Copycat

May 1, 2018

Gr 8 Up-Addison is a huge fan of the reclusive author R.J. Rosen and runs a blog that has become almost as popular as Rosen's "Gap Lake" series of teen mysteries. When the author contacts Addie and asks her to share parts of his next book on her blog, she is thrilled until she stumbles upon the dead body of a classmate late that night at her high school and the crime scene is similar to the one from Rosen's story. It's a dream come true to work with an idol, but the dream quickly becomes a nightmare when a copycat killer stalks Addie online and in person. Italics are confusing and overused without pattern or consistency. The extensive use of dialogue and easy-to-digest inner monologues make this a fast read. Even though the plot has more holes than mature readers might easily accept and bogs down at times, leaving even murder mystery fans waiting for something substantial to happen, readers will, soon after the first murder, feel compelled to continue the story to find out the killer's identity. However, some of the plot development has coincidences used only to advance the mystery. Continuity issues and implausible red herrings will not impress experienced mystery fans. The mature language and sexual innuendo makes this more appropriate for older readers. VERDICT The story plays out like a mediocre teen slasher flick, minus the gore. Not recommended.-Seth Herchenbach, Richmond Burton Community High School, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
A murder-mystery superfan's life turns into something ripped from the pages of her favorite genre.Shy, wealthy, red-haired Addison "Addie" Gaines runs a well-trafficked blog devoted to her favorite series, the Gap Lake mysteries. Shortly after she gets an email purporting to be from the reclusive, mysterious author, R.J. Rosen, inviting her to join the publicity campaign for his next book by posting teaser passages online, she stumbles upon a dead classmate in a scene that is all too familiar. Addie struggles to get anyone, including her best friend, a Latina girl named Maya Garcia, to take her book-related theories seriously, since they rely so heavily on coincidences. But as the connections to Gap Lake keep piling up, Addie and others around her find themselves in real danger. Possible suspects include Rosen--if it even is him sending the messages--as well as the dead girl's handsome olive-skinned ex-boyfriend (also the subject of Addie's crush) and even Addie herself (under scrutiny for her interest in the macabre and some darkness in her family's past). Sensory details and the emotions they evoke are highlighted to conceal some patchiness in the plotting. Addie and Maya feel authentic; their charming interpersonal dynamic and the escalating pace of the plot result in a quick read. The ending, especially the denouement, is abrupt and underwhelming.Combining fandom and murder, a pleasant diversion designed for digital natives. (Thriller. 12-16)

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