Challenge Corner discussion

Seaview High's homecoming queen is dead . . . and she's not the first. From the critically acclaimed author of The Ivies comes a nonstop thriller about a decades-old mystery, a copycat killing, and the teen who won't stop until she discovers the truth.

After the death of her mom (screw cancer), seventeen-year-old Cecelia Ellis goes to live with her estranged grandmother, a celebrated author whose Victorian mansion is as creepy as the murder mysteries she writes. On the surface, life is utterly ordinary in the California coastal town . . . until the homecoming queen is murdered. And she’s not Seaview’s first pretty dead queen.

With a copycat killer on the loose, Cecelia throws herself into the investigation, determined to crack the case like the heroines in her grandmother’s books. But the more Cecelia digs into the town’s secrets, the more she worries that her own mystery might not have a storybook ending.

Ch 1-10 (view spoiler)[ At this point, everyone is a suspect to me. It could be Luke, for more fodder for his gross murder tour, or Ben, because of what happened with his mom. Or someone else with a motive we don't know yet (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20 (view spoiler)[ I don't know that Luke and Morgan were hooking up, I think that's their alibi for where they were. What were they actually doing? And was Gabriel really not in the locker room? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30 (view spoiler)[ As soon as we learned that the mayor was having an affair, I knew it was with Morgan. That's so gross and with her being young, he probably groomed her and deserves jail time.

I had suspicions about Natalie somehow getting her mom's therapy notes too. That's so devious and wrong.

I think Gabriel might be selling drugs but I'm not sure. I was wishy washy about Ben, but now it seems like he killed Natalie as a spurned lover/revenge kind of thing and made it look like the book because he's a fan of Maura. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-End (view spoiler)[ Maura killing people for inspiration for her books is crazy. Her original motive for killing Caroline was kind of weak though.
At least Cecilia gets the money and can have whatever future she wants now (hide spoiler)]

Soooooooooooooo behind on this. I'm so sorry! I will definitely get to this either tomorrow or Saturday!

This is also quick

I love quick! lol

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[It's interesting that she went with Morgan and then Natalie. Also, who did it? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Hmm.. the alibi about him and Morgan? Eh, seems fishy. Not that I would care if they were hooking up, but something seems off. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Dang. So, Ben is the killer? Did not see that coming. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[WHAT THE? HER GRANDMA? Definitely didn't see that coming either. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

That was a fun twist at the end!

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 20TH, 2024

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Starting today!

To Chapter 5: I loved the set-up, so perfect for a Teen Murder Mystery. (view spoiler)[We just discovered a body in the school pool, so I am guessing the investigation is going to begin now. I wonder if it will be the relation of the first murdered girl, Caroline Quinn, who is dead? (hide spoiler)]

To Chapter 8: Oh wow! This town is soooo dramatic 😝 I sort of love it. (view spoiler)[The mayor picking fights at welcone party!? LOL -- Also, are we going to get a love triangle? I like both Ben and Gabe, so happy either way. (hide spoiler)]

To Chapter 11: She's (view spoiler)[falling for Ben harder than I thought she would. Is he too perfect? We just found Natalie in the pool dead and I know they want us to think the drama with the Homecoming Court had something to do with it, but I think it's more than that 🤔 could it be Ben and Gabe will eventually save the day? I am hoping so because I love football players. (hide spoiler)]

To Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[Quickly losing my suspicions about Ben. Maybe it was Gabe? He keeps popping up and is too cute for his own good. He's also super strong and coukd have easily overpowered Natalie. (hide spoiler)]

To Chapter 15:(view spoiler)[Whoopsie! I knew Ben was going to catch them, but it does feel like Cecelia is catching feelings for Gabriel! (hide spoiler)]

To Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[...very interested in yhe text chain Cecelia just found on Luke's phone. I don't think he killed Natalie though. He seems more bark than bite to me. However, what was his secret that she learned and who else is involved, because maybe they did it. Morgan? (hide spoiler)]

To 67%, I think I'm in Chapter 21: (view spoiler)[ know Luke is an asshole, but what would his motive be for taking out Natalie? And honestly, I am still suspicious of Ben... also, isn't Grace, the School Office Lady, a little too sweety sweet? (hide spoiler)]

Basically, I suspect everyone! LOL

To 68%:(view spoiler)[I can't believe Natalie was eavesdropping on her mom's therapy appointments and then using infi against people! What a snake! It's actually not surprising she got killed. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! I loved this. I think it is grossly underrated. It was so fun, perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus and Kara Thomas. A super solid and engaging YA Mystery!