THE TRUST

The plot thickens at the Chadwick School. This second installment of the Secret Society novels (Secret Society, 2009) reintroduces Lia, Nick, Thad, Patch and Lauren, five wealthy teenage friends linked by membership in The Society, a clandestine group of New York’s most powerful people who are willing to protect their exclusivity no matter the price. After witnessing The Society’s ruthless measures, the teens decide they want out—but they quickly learn with deadly certainty the power of The Society and its determination to maintain membership. Historical elements of ancient Egypt (an ankle tattoo of an ankh is the badge of membership in the Society), New York society and art history are intertwined in this intense mystery, which the teens must unpack to learn The Society’s secrets and earn their freedom. More of a thriller than anything else, the text delivers suspense, but at the expense of unevenly introducing and developing the main characters, therefore making a read of the first book essential. (Thriller. 12 & up)