Quick verdict
Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson, published in 2025, is a fast, high-concept mystery that reads a lot like her young adult work but is marketed to adults. Reader reactions are generally positive with some reservations. If you enjoy fast, twisty thrillers with a dark sense of humor, it is likely to work. If you want strict realism, expect to suspend disbelief.
The premise
Jet Mason, in her twenties, is attacked on a Halloween night and learns that a medical condition combined with her injuries leaves her with only about a week to live. Police are not pursuing the case with urgency, so she decides to solve her own attempted murder before time runs out. Her childhood friend Billy helps her investigate, and the suspects are close to home: family and people from her past.
The ticking-clock setup is the book’s biggest selling point, because every chapter carries the question of whether she will find the answer in time.
What works
- The hook. A narrator racing her own deadline is easy to describe and hard to put down.
- Pace. Jackson is known for page-turning plotting, clues that return later and short, punchy chapters.
- Humor and voice. Jet is sarcastic and stubborn, which gives the dark premise some lightness.
- Emotional weight. Several reviewers say the story is more affecting than expected, especially around family, mortality and her friendship with Billy.
What does not work for everyone
- Medical realism. A common complaint is that someone with a serious, life-threatening injury doing so much physical investigating strains belief. If you read thrillers with a strict eye for plausibility, this may bother you.
- A YA feel. Some reviewers felt the tone, structure and character dynamics are close to Jackson’s teen books even though this is billed as an adult novel.
- Convenient clues. As with many mystery plots, a few developments feel conveniently timed.
Is Not Quite Dead Yet YA?
No. It is published and marketed as an adult thriller, and its protagonist is an adult. That said, readers who enjoyed Holly Jackson’s earlier work will recognize her style, which is why people often assume it belongs on a teen shelf. Content labels and shelving can differ between bookstores and libraries.
Can a teen read it?
Many older teens who already read adult thrillers will probably manage it, since the voice is accessible. But it deals with violence, serious injury, mortality and family conflict, and it is intended for adults. Parents of younger teens may want to read a few chapters first or check a detailed content guide. Teens who prefer YA could start with a teen-targeted mystery such as our review of Is Five Survive a Good Book, another Holly Jackson thriller.
What is As Good as Dead about?
As Good as Dead is the third book in Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, which follows a teen investigator named Pip. It is a different series from Not Quite Dead Yet, though the two share the author. People often confuse them because of the similar titles. It is best read after the first two books.
The audiobook
Audiobook listings usually name the narrator, and we cannot confirm who performs it without checking a current listing. A fast, voice-driven mystery tends to suit audio well, particularly if you enjoy a sarcastic narrator. Look at a library or audiobook retailer sample to see if the performance suits you.
Who should read it
- Fans of Holly Jackson who want an adult-leaning book.
- Readers who enjoy mysteries with a ticking clock and emotional undertones.
- People who can overlook some medical improbability for the sake of the story.
Skip it if you want a slow, realistic procedural.