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WORK TITLE: The Party
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WEBSITE: http://www.natashapreston.com/
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COUNTRY: United Kingdom
NATIONALITY: British
LAST VOLUME: SATA 403
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born January 5, 1988, in England; married; husband’s name Joseph; children: two sons.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Formerly worked in administration and receptionist jobs.
WRITINGS
Author of the “Silence” story Silent Night, 2014. Contributor to anthologies, including Together, Apart, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2020, and Scouts (Orlando, FL), 2022.
SIDELIGHTS
British author Natasha Preston [open new]writes edgy thrillers as well as lighter romances for teen audiences. Hailing from rural eastern England, she was raised alongside two brothers and a sister and attended Methwold High School. In a Shelf Awareness interview, she remarked, “My teen years were some of my absolute favorite years.” Looking toward the future, she felt no compulsion in any professional direction, provoking some anxiety. About the impact of attitudes among her educators, she mentioned to Rebecca Gough of the Eastern Daily Press that she “wasn’t very academic and wasn’t expected to do anything, and it did really affect” her. She fell into working as a receptionist and administrative assistant—and “didn’t really look at anything else because I didn’t know I could do it,” as she told Gough—settling in Brandon with her husband-to-be. She [suspend new]did not set out to be a writer, but she discovered the amateur writing site Wattpad in 2010, at age twenty-two, and that led her to writing out some ideas of her own. Her love of creating new stories led to self-publishing several, including the “Silence” series of romance novels. As her fan base grew, she was able to translate that into a traditional publishing deal, which led to her first mainstream novel, the psychological thriller The Cellar. Preston’s work can appeal to both young-adult and adult audiences.
Awake is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Scarlett who suddenly starts having strange dreams after a car accident jolts some of her early memories. Then handsome new student Noah starts expressing an interest in her, but she does not know that a cult has sent him to lure her into their plot. That does not go as planned, however, when Noah falls in love with her. The novel alternates between their perspectives. Pam Garrison, writing in Voice of Youth Advocates, called the plot “fast paced and intriguing” and the cult subplot “creepy.”
The YA novel You Will Be Mine dives into the serial killer genre, as a group of university students are taunted and threatened and then worse by an anonymous killer around Valentine’s Day. The first-person narrator is Lylah, who is hoping to get closer to her crush, but then an anonymous note leads to the murder of one of their friends. Preston uses familiar slasher movie themes to build suspense. Voice of Youth Advocates teen reviewer Nova Klein was positive about the book, calling it “rich with plot twists and suspense” and predicting that readers “will not want to put it down.”
In The Lost, teenagers are disappearing from a small town, but the adults seem unconcerned, believing they have just run away. Piper and her friend Hazel start to wonder, however, if something much worse is going on. Piper is a true crime enthusiast, so she and Hazel are determined to figure out what is behind the disappearances. But then the two are captured in the middle of a forest and must find a way to escape if they are going to survive. A Kirkus Reviews contributor termed the book “a fast-paced, plot-driven page-turner for fans of darker mysteries.”
[resume new]Interlinked duos are featured in The Twin and The Lake. In The Twin, sixteen-year-old narrator Ivy and twin sister Iris went to live with their father and mother, respectively, after a divorce a decade ago. Now their mother’s death from a fall off a bridge has led to Iris joining Ivy—and making creepy inroads into her life, copying her every move and leading Ivy to wonder whether their mother’s death was truly accidental. A Kirkus Reviews writer took note of this novel’s “jarring final twist.”
The Lake centers on narrator Esme and best friend Kayla, counselors-in-training at their childhood stomping grounds of Camp Pine Lake. They are hoping for some on-the-side adolescent fun, and a pair of cute boys get their hopes up—but an anonymous message reveals that the secret Esme and Kayla have hidden for years has come back to haunt them. A Kirkus Reviews writer appreciated how “discussions of adulthood, trauma, and recovery are subtle and realistic,” while the slow narrative buildup leads up to a “shockingly satisfying finale.” The reviewer hailed The Lake as an “eerie thriller … that will keep readers on edge.”
