Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave by Ally Russell - ADVISABLE

Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave (Mystery James #1) by Ally Russell, 320 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $16

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (supernatural suspence/horror)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

13yo Mystery James has an unusual gift – the ability to smell ghosts. Only smell! Despite being found as a baby in a cemetery and raised in a funeral home, Mystery has never actually seen a ghost. That is, until the ghost of the deceased Ellis family matriarch, Lady Ellis, appears to Mystery and screams, “CEMETERY,” THREE NIGHTS FROM NOW,” STOP.” Now Mystery has to add "decipher cryptic message” to her growing list of concerns including sleep paralysis demons, a grave robber, potentially cursed family heirlooms, and convincing her ex-best friend, Garret, to help her take on a sinister supernatural creature. All of which are becoming oddly normal in the life of Mystery James.

I feel Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave carries many of the same strengths from Ally Russell’s It Came From the Trees: A small but memorable cast, quick and engaging chapters, and a balance between mystery and horror. Sprinkled throughout the short chapters, readers see “pages” from Mystery’s notebook which contain information on last wills and testaments, heirlooms, embalming, etc., providing context for readers who might not be familiar with funeral home practices. While this is the first in a duology, readers are not left on a cliffhanger (book 2 is expected 15 September 2026). An excellent addition where readers enjoy It Came From the Trees (Russell), City of Ghosts (Schwab), Grin (Gillespie), Small Spaces (Arden), or Scritch Scratch (Currie). Mystery is a 13yo female with "bronze-brown" skin.

Tía Lucy is Mystery’s Puerto Rican adopted aunt.

E. Powell, Junior High Librarian 

Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young - SEVERAL

Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young, 320 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2026. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 54 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing, drinking); Violence: PG-13 (fighting, harassment, description of dead body)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Noa and Jamie are in Cape Hope, part of the Florida Everglades. But Noa is a Chaser, one of the locals struggling to make a living, and Jamie is a reluctant member of the Collective, the rich resort owners/guests who are trying to drive out the Chasers. After Noa and her friends Tech and Shawn are harassed by a group of Collective teenagers, they decide it's time to act. They begin investigating an old accusation at the heart of the feud between the groups: that a Chaser started a hotel fire and murdered a Collective. But first they need to find the hotel which disappeared off the map, and they need a boat. Thankfully Jamie is back in town after a two year absence and happens to have one.

The murder mystery aspect is slow to start and not as prevalent as readers may expect. However, the relationship between Noa and Jamie and the disappearance of Noa’s brother kept the pace going. I enjoyed the novel’s shifting points of view between Noa and Jamie, allowing each character to develop. The lush descriptions of the setting places readers in the Florida Everglades. Furthermore, the tension between the Chasers and the Collective brings up issues of classism and identity as the teenagers work to figure out what they will stand for and against. Noa and Jamie’s ages are not specified, but they are written as older teenagers. Two secondary characters, Shawn and Jordan, are LGBT+. Tech is described as having dark skin, and Jordan has olive skin.

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian 

Last to Leave by Teresa Richards - ADVISABLE

Last to Leave by Teresa Richards, 331 pages. Charlesbridge, 2026. $19

Content: PG (fake murders mentioned, adult gets drunk)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Fallon is ecstatic; she has the chance of a lifetime to participate in a live-streamed 1920’s themed murder mystery with a million dollar prize. What she didn’t bank on was her best friend, fellow influencer, Dante, also taking part. In the race for answers and the money, can Fallon trust Dante to have her back or will this ruin their friendship before it has a chance to blossom into something more? Ulterior motives, backstabbing, and shady business abound.

Richards gives us a romp of a mystery that doesn’t rely upon blood or sensationalism to make it interesting. I was surprised by the end to realize the lack of content issues. I breezed through this one in the very best way.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry - OPTIONAL

Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry, 544 pages. Penguin, 2025. $22

Language: R (91 swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: R (gruesome ways to kill someone mentioned, detailed murder scenes committed by characters, rape mentioned, capital punishment)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

Eternity is 18yo  and on death row for aiding the murder of some extended family members and is desperate to be chosen to compete in a reality show in hopes of winning her freedom. Getting cast on the show could win her clemency from her sentence and give her the opportunity to live the life she always dreamed of outside of prison bars.   The only catch, she must convince America to vote off the other 9 competing death row inmates and guarantee her freedom.  

