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Description
In the depths of winter, a popular former teacher wanders off into the snow—but she's not the only one to go missing that night.
When Jodie's ex-boyfriend, school bad boy Ronan, shows up, Jordie decides that maybe Derek isn’t the one after all. But before she can end it with him, Derek disappears. Did he run away? Or did something happen to him? Is there a connection between the disappearances? As Jordie slowly starts unraveling the truth, she finds that nothing about that night is as it seems. When she finds Derek’s body, suspicion falls on her. And then on Ronan. But Jordie knows she didn’t kill Derek. And she is sure Ronan didn’t. So who is responsible? And why was Derek marked for death?
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12 to 18
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12 to 18
Awards
- Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) John Spray Mystery Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- , Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award
- Short-listed, The Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award - Best Juvenile/YA Book
Editorial Reviews
"This teen thriller includes suspense, mystery, and intrigue...Jordie’s actions are true to life and will resonate with readers."
— Library Media Connection
"A fast-paced read that will hold readers’ attention from beginning to end, and perhaps leave them with questions they didn’t expect."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"There is plenty of action during the investigation, though the pacing puts most of the tension near the end with the plot twist. The ending allows the reader to make up his or her own mind about what truly happened that night...The action, untrustworthy main characters, and short chapters will keep readers turning the pages of this mystery."
— VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) Magazine
"Derek becomes such a fully rounded character that the reader comes to feel his absence as acutely as if they knew him. When the resolution arrives...it is surprising and satisfying, the hallmark of a well-written mystery."
— Quill & Quire
"A suspenseful, fast-moving mystery that will hook readers from the very first page...The novel moves like a film, cutting rapidly from scene to scene and character to character. The text is masterfully executed, with all the hints and red herrings a good mystery should offer...The romantic conflicts at the centre of the novel may draw in YA readers who wouldn't normally read a mystery, and the breakneck pace should keep them engaged. Avid mystery fans may connect the plot details before the characters themselves do, but even then various twists and turns will keep readers guessing right up to the last sentence and maybe after. Norah McClintock is a talented writer, and this taut, deftly plotted novel is an excellent choice for mystery readers, readers who prefer a high-action plot, and anyone who enjoys a well- told story."
— Resource Links
"McClintock avoids the usual patterns of murder mysteries, relying on detailed and believable characterizations that round out the plentiful plot twists. When she does employ a frequently used device, the characters often comment on it ironically, bringing the reader into the joke. Mystery fans will appreciate the thoughtful plotting, the complex characters, and an ambiguous ending that guarantees readers will be mulling over the story long after they finish. Of special note are the descriptions of landscape and weather: cold, forbidding, and characters in themselves, with their own secrets and dangers."
— Booklist
"[The characters'] mature speech, combined with plenty of adult characters, makes this a great crossover novel. The present-tense narration helps keep the mystery taut with concise pacing. A classic whodunit."
— Kirkus Reviews
"[An] intriguing whodunit...The story is well-paced and entices the reader to find out the truth."
— Calgary Herald
"McClintock spins the tale and its readers off to a messy and deliciously troubling conclusion that will confound many expectations. Scenes focalized through a single character’s perspective enrich the cast personalities, and Jordie’s emotional tug-of-war between late good guy Derek and live brooding Ronan adds a dash of romantic angst. Love and murder: a great combination for teen reading on a cold winter’s night."
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
