Tight plotting, swift pacing, and tension that intensifies with each page turn mark this entry in the always-reliable Orca Soundings series for reluctant readers. A masked teen's plan to hold up a convenience store seems like an easy in-and-out job at first, but it becomes apparent he has more on his mind than money. He seems to know Rosie, whose dad owns the store; Daniel, who's in the store at the time as well, has an inkling that he knows the robber, too. If there's any doubt that violence will ensue, the tense geometry of the situation tightens even further when Rosie's angry boyfriend, Corey, storms in, looking to take her away from her strict father. As much as desperation drives the masked teen, the secrets Rosie is holding back turn out to be the true motivating force. With scarcely an extraneous word, McClintock keeps the suspense at a roiling simmer, doling out pieces of crucial information that twist the crime drama into a doomed love tangle, capped by an arresting and satisfying conclusion.

Three shifting narrators--Daniel, Rosie, and "The Masked Man"--take readers through events surrounding the robbery of a convenience store. None of the characters proves to be particularly likable or has much to redeem him or herself in the end. However, the short chapters are appropriately tense and suspenseful, and the novel does provide some unexpected twists.

Gr 8-11 McClintock tells the story of a convenience-store robbery through the eyes of the store owner and his daughter, Rosie; the mystery shopper, who is another teen from the neighborhood; the gunman, Leon, who is Rosie's ex-boyfriend; and Corey, Rosie's boyfriend. There is suspense to keep reluctant readers interested, and there is enough backstory to flesh out the characters, at least a bit. One nice surprise is the lack of foul language, even though an armed crime is taking place. Of course, secrets are revealed, and Leon's tale is particularly tragic. Unfortunately, Rosie garners no sympathy; she is a selfish girl who only dated Leon until Corey "came back" from cheating on her. She has lied and manipulated him and acts surprised at what he has done. Corey is despicable, with no redeeming qualities, at least in this story. This seems more like an introduction than a fleshed-out novel. Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX