Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
Published by HarperCollins on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062224131
Pages: 408
Goodreads

Recommending this novel for cream consideration.  Oliver has created a suspenseful, mystery novel that will be difficult to put down.  She deftly intertwines the story that the public believes with the pain and manipulation the suspects then victims have as they struggle to cope.  Oliver adds in just the right amount of red herrings.  Brynn and Mia were introduced to Summer five years ago when they were thirteen.  The three became obsessed with the book “The Way into Lovelorn” and role- played the setting, world and characters and created a Fanfic sequel because they didn’t like the way the book ended.  When Summer is found murder in a sacrificial way that matches the Fanfic’s details, the girls and another friend become suspects.  Social media and small town thinking pull the two teens into a notoriety that is difficult to break.  Told in the voices of Brynn and Mia, switching from past to present and instilled with quotes from  “Lovelorn” creates the suspenseful telling of this who- dun-it.  Recommended reading for mystery lovers in grades 10-12.

 

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library