Winter Break

Perrin's smooth if less chilling sequel to Spring Break reads more like a YA than an adult thriller. The recent apparent suicide of Lancaster University (Pa.) co-ed Rachel Jepson and the possible rape of geeky Natalie Laymon put a slight damper on the winter break cruise Didi Randall and her best friends, Roxanne Miller and Jolene Martin, take in the Caribbean. On boarding the ship, Didi and friends are startled to spot Natalie transformed into a glamorous platinum blonde. Lan-U's Gossip Hour blog site has pointed the finger at another passenger, campus hottie and Didi's longtime boyfriend, Drake Shaw, as Natalie's rapist. During the cruise, Drake's disappearance suggests foul play. Perrin effectively captures Didi's angst as she turns sleuth and investigates at her own peril. The breathless pacing keeps the pages turning, and disturbing revelations from Didi's high school past provide extra punch. (Jan.)