We Can Never Go Home, Volume One - What We Do Is Secret

Last year at DragonCon, I was browsing artist alley, as I always do at the comic conventions, as I usually will find some really great stuff.  I was actually browsing at another table, when I happened to glance over and see the title of the graphic novel lying on the next table - We Can Never Go Home.  Curious, I picked it up and browsed through it, as the artist, Josh Hood, told me a little bit about the book. Two teenagers with super powers, a  gun, and each other.  It was certainly a different concept, so I picked it up.

Now, nearly a year later, I finally have gotten around to reading it.  Whoa!!!  This is one helluva story, let me tell you!

We Can Never Go Home is the story of Duncan and Madison, two deceivingly average teens in small town America.  Only, each of them harbors a secret.  Madison is super strong and pretty much invulnerable when she becomes agitated or angry.  Duncan can kill people with a thought.  Or, so he tells Madison.  His real secret is something far worse...

Writers Matthew Rosenberg and Patrick Kindlon, along with artists John Hood and Brian Level, tell a magnificent, somewhat dark urban tale of two teenagers on the run, thrown together by circumstance, but staying together through need and a sense of loyalty, for when it comes down to it, the only ones they can can on are each other.  Until, that is, Duncan's real secret comes out.

The story has violence, no doubt about it - but it's not gratuitous, nor flashy.  It's a part of the tale that defines both Duncan and Madison.  It's part of what makes them who they are and who they become by the end of this first graphic novel.  There's also a limited amount of nudity (surprisingly male, not female), but again - it's brief, but necessary, as it moves the story and pushes the characters further down their road of self-destruction.

What would a teenager in the real world do if they had super powers?  What would a teenager in the real world do if he or she met a fellow teen with super powers?  How far would you be willing to go to prove yourself?  To be that "knight in shining armor"?  Rosenberg and Kindlon answer that question with their first graphic novel.  And let me say, they are able to write some truly believable characters.  I easily got caught up in the story, and in the lives of both Duncan and Madison.  And there is no black and white in this story - no literal good or literal bad - instead, both characters have their good and bad traits, just like the rest of us.  The interaction feels natural, and their reactions and choices all have consequences.

I do hope that there are more stories of Duncan and Madison in the future, as the ending definitely left me a bit sad, a bit upset, and a lot wanting more.  Besides, these guys still have to answer the question of where Madison got her powers - why the government is after her - what really happened to Duncan's mother - and where do these two teens go from here?

This is definitely a graphic novel that I would place high on my recommendation list for anyone wanting a really good read!

RATING:  10 hot mix tapes out of 10 for making me really care about some teenagers who aren't exactly lovable, but who could be any of us at any time!

Greetings from Somewhere, Book 8 - The Mystery at the Coral Reef

Is it sad to admit that I actually enjoy reading this early reader series more than I have some other books I've picked up recently (can anyone say SpacePops?)?  Greetings from Somewhere is a series meant for 1st thru 3rd graders, and while the vocabulary is fairly simple (although each book does carry some of its own vocabulary lessons, particularly of foreign languages), the stories are actually pretty fun, the characters are engaging, and the mysteries are well-plotted.  Author Harper Paris manages to place Ethan and Ella in just the right place and right time to stumble across a mystery in each country they visit, but never makes it so fantastic that it is beyond believability.

The Mystery at the Coral Reef takes the Briar clan to Australia, as Mrs. Briar's globe-trotting adventures as the travel writer for their hometown newspaper continue. On this trip, however, they will be staying with their mother's sister and her husband and son (the twins' cousin, Harry). And while the trip starts off rather inconspicuously (as all the trips do), the mysteries quickly start to appear - first, in an e-mail from their grandfather who encourages them to find the Redthroat Emperor; then, a rather expensive looking watch they find on their aunt and uncle's private beach; and finally, the questionable dealer at the market who is selling items made from coral that is supposed to be protected.

