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Reviewed by: Sarah Wergin, High School Librarian Title: You'll Be the Death of Me Author: Karen M. McManus Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year: 2021 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Mystery/Thriller Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Alluding to Drug use/Dealing
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I read this because I liked McManus’ other novels. I also love a good teenage murder mystery! If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: What if instead of destroying a car, Ferris’ Bueller's Day Off ended with murder? Getting caught skipping will be the least of your worries!
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Review:
Middle school friends don’t always last and make it through high school… It’s just a part of growing up. Ivy, Matteo and Cal used to be the most random group of best friends after they skipped out on a boring field trip and literally ended up in the middle of a parade. It was like their own version of Ferris’ Bueller's Day off. As the years passed and they made their way through high school, the three drifted apart until they were basically strangers once again, that is until the perfect opportunity arises for the three to band together and skip school once again.
Ivy lost the student council election… to a JOKE of a student, Boney Mahoney and feels like she can’t measure up to her genus younger brother. Cal, who is a bit of a loner and art geek, is secretly in love with his Art teacher, Lara, who may just be crossing some lines and, in Cal’s eyes, reciprocating those feelings. Matteo is tired and stressed, and who could blame him? After his mother was forced to close the family business due to a freak accident, Matteo has been helping support the family by working multiple jobs.
Ivy, Cal and Matteo, despite not talking to each other for years find themselves in the back parking lot before school. All three are not looking forward to going into school. Ivy does not want to see Boney give his winning speech to the class. Cal knows Lara is not in school today, and Matteo just wants a break. One of them proposes they recreate the day they became best friends and skip school and head into Boston. No one objects.
The three jump into Cal’s car and the next thing you know – they’re strolling the streets of Boston. Cal, hoping to see his secret crush, Laura, leads the trio towards her art studio in the city. While strolling down the streets things quickly take a very bad turn. When the Ivy, Cal, and Matteo see none other than Boney Mahoney enter a building, Ivy is determined to confront him about the election. How could he skip school – He is supposed to be giving a speech after all!! Before Ivy gets a chance to ream him out, Ivy finds Boney laying on the floor of the art studio, dead. What’s worse? The three immediately hear sirens heading towards them and Ivy was the last one seen entering the building. Freaked out – the trio run. Not knowing what else to do, the three are determined to find out who murdered their classmate, and why.
As Ivy, Cal and Matteo uncover hidden secrets in their small community, they realize that their art teacher, Laura, her fiancé the lacrosse coach, and a secret individual known as the weasel may all be connected with Boney’s death. To make matters worse, one of them might just be next on the killers hit list.
This novel is a quick read and will be of interest for readers who enjoy mysteries, thrillers, or other Karen M. McManus titles. Many of McManus’ novels follow a similar pattern/beat – so the ending was a bit predictable.
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You can also find more information about this book at the Author's Website