December 1, 2018
"You are cordially invited to a night of murder and mayhem!"Juniper Torres, Ruby Valentine, Parker Addison, Brett Carmichael, and Gavin Moon receive mysterious invitations from the Ringmaster to attend a murder-mystery dinner contest. The winner will receive a $50,000 college scholarship--something they each desperately need. As they arrive at the Cherry Street Mansion and take their seats around a table, it is obvious that the Ringmaster has more in store for them than a simple game. Reading dossiers for their characters for the evening, it becomes evident that they have been watched for a long time and that the Ringmaster--clearly someone who knows them well--is in the house and is out for revenge: revenge for what happened at Dahlia Kane's Christmas party months ago; revenge for the secrets they each carry that could ruin all their lives. From the first page there is an ominous feeling as information about each character is revealed, leaving readers trying to guess who is behind the mysterious Ringmaster. While the mystery is the main focus, the complex relationships between the characters and how they evolve really drive the story. The fear is palpable, and the surprise is real as readers gradually unravel the tangled web of lies. Juniper is Latinx, Gavin is Asian, and the other main characters are white.Part high school drama, part suspense, the fast pace will keep readers on edge from start to finish. (Horror. 14-18)
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