I adored this sweet, funny, heartbreaking, heartwarming YA book. Jesse is a wonderful, lovable, flawed, hilarious MC and you can't help but root for hI adored this sweet, funny, heartbreaking, heartwarming YA book. Jesse is a wonderful, lovable, flawed, hilarious MC and you can't help but root for him even as you're laughing at some of the situations he gets into. The supporting characters are well drawn out too. For fans of both LGBT+ YA fic and the horror genre there are plenty of little knowing nods throughout, my favourites were the reference to The Haunting of Hill House and the songs named for YA novels. On a more serious note, Hussey sensitively tackles issues such as bullying, homophobia, body image, and dementia. That last isn't a biggie in the plot overall, but as someone with a parent with dementia, I found it to be one of the most accurate and sensitive portrayals I've ever read. I mean damn, right in the feels. While he addresses these issues, Hussey never makes them into ISSUES! which dominate the book, and it's a lovely read....more
Unlike the two previous books in this series, there's no central mystery here. The title refers to Ali sneaking out to various crime scenes. This is acUnlike the two previous books in this series, there's no central mystery here. The title refers to Ali sneaking out to various crime scenes. This is actually much more about Ali himself, and the impact that being the son/stepson of two police detectives has on him. Specifically, the impact of police shootings of Black people. When a gang member is shot by a cop in a crime-ridden neighbourhood, Ali finds himself a target because his parents are cops. I thought Patterson did a decent job of exploring the issue in a way younger readers would understand. I enjoyed Ali's journey....more
Absolutely brilliant! Loved how the story's scariest parts all took place in broad, summer daylight. Loved the setting of a small town beset by a darkAbsolutely brilliant! Loved how the story's scariest parts all took place in broad, summer daylight. Loved the setting of a small town beset by a dark force, and a group of kids facing it down. Reminded me of Stephen King's IT - but this is even better....more
An interesting read that kept me gripped. Good mix of coming of age, tackling what it means to be a man, and thriller. Some nicely drawn out secondaryAn interesting read that kept me gripped. Good mix of coming of age, tackling what it means to be a man, and thriller. Some nicely drawn out secondary characters too....more
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