Language: R (100+ swears, 91 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Vaping, drinking, sexual references, passionate kissing. mental health discussion;) Violence: PG-13 (Murder, bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SOME
17 yo Mikky left home after struggling with his mental health freshman year, but now he returns to Prophets Lake to support his younger sister Kyla after her best friend Erin is murdered. Meanwhile Kyla, who works at their family’s struggling funeral home, has to prepare for her best friend's funeral. After they both return to school, Mikky questions how much he knows his sister as he watches her take up Erin’s mean girl mantle. Trying to help his sister, Mikky begins investigating who killed Erin. But underneath the typical small town atmosphere, the Cook Cosmetic company has a major influence. Plus, Erin’s mom is a director, and Erin was a brand ambassador. As he investigates, Mikky knows that Kayla is keeping secrets, and he wonders how much she knows about the night that Erin was murdered.
Most of the novel is from Mikky’s point of view, but the occasional chapters from Kyla’s point of view adds nice tension. I struggled to like Kyla’s character and her bullying even though the novel does well describing her struggles and grief. The overall pacing was good, and it kept me reading. More than just a murder mystery, the novel explores a range of themes including being yourself in a small town, the bonds of friendship, wealth inequality, mental health and therapy, and issues with the beauty industry.
Mikky and Kyla are Black. Mikky and his friends Rowan and Nasim are LGBT+. Nasim is Iranian.
Ms. Megan, High School Librarian
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