Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Karen Healey
Release Date ~ September 5, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
GOODREADS SUMMARY
Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.
As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.
As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?
REVIEW
Keri, Janna, and Sione share a frightening bond. They all have older brothers who took their own lives without leaving a note or saying good bye. Coincidence? Perhaps not. There just may be something much deeper and more sinister afoot in the vacation town of Summerton.
Clues lead the trio to the shocking and disturbing history of Summerton. It sort of gives me the chills just thinking about it. And it must have given the townspeople the chills too, because they were soon suffocating under a veil of suspicion. Karen Healey captures the anxiety of a small New Zealand town caught up in a terrifying mystery. I love this sort of thing where everyone is looking at everyone else as a suspect. I picture them thinking "could it be you?" "or maybe you?" "or YOU!" I mean, really, who can you trust?
The story is presented from the points of view of all three. I like this approach because I could really feel what each was experiencing. I felt most connected with Keri because she was so driven and determined to find the truth. I promise you this. If something happened to MY brother, I would move mountains to find out what happened. That's exactly how I see Keri.
As a stand alone novel, The Shattering has a plot that wraps up nicely. I am not so sure I would want to take a vacation to Summerton in real life, but I did like visiting by way of the book. I think I'll stay safe right here in my own town.
RATING
5 Loved
COVER COMMENTS
Eeek! That’s creepy. I see a side view of a face in purple, but I am looking through shattered glass. It’s perfect!
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