Girls Who Play Dead

Gr 8 Up–A well-written, nuanced thriller. When pretty, popular, mean girl queen bee Erin is found murdered weeks before the start of junior year, it shocks the small-town community of Prophets Lake, and no one more so than Erin’s best friend Kyla. Despite fleeing Prophets Lake three years before, Kyla’s brother Mikky returns home to support her and their father as they deal with this loss. Grief-stricken but determined to live up to her best friend’s legacy, Kyla moves through the start of the school year shunning the pity and support of all those around her and hiding her secrets deep within herself. Meanwhile, Mikky starts hearing rumors about his sister, about Erin, and about what they might’ve been up to. Mikky is convinced that his sister will only be able to find closure if Erin’s killer is brought to justice. Mystery lovers might be disappointed in the somewhat slow pacing and the limited details surrounding Erin’s death itself. Yet Wellington truly excels at writing interesting, flawed characters, and while the plot stalls at certain points in the middle, its excellent blend of cruel high school drama, family loyalty, small-town politics, and intrigue ensures that readers will not put this book down. As with Wellington’s previous titles, readers can expect insightful commentary on the disparities between the wealthy and powerful, and those who struggle to attain money and power, as well as an excellent portrayal of mental health and influencer culture.