Text Me When You’re Dead
Three weeks after Sloane’s boyfriend falls to his death during a solo hike, she’s still drowning in grief—until she gets a message from his number.
“I’m sorry. I love you more than you know.”
It sounds like Theo. It reads like Theo. But it can’t be Theo… can it?
As Sloane spirals down a dark rabbit hole of surveillance photos, missing records, and contradictions no one else seems to notice, a terrifying pattern emerges: the man she loved might not have been who he claimed to be. And the person texting her now—whether he’s alive, a stranger, or something else entirely—knows far too much about her life.
There’s only one way to find out the truth: follow the messages. But the truth isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of the nightmare.
- Sloane - Protagonist
- Theo - Sloane’s boyfriend
- After mourning Theo's death for three weeks, Sloane gets a text from Theo’s number saying he misses her.
- Sloane calls the police department and they say Theo’s name is not attached to the hiking incident, it was reported as a John Doe.
- Sloane says an Officer Dunning from Boulder PD reported Theo’s death to her but Boulder PD assures her there is no one by that name on their staff.
- Theo’s number texts Sloane a location and two words ‘Come alone.’
- Sloane drives there and finds a cabin.
- In the cabin she finds a room with walls covered in photos of her, some taken years before she met Theo.
- Theo says he faked his death because someone was after him.
- After Theo falls asleep, Sloane finds a hidden space where he kept IDs and trophies from missing women who look very much like her.
- Theo catches Sloane snooping and she hits him in the head with a lamp.
- Theo tells Sloane he’s been stalking her for months and their meeting was orchestrated by him.
- Theo chases Sloane through the house into the woods until he falls into a hole.
- Sloane calls 911 and then faints.
- Two months later: The police report shows that the cabin was empty, no signs of anyone living there including no walls covered in photos of Sloane.
- Theo managed to evade capture and disappear.
- At her apartment Sloane has a board full of information about the missing women, she is determined to connect them to Theo.
Ria Vargas's "Text Me When You're Dead" is a fast-paced read delivering a solid dose of suspense and a solid twist. Vargas does a commendable job of building tension in such a short format.
However there were a few weaknesses. While the core suspense is strong, the narrative suffers from some noticeable inconsistencies and underdeveloped plot points, though I can't be more specific without giving spoilers.
Overall, "Text Me When You're Dead" is a decent choice if you're looking for a quick thriller that prioritizes a good twist over perfect plot cohesion. It's suspenseful and engaging for a satisfying short read.
- Sloane - Alive - Searching for justice for the missing women
- Theo - Alive - Still out there hunting girls
- Sex
- Violence
- Abuse
- Rape
Publisher: Trunk Up Books
ISBN: 9781958368121
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
