Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday

****

 

From HarperTeen:

Twittercide: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper's brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went . . . a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the homecoming queen–hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH's resident body finder, I'm stuck trying to prove that Sydney's death wasn't suicide.

I'm starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos. . . .

 

Social Suicide is the sequel to Halliday’s Deadly Cool.  In this installment, Hartley once again stumbles upon a body, except this time, everyone thinks Sydney committed suicide.  Except Hartley.  She sets out to prove Sydney was murdered.  Hartley is endearingly awkward in her interactions with Chase and reminiscent of bumbling detectives like Stephanie Plum, Hartley somehow not only survives, but always gets her man.  Social Suicide is a fun, light-hearted mystery with just enough suspense to keep you guessing.  If you like a mystery with your romantic comedy, I would definitely recommend any of Gemma Halliday’s books. 

 

In addition to her young adult mysteries, Gemma Halliday’s thoroughly enjoyable High Heels series has a new release, Danger in High Heels.  You should check it out!

~Shel

A Peek in the Biblio-Bin (37)

Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the Biblio-Bin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.

This is what we have in our bin this week. Tell us what's in your Biblio-bin!

Bought
Blood, Bath and Beyond by Michelle Rowan
Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday

For Review
Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

This week's WoW charmed the pants of the Bibliojunkies and after seeing this book trailer we think you will agree that it looks like a super fun modern day take on Robin Hood...

Pretty Crooked

By Elisa Ludwig

Publication Date: March 13, 2012

Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friend” – know to everyone as the Glitterati – without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls. Who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her – evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s not time for crushes and flirting with boys especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person Willa trusts most?

By Gemma Halliday

Publication Date:  March 13, 2012

She faked her death to escape life as an assassin. But now her enemies have tracked her down, and this time they want her to stay dead.

Anya Danielovich was an assassin in her former life. But that was a long time ago. Today she’s just Anna Smith—a single, thirtysomething woman living in San Francisco with a simple desire to lead a better life. But she’s still haunted by her past—the people she killed, the mentor she betrayed, the woman she was. She’s taken care to cover her tracks, but she’s beginning to feel like she’s being watched…

Nick Dade is a hired gunman—the best of the best. He’s read Anya’s file and, after weeks of surveillance, he’s ready to pull the trigger…until someone else beats him to the punch. With his agenda shattered, Nick suddenly finds himself thrown together with the woman he’s been sent to eliminate. Who is she really? Who hired the second hit? And who can he trust? Together Nick and Anna find themselves embroiled in a web of deceit and desire as an unknown enemy closes in. To unravel the truth, Anna must face her past even if that means risking both Nick’s life and her own.

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

****

From HarperTeen:

First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?

As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.

I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

I have to preface this review by saying that I have been a huge fan of Gemma’s since I discovered Spying in Heels back in 2006. Needless to say, I was giddy to find out that Gemma was making a foray into the wonderful world of Young Adult. Then I got an ARC and did a little happy dance (be thankful you didn't have to see that!)

Reading Deadly Cool reminded me how much I love a good mystery. I have been reading so many paranormals lately, that I had forgotten. The mystery was fun and I enjoyed getting to know the characters.  Hartley plays the typical teen caught up in something beyond her control. Her best-friend Sam is Hartley’s partner-in-crime (and crime solving) and comic relief, especially in her struggle not to swear. And, I admit that I am crushing a little on Chase, the resident smart-ass (there's a scene with a strip-tease!). The cast of characters could use a little more depth, but I suspect that will come in future installments.

Deadly Cool is light-hearted mystery and fast-paced fun expertly blended. Anyone who enjoys contemporary mysteries will enjoy it.  Deadly Cool releases on October 11, 2011 - Definitely check it out.

~Shel