Girl Stolen
by April Henry

Summary:  Cheyenne is very sick with pneumonia.  Her step-mother runs into the pharmacy to get her medicine, and Cheyenne waits in the warm car.  Suddenly, Cheyenne hears the door open but it's not her step-mom who gets in and puts the car into drive.  But, Cheyenne has no idea who it is because she is blind.

Thoughts:  Girl Stolen is a nail-biting, thrill ride!  I enjoyed it from the reach-out-and-grab-you opening to the final page.  The premise is original and the characters intriguing.  I also liked the realistic portrayal of Cheyenne and the struggles of her blindness.  If you're looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful novel, this is the perfect choice.   

For more information about mystery writer April Henry, click here.

Three Black Swans
by Caroline B. Cooney

Summary: Cousins Missy and Claire have a striking family resemblance.  When given an assignment to create a believable hoax, they pretend to be identical twins.  But, what if the hoax is not a hoax?

Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this latest thriller from Caroline Cooney.  The idea of identity, the power of the global-reaching Internet, and the bonds of family are interestingly explored in this suspenseful, captivating novel.  I also really enjoyed Ms. Cooney's They Never Came Back that was published earlier this year. This novel, which explores similar concepts, is also a fast-moving, engaging read.  

If the Witness Lied

by Caroline B. Cooney

Summary: The children have had their share of heartache. As they are still grieving the loss of their mother, their father is killed in a terrible accident. The two sisters, Madison and Smithy, flee from home, one to boarding school and one to her godparents'. Jack is left behind to help his aunt with his little brother Tris. After their father's birthday, the girls return home and together the children start to unravel mysteries surrounding their father's death.

Thoughts: If the Witness Lied is a gripping, suspenseful novel. I enjoyed the fast-pace and found myself madly turning the pages to discover how things would play out. The characters were realistic and endearing as they dealt with their grief and banded together for the sake of their shattered family.

The Christopher Killer

by Alane Ferguson

Summary: The daughter of the town's coroner, Cameryn "Cammie" Mahoney desperately wants to become a forensic pathologist. She convinces her father to hire her as his assistant. Witnessing dead bodies is a challenge, even for her strong stomach. But, what is even more challenging is when Cammie discovers that one of the bodies is that of her friend who has just become the latest victim of a serial killer.

Thoughts: The Christopher Killer is an intense, gristly mystery. I liked the characters, the pace, and the forensics in the story. This is a great mystery series for fans of CSI!

The Compound

by S. A. Bodeen

Summary: Ever since their world was destroyed by a nuclear attack, 15-year-old Eli and his family have lived in the Compound, a state-of-the-art bomb shelter built by his billionaire father. Despite having every comfort, Eli is haunted by the fact that his twin and his grandmother were left behind. After six years in the shelter, the food supply begins to diminish and several unanswered questions begin to surface. What is really going on in the Compound? And, will Eli figure it out before it's too late?

Thoughts: Whoa. The Compound is an intense, psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! The unique premise, the intriguing characters, and the many plot twists make for a compelling thrill-ride of a novel. I look forward to more novels by S. A. Bodeen!

Finding Daddy

by Louise Plummer

Summary: Mira is very close to her mother, her grandmother, and her friends. But, she has never known her father. Her mother & grandmother have never told her the details of his leaving nor answered many of her questions about him. Fed up with their evasiveness, she starts looking for him on her own with the help of the Internet. At the same time, strange things start happening that deeply frighten Mira and her family. Things get creepier and creepier in this tense, suspenseful thriller.

Thoughts: Yikes. This is an intense but thorougly captivating novel. It's deliciously spine tingling!