Hidden Pieces

While hooking up with her best friend’s former boyfriend, 17-year-old Embry Woods accidentally started a fire at the abandoned Sea Cliff Inn. At first, the consequences of not confessing seem manageable. But now she is being blackmailed by someone called “Unknown” who warns that unless Embry complies with the demands, someone will die. As the stakes increase, Embry decides to confess her secrets to save her loved ones from “Unknown” and to confront her own demons. The twisty thriller by Stokes (Liars, Inc.)is an enjoyable ride, but it does not stray far from the familiar path of other revenge-plot YA novels. What does differentiate this story is the realistic portrayal of Embry’s lower-income home life; she and her mother struggled financially even before her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and their situation is dire. The nail-biting conclusion includes a shocking surprise; readers will likely gasp when the identity of “Unknown” is revealed. Ages 13–up. [em]Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (Aug.) [/em]