Kisses and Lies (Scarlett Wakefield Series)
Grade 8 Up—Henderson draws readers once again into the world of young British socialites in a book fraught with tension, romance, and adventure. Since the mysterious death of her crush, Dan, at her first posh party ever inKiss Me Kill Me(Delacorte, 2008), Scarlett has switched to a different school and lives in perpetual fear that someone will figure out that she is "the Kiss of Death Girl." Teaming up with her new friend Taylor, a no-nonsense American, she decides to clear her name. Dan died of an allergic reaction and the two amateur sleuths learn that his EpiPen was stolen by one of two girls who own the same limited edition handbag. After clearing her archrival, Plum, of suspicion (unfortunately), Scarlett heads to Dan's home in Scotland to track down the other suspect. There she meets Callum, Dan's identical twin, whom she soon finds may also be in mortal danger. Beginning to fear for her own life, the teen longs for the safety she feels with Jase, a young groundskeeper she just met. Scarlett functions in an elite world of aristocrats and though this social setting may be unfamiliar to American youngsters, they will relate to her voice as she perseveres through teen angst and some extraordinary circumstances. With just the right balance of action and relationship drama, this book hits the target for libraries with strong chick-lit or mystery fans.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CTCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.