Before I started this YA mystery I had been reading a lot of adult mysteries and God I ate everything up in this book. I loved all of the high school drama. I thought this was pretty good. The fact that they compared it to Karen M McManus' books is what made want to read this book in the first place. The title They Wish They Were Is was the perfect title for this story because as bad as you may think you want their life you most definitely don't. Their lives are kind of a mess. As soon as you meet the characters you're left feeling unsure about them. Even though they are morally grey characters you are left understanding their actions as the story progresses. I love how the author built up the murder mystery while building up the main characters development as well. Jill Newman is the main character of this story. She is dealing with a lot of pressure from her parents, her little clique called the Players, and basically fitting with everyone at gold coast prep. I honestly enjoyed every second that it took to get to the reveal of the actual murderer. It was a slow paced story but you honestly dont care because it takes it's time exploring the experience of prep school through a character that understands both ways of life. Jill is there on a scholarship so she doesnt have money like the rest of them do. I thought this was a really entertaining book. At times through I did feel like it did focus on the high school drama more that the mystery sounding the murder. All of Jill's friends are just okay with the murder basically. They dont talk about or acknowledge it. Jill is the only one that really wants to know what happened to her best friend and she does. I think if you want a quick entertaining murder mystery you would like this book.