Flashes

Gr 9 Up—Charley is a seemingly ordinary 17-year-old girl. She has "flashes": painful and vivid images of people dying. Since the tragic death of her best friend—the only person who ever believed her about her visions—the flashes have gotten worse. And now they could be leading her down the path of a killer. Whom should she trust? Tom, the detective assigned to the case who says he believes her flashes are real? Her father, who loves her but thinks she needs to see another doctor about her "condition"? Or the flashes of dead girls leading her forward? Well written and fast paced, this title will immerse readers in a crime that may not be a crime at all. Charley is likable and believable. Secondary characters, though important, are less developed. Although set in England and originally published in the UK, the novel has great international appeal, as readers will recognize their teen selves in the emotions and actions of Charley. The friendship between Charley and Tom is genuine, if slightly inappropriate, due to his position as a police officer.