Following

Author: Johnston, Jeffry W.

Edition: First Edition

Number Of Pages: 288

Details:

Rear Window meets Serial in this riveting new thriller from Edgar Award-nominated author that follows Alden as he tries to solve a crime only he believes was committed. Alden likes to follow people. He's not trying to be a creep, he just wants to be an investigator someday, and it's good practice. But spying on people comes with risks, like when Alden sees popular Greg Matthes seemingly murder his girlfriend, Amy, one night in the bad part of town. But the facts aren't adding up, especially because Amy may be alive. Now Alden has to figure what he could have seen... and what secrets Greg is hiding. From School Library Journal Gr 9 Up{amp}mdash;A first-person account of 16-year-old Alden's investigation of the mass murder he witnessed in an abandoned park that resulted in his parents' death. Driven by guilt, Alden investigates the crime. Alden's best friend (and unspoken crush), Charlie, plays the role of sidekick with the convenient police chief father who keeps them in the loop about the police investigation. The writing style and short chapters are consistent, effective, and easy for teens to digest. The suspense novel slows down at times. Speculative dialogue and doubts aren't addressed soon enough and fail to move the plot along. For long stretches, Alden looks for answers, finding nothing substantial. If readers can plod through the sluggish middle, they are rewarded eventually with a believable turning point. Alden's feelings for Charlie are confusing and made more so when he works hard to help victim/villain Amy, but the Alden-Amy relationship isn't developed enough for readers to buy into his feelings for her during the final showdown. Although Alden continuously justifies his creepy spying and rogue decision-making as future private investigator preparation, his many excuses make the behavior even more suspect. The twist at the end is believable, and the clues leading up to the climax are veiled enough to surprise most. VERDICT Even readers who relate to Alden or empathize for his loss might struggle to connect with his compulsion to follow people. An additional purchase.{amp}mdash;Seth Herchenbach, McHenry County College., Crystal Lake, IL

Reviews:

"Readers will enjoy being in the company of a gentle, keen observer. Sensitive Alden's struggle with trauma and his path to forgiving himself is moving and authentic." - Publishers Weekly

"A twisty mystery." - Kirkus Reviews

"This title is a solid mystery and fast-paced read." - School Library Connection

"A slow-burn thriller that veers in surprising directions, with a final twist no one will see coming." - Booklist

About the Author:

Jeffry W. Johnston has published about thirty-five short stories and more than two hundred articles. His first young adult novel, Fragments, was an Edgar Award nominee for Best Young Adult Mystery and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers selection by YALSA. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife and their teenage son. Visit him at jeffrywjohnston.com.

UPC: 760789271144...

EAN: 9781492664611

Release Date: 05-02-2019

Languages: English

Item Note: New and unused. Paperback Used - Like New Ships fast! 2019First Edition

Item Condition: UsedLikeNew

Binding: Paperback