Posts Tagged 'lies'

The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman

Published July 1, 2025 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Amy and her best friend, Sarah, have been looking forward to senior year (and more specifically) the week prior to the rest of the students coming where they get to set up their room, go to parties, etc. Things don’t go as planned, however, when Amy wakes up to find Sarah and her boyfriend stabbed to death in Sarah’s room. Quickly, things spiral out of control as Amy must account for how she could have slept through such terrible murders while she was in the same suite. Meanwhile, Liz, the outcast newspaper editor wants to be the first to break the story, but finds herself blocked everywhere she turns. She has never felt more like the scholarship kid/outsider than she does as she watches everyone close ranks around these terrible events. Eventually, Amy and Liz decide to try to work together in order to find out what truly happened that fateful night. Can they find out the truth? Will they ever find anyone who can truly be trusted? How well did Amy really know her best friend?

This mystery story is fast paced and exciting all the way through. The setup is described well so it is believable how this could have happened while Amy was so close by. The motivations of all the characters are also understandable and it is easy to see why it takes so long for all of the pertinent facts to come out. Senior year carries a lot of the stresses, insecurities, and questions about the future no matter if you go to a local public school or a fancy boarding school and this book does a nice job of showcasing that. The final reveal is very satisfying and exciting which will leave mystery lovers wanting to see more from this author. Recommended for those who enjoy April Henry or liked The Counselors by the same author.

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Published September 13, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Fantasy

Paedyn Gray has been passing as a psychic ever since her father was brutally murdered in their home. In her kingdom, if you don’t have a magical ability you are banished or worse, so it is imperative that no one find out she’s an Ordinary. When she inadvertently saves the life of a prince everyone suddenly takes notice of her and she is forced to join the Purging Trials. The Purging Trials is a brutal competition in which Elites show their power by using their magical abilities to win dangerous events in which some do not survive. Once Paedyn begins the Purging Trials she becomes close with both princes, Kai and Kitt. Kai is the enforcer of the kingdom and is used by his father to murder or banish those he feels unworthy to live there. Kitt, on the other hand, will one day be king and tends to show more compassion and sympathy toward his subjects, but he also believes his father’s way is the only way and has no plans to change anything once he ascends the throne. Meanwhile, there is an underground movement to overthrow the king due to his ruthless tactics and malicious laws and as Paedon gets to know those around her in the Elites she can’t help but feel torn between these two groups. What would happen if Kai and Kitt found out she had ties to the rebels? Who was behind her father’s murder and can she find a way to avenge him? What will happen if the Elites find out she is truly an Ordinary?

Fans of fantasy series will love this book as it combines popular elements such as magical abilities, ruthless competitions, corrupt kings, and of course secrets. The characters are all well developed, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the ability to change and grow as secrets are revealed. The ending is well developed as the plot twists reveal everyone is hiding something and their relationships will be forever changed. Fans of The Testing series, The Red Queen series, and other similar fantasy series will enjoy this book and be racing to get the next one in the series.

All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord

Published September 5, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery/Realistic Fiction

Hannah lost her best friend in the world when her cousin, Sophie, suddenly overdosed. Everyone was totally blindsided and couldn’t believe that Sophie would use drugs. Blinded by grief, Hannah decided to change her appearance and enroll in Sophie’s private school in order to find out who gave Sophie those pills on that fateful night. Somehow, meeting all of Sophie’s friends is much harder than Hannah expected and finding the truth continues to elude her. Plus, many of these kids have wealthy parents so every time she tries to get close to learning something new she knows they will have resources to protect them. When prom night comes and she finds herself in the principal’s office, drenched, fighting for her right to stay at this school she knows that her secret investigation will become public knowledge. How will she ever find Sophie’s possible killer if everyone knows she is her cousin? Will she lose all of the friends she has made due to her lies? How well did she really know Sophie?

