THEY ALL HAD A REASON

In this YA thriller, a North Carolina teenager realizes she’s the chief suspect in a fellow high schooler’s murder.

Charlotte Gray can’t explain why Bellany Silverfield hates her so much. The popular girl has detested Charlotte since they met in middle school. Regardless, Charlotte is there for Bellany’s 17th birthday party, as she’s good friends with her enemy’s twin brother, Bridger. That night, Charlotte picks up some juicy gossip—Bellany may be cheating on her boyfriend, Quentin. But when Charlotte tries to verify that tidbit, all she finds is Bellany’s body in the woods. Charlotte stays mum, as she’s got a motive and no alibi. Sure enough, it’s mere days before cops start looking at her as a potential killer (without revealing the manner of Bellany’s death). Charlotte starts her own list of suspects, from Quentin and a vengeful schoolmate to the unidentified “rude blonde girl” she first spotted at the party. Charlotte hopes to convince others that one of these people is the culprit, but it won’t be easy when someone is trying to frame her for murder. Leathers skillfully shrouds the story and the cast in mystery. For example, someone likely took Charlotte’s truck for a joyride during the party, and one person’s mother is a convicted killer (“She murdered her husband about fifteen years ago and just got out of prison last year”). Few of the characters are likable, as many seemingly turn on Charlotte, who’s an appealing amateur sleuth. But she does discover a romantic interest, which alleviates the narrative’s gloomy tone. The author’s straightforward prose offers pithy descriptions, making this short (under 130 pages) series opener a quick, easy read. The tale is also persistently edgy, as Charlotte gets anonymous, threatening texts and fears her arrest is imminent. Unfortunately, some curious subplots and gleefully dubious characters lead nowhere, as they’re simply red herrings. They nevertheless drive the story to a smashing, memorable ending.

A brisk, delightful whodunit with a sympathetic teen hero.