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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
Fast and enjoyable YA mystery. A year ago, the Catalog Killer murdered four people in a small seaside town, including Mac’s best friend Connor. Mac suddenly uncovers a message that Connor left him shortly before disappearing, causing Mac to dust off an issue the rest of the town was eager to put to rest, seeing as the Catalog Killer all but disappeared. Not a lot of character growth and there’s nothing particularly satisfying with the writing, but the mystery moves quickly and leaves the reader guessing till the very end. (Mac is gay, and during his sleuthing, falls into a relationship that’s openly accepted by their respective families, a refreshing take on LGBTQ storylines.) Although the ultimate resolution was quite unbelievable, the mystery is satisfying, including the big twist. 3.5 stars. Grade 8+.
So much happens that it seems impossible to have been just a book.
I didn't love the characters that much but the story was great. Hard to guess. Very hard to guess.
I didn't love the characters that much but the story was great. Hard to guess. Very hard to guess.
Very well written "Who Dun'it" book, which also included a lovely coming of age/self-discovery theme. The author employed many mis-directions to keep the reader guessing and the plot interesting.
Note: I listened to the audio book version and the narrator is the narrator for many YA books that it took me a few chapters to separate his voice from the last book he narrated.
Note: I listened to the audio book version and the narrator is the narrator for many YA books that it took me a few chapters to separate his voice from the last book he narrated.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THE SHORT STORY: The picture perfect town of Camera Cove was once the ideal tourist destination, a sleepy haven with ocean vistas fit for scenes in a magazine. That was a year ago; today, Camera Cove is still reeling from the effects of a serial murderer. Labelled the Catalog Killer and suspected to be a random drifter, the murderer took the lives of four local residents and then escaped, ripping apart the town's sense of security as easily as he tore apart photos of perfect families from magazines and scattered them around the murder scenes.
“But, more than anything, I've finally realized that I wasn't drawn into Connor's search because I wanted to learn the truth, but because I couldn't let go of Connor."
JJust like everybody else, Mac is trying to get on with his life, a seemingly impossible task, especially since his best friend Connor was the killer's last victim. On the anniversary of the Catalog Killer's final murder, Mac finds a hidden note from Connor asking him to meet the night of his murder, ending with a plea for Mac to "keep this to yourself." Did Connor know who the murderer was? Was this a cry for help? Burdened by the idea that he could have saved his friend's life, Mac sets out to find the real identity of the Catalog Killer, and discovers that everyone's a suspect in a town full of secrets.
Keep This to Yourself is the perfect kind of mystery: a slow burn that keeps you guessing with a narrator you fully trust. Listening to the audiobook, the importance of the narrator, Mac, is even more pronounced. We listen to his thoughts, get to know his relationships, and trust him to do what is right; his story is just as important as the murder mystery he's telling, making this a great choice for readers that usually stray from thrillers or mysteries.
We follow Mac as he starts his first relationship with Quill, and, although Mac is gay, it's never a stereotyped plot point, it's just a fact. His parents know, his friends know, his school knows, it's already been accepted and we just get to watch as he falls in love. As for the mystery itself, it had me guessing right until the end and, when finally revealed, made sense and never felt rushed. Sometimes coming to terms with the past is just as important as planning for the future and Keep This to Yourself is the perfect dark, moody mystery to take you on this journey.
CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM!: Time Enough at Last
READ MORE AT : Time Enough at Last Blog
Grades: 9th grade and up
Other book recommendations: One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins, Sadie by Courtney Summers
“But, more than anything, I've finally realized that I wasn't drawn into Connor's search because I wanted to learn the truth, but because I couldn't let go of Connor."
