2024
WISE Score
Amazon
The Bayview Crew is back for one last round of 'who’s trying to kill us now?'—it's basically Gossip Girl meets Agatha Christie, but with more burner phones.
4.5
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If your teen liked the first two books, this is a no-brainer. It’s the literary equivalent of a bingeable Netflix series—fast, fun, and just smart enough to be worth the time.
McManus knows her audience. She doesn't pander, and she doesn't pull punches with the plot twists. It's not 'educational' in the traditional sense, but in an era of brain-rot content, a book that demands this much attention to detail and character motivation is a win in my book.
This is firmly in the 13-14+ camp. It's written for teens who can handle a bit of darkness and complex social hierarchies. If they’ve read the first two, they’re ready for this one.
While the plot centers on murder and revenge, the core of the story is about a group of friends who have become a fiercely loyal 'found family.' It models sticking together under extreme pressure, though the overall vibe is definitely more 'high-stakes thriller' than 'feel-good.'
Karen McManus is the queen of the modern 'who-done-it' for a reason. The mystery is well-constructed with layers of secrets that require the reader to actively piece things together, even if it stays within the established tropes of the YA thriller genre.
For a teen audience, this is very safe. There is violence, kidnapping, and the threat of death, but it's all contextually appropriate for a mystery novel. There's some profanity and typical teen social dynamics (parties, drinking), but nothing gratuitous or unexpected for the series.
It’s a great exercise in critical thinking and deductive reasoning. Beyond the mystery, it touches on the consequences of past mistakes and the way digital reputations can haunt people, which is a very real conversation for kids today.
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