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Thursday 26 September 2024

Two Sides to Every Murder

Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine (Penguin) ISBN: 9780241722046 PB RRP $19.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Two teenage girls have grown up with no knowledge of the other. However, their lives are more complicated and connected than they could ever imagine. What is the link and why is it so important they uncover the secrets kept by their parents?

Olivia was born and raised in the shadow of the infamous Camp Lost Lake murders. Reagan has been raised on the run by her mother, accused of a murder she claims not to have committed. One night these two teenagers will take actions that force their paths to cross and their worlds to be changed forever.

Valentine creates mystery and intrigue from the very beginning. She sets up Reagan’s motive from the start. She is determined to clear her mother’s name, but Valentine does not make it easy for this feisty character. The mystery for Olivia is revealed in a much more subtle manner, but no less intriguing. Valentine ensures both characters drive their own questions and thirst for answers forward, but both have different reasons.

This novel is written in a two person POV which allows the reader to understand each character and their motivation before this is revealed within the story. This style of writing allows the reader to become deeply invested as they try to guess where the story is going and what will happen next. Valentine throws in plenty of clues but holds back just enough information to make this a gripping mystery for the reader.

This is a high-stakes, action packed, murder mystery that will keep the reader turning the pages until the climatic ending that will leave the reader with all the loose ends tied up for a satisfying ending.

Two Sides to Every Murder is suitable for a 12+ year readership.

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