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erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review
4.0
This is the book for you if you like:
- Young adult books that deal with mature themes, including death and sexuality
- LOTS of plot twists
- Books with a dark, tense, and moody atmosphere
- Authors who can capture the feeling of first love
- Latina heroines
- Tense, suspenseful scenes
- Books set in the Ozark Mountains
- Stories set in modern times, but in settings in which the characters lead old-fashioned lifestyles
This novel is compulsively readable from the first page. While it hooks the reader from the start, the tension builds slowly but steadily to a hectic, harrowing finale. This is a well-crafted example of the mystery genre for young adults.
- Young adult books that deal with mature themes, including death and sexuality
- LOTS of plot twists
- Books with a dark, tense, and moody atmosphere
- Authors who can capture the feeling of first love
- Latina heroines
- Tense, suspenseful scenes
- Books set in the Ozark Mountains
- Stories set in modern times, but in settings in which the characters lead old-fashioned lifestyles
This novel is compulsively readable from the first page. While it hooks the reader from the start, the tension builds slowly but steadily to a hectic, harrowing finale. This is a well-crafted example of the mystery genre for young adults.
kbranfield's review
4.0
4.5 stars.
Set in the Missouri Ozarks, The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude is an atmospheric, spell-binding young adult mystery.
Rowan's Glen is home to generations of families who are deeply rooted in the insular community. Ivy Templeton is a strong believer of the folklore, omens and superstitions that have been handed down by her grandma but her cousin and best friend, Heather, is not. With various animals turning up dead, the town blames Birch Markle, a troubled young man who murdered a young woman twenty-five years ago then disappeared into the surrounding woods. For the first time since the tragic murder, Rowan's Glen has decided to celebrate May Day despite the concern from some the villagers. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, Ivy and Heather are at odds when Ivy fears that her cousin is courting danger by sneaking around with someone from the neighboring town. Her fears soon are realized when, shortly after being crowned May Queen, Heather disappears and days later, her lifeless body is discovered. Shattered by her loss, Ivy is determined to uncover the truth about Heather's murder but will her search for answers endanger not only her life, but her loved ones as well?
Although the community is close-knit, Ivy's closest friends are Heather and Rook Merriweather. She is hurt when Heather begins to exclude her and they begin to drift apart. Ivy grows deeply worried for her cousin's safety when she realizes that Heather is sneaking around after dark, but her concerns fall on deaf ears. Hurtful words are exchanged during a heated confrontation, and Ivy is devastated when Heather dies before they reconcile their differences.
Despite the heightened security in the Glen following Heather's murder, Ivy and Rook begin investigating the puzzling clues that Ivy discovers amongst Heather's belongings. One of their discoveries answers a decade's old mystery but this information raises some very serious questions about some of the events occurring in the present. Another troubling murder puts the town on edge as the search for killer intensifies. Rook and Ivy stumble into a rather macabre situation that quickly turns deadly, leaving both of their lives hanging in the balance.
The May Queen Murders is an eerie, suspense laden mystery that is full of unexpected twists and turns. With a plethora of long buried secrets, chilling revelations and spooky folklore, Sarah Jude obscures the perpetrator's identity until to the novel's shocking conclusion. An outstanding young adult novel that is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages.
Set in the Missouri Ozarks, The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude is an atmospheric, spell-binding young adult mystery.
Rowan's Glen is home to generations of families who are deeply rooted in the insular community. Ivy Templeton is a strong believer of the folklore, omens and superstitions that have been handed down by her grandma but her cousin and best friend, Heather, is not. With various animals turning up dead, the town blames Birch Markle, a troubled young man who murdered a young woman twenty-five years ago then disappeared into the surrounding woods. For the first time since the tragic murder, Rowan's Glen has decided to celebrate May Day despite the concern from some the villagers. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, Ivy and Heather are at odds when Ivy fears that her cousin is courting danger by sneaking around with someone from the neighboring town. Her fears soon are realized when, shortly after being crowned May Queen, Heather disappears and days later, her lifeless body is discovered. Shattered by her loss, Ivy is determined to uncover the truth about Heather's murder but will her search for answers endanger not only her life, but her loved ones as well?
Although the community is close-knit, Ivy's closest friends are Heather and Rook Merriweather. She is hurt when Heather begins to exclude her and they begin to drift apart. Ivy grows deeply worried for her cousin's safety when she realizes that Heather is sneaking around after dark, but her concerns fall on deaf ears. Hurtful words are exchanged during a heated confrontation, and Ivy is devastated when Heather dies before they reconcile their differences.
Despite the heightened security in the Glen following Heather's murder, Ivy and Rook begin investigating the puzzling clues that Ivy discovers amongst Heather's belongings. One of their discoveries answers a decade's old mystery but this information raises some very serious questions about some of the events occurring in the present. Another troubling murder puts the town on edge as the search for killer intensifies. Rook and Ivy stumble into a rather macabre situation that quickly turns deadly, leaving both of their lives hanging in the balance.
The May Queen Murders is an eerie, suspense laden mystery that is full of unexpected twists and turns. With a plethora of long buried secrets, chilling revelations and spooky folklore, Sarah Jude obscures the perpetrator's identity until to the novel's shocking conclusion. An outstanding young adult novel that is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages.
alicia_loves_books's review
4.0
So many secrets in this small community! Enjoyed this one. It took a little while to get to the murders, but I appreciate the way we really got to know this town and the people who live here.
bea12123123's review
3.0
This book is definitely not one of my favorite horror/murder mystery books ever. But, I still really liked it. The twists and turns were really good and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Especially when it was revealed that there were two different murders walking the Glen. I did feel like it came out of nowhere- maybe some more time focused on Marsh and August. It just seemed like August being a killer didn’t really fit his character- but I suppose it’s like that a lot in real life. I also really enjoyed the twist with Heather. Her lover being a girl and that likely being the biggest reason for her not even telling Ivy about it. Her wanting to protect Ivy and that’s why she was pushing her away so much. I wish we could have gotten some stuff in Heather’s POV. Maybe flashbacks to her time with Emmie or something like that. But, I did really enjoy this book overall.
sjj169's review
2.0
The blurb on this book completely tricked me! This book was supposed to be good.
Ivy lives in the Glen. She lives in a remote community that sticks to itself and doesn't really care for outsiders (they call them rollers) Life is simple in the glen, they don't have regular electricity, TV or any modern conveniences.
Ivy sticks to her memories of her mamie's old tales and is besties with her cousin Heather. Mamie has quit talking ever since Ivy's grandfather died though and all Ivy has of her is her old tales. She just sits in the attic now.
Ivy and Heather both go to school with the rollers because of something that happened with the Glen getting in trouble (it's never explained)...Ivy notices that Heather has started pulling away from her. Heather seems to be growing up faster than Ivy and it breaks her heart.
Then animals start showing up that have been brutally murdered. There is legend of that crazy man Birch Markle surfacing again. Years ago the May Queen was murdered and everyone knew Birch done the deed but he ran off in the woods and all they see or hear of him now is the screaming in the woods.
(That would get on my dang nerves! All that screaming at night for all those years and no one snapped and hunted him down and told him to shut the hell up?)
There is talk of not having the May Day celebration or the crowning of the May Queen. Too much badness is going on in the Glen. But they go ahead with it anyways. *sigh*
Heather's secrets get her in trouble but of course Ivy is spying to find them out anyways. One thing that drives me nuts in a book like this is if there is a crazy ass murderer in the woods do you continually wander off by yourself in the woods? Stupid or brave. I'm kinda going with stupid.
This book could have been good. It just lacked the skill set to do so. Great blurb. Good story base..but it just felt like a hot mess to me. It tries way too hard, loose ends are left hanging and Ivy's character in the beginning was so awkward..then once she gets a boy's attention she is the wonderful heroine?
1.5 stars
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
Ivy lives in the Glen. She lives in a remote community that sticks to itself and doesn't really care for outsiders (they call them rollers) Life is simple in the glen, they don't have regular electricity, TV or any modern conveniences.
Ivy sticks to her memories of her mamie's old tales and is besties with her cousin Heather. Mamie has quit talking ever since Ivy's grandfather died though and all Ivy has of her is her old tales. She just sits in the attic now.
Ivy and Heather both go to school with the rollers because of something that happened with the Glen getting in trouble (it's never explained)...Ivy notices that Heather has started pulling away from her. Heather seems to be growing up faster than Ivy and it breaks her heart.
Then animals start showing up that have been brutally murdered. There is legend of that crazy man Birch Markle surfacing again. Years ago the May Queen was murdered and everyone knew Birch done the deed but he ran off in the woods and all they see or hear of him now is the screaming in the woods.
(That would get on my dang nerves! All that screaming at night for all those years and no one snapped and hunted him down and told him to shut the hell up?)
There is talk of not having the May Day celebration or the crowning of the May Queen. Too much badness is going on in the Glen. But they go ahead with it anyways. *sigh*
Heather's secrets get her in trouble but of course Ivy is spying to find them out anyways. One thing that drives me nuts in a book like this is if there is a crazy ass murderer in the woods do you continually wander off by yourself in the woods? Stupid or brave. I'm kinda going with stupid.
This book could have been good. It just lacked the skill set to do so. Great blurb. Good story base..but it just felt like a hot mess to me. It tries way too hard, loose ends are left hanging and Ivy's character in the beginning was so awkward..then once she gets a boy's attention she is the wonderful heroine?
1.5 stars
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
kaitlyngraced's review
4.0
I was not prepared for how utterly dark and chilling this book would be. Although the premise seemed pretty straightforward, the twists and turns the narrative took where completely unexpected (in the best way) and I'm still processing exactly what happened.
dfmaiwat's review
2.0
Though I could enjoy this book a bit, there are quite a few problems I have with it. For one, the pacing is terrible. You wait for nearly half of the book for the first kill. But it never feels like there is any real weight to it. Secondly, the speech really annoyed me. This book takes place in Missouri but the dialogue isn't anything like how Missourians speak-at least not in this decade. Lastly we get into spoiler territory, I'll try not give too much away though. There is a would be kill where the victim survives; completely unrealistic. And the ending turns into Murder on the Orient Express, I'm still confused as to what really went down. Overall, I was just not a fan.
notlikethebeer's review
4.0
Really really fantastic mystery book, full of twists & turns that were utterly compelling & unexpected! Although I was able to work out one of the 'big moments' reasonably early on, I was still kept guessing about it, and there were secrets far bigger to be unravelled. However, I felt that the treatment of Birch Markle & the descriptives of him coupled with his role was very ableist and problematic. Slight issue with the plot in that I'm still unsure why Heather had the letters both to & from her; also, the character of Ivy felt rushed in her development at times. However, overall, an exquisitely written novel full of intrigue, suspense and unexpected twists!
grimmlin666's review
3.0
Sarah Jude has a lot of great potential. I'll be excited to see where her career goes.