Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Girl Forgotten by April Henry

I love books where a teen (usually a girl) tries to solve a murder. There are trends (subgenres of you will) in the many books of this type. One is the teen investigates an unsolved murder from several years ago. A subgenre of that is a podcast giving the teen the forum to announce their intentions and results of their investigations to anyone who cares to listen. And usually people are upset about it. 

Piper is new to her small town. On one of her first days there, she comes across the grave of Layla Trello who died at 17 (the same age as Piper). Layla's murder has never been solved, so for her senior project Piper decides to create a podcast chronicling her investigation of the case. If she can find the killer, all the better. 

Piper knows nothing about podcasting (other than being an avid true crime listener). Her teacher pairs her with Jonas who has his own sports themed podcast. Jonas does not like the subject of murder and is reluctant to help. He also has secrets that intrigue Piper. 

As is often the case with these stories, some people are not happy that painful memories are being brought up or that accusations are being made. Even the school administration is not so sure Piper should continue with her podcast. She feels so close to finding the answer that she does not want to give up even if she is in danger. 

I don't know why I find these stories so fascinating, but I do. This one is good and everything you want it to be with this type of story. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site


Friday, May 5, 2023

Killy Joy by Hollly Jackson

In this prequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, Pip once again tries to solve a mystery. Will she find the murderer before time is up? Does it matter if it is only a mystery party with her friends? To Pip it does. She can't stop her instinctive nature to piece together clues. 

This novella brings together many of the characters who appear in the other books (although, not all since Pip hasn't met some of them yet). They gather one night to participate in a role playing murder mystery set in the 1920s. There are moments of suspense, but mostly it is all fun and games (literally) as the clues are revealed and everyone tries to stay in character. Only Pip gets so into finding the fictitious murder. 

If you have read the other books in the series, you should pick this one up and enjoy it. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

Bad news for Lydia: she needs one more history credit in order to graduate. Her guidance counselor really screwed up. Lydia wants to be a journalist. Now, those plans might get derailed before they even start. The school administration offers to give her credit for her podcast if she covers more local history. 

Lydia started her podcast to give herself an outlet for investigation. Sadly, the 'investigations' have mostly been fluff pieces. Her town, Henley, is a place where no one rocks the boat. Being nice and polite is the Henley way. But Lydia needs her podcast to be grittier, so she turns to the other student who was also shorted a history credit, Bristal Jamison. Bristal is rough and doesn't think once, let alone twice, about what she says. The Jamison family has such a bad reputation, that Bristal follows every introduction with, "I'm not pregnant." Lydia asks her to join and hopes to keep her focused and appropriate during the broadcast. 

The two plan to cover the worst week in the town's history, aka the Long Stretch of Bad Days. First, came the tornado that devastated so many buildings. Then the flood that killed all the dogs in the shelter. Finally, the dead body in the trailer, a murder unsolved. To investigate, you have to ask questions. The tornado and the flood are not too much of a problem. The murder (and the missing girl - yes, another unsolved mystery that no one ever talks about) makes people uneasy. 

How do Lydia and Bristal cover history in a town where nobody wants to talk? First, they have to overcome their own differences and then...press on and be careful. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Lydia and Bristol as the navigate the twists and turns of their search for the truth. I hope you find it is entertaining as I did. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site

Friday, November 19, 2021

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Who killed Andie Bell five years ago? Most people in town think it was her boyfriend, Sal Singh. But there was no arrest or trial because Sal was found dead a few days later - ruled a suicide. Or was it? Pippa decides to solve the murder and clear Sal's name as part of her senior project (not telling her teacher her true goal). She knew Sal when he was younger, and believes he was not a murderer. 

The problem is not everyone likes Pippa asking questions and snooping around. The people involved are not saints - some sell drugs and have assaulted people. One may even have had a relationship with teenager. The closer Pippa gets to the truth and the more she pushes people, the more danger she risks for herself and family. 

Pippa shares her findings (most of them, anyway) on a podcast which grows in popularity. The podcast adds to the tension as everyone knows who possible suspects are and learn of their questionable actions.  

