Always the First to Die

Always the First to Die 

Always the First to Die from author R.J. Jacobs is the latest novel to be checked off my large and always growing to be read list. 

I haven’t been reading too many horror or thriller novels lately, so this was a nice change of pace for me. I read many genres, but I’ve also found I gravitate to some a lot more than others, and can lack variety in my choices. This one definitely helped me with that! 

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Have you read Always the First to Die? Come on in and let me tell you about it! 

About Always the First to Die 

One movie set. One stranded cast. One person ready to make them all pay.

For Lexi, the Pinecrest Estate has become a place of horror. The dilapidated manor house in the Florida Keys, once the site of her teenage movie debut, is now haunted by memories. memories of working on a legendary horror director’s most famous film and of the terrible death that propelled them all to infamy. And ever since Lexi fled the Keys, she has vowed to never return.

Until, years later, her daughter escapes to the Pinecrest in search of answers. Right when a Category 4 hurricane hits the southern coast.

Now, Lexi is back on the ravaged island with only a few remaining behind, and soon enough, her life begins to resemble the plot of her most famous film. And this time, she’s not sure who will make it out alive.  

Thoughts on Always the First to Die 

“I played a party girl. She’s always the first to die.” 

R.J. Jacobs, Always the First to Die

Always the First to Die is a book that had me hooked from the very beginning with real emotions that I could feel, and some mystery that made me want to keep reading to find out what happens. 

I appreciate that, because it is depicted as a horror novel, and that normally isn’t a favorite genre of mine. I’ll read them, just to see if I’m pleasantly surprised when it is over, but that’s about the only real reason I read them. Always the First to Die is far more thriller and suspense than true horror story. 

“Rick saw his chance to kill me, and he took it.” 

R.J. Jacobs, Always the First to Die

I like how R.J. Jacobs goes back and forth between the past and the present, as he tells this story. It is easily one of my favorite ways of writing because it allows the readers to learn more about the present, as it intertwines into the full story. 

It feels relatable, in that the main character is protective of her daughter, and her daughter chose to lie to her mother. There is grief from tragedy as well. I can easily see both sides of that story all in itself. I really wasn’t expecting this story to hit home on a personal level like that. 

I highly recommend Always the First to Die from author R.J. Jacobs for anyone looking for a novel that will suck you in and keep you on the edge of your seat wanting to read more and find out what happens. 

This is one novel that will not disappoint! It is a fairly quick read as well, at slightly less than three hundred pages, but I think that’s perfect. Too many times authors draw their stories out with filler, but that wasn’t the case here and I respect that. 

Final Thoughts on Always the First to Die 

Always the First to Die is the first novel from author R.J. Jacobs that I’ve read, and I had never heard of him prior to reading this. However, it will not be the last of his writing that I read. I’m always happy when I can find a new author where I want to read more from them. 

Discussion 

Have you read Always the First to Die or any other writing from author R.J. Jacobs? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

About the Author 

R.J. Jacobs has practiced as a psychologist since 2003. He maintains a private practice in Nashville, focusing on a wide variety of clinical concerns.

After completing a post-doctoral residency at Vanderbilt, he has taught Abnormal Psychology, presented at numerous conferences, and routinely performs PTSD evaluations for veterans.

His novel, titled: And Then You Were Gone, was published in 2019 by Crooked Lane. His second novel: Somewhere In the Dark, was published in August 2020. 

Purchasing Always the First to Die 

If you are interested in buying the paperback version of Always the First to Die, click here.

Click here for the Kindle version.

Click here for my favorite Kindle I currently own.

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