Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker–his classmate and crush–who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.This is a desperate, heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful novel.
整本书的内容是16岁少女汉娜自杀前所录制的录音带，再穿插一位同学听过之后的反应。汉娜每次用一卷录音带叙述她和某位同学的过节，指控他们该为她的自戕负责。