Prep School Confidential (1)
By Kara Taylor
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Published July 2013
Published July 2013
Pages: 304
Publisher: St. Martin's Press / St. Martin's Griffin
Summary: "In this breathtaking
debut that reads like Gossip Girl crossed with Twin Peaks, a Queen Bee
at a blue-blooded New England prep school stumbles into a murder
mystery.
Anne Dowling practically runs her exclusive academy on New York’s Upper East Side—that is, until she accidentally burns part of it down and gets sent to a prestigious boarding school outside of Boston. Determined to make it back to New York, Anne couldn't care less about making friends at the preppy Wheatley School. That is, until her roommate Isabella’s body is found in the woods behind the school.
When everyone else is oddly silent, Anne becomes determined to uncover the truth no matter how many rules she has to break to do it. With the help of Isabella’s twin brother Anthony, and a cute classmate named Brent, Anne discovers that Isabella wasn’t quite the innocent nerdy girl she pretended to be. But someone will do anything to stop Anne’s snooping in this fast-paced, unputdownable read—even if it means framing her for Isabella’s murder."
Anne Dowling practically runs her exclusive academy on New York’s Upper East Side—that is, until she accidentally burns part of it down and gets sent to a prestigious boarding school outside of Boston. Determined to make it back to New York, Anne couldn't care less about making friends at the preppy Wheatley School. That is, until her roommate Isabella’s body is found in the woods behind the school.
When everyone else is oddly silent, Anne becomes determined to uncover the truth no matter how many rules she has to break to do it. With the help of Isabella’s twin brother Anthony, and a cute classmate named Brent, Anne discovers that Isabella wasn’t quite the innocent nerdy girl she pretended to be. But someone will do anything to stop Anne’s snooping in this fast-paced, unputdownable read—even if it means framing her for Isabella’s murder."
Review: What an intriguing novel! When I fist saw this book, I debated for a
couple weeks over if I should get it or not. I can now say that I am
glad I did.
Our leading lady, Anne, is sent to a prestigious boarding school after a mishap at her old school. She was expecting a lame, prep-filled year but instead is thrust into a mystery when her roommate is murdered. Determined to find out who did it, Anne begins her search. Let me tell you, almost everyone in this book has a secret. Some dark, some petty and others deadly. Students, staff and town members alike are under Anne's scrutiny. Each step closer she gets to her roommates killer, brings one more secret to light. And they just keep coming...
I though this would be a light, easy read but it had more depth than I thought. At fist Anne annoyed the hell out of me. She was the "queen" at her old school, got away with everything, everyone knew her, and she is seemed a bit vain and materialistic. While true to an extent, I learned there is a lot more to her. She is caring, determined and clever as well. While I have a hard time believing her wanting to investigate so thoroughly (does she hope to be a detective one day or something?) I enjoyed her search for the truth. Nothing deterred her and the scarier things got, the more deeply she had to delve.
While there is a bit of romance of romance in the story, it is a mild part. I liked that the murder and secrets stayed as the primary focus. Although what romantic moments there are had the worst timing ever! The book's ending is a cliffy that leaves you looking forward to the next in the series. I did not expect that. When I got this, I was expecting a one shot read. Looks like Anne's new school has even more is store for everyone and I will have to keep an eye out for the second book when it comes out!
Our leading lady, Anne, is sent to a prestigious boarding school after a mishap at her old school. She was expecting a lame, prep-filled year but instead is thrust into a mystery when her roommate is murdered. Determined to find out who did it, Anne begins her search. Let me tell you, almost everyone in this book has a secret. Some dark, some petty and others deadly. Students, staff and town members alike are under Anne's scrutiny. Each step closer she gets to her roommates killer, brings one more secret to light. And they just keep coming...
I though this would be a light, easy read but it had more depth than I thought. At fist Anne annoyed the hell out of me. She was the "queen" at her old school, got away with everything, everyone knew her, and she is seemed a bit vain and materialistic. While true to an extent, I learned there is a lot more to her. She is caring, determined and clever as well. While I have a hard time believing her wanting to investigate so thoroughly (does she hope to be a detective one day or something?) I enjoyed her search for the truth. Nothing deterred her and the scarier things got, the more deeply she had to delve.
While there is a bit of romance of romance in the story, it is a mild part. I liked that the murder and secrets stayed as the primary focus. Although what romantic moments there are had the worst timing ever! The book's ending is a cliffy that leaves you looking forward to the next in the series. I did not expect that. When I got this, I was expecting a one shot read. Looks like Anne's new school has even more is store for everyone and I will have to keep an eye out for the second book when it comes out!
Special Thanks to St Martin's for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
I like when you have a character that seems like you hate them, but then they end up showing you they are more than that. Great review!
ReplyDeleteAnne is assuredly more than she first appears. I love to see character growth in a book. Always adds so much to the story.
DeleteNever heard of this one but it sounds interesting I might have to look into it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a good book. And not too long.
DeleteOoh I like books with boarding schools. :) I'll have to check this one out.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun read. Although Anne is anti-boarding school which adds all the more to the setting.
DeleteThis sound like an interesting read! I haven't read any mystery books lately. I think I will enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty good. I enjoyed it more than I expected to.
DeleteI enjoy mysteries that are filled with secrets and have a little depth. I will definitely check this one out. Thanks for sharing the great review.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! It is a pretty good blend for a YA novel.
DeleteI like the intrigue of the prep-school setting for the mystery!
ReplyDelete--Trix
I did too!
DeleteI have definitely been surprised by the reviews. It sounds like a fun read and not what you would first think, so that is awesome. I also like character growth.
ReplyDeleteThis one was assuredly better than expected.
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