Gr 9 Up—In foster care for most of her childhood, Emma aches to belong to a family. She gets that chance when her foster brother frames her for theft and discredits her with a disturbing snuff film on the Internet that reveals a potential sibling. As a result, she is forced to leave her foster home. Emma immediately sets out to meet the mysterious star of the film only to be plunged into assuming the role of her popular and privileged dead twin sister, Sutton Mercer. Readers might initially balk at the easy acceptance of Emma playing the role of her twin. However, Sutton's friends are just shallow enough to barely notice the difference between mean-girl Sutton and introspective Emma. In fact, Sutton's friends appear to be her enemies as Emma works to uncover the truth about the girl's death. As she searches for answers, she learns about the Lying Game, a group of teens, including Sutton and her friends, whose object is to humiliate and frighten the students and parents in their community. The suspense reaches a dangerous frenzy as Emma gets closer to finding the identity of her sister's killer. The first in a projected series, this is a thrilling mystery with just the right doses of romance and danger. Readers will race to the end, hoping to reveal the truth behind the incidents surrounding Sutton's death, only to find themselves simultaneously frustrated by the lack of closure and eager for the sequel.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD
Sutton Mercer can't remember how she died. But she can watch her previously unknown twin Emma, who's been tricked--presumably by Sutton's murderer--into taking over Sutton's privileged life. Farfetched? Yes, but Pretty Little Liars series author Shepard handles the supernatural soap opera capably, with her now established, well-balanced mix of murder-mystery suspense and convincing boy, family, and friendship drama.
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