I have read several teen suspense books recently - this is the best one so far. Pippa is a driven young woman who hesitates but never turns away from finding the truth. Her drive moves the story forward at a quick pace. Danger lurks in so many places with the reader never really knowing what the consequences will be. This is edge of your seat stuff. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

Rachel has a secret, and she wants to keep it that way. She is starting over at a ritzy private school in New York. She is not wealthy like most of the other students which sets her apart. Wanting to belong, she becomes intrigued by the rumors of an unknown prankster who takes revenge on people who deserve it. 

It doesn't take Rachel long to figure out that there is a group who pull the pranks. It turns out they like horror movies which Rachel also loves. She became fascinated with such movies after the thing happened...you know, the secret that caused Rachel and her mom to move. 

Not everyone wants her in the group. They are a mix of people you never see together at school, and they feel very exclusive. The guy who fights for her inclusion is interesting to her. He is not rich either and a kind of cute. 

The club is all about a competition to pull off the best fear test on someone outside the group; find their biggest fear and create a situation that will get them to scream. It's a scary, dangerous game for all concerned. Even though Rachel was hoping the group could help her deal with her past, it may be the worst thing for her. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site

Monday, August 2, 2021

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

If you attend Claflin Academy and want to apply for an Ivy League school - think again. Unless you are one of the Ivies. The group of ambitious young women (now seniors) have done whatever is necessary to hobble the competition. That's probably too polite - they sabotaged their classmates so they be in charge of groups and have the highest test scores. The Ivies did anything to make sure they had their choice of schools. 

Within the group, each girl has to choose a school. The Ivey Leagues would never choose more than two or three people from each school, so no two Ivies can apply for the same one. Harvard belonged to Avery. She's a legacy coming from a wealthy family. No way her mom will settle for Avery going to any where other than Harvard. 

Olivia wants to go to Harvard, but she accepts Penn because that's the the rules of being an Ivy. She's never been completely sure why she was accepted into the group. She is on scholarship, so she doesn't have money and luxuries like the others. Despite her insecurities, she has always been grateful to have been included. 

Just a few issues: Olivia applies for Harvard anyway (unbeknownst to anyone), and one of the Ivies is murdered. I may be telling you too much already. Suffice it to say that Olivia is desperate to find who killed her roommate. Knowing how ruthless Avery and the other Ivies can be, no one can be trusted. 

It may be difficult to have much sympathy for Olivia knowing her part in hurting others, but above all else you want to know who the killer is (like we do). Aside from the police, she is the person doing the most to find out. Suspenseful and intriguing. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

My Life Before Me by Norah McClintock

Cady was ready to run away, but when the orphanage burns down she doesn't have to do it in secret. Upon leaving, she is given a clue to her history: an old photograph of a vandalized grave in a small Indiana town. It is the only link she has to her parents. With dreams of becoming a journalist (not an easy profession for women in the 1960s), Cady leaves Canada with idea that this could be a story worth publishing. So she heads south to the rural town of Orrenstown. 

The people of the town do not like outsiders asking a lot of questions particularly about the grave of a black man who was convicted of murder so long ago. Cady meets a lot of resistance and sometimes fears for her safety. Luckily, she finds some sympathetic people to her situation. She starts to uncover things about the man and how he died that many would rather leave undiscovered. 

Cady's secret history is ours, too. The vial actions of the townspeople is a true reflection of the times in Indiana and so many other places. The horrors brought upon people reverberate to this day and make this story all too relevant for young readers. Cady plows ahead to uncover the mystery with a determination we all need to deal with the ongoing issues that plague our country still. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog
 

Thursday, February 4, 2021

All Eyes On Her by L.E. Flynn

Did Tabby push her boyfriend Mark off the cliff? That's the question that pervades this story. That is what everyone is talking about. Was Tabby a good friend or a manipulative schemer? It all depends on who you ask. 

We get to hear from all the people who know Tabby: Elle, her best friend; Bridget, her younger sister; Keegan, best friend of Mark; Lou, classmate who has not liked Tabby for awhile. We also get to see police interrogations, news reports, diary entries, texts, and blog posts. Through each, we see a different Tabby. 

