.

Rating:

Review:

The novel kicks off when Freddie, convinced she’s stumbled across a murder, calls the police… only to have her entire rival high school arrested at a party. What begins as a prank gone wrong quickly spirals into something much darker after a real body is discovered. From there, Dennard keeps the tension alive, weaving together a prank war decades in the making with the question of how far is too far when the stakes turn deadly.

What stood out most to me was the pacing. The story never drags, and Dennard balances the humor of the prank war with the weight of the unfolding mystery in a way that kept me engaged throughout. The legend-building at the heart of the novel adds a unique layer, giving the book a memorable twist beyond the standard high school drama. The writing itself also carried some subtle symbolism and thematic meaning, which I appreciated. It’s clear this was a carefully thought-out novel. Everything fits together in a satisfying, full-circle way by the end.

The characters are another strength. Each one feels distinct and multifaceted, and I enjoyed seeing how their dynamics evolved as the plot progressed. Dennard times the development well, so revelations about the characters land at just the right moments to enhance the suspense. That said, there were moments that pulled me out of the story. Some of the characters’ dialogue and actions felt a bit younger than their actual ages, which occasionally made the tone lean toward cheesy. For me, this weakened some of the tension and made the mystery feel less sharp than it could have been.

The vibes of The Executioners Three were so fun and perfect, and definitely got me in that cozy fall mood. Setting the scene perfectly, Dennard keeps readers guessing on whether or not the prank will be harmless or if it will end in another corpse. The characters are all well developed and multifaceted, making them fun to read about.

Overall, though, The Executioners Three is a clever, entertaining mystery that balances humor, suspense, and just a hint of the sinister. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me personally, I can see it being a favorite for readers who love cozy fall reads with unique legends, full-circle storytelling, and a touch of danger, partying. The Executioners Three is perfectly funny and silly as the two high schools continue in 20 year long prank war that eventually becomes more than just harmless jokes and tricks…