Setting The Fear in motion is a social-media dare at Rock Bay High to post an admission of the kind of death one fears the most. Narrator Izzy is primed to take action when a girl is killed precisely how she feared, and several individuals—from isolated lab partner Axel to longtime crush Justin—stand out as suspicious. A Kirkus Reviews writer declared that this “swift-moving slasher adventure proves to be a page-turning mystery,” as Izzy’s ruminations help readers “connect the dots” up until the “clever plot twists at the end.”[suspend new]
The Island taps into the contemporary world of social media influencers, as it imagines a private amusement park built on an island. The influencers have been invited to enjoy the park before it officially opens, and they are initially blown away by all it has to offer, but then they realize there might be a sinister motive behind their invitation. True crime vlogger Paisley and the others have to figure out what is going on if they are going to make it off the island alive. A Publishers Weekly critic called the premise “standard fare” but appreciated how the island setting provides “an impish playfulness to the steadily escalating stakes and body count.” A Kirkus Reviews contributor also offered praise, writing that Preston “effectively presents a mystery littered with clues” and calling the novel “a slasher film in book form” with “exceptional pacing.”
[re-resume new]The backstory in The Haunting is a five-murder spree on Halloween the year prior, when the killer happened to be Penny’s boyfriend Nash’s father. Penny was forced to break up with Nash, who is now, along with sister Grace, an outcast—and a prime suspect when a new spree begins. Penny and Nash team up to discern the killer’s identity, with Penny becoming the prime target. A Kirkus Reviews writer remarked that “suspenseful chases and mysterious sightings interspersed with an occasional dead body keep the pacing fast and consistent,” and slasher fans will “enjoy trying to figure out” who the masked and menacing murderer is.
The senior prank tradition at Marley Croft’s high school spins out of control in The Dare. As the school year draws to a close, the latest prank assigned by the privileged Rhett Wilder to Marley and her friends goes fatally wrong. Marley, her boyfriend Atlas, and Luce and Jesse forge a pact to keep their responsibility a secret, but their friendship frays at the seams, and eventually Marley senses the others allying against her. A Publishers Weekly reviewer affirmed that Marley proves “a smart and empathetic protagonist … in this ever-escalating suspense thriller,” while a Kirkus Reviews writer affirmed that Preston’s “dedicated followers will find in it the suspenseful approach they love.”
The Party finds a group of teens eager for an illicit party at a classmate’s family’s abandoned castle, which is set to be converted into apartments. But locals are protesting the development and threatening arson, an apparent squatter may be dangerous, and a storm leaves the party trapped when one of them is killed. A Kirkus Reviews writer noted the “intriguing setup” and suggested that readers may “find themselves propelled forward by a need to discover the identity of the murderer.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2018, review of You Will Be Mine; February 1, 2019, review of The Lost; February 15, 2020, review of The Twin; January 1, 2021, review of The Lake; January 1, 2022, review of The Fear; December 15, 2022, review of The Island; September 15, 2023, review of The Haunting; April 1, 2024, review of The Dare; October 15, 2024, review of The Party.
Publishers Weekly, June 1, 2015, review of Awake, p. 61; January 9, 2023, review of The Island, p. 69; February 26, 2024, review of The Dare, p. 63.
Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2015, Pam Garrison, review of Awake, p. 59; February, 2018, Angie Jameson and Nova Klein, review of You Will Be Mine, p. 60; August, 2019, Hilary Crew, review of The Lost, pp. 62+.
ONLINE
Book Lovers Playlist, http://abookloversplaylist.blogspot.com (June 12, 2018), author interview.
Eastern Daily Press, https://www.edp24.co.uk/ (November 9, 2012), Rebecca Gough, “Young Brandon Mum Opens Up a New Chapter”; (March 5, 2014), Andrew Fitchett, “‘I Write While My Son Naps’—Mother Celebrates Release of Dark New Novel.”
Hiding Spot, http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com (March 5, 2014), author interview.
Jean Book Nerd, https://www.jeanbooknerd.com (March 1, 2014), author interview.
Mindy McGinnis website, https://www.mindymcginnis.com (March 6, 2023), author interview.
Natasha Preston website, https://www.natashapreston.com (August 3, 2025).
Nerd Daily, https://thenerddaily.com/ (May 20, 2024), Elise Dumpleton, “Q&A: Natasha Preston, Author of ‘The Dare.’”
Shelf Awareness, https://www.shelf-awareness.com/ (January 19, 2024), Shannan Hicks, “Natasha Preston: Horror and Happily Ever Afters.”
Smashwords, https://www.smashwords.com (July 5, 2018), author interview.
Underlined, https://www.getunderlined.com/ (August 3, 2025), “Q&A with Natasha Preston, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of The Cellar.”
Natasha Preston
UK flag (b.1988)
UK native Natasha Preston grew up in small villages and towns. She discovered her love of writing when she stumbled across an amateur writing site and uploaded her first story and hasn't looked back since. She enjoys writing NA romance, thrillers, gritty YA and the occasional serial killer.