Tabby was dating Mark, star swimmer at Princeton, while she was in high school. She had previously dated Beck who was now seeing Lou. Rumors spread that Tabby was cheating on Mark with Beck. People saw Mark and Beck confront each other at a party. Mark and Tabby were often seen fighting, although they were affectionate just as often. Tabby thought Mark was cheating on her when he was away at college. 

Mark and Tabby hike in the woods to the well known dangerous cliff edge. Only she comes out. Some say Tabby didn't like the outdoors let alone hiking. So why did she go? Some say she planned the hike months in advance and that it was not a last minute idea. Only two people really know what happened. One is dead, and the other may never tell. 

Sorting out the truth is almost impossible. Everyone sees things from a different perspective. I found myself going back and forth between believing Tabby was innocent or guilty. It makes for complex and fascinating story. 
 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Chasing Starlight by Teri Bailey Black

In the 1938, the glamour of Hollywood is in full swing. But Kate does not want to be there. And when gets there, it is certainly not all that glamorous. Kate would rather be in San Francisco living with her aunt and going to school where she dreams of being an astronomer (not a normal career for a woman in that time). 

Yet, here is Kate off to live with her grandfather, dashing film star of the silent movie era. Her parents are dead (an event that will haunt her for the rest of her life), and her aunt is marrying some man who despises Kate. Her grandfather's career is long over, so she finds him living in his run down mansion taking in boarders (wannabe actors, mostly) to make some money. 

Kate knows a proper young lady cannot live with bunch of strange men, but at first she has little choice. Her grandfather (who hasn't left the house in years) is happy to have her stay so he can know her better. And the boarders aren't so bad; in fact, two of the young men are quite handsome and charming in their own ways. 

As things start to look up, Kate finds one of the boarders stabbed to death in the kitchen. She finds herself suspecting everyone, so she becomes an amateur sleuth hoping not to get caught by the killer who may be living under the same roof. 

The focus of the story is the murder, but it is more than just a murder mystery. The old Hollywood setting is cool. Through Kate, we see that behind the scenes Hollywood is not so magical. There are several story lines happening that help elevate the characters beyond stereotypes. Kate could easily have been written as a snob (the refined woman forced to live below her standards), but she is more unsure of herself and where she belongs. Really interesting characters and story that keeps moving. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site

Friday, November 8, 2019

Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

Birdie loves mysteries. She reads them; she watches them. How cool would it be to have a real mystery to solve. When she starts working as a overnight clerk at an old hotel in Seattle, she may get her wish. A gentlemen, who may or may not be the famous reclusive writer Raymond Darke, frequently comes into the hotel, goes to a room and leaves in less than an hour. No one knows what Darke looks like, so could it really be him? And what is he doing at the hotel that only takes an hour?

How does Birdie even know about all this? Well, that's complicated. Birdie hangs out at a diner and one night she met Daniel and they went to his car and had sex and never saw it each other again. Birdie has tried to put it out of her mind, but, much to her surprise, Daniel works at the hotel. He tells her about the potential mystery (even though she tries to avoid interacting with him out of embarrassment).

The rest of Birdie's life is not so straight forward, either. She lives with her grandfather (her grandmother having just recently passed away). Her mother died when she was young. She has a quirky aunt who lives in an old theater. Birdie also has a sleeping disorder which causes her to doze off anytime (but she is not willing to get ant treatment for it).

Really, Birdie is a nice person who just trying to make sense of everything. Unfortunately, life is not a mystery where everything wraps up neatly. This is a fun read with interesting characters and those lingering questions about Raymond Darke. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.


Monday, October 30, 2017

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Yes, I am a huge John Green fan. And yes, I liked this book very much. I was delighted that the last sentence of so many paragraphs were profound and spoke a basic truth. It's like he peppered small philosophical statements throughout the whole story.

