Kit Frick

Kit Frick is an American author who writes psychological thrillers and suspense novels for young adults. She made her YA debut in 2018 with See All the Stars and has since published several other acclaimed novels in the genre. Frick's works frequently explore themes of toxic relationships, secrets, and the complexity of memory through narratives that incorporate dual timelines and unreliable narrators. Her novels include I Killed Zoe Spanos (2020), Very Bad People (2022), and The Reunion (2023). Beyond her work as a novelist, Frick is also a poet and has published poetry collections including A Small Rising Up in the Lungs (2018). She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse University and serves as a senior editor at Black Lawrence Press. Her writing has been recognized through various accolades, including I Killed Zoe Spanos being named one of Time Magazine's Best 100 YA Books of All Time and receiving nominations for several state reading lists.

Readers praise Frick's complex plotting and use of dual timelines, particularly in "I Killed Zoe Spanos." Many reviews highlight her ability to maintain suspense through unreliable narration and time jumps. Readers note the authentic teen voices and relationships in her books. Common criticisms include pacing issues, with some readers finding the starts too slow and endings too rushed. Several reviews mention difficulty connecting with characters, especially in "Very Bad People" where readers found the protagonist's actions hard to believe. Ratings across platforms: - "I Killed Zoe Spanos": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (13,000+ ratings) - "See All the Stars": 3.6/5 on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings) - "Very Bad People": 3.4/5 on Goodreads (1,500+ ratings) - "The Reunion": 3.7/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings) Amazon reviews average 4/5 stars across titles. Multiple readers compare her style to Karen McManus and E. Lockhart, though some find her plots more complex but less emotionally engaging.

Very Bad People (2022) At an elite boarding school, a student investigates her mother's death and uncovers dark secrets about a secret society.

I Killed Zoe Spanos (2020) A teenager confesses to killing a local girl but begins questioning her own memories and confession while in custody.

All Eyes on Us (2019) Two girls from different social circles become entangled in a scheme involving anonymous text messages and hidden relationships.

See All the Stars (2018) A story told in dual timelines follows a girl dealing with the aftermath of a mysterious summer incident that destroyed her closest friendships.

Before We Were Beautiful (2017) A collection of poetry exploring themes of youth, relationships, and coming-of-age experiences.

Karen McManus writes mystery thrillers for young adults with deadly secrets and unreliable narrators. Her stories focus on murders in high school settings with multiple viewpoint characters.

Tiffany D. Jackson creates contemporary young adult thrillers addressing social issues and racial injustice. Her novels feature missing persons cases and unsolved crimes with psychological elements.

Holly Jackson writes cold case mysteries involving teenage amateur detectives who uncover small town secrets. Her books incorporate mixed media elements like interview transcripts and police reports.

Diana Urban develops young adult thrillers about competitive teenagers in high-pressure situations. Her plots center on blackmail, revenge, and characters making morally complex choices.

Kara Thomas writes mysteries about missing girls and murders in isolated communities. Her stories examine toxic friendships and dark family histories through a true crime lens.