Two Can Keep a Secret and The Golden Tresses of the Dead

TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET is another terrific mystery by Karen M. McManus (author of One of Us is Lying).  In this story, twins Ellery and Ezra Corcoran move from California to Echo Ridge, Vermont to live with their grandmother because their Mom is spending time at a rehab program.  They know that at least some of their Mom’s poor choices stem from the fact that her own twin disappeared when they were in high school decades ago. In fact, another girl from Echo Ridge, named Lacey, was found strangled just five years ago and the current classmates face disturbing new threats. Ellery has a big interest in true crime and plenty of theories about who may be involved, especially when suddenly another girl goes missing after being with Malcolm Kelly, the younger brother of Lacey’s boyfriend, himself a murder suspect. Yes, TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET is complicated with interconnected mysteries and some implied commentary on a justice system that can dramatically impact a young person’s reputation. McManus adds to the suspense by placing some of the action at a local Halloween-themed park and by utilizing multiple narrators to once again provides surprising twists.  TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET received starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Read an excerpt here.

 

THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD by Alan Bradley is a brand new Flavia de Luce mystery. This one starts with a wedding for Flavia’s sister and then delves into the partnership between Flavia and Arthur Dogger (family retainer who was valet to her late father) as they work to try and solve their first official case. The missing letters they seek soon are entangled with a homicide. As readers of this blog know, Flavia is a beguiling, precocious teen sleuth and a definite personal favorite. After all, who can possibly not be charmed by her observation abilities, such as: “There is no cozier place on earth to discuss body-snatching than a gently rocking railway carriage in the rain.” OR “As no mean dissembler myself -- oh, all right, as a downright filthy fibber when the occasion and circumstances required -- I know all too well the liar’s tendency to stitch and embroider the truth until it resembled the winner of the Best Tea Towel Award at the church fete.” Alan Bradley exhibits a masterful tendency to transport his mystery readers to Bishop's Lacey, rural England in the 1950s. He entertains humorously along the way. THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD received starred reviews from both Booklist and Publishers Weekly.  Enjoy!