Genres: Romance, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Mystery
New and upcoming books
December 2025
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The Obsession
Series
Silence
1. Silence (2012)
2. Broken Silence (2013)
3. Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (2014)
4. Silent Night (2014)
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Cellar
1. The Cellar (2014)
2. You Will Be Mine (2018)
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Second Chance
1. Second Chance (2014)
2. Our Chance (2015)
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The One
1. Waking up in Vegas (2019)
2. Just like the Movies (2020)
3. Read My Mind (2020)
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Novels
Covert (2013)
Save Me (2014)
Awake (2015)
With the Band (2016)
The Cabin (2016)
Reliving Fate (2017)
Lie to Me (2018)
After the End (2018)
The Lost (2019)
The Twin (2020)
The Lake (2021)
The Fear (2022)
The Island (2023)
Villain (2023)
The Haunting (2023)
The Dare (2024)
The Party (2024)
The Obsession (2025)
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Collections
The Natasha Preston Collection (2019)
Together, Apart (2020) (with others)
Scouts (2021) (with others)
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Novellas and Short Stories
Cutthroat (2022)
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Omnibus editions hide
Natasha Preston Box Set (2018)
Keep This Promise (2021) (with others)
The Twin / The Lake (2022)
Natasha Preston Thriller Book Set (2022)
Natasha Preston The Boxed Set (2022)
Natasha Preston Six-Book Paperback Boxed Set (2024)
ABOUT NATASHA
My name is Natasha, but most people call me Tash or Tasha. I don't mind either. I was born in England and have lived in small towns and villages out in the countryside ever since.
My husband, Joseph, is the most supportive person in my life. Without his love, help and patience I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm a proud mummy to two amazing little boys who are my whole world.
At school I drifted through, achieving average grades. I fell into administration and receptionist jobs, thinking that I couldn't really do anything else.
In 2010 I stumbled into writing completely by accident. I was searching the 'app store' and came across Wattpad - an amateur writing site. For the first few months I just read, but then I decided to type out some of the ideas swirling around in my head. I'm so glad I did because I love creating new stories.
Writing gave me an escape and Wattpad gave me the confidence I lacked.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are a few questions I get asked regularly.
If your question still hasn't been answered click here to get in touch.
Are your books going to be movies?
Unfortunately, there are no movie plans for any of my books. If there ever are I will announce as soon as I can!
Where can I buy your paperbacks?
Paperbacks are available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Createspace and The Book Depository....And now you can buy personally signed copies right here on my website! check out the 'Store' tab.
Are you going to continue the Silence series and what order should I read in?
No, sorry. After two books and Jasper's companion novel, I feel it's time for a break from those characters. Reading order: Silence, Broken Silence, Players Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (companion novel), Silent Night (short Christmas story). Strongly advised to read in order to avoid spoilers.
How often do you publish?
I publish approximately 2-3 books per year.
Are you writing any sequels?
Right now I have no plans for sequels to any of my existing books. I will update the website and make the necessary announcements when/if that changes - sorry!
Natasha Preston
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Natasha Preston
Born Natasha Vicki Preston
5 January 1988 (age 37)
Years active 2010–present
Spouse Joseph Green (m. 2014)
Children 2
Website www.natashapreston.com
Natasha Vicki Preston (born 5 January 1988) is an English novelist. She is best known for her New York Times-bestselling young adult thrillers, including The Cellar (2014), The Cabin (2016), The Fear (2022), and The Haunting (2023). She also writes contemporary romance.
