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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday


Deadly Cool
by Gemma Halliday
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: October 11, 2011

Format: Paperback, 320 pages

Source: Purchased on kindle

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool.

But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim
 
    - Summary from Goodreads 

My Thoughts 

I don't know about you guys, but I loved watching Veronica Mars back in the day. (I sound like I'm 50). Anyway, Hartley is totally Veronica mars 2.0. She's sarcastic, funny, and isn't afraid to kick ass and take care of business when need be. She is, essentially, my favorite type of character.

The story begins with Hartley finding out that her boyfriend, Josh, cheated on her with the president of the chastity club. Cliche? Yes, but the author laid out the scene with such humor that I didn't even care. Even though her ex is a scumbag, Hartley knows in her heart  that he isn't the killer, and she isn't cold enough to let him take the fall.

Thus starts our adventure. Hartley teams up with her best friend (Sam) and resident goth bad boy (Chase) to figure out who the true murderer is. I loved Sam and her struggle throughout the book to stop "cursing like a sailor", as she called it. She was almost as snarky as Hartley and always had her back when questioning witnesses,dealing with the police, and trash talking Josh in the name of post breakup therapy. Unlike some YA books, it really felt like Hartley and Sam were true BFFs. I won't say much about Chase, since he's supposed to be a mystery, but he was definitely an interesting character who made me laugh (and swoon) a few times.

Now you might be thinking, "This is a murder mystery, so it'll be all serious and creepy, right?" No, it really wasn't. The story has a campy / humorous vibe with a few creepy moments thrown in. 

I know some people figured out who the murderer was before the book actually ended, but I didn't. I was happily surprised and creeped out when I realized whodunit. If you're looking for a fast paced murder mystery with a humorous twist, give this one a shot! Once I started reading Hartley's story, I couldn't put it down. The second book in the series, Social Suicide, will be out in April 2012. I can't wait to read about more of Hartley's escapades. 


  4 out of 5 Stars 

Have you read Deadly Cool? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments!

2 comments:

  1. YAY sooo glad you enjoyed this one considering it is at the top of my TBR list! I love reading mysteries :) ohhhhh Chase sounds awesome! Totally swoon worthy! *squeals* Thanks for the great review :)

    SeeitORreadit

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jaskirat - I loved Chase. I don't like it when guys are just TOO sweet and TOO perfect. I liked that he had a healthy dose of wit. Thanks for commenting :)

    ReplyDelete

 
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