YA – Kill Joy

Jackson, Holly. Kill Joy. Delacorte Press, 2023. 978-0-593-42621-0. 117 p. $12.99. Grades 9-12.

With other things on her mind, Pip isn’t thrilled to be attending a murder mystery party, especially one set in the 1920s and requiring a costume. Staying in character with her friends isn’t always easy. But as clues pile up, and Pip’s notepad fills, she becomes more invested in the mystery of who killed Reginald Remy. Everyone has something to hide, even Pip’s character. When a real mystery interrupts the fictional one, how will the group respond? And will they figure out what happened to Reginald Remy before their time expires? A less serious approach (it’s a party game, not a real murder) doesn’t detract from the suspense as secrets are revealed.

THOUGHTS: Hand this one to fans of the popular A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (trilogy) or readers looking for a quick pick mystery. Prior reading of the trilogy is not a requirement, though Andie Bell and Sal Singh are mentioned.

Mystery

Elem./MG – The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby

Schmidt, G.Z. The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby. Holiday House/Peachtree, 2023. $17.99. 267 p. Grades 3-6.

The quirky town of Nevermore’s most auspicious couple, Maribelle and Mort Amadeus, host a grand party at their mansion every All Hallow’s Eve. Thirteen years ago, the despotic Mayor Willoughby’s six-year-old daughter, Beatrice, vanished during the party, and Mort Amadeus was accused of the crime and arrested. The parties have ceased until now. Selective citizens of the town have been invited to convene before the statute of limitations on the crime is up at midnight. Joining them are drifters, Chaucer O’Conner and his inquisitive eleven-year-old son, Dewey. With his trusty notebook and copper goggles, Dewey follows the odd guests from clue to clue to unravel who really took Beatrice and to exonerate the imprisoned Mort Amadeus. Each guest draws on their unique specialty, like Dr. Frankenstein Foozle makes a phantom dog from a vial of ground bone that can sniff out the essence of a person. Intermittently in their investigations, Chaucer interjects a story he collected in his travels that sounds strangely familiar to well-known fairy tales. Author G.Z. Schmidt couples fast-paced narration with creepy descriptions and a dash of subtle humor. The reader’s mind will do double-duty matching up the clues with the townsfolk’s characteristics and Chaucer’s tales until the epilogue that starts the search all over again.

THOUGHTS: What middle schooler doesn’t enjoy a light-hearted, creepy book? The characters have multiple quirks, and Dewey exhibits sufficient charm to sustain interest. Give this book to students who enjoy Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society series or Adam Gidwitz’s A Tale Dark and Grimm or Michael Buckley’s The Sisters Grimm. This book also made me think of Ronald L. Smith’s Gloom Town, and there are elements in both that can be compared.  I think Gloom Town is more character-driven and has a stronger plot. What The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby lacks in craft, it makes up for in a captivating story and its ability to maintain high interest to its targeted audience.

Fantasy
Mystery  

MG – What Happened to Rachel Riley?

Swinarski, Claire. What Happened to Rachel Riley? Quill Tree Books, 2023. 978-0-06-321309-8. 343 p. $16.99. Grades 4-8.

What happened to Rachel Riley? How did Rachel go from being the most popular girl in school to being a “Complete Social Outcast of the First Degree”? That’s the question that Anna Hunt, the new eighth grader at East Middle School, seeks to answer in her un-essay for Social Issues. Anna is also a podcast enthusiast, and as she plunges into this middle school mystery she sees an opportunity to craft her investigation into a podcast of her own. She might even be able to use it to apply for a spot in a podcasting workshop for young people with her podcasting idol, Mimi Miller. Anna perseveres with her investigation despite her teacher’s misgivings about a student researching another student. Not all of her classmates are eager to open up about what happened during 7th grade, but with the help of her older sister, ace coder Nik, Anna uncovers clues including a barn fire, stolen hall passes, and a recently scrubbed website. She soon learns that “harassment” is more than just a big word that only applies to adults. It’s alive and well in the halls of East Middle, slipping through the lines of the school’s well-intentioned sexual harassment policy. She also learns about the courage needed to take a stand when it would be easier to stay silent. What Happened to Rachel Riley? is told through notes, letters, emails, texts, podcast snippets, and conventional chapters. The combination makes for a fast-paced reading experience.

THOUGHTS: This is an absorbing mystery with an important (but not too heavy-handed) message about harassment and the culture of silence that enables it. Readers of Janae Marks’ Zoe Washington novels will love it!