Early life
Preston is from Norfolk. She attended Methwold High School.[1][2][3]
Career
Preston became interested in writing unexpectedly when she joined the writing website Wattpad in 2010, initially as a reader, under the username @natashapreston.[4] After working odd admin jobs, she self-published her first novel Silence, a romance, in 2012.[5] In 2013, Wattpad formed a partnership with Sourcebooks, through which Preston landed her first book deal with Sourcebooks Fire[6] to edit and commercially publish her 2010 young adult (YA) psychological thriller The Cellar in 2014.[7][8] Her influences included Kirsty Moseley, Stephen King and Jay Crownover.[9] Preston then signed two further books with Sourcebook,[10] Awake in 2015 and The Cabin in 2016.[11] The Cellar and The Cabin both became New York Times bestsellers in the Young Adult category, with the former reaching #1 in E-sellers.[12][13][14] By 2016, sales for The Cellar had reached over 200 thousand.[15] The Lost and You Will Be Mine followed in 2018 and 2019.[16][17]
In addition, Preston continued self-publishing contemporary romance novels. Broken Silence, the sequel to Silence became a Smashwords bestseller.[18] Further romances included Lie to Me (2018).[19]
Preston then moved to Delacorte Press for The Twin in 2020,[20] The Lake in 2021,[21][22] and The Fear in 2022. The Lake was a Publishers Weekly children's paperback bestseller of 2021 with over 100 thousand units sold,[23] whileThe Fear became a New York Times bestseller in the Young Adult category[24] in addition to a Publishers Weekly bestseller of 2022.[25] The Island[26] and The Haunting followed in 2023.[27][28]
Following the publication of The Dare,[29][30] in September 2024, Preston signed a book deal with Hot Key Books (a Bonnier Books imprint). The deal included six previous titles The Haunting, The Twin, The Dare, The Lake, The Fear and The Island and three new titles, including The Party that year.[31][32]
Personal life
Preston married Joseph Green in 2014. They live in Brandon, Suffolk and have two sons (born 2011 and 2016).[5][11]
Bibliography
Thrillers
Covert (2013)
The Cellar (2014)
You'll Always Be Mine (2018) (also known as His)
Awake (2015)
The Cabin (2016)
You Will Be Mine (2018)
The Lost (2019)
The Twin (2020)
The Lake (2021)
The Fear (2022)
The Island (2023)
The Haunting (2023)
The Dare (2024)
The Party (2024)
Romance
Silence
Silence (2012)
Broken Silence (2013)
Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (2014)
Silent Night (2014, 3.5)
Chance
Second Chance (2014)
Our Chance (2015)
The One
Waking Up in Vegas (2020)
Just Like the Movies (2020)
Read My Mind (2020)
Standalones
Save Me (2014)
With the Band (2016)
Reliving Fate (2017)
Lie to Me (2018)
After the End (2018)
Villain (2023) (as Tasha Preston)
Shorts and collaborations
"The New Boy Next Door" in Together, Apart (2022)[33]
Cutthroat (2022), part of Scouts[34]
The Writer's Life
Natasha Preston: Horror and Happily Ever Afters
Natasha Preston
(photo: Gavin Smith)
Natasha Preston is a bestselling author of young adult fiction. A U.K. native, she discovered her love of writing when she shared a story online--and hasn't looked back. She enjoys writing romance, thrillers, gritty YA, and the occasional serial killer. Preston spoke with Shelf Awareness about two of her books--2023's The Haunting and her May 2024 YA thriller The Dare (both from Delacorte Press)--and how she devises such inventive deaths for her darlings.
Would you briefly summarize The Haunting and The Dare for Shelf Awareness readers?
The Haunting is a Halloween slasher in book form. There's a killer on the loose for the second year running. The MO is very similar, but last year's killer is currently in a federal prison. Penny and her friends want to prove that the original killer's children have nothing to do with the latest murders. I got to explore some pretty creepy masks and different ways to kill.
The Dare is about an end-of-senior-year prank gone horribly wrong, and how four friends fight to cover up their tracks.
You are a U.K. native, but the settings and characters in these books take place in the U.S. Have you ever lived in the States? How do you so successfully set your books in the U.S.?
I've never lived in the States, but I have visited a few times. My favorite state is Colorado, but I have loved each state I've been to. I don't think my lovely editor thinks my first drafts are very American! I get lots of notes saying, "What does this mean?" and we have to translate so it makes sense in the U.S. My publisher is in the U.S. so that's why (most of) my books are set there. The Cellar was rejected by a lot by British publishers before being picked up in the States. But the book I'm currently working on is set in England.
There are some interesting dynamics between siblings and parents in The Haunting. How did you decide to make the father a serial killer?
I really enjoy writing about different relationships between my characters and exploring how certain situations can change things. I wanted the friend group to already be fractured in this book and then try to figure out how to pull them together... or push them further away. I needed something huge to have happened to alienate them, and a serial killer dad was my choice.
You write teen friendships clearly and delicately, and the women in your books all seem strong and independent. Do you base characters on real people?
My teen years were some of my absolute favorite years, so I definitely draw a lot on past experiences, though none of my characters are based on anyone in particular. Some of them are who I wish I would've been, because I would be the first one in the car if something creepy was happening, ha!
I'm really intrigued by how the puzzles come together in both The Haunting and The Dare. Do you know how the story will end when you begin writing?
Oh, I'm the messiest writer in the world! I have a vague idea of what's going to happen, I even write it out. Then I completely lose the notebook or forget to look at my notes. So, I wing it and rarely even know the killer myself before I get quite close to the end. A lot of it is a surprise to me too.
