Book Review: The Escape Game by Gina Holder

Happy Friday Bookworms!

Today kicks off my birthday weekend, and I am starting off the festivities in a unique way. We are planning a birthday trip to a local escape room, so I thought I'd get in the spirit and read a novel that is set in an escape room. Not only was it an exciting read, but it also got me even more pumped for my own escape game!

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Romantic Suspense and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Escape Game by Gina Holder, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Escape Game
Series: The Game Masters
Author: Gina Holder
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal.

Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined.

Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal.

Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests.

They’re players.

Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. Each puzzle brings them closer to the truth about Demi’s missing father and Liam’s sister —but also deeper into a carefully crafted game where the stakes are far higher than they're ready to face.

With the clock ticking and lives hanging in the balance, Demi and Liam must confront their fears, their pasts, and the faith that may be their only hope of escape.

In this gripping Christian suspense novel, every clue matters—and every mistake could be fatal.

Can Demi and Liam solve the final puzzle before the game ends…or will the escape room become their tomb?

Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Irene Hannon who enjoy puzzle-driven Christian suspense filled with danger, secrets, and faith under fire.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

“Something in his gut warned this would be unlike anything he’d ever faced before. Were they up to the challenge?”

Wow! Talk about intense! I would love to see this as a movie one day, as The Escape Game is a mind-bending horror and one of the hardest escape games I’ve ever read.

This story was a lot more thought-provoking than I thought it would be. My mind couldn’t comprehend all the complex puzzles, but as Demi and Liam are attempting to solve them, my mind wandered to all of the “escape rooms” we all have put ourselves in on a personal level. I appreciated each character looking inward and seeing not only their strengths but also their weaknesses and how we all tend to complicate what is really so simple.

One thing I like about Demi is that she is incredibly smart but not pretentious about it, which I found refreshing. The countdown that began many of the chapters added an unspoken unease to an already puzzling story. Is the escape room a real threat or just a very dangerous game? I found it enthralling, entertaining, and utterly fascinating. How some people's minds work is beyond my comprehension, yet it's also so interesting to me.

The Game Masters series continues to get more and more intense and involved, and I am so here for it! My heart pounded, I couldn’t flip the pages quick enough, and now I cannot wait for the next game to begin.

My Rating: ★★★★★

More in This Series

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Be sure to check out my other reviews of books by Gina Holder

About the Author

Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you'll never see coming.

She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author.

She published her debut novel, Whither Shall I Go, in 2017, marking the beginning of her writing career. Her works often weave themes of faith, redemption, and forgiveness, aiming to inspire readers with uplifting messages rooted in Biblical principles.

Gina is also an active member of the Christian readers and writers community and is involved in the writing community through her blog, where she shares insights, interviews, and book reviews.

Her first traditionally published novel released in June 2025 with Scrivenings Press LLC, after winning their ""GetPubbed"" contest's grand prize.

Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

Connect with Gina by visiting storiesbygina.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 gift card and a copy of The Escape Game (eBook or paperback, Winner's Choice)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 5, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!