bookswithci's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alexabookish's review against another edition
2.0
one of the most predictable mysteries, and i don’t want the “this is YA” excuse, some of my all time favorite mysteries are YA.
mild spoilers:
i feel like this was just too easy but had a lot of holes at the same time. the last piece of “evidence” that unmasks the killer for the mc is so easy and obvious. like, you’re telling me no one in this town noticed it for 20+ years? and the cover also kind of spoils the book as well in a way. anyway, eh
mild spoilers:
i feel like this was just too easy but had a lot of holes at the same time. the last piece of “evidence” that unmasks the killer for the mc is so easy and obvious. like, you’re telling me no one in this town noticed it for 20+ years? and the cover also kind of spoils the book as well in a way. anyway, eh
amanda_marie24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
In 1999, Clarissa went to a high school party in the woods and was never seen again. The story was all over the news for a while but as time passed and nothing was solved, it stopped being reported on.
Twenty years later, Cam and Blair decide to do a podcast about the case for their journalism class and call it Missing Clarissa. This basic plot is one I get drawn into every time.
This was a quick and compelling read - I was definitely interested to keep flipping pages and see how it would all end. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy.
Twenty years later, Cam and Blair decide to do a podcast about the case for their journalism class and call it Missing Clarissa. This basic plot is one I get drawn into every time.
This was a quick and compelling read - I was definitely interested to keep flipping pages and see how it would all end. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy.
karla_reads7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
claudiashelf's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
❝ Marginalized people. Poor people, Native people, Black people, brown people, immigrants, queer and trans people. That’s who goes to prison, because that’s who the system is designed to hurt. ❞
I expected something more from this book, because I enjoyed the AGGTM series but turned out, that this book was a bit boring and just— OK. I can easily look over what will happen next, and what will be done next. Everything is easy to speculate. Although I agree that the plow in this book was committing but I still wish that this book was a tad longer to explore something so important because there are still plot holes even until I finished the book, even tho the last chapters were combusive. After all, Cam ( one of the MCs in this book. ) her outcome is something that I relish. Overall, will surely suggest this book for those who are inquisitive in the podcast-themed crime mystery genre, but still, if I can be honest, part of this story was missed for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Murder, and Rape
rashmitha_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ethereal_fiction's review against another edition
1.5
I was really looking forward to this book since I enjoyed A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but this definitely is not that.
The characters were annoying and impulsive. I understand that teenagers don't always think ahead and their brains aren't fully developed, but these girls pushed that. Past the edge of believable. I wanted to smack Cam so many times.
I also did not like how social, racial, and gender inequalities and injustices were constantly thrown in my face. Every time a character was described as white (multiple times per character), it pulled me out of the story. Every time a high school character went on a rant about these injustices, I didn't feel like the character was developed enough to make me believe these were their beliefs and not just the author's beliefs needing to find a way to be explicitly stated for the reader.
I almost dnf'd this book, but at 244 pages, I figured I could stick it out as I wanted to see the resolution. What is it about YA authors making their books so short?! When I was a teen, I would have been happy to read a 350+ page book. This book felt rushed and could have benefited from...something. I'm not sure what.
Overall, I'm not a fan of this book.
The characters were annoying and impulsive. I understand that teenagers don't always think ahead and their brains aren't fully developed, but these girls pushed that. Past the edge of believable. I wanted to smack Cam so many times.
I also did not like how social, racial, and gender inequalities and injustices were constantly thrown in my face. Every time a character was described as white (multiple times per character), it pulled me out of the story. Every time a high school character went on a rant about these injustices, I didn't feel like the character was developed enough to make me believe these were their beliefs and not just the author's beliefs needing to find a way to be explicitly stated for the reader.
I almost dnf'd this book, but at 244 pages, I figured I could stick it out as I wanted to see the resolution. What is it about YA authors making their books so short?! When I was a teen, I would have been happy to read a 350+ page book. This book felt rushed and could have benefited from...something. I'm not sure what.
Overall, I'm not a fan of this book.
directorpurry's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
rinne77's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I read the audio version of this title and I am glad I did.
The story is generally about 2 teens who create a podcast about an unsolved missing person from 2 decades previously for a school project in their journalism class. Listening to the audio version of it lent itself to hearing the podcast feature. The audio reader did a great job with the characters and added to the enjoyment of the story without going overboard in trying to completely shape one’s experience with the story.
The character of Cam was indeed annoying as other reviewers have mentioned. The audio reader even shows this in the characters voice. But while annoying it completely allowed you to understand the character herself. Too brilliant for her own good which gets her into trouble as she cuts corners and crosses the line in various situations. It embodied those who “do” before they consciously think, something that many teens (and even adults) fall victim too.
Then you have her polar opposite in Blair providing the constant, the safety. You really get who these girls are within themselves without the author having to tell you literally.
The case itself was interesting as it unfolded. The one part of the story that I found lacking and seemed as if it was either an after thought or a topic that was thrown in due to social justice being a hot topic right now or something the author personally is interested in, is the sub plot surrounding the local indigenous people.
It’s great that it is mentioned but I hate that it wasn’t explored more in depth as it comes off as pandering or thrown in because it’s what’s popular to do right now.
I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy true crime podcasts, mysteries and general YA crime.
The story is generally about 2 teens who create a podcast about an unsolved missing person from 2 decades previously for a school project in their journalism class. Listening to the audio version of it lent itself to hearing the podcast feature. The audio reader did a great job with the characters and added to the enjoyment of the story without going overboard in trying to completely shape one’s experience with the story.
The character of Cam was indeed annoying as other reviewers have mentioned. The audio reader even shows this in the characters voice. But while annoying it completely allowed you to understand the character herself. Too brilliant for her own good which gets her into trouble as she cuts corners and crosses the line in various situations. It embodied those who “do” before they consciously think, something that many teens (and even adults) fall victim too.
Then you have her polar opposite in Blair providing the constant, the safety. You really get who these girls are within themselves without the author having to tell you literally.
The case itself was interesting as it unfolded. The one part of the story that I found lacking and seemed as if it was either an after thought or a topic that was thrown in due to social justice being a hot topic right now or something the author personally is interested in, is the sub plot surrounding the local indigenous people.
It’s great that it is mentioned but I hate that it wasn’t explored more in depth as it comes off as pandering or thrown in because it’s what’s popular to do right now.
I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy true crime podcasts, mysteries and general YA crime.