Assume Nothing by Joshua Corin
12/10/24; 287 pages
Thomas & Mercer
Assume Nothing by Joshua Corin is a highly recommended
mystery. Although this is written as a thriller for adult readers it is a
perfectly acceptable YA novel.
Sixteen-year-old Kat McCann is an avid reader and loves the books written by mystery writer Carissa Miller. It's 1995 and she is active in a chat group for Miller's fans, which is where she met 19-year-old Dev. After they become friends, Kat shares her secret with him. When Kat was six years old renowned Austrian detective Alik Lisser solved her mother’s 1985 murder and Miller wrote a novel about the case. Many of her novels were based on the cases solved by criminologist Alik Lisser, however, she changes the name to detective Adrian Lescher in the books.
When Dev and Kat learn that Lisser will be giving a talk nearby they both attend. Lisser notices Kat, remembers who she is, and contacts her, inviting her and her aunt to visit him in England. Once there, Kat, who wanted to know the truth behind her mother's murder, has many of her beliefs challenged.
This is an intriguing, compelling mystery with an even paced plot that picks up toward the end. All of the twists along the way are interesting and they will hold your attention in this quick read.
It can also feel a bit nostalgic with some of the chat group texts
included in the story. Readers will have to set some disbelief aside.
The biggest drawback to the narrative is the lack of chapters.
Kat is the narrator, which lends the YA feel to the whole novel. She
is a wonderful, fully realized book-smart teen who loves reading
mysteries. Her youth provides an enthusiasm and courageousness to the
plot that is not entirely based on experience, but she has also had to
deal with some real difficulties in life, including the death of her
parents and an abusive uncle. Lisser is a creepy, know-it-all who is
intensely unlikable. Pedro and Dev are nice supporting characters.
No comments:
Post a Comment