Paris keeps the pace moving as the twins are taken snorkeling at night by their cousin, only to come across a suspicious boat anchored just off short from their relatives' house.  They only catch a glimpse of the name of the boat, but when they put their heads together, it isn't long before the twins and their cousin are able to deduce what is going on and who is doing what.

While the mystery is not complicated, and for adult readers, it is relatively simple to solve, the story is engaging from the perspective of its intended readers.  Plus, the many illustrations by the very talented Marcos Calo add to the enjoyment of the story (as we see it brought to life page after page).

Sometimes you need a quick and easy read to help you escape and relax, and quite honestly, the Greetings from Somewhere series satisfies that need in each and every respect.  It's fun, it's engaging, and it's well-written.  A great series for early readers and a guilty pleasure for us older readers.

RATING:  9 cricket matches on the telly out of 10 for good, clean, easy-to-read fun!

SpacePop, Volume Two - Rocking the Resistance

Rhea, Luna, Athena, Hera, and Juno - the colorful all-girl YouTube sensations known as SpacePop, are back in the second volume of this book series written by Erin Downing.  I purchased both volumes of this series before I ever read the first one - otherwise, after reading the first one, I likely would have never picked up this book. However, since I did, I figured I might as well read it.

Sadly, this book was not any better than the first. Yes, I do realize that I am not the intended audience for this series, neither in age nor in gender. However, I'd like to think that I read enough books aimed at the pre-teen audience to be able to discern what is good and what is not. And as far as SpacePop goes, it's not the plot of the story itself that is so bad, but the actual writing and execution of the story that takes away from the enjoyment.

The story itself finds the five-girl space band on yet another adventure for "The Resistance" - this time, they are searching for the Empress's Dungeon of Dark Doom, which could be the place where the evil Empress is holding the girls' families. Thus, finding the dungeon would not only help the resistance, but also free the royal families, thus permitting them to overcome the Empress and win freedom back for their galaxy.  The resistance has narrowed down the location to five planets, so the girls use their band as a cover to get onto the planets and seek out the dungeon. Their ever-loyal butler, Chamberlin, is still acting as their manager, and the blogger/stalker Bradbury continues to follow the girls' exploits, unknowingly helping them fight for the resistance.  In each planet they visit, the girls get one step closer to finding their parents, and along the way, they manage to sabotage more and more of the Empress's plans.  The ending, though, is bittersweet, although it does leave a bit of a cliffhanger that may never be resolved...

And that brings us to the writing.  It is very stilted, very dry, and without any real emotion.  The characters come across very much as stereotypes, and perhaps that is just the author's way of making sure the reader is able to differentiate among the character (with five lead characters, they do have to all be different so as to make them recognizable).  However, there is no real emotion with any of them that comes across in the writing, and they all feel very cardboard.  The only character that actually feels "real" in any sense of the word when you are reading the story is Bradbury.  I've never watched the cartoon on YouTube, so I'm not sure if the writing there is any better, but it's a shame, really - this is a rather cool idea, so it would be interesting to see what another author could do with these characters.

At least there were two short sections of comic pages along the way, so it helped give the book some redeeming value (although some of the supporting characters are not drawn at all the way I imagined they would be).  No doubt, though, this will be the last SpacePop novel I read.

RATING:  2 android soldiers out of 10 for at least trying to provide a new take on the "Jem and the Holograms" idea.

Helena Crash - an IDW mini-series

Have you ever picked up a book or comic for a reason that others may find completely crazy? Well, most will likely think I'm out of my mind for picking up this particular comic for the reason I did - but I'll be straight up about it - the only reason I bought this mini-series from IDW comics is because of the name.

Helena Crash.

Those who know me will know how much I love the character, Huntress, from DC Comics.  Originally, she was the daughter of the Earth-2 Batman and Catwoman, and her name ... drumroll please ... was "HELENA" Wayne. So, because of this, the name "Helena" has special meaning for me. And, so, when I saw this series, the name along was enough to attract my attention, and I thought, why not.

