Reality Check

by Peter Abrahams
PRMS paperback 330 pages
genre: mystery thriller

I read this last night for 8th grade book club. I enjoyed it, but it was fairly predictable. Ike was one of my favorite characters, since he seemed like a shady figure but turned out to be a genuine individual. It took me a while to suspect the real "bad guy," though Townes was an easy mark. I liked Cody and his processing of situations - especially his ability to just keep quiet. Clea's dad was stereotypical but a minor player other than sending his daughter away and having high aspirations for her.

Into the Dark

by Peter Abrahams
Carver County Library, audiobook, 6 CDs / 7 hours

Ingrid is a junior sleuth. When her grandpa is charged with murder, she tries to find out what's really going on in Echo Falls.

Liked: the dog, the snowshoeing, and Ingrid's determination to help her "grampie."

Didn't like: slow pace of the story, grampie's unwillingness to communicate openly with his family, Ingrid's inability to confide in anyone.

reader Julie Dretzin has a nice voice, but I think I would have enjoyed this one more reading it myself.