Rest in Peaches

Everyone at Quinn Marcelo’s California high school sees her as a “nobody.” But she’s actually—secretly—Peaches the Parrot, her high school’s beloved mascot. That is, until someone sabotages her costume, forcing Quinn to reveal her identity during a performance, destroying the brand-new Peaches suit in the process. Quinn, who lacks self-confidence outside of her Peaches persona, is determined to discover the culprit; she’s unexpectedly joined in her investigation by her former friend and crush, popular class president Tessa Banks. Things go haywire when someone in a Peaches costume goes on a killing spree, casting Quinn as the prime suspect. Worse, these murders might be connected to a double homicide the year before. Brown (Damned If You Do) imbues Quinn and Tessa’s alternating perspectives with distinct and satisfyingly parallel journeys that follow Quinn’s efforts to forge her own identity without Peaches and Tessa’s struggles to reject her seemingly perfect mother’s high expectations. This over-the-top horror romp may require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but its comedic blend of blood and banter make it a fun and gratifying ode to classic slasher films like Scream. Quinn and Tessa are Filipino American. Ages 14–up. Agent: Amy Bishop-Wycisk, Trellis Literary. (Oct.)