Break No Bones

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs [Adult Mystery]

by Jessica, 6th grader

Temperance Brennan, an amazing forensic anthropologist, is on a dig and finds a recently killed body among old Native American skeletons. When two other bodies turn up, the situation gets bigger and badder than she can handle. Not that she needs any more pressure- there are two remarkable men fighting for her love! Read this book, the first in a long series, and be amazed.

3rd Degree

3rd Degree, by James Patterson [adult mystery]

by Marina, age 14

The 3rd book in the women’s murder club series. This is the worst villain yet. He hits very close to home. He attacks each of the girls at home, and someone doesn’t survive. The most suspenseful and chilling yet. The best in the series so far.

2nd Chance

2nd Chance, by James Patterson [adult mystery]

by Marina, age 14

James Patterson’s second book in the women’s murder club series. The girls are closer than ever and now an even bigger and badder murderer is here. Another great story from the mind of James Patterson.

1st to Die

1st to Die, by James Patterson [adult mystery]

by Marina, age 14

James Patterson strikes again. This time with his women’s murder club. Follow Detective Lindsay Boxer as she tries to solve the Bride and Groom case that’s sweeping San Francisco. She bands together with a reporter, a district attorney, and a medical examiner. Together, they try to solve the mystery. A great read, and very empowering for women. Great for everyone from middleschoolers to adults.

The Cabinet of Curiosities

The Cabinet of Curiosities, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child [adult fiction, mystery]

by Loan, age 15

I chose this book based on its cover and title. I was quite curious about The Cabinet of Curiosities. It’s part of a series revolving around a cool, intelligent FBI agent who gets involved with all kinds of cases. An artifact found in an archaeological site reveals a gruesome secrets about a surgeon who had dissected a human…alive! If you’re a person who would rather read something nice and happy, do not read. You’ll definitely be awed by the original character and plot.

Lord of the Kill

The Lord of the Kill, by Theodore Taylor [YA Fiction]

by Maria, 7th grader

Ben was 16 years old when he became the head of his family’s big-cat preserve, Los Coyotes. His parents had left on one of their famous trips, this time to India, to track down tiger poachers, and the person they left in charge fell sick. So, Ben is on his own with the small staff of inexperienced animal keepers, a student vet, and a secretary. Ben is confident he can handle the place when he spots something uncomfortably unusual in the jaguar compound. Their faces are covered in blood, but they aren’t wounded — so whose blood is it? Ben searches the compound and discovers a body, half-eaten and covered partially with a green window drape. Whose body is it? How did it get into the armed park and locked compound?

Rebecca

Rebecca, by Daphne DuMaurier [YA/adult fiction]

by Christine, 11th grader

This book is a murder mystery/romance that is extremely well-written. It is about the second Mrs. deWinter and how she comes to find out what happened to the first Mrs. deWinter, Rebecca. It kept me guessing and was very interesting. I highly recommend it.

Trial by Journal

Trial by Journal, by Kate Klise [J Fiction]

by Catherine, age 11

This book is about Lilly Watson, who is put on jury duty. This story is great fun for kid. It is a funny mystery that will keep you at the edge of your seat. I really liked how you hear from everyone who’s important.

Face on the Milk Carton

Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney [YA Fiction]

by Trisha, 6th grader

If you loved Nancy Drew books and loved realistic fiction, this book is perfect for you. When a girl, Jamie, finds her name listed as a “missing child” on the milk carton and a picture of herself years younger, she becomes worried and scared. She leads a perfect life, her parents are wonderful to her, how could she be kidnapped? What does this mean? Who is her real family? If the people she lives with aren’t her parents, then who is?

In this thriller, you won’t be able to put the book down until you finish it. I know I couldn’t! Most of this book is realistic so not one time in the book could you say, “that never happens” and can never relate to it. This book is excellent!

Down the Rabbit Hole

Down the Rabbit Hole, by Peter Abrahams [YA Fiction, Nutmeg Nominee]

by Jeana, 8th grader

Great characterization, great writing, nice pacing — all parts of this book that make it overall: great. Ingrid is a very believable and realistic character, with her quirks and talents. The ending is slightly predictable, but it’s still done well. The plot itself is nice; Ingrid’s procedure to solving the mystery is also realistic, going from the “teachings” of her idol, Sherlock Holmes. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a realistic mystery story, or just a good book.