The premise of this book is intriguing, but the reality is much more about drug trends than the mystery of Sophie’s death. In many ways it’s good to have books out there that discuss the rising opioid crisis among teens and the devastating repercussions for them and their families, but fans looking for a suspenseful mystery may find the ending a tad unexpected. The very realistic handling of this tough subject is great for all of us to be aware of and the growth of Hannah’s character throughout the story really shows how complicated this issue really is. Recommended for students and parents looking for a real, true discussion about the current opioid crisis.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

Published May 15, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Bel is an eighteen year old girl who was raised by her father when her mother disappeared suddenly sixteen years ago. Rachel Price’s disappearance captured local news for years because she was last seen with Bel, who was found in a running car alone in her car seat on the side of the road. Bel’s father was tried for the crime, but found not guilty and Bel was hoping to put all of the pain behind her. However, when they are approached about a documentary on her mother’s disappearance she only agrees because her father seems to think it’s a good idea. As they start shooting the documentary, though, she starts to have misgivings. Before she can decide if she wants to continue, Rachel shows up still wearing the clothes she disappeared in 16 years ago. Bel isn’t sure exactly why but something about her mother’s story about getting kidnapped and held against her will only to escape now after all this time seems farfetched and the facts don’t always line up. Her father’s reaction to her mother’s reappearance seems odd as well. Her mother moves back in with them and attempts to form a relationship with her and her cousin, Carter. Bel finds it difficult to connect with her mother after all these years, but Carter thinks Rachel is amazing and doesn’t understand why Bel isn’t overjoyed to have her back. Can Bel find out the truth behind Rachel’s disappearance? Will she be able to handle the truth?

This mystery story is engaging right from the beginning, but the ending will really thrill mystery lovers. Rachel’s disappearance and reappearance leave so many questions that it takes awhile to unravel it all, but the journey is totally worth it when it all comes spilling out. The backdrop of the documentary is also a great way to show how the outside world is viewing this incredible story. The characters are also really well depicted to help shape the actions in the story and why each character had certain motivations. The premise is very interesting, but the ending is what readers will be talking about. Highly recommended for mystery readers.

Manslaughter Park by Tirzah Price

Published November 29, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

In this mystery retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, Fanny Price is an aspiring artist who was sent 8 years ago to live with wealthy relatives because her family had too many children to take care of. She has been reasonably happy all these years despite being treated poorly by most of the people she is staying with. The one person she always got along with was Edmund, a nephew form the other side of the family who was sent to Mansfield Park when he became orphaned. Edmund was sent away to school, but has recently returned and Fanny has found she is attracted to Edmund, but has no idea if the feelings are reciprocated. Meanwhile, the aunt and uncle she lives with run an art house where her uncle works tirelessly, but still manages to be kind to her. Therefore, it is shocking when Fanny witnesses him trip and fall down the stairs of their warehouse where, unfortunately, his injuries ultimately kill him. She can’t get it out of her head that he did in fact trip before he fell, though, which leads her to wonder if it was in fact premeditated or an accident? Who would want to kill her uncle and what does it mean for her now that he is gone? Will she be sent back to her family or allowed to stay and keep working on her art?

Fans of the original story will enjoy this title as there are some similarities, but many differences as well. The resolution to the mystery will shock many, but ultimately readers will be satisfied with the ending. As always, Tirzah Price’s characters really help the reader become engaged in a story that is familiar to many but in a new way. The motivations and actions of the characters are written in a way that the reader cannot help but want to know more about what will happen to everyone.

Live Your Best Lie by Jessie Weaver

Published April 6, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Summer Cartwright is a very powerful social media influencer who has gathered secrets about those closest to her including her best friend, Grace, her ex-boyfriend, Adam, her former camp mate, Laney, and a sophomore who aspires to be just like her, Cora. Everyone has heard the news that Summer has secured a book deal and plans to release ALL of the secrets she has on everyone else. Therefore, everyone feels they need to be especially nice and accommodating so that she might change her mind. Summer is planning the biggest, splashiest Halloween party and insists these four come. However, shortly after everyone arrives they receive a strange text message that Summer will be dead in five minutes. The party guests assume it’s a murder mystery party and start looking for clues…but then Grace, Cora, Laney, and Adam stumble upon Summer’s body and they know it was all too real and that they will all be prime suspects. Who would kill Summer at her own party? How did they do it? Is there a way for them to clear their names before it’s too late?

This story covers a lot of issues including parental abuse, academic pressures, plagiarism, the dangers of social media, and even teen dating. Many readers will find something they can commiserate with as they get to know these characters. It’s told in alternating chapters so you get to see how each one of them feels about Summer and her murder, but it takes awhile before all of the secrets spill out and it becomes clear who the killer is. The ending is exciting and satisfying and will leave readers wanting to know more about these characters. Recommended for anyone who enjoyed One of Us is Lying.

