Arcadia grew up fast when her mother died. She cares for her younger brother, works at the family grocery store, and fills in as the head of the household when her dad just can't do it. Now she is 18, and the summer is calling to her in the form of a campout with old friends and a few very hot strangers, including the cousins Noah and Matt, who are road tripping in their late grandmother's 1969 Cougar. Cadie effortlessly pulls Noah into a heady fling that gets deadly serious when they leave town together. Cadie is strong, confident, secure in her sexuality, and totally in control . . . until she isn't. The best weekend ever quickly takes a 180. Mounting clues lead Cadie to fear for her life and a growing uncertainty over which of the dashing cousins to trust: charming Matt or reformed bad-boy Noah. As the stakes increase and the opportunities for escape deep in the Everglades narrow, the Hitchcockian conclusion is swift and satisfying.

Gr 10 Up-Cadie, 18, lives in a tiny Floridian town with her widowed dad and kid brother. She's spent the last couple years pining for an adventure to take her away from her boring home. When two cute cousins, Matt and Noah, show up at a campfire party, Cadie is so strongly attracted to Noah that it thrills and scares her. The next day, the guys invite her and her old friend to join them on their road trip. Even though they're not much more than strangers, Cadie just can't say no. What the teen thought was going to be a sexy and temporary getaway slowly turns out to be a dangerous, terrifying, and deadly experience. Doller gives readers a smart, strong, yet wounded lead in Cadie. Although her decisions put her in an incredible dangerous situation, her choices don't seem anything but natural. The spark between Noah and Cadie is delicious, and the slow build of darkness throughout the story is the kind of terrifying that teens will enjoy. Fans of Stolen by Lucy Christopher (Scholastic, 2010) should be sure to put Devil on their to-read list. VERDICT This dark thriller features a strong female lead and a heap of sexy; a must-buy for readers looking for a healthy dose of drama. Emily Moore, Camden County Library System, NJ

This suspenseful contemporary tale delivers the believable adventure story of an eighteen-year-old who embarks on a rebellious quest and finds romance and danger in the Florida Everglades. Arcadia, or Cadie, is overwhelmed by her responsibilities since her mother died.á She needs a weekend off from her dysfunctional family life and finds much more than she intended at a campfire party. The adventure turns deadly when she takes a road trip with two irresistible cousins and falls hard for one of them. Their family history is mythic in its rivalry, with many clues scattered along the path like breadcrumbs.áThe writing is compelling and gripping as readers sit on the edges of their seats hoping Cadie will emerge safely. The trip is a metaphor for the transition from adolescence to adulthood in many ways.áThe sexual awakening of the protagonist is well written, though perhaps more appropriate for older teens (and many adults), and would translate well into a successful film.á The author acknowledges the influence of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Ice Palace on her story.á Teens will identify with Cadie's quest for independence and the unintended consequences that result. The tension builds, and readers know crocodiles lie in wait, but for whom readers must wait an excruciatingly long while to discover.áCadie is torn between the love for her young brother and her father, and resentment over the burden she must bear. Falling in love proves dangerous as well. The story has a satisfying conclusion, leaving room for a sequel or two.á This is a highly recommended purchase for medium to large public library collections.Jane Murphy.