Review: The Dead Girls Detective Agency by Suzy Cox

 

I won an ARC of THE DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY by Suzy Cox from Epic Reads (@epicreads) on Twitter.

Summary from Amazon:

Pop quiz: What would you do if you had to solve your own murder to get anywhere in death?
Maybe if I hadn't slept through my alarm, slammed into Kristin—my high school's reigning mean
girl—or stepped in a puddle, destroying my mom's new suede DVF boots (which I borrowed without asking), I wouldn't have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I wouldn't have been pushed in front of that arriving train. But I did, and I was.
When I came to, I was informed by a group of girls that I'm dead. And that because I died under mysterious circumstances, I can't pass straight over to the Other Side. But at least I'm not alone. Meet the Dead Girls Detective Agency: Nancy, Lorna, and Tess—not to mention Edison, the really cute if slightly hostile dead boy. Apparently, the only way out of this limbo is to figure out who killed me, or I'll have to spend eternity playing Nancy Drew. Considering I was fairly invisible in life, who could hate me enough hate me enough to want me dead? And what if my murderer is someone I never would have suspected?

I always enjoy a good murder mystery; the who-done-it, following the clues, the psychology behind the murder, and of course, the big reveal at the end when all the pieces fit together.  It's an added bonus when the main character is trying to solve her own murder.  

At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like Charlotte.  She seemed so fashinista girly-girl (describing her boots---I had to think hard who DVF was!), but the more we got to know her, the more I liked her.  She wasn't just a spoiled princess, she liked photography, she liked music, and most of the time, she wore Converse!  But the thing that surprised me the most about Charlotte, was the ending.  I wasn't expecting her to say that to Tess, but then I also wasn't expecting Tess to do what she did, either!

I wasn't expecting the murderer to be who it was.  Though, once the clues started pointing in that direction, I was like, "DUH!"  I kind of felt like I had seen this as part of a movie or tv show at some point, but it was written in a way that I just didn't care if I had.  I liked it. 

The author, Suzy Cox, is British (or at least, lives in London), and at some points, the book felt like it had more of a British feel---some of the slang was different (like calling a resume a "CV").  Though, I'm pretty sure had I read this in high school, I wouldn't have thought twice about it.

All in all, a pretty interesting murder mystery.  If you are a fan like I am, then you'll enjoy it. 

Thank you, @EpicReads and HarperCollins Children's Books for sending me a copy.  I really appreciate it.  

Review and Giveaway: The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech

Summary and image from Amazon:

I had big thoughts to match the big wind. I wondered if we find the people we need when we need them. I wondered if we attract our future by some sort of invisible force, or if we are drawn to it by a similar force. I felt I was turning a corner and that change was afoot.
In the little town of Blackbird Tree live two orphan girls: one Naomi Deane, brimming with curiosity, and her best friend, Lizzie Scatterding, who could talk the ears off a cornfield. Naomi has a knack for being around when trouble happens. For she knows all the peculiar people in town—like Crazy Cora and Witch Wiggins and Mr. Farley. But then, one day, a boy drops out of a tree. The strangely charming Finn boy. Then the Dingle Dangle man appears, asking all kinds of questions. Curious surprises are revealed—three locked trunks, a pair of rooks, a crooked bridge, and that boy. Soon Naomi and Lizzie find themselves zooming toward a future neither could ever have imagined. Meanwhile, on a grand estate across the ocean, an old lady whose heart has been deceived concocts a plan. . . .
As two very different worlds are woven together, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech celebrates the gossamer thread that connects us all, and the great and unexpected gifts of love, friendship, and forgiveness.

I love Sharon Creech's books.  Each of them revolve around different aspects of family, but are totally different.  The Great Unexpected, to me, shares that family comes in many forms, doesn't always have to be the people you are born with, and that no matter what, your family watches out for you. 

The voice of this book is so different.  I'm in awe of Ms. Creech's talent in creating a totally different voice for each book.  I'm a stickler for voice.  I hate reading a MG or YA book that has child characters speaking uncharacteristically like adults, and on the flip side, I hate reading MG or YA books that have kids that "try too hard" to sound like kids.  Ms. Creech was able to write like a kid actually sounds, and even picked up on the small town way of talking. 

I wondered how both stories were going to tie together, and then be resolved.  I liked how the townspeople of Blackbird Tree were involved in the ending, as well.

This is one of those books that I have a hard time explaining why I like it...because I like it SO MUCH!  You know the type of book I mean (Wonder, The One and Only Ivan, The Tale of Despereaux), where you just want to say--"READ IT!  It's wonderful!  I shouldn't have to tell you why!  Just DO IT!" 

And now, for the giveaway!  HarperCollins was kind enough to send me two ARC copies of The Great Unexpected (thank you so much!  I really appreciate it!).  I'm keeping one copy for my classroom library, but would love to give the other copy away to one of you lovely people!

I don't want to make it too complicated, so please completely fill out the form.  Open to US residents only (sorry, but its really expensive to ship overseas)  The giveaway will run for two weeks, until August 10th.  So, as soon as I wake up on August 11th, I'll be picking a winner using a random number generator.

Good luck!

Preview of Delirium by Lauren Oliver

You can preview the first little bit of Delirium by Lauren Oliver over on the HarperCollins website.  I did and want to go buy the book right now. 

Set in the future, scientists have discovered that love is the disease, and that to cure the disease, you have to have special surgery on your 18th birthday.  Since people have started having the surgery, there have been no wars and only minor outbreaks of crime (vandalism, etc).  It it for the good of the community.  Safety, Sanctity, Community is the motto.  If you are suspected of being a "sympathizer" (I'm guessing someone sympathetic to love?), you are shunned and eventually put on trial.

Before your surgery, you are evaluated in all areas (mentally and physically), assigned a score, which will then assign you to a college (if you are smart enough), and match you with 3-4 male candidates for marriage.

The book starts with Lena, preparing for her evaluation day.

Like I said, I'm definitely going to get this one when it comes out and read the rest!

If you are on the twitter, you can enter to win a copy here.  Also, if you are on the twitter, you can follow me.  You know you want to.