Language: PG (5 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Dead body, sexual references, objectifying women); Violence: PG-13 (Murder, off-page sexual assault of a teenager by an adult)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
18yo Tessa has always wondered about her birth parents as she was abandoned at a fire station as an infant. For her birthday, her friend El buys her an ancestry test. With no clear parental matches, Tessa and her friends begin investigating her relatives and uncovering family secrets. At the same time, Keisha, a young cop, is out to prove herself as she tries to find the infamous serial killer the Portland Phantom who just struck again. Quentin is the Portland Phantom, and he is biding his time until makes his next kill.
With all the points of view and plotlines, the novel lacks some depth and character development. I question the inclusion of the serial killer's point of view as he has disparaging views of women, and he is a stereotypical stock character. Nonetheless, the novel does include a positive example of adoptive families and supportive friends. The serial killer storyline, short chapters, and fast-pace may make this novel appealing to reluctant teen readers.
Keisha is biracial. Tessa's friend Victor has brown skin. Secondary characters are LGBT+.
Ms. Megan, HS Librarian
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