01/30/2023

Henry (Two Truths and a Lie) questions the ethics of true crime as entertainment in this tightly twisted thriller. Seventeen-year-old transfer student Piper Gray, a murder podcast enthusiast, attains notoriety at North High when she starts her own podcast about the unsolved murder of teenage Layla Trello, who was found dead in the nearby woods 17 years ago. Determined to crack the cold case, Piper enlists classmate Jonas Shortridge to help investigate. As the inquiry gains traction and suspects reemerge, Piper receives an anonymous demand—“Stop this podcast about Layla Trello. You don’t want to end up like her”—prompting Piper and Jonas to believe the murderer is listening. Henry’s socially aware prose, interspersed with podcast transcripts and newspaper clippings, deftly depicts Piper’s altruistic commitment to justice for Layla alongside her critique of the perfect-victim myth (“Her disappearance and death attracted the kind of attention you probably wouldn’t get if you were poor, disabled, older, homeless, or not white”). Sections read, at times, like a “how-to” guide for podcasting, but red herrings, dramatic cliff-hangers, and a growing body count keep the plot suspenseful. Major characters cue as white. Ages 12–up. Agent: Wendy Schmalz, Wendy Schmalz Agency. (Mar.)

Praise for Girl Forgotten:
An Edgar Award Winner for Best Young Adult
A Tome Student Literacy Society 'It' List Selection
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

"The plot is an engaging mingling of twists and turns that will keep readers absorbed until the end. Not only will the fast pace keep readers invested but the characters are multidimensional and fascinating. This podcast-themed fusion of mystery and suspense that will arouse readers’ curiosity to the nail-biting end."—School Library Journal

"Engrossing....Readers will be kept guessing throughout....The pages fly by until a final reveal that will leave readers questioning everything they thought they knew about the story."—Booklist

"Henry (Two Truths and a Lie) questions the ethics of true crime as entertainment in this tightly twisted thriller…. Henry’s socially aware prose, interspersed with podcast transcripts and newspaper clippings, deftly depicts Piper’s altruistic commitment to justice…. red herrings, dramatic cliff-hangers, and a growing body count keep the plot suspenseful."—Publishers Weekly

Praise for Two Truths and a Lie:
Amazon Editor’s Choice for Best Young Adult 
Teen Vogue 15 Best New Thriller & Mystery Books for Summer 2022
She Reads: Best YA Thrillers Coming in 2022
Featured in Crime Reads
Featured in the Big Thrill 
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection 

"Suspense, intrigue, and isolation converge in this perfect storm of a thriller."―Mindy McGinnis, author of The Female of the Species

"A white-knuckle, claustrophobic, locked-room tour de force, Two Truths and a Lie is a worthy successor to Agatha Christie."―Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and #murdertrending

"Told with nods to Agatha Christie and in eerie detail, this thriller is sure to delight fans of mystery, suspense, and a little horror.... A grisly, fast-paced, suspenseful tale of a murder and mystery that is great for fans of noir thrillers who do not mind a little gore." ―School Library Journal

"Henry returns with another thriller that will keep readers on the edges of their seats with mystery and romance, plus various theater references that give the novel a unique feel. Multiple twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the very end. An engrossing read." ―Booklist

"Henry successfully incorporates elements of romance into a snowed-inn mystery with Agatha Christie roots." ―Publishers Weekly

"An homage to Agatha Christie, Henry’s locked-room mystery is tautly plotted, with quick-moving nail-biting chapters, relatable characters, and a deftly wrought setting that paradoxically manages to feel both claustrophobic and sprawling …. An atmospheric and entertaining thriller perfect for snowy night chills."—Kirkus Reviews

03/01/2023

Gr 7 Up—Seventeen-year-old Piper Gray's interest is piqued when she helps a boy corral his wayward dog while she is visiting Skyline Cemetery. Piper is new to the town of Firview and is adjusting to moving in with her dad, stepmom, and two young stepbrothers. The boy she helps turns out to be a senior at North High—just like Piper. She discovers his name is Jonas, and there is something mysterious from his past that has caused his limp. He seems a little standoffish until Piper is paired with him to create a podcast-themed senior passion project. Piper is fascinated with Layla Trello, a 17-year-old who disappeared from a Halloween party 17 years ago in their small Oregon town. Layla's murdered body turned up two weeks later, but no one has ever been charged with the crime. As Jonas guides her in successful podcasting skills, he relaxes around Piper. Their friendship blossoms, and they peel back the layers of grief they have endured. The plot is an engaging mingling of twists and turns that will keep readers absorbed until the end. Not only will the fast pace keep readers invested but the characters are multidimensional and fascinating. VERDICT This podcast-themed fusion of mystery and suspense that will arouse readers' curiosity to the nail-biting end.—Julie Shatterly