Prom night is only weeks away in the small town of Willow. It’s the highlight for many seniors as they are keen to get out of the place they were born where nothing ever happens.

High School is the same as everywhere else though. There is the queen of the school Maribelle Starr and her clean cut and popular boyfriend Parker on the top tier, with many below her knowing who she is but not liking her very much. Straight A student knows her a little more than many people know. A few years before she and Parker got together, Mario adored the ground she walked on. She even agreed to a date.

It didn’t go well, and he spends ages afterwards agonising over it. But Maribelle didn’t seem to give it another thought. At least until Prom Night. To his horror and everyone’s surprise – including Maribelle’s, Parker is not named Prom King alongside her as Prom Queen. Mario is.

At least it didn’t look like she knew beforehand. But a prank with his crown says otherwise.

Mario brushes it off, taking his Prom date Elana to the after party. On the way home he sees something in the ditch on the side of the road. He stops. Gets out of his car. He is still standing there when a police officer turns up. They are both looking at the body of Maribelle Starr.

Mario is in shock. He’s been arrested. Parker is in shock. His girlfriend is dead. Gossip is rife. Did Mario do it? Maribelle had posted stuff about him on Twitter after the prom after all. And it wasn’t complimentary.

But Mario’s friend Lucas knows he didn’t do it. He can’t have done it. Can he?

A murder/mystery whodunnit for teens. This is a quick but entertaining read with a loosely woven plot that is easy to read with twists and turns. Maribelle isn’t as straight forward as her friends and family believe. Even her loyal, loving boyfriend Parker has no idea.

A Prom Queen killed by her Prom King is instant gossip and interest territory, and A Night to Die For will keep you guessing, along with the inhabitants of the town of Willow.

Author – Lisa Schroeder

Age – 13+

(2022, Penguin Random House, Small town, High School, Prom, Murder, Mystery, Crime, Whodunnit, Friends, Enemies, Jealousy, Love, Art, Painting, Secrets, Lies, Family, Investigation, Guilty or Innocent, Truth, Prom King and Queen, Dancing, After Party, Jail)