And the bodies really pile up in The Haunting! How do you decide how characters will die?
I'm not quite sure what this is going to say about me, but I see it as a movie. The book is so clear in my head as I write that it feels very natural. I think this is part of the reason I can't stick to a plan; things change all the time as I write, and if I don't "see" it then I can't write it. It does make the murder scenes rather interesting and hopefully authentic!
The end of The Haunting begs for a sequel. Is one planned?
I don't have any sequels planned for any of my books. However, if inspiration ever struck, I could definitely write a second book for most of them.
It must be hard to kill your darlings... the end of The Dare (available in May) was one of the most satisfying I've read in a long time. What was the inspiration (without spoilers, of course) behind the book and that ending?
Oh, I love killing them off, ha ha! Thank you--The Dare's ending is one of my favorites. I wanted to do something a little different this time, while still being true to my evil-ending reputation. I wasn't at all sure what that was going to be until I was writing the final five chapters. My characters lead the way, and thankfully Marley (the protagonist) showed me exactly what she was going to do.
You also write romance. Are there parallels between writing thrillers and romance?
I think one of my favorite things about writing thrillers and romance is that they're so different, except for torturing some characters, of course. I find that after writing something with much lighter moments, I'm ready to write something twisty with a little gore. Then I get to go back and be kind in the end again.
So, a reverse palate-cleanser then?
Yes, exactly.
You seem to have some die-hard fans.
I have the absolute best readers in the world! They allow me to write endings that they wouldn't, in most cases, prefer and praise me for doing so. I want to thank each and every one of them because I wouldn't be here doing something I love without them.
Last question: I found out that you stumbled into writing in a way that only technology allows. Can you tell us about that? And do you have any advice for potential authors?
Yeah, writing was a complete accident! I found Wattpad on the app store and read for a while. I decided to give writing a try, as I felt I had a couple of stories in me. Those were Silence and The Cellar, both of which have been successful. So, if anyone out there is doubting themselves, absolutely give it a try! If I can do it, so can you. Write something you want to read, something you love, and find like-minded authors and readers to connect with. You've got this! --Shannan Hicks, freelance writer and librarian
The Twin, the upcoming psychological thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Cellar, is coming out next March and we are so excited to have a new book from YA thriller royalty, Natasha Preston.
In this Q&A, Natasha Preston tells us a little bit about her writing process, her inspiration, and her upcoming novel.
1. What is your writing process like?
Oh, I have the messiest writing process ever. I wish I was one of those super-organized authors who starts and the beginning and finishes at the end. I always have every intention of starting at chapter one, but I usually start around chapter three. Then I usually write the end and go back to somewhere toward the late middle and write all of the fun, ruin-everything parts. I fill in the rest based entirely on what I feel like writing at the time. This is not the way, guys! It means my characters end up having the same conversations about seven times in the first draft and editing is harder. (Sorry to my editor, Wendy!)
2. Do you have any writing quirks?
I need background noise, but it can’t be music. I’ll write lyrics if I have music. So I usually have Criminal Minds on in the background. Or those really low-budget horror or thriller movies, the ones that get one or two stars on Netflix. Those are where it’s at!
3. You are basically YA thriller royalty. How do you plot out your thrillers? Do you start each story already having the twist in mind?
Since Harry is married now, I’ll take YA thriller royalty! I kind of have a good idea of all the twists and will scribble the entire plot on a notebook, but there have been many twists that I didn’t see coming. The Twin is no exception.
4. You have also published several romance novels. Do you prefer writing thrillers or romances? Why? Is there another genre you’re interested in exploring?
I love both! After a good, creepy thriller, I enjoy something a bit lighter. Not that all of my romances are particularly light! But as soon as I’ve finished giving a couple a happy ending (or not), I’m more than ready to (fictionally!) kidnap, stalk, and kill. I would quite like to write slightly older thrillers and see how characters in their early twenties would react to all the fun stuff I put them through.
5. What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Write for you! Write what you want and as often as you can. Don’t be disheartened if someone doesn’t like what you’ve written—we can’t all like the same thing.
6. Do you have any siblings?
I have two brothers and a sister. No twin, thankfully!
7. How would you describe The Twin in three words?
Rather than describing it, can I just insert an evil laugh and wait for people to read it?
8. Do you have a favorite thriller book or movie? If so, what is it and why?
Oh, I definitely couldn’t pick just one. As I said before, I really love binging on low-budget thrillers. I will pretty much read or watch anything (no clowns, though!), and as long as people on screen or paper are getting scared, I’m happy. I promise I’m normal!
