Challenge Corner discussion

In a gripping novel perfect for fans of Sadie and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, two best friends start a true crime podcast—only to realize they may have helped a killer in the process.

In August of 1999, dazzlingly popular cheerleader Clarissa Campbell disappears from a party in the woods outside the rural town of Oreville, Washington and is never seen again. The police question her friends, teachers, and the adults who knew her—who all have something to hide. And thanks to Clarissa’s beauty, the mystery captures the attention of the nation. But with no leads and no body, the case soon grows cold. Despite the efforts of internet sleuths and true-crime aficionados, Clarissa is never found—dead or alive.

Over twenty years later, Oreville high-school juniors and best friends Blair and Cameron start a true crime podcast, determined to unravel the story of what—or who—happened to this rural urban legend. In the process they uncover a nest of dirty small-town secrets, the sordid truth of Clarissa’s relationship with her charismatic boyfriend, and a high school art teacher turned small-town figurehead who had a very good reason for wanting Clarissa dead. Such a good reason, in fact, that they might have to make him the highlight of their next episode…

But does an ugly history with a missing girl make him guilty of murder? Or are two teenage girls about to destroy the life of an innocent man—and help the true killer walk free?

sorry, running behind. plan to start Sunday

No worries, me too!

Okay, I didn't start Sunday haha. But I am going to start tonight

hahah!! right? I went hiking all weekend and just missed all my reading! phew, time to catch up so I can start tonight too!
already got my morning walk in

Trisha wrote: "hahah!! right? I went hiking all weekend and just missed all my reading! phew, time to catch up so I can start tonight too!
already got my morning walk in"

You've been getting lots of steps in! I absolutely hate hiking lol, but I do walk my dog everyday

Through Episode II (25%) (view spoiler)[ I don't like James at all, he seems manipulative and emotionally abusive. Blair should break up with him for sure.

Cam is also a bit frustrating at times. She's insensitive to other's feelings, especially her best friend. I also don't like that she wanted to do this podcast to be famous and not because she cares about Clarissa (hide spoiler)]

I hope you're liking it!! I have one more to finish and will start tonight! so excited to read this one!

It's easy to read and I'm intrigued with the mystery

Through Episode 1 / 25%

(view spoiler)[ hmmm. . .I wonder what happened. Did she run away? did the pressure get to be too much? and what could she have been arguing with the boyfriend about that night?

and does it make you nervous that these 3 have the exact same possible dynamic. I hope Blair doens't go missing in the midst of dragging this all up. I also don't like James.

I wonder if Cam will admit her feelings for Sophie. . .

OH and side note, I hate that the art teacher was weirdly hosting individual private classes or tutoring or whatever the mom said. That never sounds like a good thing after someone goes missing!! (hide spoiler)]

I love stories about True Crime Podcasts. I love the moral dilema and the fuzzy gray area of trying to do it for a good reason and if it's actually a good idea!

Trisha wrote: "Through Episode 1 / 25%

hmmm. . .I wonder what happened. Did she run away? did the pressure get to be too much? and what could she have been arguing with the boyfriend about that night?

and does..."

(view spoiler)[ I'm very nervous for the girls as well and I'm suspicious of the art teacher. He's my number 1 suspect (hide spoiler)]

Through Episode IV / 52% (view spoiler)[ Now that they've spoken with Brad, I think it's either the art teacher (super creepy sounding with his one on one tutoring) or Allen.

I have a theory that the art teacher convinced her to run away with him to New York to be a "real artist" then either she changed her mind and he killed her OR Allen came across them and had something to do with it.

Still a lot of questions though. And I'm not happy with how Cam came at her mom like that. Irene should have come forward 20 years ago because she provided a partial alibi for Brad, but Cam yelling like that and accusing her was pretty uncalled for (hide spoiler)]

Episode IV

YES!!! (view spoiler)[ I completely agree!! Art teacher or Allen
Allen was so super creepy and finding out he'd only glommed on to the parents AFTER she'd disappeared, like he wanted to revel in it. Ick
but I'm still all in for the teacher. I agree, saying he would take her to New York and feeding those dreams - yeah, he totally could have made her "disappear"

and WOW! I can't believe Irene never told. I'm also really surprised no one wants to talk after 20 years. You'd think people would be ready to spill all so they could finally find out what happened to her. don't they want to know if they've been hiding a murderer? but yeah, Cam yelling and then accusing her mom. Yikes. that wasn't good (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Episode IV

YES!!! I completely agree!! Art teacher or Allen
Allen was so super creepy and finding out he'd only glommed on to the parents AFTER she'd disappeared, like he wanted to revel in it. ..."

