Author: Maureen Johnson
Genre: Mystery; Young Adult
Rating: 8.5/10
Stevie did it. She solved the Ellingham case. But as deaths and accidents continue to pile up in the present, Stevie is determined to solve yet another case, even if it means being trapped on a mountain to face a storm — and a murderer.
“Every contact leaves a trace.”
I absolutely love “trapped in a snowstorm” mysteries, which is a pretty typical setting for the genre. This just goes to show how this series has taken components of what you would expect from mystery novels and did a more young adult, fun take on it. Which, personally, I really enjoyed.
My favourite thing about this book (and the second book) was the dual perspective. As readers, we know exactly what took place, scene for scene. However, our main characters do not. It’s very interesting to see how some information will get diluted, how some will forever be lost, and most importantly, how someone from an eighty-years time difference could piece together a very well hidden story. We watched as Stevie followed the most minuscule leads, as she put everything into place and then had to be able to prove it. I thought it was a very realistic representation of the passage of time. This is also the first time I have ever read about the solving of a cold case in a mystery novel.
The plot can be categorised into three arcs: The Ellingham case, the present murders, and Edward King. I liked all of them. However, the books are quite short. I felt that there was room for details that not only could have really added more depth to the series, but also made events flow more naturally and seem more genuine.
A complaint I do have is that the “present murders” arc did not feel as prominent. Our main characters didn’t seem to be in any constant danger, and that lowered the suspense element for me.
On another note, I have yet to mention my feelings on the writing. Just like the romance, it was not something that stood out to me; it did not garner any bad feelings, but nor did it felt like something to praise. The writing was very much trying to imitate the voice of a teen, the scenes meant to portray teenagers. I could see someone finding it cringey, or unrealistic (I did at certain parts) but overall, I got used to it and it did not affect my reading experience.
Something I felt was heartwarming and very cool was how special this school could be to some people. This school is not just for brilliant children, it’s for those who are very passionate about a field that may not be mainstream. Not only can they pursue a career they are already set on at such a young age, they get to be around others like them.
“The wonderful thing about reality is that it is highly flexible. One minute, all is doom; the next, everything is abloom with possibility.”
Let’s talk about Stevie for a moment. She has anxiety and panic attacks, and due to her background, she bottles up her feelings and unknowingly neglects her relationships. I don’t really have any strong feelings towards this aspect of the book (full disclaimer, I do not know much about mental illnesses) because it wasn’t necessarily a heartbreaking portrayal of it as much as it was just a part of our protagonist. I do like how it was represented as a constant element of our character and how it does not change who she is but is just something she has accepted and learnt to cope with. Moreover, she also learns about the beauty of meaningful relationships, so while this is a mystery novel, our main character grows in some aspects too.
Finally, let’s talk about the most important part of a mystery novel: The reveal. I felt that the ending was overall satisfactory; there were no gaping holes, nor any loose ends. I did find some of the connections between realisations weak, but they still made sense and do not leave you enraged.
All in all, I found this series original and enjoyable. The concept of the school, the solving of a cold case, a play on the typical detective novel. For avid mystery readers, you would either feel a sense of nostalgia and appreciate the references, or you’ll be pretty mad with the elementary version of your favourite genre. As for those of you who don’t typically enjoy mystery, this might be for you. It has all the components of a mystery but it also has things usually seen in YA, such as a group of unique teens, romance, and a high school backdrop.
Reviewed by: N.G.Rainwater (1st Reading)
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