An engrossing mystery with well-drawn characters.
Students find themselves in the middle of a mystery connected to a history of gruesome deaths on the campus of their English boarding school, Carvell Academy of the Arts.
The North Tower murders go back over a century and are infamous; they even shut down the Northumberland school for a decade. After arriving at the newly reopened campus, 19-year-old Lottie Fitzwilliam from Sevenoaks in Kent quickly finds herself drawn to the tower and its unsolved deaths. Her unapproachable roommate, Alice Wolfe, who is from a nearby Northumberland town, distances herself from Lottie. In a desperate attempt to keep her rage at bay, Alice, who is waging an internal war, performs a ritual from a school library book that seems to tear her soul in two, stripping away her wrath and leaving reason and calm behind. But history seems to be repeating itself, as there’s another death, and the unsolved murders appear connected to a larger, more sinister plot. The roommates’ complex relationship is as compelling as the central mystery; they are opposites who are magnetically drawn together. Steven deftly touches on deeper societal issues concerning patriarchy, paternalism, and the unacceptability of women’s expressions of anger. The storyline delicately and believably portrays young adults discovering their sexuality. Readers will enjoy the twists and turns as well as the satisfying resolution. The roommates are cued white, and there is ethnic diversity in the supporting cast.
An engrossing mystery with well-drawn characters. (Mystery. 12-17)Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780593703915
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
An atmospheric and entertaining thriller perfect for snowy night chills.
A group of teens stranded in a snowstorm discovers a murderer in their midst.
While traveling on the highway to a state theater competition, Nell and her friends Min, Raven, Adam, and Jermaine are caught in a dangerous blizzard. Their teacher, Mrs. McElroy, who is driving the minivan, decides to stop for the night at the run-down and shady-looking Travel Inn and Out. The motel is labyrinthine and spooky, with dingy corridors and walls adorned with moldering kitsch. Nell and the gang meet another group of kids who are also stranded by the storm, making fast friends. A game of Two Truths and a Lie starts out flirty and fun but devolves into something more sinister when one slip of paper reads “I like to watch people die,” and “I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed.” The snow falls and the winds howl, and soon power and cell service are lost, cutting off the motel patrons from the outside world. As the first victim is discovered and the body count begins to grow, the terror becomes palpable. Everyone at the motel seems to have an insidious secret: Will Nell be able to uncover the killer before they strike again? An homage to Agatha Christie, Henry’s locked-room mystery is tautly plotted, with quick-moving nail-biting chapters, relatable characters, and a deftly wrought setting that paradoxically manages to feel both claustrophobic and sprawling. Nell is White; there is diversity among the secondary characters.
An atmospheric and entertaining thriller perfect for snowy night chills. (Mystery. 12-16)Pub Date: May 24, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-32333-8
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
An eerie thriller reminiscent of summer horror movies that will keep readers on edge.
Two teens with a dark secret return to their old summer camp.
Childhood friends Esme and Kayla can’t wait to return to Camp Pine Lake as counselors-in-training, ready to try everything they couldn’t do when they were younger: find cute boys, stay up late, and sneak out after hours. Even Andy, their straight-laced supervisor, can’t dampen their excitement, especially after they meet the crushworthy Olly and Jake. An intuitive 17-year-old, Esme is ready to jump in and teach her cute little campers. But when a threatening message appears, Esme and Kayla realize the secret they’ve kept hidden for nearly a decade is no longer safe. Paranoia and fear soon cause Esme and Kayla to revisit their ominous secret and realize that nobody in the camp can be trusted. The slow buildup of suspense and the use of classic horror elements contrast with lighthearted camp activities, bonding with new friends, and budding romance. Similarly, Esme’s first-person point of view allows for increased tension and action as well as offering insight into her emotional and mental well-being. Discussions of adulthood, trauma, and recovery are subtle and realistic, but acts of sexism and machismo aren’t fully analyzed. While the strong buildup of action comes late, it leads to a shockingly satisfying finale. Major characters are White.
An eerie thriller reminiscent of summer horror movies that will keep readers on edge. (Thriller. 12-16)Pub Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12497-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Dec. 9, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
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