JJust like everybody else, Mac is trying to get on with his life, a seemingly impossible task, especially since his best friend Connor was the killer's last victim. On the anniversary of the Catalog Killer's final murder, Mac finds a hidden note from Connor asking him to meet the night of his murder, ending with a plea for Mac to "keep this to yourself." Did Connor know who the murderer was? Was this a cry for help? Burdened by the idea that he could have saved his friend's life, Mac sets out to find the real identity of the Catalog Killer, and discovers that everyone's a suspect in a town full of secrets.
Keep This to Yourself is the perfect kind of mystery: a slow burn that keeps you guessing with a narrator you fully trust. Listening to the audiobook, the importance of the narrator, Mac, is even more pronounced. We listen to his thoughts, get to know his relationships, and trust him to do what is right; his story is just as important as the murder mystery he's telling, making this a great choice for readers that usually stray from thrillers or mysteries.
We follow Mac as he starts his first relationship with Quill, and, although Mac is gay, it's never a stereotyped plot point, it's just a fact. His parents know, his friends know, his school knows, it's already been accepted and we just get to watch as he falls in love. As for the mystery itself, it had me guessing right until the end and, when finally revealed, made sense and never felt rushed. Sometimes coming to terms with the past is just as important as planning for the future and Keep This to Yourself is the perfect dark, moody mystery to take you on this journey.
CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM!: Time Enough at Last
READ MORE AT : Time Enough at Last Blog
Grades: 9th grade and up
Other book recommendations: One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins, Sadie by Courtney Summers
Well I’m happy to report that I did not see that ending. Sweet story of a group of teenagers who get together and solve and commit a crime.
My non-spoilery review is: THIS BOOK IS SO FUCKING GOOD I CAN HARDLY STAND IT.
I tend to pride myself on being good at figuring out the whodunit of a good mystery book. I did not see this one coming AT ALL. So first of all, massive props for that, Mr. Ryan.
This book is stressful. Not so much as you're reading - there's actually a rather meandering feel to the plot. Not boring, not at all, but...calm. And where there is action, it doesn't overwhelm. But the ending, and the feelings you're left with after...those are not easy, calm feelings.
I enjoyed this immensely. There were two things that rubbed me a little bit wrong - one was how quickly the romance side-plot happened (it's not entirely implausible, just felt extremely fast, all things considered). And the other was the wrap-up...I can let a lot of things slide when it comes to police procedure in fiction (I was a Hawaii Five-0 fan for years), but this one was a little much even for me.
That being said, this is a damn good book, and I'm glad I picked it up. I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about it for a while.
This book is stressful. Not so much as you're reading - there's actually a rather meandering feel to the plot. Not boring, not at all, but...calm. And where there is action, it doesn't overwhelm. But the ending, and the feelings you're left with after...those are not easy, calm feelings.
I enjoyed this immensely. There were two things that rubbed me a little bit wrong - one was how quickly the romance side-plot happened (it's not entirely implausible, just felt extremely fast, all things considered). And the other was the wrap-up...I can let a lot of things slide when it comes to police procedure in fiction (I was a Hawaii Five-0 fan for years), but this one was a little much even for me.
That being said, this is a damn good book, and I'm glad I picked it up. I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about it for a while.
THIS BOOK!!!!
It was the perfect, perfect summer mystery. Though, as my husband can attest, it made me jumpy several times when he merely walked into the room at inopportune (read: SUSPENSEFUL AF) moments in the story.
Anyway, everything played out flawlessly and unexpectedly as only a superb mystery can. It reminded me of Hitchcock and Christie in the best ways, and kept me on my toes with its twists and turns (and gah! Camera Cove can be reallllly terrifying).
I can’t recommend it enough.
It was the perfect, perfect summer mystery. Though, as my husband can attest, it made me jumpy several times when he merely walked into the room at inopportune (read: SUSPENSEFUL AF) moments in the story.
Anyway, everything played out flawlessly and unexpectedly as only a superb mystery can. It reminded me of Hitchcock and Christie in the best ways, and kept me on my toes with its twists and turns (and gah! Camera Cove can be reallllly terrifying).
I can’t recommend it enough.