The story is told in both present and past tense, helping the reader truly understand Eternity's heart and life.  The novel is full of powerful narratives that plague Eternity's mind and soul.  Readers will cheer for, cry for, and become endeared to this main character and her plea to be given a chance to prove she is worth something.  Every reality TV binge watcher will love this deeply human teen novel.  Henry does a masterful job getting the reader inside of Eternity's head and heart. The self-talk doesn't excuse Eternity's actions, yet the truth about race and socioeconomic status is such a defining reality.  I did think that the violence was a bit to bear with the age suggestion being 12-17, but I am protective of what my children read.  The real world really is a tough place for a lot of people! I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.  The concept of a reality show freeing a death row inmate was a unique and controversial idea for sure.

Eternity is a black girl from Dallas. 

S. Lewis

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee - ADVISABLE

Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee, 381 pages. Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2026. $20

Language: PG (16 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing, drinking); Violence: PG (murders, peril)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18 years ago a newborn baby girl drifted in a canoe to Nowhere on Orcas Island in Washington. She was given the name of Lucy and taken in by a local ship-builder and estate owner, Dakon Sanders, living as an employee of the estate. Just as she plans to leave Nowhere to attend university on the mainland, she discovers her employer's severed head on the shore. Then, unaccountably, she is named the heiress of Nowhere and the owner of Mr. Sander's shipping company. Now 18yo, Lucy discovers that her father was the Can Man, who was murdered in the same way as Mr. Sanders 18 years earlier. Lucy now knows that she must discover who murdered her father and Mr. Sanders before she is the next victim.

The mysterious happenings are an engaging way that keeps the reader anxiously following the trail of clues. Lucy is a likeable protagonist and the setting in the Northwest islands off of Washington enhances the storyline.  As an English teacher, I was also happy to see great vocabulary word building. The main drawback to this story is that Lucy looks at everyone as a suspect and can find a motive to kill each of them.  This became a little tedious as she tried to unravel the mystery.

Lucy's father was Chinese, a childhood friend, Kai, is Hawaiian.

Rebecca Jo  Hansen, HS Language Arts teacher

Most Likely To Murder by Lish McBride - OPTIONAL

Most Likely To Murder by Lish McBride, 308 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $13 (pb)

Language: R (100+ swears, 24 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (mild sexual allusion, condoms mentioned, kisses); Violence: PG-13 (corpses)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Rick and Martina (Teeny) are ready to wait out their senior year.  When last year’s yearbooks get distributed, however, someone has relabeled some of the pictures with death predictions. And Rick and Teeny are on the list. The situation is easy to ignore as a joke - but then one of the predictions comes true - and then another one. The best friends decide they’d better get together with the other proclaimed victims and find the person behind the prank - and the deaths - before they are all on the wrong side of life.

Authors have not run out of macabre ways to turn teenage life into a murder mystery. McBride has made the murderer hard to spot - I’m not sure that anyone can pick up on who it is until she lays down a very obvious clue.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Predatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith - OPTIONAL

Predatory Natures by Amy Goldsmith, 417 pages. Delacorte Press (Random), 2025. $15.

Language: R (38 swears, 32 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (mention of dry humping, passionate kissing, mention of underage drinking, exploration of emotionally abusive relationships); Violence: PG-13 (mild body horror)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Lara Williams just landed her dream summer job working on the luxury train The Banebury. Her plan involves using the glitz and glamor of The Banebury mixed with the stunning European landscape to escape her family, her friends, and most importantly her past. All Lara wants is a fresh start. Although her first day on the job already threatens to complicate her plans. Lara soon learns she will be working with the awkward and handsome Rhys, one of those friends she is desperate to leave behind. If the constant reminder of her past staying in the cabin next door wasn’t enough, two mysterious and unexpected passengers bring a very real danger into Lara’s life that threatens to crush her plans for good. If she can’t find a way to stop two carriages full of nightmarish plants from reaching their final destination, everyone onboard The Banebury is doomed.

Despite the killer (pun intended) concept of Predatory Natures I was left with unanswered questions and an unsatisfying conclusion. This is a slow-burn horror. Emphasis on the slow. The chapters alternate between Lara’s complicated past to her present, but it wasn’t consistent when the chapters switched. The past chapters seemed to interrupt the action of the present just as it was about to get good. Adult readers will likely pick up on what Lara is running from in her past before young adult readers. I can see certain readers really enjoying the moody atmosphere and unique plant horror, but I think most might find it confusing and slow paced. Both Lara and Rhys cue white.