Mystery

YA – Girl Forgotten

Henry, April. Girl Forgotten. Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 978-0-316-32259-1. 260 p. $18.99. Grades 8-12.

True crime-loving Piper Gray has arrived at Firview High School as the quiet new girl. When the school assigns a required senior year passion project, Piper decides to try her hand at the one thing she loves most: podcasting. Inspired by her favorite podcast, Kelley McBrain’s Dead, Deader, Deadest, Piper decides to investigate a local Firview, Oregon unsolved mystery. Piper enlists the help of a classmate named Jonas who serves as Piper’s podcasting mentor. Piper and Jonas quickly become immersed in a seventeen-year-old mystery involving the unsolved murder of a young girl named Layla Trello. During the pursuit of truth, Piper interviews Layla’s ex-boyfriend, close friends, school employees, and family members about the mysterious murder. Piper gets more than she bargained for after she receives a menacing package and ominous online threats telling her to stop the search for Layla’s killer…or else. Just as Piper begins to sense she is close to uncovering the truth, one of her interviewees ends up dead. Is Piper next? Alongside Layla’s mystery, some of Piper’s own hidden secrets are also bound to spill out. Filled with twists and turns, this story will keep readers guessing until the end.

THOUGHTS: Readers who enjoy suspense, true crime mysteries, and April Henry’s signature fast-paced thriller style will enjoy this newest release. The book is told through news articles, Piper’s narration, and partial transcripts of Piper’s podcast. Characters cue as white. Aside from the action, readers learn a lot about podcasting itself, but the step-by-step nature of Piper’s project doesn’t slow the pacing down too much. There are some big twists near the end, but readers will be so hooked in to the mystery by that point that they may forgive (and perhaps even love) the wildness of the last fifty pages. Henry’s story also would be a hit (and a shorter read!) for those who love stories like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson or One of us is Lying by Karen McManus.

Mystery 

Piper Gray is starting her senior year in a new house, a new school, and with a new family. She moves in with her dad after an incident with her mother. She now shares a home with two younger siblings, her stepmom, and a dad she has never lived with before. She has no friends at school, and is at a low point in her teenage life. This is until she discovers she has to do a senior passion project. Piper knows exactly what she wants to do – a podcast. She has discovered a cold case of a local 17 year-old girl, Layla Trello, who was murdered 17 years ago. She decides to create a podcast to dive deep into the case. Along the way she discovers a few secrets that some want kept quiet, and Piper finds herself in danger. Will she discover the identity of the killer, or will she have to abandon her project for her own safety?

THOUGHTS: Page turner! Great for those readers who love true crime podcasts and mysteries. There is mention of teens drinking alcohol, so this may be best for older readers.

Mystery

YA – Nine Liars

Johnson, Maureen. Nine Liars. Katherine Tegen Books, 2022. 978-0-063-03265-1. 445 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

High school detective Stevie Bell in England investigating murders of two university students in 1995 makes for page-turning reading, particularly for devotees of the Truly Devious series. Stevie’s boyfriend, David is studying in England and persuades Stevie to come not only to be with him but also to help his friend Izzy whose Aunt Angela is still troubled by the unsolved murders. Inserted in the present narrative of the book are sections that explain the circumstances of the murders. Nine friends, connected through their comedy writing and performances, go away for a weekend at Merryweather Manor, the luxurious country home of one of the circle to celebrate their impending graduations from Cambridge University. They wake in the morning to two of their group hacked to death with an ax in a locked woodshed on the property. Keeping the murder angle under her hat, Stevie convinces Dr. Quinn, the head of Ellingham Academy in Vermont, that she and her friends (Janelle, Vi, and Nate) should take advantage of this invitation for a week-long study abroad. An initial meeting with Aunt Angela to ascertain the scope of the case turns sinister when Angela goes missing. Stevie sets her sleuthing prowess into high gear, sorting out clues from Angela’s home and interviewing The Nine, now in their forties. As the week progresses, Stevie and the group get a descriptive tour of London while Stevie’s and David’s romantic trysts get thwarted at every turn. Stevie and her classmates meet up with The Nine at Merryweather to probe what they recall about that fated night, but Stevie’s efforts are curtailed when they learn devastating news. Stevie may not be as confident as her friends in mapping out her future college plans, but her tenacity shows through in following the case to the end. In gradual release, Poirot-style, Stevie uncovers the murderer, tying up all the loose threads, and keeping the reader eager for the next installment. 

