Ivy receives a letter from the boarding school her identical twin, Scarlet, attended until Scarlet's sudden death. The letter invites Ivy to take Scarlet's place terally. The school doesn't want anyone to know that Scarlet disappeared, and it is up to Ivy to find out what really happened to her sister by untangling the many secrets and alliances already in place. She begins by searching for Scarlet's journal and finds pieces of it scattered throughout the school, each with a clue to find the next page. With the help of her roommate, Ivy uncovers a web of lies and a dangerous adversary, growing from a shy, easily intimidated girl to a strong leader. The plot tends toward melodrama, and clues stretch credibility at times, but readers will happily suspend disbelief for an engrossing tale of mystery, friendship, school dynamics, cruel teachers, and danger. The dramatic ending will have fans eager for the next installment of this new series.

Gr 4-7 Ivy's twin sister, Scarlet, died at Rookwood boarding school, and now Ivy has been offered her sister's place. When the headmistress arrives to take her to the school, however, Ivy learns that she wants Ivy to literally take Scarlet's place: Ivy will assume Scarlet's identity, answering to her sister's name and adopting her sister's mannerisms. Ivy is not told why she is expected to do soonly that she has no choice. In the dorm room that used to belong to Scarlet, Ivy finds part of her sister's diary. Scarlet has left a trail of clues around the school for Ivy to find. These scraps of information reveal some shady dealings that Scarlet discovered during her last days at Rookwood. Ivy must use the information she uncovers to answer the growing number of questions she has about her sister's death. With an undeniably engagingalbeit a tad bit far-fetchedpremise, this book is sure to appeal to readers who enjoy a puzzle mystery with plenty of twists and turns. The secrets exposed through Scarlet's clues result in a fast-paced and gripping read. Ivy's character develops over the course of the story as she struggles to move beyond her sister's shadow.