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor

Published March 23, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Jani and her sister, Zosa, have been on their own since their mother died and Jani definitely feels like she’s responsible for helping her sister find a fulfilling, happy life as a singer. When it’s announced that Hotel Magnifique will be coming to their town she is filled with hope that this could be the chance they have been waiting for. Hotel Magnifique is a magical hotel that appear in a different city every day and moves again at midnight. People are awarded entrance if they are lucky enough to be given a ticket. Each ticket is good for a two week stay and then they magically appear back in their town with no memory of the hotel at all apart from the fact they were there. Magic is deemed dangerous and unpredictable, so allowing those who contain magic to live and work in this hotel is supposed to help keep magic safe. Zosa is allowed entry to the hotel because of her singing voice, but Jani is denied both a ticket and a job and must remain behind. She refuses to allow Zosa to go without her and the hotel sends someone named Bel to collect her before the hotel moves at midnight. Jani ends up striking a deal with Bel and he agrees to get her a job as a maid on a trial basis. When they get to the hotel she is required to sign a contract, the same as everyone who enters, and she quickly learns that there are many things about this hotel that simply do not make sense. Every time she asks a question or sees something she shouldn’t, she is threatened with severe punishments. Plus, her sister is taken away and she has no idea how she is or how she’s being treated. As Jani’s friendship with Bel begins to grow, she learns that there are many secrets in this hotel that she would like to get to the bottom of before it’s too late to reconnect with her sister and she forgets her old life forever. Can she find out why they have hidden her sister away? What secrets is Bel hiding about both the hotel and himself? Why do the promises in the contract she is forced to sign seem to influence her differently than everybody else?

Fans of fantasy books will enjoy this very unique tale about a girl trying to unravel the many secrets of this magical hotel. There are many characters to keep track of, but they all end up being important to the story and its resolution. The ending has many big reveals and twists that readers will enjoy as they follow along with Jani on this crazy journey of discovery. Jani’s love for her sister is a central motivator for everything she does and it’s easy to see what motivates others along the way too and why they may or may not be willing to help her. This is really a very captivating fantasy story with a lot of surprising plot elements.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

Published February 8, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romance

Princess Annika of Kadier knows it is her duty to marry someone she does not care for in order to secure the throne. She is more than willing to make this sacrifice for her people and their long term chance of peace. Meanwhile, Lennox is a Dahrainian and very much believes the throne was stolen from his people. He has done terrible things on the orders of his vicious stepdad in the hopes of proving his loyalty. When Lennox is given the chance to prove his worth as a leader he decides to sneak into Kadier and wreak havoc, but unexpectedly he comes across Annika (whose fiancee immediately flees and leaves her behind). Lennox takes Annika back to his home as a prisoner, but she is a lot feistier than anyone predicted and Lennox cannot help but feel respect for her. As their stories begin to connect they both start to realize they may not have all of the information about their countries’ respective histories. Can they trust each other? Can they trust those around them who may have been feeding them misinformation in order to control them? Can they move past their difficult pasts?

Fans of Kiera Cass will like this title even though it’s a touch predictable and tidy in places. The main characters are engaging and interesting and there are a few surprises in the plot, but many of the revelations won’t seem that astounding to readers. Nevertheless, it’s easy to root for these two as they try to find the truth and both truly want what is best for their people and that does not come without some steep losses for both of them. Anyone looking for a romance similar to Cass’s other books will enjoy this title.

You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

Published March 18, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Ivy, Cal, and Mateo used to be close in junior high after they all skipped school one day and had “the best day ever” and were never caught. They have drifted apart in high school, but one day fate brings them together and they all decide to skip again in the hopes of rekindling that magical day. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and they end up witnessing the aftermath of the murder of a classmate. They know they had no business being there and it looks very bad so they run. As they try to figure out what happened on their own, it becomes clear they are all dealing with some pretty difficult secrets that they must trust each other with in order to be able to move on. Can they clear their names even as rumors start swirling that they know what happened to their classmate and could have been involved? Will they ever be as close as they once were? Is there anyone out there they can trust?