E. Powell - Junior High Librarian

Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer - OPTIONAL

Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer, 352 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (75 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, drugs, kissing); Violence: PG-13 (murder, dead bodies)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Ariana, or Ari, knows Oakley because they go to the same dog groomer. She is surprised when Oakley invites her to an all-expenses-paid trip to the soft launch of a teen wellness program on a private island. Ari convinces Oakely to let her bring along her cousin Candy, her best friend Maya, and her dog Qunicy. Ari hopes that after attending the retreat she may gain some clarity as she is unsure about her future since a bad shoulder injury could jeopardize her collegiate volleyball scholarship.  At first, the island seems like a dream with plenty of activities and amenities for the more than 75 people invited. But when Ari has to sign a liability waiver, some questionable treatments are performed, someone vanishes, someone needs to be rescued, and someone else dies, Ari begins wondering what exactly is going on at this wellness retreat.

I appreciate how the novel slowly clues readers in that something is not quite right with the whole situation, and its fast-pace will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The cast of secondary characters is diverse,  but the large number of characters may be overwhelming, especially at the start. Many of the characters' descriptions are also plainly done, not following the “show, don’t tell” mentality. I did enjoy the novel’s discussion of untested trendy "wellness" treatments and influencers. A solid YA mystery, horror, thriller with a touch of romance. 

Ariana is Black. Many secondary characters are diverse including Jadon (dark brown skin), Oakley (biracial), and Ellie (LGBT+)

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian 

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss - OPTIONAL

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss, 403 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $23.

Language: R (98  swears,  8 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (affairs mentioned, light kiss); Violence: PG-13 (cow heart in fridge, body in coffin, fighting with sword, gun shot)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Carter is excited and is dreading her time on the Escape Game,  popular escape room game show; her online persona is much more confident than the IRL Carter ever has been. Disaster though - one of her team members is Sierra Angelos, the sister of Alicia Angelos who was murdered during the last season - and Sierra is still the prime suspect. Sierra is determined to hunt down the true killer and someone else on the show, calling themselves The Real Gamemaster, also seems determined to expose the killer. But the killer is determined to keep the truth from being revealed.

The descriptions and inner workings of the escape games were more fun than I first thought they might be - the authors did a great job of detailing the rooms and giving clues that the reader could also use to solve the puzzles if desired. They also We kept the mystery tight and interesting - not easy to solve, but also a bit of a surprise for the reader.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane - OPTIONAL

Difficult Girls by Veronica Bane, 336 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 27 f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (Drinking, kissing, sexual references); Violence: PG-13 (Murder, attempted murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Seeking a new start and new friends after an incident at her school, 16yo Greta Riley Green gets a job as an usher at Hyper Kid Magic Land, a theme park that has several short shows each day. Gretta is thrust into a mystery as one of the park's stars, Mercy Goodwin, schedules a meeting with her but never shows. In addition, the theme park has a history of tragedy as Hailey, a previous performer, was murdered 20 years ago. Greta begins investigating Mercy’s disappearance and Hailey's murder as she treads a careful line, trying to fit in, attempting to gain her crush's attention, and seeking what's going on behind the scenes.

For a thriller, this novel has a pretty slow start. But Gretta’s character may keep readers entertained. She is painfully awkward, self-doubting, and obsessive, which gets a little much for me at times, but some teenagers may find it relatable. The setting of the novel is fun and unique as are some of the secondary characters. It’s a character-driven mystery that also tackles redemption and relationships. Several secondary characters are diverse: 

Liam is Filipino Mexican American, Ivy is Columbian American and LGBT+

Megan, HS Librarian

Enola Holmes and the Clanging Coffin (Enola Holmes #10) by Nancy Springer - ESSENTIAL

Enola Holmes and the Clanging Coffin (Enola Holmes #10) by Nancy Springer, 336 pages. St. Martin's Press, 2026. $24

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (attack and kidnapping)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

17yo Enola is at the graveyard and hears a chiming bell. She finally pinpoints the sound at a burial site and when it’s dug up, a young woman is inside. Trevina doesn’t remember her name or how she ended up in the burial site. Enola takes Trevina to her helpful acquaintance Florence Nightingale to nurse her back to health and hopefully recover her memory. While Enola helps Trevina regain health and memories, she also wants to help Sherlock with his nemesis, Moriarty.

I love how the reader is introduced to Florence Nightingale and we get a glimpse of her home. Enola is as persistent and intelligent as always. The whole Moriarty mystery is interesting and ominous.

