The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Imprint: Delacorte Press
Release date: May 3, 2022
ISBN: 9780593431115
Popular, wealthy Alice disappeared last summer for five days after her boyfriend Steve dumped her and started dating her ex-best friend Brooke. Quiet, smart Iris envy’s Alice’s ability to disappear and escape her problems and wishes she could run away from her troubled past too. When Alice returns to school, Iris takes a job tutoring her. Even though the two girls don’t get along, they quickly bond when Brooke is found dead after getting in a fight with Steve at a party. Now Alice and Iris are determined to find out what really happened to Brooke that night. Using Alice’s obsession with Agatha Christie’s as their guide they begin to investigate the town, their classmates and the cops. But soon the girls find themselves in danger when they uncover corruption and dark secrets in every corner of their town.
Readers will be left dizzy as they follow Alice and Iris on their wild sleuthing journey. Each page is filled with new clues, oddball characters and plot surprises. Through it all the story remains easy to follow and the final solution doesn’t feel like nonsense. The alternating perspectives also add to the layered mystery giving readers a behind the scenes view into character thoughts and motives.
Readers who love a murder mystery with lots of quirky small town characters will probably read this in one night. This is also a must for teens who like witty banter and grew up reading Nancy Drew. For more multiple perceptive, small town fast paced mysteries try The Cousins by Karen McManus and They’ll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman.
— Rachel Adams
Other Nominated Titles
- This Golden State by Marit Weisenberg (March 1, 2022)
- Dig Two Graves by Gretchen McNeil (March 29, 2022)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
