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Description
In this sequel to Dooley Takes the Fall, Norah McClintock's gritty mystery of a year ago, Ryan Dooley continues to struggle against circumstances that would defeat most teenagers, let alone kids who have been in serious trouble with the law. Dooley (as he prefers to be known) was involved in a break and enter a few years ago, served his time, and is now living with his hard-nosed uncle, a former cop determined that the boy will find a way to lead a blameless and useful life from henceforth. But there are threads that still link Dooley to his former life of aimless criminality, and one of them - with the affable Jeffie, a sometime drug dealer and one-time buddy - threatens to bring him down, especially when Jeffie turns up dead, while still owing money to Dooley.
Much worse, Dooley's estranged mother turns up dead as well. They have been estranged for much of Dooley's life, and kept apart by the uncle who feels the son is better off away from the mother, but recently she has made efforts to clean up her act and get in touch with her son again. This time it's Dooley's uncle who is suspected of having caused her death somehow, and this of course has major implications for Dooley's own life. Looking around, the young man doesn't look to have many options in life, especially when the props holding up his existence start to get kicked away.
The best thing Dooley seems to have going for him is his girl friend, the luminous Beth, sister of a teen whose death was the focus of Dooley Takes the Fall. Never confident about his social status, Dooley hopes against hope that Beth will stick by him, but fears the competition from Nevin, a rich friend of the girl, who drives a Jag and always seems to be around when Dooley wants to be with Beth. Somehow, though, Dooley is able to work his way through the immense hazards in his life and emerge, not unscathed, but with his integrity intact.
Once again, award-winning author Norah McClintock weaves an intricately layered, page-turning mystery that will compel a wide range of readers and inspire a whole new legion of Ryan Dooley Mystery fans. Information is withheld until just the right moment, and through it all Dooley's spirit and determination, in the face of difficult odds, will hold readers' attention to the very last, unexpected paragraph.
Contributor Notes
Norah McClintock is an internationally recognized author who has won five Arthur Ellis awards for crime writing. The first Ryan Dooley Mystery, Dooley Takes the Fall, is shortlisted for the OLA White Pine award. Norah lives in Toronto.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 14 to 18
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
Editorial Review
"McClintock, five-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award, demonstrates her skill at creating complex, multi-layered plots that capture and engage readers of all ages. . . A compelling and complex plot, an intelligent and engaging protagonist, a cast of familiar and new secondary characters, well-paced prose, and vivid, albeit sometimes graphic dialogue combine to hold reader's attention to the conclusion. . . (Fans will) eagerly await the next episode in the planned trilogy.
Highly recommended."
— CM Magazine
"Homicide Related goes beyond traditional mysteries, as Dooley purposely omits critical details, keeping readers guessing and the plot moving rapidly."
— School Library Journal
"Homicide Related is an intriguing read of trying to do what's right when everything is going wrong."
— Midwest Book Review
"The author does a wonderful job of showing us what Ryan's head and heart are going through. He is, in no way, a goody-goody, but at the same time, I found a strength and light in the Ryan character that made me want to see him succeed. This book is partly mystery but more importantly it is about a boy who has to make some very, very though choices in his life. This is a good, good read."
— www.bookshipper.blogspot.com
"A five-time winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for Juvenile Crime, Nora McClintock has amassed a great store of thrillers for young readers. . . While this book can be read as a stand-alone, its many pleasures will be enhanced by acquaintance with its predecessor, Dooley Takes the Fall."
— Globe and Mail
"The dialogue is completely realistic, sharp and witty, complete with the swearing typically found in the conversation of high school students. Dooley's introspective analysis of his situation- his internal self-talk- is particularly well done. Older high school students, especially boys, will be attracted to Dooley's flirting so closely with the criminal life, yet having the strength to stay clean and to help bring the villain to justice.
Highly recommended."
— Resource Links
"Once again, Norah McClintock, a master-crafter of mysteries, gives readers a fast-paced plot that offers up tantalizing clues to the identity of the killer while also providing interesting insights into the story's main characters. . . Another winning mystery series that works equally well as a contemporary teen drama."
— Canadian Children's Book News
