Suddenly a Murder

In classic Clue fashion, debut author Muñoz delivers a nail-biting mystery about a group of teens trying to uncover the murderer among them. Hoping to give her Mexican American best friend Isadora Morales an opportunity to connect with Izzy’s crush, Greek-coded Marlow West, white-cued Kassidy Logan devises a 1920s-themed graduation week for their friend group at Maine’s Ashland Manor. The events Kassidy has planned combined with the atmosphere of the manor, best known as the setting of whodunit film The Secret of the Ruby Dagger, promises fun-filled antics, until Kassidy’s boyfriend is mysteriously stabbed to death—with a knife that belongs to Izzy. Once investigators arrive to question the six remaining teens, loyalties start breaking down as the friends begin to turn on one another. And as each of the teens’ closely guarded secrets come to light, they prompt more questions than answers in this ticking clock mystery. While the nonlinear narrative contributes to unclear plotting and some characters are stereotypically rendered, Muñoz’s attention to class dynamics and interpersonal loyalty anchors the happenings in cerebral themes. By skillfully molding tension via well-placed clues and gripping dialogue, the creator believably cultivates shocking reveals and bittersweet resolutions. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)