Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | #Murder | 2018 | Gretchen McNeil | N/A |
| 2 | #Murdertrending | 2018 | Gretchen McNeil | Buy |
| 3 | #Murderfunding | 2019 | Gretchen McNeil | Buy |
| 4 | #NoEscape | 2020 | Gretchen McNeil | Buy |
The #MurderTrending series by Gretchen McNeil imagines a near-future America where justice has become entertainment. Convicted criminals are sent to Alcatraz 2.0, where costumed executioners hunt them while the whole thing streams live. The series began in 2018 and ran for four books through 2020, each escalating the dystopian premise.
McNeil leans into the satirical possibilities of reality TV meets capital punishment. The books are fast, violent, and aware of their own absurdity, which gives them a dark humor that balances the horror elements. The social media-themed titles (#Murder, #Murderfunding, #NoEscape) reinforce the series’ interest in how entertainment culture can become monstrous.