This story engages readers right from the beginning, because you naturally feel for all of them in one way or another. It is really easy to identify with all of their struggles and yet you can see how they all came to make the choices that they did. Without giving too much away, the ending is very exciting and dramatic and leaves room for more in a potential sequel. Readers who enjoyed One of Us is Lying will enjoy this title.

Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson

Published March 4, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romane/Realistic Fiction

Nala Robertson is a very typical teenager who enjoys relaxing and having fun, so when she has go to an open mic night for an activist group for her cousin’s birthday she isn’t too excited. However, the emcee for the event, Tye, immediately catches Nala’s eye and she finds a way to talk to him after the show. He is funny, charismatic, and passionate, which Nala loves, but he is also a very serious activist for causes he cares about. Nala is worried he won’t like her since she doesn’t have any strong causes that she supports, so she lies and tells him she volunteers at her grandmother’s assisted living home, amongst other things. She knows she will be in trouble if Tye or anyone else finds out about her lies, but she’s so afraid he won’t like her if he knew the real Nala. Can she ever face the truth of who she is and will that be enough for Tye? Will she begin to change like those around her to find things she cares about and is willing to dedicate all her time and energy to?

This engaging story tackles serious issues such as finding ways to love yourself and mother/daughter issues, but does so in a way that feels light and fun. Many readers will be able to identify with Nala and her fear of not being accepted, sometimes even by herself, for who she truly is. At the same time, she must realize that people are constantly changing and growing and it’s absolutely possible to change yourself at any stage of life. Several of the supporting characters are fun, such as Nala’s grandmother and all of her friends at the assisted living home. There are many examples of love in this story and it’s through all these different relationships that Nala begins to understand how love is present in her life and how she contributes love to those around her. Recommended for fans of romances, but also for people who enjoy real stories about unique people.

The Buried by Melissa Grey

Published February 11, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Adventure/Survival/Realistic Fiction

Sash and her family have lived in an underground bunker for 10 years, along with a few other families, after tragedy struck and the sunlight on the surface became toxic to them. They have been forced to abide by the very strict rules of Dr. Moran, who claims to know a lot about this above ground phenomena that has struck their town. She has requested they never touch, including family, and must always do as she says or else they could be placed in isolation as punishment. They are starting to run out of food and the bunker is starting to fall apart, which has Sash and her two friends, Gabe and Yuna, very worried. They end up finding a secret entrance to the bunker and want to go up to see for themselves what the world above is really like after ten long years, but if they are caught or if they stumble into an aboveground apocalypse they are not sure they can handle the repercussions. On the other hand, can they afford not to try?

Fans of survival stories will enjoy this title as the three teens struggle to find their place in this very small world that has been created for them in this underground bunker. It does not have the hope that some survival stories have, but at the same time does truly help the reader to feel what it would really be like to be in this position. There are some surprising plot twists as the three debate on what to do about their current situation and readers should be impressed with the attention to detail as they start to put the pieces together near the end.

Don’t Let Go by Harlan Coben

Published January 21, 2022 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Napoleon “Nap” Dumas has never gotten over the fact that his twin brother, Leo, and Leo’s girlfriend, Diana, were found dead after apparently getting hit by a train their senior year. It was ruled an accident, but it never sat right with Nap and he’s never been able to move on. The same night his brother died his girlfriend, Maura, ran away and was never heard from again. Nap grew up to become a detective after Diana’s dad, Augie, the police chief took him under his wing and became his mentor. He also became very close to a classmate named Ellie after the deaths and she’s still his best friend to this day. He has tried to move on, but there’s always a part of him that will wonder what happened that night. Then, Maura’s prints turn up at a crime scene where another classmate of theirs is mysteriously gunned down. Nap can’t help but wonder if it’s connected. How many of their classmates are going to die under strange circumstances? Why did Maura show up again after all of these years? Is it possible to really find out the truth about what happened that night? Does he really want to know?

Fans of Harlan Coben will enjoy this suspense mystery. There are many layers to the mystery as Nap is trying to find out how his brother and his brother’s girlfriend died all those years ago as well as finding out why friends of theirs seem to be targeted now all these years later. There are many supporting characters who contribute to the story, but not so many that you can’t keep them straight. The ending will satisfy those who love an exciting resolution.

