The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin
by Josh Berk
Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at
Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the
dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star
quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who
did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl
ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .) (description from
Amazon.com)
I was really surprised how funny this book was...even though it's a great mystery and there's some great suspense, I ended up laughing out loud through most of my reading. Will and his new friend, Devon, build a great rapport and they deal with Will's deafness is a really cool way. I would love to read a follow up mystery starring these two self-proclaimed "Hardy Boys."
Dead is a Battlefield
by Marlene Perez
Dead Is series, book six
Jessica Walsh is starting her freshman year at Nightshade High and trying to
forget about the tragic events surrounding her brother’s graduation. She
wants to have a normal high school experience. But that’s easier said than
done in Nightshade. There’s a new guy at school who seems to be turning the
girls into lovesick zombies. And Jessica has other worries—like her crush on
a cute but moody lead singer, and the mysterious tattoo that appeared on her
arm one day that lets her know whenever there is trouble brewing. Jessica
learns she’s a Virago, a woman warrior chosen to fight evil whenever it
threatens her hometown. But does a lowly freshman really have what it takes
to keep Nightshade safe? (description from
Amazon.com)
I LOVE this series. They are fun to read, quick enough to sneak in between other books I have to review and each turns out to be a pure guilty pleasure. Technically this is book six in the Dead Is series, but it feels totally fresh because there is a new main character. Jessica is just as sassy and smart as Daisy was...I couldn't be happier with where these books are going. :)
The Aviary
by Kathleen O'Dell
Twelve-year-old Clara Dooley has spent her whole life in the Glendoveer mansion,
where her mother is a servant to the kind and elderly matron of the house. Clara
has never known another home. In fact, she's confined to the grand estate due to
a mysterious heart condition. But it's a comfortable life, and if it weren't for
the creepy squawking birds in the aviary out back, a completely peaceful one
too.
But once old Mrs. Glendoveer passes away, Clara comes to learn many
dark secrets about the family. The Glendoveers suffered a horrific tragedy:
their children were kidnapped, then drowned. And their father George Glendoveer,
a famous magician and illusionist, stood accused until his death. As Clara digs
deeper and deeper into the terrifying events, the five birds in the aviary seem
to be trying to tell her something. And Clara comes to wonder: what is their
true identity? Clara sets out to solve a decades-old murder mystery—and in doing
so, unlocks a secret in her own life, too. (description from
Amazon.com)
I really loved this book. I thought the characters were charming, and just a tad creepy. I was sucked right into poor Clara's story and could not wait to find out why she had to live the sheltered life that she did. I thought the mystery of the birds was fascinating. This read like a "classic," and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
