Category Archives: mystery
Breaking Beautiful – Jennifer Shaw Wolf
This murder mystery wrapped in teen drama hits the mark. Allie has survived an accident that apparently killed her boyfriend, Trip. It looks like she jumped out of his truck before it went over a cliff and into the ocean … Continue reading
Midnight in Peking: How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China – Paul French
The eastern section of old Peking has been dominated since the fifteenth century by a looming watchtower, built as part of the Tartar Wall to protect the city from invaders. Known as the Fox Tower, it was believed to be … Continue reading
Kill Me Softly – Sarah Cross
It seems the fairy tales we grew up with are not so magical and wonderful in real life. Mira was orphaned at a young age and was raised by her two godmothers in a sheltered environment. Although the godmothers will … Continue reading
Poison Most Vial – Benedict Carey
This murder mystery stars two students, Ruby and Rex, who are determined to clear Ruby’s father of murder charges. The famous head of the university forensics lab was poisoned and all evidence points to Ruby’s father who works in the … Continue reading
The Technologists – Matthew Pearl
The inaugural class at the new Massachusetts Institute of Technology is just a few months away from graduation. The handful of seniors is working hard to finish their coursework and is engaging in a bit of rivalry with nearby Harvard. … Continue reading
Another Jekyll, Another Hyde – Daniel and Dina Nayeri
I tend to enjoy new spins on the classic books, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Though only loosely based on the original Jekyll and Hyde storyline, it incorporates many of the themes and morals while weaving in aspects of modern day life. Thomas … Continue reading
Slide – Jill Hathaway
Slide will be a big hit in the young adult market. Twisty mysteries are always good and this one has a unique way of delivering the clues, the pieces to solve the mystery. Sylvia (Vee) suffers from narcolepsy. When she … Continue reading
The Night She Disappeared – April Henry
Wow! Another book by April Henry that does not disappoint. Kayla is out at night making a pizza delivery and does not come back. Her panicked co-worker, Drew calls the police. It looks like the abductor initially targeted Gabie, another … Continue reading
Ruby Red – Kerstin Gier
A family with a time travelling gene eagerly anticipates Charlotte’s first time travel excursion. Only a few people throughout the generations have inherited the gene and it was foretold that Charlotte would be the next so she has spent her … Continue reading
The Dead of Winter – Chris Priestley
This Victorian ghost story is chock full of metaphors and similes. Michael’s father sacrificed his life for his commander, Sir Stephen. Feeling guilt, Sir Stephen became a benefactor to Michael and his mother. Upon his mother’s death, Michael is instructed … Continue reading
Tempest – Julie Cross
Tempest is a time traveling, conspiracy theory, whirlwind novel. Jackson discovers his time traveling abilities somewhat by accident, but is only able to jump back a few hours or days at a time at first before having to “tag up” … Continue reading
Hidden – Helen Frost
Another beautifully written lyrical book by Helen Frost. Told in two voices with different formats. When Wren was 8, she stayed in the back seat of the car while her mom went into the store for a moment. She heard … Continue reading
Dark Eden – Patrick Carmen
I have mixed feelings about this book, but on the whole it was a good read. The premise is simple: Will Besting and six other teens are sent to Fort Eden, a reclusive camp, for intensive psychotherapy. Each of the … Continue reading
The Mostly True Story of Jack – Kelly Barnhill
I’m attracted to odd stories. This one, well, hard to put my finger on what it was that I just finished. People have both good and bad in them. A Mother Earth type mystical magical figure was split in half … Continue reading
You Are My Only – Beth Kephart
Beth Kephart immediately immerses the reader into the story from the characters’ points of view, without pause for detailed explanations or backstories. The chapters alternate between two stories, that of Sophie, 14, on the run with her mother from the “No … Continue reading
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