No Such Person

Gr 7–10—Miranda and Lander Allerdon have a deeply rooted sibling rivalry. Miranda, the youngest, is a dreamer who sleeps in late and choose new hobbies on a whim. Lander, on the other hand, is overachieving, on her way to medical school and, as a result, has a slight superiority complex. They are spending the summer with their parents at their small, rustic cabin on the Connecticut River. When Lander is unexpectedly arrested on homicide and drug possession charges, Miranda instantly suspects Lander's new boyfriend, who has conveniently disappeared after the arrest. While Lander sits in jail and Miranda agonizes from the cabin, they not only obsess over who the real murderer might be, but also meditate on their relationship. The story is told from both sisters' perspectives, allowing readers to piece together the murder mystery from each viewpoint. Although this juxtaposition is engaging, the characters ultimately act predictably and parts of the story do not hold water. However, the plot is full of twists and turns, making it a fun and quick pick, especially for reluctant readers.