Happy, happy, happy summer! I hope
that you are all enjoying a nice, relaxing, and not too sweltering summer
break! In my opinion, summer break is truly the absolute best time to curl up
with a good book and get lost for a couple of hours in another world. If this
sounds like a good way to spend your summer days, I have a great suggestion for
you! Two Can Keep a Secret, by Karen M. McMannus, is a phenomenal mystery
that will keep you on the edge of your seat (or beach chair) until the very
last page.
This
book is truly one of the best young adult mysteries that I have read in a long
time. The plot follows two teens, a decades old mystery, and a murderous homecoming,
creating one of the rare situations that you would not want to be on the homecoming
court. The story is told from the perspective of Ellery, a quirky twin who is
slightly obsessed with murder mysteries and the unsolved disappearance of her
aunt Sarah, and Malcom, a bit of an outcast trying to prove that he is not like
his brother, one of the primary suspects of a murder five years before. The
small town of Echo Ridge is the perfect setting for the ensuing murder mystery that
begins when Ellery comes to the small town to live with her grandmother and threatening
sign is posted that says that homecoming will be just as dangerous this year as
five years ago, when the last murder took place. McMannus skillfully creates a
setting that enhances the spooky suspense of the mystery through small town
gossip, perfectly creating an Andy Griffith Show gone tragic feeling. One
of the best things about Two Can Keep a Secret is McMannus’ uncanny ability
to write in the voice of a teenager, with refreshing and realistic characters
that you certainly want to be friends with. The secondary characters were just
as well written as the main characters, creating a three-dimensional world to
get lost in for a couple of hours (in case you were missing school and wanted
to return in a book). One of the other main triumphs of this novel is the
ability of McMannus to weave together past mysteries seamlessly with the
present mystery, throwing in multiple plot twists that manage to keep the
reader guessing until the shocking conclusion. I personally was unable to put
the book down, spending a morning buried in the pages until I read that
brilliant last sentence. Yes, the last sentence of the book is absolutely
amazing. No, you will not understand the last sentence if you peek before
reading the rest of the book. Yes, you will have to read the entire book to
understand what I am referring to. Have I managed to intrigue you? I suggest
that you satiate your curiosity and pick up a copy at your nearest bookstore.
Still not convinced? What of I told you that there was a health helping of
sleuthing, homecoming drama, difficult family relationships, and a dash of
romance? There is no reason not to pick up a copy of this thrilling tale and
get lost in its pages. And there really is no better way to spend a summer day
than hanging out in Echo Ridge, trying to solve a homecoming mystery
 |
| Two Can Keep a Secret cover from Amazon's website |
Feel
the urge to go and immediately buy this book? I don’t blame you (it really is
that good). In fact, here is a copy of the handy link to amazon.com, making it
incredibly easy for you to get this book in your hands: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Keep-Secret-Karen-McManus/dp/1524714720/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TUNSF23D4HNQ&keywords=two+can+keep+a+secret+karen+mcmanus&qid=1562804099&s=gateway&sprefix=Two+Can+%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-1
Have fun in Echo Ridge! Happy summer and happy reading!
-Laura
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