We have Aza who is struggling with a mental disorder that causes a voice in her head to tell her she will contract some horrible illness from microbes. She knows that microbes are in all of us. Maybe she is just the host. Maybe the microbes actually control her. Maybe she doesn't even control her own thoughts. Even with therapy and medicine (which she doesn't always take), the nagging thoughts are still there. It is excruciating at times to feel Aza go through it.

Aza's best friend Daisy is much more extroverted. They have been friends since grade school and often hang out at Applebee's using a bunch of coupons (much to the disdain of their usual waitress). Neither have a lot of money and both go to public school.

Daisy is particularly interested when one of the city's wealthiest businessmen disappears on the eve of his arrest. Aza went to a camp with the man's son (named Davis), so Daisy is sure they can use that connection to help solve the mystery (and get the reward). Aza is not so sure. Will Davis even remember her? And even if he does, he lives in a mansion and goes to private school.

This story is not about the solving the mystery; it is about Aza coming to grips with her life. John Green does an extraordinary job of putting us right in her head. Dealing with anxiety myself, I know what it is like to have those irrational thoughts that seem beyond my control. I like to say my brain is working against me as if it is completely separate from me. It is a rare and amazing thing to hear your own voice in a story. This book is one of those times. I felt Aza's pain all the more because I have personally felt some of her struggle.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.


Friday, March 17, 2017

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough

Erin's mother was murdered. And Erin was there when it happened. She was just a toddler and was left in the house for days while her mother's body lay on the floor in a puddle of her own blood. But Erin survived.

Erin was raised by her mother's best friend, Rachel, who has always been overly protective. Rachel will not discuss Erin's mother or what happened. But it doesn't stop Rachel from wondering. Erin is drawn to forensics like her Uncle Victor whom she has never met. He works for the FBI and has written about his experiences in books that Erin has practically memorized.

Ultimately, Erin wants to solve her mom's murder, but she can only do so much as a student. She is fortunate to have an encouraging biology teacher, Miss Peters, who helps her dabble in forensic science. Erin was delivering some important materials to Miss P's house the night she finds her lying dead on the floor. Two dead bodies is too much for one lifetime.

That night Erin saw Journey Michaels near Miss P's house, too. Erin has been fascinated by Journey for a while, but what if he killed her favorite teacher? Her best friends Spam and Lysa have never understood Erin's attraction to Journey. They also worry about Erin's obsession with her mom's murder case.

So many questions to answer about the two murders with Erin the only obvious connection. There is much to keep the reader guessing, but it is well worth it.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.



Tuesday, January 24, 2017

This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston

Five young men, close friends, enter the woods after a night of partying to go hunting, but only four come out alive. Grant, the prankster, is left lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Which one of the four took the shot? None will admit to it. Grant was killed with his own Remington rifle, the only one in the group. Who grabbed the rifle that morning?  While standing over Grant's body, they all agree not to say anything.

While the five River Point Boys go to an expensive private school, Kate Marino attends the public school. As a senior, she has a paid internship at the district attorney's office. Her job is mostly filing for Mr. Stone, a lawyer who is close to retiring. Bowing to the pressure of the boys' fathers (who are highly influential in the community), the DA assigns the River Point Boys case to Stone with instructions to go easy with it. Mr. Stone and Kate agree that determining the shooter should be a priority.

Under normal circumstances, Kate would have no involvement with a case. Mr. Stone's vision is deteriorating and Kate is a photographer with a keen eye for detail, so he asks Kate to help him interpret evidence. She watches taped interviews, examines photographs and even visits the crime scene.

Things get complicated when the four accused boys are expelled from school and start attending Kate's school. She is told not to interact with them. Although Kate knows the importance of the case and her potential conflicts due to working for the prosecuting attorney, she can't completely avoid the boys. Of course, she never told Mr. Stone or her mom (who works in the same office) that she had been texting Grant in the weeks leading up to his death - including the night before he was shot.

It is a compelling story with enough nail biting moments to keep you guessing to the end.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.



Saturday, June 18, 2016

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

Holmes and Watson must solve the mystery before the killer catches up to them. No, not Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (they are long dead). This is Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Watson, decedents of the famous crime solving team. Through coincidence (or is it?), they both end up at a private school in Connecticut. Watson knew of Charlotte, of course, but had never met her.

