Perfect for fans of How to Survive Your Murder and Dead Girls Can't Tell Secrets, this gripping YA thriller unravels the truth behind a shocking double homicide through the eyes of multiple unreliable narrators—each hiding secrets of their own.
Here's what everyone knows: After another notorious barn party at the McClain family farm, seventeen-year-old Sadie Cooper is found dead alongside her killer, Mason Vreeland. Sadie's twin sister, Jayne, witnesses the attack and cradles Sadie in her final moments, while Sadie's boyfriend, Ben, fatally shoots Mason in a desperate attempt to save her.
It should be an open-and-shut case. Find out why Mason did it, and the mystery is solved.
Except it isn't.
In the aftermath of the murders, Jayne, Ben, and Sadie's best friend, Liz, recount the night's events—and the weeks leading up to them—to investigators. But their stories don't quite line up. Small inconsistencies grow into major contradictions, raising one unsettling question: Who's lying, and what are they trying to hide?
Then, in a stunning final twist, the story shifts to Sadie herself in the days before the party, revealing the devastating truth behind what really happened. The clues have been there all along—but like Sadie, readers may not realize what's right in front of them until it's far too late.
Rachel Peterson graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a degree in English and creative writing. A lifelong Ohioan, she began her career in advertising before spending nearly a decade in New York City as a marketing executive in the technology industry. An avid traveler, Rachel now divides her time between Manhattan and the Midwest.
Here's what everyone knows: After another notorious barn party at the McClain family farm, seventeen-year-old Sadie Cooper is found dead alongside her killer, Mason Vreeland. Sadie's twin sister, Jayne, witnesses the attack and cradles Sadie in her final moments, while Sadie's boyfriend, Ben, fatally shoots Mason in a desperate attempt to save her.
It should be an open-and-shut case. Find out why Mason did it, and the mystery is solved.
Except it isn't.
In the aftermath of the murders, Jayne, Ben, and Sadie's best friend, Liz, recount the night's events—and the weeks leading up to them—to investigators. But their stories don't quite line up. Small inconsistencies grow into major contradictions, raising one unsettling question: Who's lying, and what are they trying to hide?
Then, in a stunning final twist, the story shifts to Sadie herself in the days before the party, revealing the devastating truth behind what really happened. The clues have been there all along—but like Sadie, readers may not realize what's right in front of them until it's far too late.
Rachel Peterson graduated from Miami University in Ohio with a degree in English and creative writing. A lifelong Ohioan, she began her career in advertising before spending nearly a decade in New York City as a marketing executive in the technology industry. An avid traveler, Rachel now divides her time between Manhattan and the Midwest.
1. If you had to describe Killing Sadie in three words, what would they be?
Everyone is lying.
2. What was the original spark that inspired Killing Sadie?
The spark came from being one of those kids growing up in a small Midwestern town with an imagination far bigger than the city limits! I was deeply into theater and old movies, so I had a knack for seeking out the dramatic and was always a little disappointed when real life was so very predictable. My running joke with family and friends is that I had far too normal of a childhood to write thrillers! But I think this spark came from really letting the imagination of my teenage self run wild with the twisty scenarios that we all find spinning around in our heads now and then.
3. The novel opens with readers already knowing who died—but not what really
happened. What drew you to that structure?
What drew me to the structure of Killing Sadie was creating a world that felt confined in the present – both in terms of time and also in the literal sense of our characters being confined at the police station – and relied on flashbacks to add texture and depth. Readers enter the world of Sadie Cooper already knowing a lot, but not knowing which characters to trust. The flashbacks also give us plenty of internal dialogue moments, which can really start to stretch the meaning of truth.
4. Why did you want to tell the story through multiple unreliable narrators?
I wanted to play with the idea of versions of truth, and how multiple people can experience the exact same event, but come away from it with totally different perceptions of what actually happened. Our characters experienced the most extreme scenario, of course, and it just felt natural to hear from each one of them – because they all have everything to lose – what they believe is the absolute truth. I also love creating different voices and exploring various writing styles, so it was super fun for me as a writer to jump from the mind of one character to another.
5. Which character surprised you the most as you were writing?
I honestly started to write Liz, Sadie’s best friend, as a character I expected to dislike. But she surprised me! I ended up finding so much of my younger self in this character, and exploring Liz’s insecurities and intense emotions was oddly cathartic! She represents the raw edges of the teenage experience, and is our most emotionally authentic character. I think readers will no doubt love certain characters one moment, and absolutely loathe them the next. I still surprise myself with which characters I relate to in any given moment.
6. Did you outline the mystery from beginning to end before you started writing, or
did the twists evolve during the process?
The beginning and (no spoilers) the title being true were locked in from the beginning. But how we got there was a complete blank slate! I did create a story map to keep the tiny details straight so that the inconsistencies in our characters’ stories would all add up to the shocking truth, which was so challenging! It definitely led to some fun conversations with our copyediting team … parts of the editing process were like playing two truths and a lie with my own story!