9. What are you reading right now?
Nothing right now, but I just finished reading What Happened That Night by Deanna Cameron. I think I’m going to reread Doctor Sleep by Stephen King next because I just saw a trailer for the movie.
10. What is the one thing you want readers to know about The Twin before it comes out?
That I am so grateful to them for continuing to read my books so I can continue to write them. And also that I’m only half sorry, LOL!
About the book:
After their parents divorced, 10-year-old twins Emmy and Iris were split up—Emmy lived with Dad, Iris with Mom. Now, after a tragic accident takes their mom’s life, the twins are reunited and Iris moves in with Emmy and their dad. Devastated over Mom’s death, Iris spends the first few weeks in almost total silence—the only person she will speak to is Emmy. Iris feels her life is over and she doesn’t know what to do. Emmy promises her twin that she can share her life now. After all, they’re sisters. Twins.
It’s a promise that Iris takes seriously. And before long, Emmy’s friends, her life at school, and her boyfriend, Tyler, fall under Iris’s spell. Slowly, Emmy realizes she’s being pushed out of her own life. But she’s just being paranoid, right? And Mom’s accident was… just an accident. Right? It’s not like she—or Dad—or Tyler—are in any danger… .
Q&A: Natasha Preston, Author of ‘The Dare’
Elise Dumpleton·Writers Corner·May 20, 2024·3 min read
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We chat with author Natasha Preston about her latest pulse-pounding, twisty read, The Dare!
Hi, Natasha! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Natasha and I’m British, though I don’t drink nearly enough tea so I should probably adopt a new country. I write YA thrillers and contemporary romance books which I’m so fortunate to do as a job. I enjoy nothing more than spending a sunny day in the garden with a book and trying to get my stolen shoes back from my Labrador!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
It was about 14 years ago (I’m going to pretend it was only 4 years ago!) I was reading on Wattpad and decided to give writing a go myself. I never looked back and if I’m not writing I’m thinking about it… because my characters do not stick to my schedule.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
The first book you ever remember reading: I don’t remember exactly which title but it was one of Jacqueline Wilson’s books. I think I binged everything she wrote in about a month.
The one that made you want to become an author: The Shining. Getting paid to write about creepy things? Sign me up!
The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Bully by Penelope Douglas. It’s a romance that I read years ago and one I reread it often.
Your latest novel, The Dare, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Claustrophobic, twisty, high-stakes, chilling, fast-paced.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a friendship group that’s tested to the limit after a dare leads to dire consequences. Expect questionable and nearly impossible decisions that yield no prefect outcome no matter the choice, and characters having to think five steps ahead to protect themselves, even if it means they turn on each other. There will probably be some nail-biting and shouting involved too.
Where did the inspiration for The Dare come from?
This is a great question because this is one of those books that literally came out of nowhere. I usually have a dream or will see something that will make me think and therefore develop a plot. The Dare was a fleeting thought of “what would happen if teens were dared to do something that turned deadly”. I quickly developed the plot because putting characters into situations that they created and wondering who, if any, would want to do the right thing fascinates me.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved the accident scene. That was the moment where I had to decide which characters were on team right and which were team wrong. The other moment is where they realize their lie is getting too big and they have to decide between protecting their friends of themselves. It was a lot of fun to look at my characters and decide who would be willing to turn their back on each other. Thankfully it was quite a natural process as I got to know them better.
See also
Rachael Allen Author Interview
Q&A: Rachael Allen, Author of ‘The Summer of Impossibilities’
What do you love about writing within the thriller/mystery genre?
I really enjoy writing about friendships and pushing them to the extreme. Most of my books are character-driven so as I’m writing I feel how they do when these deadly situations arise. Which is probably awful for my blood pressure! I also love the big reveal scenes where all the little clues along the way come together and our characters find out who is behind all the gore.
What’s next for you?
I have just finished another book The Party for a December release and I’m currently plotting something else.
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
I love Cynthia Murphy after reading Win, Lose, Kill, Die so I’ll be looking out for anything she releases. I have been addicted to a British crime writer’s series too and I believe Alex Smith has announced another book is releasing in August so that’s exciting.
Preston, Natasha THE TWIN Delacorte (Young Adult Fiction) $10.99 3, 3 ISBN: 978-0-593-12496-3
After a family tragedy, 16-year-old Ivy Mason hopes to reconnect with her aloof identical twin sister, Iris--but Iris has other plans.
