Details

Length: 308
Story Build: Quick-ish 
Character development: Fair
Age Recommendation: 9th grade and up 
Reasoning: language, child sexual abuse references, underage drinking 

Summary and Review

To be completely honest, I had forgotten why I purchased this book, and when it came in the mail, I was reminded that it was a thriller, which I LOVE. It was the first book I read from the bundle that came in the mail. 

The book is written from two different perspectives: Sadie and West McCray. 

Sadie, the title character, is a girl on a mission. Her sister, Maddie, was murdered, and she is convinced she knows who did it. Sadie is also convinced that she must kill the murderer. She sets out on her own to accomplish this, and much to the dismay of those she left behind, she didn’t tell anyone.Her portion of the text is written in traditional narrative, her thoughts and decisions painted for the reader quite clearly. 

Wes McCray is the host of a podcast who has made it his mission to discover where Sadie went after she disappeared to find her sister’s killer. His side of the story is told from a podcast script of each episode that he makes about the story of Sadie and her sister. 

Each chapter alternates, mostly, between the two different perspectives, which allows us to get more sides of the story as McCray interviews May Beth, the girls’ caretaker, and the absentee mother, Claire. The alternating styles allows Summers to create suspense in the narrative, too, as you want to get to the next part and uncover more details about the murder. Furthermore, you want to know if Sadie finds the killer and actually has enough strength to complete what she set out to do. 

The book is definitely a YA thriller, but it doesn’t shy away from hinting at some pretty dark themes of abuse– both sexual and substance. Sadie also struggles with her own challenges, mainly her stutter, which causes her much embarrassment and anger. Summers also isn’t interested in giving much lightheartedness to her story either. Be prepared to read a pretty tragic story… 

Celebrations

The way the story was written with the two different styles was really creative and allowed for the story to move more quickly. It also added depth to the narrative, too. 

Hesitations

I definitely hesitate at the ending… you’ll have to read to find out more… You’re also going to want to read something light and more hopeful after completing this one…