The Perfectionists

After several dissimilar girls discover they have suffered at the hands of rich, popular bully Nolan, they drug him at his own party and scrawl mean messages on his face, which they share online. When Nolan is discovered dead the next day, the girls become the central suspects and must work together to figure out what really happened. This scintillating series kickoff from Pretty Little Liars author Shepard employs a similar formula, mixing archetypical girls—the popular one, the musician, etc.—with an array of scandals. A slimy teacher suggestively offers beautiful, brilliant Ava “extra credit,” while soccer star Caitlin becomes attracted to her boyfriend’s younger brother. Meanwhile, police are uncovering clues that further implicate the girls, especially after a second murder occurs in their tony town. There’s a lot going on, and some of it—like a suspicious therapist who seems to have only two teen girls as patients—defies believability, even for an outrageous story. But Shepard expertly crafts characters that are morally complicated, yet sympathetic. An Alloy Entertainment property, in development for a CW television series. Ages 14–up. (Oct.)