Two Sides to Every Murder

March 25, 2024
In this jam-packed thriller by Valentine (How to Survive Your Murder), two teens arrive at a defunct camp—finally reopening following a series of brutal murders—to unravel complex family histories. Sixteen years ago, Camp Lost Lake was beset by a murderous masked witch, who killed several camp attendees with a bow and arrow. After learning that her father, the former camp director, is not her biological parent, 16-year-old Olivia arrives at Camp Lost Lakein search of clues regarding her parentage. Teenage Reagan similarly arrives for insight into her family’s past; she and her mother have been on the lam for 16 years, ever since Reagan’s mother was accused of disguising herself as a masked witch to kill her husband and the counselor with whom he presumably cheated. Now, Reagan intends to clear her mother’s name. Valentine juggles myriad convoluted story lines via Olivia and Reagan’s dual POVs as well as alternating timelines depicting the 2008 Camp Lost Lake murders and present day. Gruesome depictions of the witch’s vicious bow and arrow kills crank up the tension. A concluding final twist might leave readers with more questions than answers. Major characters read as white. Ages 12–up.

April 1, 2024
A trio of past murders connects two present-day teen girls who are determined to uncover long-buried secrets. After Olivia D'Angeli, 16, accidentally discovers that the man who raised her is not her biological father, her much older sister Andie's plan to open a new business at Camp Lost Lake, their family's now-closed summer camp, seems like the perfect opportunity to figure out the truth (never mind the legend of the deadly Witch of Lost Lake). The same night that three murders took place at the camp back in 2008, Olivia's mom gave birth to her in the parking lot. Meanwhile, Reagan Knight is planning to explore the camp for proof that her mom didn't commit the murders, even though the evidence seems to point to her, and the public believes her to be guilty. The girls' inevitable meeting contains surprising revelations, and they must rush to put all the pieces together. Strong horror-movie vibes and descriptions of creepy buildings in the deep, dark woods contribute to this atmospheric thriller that will keep readers on the edges of their seats from the very beginning. The dual perspectives become easier to distinguish after the background is established, and the emotional reveals are punctuated with breathless, jump-scare action. Fans of twisty murder mysteries will devour this one. Valentine also explores relationships between sisters and mothers and daughters in varying and complex ways. The main characters are white. A puzzling, energetic thrill ride. (Thriller. 12-18)

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May 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 The triple murders at Camp Lost Lake 16 years ago have become local legend and continue to haunt the community of Lost Lake, New York. Having been born on that night, 16-year-old Olivia can't get away from the legend. On the eve before the camp is reopened by her older sister, Olivia discovers her dad isn't her biological father, and she sets out to find the truth. In another town, Reagan wakes to the sound of her mother leaving town after being accused of committing the triple murders, and Reagan sets out to clear her mother's name and reclaim a normal life. Olivia and Reagan's worlds collide and are further shaken when they meet each other and unearth secrets long thought forgotten. Valentine's latest murder mystery is gripping from beginning to end, elevated along the way by hints of romance and multiple twists. Despite a satisfying conclusion for the main characters, a surprise ending indicates sequel potential. Enthralling.

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July 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-Valentine's newest YA novel is a heart-pounding thriller. When 16-year-old Olivia learns her father is not her biological dad, she begins to question the secrets her family could be hiding since her birth during a mysterious and brutal murder at Camp Lost Lake her mother witnessed. Reagan, whose mother Lori was blamed for the murders and dubbed the Witch of Lost Lake, is looking to prove her mother's innocence by going back to camp as it is being reopened by Olivia's sister Andie. Both Olivia and Reagan see the reopening as an opportunity to get the answers they've been looking for. However, when the Witch of Lost Lake returns, the girls must first fight to stay alive. Valentine's dual-perspective chapters add suspenseful insight into Olivia and Reagan's distress as they run from a killer, start to piece together what really happened at camp years ago, and try to keep their best friends Jack and Hazel alive. Valentine amplifies fear by pitting the teens against each other-there's nothing worse than being stuck in the woods with a killer and not being sure you can trust the people you are with. The story has many twists and turns, and the ending is shocking. Olivia and Reagan present as white, Jack as Asian, and Hazel has brown skin and freckles. VERDICT A twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller mystery with a surprise ending that will stay with readers.-Kharissa Kenner

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