Two Sides to Every Murder
By Danielle Valentine
Publication Date: June 4, 2024
| Availability: | On our shelves now |
Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up
From the author of How to Survive Your Murder comes a propulsive thriller about two teens who return to the site of the famous murder case that sealed their fates.
"A must-read for fans of true crime, dark family secrets, and intricate mysteries." —Ryan La Sala, bestselling author of The Honeys
Most people’s births aren’t immortalized in a police report—but Olivia was born during the infamous Camp Lost Lake murders. Seventeen years later, Olivia’s life looks pretty perfect . . . until she discovers the man she calls dad is not her biological father. Now she wants answers about her bloodline, and the only place she knows to look is Camp Lost Lake.
Most people don’t spend their formative years on the run with an alleged murderer—but Reagan did. In the court of public opinion, her mom was found guilty of the deaths at Camp Lost Lake, and both of them have been in hiding ever since. But Reagan believes in her mother’s innocence and is determined to clear her name.
Luckily for Olivia and Reagan, Camp Lost Lake is finally reopening, providing the perfect opportunity to find answers. But someone else is dead set on keeping the past hidden, even if it means committing murder.
About the Author
What I liked about the book was how fast-paced it was. It really threw you right in to the mystery and didn't let up. The story was simple, not overly complicated, unlike the mystery. This mystery keeps you guessing, even if you can figure out a few things early on. I can honestly say that I didn't have the killer figured out until the reveal.
The setting was done so well. I actually wish the story had been a touch longer just so we could explore the setting more. It had all the right creepy camp vibes, but only a little of it was explored. I felt like the story got wrapped up in the drama and action more than anything else. When it comes down to it, I don't feel like we truly got to know any of the characters either. We were given the basic, background information on them, and maybe one or two character defining moments. Now, the writing was good enough that when you are in the middle of the story you don't notice that as much, you are on the edge of your seat, worried about the characters, needing the answers to what is going on. I would say I was invested in the storyline, but when I finished it I wasn't even sure if I liked it or not. I really think it is because of the lack of depth to the characters.
So, while I believe this author is a good writer, I'm not sure if I would say I actually liked this story. I enjoyed the thrill of it in the moment, but I don't think the story is lasting. And, I don't know how I feel about the ending. It was all a little abrupt and unfinished. I felt like we could have heard more about the characters, anything really, to give us more of a glimpse at how the events of the book affected them.
If you are looking for a short and quick book that is fun and gives you camp slasher vibes, than I say this would be a good story for you. It reminds me a lot of The Island by Natasha Preston. Actually, it reminds me of a lot of great stories mashed together to make a mediocre story. Some people will love it, some will hate it, and I feel like I'm stuck between the two.
