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Sian Gilbert
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She Started It: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Sian Gilbert (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 2,865 ratings
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

A hot, twisty summer debut thriller about a Caribbean bachelorette party that takes a sinister turn. It’s Lord of the Flies meets And Then There Were None...but with Instagram and too much prosecco.

The party of a lifetime is nothing like what they expected...

Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe are best friends—or were, as children. Despite drifting apart in adulthood, shared secrets have kept them bonded for better or worse, even as their childhood dreams haven’t quite turned out as they’d hoped. Then one day they receive a wholly unexpected—but not entirely unwelcome—invitation from another old friend. Poppy Greer has invited them all to her extravagant bachelorette party: a first-class plane ticket to three days of white sand, cocktails, and relaxation on a luxe private island in the Bahamas.

None of them has spoken to Poppy in years. But Poppy’s Instagram pics shows that the girl they used to consider the weakest link in their group has definitely made good—and made money. Curiosity gets the better of them. Besides, who can turn down a posh all-expenses-paid vacation on a Caribbean island?

The first-class flight and the island’s accommodations are just as opulent as expected...even if the scenic island proves more remote than they’d anticipated. Quite remote, in fact, with no cell service, and no other guests. The women quickly discover they’ve underestimated Poppy, and each other. As their darkest secrets are revealed, the tropical adventure morphs into a terrifying nightmare.

Endlessly twisty, sharply observant, and deliciously catty, She Started It is sure to shock readers until the very end. 

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  1. Print length
    347 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    William Morrow
  4. Publication date
    June 13, 2023
  5. File size
    5.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. “The problem with you, Annabel, is you’ve always felt like the past doesn’t matter because it’s over. You don’t think about how actions always have consequences. You’re too focused on yourself and not focused enough on other people.”
    Highlighted by 163 Kindle readers
  2. One thing’s for sure: not everyone is going to be leaving this island alive.
    Highlighted by 161 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

She Started It Banner
Banner 2
I Did Warn Her
She Started It
Customer Reviews
—
3.9 out of 5 stars 2,865
Price $19.99 $15.19

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The perfect summer read.” — Glamour

"An intensely compelling and clever tale of revenge. Readers of Liane Moriarty, will relish this." — Library Journal

About the Author

Sian Gilbert was born in Bristol, UK. She studied history at the University of Warwick, before teaching at a comprehensive school in Birmingham for almost five years. She now lives in Cambridge with her partner. She Started It is her debut novel. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BDZPSTDK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow (June 13, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 347 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1405966033
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 2,865 ratings

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Sian Gilbert

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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
2,865 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novel captivating with a plot full of twists and turns that keeps them intrigued. The writing style receives positive feedback for being great and quick to read, and the book is imaginative, with one customer noting how well the author weaves together individual stories. The character development and pacing receive mixed reactions, with several customers finding the characters underdeveloped and the pacing unsatisfying. The book explores themes of bullying, though opinions on this aspect are mixed.

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46 customers mention "Story quality"40 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot with its twists and turns that keep them intrigued, making it a worthwhile read for fans of psychological thrillers.

"...DESCRIPTION : It is a hot, twisty summer debut thriller about a group of young women whose Caribbean bachelorette party takes a sinister turn...." Read more

"...I absolutely loved the way this story was written. It surely kept me guessing on who the killer was...." Read more

"...But the underlying story made it an enjoyable, easy summer read nonetheless. Not a complete loss or waste of time, but also not my favorite." Read more

"...While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I gave it four stars because the narration styles of the different characters all felt similar and I was..." Read more

18 customers mention "Writing style"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as great and quick to read, with one customer noting its diary-style format.

"...I do love the author’s writing which got this book 4 stars as the whole last 30% really brought the whole story together...." Read more

"...But the underlying story made it an enjoyable, easy summer read nonetheless. Not a complete loss or waste of time, but also not my favorite." Read more

"...I especially loved Poppy’s as I liked the flashback diary style writing as a contrast to the rest...." Read more

"...Sian Gilbert, I hope to see more of this great writing and my heart goes out to you for the loss of your Granny. Loved ......Gina Clabo" Read more

6 customers mention "Creativity"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the creativity of the book, with one noting how well the author weaves together individual stories and another highlighting the effective use of foreshadowing.

