📖 Overview
Jessica's mother was killed by a serial murderer ten years ago, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Now in her final year of school, Jessica participates in a YouTube reality show where teens attempt to catch criminals, hoping to use the platform to identify her mother's killer.
The show quickly gains viewers and attention as Jessica and her fellow contestants work to solve crimes under the guidance of law enforcement. But as Jessica gets closer to uncovering the truth about her mother's murder, she realizes she may have put herself in the killer's sights.
The novel combines elements of true crime, social media culture, and coming-of-age storytelling to explore themes of justice, grief, and the price of revenge. Through Jessica's journey, the story raises questions about the intersection of entertainment and tragedy, and the ways trauma shapes identity.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this YA thriller as fast-paced and suspenseful, with a compelling look at social media's dark side. Many note the book keeps them guessing until the final chapters.
Liked:
- Authentic teen voice and dialogue
- Timely commentary on YouTube/influencer culture
- Multiple suspects that maintain mystery
- Short chapters that build tension
Disliked:
- Some found the ending rushed
- A few readers say the social media elements feel heavy-handed
- Several mention predictable plot points
- Questions about police procedure realism
"The tension ramps up perfectly" and "impossible to put down" appear in multiple reviews.
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,000+ ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (150+ ratings)
Amazon US: 4.3/5 (100+ ratings)
Common criticism: "The ending wrapped up too quickly after such a detailed build-up" appears in various forms across review platforms.
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The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas A student delves into the mysterious deaths of five cheerleaders that occurred in her town five years ago.
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Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus A new student in a small Vermont town becomes entangled in solving both recent and decades-old murders connected to a local theme park.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson A teenager investigates a closed murder case for her school project and discovers the killer might still be at large in her small town.
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas A student delves into the mysterious deaths of five cheerleaders that occurred in her town five years ago.
Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson When her best friend goes missing and no one seems to notice, a teenage girl launches her own investigation into the disappearance.
Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus A new student in a small Vermont town becomes entangled in solving both recent and decades-old murders connected to a local theme park.
🤔 Interesting facts
🎬 The book explores themes of social media vigilantism and true crime documentaries, reflecting the real-world phenomenon of amateur internet sleuths trying to solve crimes through platforms like Reddit and Twitter.
📱 Author Vincent Ralph was inspired to write the novel after noticing how young people increasingly consume true crime content through social media rather than traditional media outlets.
🔍 The protagonist's story mirrors aspects of real missing persons cases that have been solved or gained attention through social media campaigns and online activism.
📺 The novel's format includes social media posts, video transcripts, and documentary snippets, making it one of the first YA thrillers to fully embrace modern digital storytelling techniques.
🎯 The book was released in 2020, during a surge in true crime documentary popularity on streaming platforms, with shows like "Making a Murderer" and "Don't F**k with Cats" influencing public interest in citizen detective work.