A review by bookcheshirecat
Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 “Perhaps the real murder investigation is the friends we make along the way.” 

I loved Bianca as a protagonist so much! I really related to their list of fears and their anxiety around most situations. I had a feeling I’d love the book for this reason and I was right 💗 Bianca is a nonbinary, introverted teen birder who prefers to watch people out of her bedroom window. They know how creepy that might seem, but often it’s easier than having to interact with anyone personally. One evening they witness their neighbor “Mr. Conspiracy” get murdered … and it seems like he was asking for help. The police rule it a suicide and (predictably) dismiss Bianca’s testimony. Bianca has so many fears, but cannot help but try to solve the murder and get justice for Mr. Conspiracy. 

I loved how they had to tackle their fears during the investigation, but it’s still clear in the end that it didn’t magically ‘cure’ them. I wish therapy had been brought up for Bianca, but I still liked how their fears were addressed – the end has the full list they reference throughout the book! Another thing Bianca deals with is discovering that they’re a nonbinary lesbian. They don’t feel comfortable being addressed with “she/her” pronouns but struggle to correct others and come out. I liked the discussions around their gender identity and coming of age, especially as Bianca was still figuring things out! 

The premise of this Mystery/Thriller was SO good and entertaining. I loved the idea of an anxious, introverted teen being the only witness to a murder and the only person able to get justice for them. Bianca is not the typical hero you’d imagine to lead a murder investigation, which made this book so much better and fun to follow! I listened to the audiobook and was always excited to get back to it because I wanted to know what happened next! There were some darker themes as well, as Bianca and their new friends get in danger during their investigation. Between attacks and being stalked, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want to find out the truth about Mr. Conspiracy’s death and the organisation he was investigating. I have to admit that some elements of the mystery were pretty predictable for me, but I still liked the suspense and sense of danger!  

“Apparently I’m taking be gay do crime too far.” 

The secondary cast was the best!! Bianca doesn’t really have friends but finds themselves opening up to others for the first time. Anderson is their neighbor and kind of friend – both of them hang out only outside of school as they love anime! He’s more popular, but a kind, funny guy who agrees to join Bianca in the investigation. I loved their friendship so much and how it deepened throughout the book! In the end, they became real friends and grew so much closer together. Anderson has a brother who’s trans and it was so great to see Ronan and Bianca talk about their gender identities. Ronan has been out for a while and just gets Bianca’s situation, so he can offer advice and encouragement! Then there’s Bianca’s crush Elaine! She’s the only other teenager in their birding group and Bianca has been pining after her for ages. Elaine later decides to help them out and makes clear that she likes Bianca, even if they are awkward and introverted! Their budding romance was cute and I felt for Bianca’s uncertainty toward Elaine. 

“I’m both tearing up and smiling. A laugh escapes me. It’s so silly. I feel like I’m meeting myself for the first time.” 
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