"...I feel like the person’s plan was very detailed and executed cleverly. I can’t wait to read the rest of this story!" Read more

"I liked the plot. It was suspenseful, well intentioned, and imaginative, and it is what kept me going, trying to figure out what happened...." Read more

"...twists and turns to keep me intrigued, and I appreciated the thought-provoking themes it delved into...." Read more

"...The author does an excellent job of weaving together their individual stories, creating a narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish...." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with several noting that the characters feel underdeveloped.

"...of the book's strengths lies in its character development; each character is well-crafted with layers of depth, making them relatable and compelling...." Read more

"...gave it four stars because the narration styles of the different characters all felt similar and I was constantly rechecking to see who was narrating..." Read more

"...twists, and turns that keep you jumping to the next page, and characters you will love...to hate...." Read more

"...It did make me feel for the main character as I was kinda teased in middle and high school." Read more

7 customers mention "Sensitivity to bullying"3 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's portrayal of bullying, with some appreciating the tales of bullying, while one customer notes it delves into the complexities of human relationships, and another mentions feeling emotional while reading.

"...I do want to warn this does have self-harm, murder, swearing, and lots of Bullying in it which is done so well as to represent all of it with heart..." Read more

"...It" by Sian Gilbert is a gripping thriller that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of past actions...." Read more

"I actually didn't like the topic of this book because bullying doesn't get recognized at schools, camps etc and parents don't think their precious..." Read more

"...And show more kindness and empathy to others." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive9 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book unsatisfying, with one customer describing it as dragged out and boring, while another mentions excessive whining and complaining.

"...The banter between the women in the book was not particularly believable to me for twenty-somethings. It was a bit amateurish and overdone at times...." Read more

"...One major drawback is the ending, which is unsatisfying and leaves listeners hanging regarding the fate of one of the characters...." Read more

"...And poppy holds the biggest grudge I've ever heard of. They all suck as human beings. But it's ok...." Read more

"...So much whining and complaining and just getting so dragged out boring. I knew from very early on where this was going and who done it...." Read more

High school revenge - Yikes!
3 out of 5 stars
High school revenge - Yikes!
I overall did not dislike this book, but I wouldn’t say it’s a fav. I could relate to a lot of the high school bullying scars that affect your life long term. If you’re looking for a revenge read this is your book. Trigger warnings: suicide and bullying
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Top reviews from the United States

  • mnmloveli
    4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT first novel !
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    ‘23 DEBUT NOVEL - 4 STARS

    DESCRIPTION : It is a hot, twisty summer debut thriller about a group of young women whose Caribbean bachelorette party takes a sinister turn. It’s Lord of the Flies meets And Then There Were None...but with Instagram and too much prosecco. Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe are best friends—or were, as children. Despite drifting apart in adulthood, shared secrets have kept them bonded for better or worse. Then one day they receive a wholly unexpected invitation from another old friend. Poppy Greer has invited them all to her extravagant bachelorette party: a first-class plane ticket to three days of white sand, cocktails, and relaxation on a luxe private island in the Bahamas. None of them has spoken to Poppy in years. Curiosity gets the better of them. Besides, who can turn down a posh all-expenses-paid vacation on a Caribbean island?

    REVIEW:
    Author’s debut novel. Earned Triple Kindle Reward Points on this one!

    The description caught my attention. Enjoyed the first 15% having the main characters introduced and wondering what happened 10 years ago when they were last together. With five main characters speaking, slight difficulty with long chapters remembering who was speaking in that chapter - maybe just me. At half way when past secrets start being revealed and paybacks are being doled out, the tension builds. Only one character out of 5 could anyone feel for. By 70% I think this book might have too many secrets; never thought I’d say that about a book. I do love the author’s writing which got this book 4 stars as the whole last 30% really brought the whole story together. I might even have shed a few tears toward the end. Could have been 5 stars if I didn’t have difficulty keeping track of soooo many secrets. Looking forward to this author’s next book!
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Ms. Dani
    5.0 out of 5 stars I’m ready for the next one!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The description of the book made it go to my list of ‘next reads.’ My TBR list is long af so I have to decide those next in line so I’m not searching through so many books when it’s time to go to the next one… anyway, I was not at all disappointed. Okay, maybe I had a little trouble keeping the characters straight in the beginning and had to keep going to the table of contents to see who was talking, but after a while I was able to keep them straight.

