2022
WISE Score
Amazon
A sharp, twisty cold-case mystery that’ll have your teen playing detective instead of scrolling TikTok for five minutes.
4.3
4.3View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
Karen M. McManus knows exactly what she's doing. This isn't high literature, but it's a hell of a lot better than 'brain rot' digital content. It’s a classic page-turner that respects the reader's intelligence.
If your teen liked 'One of Us Is Lying,' they’ll devour this. It’s safe, engaging, and a great way to get a kid to put their phone down for a few hours. No-brainer recommendation for any kid who likes a good puzzle.
This is a bullseye for the 13-16 age range. It’s sophisticated enough for high schoolers but clean enough that an eighth-grader who likes mysteries won't be traumatized.
The story centers on a teen seeking justice for a murdered teacher, which is a solid moral hook. While it deals with death and lies, it avoids being nihilistic or overly gritty.
McManus is the queen of the modern 'whodunnit.' It forces readers to track clues and motives, though it stays within the standard YA mystery lane rather than breaking new ground.
It's a book, so there's no visual gore. The 'unsafe' elements are purely thematic: murder, teen secrets, and some light partying. Very safe for the 13+ crowd.
Great for sharpening deductive reasoning and critical thinking. It explores how a single event can ripple through a community for years.
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