I don't know why people hold onto secrets when it could help police find their loved one. Was it really more important to keep that secret?

Through VI / 80%


ooooooooh no (view spoiler)[ them speeding away and getting rammed into a ditch was so scary, jeeez

and now, now Cam has really done it. she's posted an allegation. I'm so curious to see where this goes. I think she's right but there is still so so much we don't know about that night. I wish we did.

oh and I really like Sophie
and I hope Blair dumps James - what a complete jerk to not come get them!! (hide spoiler)]

and I'm done

wow(view spoiler)[ I was with them! I didn't think of Allen anymore once they moved off from him even though he gave creepy vibes and inserted himself after she was missing.

just gross that him mom helped him. . .

I can't believe he really thought in the moment he could kill them all and get away with it

I'm so glad that Irene had called the cop and the cop arrived
I love that Irene was going on a date! and I love Sophie!
I'm so glad that Blair broke up with James
I'm glad other girls came forward

this one was so good!! I loved the ending and how it all came together (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Through VI / 80%


ooooooooh no them speeding away and getting rammed into a ditch was so scary, jeeez

and now, now Cam has really done it. she's posted an allegation. I'm so curious to see where..."

(view spoiler)[So scary! And for James to not care, dump his ass (hide spoiler)]

Episode VI (view spoiler)[ Okay things got real when they were hit off the road and they definitely should have called 911.

Cam posting the allegation was a horrible idea. Does she really think she and Blair won't get in trouble for this? (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "and I'm done

(view spoiler)[wow I was with them! I didn't think of Allen anymore once they moved off from him even though he gave creepy vibes and inserted himself after she was missing.

just gross that him mom... (hide spoiler)]"

It was really good! I was happy for the girls too

Finished (view spoiler)[ I was still wondering about Allen. He killed Clarissa because she didn't want him, how deranged. His mom helping is awful and she really should get prison time.

Cam wasn't my favorite but I did like that she ended up with Sophie and Blair has a future laid out before her. (hide spoiler)]

Will definitely add my comments for this today! How is August almost over?

Right? The month went by so quickly

Ch 1/Prologue?: (view spoiler)[Okay, I'm super excited for this one! Let the mystery begin! (hide spoiler)]

Episode 1-3: (view spoiler)[I really enjoy Blair and Cam's friendship. Not a fan of James though. Totally want Cam and Sophie to be together. Also, what is going on with Clarissa's parents? I mean that room was kind of creepy, right? Also (also) not sure what really happened but still excited to see what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

Episode 4-6: (view spoiler)[Okay, I can definitely see things narrow down to two prime suspects. Both are creepy in their own way and leave me lots of unanswered questions. I feel like all the signs are giving Dan the killer vibes but that's because people are afraid of him, and I need to know why. Also, James is still a selfish asshole. Blair deserves better.

OH, and she most definitely should have waited to post what she said in the podcast. Hot damn. Chaos is coming for real. (hide spoiler)]

Episode 7-Finish: (view spoiler)[Ugh, he killed her because of how she reacted to him kissing her? What a weakass guy. So annoying. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Episode 7-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, super pathetic

***************************************************************
***************************************************************

RESTARTING JUNE 12TH, 2024


*******************************************************************
*******************************************************************

Read this tonight.

Episodes 1-2
(view spoiler)[
I'm intrigued by the story in this one so far. Cam and Blair aren't great characters but they come across genuinely like teenagers which is a plus. I can't believe they went into making a podcast with absolutely zero direction and are recording it on a phone. My early guess on who did it is either the art teacher or the friend who was a little too helpful to the family.
(hide spoiler)]

Episodes 3-4
(view spoiler)[
Yeah, after meeting Allen I'm starting to think it was him. He wasn't actually friends with Clarissa but made it seem like he is, that's creepy. I also don't think Brad did it, he seems genuinely heartbroken about whatever happened to Clarissa.
(hide spoiler)]

Episodes 5-6
(view spoiler)[
I get why Cam just did what she did but I have a feeling that going against Dan isn't going to go well for her. He seems to sue happy type of person. But I think she's right and that Clarissa wasn't the only one that was groomed by the art teacher. Now I wonder if he's the one who killed her. I'm still kind of set on it being Allen but Dan is a nice backup suspect.
(hide spoiler)]

Episodes 7-8
(view spoiler)[
I was right, it was the creepy kid who wasn't actually friends with Clarissa. I'm glad the girls figured it out and finally Clarissa was able to be put to rest. The bit where Cam went off and confronted the killer without telling anyone was so incredibly dumb so she's lucky Blair figured it out. Overall I enjoyed this one.
(hide spoiler)]