When Ivy's parents divorced 10 years ago, Ivy stayed with her father while Iris went to live with their mother. When their mother dies after falling off a bridge while jogging, Iris comes to live with Ivy and their father. Narrator Ivy is reeling (she even goes to therapy), but Iris seems strangely detached, only coming to life when Ivy introduces her to her best friends, Haley and Sophie, and her quarterback boyfriend, Ty. However, Ivy isn't thrilled when Iris wants to change her class schedule to match hers, and it's not long before Iris befriends Ivy's besties and even makes plans with them that don't include Ivy. Iris even joins the swim team where Ivy is a star swimmer. As Iris' strange behavior escalates, Ivy starts to suspect that their mother's death might not have been an accident. Is Iris up to no good, or is Ivy just paranoid? In the end, readers may not care. There are few surprises to be found in a narrative populated by paper-thin characters stuck fast in a derivative plot. Even a jarring final twist can't save this one. Most characters seem to be white, but there is some diversity in secondary characters.
A lackluster take on a well-worn trope. (Thriller. 13-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Preston, Natasha: THE TWIN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A613750991/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=50ff6ced. Accessed 20 June 2025.
Preston, Natasha THE LAKE Delacorte (Teen None) $10.99 3, 2 ISBN: 978-0-593-12497-0
Two teens with a dark secret return to their old summer camp.
Childhood friends Esme and Kayla can’t wait to return to Camp Pine Lake as counselors-in-training, ready to try everything they couldn’t do when they were younger: find cute boys, stay up late, and sneak out after hours. Even Andy, their straight-laced supervisor, can’t dampen their excitement, especially after they meet the crushworthy Olly and Jake. An intuitive 17-year-old, Esme is ready to jump in and teach her cute little campers. But when a threatening message appears, Esme and Kayla realize the secret they’ve kept hidden for nearly a decade is no longer safe. Paranoia and fear soon cause Esme and Kayla to revisit their ominous secret and realize that nobody in the camp can be trusted. The slow buildup of suspense and the use of classic horror elements contrast with lighthearted camp activities, bonding with new friends, and budding romance. Similarly, Esme’s first-person point of view allows for increased tension and action as well as offering insight into her emotional and mental well-being. Discussions of adulthood, trauma, and recovery are subtle and realistic, but acts of sexism and machismo aren’t fully analyzed. While the strong buildup of action comes late, it leads to a shockingly satisfying finale. Major characters are White.
An eerie thriller reminiscent of summer horror movies that will keep readers on edge. (Thriller. 12-16)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Preston, Natasha: THE LAKE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2021. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A646950166/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=8f308146. Accessed 20 June 2025.
Preston, Natasha THE FEAR Delacorte (Teen None) $10.99 3, 1 ISBN: 978-0-593-12501-4
This perspective-jumping thriller shows you the two sides of fear.
Izzy has had a crush on Justin forever, but in her last year at Rock Bay High, will she be able to finally talk to him, or will the sudden violent death of a classmate put a wrench in the situation? After a meme daring everyone to repost how they are most afraid to die races through the teenage population, a student appears to have been killed exactly in the way she had feared. Izzy must race against time to find the killer, and with no shortage of suspects, everyone is under suspicion: her loner lab partner, Axel; his older cousin, Tristan; and even Justin, who has been acting strange. It becomes clear no one is safe from experiencing fear. This swift-moving slasher adventure proves to be a page-turning mystery. The book is written in the first-person perspective, allowing readers a deeper view into Izzy's mind; whether she is thinking Axel is innocent or the killer, her stream of thought and persistent questioning give readers clues to help connect the dots before surprising them with clever plot twists at the end. Main characters read as White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast.
This fast-paced thriller will keep readers guessing. (Thriller. 12-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Preston, Natasha: THE FEAR." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A688199572/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a303b21a. Accessed 20 June 2025.
Preston, Natasha THE HAUNTING Delacorte (Teen None) $12.99 9, 26 ISBN: 9780593481516
Penny's sleepy little farming town hasn't been the same since it was terrorized by a masked killer who claimed five teenage victims last Halloween.
That killer just happened to be the father of her ex-boyfriend, Nash, and afterward, Penny's parents forced her to break up with Nash. This October, everyone is on edge. Nash and his sister, Grace, are local outcasts, and when Penny finds another classmate's dead body while shopping for Halloween costumes in a party supply store, the proverbial pitchforks come out. As the body count rises, the townspeople quickly blame Nash and Grace. To take the heat off Nash, for whom Penny still has feelings, the two team up to try to figure out the killer's identity. But when it becomes apparent that the killer is targeting Penny, their mission becomes a matter of life or death. Suspenseful chases and mysterious sightings interspersed with an occasional dead body keep the pacing fast and consistent. The setting is reminiscent of Scream's Woodsboro, and Preston makes good use of spooky Halloween decorations. The character development is light, and readers will quickly become frustrated with the many poor choices Penny makes. The abrupt ending may irritate some, but slasher fans will nevertheless enjoy trying to figure out who the menacing person hiding behind a mask is. Penny and Nash are cued white; Penny's friends include some racial and religious diversity.
