Shoemaker's underappreciated Code of Silence (2012) and Back before Dark (2013) were wonderful examples of realistic young-adult thrillers, and this trilogy ender makes for a suitably strong conclusion. Insightful Hiro, gregarious Gordy, brave Cooper, and loyal Lunk are on a vacation at Lake Geneva when they see what might be a lovers' quarrel a murder. Bringing back old friends (and foes) from the previous books, Shoemaker again combines his easygoing prose and dialogue with excruciating moments of claustrophobic tension. It does go on a bit, but that's a quibble; Shoemaker's earnest, shtick-free fiction is a joy to read.

The trip to Lake Geneva was supposed to be a carefree vacation for Cooper, Hiro, Gordy, and Lunk (Code of Silence; Back Before Dark). No mysteries. No trouble. Then the group witnesses what might be a murder, and suddenly they are sucked back into another dangerous adventure. The story, though suffering from a sluggish pace and some didacticism, builds in intensity and stakes.

Gr 7 Up-Four teenagers planning to spend a quiet summer together at the lake find themselves solving a murder in Shoemaker's third "Code of Silence" novel. Unfortunately, most savvy readers will solve the crime well before the characters do. Without the distraction of a well-plotted mystery, readers will notice the unrealistic dialogue and behavior of characters, and perhaps be hindered by an overabundance of description. Modern readers used to the strength and ingenuity of characters like Hermione and Katniss won't appreciate the book's portrayal of its few female characters as anxious and physically weak. While parents may appreciate the lack of sex, drugs, and cursing, this is not a book that many young teens will flock to read. Sarah Jones, Clinton-Macomb Public Library, MI