Killing Sadie is the debut novel by US author Rachel Peterson. It’s the story of what happens in the aftermath of a tragic murder, as well as everything which led up to the events surrounding teenage Homecoming Queen and popular student Sadie Cooper’s death at a barn party (that she wasn’t meant to attend).
Here’s what we do know: there was another infamous barn party at the McClain family farm last night, and things went horribly wrong. By the end of the night, there were two dead bodies in the old barn: seventeen-year-old Sadie Cooper and her killer, Mason Vreeland. The murder was heartbreakingly witnessed by Sadie’s twin sister, Jayne, and Sadie died in her arms. Mason was killed by Sadie’s boyfriend, Ben, in an attempt to save Sadie.
Aside from figuring out Mason’s motive, it should be an open and shut case.
But it’s not.
The story unfolds just after the murders, and Jayne, Ben, and Sadie’s best friend, Liz, are telling the cops what transpired at the party and the events leading up to it. But little details don’t match. And those little details start to add up to big discrepancies. But who’s lying, and why?
The shocking truth is revealed in the third act, when the POV shifts to victim Sadie herself, in the days leading up to the party. Witness exactly what happened—and see if you can piece it all together. Because poor Sadie totally missed what was right in front of her.
In this interview, Rachel and I talked about everything from the inspiration for the book to her writing process and the compliments she’s received from friends and family. When I say compliments, we’re not talking gushing “Wow, this is amazing” here; we’re talking “That character was just horrible”.
We also discussed how she eventually found herself in the realm of YA thrillers (it was a rather circuitous route), and what’s coming next…though obviously not much could be revealed about her future projects – we’re all keeping secrets!
As with every single interview with an author (and reviews), when talking about Killing Sadie, there are no spoilers, because I honestly feel that sharing those would ruin your experience of the book when you pick it up.
Killing Sadie is an interesting study of the human character. Three teenagers are being questioned by the police; their best friend is dead. They know what happened, but they are being forced to relive the experience.
Sadie’s best friend, Liz, saw the body and is sure she knows what happened, but also has questions. The Cooper household was the one place she felt balanced; her home life is awful, living with the stepfather who clearly sees her as an inconvenience. She knows things about Sadie and has conflicted feelings about her best friend!
Ben is the golden boy, the star quarterback, the Homecoming King and Sadie’s boyfriend…but things weren’t all rosy between them before her death. He’s got a lot of secrets, but he’s also arrogant enough to believe his father’s wealth and position in the town will get him out of the station without issue.
Jayne is Sadie’s identical twin; she saw what happened, or at least part of it… and is there perhaps an element of jealousy when her popular, pretty sister is concerned?
Are they lying? Will one of them crack and reveal a truth that people weren’t aware of? Killing Sadie definitely keeps you guessing.
Books similar to Killing Sadie
The ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao
One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepherd
Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by LM Chilton
