Genre: Young Adult, Thriller Publication.Date October 11th 2011 Pages: 320 Published By: HarperCollinsCA | @HarperCollinsCa | Facebook Website Gemma Halliday | Deadly Cool - Goodreads My review copy: ARC received from the publisher Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon | Book Depository
Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool.
But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.
(goodreads.com)But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.
Please note: Quotes are from an ARC and will be verified against a published copy.
There are three things you never want to find in your boyfriend's locker: a sweaty jockstrap, a D minus on last week's history test, and an empty condom wrapper. Lucky me, I'd hit the trifecta.
Sam grabbed my hand. I squeezed back. And we waited in silence for him to come out. Two minutes later, he did, his face a shade of pale that even a Twilight actor couldn't achieve.
Science partner! Courtney was working on a science project with him. About reproduction.
320 pages of pure fun and entertainment - Deadly Cool is a pretty cool book indeed. It's a teen murder mystery told with a surprising lightness and sprinkled with some seriously hilarious teenage humor. Fast-paced and riveting, this book will both chill you and make you laugh out loud!
The story kicks-off with Hartley discovering a condom wrapper in her boyfriend's locker (FYI, Hart is still a virgin). And I know what you're thinking, but well, it's not for the school project about reproduction ;) All of a sudden the rumors about Josh hooking up with the president of the Chastity club (Courtney Cline) are starting to make sense. Sorry to burst your bubble, Hart! Denial aside, she decides to confront her boyfriend and find out what the hell is going on. Together with her best friend, Sam, Hartley heads over to Josh's house, but instead of answers, she finds Courtney's dead body. Now, Josh might not be an exemplary boyfriend, but Harley's convinced that he's not a killer. A lying scumbag - yes, but he just doesn't have it in him to strangle someone with the cord of her iPod earbuds. But if Josh didn't kill the staying-a-virgin queen, then who did? And why?
I had a lot of fun reading this book. In fact, it took me just a few hours to finish it and these were hours well invested. It was a relaxing and enjoyable read. Now, I know this might sound weird. After all it's a murder mystery, there are dead bodies involved, a killer on the loose and at least a couple of really dangerous situations. But at the same time, the MC's narrative voice was extremely amusing and I was often cracking up at all the silly things she said/thought. It was so high-school-drama at times, it felt like reading some sort of dark and twisted version of Gossip Girl. And I do enjoy Gossip Girl. Throw in a vicious killer and it only gets better.
As much as I enjoyed the plot and the humor, I found it hard to connect with the main character. Maybe it's the personality. If I'd be the one betrayed by someone I loved and trusted, I wouldn't probably find it in me to try and help that person, I wouldn't protect him and risk my own life to prove his innocence. Hell no! There would be way more butt-kicking and less talking and tongue-biting involved! And a whole lot of really bad words, not necessarily censored. I really couldn't relate to Hartley being so understanding and forgiving. So OK she didn't quite forgive him, they didn't get back together, but still.. They guy cheated on you and then lied about it, show some real emotions, girl!
Chase, on the other hand, was a fantastic supporting character. Mysterious, hot, funny, a little bit on the darker side, with a light touch of eyeliner to make him even more unique and swoon-worthy! Sam's a great chick, too! She was a true friend, a little bit over-the-top drama queen (in a cute way) at times, but at the same time fully supportive of Hartley and ready to be her accomplice anytime she needed one. These three made a fab team and it was really fun to follow their adventures.
Overall, this was a deliciously entertaining read. One combining delirious humor and a seriously thrilling murder mystery. Gemma Halliday's writing was exquisite, the storyline she created - clever and brilliant. I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm really glad that this wasn't a stand-alone novel. Can't wait to read the sequel!
The story kicks-off with Hartley discovering a condom wrapper in her boyfriend's locker (FYI, Hart is still a virgin). And I know what you're thinking, but well, it's not for the school project about reproduction ;) All of a sudden the rumors about Josh hooking up with the president of the Chastity club (Courtney Cline) are starting to make sense. Sorry to burst your bubble, Hart! Denial aside, she decides to confront her boyfriend and find out what the hell is going on. Together with her best friend, Sam, Hartley heads over to Josh's house, but instead of answers, she finds Courtney's dead body. Now, Josh might not be an exemplary boyfriend, but Harley's convinced that he's not a killer. A lying scumbag - yes, but he just doesn't have it in him to strangle someone with the cord of her iPod earbuds. But if Josh didn't kill the staying-a-virgin queen, then who did? And why?
