Everyone knows about the Headmaster’s List at Armstrong Prep, in fact Spencer is on it. But she’s not there because her parents made a huge donation to this private school for the rich, like some others she can name. Spencer is there because she is a top student in line for Valedictorian, working hard towards a future at NASA. The Headmaster’s List means a nod towards the best Universities.

But that was before the accident. There were four teenagers in the car after the party in the hills of Los Angeles, aged from 15 to 18. Only three made it out alive.

Spencer has been left with a head injury, facial stitches, a broken arm, clavicle and wrist. That means no field hockey, captain of the team or not. The head injury and PTSD from the accident threatens her with migraines, and even more in her nightmares of that night. What happened? Why were those four people in that car?

Was it as the police claimed? Alcohol, drugs, speed and careless driving? There is something that doesn’t add up to Spencer. The flashbacks, night terrors and a past relationship don’t equal the police reports, but now it is in the hands of the Court after a confession is made.

With the help of her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, Spencer tries to claw her life back. The life before the accident, before the truth about her boyfriend was revealed, to when her future was laid out neatly in front of her. But first they have to find out answers to all her questions. What really happened at that party and on the way home? Her gut tells her there is more to it, and threatening notes begin to back that up. Future plans pushed aside, nothing is as important to Spencer than finding out the truth.

The comparisons to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder are valid, with a crime, a key character searching for answers and a keen podcaster involved. But this podcaster is just after the juicy stuff, not particularly interested in the truth and ready to believe the gossip flowing freely in their private school.

A budding romance forms as the mystery builds. Main characters are threatened. Plans for the future fall apart. All this increases the tension of this YA thriller. Just as all is thought lost and a teen faces prison, a throwaway comment clicks everything into place.

Author – Melissa de la Cruz
Age – 12+

(2023, MacMillan, Mystery, Thriller, School, Lies, Relationship, Betrayal, Truth, Friendship, Crush, Accident, Party, Death, Injury, Service Dog, Future Plans, Preferential Treatment, Police, Crime, Murder, Revenge)