A flawed but entertaining Halloween thriller. (Thriller. 12-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Preston, Natasha: THE HAUNTING." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Sept. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A764873409/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6e0cb05c. Accessed 20 June 2025.
The Dare
Natasha Preston. Delacorte, $12.99 paper (368p) ISBN 978-0-5937-0406-6
Academic focus is at an all-time low at senior Marley Croft's high school, where, with three weeks left in the school year, dares of increasing complexity and danger are handed out to willing--and unwilling--soon-to-be graduates as part of a long-standing tradition of senior pranks. Rhett Wilder, the leader of the pranksters, comes from a rich and powerful family--and was also once Marley's best friend. Rhert assigns Marley and her crew--including boyfriend Atlas, bestie Luce, and Luce's boyfriend Jesse -- several dares, the second of which turns deadly, leaving the group contending with an impossible situation that threatens to completely overturn their lives. As the teens attempt to move on from the event, they're forced to lie to keep from being connected to the prank. Tensions increase, the group begins falling apart, and Marley finds that the others have started acting weird--and are aligning themselves against her. Though the novel's outcome feels somewhat ambiguous, Marley is a smart and empathetic protagonist whose plans to save hetself only reinforce this characterization in this ever-escalating suspense thriller by Preston (The Haunting). Characters are minimally described. Ages 12-up. (May)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 PWxyz, LLC
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"The Dare." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 8, 26 Feb. 2024, p. 63. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A786321969/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=47760f2b. Accessed 20 June 2025.
Preston, Natasha THE DARE Delacorte (Teen None) $12.99 5, 7 ISBN: 9780593704066
Marley, who's on the cusp of graduating from high school, looks forward to going to college in California, but first, she must endure senior prank week.
What began as a harmless tradition to annoy the hapless school principal has evolved into a more serious series of pranks and dares orchestrated by the five Wilder brothers: Everett, Emmett, Rhett, Garrett, and Truett. Rhett, who's Marley's former friend, is leading this year's pranks and imposing severe consequences on non-participants. When their dare results in tragedy for a group of friends--Marley, Luce, Jesse, and Atlas (Marley's boyfriend)--they make a pact to keep what happened a secret. Marley continues to be wracked with self-reproach, however, and paranoia and guilt begin to tear the teens' friendships apart. It's crucial for readers to approach the book with suspension of disbelief, because the characters sometimes act without clear motivation and at other times seem to understand who's responsible for events based on very flimsy evidence. The dialogue also becomes repetitive at points. While this may not be Preston's strongest work, her dedicated followers will find in it the suspenseful approach they love. Luce is cued Latine; Atlas reads Black, and the rest of the characters present white.
Unlikely to gain the author any new readers but will appeal to her fans. (Thriller. 12-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Preston, Natasha: THE DARE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A788097083/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7874c8a7. Accessed 20 June 2025.
Preston, Natasha THE PARTY Delacorte (Teen None) $14.99 12, 3 ISBN: 9780593704080
In England, a group of teenagers tries to stay alive when a long weekend in an abandoned castle goes wrong.
When Bessie and her friends decide to join a party their classmate Allegra is throwing in her family's abandoned castle before it's converted into apartments, they think the biggest issues they'll face are making it there before a big storm hits and keeping their plans secret from their parents and teachers. Once they arrive at the castle, however, Bessie and best friend Kashvi discover menacing graffiti and evidence that someone has been staying in the cellar. They also learn that protestors from the nearby village are angry about the development plans for the castle--one of them even argues that it would be better to burn it down. A handful of classmates manage to get there before the storm gets too severe. But when the teens wake up the next day to discover one of their own dead, and the storm makes it impossible for them to leave, they quickly realize that they're in danger. But is the killer one of the members of the Facebook protestors' group or one of their own? Despite the book's intriguing setup, the prose is dominated by repetitive conversations that convey little substance. Still, readers may still find themselves propelled forward by a need to discover the identity of the murderer. The central cast is racially diverse.
A lukewarm thriller.(Thriller. 14-18)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Preston, Natasha: THE PARTY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A811898573/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d57aacc9. Accessed 20 June 2025.