Author: Tara Kelly
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Entangled Teen (September 1, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery Thriller
My Rating: 4 Stars
Book Description:
Gramps always said that when the crickets were quiet, something bad was coming. And the crickets have been as silent as the dead. It started with the murdered deer in the playground with the unmistakable purple of a foxglove in its mouth. But in the dying boondock town of Emerald Cove, life goes on.
I work at Gramps's diner, and the cakes―the entitled rich kids who vacation here―make our lives hell. My best friend, Alex Pace, is the one person who gets me. Only Alex has changed. He's almost like a stranger now. I can't figure it out...or why I'm having distinctly more-than-friend feelings for him. Ones I shouldn't be having.
Then one of the cakes disappears.
When she turns up murdered, a foxglove in her mouth, a rumor goes around that Alex was the last person seen with her—and everyone but me believes it. Well, everyone except my worst enemy, Jenika Shaw. When Alex goes missing, it's up to us to prove his innocence and uncover the true killer. But the truth will shatter everything I've ever known about myself — and Alex.
It is hard not to jump at the chance to read a mystery in the young adult genre, simply because there are so few and even fewer that are actually written well and keep you guessing until the very end.
I am pleased to say, that Ms. Kelly succeed on both counts. Not only was this written well, with hints and foreshadowing along the way, but this did indeed, keep me guessing almost until the very end about what was really going on.
To say this was a pleasant surprise, would be putting it mildly.
The plot was fast paced, the characters very well fleshed out, the setting felt very real, and the chilling murders, notes, and mystery kept me constantly on my toes wondering if I knew who the killer was and why.
I ended up reading this in one sitting, flipping the pages trying to get to the end to see if I was right and had it all figured out.
Ms. Kelly truly wrote something that I think will please any lover of a good mystery thriller, in any genre.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
A YA that actually keeps you guessing? Challenge accepted! ;)
ReplyDelete:P Hope you like it! You'll probably know everything right away though. ;)
DeleteI really need to read more YA thrillers/mysteries. Just added this to my list - Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Grace, I hope you like it!
DeleteDoesn't seem a bad read at all.
ReplyDeleteNope not bad at all. :D
DeleteSpeaking of Tara Kelly! I was just saying how much I wanted to read her Amplified book. It's great to see her with a new one. Definitely checking this one out. :)
ReplyDeleteI have that one to read as well and want to get to it soon. I think I have had it since it was released. 0_O
DeleteOooo I love to be kept guessing Ali! I haven't read a book all in one sitting in a while, so this is definitely something I need to pick up:) Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jenny!
DeleteI do love a good thriller/mystery so that's awesome you enjoyed this one and it kept you guessing. It does kind of amuse me that they call the rich kids cakes in this book because there is a school near where I live and people that go there are "cake eaters" haha
ReplyDelete-Lauren
LOL That is kind of funny!
DeleteThis sounds fantastic, Ali! You're completely right about there being very few YA mystery/thriller books that are actually good. Everything about this book sounds like it was well-written. I'll have to check it out when it releases for sure.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Thanks so much Nick!
DeleteI'm so curious about this book now! I love a good thriller and haven't heard of this one. Thanks for sharing it :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it if you try it Eileen. :D
DeleteAh, what a treat! A fast-paced plot and well fleshed characters all wrapped up in a mystery - things sure are changing on the YA coast :) Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramona!
DeleteI'm with you, I can't say no to YA mystery. It's so hard to find a good one. I love the cover and the book seems spooky. Adding to TBR!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to say no to them isn't it? I hope you like this one!
DeleteYay, Ali for: "I ended up reading this in one sitting, flipping the pages trying to get to the end to see if I was right and had it all figured out" - you know it's good when you don't want to put it down. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteWow great review Ali, thanks. What could be creepier than a YA murder mystery where the good and bad guys are kids!
ReplyDeletexo
It was a fun read. ;)
DeleteGreat review and I love the plot of this bokk, nothing like a well written thriller/mystery. Thank you for sharing this:)
ReplyDeleteThank you and thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! :D
DeleteI didn't know that Tara had a new book out! That is awesome. And I love YA mystery. This sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI hope you read and like it!
DeleteI've got to read this! I love a good mystery that keeps you guessing. You're right in YA that does seem hard to do!! :)
ReplyDeleteI know and I don't even know why! It really shouldn't be much different from adult mystery thrillers.
DeleteYou finished reading this in one sitting!? The mystery and suspense must be substantially well-written then! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pretty fast read. ;)
DeleteI love a thriller that is exciting like that. I also love a good mystery and haven't read too many thrillers in YA. Will have to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteI really hope you do and that you end up liking it.
DeleteThere aren't nearly enough mysteries in the Young Adult genre. I'm glad this was a good one! I'm only hesitant because it sounds like a love triangle.
ReplyDeleteNo, no love triangle. ;)
DeleteI agree, there aren't a lot of good YA mysteries. The last one I read and loved was Losing Logan by Sherry Ficklin. This one sounds really well though out, with just the right amount of foreshadowing.
ReplyDeleteI need to check that one out Tyler, thanks for the rec!
DeleteYA mystery/thriller is a guilty pleasure of mine too. Speaking of which, I missed Hannah Jayne's latest one, have you read it yet?
ReplyDeleteThe Escape? No I haven't but I want to! I have loved all her others. I completely forgot about it! I so need to grab it!
ReplyDeleteI love that there were red herrings and that this kept you guessing particularly in YA. Lovely review Ali.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sold. This sounds fantastic! I don't believe I've ever read a YA mystery, only adult.
ReplyDeleteThey are fun, especially when you find the right ones. ;)
DeleteFinally. This finally sounds like a YA mystery worth my time! I'm checking this one. Love this review, totally sold me!
ReplyDeleteI usually stick with paranormal YA or sometimes a sweet romance, but this mystery sounds really good! And I just looked and it's not published yet. I will have to try and remember. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely try this one, it is worth the read!
DeleteOhhh, sounds wonderful!!!! I love these kinds of books! Great review
ReplyDeleteThanks Becca!
DeleteThis does sound good. I used to read all of Entangled's books, but now there are so many and I just don't have the time, so I am glad to get some input on which ones to check out. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great line ins't it? But yeah, it is hard to pick ad choose sometimes for sure.
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