THOUGHTS: Fans of mystery books will add this one to their nightstand. Johnson interjects humor when appropriate. Drinking is a constant pastime, but Stevie usually opts for the non-alcoholic beverage. She and David dance around having sex, but nothing ever happens, other than a warm feeling and deep kissing. There is some cannabis growing and use from 1990 group. Some character diversity is present: Janelle, Yash, and Theo are people of color; Nate comes out to Stevie as asexual; Vi and Janelle are a couple; one of the adult characters, Sebastian, is gay. Some of the book reads like a tour guide and also a history text; but with the flippancy and lightness of Johnson’s writing, it seems interesting and fun. One thing that bothered me is how quickly Izzy, niece of Angela, recovered from her death (ah! sorry for the spoiler). It is also nice that Stevie is from Pittsburgh. 

Mystery

YA – Promise Boys

Brooks, Nick. Promise Boys. Henry Holt and Company, 2023. 978-1-250-86697-4. 294 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

J.B., Ramón, and Trey are students at the Urban Promise Prep School in Washington, DC. They do their best to follow the ultra-strict rules established by their principal as part of his “Moore Method.” But when Principal Moore is murdered, each of the three boys (who were all in detention and adjacent to the crime scene that day) become suspects. Although they do not trust each other at first, they soon realize that their best chance at clearing their names is to work together to expose the real killer. Debut author Nick Brooks does a great job of developing each character’s unique voice and personality, which is pivotal because the story is told from numerous points of view. Each teen has his own struggles, triumphs, and secrets that play into how they approach the world and each other. In addition to being a propulsive murder mystery, Promise Boys poses some serious questions about the prep school’s toxic culture of excellence. 

THOUGHTS: Readers who enjoy books by Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Karen M. McManus will gravitate to this novel, which is both entertaining and rich with opportunities for deep discussion.

Mystery          

J.B.Williamson, Trey Jackson, and Ramon Zambrano all attend Promise Academy, an all-male charter school in Washington D.C. intended to groom young men of color with its high standards and academic rigor. Its principal and founder, Kenneth Moore, is both slick and tough. The reader meets him as he is unraveling. He rules the school with an iron fist, yielding his power with impossible demands and punitive measures–a far cry from the environment of the school at its inception. The students keep silent in the building; follow straight, blue lines through the hall; and angst over demerits for petty infractions that threaten detention or expulsion. On the afternoon of an important basketball game, the three protagonists find themselves in detention when Principal Moore is mortally shot. All three are suspects for the murder. What follows is an examination from each character’s point of view of the events that brought them to that moment and their efforts to exonerate themselves and uncover the real murderer. Though the three are not friends, their common trouble unites them, and they join forces with their friends’ support to trace the downfall of a formerly idealistic leader and find his killer. Told in different voices and scenes, Promise Boys depicts cameos of boys of color striving to be their best selves but thwarted by an academic system that degrades and punishes them. Author Nick Brooks tells a compelling story featuring loving families and friends juxtaposed against the pressure of living in a world that deems one guilty before innocent. An important novel for any high school library.

THOUGHTS: This layered story provokes discussion around student voice and justice which keeps readers turning the pages. Both a mystery and a commentary on black young men in American society, the nature of school and punishment, and greed and corruption, Promise Boys reveals people are not all they seem. It forces the reader to see that each person has complicated workings and what they deal with may not be evident–even to those closest to them. Some curse words, some illegal activity (breaking into the school building), police shown in a negative light,  and an intimation of sex (JB has his first girlfriend, and it is implied they had intercourse.), notwithstanding, this book relates a truthful tale relatable to many eighth grade students as well as upper high school. Weaving in text messages and multiple perspectives of various characters, Brooks’s unusual plot engages even reluctant readers. Compare this significant novel with Jason Reynolds’s and Brendan Kiely’s All American Boys or Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down.

Realistic Fiction

YA – Greywaren

Stiefvater, Maggie. Greywaren. Scholastic, 2022. 978-1-338-18839-4. $19.99. 384 p. Grades 9-12.