I had a lot of fun reading this book. In fact, it took me just a few hours to finish it and these were hours well invested. It was a relaxing and enjoyable read. Now, I know this might sound weird. After all it's a murder mystery, there are dead bodies involved, a killer on the loose and at least a couple of really dangerous situations. But at the same time, the MC's narrative voice was extremely amusing and I was often cracking up at all the silly things she said/thought. It was so high-school-drama at times, it felt like reading some sort of dark and twisted version of Gossip Girl. And I do enjoy Gossip Girl. Throw in a vicious killer and it only gets better.
As much as I enjoyed the plot and the humor, I found it hard to connect with the main character. Maybe it's the personality. If I'd be the one betrayed by someone I loved and trusted, I wouldn't probably find it in me to try and help that person, I wouldn't protect him and risk my own life to prove his innocence. Hell no! There would be way more butt-kicking and less talking and tongue-biting involved! And a whole lot of really bad words, not necessarily censored. I really couldn't relate to Hartley being so understanding and forgiving. So OK she didn't quite forgive him, they didn't get back together, but still.. They guy cheated on you and then lied about it, show some real emotions, girl!
Chase, on the other hand, was a fantastic supporting character. Mysterious, hot, funny, a little bit on the darker side, with a light touch of eyeliner to make him even more unique and swoon-worthy! Sam's a great chick, too! She was a true friend, a little bit over-the-top drama queen (in a cute way) at times, but at the same time fully supportive of Hartley and ready to be her accomplice anytime she needed one. These three made a fab team and it was really fun to follow their adventures.
Overall, this was a deliciously entertaining read. One combining delirious humor and a seriously thrilling murder mystery. Gemma Halliday's writing was exquisite, the storyline she created - clever and brilliant. I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm really glad that this wasn't a stand-alone novel. Can't wait to read the sequel!
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About the AuthorEvie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and chatting with fellow book-worms.
You can find Evie here: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Shelfari | The Library Thing
12 comments:
Ohwow, those quotes are hilarious! I love a good fun read! A bit of Gossip Girl and mystery book are also a win! -adds to tbr shelf- Thanks for the awesometastic review. <3 =)
- Renu @ the page turner
ooOh I'm really excited to start this one soon! If the only problem is not connecting with the characters I can probably deal with that if the rest is as awesome as you make it sound.
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
hi Evie! this book sounds awesome and your enthusiasm over it shows in your review. i love the quotes especially the first 2 ones. they cracked me up! lol.
thanks by the way for stopping by my blog and for your happy thoughts. Michelle Muto is one of the nicest authors i've met. i hope you get the chance to read her book.
Hi, ladies!
Thanks so much for stopping by :) The quotes really are great and the book is full of them! It's definitely a fun and enjoyable read and I recommend it everyone! :)
See you gals around~! <3
I'm so glad you liked it! Since I first heard about it, I've been so curious, but then I barley saw any good reviews for it. o: I'm glad to have now though! I think I'll definitely have to give it a try. Humor and a murder mystery? How can I pass that up? o: Great review!
Rebecca @ Kindle Fever
"320 pages of pure fun and entertainment" ~ "deliciously entertaining read" -- these quotes of yours make me think this is one of those easy, fun books like Paranormalcy? am i right? sometimes it is GREAT to have a book like this tucked away to read between some of the heavier titles we read that may bog us down.
i've never really read a murder myster before. at least i can't think of any that i've read, so that is probably why this didn't jump out at me before now. but your mention of it being so fun and light make me want to throw it on my TBR. ALSO...
...i'm a huge sucker for supporting characters, and you mention a fantastic one. i LOVE a strong supporting cast.
i don't know, evie, i think you managed to get this one up on my TBR. well done.
oh! also, i really like this cover. the earbuds are charming, no? and those eyes!
ps) thanks for stopping by my under the never sky review. it was SO LONG but i had so much to say. it was such a great story.
This book sounds like a lot of fun to read. I love the description of it being a "dark twisted version of Gossip Girl". That definitely got my attention.
Great review Evie! I'm going to add this one to my to-read list
I've been wondering what this book was like. I didn't expect it to be funny, but it sounds like a really interesting read! Hartley's boyfriend sounds like an idiot, but her group of friends seem like they add a lot to the story! great review :)
I thought this book sounded a little strange, so I wasn't planning on picking it up, but now it sounds interesting! Maybe I'll check it out, great review!
I love books that can mix dark with humor - glad you stressed that point, it definitely makes me more interested in picking this one up.
I was wondering what this book is like, after I discovered it on Thursday. I read a review on goodreads and your review, and now I want to read this book, hopefully it'll be soon, because I have a big TBR list.
After reading the synopsis of this book on goodreads, I thought it would be mostly serious, I sure wasn't expecting humour in it, sounds good.
I am so eager to get hold of this book Evie & even more so since reading your wonderful review!
I always love the quotes you pick out!
Sharon
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