Creepy Read: Death at Morning House

 

From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.

With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.

Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?

Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.

All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book - it's a stand-alone thriller. I like how it alternated timelines - from the 1930s to present day. I loved learning about the mansion. The house sounds amazing - the family sounds difficult. I felt for Marlowe; she had a hard summer. There were a lot of twists and turns in this one, which kept me reading because I had to know what happened! 

Cover Thoughts: Amazing! There are so many details. I actually did a quick TikTok video of it. 

Source: Book sent to review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your library's collection. 

On the Road Again....Chat with Authors!

Be there!!!!

Review: Name of the Star

Rory's headed for a London boarding school. Coming from New Orleans, she realizes that she’ll have a lot of learn about British culture. She never dreamed she’d have to learn about Jack the Ripper. But when murders start occurring in the same fashion and the same timing as Jack the Ripper, the whole city goes into panic mode.

Rory and her roommate slip out of their dorm room and head for the boys’ dormitory. As they return and Rory is just about to climb through the window, she sees a man. They have a very brief conversation and then Rory returns inside.

The next day, they wake up to discover, a woman’s body has been found on the school property. The murder happened just as the two girls were sneaking back into their rooms. Rory comes forward with her knowledge. The police question her and her roommate (who saw no one).

Could the new Jack the Ripper be coming for Rory?

My Thoughts: I confess that I only read this book during daylight hours. That’s right, I’m a wimp. I have nightmares from scary things. While this book was creepy, I really really liked it. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. I loved how the students were so caught up in the Jack the Ripper story. I love how nerdy Rory and her roommate were - with their books, their tea, and their happiness to have nights in. I loved the romantic parts between Rory and Jerome. I loved the police. The last fight scene was scary – but awesome. I saw Maureen Johnson speak a few months ago and she’s hilarious. I quite adore her and her books!

Cover Thoughts: Spooky.

Source: my library

Author Night at RJ Julia's

Thursday Night, my friend Mary and I battled our way through a massive rain storm, complete with thunder and lightning to meet Sara Shepard, Sarah Mlynowski, and Maureen Johnson.

They were HILARIOUS - from the moment they were introduced to the moment we left. They perched upon stools and each read from their books.

The Last Little Blue Envelope
Ten Things We Did and Probably Shouldn't Have
The Lying Game

I can't wait to read ALL of them. I bought copies there so I could have them signed.



After the readings, Maureen Johnson became the new Oprah and wandered through the aisles with a microphone allowing people to ask questions.

There was lots of laughter and a lot of truth telling:
Sara S used to create small fires with her friends and LOVES writing about other people's dirty little secrets.
Ten Things We Did... was based on Sarah M's experience in high school. She also got a speeding ticket during her book tour for HOW TO BE BAD. Fitting no?
Maureen Johnson color codes her sock drawer and dropped her phone in the toilet during BEA this year

Mary and I met up with fellow YA Librarian (and blogger) Jessica talked about books and TV series until the line dwindled down and then we had our books signed.

We met two of the women working for RJ Julia's - an EXCELLENT bookstore.

Jessica asked Maureen Johnson to write #YASaves in her book and I confess I copied her excellent idea (Copying a brilliant idea goes with the territory when you're a YA Librarian). We all had a few extra minutes talking with the authors - more like gushing over their works. We posed for pictures, thanked them profusely, and then left.


It was a GREAT night!

Maureen Johnson book news!

YA author Maureen Johnson has a new series! The series features an American high school student attending a London boarding school for her junior year. A series of murders begins to take place across the city—on the exact dates and in the exact style of Jack the Ripper—and her ties to the killer bring her in contact with a secret paranormal branch of the British police. The first book in the series will be published in summer 2011, with a new book following each subsequent summer.

(from PW)

So looking forward to this series, it sounds fab!

Let It Snow: Book Trailer