The Lynch family secrets finally are being revealed. Their lives are intertwined with dreams and realities, but the surviving brothers are on the brink of destruction. Declan is doing his best to keep Matthew awake and alive while Ronan has fallen into a deep and unwaking sleep. As the story of their parents comes to light, so does the reality of Ronan’s actions, and dreams around the world are in dire need of sweetmetals to keep them awake. Will Ronan find the strength to save the world and his family, or will he abandon them to ruin and destruction amongst the chaos in the world?

THOUGHTS: Greywaren is the final book in Stiefvater’s Dreamer trilogy, a companion to The Raven Cycle. Stiefvater has crafted a perfect ending for the brothers Lynch, first introduced to readers in The Raven Boys, and readers will be rooting for Ronan and Adam as they find their way back to one another outside of their idyllic life at the Barns. 

Fantasy          Emily Hoffman, Conestoga Valley SD

YA – Breaking Time

Alsberg, Sasha. Breaking Time. Inkyard Press, 2022. 978-1-335-28489-1. $18.99. 352 p. Grades 9-12.

After witnessing the murder of his best friend by a mysterious man with supernatural strength, Callum, a Scotsman living in 1568, is transported through time. In the present day, after Klara almost hits him with her car, she brings Callum back to her family’s inn and doesn’t believe his strange story until the mysterious man shows up and tries to kill her too. Eventually, Klara learns that she is the final pillar of time, and that is why, like Callum’s friend Thomas, she is being hunted. Callum is determined to protect Klara, especially since he could not save his friend, and together, they plan to defeat the man and beast who will stop at nothing to claim the power that resides within her. 

THOUGHTS: I’d recommend Breaking Time to any readers asking to read Outlander. It’s the perfect addition to a high school collection as a similar, YA version of the popular adult series and show. It’s perfect for any reader looking for time travel, magic, and romance, and readers will be impatiently waiting for the next book in this action packed series.

Fantasy          Emily Hoffman, Conestoga Valley SD

YA – The Luminaries

Dennard, Susan. The Luminaries. Tor Teen, 2022. 978-1-250-19404-6. $18.99. 304 p. Grades 9-12.

Hemlock Falls is not your average town. It’s surrounded by a forest inhabited by nightmares and monsters. The town is kept safe by The Luminaries, an ancient order of hunters who protect the residents each night. Families that make up the Luminaries take turns hunting throughout the days of the week. Winnie Wednesday, of the Wednesday clan, is preparing to participate in the hunter trials. Although she is turning 16 and is eligible to participate, her family has been shunned by the Luminaries ever since her father was accused of being a witch and betraying them all. This is the only way that Winnie can restore her family back to the order, so Winnie must try, no matter how great the danger. Reluctantly, she accepts help from her former best friend, Jay Friday, one of the best hunters in the Luminaries. As Winnie trains for her hunter trials, she continues to learn about the nightmares lurking outside of her town, and when she encounters a new kind of monster, she’ll have to convince the order that exiled her family that this new danger may be a threat to them all.

THOUGHTS: The Luminaries, the first of a new series, has a little bit of everything for readers. In this fantasy world, teenage hunters typically choose their roles rather than have it forced upon them but although they live in a town surrounded by monsters, their lives are quite ordinary. Action, adventure, and mystery await in this new, contemporary fantasy, and it’s the perfect choice for readers looking to try something new.

Fantasy          Emily Hoffman, Conestoga Valley SD

YA – Murder for the Modern Girl

Kulper, Kendall. Murder for the Modern Girl. Holiday House, 2022. 978-082-344972-9. 352 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

To the outside world, Ruby Newhouse seems like just another eighteen-year-old flapper, living a carefree life and enjoying the jazz clubs and parties of 1920’s Chicago. But Ruby has a secret – she’s been using her mind-reading abilities to identify men who target and victimize vulnerable women. Their crimes may go unpunished by law enforcement, but Ruby has been using her knowledge of poisons to ensure that these dangerous individuals are permanently removed from the streets. Buty is a morgue janitor with a secret of his own – he has the ability to transform his appearance into anyone he wants. He’s taken a job at the Chicago morgue in the hopes of learning more about his condition, but in order to do that, he has to assist the corner in solving a string of poisoning murders occurring across the city. Guy and Ruby seem set on a collision course. As they travel the streets of Chicago, the pair also must contend with Chicago underworld mobsters, crooked cops, unethical politicians, and more. 

THOUGHTS: This highly engaging historical fiction title will have readers eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. Holds appeal for fans of mystery, historical fiction, romance, and fantasy. Highly recommended.

Historical Fiction          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD