The Escape Game – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Mystery, intrigue, high-stakes scenarios.
YA book title: The Escape Game.
YA authors: Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss
Genre: Mystery, thriller.
Published by: Hot Key Books.
ISBN: 9781471419621.
Recommended for children aged: 14+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback April 2026.
This YA book is ideal for: Older teenagers who are escape room enthusiasts, fans of murder mystery and fast-paced thrillers.
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Our review:
The Escape Game is a gripping YA murder mystery that ingeniously merges the tension of a whodunit with the high-stakes drama of a reality TV competition. Set against the backdrop of an escape-room game show, the story follows Sierra Angelos, a girl haunted by her sister’s unsolved murder, as she fights to uncover the truth while competing against a team that doesn’t trust her.
The supporting cast is equally captivating, each member bringing their own secrets and motivations to the team. There’s Adi the cryptographer, Carter the maths whizz, and Beck the wannabe game master, all of whom have their own hidden agendas that slowly unravel as the competition progresses. The dynamic between the teammates is one of the book’s greatest strengths, with suspicion and rivalry giving way to unexpected moments of connection. As the contestants begin uncovering clues that point to Alicia’s true killer, the line between the game and real danger becomes dangerously blurred, raising the stakes far beyond the million-dollar prize on offer.
Our verdict:
The whole concept of The Escape Game is decidedly original, with its delightfully unpredictable characters, clever puzzles and a rich, revelatory plot.
From the first page, the book grabs you. The escape room sequences are brought vividly to life and are genuinely tense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, wondering whether the contestants will crack the clues in time, all while a darker mystery lurks beneath the surface. With sabotage, betrayal and twists around every corner, this is an absolute page-turner that will appeal to fans of One of Us Is Lying and The Inheritance Games. A thoroughly entertaining read for mystery and thriller lovers aged 14 and up.
Many thanks to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
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