Then I got the first issue through my subscription service and looked at the art.  UGH!  Definitely not my cup of tea. The less than proportionate people, the oddly drawn faces and heads, the almost child-like drawn backgrounds. What was I thinking?! But, I bought it, so I figured I might as well read it. And right off the bat, writer Fabian Rangel, Jr.  introduces readers to his title character, Helena Crash - a reckless, carefree black market delivery person who manages to get the people in this dystopian future what they want most - - coffee!  You see, in this future, coffee is illegal due to the nosedive that the environment took, and Helena happens to have a contact who manages to stay under the radar by growing and manufacturing his coffee underground - literally.

In a world now populated with aliens and humans alike, Helena (who is an orphan with no last name - she never knew her parents - so she took her last name from the thing that happens to those who try to chase her down - "CRASH!") tries to work outside the law, but stay neutral and out of the turf wars - such as that between the White Demon and Rojo. Unfortunately, circumstances conspire against her, and Helena finds herself thrust into the middle of their war whether she likes it or not.

Rangeltells a hard-hitting action tale that has its funny moments, as well as endearing ones, and well, before I realized it, I was thoroughly enjoying the tale.  Each issue is packed with story, and while there are several subplots that don't necessarily see resolution (leaving it open for more stories in the future I hope!), the main story sees a great resolution.  It definitely leaves me wanting for more - Helena is an intriguing character with a mysterious past, a sarcastic, but caring side, and is full of spunk and determination.

And the art - - well, it grew on me.  By the end, I realized the art had nearly as much impact on the story as the writing did.  Sure, it's not your standard art, but in some ways it reminded me of a style that would have been used for storytelling in that old MTV television show, Liquid Television.  So, I applaud IDW and Rangel for going with Warwick Johnson Cadwell as the artist for this series - definitely a pefect fit for the story and the characte.

RATING:  8 Gatling guns out of 10 for some high-speed, action-packed storytelling with characters you quickly learn to root for and love!

House of Shadows: Book One

The television show, Dark Shadows, was probably my first real foray into the realm of the Gothic (although some would say that the Nancy Drew series utilized a lot of Gothic tropes in its early years).  The house on the hill, the innocent governess, the bumps in the night, the forbidden rooms, the terrifying secrets of a reclusive family.  I was enthralled, and from that moment on, I still love reading, watching, and listening to Gothic tales.  I even took a Gothic literature class as I pursued my English degree.

So when I came across a series of books called "House of Shadows" by Darcy Coates on Amazon.com, I thought I'd give it a shot.  Honestly, the cover with the blond woman in the red dress staring at the foreboding mansion in the distance, covered by dark clouds, sold me on the book.  Now that I've read it, I can honestly say I'm glad I took the chance.  House of Shadows is Gothic at its finest.

Sophie Hemlock is a young girl who is just coming of age. She has dreams and plans, but all of that comes crashing down around her when her father's business fails, nearly destroying the family, and the only means by which he can save their family from losing everything is to give Sophie's hand in marriage to the rather enigmatic Mr. Argenton.  Sophie is uncertain, as she does not know the man, but she will do anything to help her family - so she says "I do."

As with pretty much all Gothic tales, Sophie is whisked away to a secluded mansion, one that she immediately fears when she sees it.  It is enormous, with more rooms than she can count; but it is dark and gloomy, and even the grounds that are grey and dying reflect the nature of the house itself.  Sophie is quickly introduced to the only remaining Argentons - his uncle Garrett and aunt Rose, as well as Garrett's daughter, Elise.  The house has minimal staff, but Mr. Argenton ("Joseph," as he reminds his newly-wed wife to call him) had hired a young mute girl to serve as Sophie's maid.

Mute?  Sophie immediately begins to wonder if that was intentional, to keep the girl from revealing any secrets about her new husband, his family, and the house.  And secrets, oh, there are plenty of those.  Coates provides a riveting, engaging story as one by one, each of the Argenton family secrets are revealed, each more horrifying than the last - - and just when Sophie thinks things can't get any worse, they do, particularly when she discovers that her own life is in jeopardy simply by marrying into the family.

