Description: When a true-crime meetup at a creepy Victorian mansion ends in a murder, seventeen-year-old Sam Tombs must work with their internet nemesis, Dylan, to clear their name and find the killer before their own death become tomorrows trending content.
Brief description: CL Montblanc is a writer, producer, and escape room enthusiast. Despite hailing from Texas, CL is intimidated by both horses and very large hats. If you have any leads on where to acquire buried treasure, or a decent bagel, you can find CL on social media. CL is the author of Pride or Die and They Want Us Dead.
Review Quotes:
Praise for They Want Us Dead:
"A gripping mystery that delves into gender identity, friendship, trust, greed, and more. The clues are there for thriller fans to decode if they read closely... Complete with a diverse cast of characters and a slow-burn romance, it will enthrall teens everywhere." -School Library Journal
"The brisk pacing and dark humor keep the story engaging...Wry and wickedly entertaining." -Kirkus
"For readers looking for a distinctly modern take on the whodunit, this book puts a Gen Z spin on classic mystery tropes--think Agatha Christie with a ring light." -Booklist
"They Want Us Dead is a chilling thriller story about the extent people are willing to go to get what they want. This book is perfect for fans of Scooby Doo, murder mysteries, and escape rooms." -YA Books Central
"Fans of Agatha Christie will appreciate the new novel from North Texas writer CL Montblanc...by turns scary, funny and sweet." -Dallas Morning News
"With more twists, turns, and secrets than a creepy Victorian mansion, They Want Us Dead had me hooked from the first page. I was reading late into the night to find out what happened next (and to get more banter between Sam and Dylan!)" -Jen Wilde, author of This Is the Way the World Ends
"They Want Us Dead is a tightly plotted whodunit with an abundance of wit, heart, and thrilling twists--it will keep you guessing to the last page." -Kate Alice Marshall, author of What Lies in the Woods and We Won't All Survive
"A page-turner of a locked room murder mystery with an enemies-to-lovers romance that's as messy as it is charming, They Want Us Dead is a worthy addition to the suspense genre." -Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and the #murdertrending series
Praise for Pride or Die:
"This dark and comedic mystery by debut author Montblanc deftly explores the gray areas between right and wrong, successfully addressing the complexity of people's characters...the fast-paced plot and delicious mystery more than carry the narrative. A delicate queer romance that slowly blossoms throughout the story is the icing on the cake." -Kirkus
"Using arch prose, debut author Montblanc candidly depicts the queer protagonists' experiences living "in a town full of 'traditional' families with bigoted values." An unlikely romance and splashes of gallows humor add playful energy to this clever mystery." -Publishers Weekly
"A swift and suspenseful mystery full of righteous anger, comedic cynicism, and queer joy in spite of small-minded attempts to suppress it." -School Library Journal
"The teen characters are delightfully authentic down to the way they each message their group chat...joyful queer chaos is present and accounted for throughout." -Booklist "Pride or Die is an entertaining mystery novel for young adults that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of murder mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels will enjoy trying to solve who attempted to kill Kenley and whether the murderer is still out there." -YA Books Central
"Pride or Die will hit audiences with some Scooby Doo meets Heathers vibes and a dash of sweet romantic tension." -Den of Geek "Timely, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud hilarious, PRIDE OR DIE is the kind of book I wish I had as a queer teenager growing up in a conservative state. Truly, this book has everything: attempted murder, gay chaos, and some of the most charming and relatable friendship dynamics I've ever read about. CL Montblanc is one to watch." -Kayla Cottingham, author of This Delicious Death "With a loveable, wacky friend group, a sweet, budding sapphic romance, and an absolutely killer voice, PRIDE OR DIE is a masterful genre blend. This suspenseful delight of a book shows the importance of identity acceptance and brings 'be gay, solve crime' to hilarious new heights." -Justine Pucella Winans, author of Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything "The funniest debut of the year. Exceptionally timely, and the most lovable, chaotic cast. CL Montblanc is an author to watch." -Page Powars, author of The Borrow a Boyfriend Club "Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. With an incredibly fresh voice, witty dialogue, and a cast of characters you'll love, Pride or Die is the most fun you'll ever have reading about attempted murder!" -Elle Gonzalez Rose, author of 10 Things I Hate About Prom "Filled with laugh-out-loud worthy prose, breathtaking plot twists, and timely social commentary, Pride or Die is a compelling (almost) murder mystery that is at once unapologetically and delightfully queer. If you love stories about gay people solving crime, CL Montblanc's debut is a must-read." -Victoria Wlosok, author of How to Find a Missing Girl