The Eyes of the Forest by April Henry

Published October 8, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Number of Pages: 258

Bridget and her mom were both huge fans of RM Haldon’s fantasy series. They were frequently read it together before her mom died. After her mom’s death, Bridget corrected something Haldon said at a book signing and he asked her to be his assistant to help him keep track of the many details embedded in the books. She created a big database to keep track of characters, weapons, etc. They mostly corresponded through email, but then one day the emails change and become more cryptic. She begins to suspect Haldon is in danger, but no one believes she works for him or even knows him. He is a known recluse and the police think she is just a crazed fan. Can she crack the code of his emails in order to find the truth? Can she find anyone to believe her before it’s too late?

Fans of April Henry and Stephen King will enjoy this title because it brings all the suspense and drama that Henry usually brings with a little bit of Misery for a more modern audience. The story moves quickly between Haldon and Bridget as the story unfolds. The ending is satisfying as there isn’t a quick, neat ending, but instead is messy and believable. Recommended for reluctant readers who want a quick, fast paced mystery.

The Betrayed by Kiera Cass

Published September 27, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romance

Number of Pages: 292

In this sequel to The Betrothed, Hollis has been forced to flee her home country after her husband and parents were brutally murdered. All she has left is her new mother-in-law and sister-in-law. They have chosen to return to their homeland, but they are unsure if they will be welcome as the Isoltan King has made it clear he does not trust their family. Her husband’s cousin, Etan, has come to help them on the long journey but he has made it very clear that he does not care for Hollis and feels she has put his family in unnecessary danger. Hollis finds that she must prove herself to everyone she meets in this new kingdom because so few people trust Coroans. As she tries time and again to prove her loyalty to the family, Etan begins to come around and eventually the two grow close. They can’t help but feel guilty about their new infatuation after the recent demise of Hollis’s husband, who was Etan’s cousin. When they are summoned for a wedding of the Prince of Isolte, the King is very surprised to hear that Hollis’s husband and his family were brutally murdered. Hollis finds this interesting because she had assumed he was the one who ordered the attack. If the King of Isolte did not order her husband’s death then who did? Is she still in danger from this person? Why would someone want to murder her entire family on her wedding day? Is there any way for her and Etan to be together without feeling terrible guilt?

This book has a lot more action and drama than the first one did. The Betrothed ended in a really exciting way, but The Betrayed has more action and plot twists throughout the entire story. Hollis is a much stronger character than she first appears, but that could be because she finds along the way that there are things she truly cares about. In the beginning she simply went along with whatever people asked her to do, but by the end she is a force and will not be silenced. The ending has a few convenient developments that readers might find to be too easy, but nonetheless they will be satisfied with the ending of the story. The characters grow and develop throughout this series and readers will care what happens to them in the end.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

Published February 16, 2021 Uncategorized 1 Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Number of Pages: 420

Ellingham Academy was founded in the 1930s by Albert Ellingham who wanted to created a school for talented young people. It was made famous in 1936 when Ellingham’s wife and daughter were kidnapped and ransomed. After Ellingham paid the ransom, however, they still were not returned. The whereabouts in particular of little Alice Ellingham has been a mystery ever since. In present day, Stevie Bell has been admitted to Ellingham Academy and she cannot wait to try to solve this decades old case. She wants to be a detective when she grows up and she feels she has learned enough about the case and sleuthing techniques to be able to solve this case once she is able to get onto campus. Shortly, after the school year begins, a fellow student is found dead in a recently unearthed tunnel. Was it an accident or was it murder? Stevie begins to grow convinced that the present day mystery is connected to the 1936 mystery and is determined to prove it. If there is a murderer on campus, though, will she be next?

This is the first in a three part mystery series and each one provides clues and shocking twists to the eventual reveal of both the 1936 mystery and the present day events. The cast of characters that Stevie meets at Ellingham Academy are interesting and colorful, but most importantly they are all supportive of each other’s interests and strengths. The story flips between Stevie in the present tense and then events and news clippings from the 1930s to help the reader piece together the mystery at the same time as Stevie. Fans of mystery stories will enjoy this series because since it take place over three books and therefore has the ability to truly develop at a natural pace while also fleshing out the unique culture of Ellingham Academy.

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