I have to give Coates credit on one thing.  Most times, I don't pick up Gothic tales, because they are steeped in romance (which is not particularly a favorite genre of mine).  In this book, though, Coates manages to play down the romance side of things.  Let's face it, neither Sophie nor Mr. Argenton married for love, and although some feelings do start to develop, it is by far not the main focus of the story.  And for those wondering whether the Gothic elements remain subtle and grounded in reality, I can tell you right now - the supernatural is a very real thing here, as the curse on the family is tied so closely to the house itself, Sophie discovers that the house will never let her leave!

Now, the one moment in the story I did find rather odd was Chapter Twenty-Five, aptly titled "Joseph."  While the remainder of the book is told solely from Sophie's point of view (in third person), for some reason, Coates switched POV and told Chapter Twenty-Five from Joseph Argenton's point of view. Normally, that would not necessarily bother me, except for the fact that in doing so, Coates reveals much about Joseph's inner-thoughts, so much that the reader learns truths that might have been better saved for the reader to discover along with Sophie, rather than to "tell" the reader through Joseph's thoughts.  It was not enough to spoil the story as a whole, but it was disappointing to some extent to have this revealed so early.

Otherwise, the book was definitely a success for me, and the ending clearly leads into the second volume in the series, House of Secrets.

RATING:  9 red doors out of 10 for proving that Gothic doesn't need to be all about romance - that the terror and supernatural can hold the story all on its own!

Knightley & Son - Book Two: K-9

As the title of this second Knightley and Son mystery suggests, Darkus Knightley is up to his nose in canine trouble when a number of police officers are attacked by some highly trained, unnaturally intelligent dogs.  When Darkus' own Uncle Bill falls victim to one of these shadow dogs, it becomes personal, and Darkus tracks down his once again missing father to discover that he is already on the case - without him!

Author Rohan Gavin returns with another tale of mystery, danger, and the Combination as Darkus finds himself facing off against the villain who may or may not be a werewolf.  The elder Knightley believes there is a supernatural creature that is running around, but his son, Darkus, sticks to his belief that there has to be a rational explanation.  And regardless of which side of the fence it falls on, they both have their suspicions that the Combination, that sinister group that somehow affected Darkus' step-father in the previous book is behind this latest attack on London.

The story drags a bit in the first half, with the focus more on the family drama that Darkus faces with a half-crazed step-father, a missing biological father who falls into unexpected comas, and a beloved dog that he is forced to give up (but, of course, later learns will be taken in by his father's housekeeper, Bogna.  And when he forces his way into his father's latest case (bemoaning the fact that his father hid the case from him and did not include him, despite the business cards he gave him in the last book that said "Knightley & Son"), he faces disappointment when it seems his step-sister Tilly is more interested in a boy than in helping him figure out what is going on.

Once the mystery gears up, though, the pace begins to move and the book becomes much more engaging. What first appears to be two unrelated mysteries eventually prove to be interrelated, and Gavin provides a few nice surprises along the way as Darkus, his father, Tilly, and Uncle Bill, along with Darkus' new pet dog, Wilbur, race against time to solve the mystery before the next full moon.  When a reporter is kidnapped and a television celebrity discovers footage of what appears to be a supernatural creature trying to break into her home, they know time is running out.

And one warning about this tale - not everyone makes it out unscathed.

At the end of the book is a preview of the next mystery, 3 of a Kind - - which, I've had on my Amazon watch list for a while, but it was recently listed as "unavailable."  I found out why the other day, because the publisher has decided to issue the book in hardcover first.  That is SO annoying, as the first two books came out only in paperback, but I guess they sold well enough that the publisher is now going to go to hardcover first, meaning I'll have to wait another year or more for the next book to come out in paperback - - UGH!

Of course, I guess I could look at the bright side - if it's doing that well, perhaps that means we'll get a fourth book or more!

RATING:  7 strong-scented bags of coffee beans out of 10 for providing an unexpected twist ending when it comes to the villain behind all the machinations!