The death of a classmate finds them awkwardly paired. Jamie must adjust to Charlotte's unusual habits and eccentricities. From birth she has been trained in the Holmes tradition of crime solving and all the goes with it (observation, forensics, interrogation). Although the Holmes and Watson families have shared history, Jamie's mother has tried to keep him away from the Holmes'.

But once Jamie follows Charlotte through the dead student's window to examine the crime scene, there is no going back. Jamie is completely immersed in Charlotte's world. Adding another level of intrigue, the crime (and the ones that follow) mimics the stories of the original Holmes and Watson.

I have never been a reader of Sherlock Holmes (other than a few in high school), so I do not know how closely the characters of Charlotte and Jamie resemble their famous ancestors. I do know that there is enough mystery (mixed with teen angst) to keep the pages turning.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.


Thursday, February 11, 2016

Need by Joelle Charbonneau

Imagine a social media site that gives you what you ask for - for a price, of course. Not money, but a task. Complete the task and get your wish, your want, your need. The teens of Nottawa, Wisconsin are invited to join NEED. Some teens ask for small things like a new cell phone; others concert tickets. But Kaylee just wants one thing...

Nate invites Kaylee to join NEED. She thinks its ridiculous and a scam. How could a website afford to give away things for free? But they both know it works because Nate's brother Jack got the phone he ask for.

Everyone knows that Kaylee has only wanted one thing for the past few years - a kidney for her brother DJ. She has asked everyone she knows to get tested to be a donor. She has tried hunting for her father (who ran out on them when DJ got really ill). Kaylee has been so desperate that she has alienated her classmates, broke school rules and ended up seeing a therapist. Her mom is not happy and does not trust her at all.

With nothing to lose, Kaylee asks NEED for a kidney. And then the bad stuff starts happening - minor crimes at first but it quickly escalates. It is amazing what some people are willing to do just to get something they want. Often their task seems innocuous but it is part of a more sinister plan.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.


Monday, November 2, 2015

Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

From the moment Phillip Digby first appears on Zoe's porch, he will not leave her alone. Digby pops up at any moment and seems to know way too much about what is going on. It's kind of creepy and yet Zoe is drawn into his schemes even when she is breaking the rules.

And breaking the rules will not get Zoe into Princeton. Her goal is to get into the exclusive Prentiss Academy in New York first. Since her parents are separated, she will move in with her father and his new wife in New York (which her mom is not thrilled about).

After the divorce, Zoe and her mother moved to River Heights, a small town still reeling from the abduction of a local teen. Digby's mission is to find the girl or at least the person (or persons) who did it. It's just possible that this kidnapping may be connected to the disappearance of his own sister eight years ago.

Digby drags Zoe and his friend Henry through a series of investigative adventures: stakeouts, break-ins, interrogations, vandalism - you know, general mayhem that eventually involves the police.

Zoe keeps following Digby because she has no other friends and he at least gives her something to do. Plus Digby is smart and has studied police methods and procedures. He is passionate about finding this missing girl. It's suspenseful, a bit chaotic and fun.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.




Friday, May 9, 2014

No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale

Kippy idolizes Diane Sawyer. She likes the way she investigates stories and interviews people to get to the truth. And the truth is what Kippy wants to find after her best friend Ruth is murdered; not just murdered but brutally murdered and hung in cornfield like a scarecrow.

Ruth was Kippy's best friend. They had been best friends since grade school and even as they grew older and changed, they were still there for each other. OK, Kippy was a little clingy at times, and Ruth got annoyed that Kippy didn't have a boyfriend and could dress better if she just tried, but they still hung out together. In fact, Ruth was coming over to Kippy's house the night she was killed.

The murder has caused quite a sensation in the small town of Friendship, Wisconsin where the two girls live. Thankfully, Ruth's boyfriend Colt is quickly arrested by the sheriff who is convinced he has the killer...except Kippy finds out that Colt was somewhere else at the time. So why won't the sheriff listen to her? The only one who does believe her is Ruth's older brother, Davey.

