Buzz Kill

Gr 7–10—Millie Ostermeyer writes for her school newspaper, hangs out with her friends, worries about her widowed father, and wonders about the new guy at school. She's a lot like her literary heroine, Nancy Drew. Millie and her mother would read the mysteries together, while the latter was dying of cancer, and now the books have a special meaning as the teen tries to deal with her grief. When the head football coach at her school is found dead, Millie's detective skills kick into high gear. The list of possible suspects is long, since Coach Killdare was not everyone's favorite person. Unfortunately, the number one suspect is Millie's father, Killdare's assistant coach—who often very publicly disagreed with the victim. As Millie investigates, she uncovers some surprising facts about all of the suspects, including her own dad. As Chase helps her look for clues, they soon become friends, taking tentative steps toward a romance. The mystery climaxes with the sudden revelation of the murderer, a character no one had even considered. The narrative emulates the "Nancy Drew" series (Penguin) formula: short chapters with cliff-hangers endings. This novel is more character driven, as the heroine works through her feelings about her mother's illness and death. For readers who want a solid mystery with a dollop of romance.—Diana Pierce, formerly at Leander High School, TX