Dark Shadows Audio Book 47 - In the Twinkling of an Eye

The Dark Shadows audio saga continues with this forty-seventh installment, In the Twinkling of an Eye.  Interestingly enough, though, other than a very brief appearance at the beginning by David, Amy, and Hallie (and when I say brief, I mean a less than 30-second appearance), the story does not feature any of the traditional Dark Shadows characters.  Instead, this installment features the character of Jessica Griffin (as portrayed by DS veteran, Marie Wallace), who is the mother of Ed Griffin, a character introduced in the very first DS audios.  The story also features Jackie Tate, the daughter of Collinsport's current sheriff, and introduces the character of "Nate."

The story takes place not too long after the conclusion of the Bloodlust mini-series, and finds Jessica released from the hospital (where she was placed after being violently attacked and left in a coma during the mini-series) and back to working at The Blue Whale. Jackie Tate is helping her out, despite her young age, and the two women have formed a friendship of sorts.  Enter the enigmatic stranger - Nate!

While the characters may not be drenched in DS history, the story definitely falls in line with your typical Dark Shadows storylines.  A mysterious stranger blows into town and immediately strikes up conversations with both Jessica and Jackie - and while both women feel a connection, it turns out that only Jessica has a real connection to this stranger - one that could have dire consequences if she doesn't figure out what it is before it's too late!  In true soap opera style, we get gradual flashbacks throughout the story, as we learn slowly but surely the true nature of Nate's connection to Jessica. There's a supernatural element to the story that is played subtly, which makes the story creepier than if it were overly dark.  Plus, in true soap opera fashion, we learn a lot about Jessica Griffin's past that, up till now, has not been revealed.

An interesting tidbit is the t-shirt that Nate wears. It's sort of a running gag through the story that Nate is always wearing the same t-shirt, and eventually, Jessica becomes somewhat hypnotized by it, as it reminds her of the garden she used to have at home - a garden that she seems to be reliving while she was in her coma (during the flashback scenes) - yet, sadly, it sort of gets dropped as the story wraps up, and there is no real explanation or connection made for the t-shirt or why it resembles her garden.

I wouldn't say this was one of my favorite stories, as it is missing the regular Dark Shadows cast, but I suppose the DS universe does need to expand to keep Collinsport alive and real.

RATING:  7 glasses of delicious lemonade out of 10 for offering up something different and giving some supporting characters a shot at the limelight.

Short(est) Lived Comic Series #6 - Lady Cop in 1st Issue Special (DC Comics)

As a comic fan, I always seem to gravitate to comics with female leads - from Wonder Woman to Batgirl to Supergirl to Ms. Marvel to She-Hulk to Squirrel Girl and so on. So, needless to say, whenever I am combing through comic boxes at comic conventions or at comic stores, when I stumble across a comic with a female lead, nine times out of ten, I'll pick it up.

This is what happened when I stumbled across 1st Issue Special no. 4 featuring "Lady Cop."

1st Issue Special was a series published by DC Comics back in the mid-70s that basically featured "first issues" of various comic book characters.  It seems to have been an attempt by DC to jump-start some new ideas and titles, but out of the 15 issues published, only one character actually jumped from 1st Issue Special into his own series, and that was Warlord.

Issue number 4 of this series featured a character called "Lady Cop." As can be pretty easily guessed by the character name, the issue tells the story of a female police officer.  Liza Warner is a young woman who witnesses the murder of her two roommates - and the only thing she sees of the murderer is a pair of white boots with black skull-and-crossbones hanging from the laces.  Knowing she will never rest easy until the killer is brought to justice, Liza enrolls in the police academy to become an officer and not only protect others, but find that killer.