The ethnicity falls to white.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Library, Delta, Utah

Be Right Back (Let’s Split Up #2) by Bill Wood - OPTIONAL

Be Right Back (Let’s Split Up #2) by Bill Wood, 352 pages. Scholastic, MARCH 2026. $15 (pb)

Language: R (71 swears, 4  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (four deaths by various means, a good amount of blood mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

It has been almost a year since the kids defeated the “ghoul” of Carrington Manor and they are returning to town for an exclusive interview.  They want to set the record straight in light of Rick Field’s new book, where he takes credit for much that happened. Cam, who never left town, though is creeped out, because he has been seeing the ghoul. Then the whole group discovers a dead body in that infamous alley and everyone becomes worried.  While the original “ghoul” can’t come back, a copycat seems to be in town - someone with even more murderous intentions.

Wood tries hard to distract us from who the murderer might be and on some level he succeeds with his red herrings. The action is a little bloodier thai time around. It seems as though there are hints of a third book at the end.  We’ll see.

Cam and Jonesy are an official LGBT couple now.  The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen - OPTIONAL

Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen, 352 pages. Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (100+ swears, 5 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG-13 (bullying, drownings)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

When their mother’s body is found, 14 years after she disappeared, 18yo Aria and Caliste find out, from first sight, that they are identical twins. Separated when their mother disappeared, Aria was raised poor by her aunt, while Caliste was raised rich by her father, who grew a grocery empire. While the girls get to know each other, they are struggling to deal with their mother’s death - and to connect it to the other mysterious deaths that have been happening in the area. The Hane family, which seems to own the small town of Les Eaux, seem to be intimately involved in everything to do with the girls’ family - even this, somehow.

Nguyen spends too much time setting up the girls’ lives - getting to their meeting more than 100 pages in. Once the book hits the town of Les Eaux, it picks up and starts really running. That first 100 pages, though , is why I can only rate it optional. The girls’ mother has her own story to tell as a Vietnamese Ma Da - a vengeful water spirit created when someone is drowned.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay - SEVERAL

Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay, 352 pages. Sourcebooks, 2025. $12 (pb)

Language: R (100+ swears, 1 ‘‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (implied sex); Violence: PG-13 (multiple deaths, some descriptions)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Ten years ago, Maggie and six others were kidnapped and held hostage in a cave in the woods. THe others escaped, leaving Maggie behind. Now sixteen, Maggie is going on a school trip - back into those same hills for a river-rafting trip, with five of the other kids and a new girl. Unfortunately she is also with her estranged father. When disaster strikes, Maggie’s father is swept with the boat downstream, along with her best friend, Ant. As the Scottish night falls and the weather turns rough, those left behind struggle to find a way to survive - even though it feels like someone might be trying to kill them.

McKay does a great job of confusing the trail to the killer. I very much enjoyed the ride.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

They All Had a Secret by Michele Leathers - OPTIONAL

They All Had a Secret by Michele Leathers, 243 pages. Sourcebooks, 2026. $13 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (deaths mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Her name was Bellany, but she is on the run and reinvented herself as Charity, a lowly barista and a maid at a local hotel. She has her eye on Roy - the grandson of the holtelier. So what if he already has a girlfriend. “Charity” is beautiful and manipulative -sure she can get whatever she wants. She is even willing to leave a few bodies to get her way.

From the very start you can tell that Bellany is rotten to the core - selfish and self-serving. But no one comes out untainted here - just like the title says. Great twist right near the end. Glad it is in paperback - it might be worth a purchase.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue by Kate Pearsall - OPTIONAL

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue (Bittersweet in the Hollow #2) by Kate Pearsall, 307 pages. G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin), 2025. $20

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (mostly only kissing, one a little heated); Violence: PG (deaths, no blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18-year-old Rowan James has spent her whole life harboring unpleasant truths—that’s what happens when you can smell people’s lies—and building walls around herself to block them out. Like her younger sister, Linden, who can taste the feelings of others, Rowan has long resented her gift, which has taught her that everyone lies and no one is who they seem to be. So when her old nemesis, Hadrian Fitch, the biggest liar of them all, shows up on her front porch—bloodied, broken, and asking for help only she can give—her first instinct is distrust. But something new is stalking the forest that surrounds Caball Hollow. Now things are disappearing. At first, it’s small stuff—like letters, photos, and keys. But then, Rowan notices people around her are losing their memories. And when the body of a neighbor is found in the middle of town, Rowan knows there’s a link between this death and all the events disturbing the Hollow. Can she find what—or who—the link is before it takes another life?"