7. Did you have writer’s block on Killing Sadie? If so, how did you get over it?
As my incredible editor knows well, I have one speed when writing: FLAT OUT haha! If I hit a wall, I just focus in and write through it. One piece of advice I always give writers is that creating a writing practice that depends on commitment to routine rather than chasing an inspirational creative spark is incredibly valuable. Although, if I really need a break between writing sessions, you can find me at the barn with my horse, which never fails as a hard reset.
8. If you could give one piece of advice to your past self on the day you started writing the first draft of Killing Sadie, what would it be?
In short, enjoy it! Killing Sadie is a crazy fast read, but it was also a crazy fast write. My former professional life in marketing and tech was intense, and I always wished I gave myself more permission to enjoy the ride. As a debut author, I try to remind myself often that this is my childhood dream come true, and I want to soak up every minute!
9. Silly-game question: From the novel (with your eyes closed) could you please leaf through the pages and point at a random place. What is the full sentence? And what is the page number of this random sentence?
Page 163: “Was Miss Stratton wearing her necklace at the party last night?”
10. If the story of Killing Sadie were a concept album, what are three songs that would define the narrative arc?
The mood for Killing Sadie leans nostalgic and camp with frenetic energy, so I want to pick something a little wild to start. Maybe We Are Your Friends or One Minute to Midnight by Justice has a place? Many readers are also picking up on some Scream vibes, so we should probably add some hits from the 1996 original. How about First Cool Hive by Moby or Drop Dead Gorgeous from Republica? We would end with something that has a yearning, loss of innocence feel, like Dustland Fairytale by The Killers or Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits (readers may connect some fun dots with this one!).
11. At what point did you know exactly how the story would end?
This was a tricky one, and I want to avoid giving anything away, but I knew we needed a little (okay, big) twist after we hear from Sadie in Act 3. I also knew this needed to be tight, because our unreliable narrators have put us through A LOT. This final scene will either give readers the closure they need, or …
12. If Killing Sadie were adapted into a movie or series, who would you love to see play Sadie or Jayne?
This is a question that I have spent WAY too much time thinking about! Isabel Gravitt or Sadie Sink would be incredible to play our twins. I think either actor could play both Sadie and Jayne, which would fit perfectly with our acts and flashbacks.
13. What scene from the novel would you look forward to seeing on the screen?
Act 3: Dead Girl Talking, where Sadie reveals what really happened during the barn party would be so haunting, in the best way possible! Sadie looks directly into the camera and starts talking. Chills.
14. What's one question you wish interviewers would ask you about this book?
Oh, what a great question! The range of questions interviewers have asked about Killing Sadie has truly blown me away, from unpacking the meaning of truth to assigning outfits to characters (Jayne obviously wins best dressed) to the reason behind the classic literature quotes peppered in … honestly, I may need your help on this one. I could talk about the world of Sadie Cooper all day!
15. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?
This question makes my inner English major happy! My all-time fave from childhood is The Neverending Story, which we read in my middle school English class. It’s one of those books I reread every few years, and it always has something new to offer. As an adult, my favorite has to be One Hundred Years of Solitude. But I read everything from romance to thrillers and beyond!
16. What was the last story (fiction or nonfiction) you read?
I broke from my thriller stack, and just devoured "Into the Blue" by Emma Brodie.
17. Can readers expect more mysteries or thrillers from you in the future?
Yes! My next, and still super secret, YA thriller will be announced soon. What I can say is that if readers loved even the dash of equestrian life in Killing Sadie, their TBR will be happy.
18. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Okay, bear with me … I happen to love Las Culturistas, so maybe we have Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang together, and let them pick a mystery guest. But we have to do the entire interview in song.
19. Last question, if you have the power to bring back an author from the dead, for one day, to meet with, who would that be?
Oh, it is so hard to pick just one! But I would have to choose one of the Brontë sisters. I have SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.
Everyone is lying.
2. What was the original spark that inspired Killing Sadie?
The spark came from being one of those kids growing up in a small Midwestern town with an imagination far bigger than the city limits! I was deeply into theater and old movies, so I had a knack for seeking out the dramatic and was always a little disappointed when real life was so very predictable. My running joke with family and friends is that I had far too normal of a childhood to write thrillers! But I think this spark came from really letting the imagination of my teenage self run wild with the twisty scenarios that we all find spinning around in our heads now and then.
3. The novel opens with readers already knowing who died—but not what really
happened. What drew you to that structure?
What drew me to the structure of Killing Sadie was creating a world that felt confined in the present – both in terms of time and also in the literal sense of our characters being confined at the police station – and relied on flashbacks to add texture and depth. Readers enter the world of Sadie Cooper already knowing a lot, but not knowing which characters to trust. The flashbacks also give us plenty of internal dialogue moments, which can really start to stretch the meaning of truth.
4. Why did you want to tell the story through multiple unreliable narrators?
I wanted to play with the idea of versions of truth, and how multiple people can experience the exact same event, but come away from it with totally different perceptions of what actually happened. Our characters experienced the most extreme scenario, of course, and it just felt natural to hear from each one of them – because they all have everything to lose – what they believe is the absolute truth. I also love creating different voices and exploring various writing styles, so it was super fun for me as a writer to jump from the mind of one character to another.
