Author: Anne Cassidy
Publisher: Scholastic Canada
Publication date: February 1, 2016
Pages: 304
Price: $7.80 CAD (Kobo eBook) at Indigo Books & Music Online
Synopsis
Three children walked away from the cottages on the edge of town toward Berwick Waters. Later that day, only two of them came back. Alice Tully knows exactly what happened that spring day six years ago, though it’s still hard for her to believe it. She’ll never be able to forget, even though she’s trying to lead a normal life—she has a job, friends, and a boyfriend whom she adores. But Alice’s past is dangerous, and violent, and sad… and it’s about to rip her new life apart.
A gripping and emotionally searing novel by accomplished British author Anne Cassidy, Looking for JJ infuses a terrifying subject with humanity and hope.
-Goodreads
First Sentence
“Everyone was looking for Jennifer Jones.”
Review
I picked this book up at the used bookstore in Bathurst. At first, it seemed a little boring just by the cover, but after reading the synopsis I actually found myself to be quite interested. I love the suspense murder/mystery novels have and this one was in the YA section for two dollars so I said “why not?”
Turns out this book was more “middle grade” than I anticipated. The story was obviously made to be read by younger readers but I actually was not bothered by this as much as I thought I’d be, because the novel was still super suspenseful and exciting as any other book. The jumps in the timeline made things much more easy to understand but also helped me feel sympathetic towards Jennifer’s character because I saw both sides of the situation. This novel really reminded me of Missing by Becky Citra, a book I read probably in the fifth grade or so that was sort of similar in many ways. I really enjoyed Missing in elementary school and I still like the story now. Same can be said for this novel too!
Final Review/Recommendation
This was a really good book! Especially since it was middle grade. I loved how in the end, Alice has to leave it all behind to become someone new all over again. There is a second book, but I’m honestly pretty satisfied with the ending of this one and I have so many other books to read lol. I’d recommend this novel to any young reader who loves mystery/suspense/murder stuff (I know ten year old Emma would of loved this one more than I do now) or to someone who just wants an easy quick read. I read this one after finishing my reread of The Infernal Devices and it was just an easy breezy read that did not really require much emotional attachment as Clockwork Princess (If you’ve ever read that one you KNOW what it’s like!) Anyway, overall pleasant read, made me realize that I really need to pick up more crime and mystery novels because I don’t read enough of them!
Happy Canada Day!
-Emma 🙂