It is up to Kippy and Davey to find the real killer even if it means breaking a few laws themselves. They gather evidence, question suspects (like the sleazy old lawyer Ruth was sleeping with) and stop another murder from happening...oops, make that a third murder from happening.

Kippy is driven, but not perfect. She is very likable and her heart is the right place. Even when no adults will believe her, she presses on. It is complex story with Kippy in the middle. Good stuff.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards

When Chloe fell asleep in study hall, it was May of her junior year. She had just gotten in trouble for rescuing her best friend Maggie. Even though she's a bit of a risk taker, she hesitated before acting - it was enough to get the attention of Adam, a boy with a known criminal record. She wonders why she can't get Blake to notice her, too.

Chloe wakes up in the same chair but sees snow on the ground out the window. Blake is her boyfriend; Maggie is not speaking to her; and she is really popular and gets really good grades. She remembers none of it. The past six months is missing from her memory. How did so much change in such a short time?

Chloe is on a quest for answers. Touching Adam is all too familiar (and sometimes brings back flashes of memories). Blake is totally in boyfriend mode, but Chloe feels uncomfortable with him (which is so strange since Blake was her dream guy). Her SAT score is through the roof - way better than she should have been able to manage (but incredibly exciting for her parents). If only Chloe could remember...but if she asks anyone for help they might think she's crazy (she's certainly not going to tell her therapist).

It's a suspenseful ride as Chloe searches for an explanation and tries to get back to a life that resembles the one she does remember. Did someone do this to her and who can can she trust? And what about Julien whose family moved away after living in town for generations? She was part of the study group, too. It all seems connected...

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Mojo by Tim Tharp

Why would Dylan head off to the wealthy part of town to search for a missing girl that he has never met? Good question. Dylan is tired of being a nobody that people call 'Bodybag.' He wants mojo - what better way to get it than finding a rich missing high school girl.

So let me clear a few things up. Dylan got his nickname after finding a body in a dumpster behind his school. He ended up in the dumpster after being chased by some bullies (after his friend Randy said something stupid to them). His good friend Audrey convinces him to put his investigative journalist skills to find the girl (Ashton). It won't hurt Audrey either because she is a budding photojournalist.

And the mojo thing - mojo is a magic, a little bit of something that gives a person an edge. It's kind of hard to put into words, but Dylan knows he wants it.

So off Dylan and Audrey go to the rich side of town to help search for clues in the park where Ashton was last seen. Dylan finds himself in the company of Ashton's friends, students and at a fancy private school. From that point on, every person is a suspect and no one can truly be trusted. Even though Dylan wants to be liked by these kids, he finds their behavior excessive. They have so much money that they do things just for the thrill.

I do not read a lot of mysteries, so I did not see the end coming. We follow Dylan through his analysis of evidence and questioning of suspects, and I was interested in where the clues would lead.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Game by Barry Lyga

Before I jump into this, I will say again that Barry Lyga is one of my favorite authors. When a new book is coming out by an author that I really like, I have always have this feeling of anticipation and slight dread that the newest book will not live up to my expectations. Well, no worries this time because Mr. Lyga has once again written an incredible story.

This is the sequel to I Hunt Killers, one of my favorite books from last year. We are once again following Jazz whose father is one of the most notorious and infamous serial killers in history. Jazz is not a killer but often hears the voice of his father in his head telling him to act on his thoughts. Because his father taught him to be a serial killer, Jazz has a unique perspective and an incredible amount of knowledge about  serial killers. Gaining some fame (must read the first book for details), Jazz is asked to assist with the hunt for a killer in New York City.

So Jazz finds himself immersed in New York Police Dept procedures (some he agrees with, some not so much). He visits crime scenes and examines evidence. He even finds himself taunted by the serial killer. The question always at the base of it all is whether his dad is behind it all.

It is a complex, mesmerizing tale of darkness and depravity. Jazz and the people around him (including the ones he left back in his small hometown) are never safe.

This is not the end of the story, and I can't wait for more.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.