Overall, it was a good read.  I felt it was a bit slow to start and if you haven't read the first book it made it a tad bit harder to understand the characters and references from the first book, but you figure it out.   The author teased the romance but didn't really give you much to go on and could have developed that more, especially with Rowan's ability to detect lies and how that could affect her relationship with Hadrian even more. The writing was descriptive and I could imagine every little part of the small town and the forest.  Pearsall made them come alive on the pages.  I enjoyed her sister's and parent's stories (although it took me a minute to understand what happened with the parents).  Again, it was a good read and I think for Middle School and High School students, they would enjoy the series, especially if they like a bit of romance and magic. I appreciate that it was overall a clean YA book with minimal swearing.

I am guessing most characters are white.

Karen Cutchen, Library aide

Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz - MANY

Very Dangerous Things by Lauren Muñoz, 352 pages. Penguin Random House, 2025. $20

Language: R (92 swears, 10 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Drinking, sexual references); Violence: PG-13 (offpage murder, attempted murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  MANY

A body is discovered at the J. Everett High School of Criminology, which is not an odd occurrence as the private school hosts an annual murder mystery contest. However, this time the murder is real. 11th grader Dulce Death Castillo reluctantly agrees to help the prime suspect Sierra, who happens to be the victim’s ex-girlfriend and Dulce’s ex-friend. Sierra and Dulce haven’t talked since Dulce’s mom died in a car accident, and Sierra supported the official position that Dulce’s mom was driving drunk, which Dulce does not believe. Together with her forensic team dubbed the Wimsey’s, Dulce investigates the student’s murder amongst a web of complex relationships, affairs, police corruption, and politics.

The novel includes a collection of clues, flashbacks, and Dulce’s own “conclusions,” inviting readers to become detectives themselves. While I found a few plot elements unlikely, the pace was steady with solid twists and turns that will appeal to teenage murder-mystery fans. The characters were also nuanced. For example, Dulce struggles with forgiveness, guilt, insecurity, and a budding romance.

Dulce is Mexican American. Secondary characters are diverse including several LGBT+ characters, and Emi (Dulce's best friend) is Japanese American.

Megan, HS Librarian 

The Party by Natasha Preston - OPTIONAL

The Party by Natasha Preston, 352 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $11

Language: R (155 swears, 6 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing and teen drinking); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

A group of teens plan a weekend adventure at the family castle of twins, 17yo Allegra and Fergus. They keep it a secret from their parents because it’s meant to be a party with no chaperones. Protestors want the development to stop in the area and seem to have vandalized the castle but not all of the graffiti seems to be about the development. The teens are excited to have a weekend without supervision. When one of them gets hurt, they try to blow it off. When more violent things happen, they can’t ignore the fact that they’re in danger and they wish they had help to save them from the party.

The author did a good job of creating an ominous setting in the castle. I enjoyed the twists and the mystery. The last sentence of the book is a great ending!

The ethnicity is mixed. 

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Let’s Split Up by Bill Wood - OPTIONAL

Let’s Split Up by Bill Wood, 352 pages. Scholastic, SEPT 2025. $15 (pb)

Language: R (51 swears, 11 ‘f’); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (deaths mentioned)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

The Carrington mansion has been vacant for 100 years - ever since a fire killed the final occupant.  Now, when the local football star and his cheerleader boyfriend also die within its walls, three friends, Cam, Jonsey, and Amber, along with newcomer Buffy, want to solve the mystery. Someone is watching them, willing to go to any lengths to keep them from getting too close to the truth.

A bit Scooby Gang, a little Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a campy horror romp that is a quick read. It is nice for once to see a murder mystery where it isn’t the friend group trying to kill each other.  

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet - MANY

Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet, 400 pages. Simon and Schuster, JANUARY 2026. $20 

Language: R (47 swears, 6 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (steamy makeout mentioned, off-page sex, drinking, drunkenness mentioned); Violence: PG-13 (death, blood mentioned) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Beth March is dead. Who killed her? The police aren’t letting anyone off the hook - including her three sisters. Meg, Jo, or Amy might have motives - but sisters can argue without wanting each other dead, right? Jo is sure this is somehow related to the best-selling book their author father wrote based on the girls’ lives. But they haven’t heard from him in six months now. The surviving sisters will have to figure out who Beth's murderer is before someone they love is irrevocably charged.

I had to separate what I know from reading Little Women many times from the characters in Bernet’s modern murder mystery reweaving. I don’t think many of my students have read the original nor seen any of the movies - so how will they enjoy this? I think they will like it alot. Bernet gives us plenty of suspects with motive and added sisterly and high school drama. The addition of their own father being the author of the book that compels them to insta-fame was great. So don’t hesitate to buy this because it is “just another rewrite”. And recommend it to your adult friends who love the original - I had a great time seeing how Bernet used the characters - both main, secondary, and tertiary - in familiar ways and how she deviated from their origins and storylines. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS