You have gotta LOVE an author who will use the word “smarmy” to describe an individual that a teen does not like (a word I would have used as a teen), along with inventing a character like Kassidy in a new book from Penguin Teen called Suddenly A Murder. And while Kassidy is not the main character in the story she does play one of the strongest supporting roles and unlike the other individuals she invited to Ashwood Manor for a rich kids 1920’s party to celebrate their high school graduation, is a die hard friend and partner, ride or die when she loves someone. But, is that only when they love her back, as she becomes one of the suspects in a murder that happens during the event? Does the love Kassidy has for another die, when she is betrayed? And, does Kassidy then merit the betrayer's death? However, when the teens arrive at the manor, no one had known that some of the guests have nefarious places, up to and including murder? Kassidy is not alone in how she feels about her “so-called friends”.
And when Kassidy’s one true love, Blaine, ends up dead, as Lauren Munoz’s tale goes on and the story unravels, we learn that although Kassidy may be a ride or die friend (when she chooses to be your friend) those around her may not be returning the honesty and trust she gives others. Especially her best gal pal, Izzy Morales, a scholarship kid who, despite that fact, fits in with the rich teens. And as the mystery surrounding Blaine and Izzy unfolds, readers question what happened when they seemed to spend so much time together over the previous few months and begs the question, how loyal is Izzy to this great friend she has (Kassidy)? Because the girls are the best of friends. However, did Izzy betray this friendship? And what will Kassidy do about it, if anything?
Munoz has presented a CLUE teen version- except not every teen has a weapon on the manor. But, they do have their motives to kill Blaine. Because Blaine has done something bad to all his friends.
After the murder two detectives are sent to Ashwood Manor (as it is only accessible by ferry) and because of the weather, end up staying with the graduates as they unravel what really happened. Kept at the mansion after the murder of Blaine and an invitee to the party is Chloe, a girl who barely fits in with the group and has caught an STD from sleeping with Blaine. Marlowe, whose brother overdosed on drugs that were purchased from the murdered, which were unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Add Fergus, who cannot control his temper and is constantly chided by Blaine and Ellison, a future Black Olympain who is more concerned with appearances than what he truly desires in life- all have some reason to want Blaine dead.
Rounding off the group is Kassidy, the girl who has always stood by Blaine’s side no matter what he did to her (and he’s done a lot, more than just STD transmission), and Izzy, her best friend who, despite being on scholarship and living a different life- with a single mother and mentally disabled sister, just wants to graduate, go to college and have the life she grew up watching but not a total part of- the rich life of her rich friends.
It was supposed to be a party that would start the rest of their lives and wrap up their shared past. But it all ends with a stab- to Blaine. As the graduates descend on the mansion, while many plan on doing something to hurt or scare Blaine for all he has done, none of them plan on murder. Or did one of them want to do more to Blaine than a hurtful prank? Because Blaine has left a wake of destruction when it comes to those he forged friendships with- as he betrayed them over and over with no thought or empathy for what he was doing or who he would hurt.
In life sometimes there are situations that are so bad, people do things, actions, make such terrible decisions, others are pushed to their edge and over it- doing something they might not have otherwise done, that is totally out of their character. Suddenly A Murder teaches readers a lesson that, before we choose our friends and forge our relationships, maybe we should think about the kind of person they are. In the end we may be so disgusted with what others do, to us and others, that it can push a person over the edge- even into committing murder.
And as I sealed the end of this book with tears, I felt that was what happened here. Sadly lives were destroyed over actions from the past that, had they not happened, none of the events might have followed. Lauren Munoz has written a wonderfully fun book of who done it, both for young and older adults alike, with harsh life lessons shared we all need to learn and remember.
Happy Reading!
And when Kassidy’s one true love, Blaine, ends up dead, as Lauren Munoz’s tale goes on and the story unravels, we learn that although Kassidy may be a ride or die friend (when she chooses to be your friend) those around her may not be returning the honesty and trust she gives others. Especially her best gal pal, Izzy Morales, a scholarship kid who, despite that fact, fits in with the rich teens. And as the mystery surrounding Blaine and Izzy unfolds, readers question what happened when they seemed to spend so much time together over the previous few months and begs the question, how loyal is Izzy to this great friend she has (Kassidy)? Because the girls are the best of friends. However, did Izzy betray this friendship? And what will Kassidy do about it, if anything?
Munoz has presented a CLUE teen version- except not every teen has a weapon on the manor. But, they do have their motives to kill Blaine. Because Blaine has done something bad to all his friends.
After the murder two detectives are sent to Ashwood Manor (as it is only accessible by ferry) and because of the weather, end up staying with the graduates as they unravel what really happened. Kept at the mansion after the murder of Blaine and an invitee to the party is Chloe, a girl who barely fits in with the group and has caught an STD from sleeping with Blaine. Marlowe, whose brother overdosed on drugs that were purchased from the murdered, which were unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Add Fergus, who cannot control his temper and is constantly chided by Blaine and Ellison, a future Black Olympain who is more concerned with appearances than what he truly desires in life- all have some reason to want Blaine dead.
Rounding off the group is Kassidy, the girl who has always stood by Blaine’s side no matter what he did to her (and he’s done a lot, more than just STD transmission), and Izzy, her best friend who, despite being on scholarship and living a different life- with a single mother and mentally disabled sister, just wants to graduate, go to college and have the life she grew up watching but not a total part of- the rich life of her rich friends.
It was supposed to be a party that would start the rest of their lives and wrap up their shared past. But it all ends with a stab- to Blaine. As the graduates descend on the mansion, while many plan on doing something to hurt or scare Blaine for all he has done, none of them plan on murder. Or did one of them want to do more to Blaine than a hurtful prank? Because Blaine has left a wake of destruction when it comes to those he forged friendships with- as he betrayed them over and over with no thought or empathy for what he was doing or who he would hurt.
In life sometimes there are situations that are so bad, people do things, actions, make such terrible decisions, others are pushed to their edge and over it- doing something they might not have otherwise done, that is totally out of their character. Suddenly A Murder teaches readers a lesson that, before we choose our friends and forge our relationships, maybe we should think about the kind of person they are. In the end we may be so disgusted with what others do, to us and others, that it can push a person over the edge- even into committing murder.
And as I sealed the end of this book with tears, I felt that was what happened here. Sadly lives were destroyed over actions from the past that, had they not happened, none of the events might have followed. Lauren Munoz has written a wonderfully fun book of who done it, both for young and older adults alike, with harsh life lessons shared we all need to learn and remember.
Happy Reading!