White Rabbit

In this thrilling sophomore outing from Roehrig (Last Seen Leaving), 16-year-old Rufus Holt sets out with his ex, Sebastian, after getting a phone call from his half-sister April, who is at a party, begging for help. When they arrive at the cabin on the outskirts of Burlington, Vt., they find April stoned out of her mind with a knife in her hand and her drug-dealing boyfriend stabbed to death. She doesn’t remember the last few hours, but she’s willing to pay Rufus $2,000 to find out what really happened, money Rufus desperately needs. Rufus and Sebastian race to untangle a web of lies spun by a clique of rich kids while trying to stay ahead of the killer. Roehrig’s metaphors are inspired (“the three of us were as tense and silent as a German horror film”), and his characters and family dynamics are heartbreakingly real. He nails the angst of spending time with an ex that you can’t help but love, as well as the heartache and confusion of coming out. Ages 12–up. [em]Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Apr.) [/em]