I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read Danielle Valentine’s “How to Survive Your Murder” last October and loved it. It was totally out there, but it worked, so when I saw that “Two Sides to Every Murder” was available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. I will admit that I initially thought it would be a sequel to “How to Survive…” and I was a little disappointed when I learned it wasn’t. But when I read in the synopsis that it was a mashup of “Friday the 13th” (one of my favorite horror films) and “The Parent Trap” (also a fave – the 1960s version with Haley Mills, not the remake), I was excited all over again. Did it work? Mostly. Did I love it as much as “How to Survive…” no, but it was still a fun ride.

The novel follows Olivia and Reagan, two young women whose lives are intertwined by the tragic murders that took place at Camp Lost Lake sixteen years ago. Olivia’s parents ran the camp, and her mother was so stressed by the events that she gave birth to Olivia that same night. Reagan’s mother was also at the camp when the murders took place, and her father was one of the victims. When Reagan’s mother was pegged as the killer, she went on the run, taking a newborn Reagan with her. Sixteen years later, Olivia’s sister is set to reopen Camp Lost Lake as a wellness retreat, and the murders have been the topic of a popular podcast. After listening to the podcast, Reagan decides that she is going to clear her mother’s name so they can stop running and sets off for the camp to find clues that may set her free.

But someone else is at the camp as well. Someone who has donned the black slicker and witch’s mask worn by the original killer. Someone who is very adept with a bow and arrow. Someone who is going to make sure the truth of what happened that night never gets out, and they’ll take down anyone who tries to get in their way.

The setting of Camp Lost Lake is vividly brought to life, with its eerie atmosphere and dark secrets lurking around every corner. Valentine does a fantastic job of creating a sense of unease and tension that permeates the novel. The dense forest, the abandoned cabins, and an imposing rainstorm all make an appearance – all standard tropes we slasher lovers expect – especially when the setting is a campground with a dark history.

The book alternates between Reagan’s and Olivia’s points of view with flashbacks to what really happened the night of the murders peppered in. Valentine’s writing is engaging, and the chapters are short and to the point, which makes it easy to settle into and read in a single sitting. The pacing is excellent, with twists and turns that will keep even the most seasoned mystery lovers engaged.

As Olivia and Reagan dig deeper into the past, they uncover shocking revelations that challenge everything they thought they knew. The twists and turns are well-executed, and the resolution is satisfying, though not exactly surprising. I loved that Valentine didn’t try to fluff this up with a lot of extraneous content – she got in, told the story, and got out. That said, I wasn’t really surprised by anything that happened. I had pegged what was likely to happen pretty early on, mainly because all of the standard slasher tropes and setups were used. I was waiting for a twist that would turn the expected on its head, but sadly, that never came. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the last chapter. On one hand, it fits with the slasher vibe, but it felt like it was lacking something. I didn’t totally buy into it.

Overall, this is a quick, fun, easy read that checks all of the standard slasher checkboxes. There are some fun twists, and you can easily get through this one in a single sitting. That said, I was really hoping for an unexpected twist that, sadly, didn’t come. In the end, it was just okay for me.