    A group of 4 friends unexpectedly get an invite to a hen party on a secluded island, all expenses paid, from someone they tortured and bullied FOR YEARS and haven’t seen or heard from in 10 years, and they all go. You have to know immediately that it won’t end well for them, it I was ready to see how it would unfold. You could tell that someone was going to die just for the way the book started, but i didn’t expect things to go that way!! I absolutely loved the way this story was written. It surely kept me guessing on who the killer was. I even thought about the person it turned out to be but dismissed the idea.

    I feel like the person’s plan was very detailed and executed cleverly. I can’t wait to read the rest of this story!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Michelle S.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Amateur writing, decent storyline and plot
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the plot. It was suspenseful, well intentioned, and imaginative, and it is what kept me going, trying to figure out what happened. I did figure it out before the ending proclaimed it, though. Overall, the storyline is what I liked the most. Very creative and I had an appreciation for that. However, it jumps around from one perspective to another (mostly five different perspectives altogether, rotating) which gets confusing at times. I often had to remind myself of whose perspective I was in while reading each new chapter. I feel like it could’ve been written in a way that was easier to tell. Overall, the writing was just ok. I feel like my 13 year old could have written this. The banter between the women in the book was not particularly believable to me for twenty-somethings. It was a bit amateurish and overdone at times. The author didn’t do the best job of distinguishing the characters from each other, in my opinion, so I was never fully immersed and it wasn’t a gripping page-turner for me. But the underlying story made it an enjoyable, easy summer read nonetheless. Not a complete loss or waste of time, but also not my favorite.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Emma
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unveiling Secrets
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    "She Started It" by Sian Gilbert is a captivating and suspenseful novel that kept me engaged throughout. The story follows a group of friends on a road trip with a dark twist, as long-buried secrets come to light, testing their bonds and loyalties.

    The author's writing style is compelling, drawing me into the characters' lives and emotions. The complex web of lies and intrigue kept me guessing, and I enjoyed the shifting perspectives that added depth to the narrative. I especially loved Poppy’s as I liked the flashback diary style writing as a contrast to the rest.

    The plot had enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued, and I appreciated the thought-provoking themes it delved into. I didn’t expect the plot twist, which is rare for me, so I enjoyed that.

    While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I gave it four stars because the narration styles of the different characters all felt similar and I was constantly rechecking to see who was narrating. But other than that it was an amazing read!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Merle
    2.0 out of 5 stars Predictable
    Reviewed in Germany on August 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book made me angry enough to write a review.
    I didn't expect much from the very beginning: a page turner with some unexpected (silly or not) twists. There are twists in this book (as many as there are protagonists plus one) and I figured every single one out. The big twist at the end was predictable after maybe 30 pages- how anyone who read at least one thriller in their life can be surprised by this is beyond me. I decided to keep on reading not because I was hooked but to find out if the author really got away with the laziest plottwist possible. She did.
    Do yourself a favor and don't buy this book- re-read Gone Girl, every Liane Moriaty-novel or even something as implausible but fun as a Greer Hendricks novel.
    (Writing style was fine. I'm sure the author can do much better!)
    Report
  • Lyn W
    5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD READ
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Quite a different book to what I would normally choose but thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Report
  • Gwendy P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars deliciously wicked fun
    Reviewed in Canada on October 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loved it, A fast paced deliciously wicked romp with a group of adult mean girls on steroids. The twists and secrets were unrelenting and there were no lulls in the story. A few clues early in the story allowed me to guess the villain but it did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. Nasty twisted characters whom I would not want as friends IRL, but who make great story or movie characters. Very atmosphere setting and very engrossing storytelling. It was fun to spend time with these people....on paper:)
    Report
  • Helen Clark
    4.0 out of 5 stars .
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant read! A right page turner.
    Report
  • Caitlin
    3.0 out of 5 stars Decent
    Reviewed in Canada on December 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It was a well written book with a good plot but the story made me feel gross at the end. Wouldn't recommend.
    Report

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