Young Adult Mysteries

Not long ago, I went on a brief kick reading young adult mysteries. As a teenager, I went crazy reading every Lois Duncan book I could find, but I’m not sure what inspired this binge. I browsed through Amazon’s bestsellers and checked out all the books I could find at my library. Here’s a brief overview:

• The Body of Christopher Creed: Christopher Creed has disappeared. Three teenagers, feeling guilty over their past treatment of Christopher, try to solve the mystery and are convinced Creed’s mother is to blame. The premise is interesting, and overall, the book is an enjoyable read—though the culminating scene at the end is rather confusing and leaves something to be desired.
• Aimee: I’m not sure how this book ended up in the “mystery” genre. Granted, Aimee is dead and her best friend, Zoe, is connected to the death. More than anything, though, the book explores Zoe’s depression following Aimee’s death. The tone is dark and depressing and the writing lacks fluidity, so and I found it difficult to slog through. I also found the story terribly frustrating as the actual means of Aimee’s death is skirted around for the entire book. Perhaps, Mary Beth Miller meant to keep the reader guessing, but I found the ploy disingenuous—and l almost quit reading the book because of it.
• What Happened to Cass McBride: Cass McBride has been kidnapped, and her story is told from multiple viewpoints: the investigators, the suspects, Cass herself. The story arch can be rather confusing, but Gail Giles does a fine job of creating sympathy—and dislike—for both Cass and her kidnapper.
• The Christopher Killer/The Angel of Death: This series (Forensic Mystery) by Alane Ferguson was my by far my favorite. Cameryn Mahoney is a teenager who works with her father, a coroner in Colorado. The books have a nice blend of mystery, CSI-forensics, and potential romance. I am looking forward to the next in the series, The Circle of Blood, arriving in February.

Young adult mysteries are short—you can read them in one sitting if you choose—and not overly scary. They are just right for the wimpy, short-attention-span reader (i.e., me).