Three Drops of Blood

January 30, 2023
McNeil pulls inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window to craft an insidiously witty thriller that covers issues surrounding body shaming and sexual violence. Seventeen-year-old aspiring actor Kate Williams has secured the role of spunky best friend on TV show Dirty Pretty Teens, acting opposite former Disney Channel star Belle Masterson, 17. Kate’s determined to use the show as a stepping-stone to her future goals, which include skipping college and “escaping the type casting juggernaut of the fat funny girl.” But after Belle posts a video of her and Kate dancing with Dex Pratt, the married 38-year-old showrunner, the show is canceled, foiling Kate’s plans. Kate takes a job at a law firm and, while doing late-night filing, she sees a woman shoot and kill two men in the office across the courtyard. When authorities don’t believe her, Kate enlists coworker Ty Chen’s help investigating the crime. Kate’s desire to be seen as a competent adult and the main character of her own story proves appealing in this first-rate mystery, which leads to memorable twists, exhilarating chase sequences, and a satisfying romance. Most of the protagonists are white. Ages 14–up. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary.

April 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-When scandal brings 17-year-old Kate Williams's acting career to a sudden halt, she is forced to take a job as an after-hours file clerk to pay for a pricey image consultant, as well as the rent her parents started charging when she told them she planned to skip college. Though she originally fears being crushed by one of the imposing file cabinets, or perhaps dying of boredom, it turns out that true danger is closer than she realized. Through the window of the file room, Kate witnesses a romantic encounter that ultimately results in murder. Unable to convince the police of what she saw, she is forced to turn to her friends and her own forensic skills to catch the killer. Touted as a mystery/thriller, this new work by McNeil is entertaining, but misses the mark for tension and twists. Heavy on exposition, there is no hint of intrigue until almost two-thirds in, at which point there is an onslaught of action before the narrative resumes its relationship fiction vibe. Despite the absent adrenaline, the book does present a diverse cast of characters in race, body type, and sexual orientation. VERDICT This novel will appeal to high school readers seeking a teenage take on Rear Window.-Lauren Hackert

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2023
Aspiring young actress Kate's tedious filing job becomes more dramatic than she bargained for when she witnesses a double homicide. Kate Williams, a freckled, plus-size White girl, didn't always dream of being an actress, but after a fluke audition lands her a co-starring role on Dirty Pretty Teens, she knows it's what she was born to do. A controversy that leads to the show's cancelation collides with her parents' discovery of her plans to skip college, forcing her to take a job filing papers at her best friend Rowan Chen's dad's law firm to prove herself. She works in the dungeon--the secure room where high-profile clients' confidential files are stored--and tries to avoid awkward encounters with Rowan's brother, Ty, whose heart she broke. When Kate is the only witness to an incident in a neighboring office that leaves two men dead, but no one is willing to believe her, she must convince them or watch a killer go free. This Rear Window adaptation features a fresh main character with realistic and relatable interpersonal issues that lend charisma to what is a sometimes overly detailed text and a contrived plot that takes a while to get going and ends rather abruptly. Readers will understand and appreciate Kate's struggle to be taken seriously and how it conflicts with her need for guidance and support. Secondary characters are a mixed bag in terms of how well developed they are. A slightly uneven but snarky, high-energy thriller with abundant wit. (Thriller. 14-18)

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