Unlike today's comics which seem to drag out storytelling so as to pad it into a 6-issue collected trade paperback, this issue tells Liza's "origin" so to speak in a mere 5 pages - from her witness of the murder, to her enrollment in the police academy, her graduation, and her first act of bravery to prove herself.  It was actually refreshing reading this, as the story moved quickly without splash pages every other page and unnecessary drama thrown in to lengthen the story unnecessarily (not that there isn't drama in this issue - after all, it is very much soap-opera-etic by its very nature).  The remaining 15 pages of this issue contain the main story - "Poisoned Love."  (The title alone should give readers the immediate understanding that this story, and potential series, would be much like a soap opera)

And to say those 15 pages are packed with story is an understatement.  Liza, now an officer on the street, rescues a woman from two male attackers and sees them off to prison; she then saves a store owner who is being robbed; deals with a boyfriend who doesn't like the idea of her being a cop; and ultimately helps the woman she rescued earlier face her father and admit that she has a sexually transmitted disease.  There also remains the subplot of finding her roommates' killer (which is never resolved), as well as an introduced subplot of a friend of the two men she sends to jail who is watching her from a rooftop.

It's obvious from the subplots and unresolved story elements that DC was hoping this might evolve into an actual series; however, nothing ever came from it.  The character, though, did appear again - in the All-New Atom series as the police chief for Ivy Town, and then on the television series Arrow, as a member of the Anti-Vigilante task force.  I've never actually heard of the writer, Robert Kanigher; however, the artists, John Rosenberger and Vince Colletta, I have seen their names in other DC Comics from that period.  And speaking of time period, the story is definitely a product of its time.  The comments made by other officers regarding Liza being "the weaker sex," and the references to "V.D." rather than a sexually transmitted disease and Liza's reaction to it - they definitely date the story.

What does carry through to today's time is the character's strength and determination. Liza Warner is not a weak, timid female who needs a man to rescue her; rather, she is strong-willed, determined, and she is not afraid to step in to protect those in need.  She faces down two potential rapists; she faces down a rough robber; and she boldly confronts an enraged father - and for Liza, it's all in a days' work.

I really enjoyed the story, and it's somewhat disappointing that DC never did anything further with this character.  Obviously, I don't see "Lady Cop" as being a successful name for an ongoing comic; however, the character of Liza Warner was actually an engaging character to read, and I would like ot have seen more of her (particularly, I would have like to have seen resolution regarding her search for her roommates' killer).

RATING:  8 lighthouse beacons for floundering humans out of 10 for reminding readers that strong female lead characters in comics are timeless!

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter - Movie Novelization

Evil Comes Home.

While some people have criticized the Resident Evil films for various reasons, I have absolutely loved each and every one of them.  Milla Jovovich breathed life into the character of Alice, the protagonist through all of the films, and so it was with a bit of sadness that I went to see "The Final Chapter," which is toted as the conclusion to the series of films:  Resident Evil, Apocalypse, Extinction, Afterlife, Retribution and now, The Final Chapter.

I have not read any of the novelizations until after I saw the film, and this novelization of the last film is an example of why. The books, which are based on what I assume to be the original screenplays, tend to have not only more story to them (including backgrounds, characterization, and such), but they also tend to have additional storylines that don't appear in the movie.  For this book, it was the story of Becky, the girl who Alice believed to be her daughter during the alternate reality sequences of the last film/book.

The Final Chapter stays somewhat consistent with the film, although its opening offers a lot more backstory to connect the ending of the last film with the beginning of this one. Readers learn more about the fight that Alice, along with Ada, Jill, and Leon, endured as the hordes of undead and vile creatures created by the Umbrella Corporation converged on the White House.  We find out more about Albert Wesker's betrayal (like we didn't see that coming" during the battle, and we learn the ultimate fates of Ada, Jill, and Leon.  Readers also discovery why Alice was underneath all that rubble at the beginning of The Final Chapter.

I'll admit, I had fun reading the novelization, as there were moments where I felt like I was sitting in the theater once again, watching the movie.  Alice's battle with the nightmarish creatures unleashed by Umbrella.  Alice reuniting with Claire Redfield.  The revelation of the traitor in their midst.  The big reveal of Alice's true identity and her connection with the Red Queen.  The ultimate battle between Alice and Wesker & Isaacs.  The sad deaths of some of Alice's companions.

