Slaying in Sedgefield by Sally Partridge

Teen drama, mystery, and murder—all set on an isolated island with no signal and no escape.

After thoroughly enjoying The Witches of Hogsback, I couldn’t wait to dive back into Sally Partridge’s world with Zelda Scott and Slaying in Sedgefield did not disappoint. It’s sharp, fast-paced, and gloriously sinister, with enough twists to give your neck whiplash.

Plot Summary

Zelda Scott is back, grounded after her supernatural sleuthing debut. But her best friend Song ropes her into what seems like a dreamy escape to a luxurious island in Sedgefield, thanks to a mysterious invite from Megs—a childhood friend-turned-social media star. Zelda reluctantly tags along, suspicious from the start. The teens are beautiful, aloof, and clearly hiding more than just their skincare routines.

Then the wildfire hits. Communication is cut, and one by one, people start disappearing – or worse. Zelda realises that if she wants to make it off the island alive, she’ll have to figure out who’s hiding behind the perfect filter… and who’s the killer.

Themes

This novel is as much a pulse-pounding thriller as it is a commentary on performative friendships, teen identity, and the mask of social media perfection. Partridge digs into what happens when curated personas collide with real fear and desperation. I loved how the novel also explored loyalty and gut instinct, Zelda’s bond with Song is tested in all the right ways.

What Worked for Me

• The island setting was peak locked-room mystery vibes, but with a fresh, Gen Z twist. The wildfire, the sabotage, the influencer house – utterly atmospheric.
• Zelda is brilliantly stubborn, observant, and funny without being cliché. She feels like a teen I would’ve wanted to be friends with (or at least stalked online).
• The pacing is chef’s kiss. Short chapters, loaded with tension, meant I flew through this in one sitting.
• The murder mystery is smartly constructed – clues sprinkled, red herrings galore, and a payoff that satisfied even my most suspicious inner sleuth.

Who Might Enjoy This Book

Fans of YA thrillers like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, or locked-room mysteries with high-stakes tension, will eat this up. If you loved the moody folklore of The Witches of Hogsback, this takes a more contemporary turn but keeps the same strong protagonist and eerie pulse.

Oh, and if you’re South African? You’ll adore the local references, the dialogue, and the little nods to the beauty (and chaos) of our corner of the world.

Conclusion

Slaying in Sedgefield proves that Sally Partridge is a master of packing a whole lot of suspense, style, and smarts into under 200 pages. It’s gripping, relevant, and wickedly entertaining. Zelda might be grounded, but this series is flying high—and I, for one, cannot wait for the next mystery to come knocking at her door.

Thank you to LAPA Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

Also read:  The Witches of Hogsback by Sally Partridge

About the author:

Slaying in Sedgefield to release on 12 May 2025 – Sally Partridge