Reviewed by: Amrapali
Author: Tamara Moss
Genre: YA
Publication Date: 1 September 2026
‘Five Voices’ by Tamara Moss is a thrilling, unpredictable and intricate murder mystery that keeps you on your toes until the very last chapter. It’s filled with twists and turns, unforgettable characters and goosebump-inducing moments.
Moss’s debut solo novel follows four Australian teenagers whose friend and fellow podcaster is murdered, and soon discover who he truly was under the surface.
One standout element of this novel was the characters – incredibly complex, memorable and unapologetically human. Moss avoids lazy tropes – she wrote the protagonists as realistically messy and complicated, and gave accurate representation of LGBTQ+ and people of colour. I found this especially refreshing for a murder mystery!
I admire how Moss unwrapped the story, with the narrative moving fast enough to keep the readers engaged, alongside tasteful discoveries. Additionally, she mastered the most crucial part of a murder mystery – the reveal. Moss artfully misled me in an unsatisfying direction, before unveiling the true killer – terrifically unexpected, leaving my jaw on the floor!
In terms of what fell flat, the only comment I have is on the conversation and texting aspects – it didn’t feel accurate to how teenagers speak. However, this is understandable given Moss is not one herself!
Overall, even though sometimes it missed the mark, I found this a fun and captivating read – and a commendable debut!
Perfect for fans of ‘One of Us Is Lying’ and ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’.