The underlying thread of Alice's search for and concern for Becky, her "daughter," is the biggest difference between the film and the book.  The film has no mention of Becky whatsoever, while the book continues the subplot throughout the whole story.  In fact, the very end is drastically different - without providing any spoilers here, let's just say that the end of the book focuses on Becky, while the end of the movie provides an entirely different direction for the story.

And the epilogue ... I have to wonder if that was a post-credits scene in the movie, as I did not stay for the end of the credits.  Once I buy the DVD, I'll have to watch and see.  Not that it really makes a difference, since there talks of re-booting the whole Resident Evil franchise, which would make the epilogue pretty much irrelevant. (Personally, I hate the idea of a reboot.  There is a whole world of stories that they could tell set within this world already created - plenty of other characters they could follow).

So, the saga of Alice has come to an end.  It was a satisfying series of stories, and although she will be missed, I can say that they provided the story a very satisfying conclusion.

RATING:  9 decanters, sculptures, and fountain pens out of 10 for concluding the Resident Evil saga of Alice with some unexpected twists and turns, but with no dangling plot threads.

Scarlet and Ivy, Book One - The Lost Twin

"This is the story of how I became my twin sister."

With a tagline like that, how could you pass up a mystery like this? Sophie Cleverly has written a superbly plotted mystery with fun, believable characters, a dastardly villain, and intriguing clues that lead not only Ivy, but readers on a twisted chase through the halls of Rookwood boarding school as Ivy Gray searches for answers as to what really happened to her twin sister, Scarlet. The Lost Twin has everything a good mystery should have, and it really doesn't matter your age, I can pretty much guarantee that you'll enjoy it.

Shy, young Ivy Gray has been living with her slightly off-balanced aunt ever since her parents shipped her twin sister, Scarlet, off to boarding school. Ivy missed her sister, but never so much as when she receives the news that her sister has died from an illness.  Ivy is heartbroken - until the headmistress from the school arrives and announces that Ivy is coming to Rookwood to take her sister's place.  Ivy doesn't want to go to the school where her sister died, but it seems she has no choice.  Upon arriving at Rookwood, however, Ivy is shocked to discover that Miss Fox, the headmistress, meant exactly what she said.

Ivy would be taking Scarlet's place.  She would BE Scarlet!

Such a premise clearly sets the stage for the real mystery of what happened to Scarlet and why is the headmistress of the school intent on making sure no one ever finds out that Scarlet is gone. Of course, Ivy isn't going to just be facing the villainy of Miss Fox, she also has to deal with mean girls Penny and Nadia, as well as the stress of pretending to be the outgoing, trouble-making twin who was the exact opposite of her! Help arrives, though, in the form of a diary. Scarlet's diary, to be exact. Ivy finds pages of her sister's diary hidden throughout the school, and each page tells bits and pieces of a story, as well as provides cryptic clues as to where the next piece of the puzzle can be found. Slowly, but surely, and with the help of her new roommate and friend, Ariadne, Ivy begins to uncover the truth behind her sister's death. Only, the closer she gets to the truth, the more she begins to doubt her sister is dead. But, if she isn't dead, then where is she?

The book may be just under 300 pages in length, but it reads so easily, and it is so engaging, that I managed to finish it in just a couple of days.  I had to know what really happened to Scarlet, and I loved watching both Ivy and Ariadne become stronger and braver in their words and deeds while trying to decipher the clues and face off against the villain.  And face-off they do!  Let me say, Cleverly wrote the perfect confrontation scene, and the big surprise that is revealed during that scene was definitely not expected at all.

I did not read the preview of the second book, The Whisper in the Walls, as I did not want to do anything to spoil the pleasure of reading it (which I will get to before too long, because I can't wait to see what happens next!).

RATING:  10 midnight feats of pear drops and fudge out of 10 for keeping the young adult mystery genre alive and thriving!