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| Critics: |
From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.
The fire wasn't Marlowe Wexler's fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.
With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that's how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It's easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.
Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?
Maybe this job isn't such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that's been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.
All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn't bury Marlowe first.
"Johnson's signature mix of wit and mystery shines in this compelling sapphic thriller. The secluded island setting—which is described to Marlowe as 'Death Disney World'—ratchets up suspense as narration deftly alternates between Marlowe's self-deprecating reflections and flashbacks from 1932; the queer romance subplot adds warmth and depth." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A stand-alone sapphic mystery following two equally gripping time lines: the Ralston family deaths and Marlowe's present-day sleuthing. Marlowe's excellent memory and love of puzzles serve her well, while her self-deprecating, deadpan humor fills the narrative with quirky charm. Suspenseful, smartly executed, and hilarious." —Booklist (starred review)
"Johnson's latest juxtaposes Marlowe's clever, funny first-person voice with chapters about a mysterious historical family. Compelling mysteries unfurl in the past and the present. Marlowe serves as an anchor amid the many contemporary characters who seem like they may be deceiving her, keeping readers guessing. An engaging and expansive mystery." —Kirkus Reviews
"Johnson delivers another satisfying mystery, with diverse characters, authentic depictions of mental health, and friends holding one another accountable for their actions in loving, supportive ways." —School Library Journal
"Death at Morning House is another phenomenal mystery from a maestro in the genre. Maureen Johnson just knows how to write the kind of stories that keep you reading until the early hours. They are incredibly well paced, with stellar characterisation and terrifyingly good twists. This is a great standalone mystery from Johnson—pivoting across two timelines to create two compelling and complex cases. Death at Morning House is the YA mystery of the summer, potentially the year. Miss it at your peril." —The Nerd Daily
Maureen Johnson is the bestselling author of several novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the Truly Devious series, the Suite Scarlett series, and the Shades of London series. She has also written collaborative works such as Let It Snow with John Green and Lauren Myracle and The Bane Chronicles with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan. Maureen lives in New York and online on Twitter @maureenjohnson or at www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com.
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