Rice, known for her poignant and touching novels, gives readers an inside look at dealing with grief in a mystery touched with elements of true crime. Oli Parrish is in a deep state of depression and desperate to finally learn who killed her sister in the woods in their small town. Months after the murder, she finds Iris in the same spot her sister's body was discovered. Iris, who narrowly escaped perhaps the same fate as Oli's sister, just might be the lead Oli needs, and the two girls team up to find out who's behind the unsettling events. Rice's eerie page-turner of a mystery is propelled not only by the tense plot but by the girls' relationship, especially as they each deal with the trauma of loss and the fear that the killer will strike again. Surprising twists, secret histories, and uncanny atmosphere await readers in this immersive thriller that emphasizes the importance of speaking out when others are getting hurt, especially if staying silent could lead to tragedy.

In the latest from bestseller Rice, a teen searches for her sister's killer with the help of his latest victimIt's been eight months since Oli's sister, Eloise, was murdered, and the police still haven't found her killer. Keen naturalist Oli takes solace in spending time outdoors alone and with her friends from the school nature club, including her crush, Matt. While she's visiting the site where Eloise's body was found by some hikers, Oli ends up rescuing Iris, a girl who's been buried alive in the same location. Iris' memory is spotty, but she knows that the kidnapper still has her sister, Hayley, and that he'll kill her if they go to the police. So the girls team up to find Eloise's killer and rescue Hayley themselves, traveling along the Connecticut shoreline. Along the way, they find connections to the ghostly Sibylline sisters, who allegedly were oracles nearly a century ago. After a leisurely start, the plot ratchets up to breakneck speed. The killer's unusual motive, ample information about the flora and fauna of southern New England, and a whisper of the supernatural all add interest to this story about the power of sisterhood. Main characters present white.A fast-paced thriller with particular appeal for fans of nature and family stories.(Thriller. 12-18)

Gr 8 Up —Oli Parrish, soon to be a junior in high school, has been through the unimaginable. Her only sister, Eloise, was murdered and found half-buried in the same spot where they used to share so many happy memories. Eight months later, with still no lead on who murdered her sister, it happens again. Oli stumbles upon another victim, in the same place her sister was killed—only this time, she is still alive. This mysterious girl has a concussion and very little memory of what happened to her. She only has a deep sense of danger and the conviction that something bad will happen if they go to the police. Desperate for answers, Oli helps this mysterious girl to recover her memories, in hopes it will finally lead to answers about what happened to her sister. Rice delivers a YA thriller with no detailed romantic encounters (although there is a love interest) and no gore. The dialogue is lengthy but engaging, and all characters are relatable and well-developed. However, the mystery is brought to a close quite early on, resulting in several chapters used for wrapping up character arcs. Readers may feel satisfied with the resolution but unsatisfied with the lack of suspense. VERDICT Hand this to fans of Karen M. McManus or students looking for a thrill without the gore. Recommended as an additional purchase.—Ashley Grillo