A review by labraden
Fake ID by Lamar Giles

3.0

Fake ID is a well written story about Nick whose family is on their fourth try in the Witness Protection Program. If Nick's father can't stop himself this time from violating the rules of the program, they will be out. Nick's mom has just about had enough and contemplates leaving. As Nick starts classes in his new high school, he immediately makes a new friend and finds himself interested in a girl. His new friend, Eli, runs the school newspaper and is the semi-official greeter for the numerous new students that seem to find their way to Stepton's high school. Nick quickly runs afoul of the school's bully, Zach, when he spends time with Zach's former girlfriend, Reya. These all seem like big problems to Nick until Eli starts talking to him about something called "Whispertown" and seemingly commits suicide in the school newspaper office on a Friday evening when Nick goes on his first official assignment covering the football game for the paper. Finding Eli's body on Monday morning puts Nick in the middle of a town scandal right at the very time he is supposed to be lying low. Trying to prove that Eli didn't commit suicide digs Nick deeper into a town that isn't what it seems.
This book is very interesting and well written with lots of unexpected twists and turns, but I have trouble liking the character of Nick. Much of his trouble stems from his lack of honesty with those around him which seems to run in his family. Overall a good story, but not a very happy one.