5. Which character surprised you the most as you were writing?
I honestly started to write Liz, Sadie’s best friend, as a character I expected to dislike. But she surprised me! I ended up finding so much of my younger self in this character, and exploring Liz’s insecurities and intense emotions was oddly cathartic! She represents the raw edges of the teenage experience, and is our most emotionally authentic character. I think readers will no doubt love certain characters one moment, and absolutely loathe them the next. I still surprise myself with which characters I relate to in any given moment.
6. Did you outline the mystery from beginning to end before you started writing, or
did the twists evolve during the process?
The beginning and (no spoilers) the title being true were locked in from the beginning. But how we got there was a complete blank slate! I did create a story map to keep the tiny details straight so that the inconsistencies in our characters’ stories would all add up to the shocking truth, which was so challenging! It definitely led to some fun conversations with our copyediting team … parts of the editing process were like playing two truths and a lie with my own story!
7. Did you have writer’s block on Killing Sadie? If so, how did you get over it?
As my incredible editor knows well, I have one speed when writing: FLAT OUT haha! If I hit a wall, I just focus in and write through it. One piece of advice I always give writers is that creating a writing practice that depends on commitment to routine rather than chasing an inspirational creative spark is incredibly valuable. Although, if I really need a break between writing sessions, you can find me at the barn with my horse, which never fails as a hard reset.
8. If you could give one piece of advice to your past self on the day you started writing the first draft of Killing Sadie, what would it be?
In short, enjoy it! Killing Sadie is a crazy fast read, but it was also a crazy fast write. My former professional life in marketing and tech was intense, and I always wished I gave myself more permission to enjoy the ride. As a debut author, I try to remind myself often that this is my childhood dream come true, and I want to soak up every minute!
9. Silly-game question: From the novel (with your eyes closed) could you please leaf through the pages and point at a random place. What is the full sentence? And what is the page number of this random sentence?
Page 163: “Was Miss Stratton wearing her necklace at the party last night?”
10. If the story of Killing Sadie were a concept album, what are three songs that would define the narrative arc?
The mood for Killing Sadie leans nostalgic and camp with frenetic energy, so I want to pick something a little wild to start. Maybe We Are Your Friends or One Minute to Midnight by Justice has a place? Many readers are also picking up on some Scream vibes, so we should probably add some hits from the 1996 original. How about First Cool Hive by Moby or Drop Dead Gorgeous from Republica? We would end with something that has a yearning, loss of innocence feel, like Dustland Fairytale by The Killers or Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits (readers may connect some fun dots with this one!).
11. At what point did you know exactly how the story would end?
This was a tricky one, and I want to avoid giving anything away, but I knew we needed a little (okay, big) twist after we hear from Sadie in Act 3. I also knew this needed to be tight, because our unreliable narrators have put us through A LOT. This final scene will either give readers the closure they need, or …
12. If Killing Sadie were adapted into a movie or series, who would you love to see play Sadie or Jayne?
This is a question that I have spent WAY too much time thinking about! Isabel Gravitt or Sadie Sink would be incredible to play our twins. I think either actor could play both Sadie and Jayne, which would fit perfectly with our acts and flashbacks.
13. What scene from the novel would you look forward to seeing on the screen?
Act 3: Dead Girl Talking, where Sadie reveals what really happened during the barn party would be so haunting, in the best way possible! Sadie looks directly into the camera and starts talking. Chills.
14. What's one question you wish interviewers would ask you about this book?
Oh, what a great question! The range of questions interviewers have asked about Killing Sadie has truly blown me away, from unpacking the meaning of truth to assigning outfits to characters (Jayne obviously wins best dressed) to the reason behind the classic literature quotes peppered in … honestly, I may need your help on this one. I could talk about the world of Sadie Cooper all day!
15. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?
This question makes my inner English major happy! My all-time fave from childhood is The Neverending Story, which we read in my middle school English class. It’s one of those books I reread every few years, and it always has something new to offer. As an adult, my favorite has to be One Hundred Years of Solitude. But I read everything from romance to thrillers and beyond!
16. What was the last story (fiction or nonfiction) you read?
I broke from my thriller stack, and just devoured "Into the Blue" by Emma Brodie.
17. Can readers expect more mysteries or thrillers from you in the future?
Yes! My next, and still super secret, YA thriller will be announced soon. What I can say is that if readers loved even the dash of equestrian life in Killing Sadie, their TBR will be happy.
18. If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?
Okay, bear with me … I happen to love Las Culturistas, so maybe we have Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang together, and let them pick a mystery guest. But we have to do the entire interview in song.
19. Last question, if you have the power to bring back an author from the dead, for one day, to meet with, who would that be?
Oh, it is so hard to pick just one! But I would have to choose one of the Brontë sisters. I have SO. MANY. QUESTIONS.
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