Title: THE DEATH ROW CLUB
Author: V.A. VAZQUEZ
ISBN: 9781668241929
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 336
Source: Review Copy from The Publisher
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
SOME THINGS RUN IN THE BLOOD…
Plenty of people have lousy parents, but Nicola Fischer’s father has just been convicted of murdering five young women, including her best friend. Fired from her job and hounded by reporters, Nicola passes the time by doomscrolling and drunk-dialling Greer Woods, the alluring host of the hit show To Catch a Killer, who cracked the case and turned Nicola’s life upside down before disappearing along with her so-called ‘best intentions’.
When an email from Greer finally shows up in Nicola’s inbox, there’s no apology or explanation, just a cryptic invitation. The Death Row Club is an annual weekend getaway for the adult children of serial killers – and Nicola is the newest reluctant member. Desperate to escape her small town, she accepts the offer with barely a second thought, forging tentative bonds with her fellow club members, most of whom seem intriguing, and only slightly unhinged.
But when an uninvited guest shows up at their remote wilderness retreat, everyone is put on high alert, and the next morning paranoia turns to outright fear. Because one of their own is dead, and the rest of them are left with only one question.
If the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, which of them is the bad seed?
Official Summary
19 June 2026
I was instantly intrigued by this book’s blurb, so I was delighted when Random Things Tours invited me to participate in the blog tour.
The story opens with Nicola Fischer struggling to cope in the aftermath of her father’s arrest. The author does an excellent job of conveying the stress, isolation, and harsh treatment Nicola endures. It doesn’t take long to become immersed in her world, feeling her loneliness and desperation for someone who truly understands what she is going through.
When Nicola is invited to attend a weekend retreat with The Death Row Club, I found myself sharing her excitement. At last, she has the opportunity to connect with people who have experienced similar circumstances and understand the unique challenges she faces.
I quickly became invested in Nicola’s story and found her a compelling protagonist. The members of the club are an intriguing mix of personalities, and some certainly left a strong impression. Conner, for example, wasted no time earning a place on my dislike list. While there were a few elements of the story that did not completely appeal to me, the plot was well constructed and filled with enough twists and surprises to keep me turning the pages.
Trevor was one of my favourite characters. His quirky personality and sense of humour provided some much-needed lighter moments amidst the heavier themes. Greer, on the other hand, never struck me as entirely trustworthy. Even after her secrets came to light, I struggled to sympathise with her and continued to question many of her decisions and motivations.
Tom Woods may play a relatively small role in the story, but he was another character who immediately rubbed me the wrong way. What a thoroughly unpleasant man!
What I enjoyed most about this novel was the way it blended the tension of a thriller with the emotional depth of a family drama. The story explores themes of guilt, loyalty, stigma, and belonging, while also delivering plenty of suspense and intrigue.
Overall, The Death Row Club is a gripping and unpredictable read that combines emotional drama with thriller elements to create a compelling story. With an engaging protagonist, a fascinating cast of characters, and plenty of twists along the way, it kept me invested right through to the end.
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About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
V.A. Vazquez was born and raised in Buffalo, NY where she currently teaches English. She received her B. A. in English from Barnard College and used to live in Scotland in a town inhabited by more sheep than people.
It has been a busy month on the blog, and your regular visits are much appreciated, thank you. This was a brilliant read which I highly recommend you add to your TBR. I look forward to reading more from this author. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
