Shepard, Sara. The Amateurs Book 1. Los Angeles: Hyperion, 2016.
Amazing how well this title taps into the true crime movement that seems to be transfixing so many. Aerin, Seneca, Maddy, and Brett no each other from their involvement in the Case Not Closed website. They band together to work on the mysterious murder of Aerin’s sister Helena. Years after her death, these kids are certain they can make a difference. Through a series of adventures and misadventures, increasingly more dangerous, they close in on Helena’s killer. Along the way friendships and more involved relationships are made and broken. Epiphanies are had; families are broken and healed.
The twists and turns of the mystery, its suspense and intensity, will definitely engage my readers. At multiple points the mystery seems solved and a plot twist will send the characters in a markedly different direction. Good YA mysteries are not necessarily easy for me to find. The genuineness of the friends and lovers will attract them as well. The attractions are portrayed frankly. These characters have endured tragedy in a way that seems unbearable, and they respond ultimately with a strength that is admirable.
The novel is not so great for my 7- 12 library as it is geared for much more mature readers. The drinking, drug use, sexual content, and violence will make it “real” for the older kids. And they do appreciate books that seem to accurately reflect their thoughts and feelings. I will definitely recommend this to them as such. In my dream world, this book does not portray accurately what goes on in the lives of my kids, but they will tell me the truth, and the truth of this book will resonate with them.