Book Reviews: Young Adult Crime fiction- some of the best crime fiction is written for Teens(and guess what adults enjoy it too)

Again a wealth of great crime fiction for young Adults.  From Sci-Fi thrillers to current issues and, as usual, I am completely in thrall to the wonderful storylines and skill of the authors who produce such high quality fiction.




Watched by CJ Lyons 

Watched takes us into the murky world of ‘capping’, where King exploits children by infiltrating their  cyber space and sending images viral.  He then uses this to blackmail them into feeding the sick minds of the predators.  This is a powerful,  if uncomfortable read that doesn't hold back the punches. The sense of empowerment  for the main characters Miranda and Jesse is fulfilling and Lyons portrays them as victims, yet also  manages to simultaneously demonstrate their strength whilst showing the damage these cyber creeps can do.  A well written book which will heighten awareness of the dangers of ‘Capping’.
Where to find help on these issues
https://rainn.org/
http://www.netsmartzkid
http://www.endcyberbullying.org/
Released Nov 2014 available on Amazon Kindle  £6.14  PB £6.46
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watched-C-j-Lyons/dp/1492609110/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428072897&sr=8-1&keywords=watched+by+CJ+Lyons

Terminal by Kathy & Brendan Reichs
The fifth in the Virals series sees Toria Brennan and her friends fighting for their lives against a rogue Virals pack calling themselves The Trinity who are set on destroying them.  Toria and her friends must delve deep into their reserves to not only beat their opponents but to survive.  Terminal is a beautifully plotted fast paced thriller with believable heroes and a great storyline that takes the concept of The Super hero to a whole new level.  A definate recommendation from me.
Available on Amazon Kindle for £6.49, HB £9.09 & PB £6.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terminal-Virals-5-Kathy-Reichs-ebook/dp/B00PEFBPA0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428073158&sr=1-1&keywords=terminal+kathy+reichs

Skeletal by Katherine Hayton 
The 10 year old body of teenager Daina Harrow is discovered.  Skeletal is narrated by Daina herself in the style of Alice Sebolds The Lovely Bones) as, at the inquest of her death, various key players in her story give evidence.  This is a captivating read hat explores many key issues for teenagers from bullying to addictive parents.  Skeletal is thought provoking, believable and it keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very end.
Available free on Kindle unlimited or £0.99 PB £9.99 release date January 14th 2015 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skeletal-Katherine-Hayton/dp/0473309262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428579549&sr=8-1&keywords=skeletal+by+katherine+hayton

The Forbidden Spaces Trilogy by Helen Grant

Set in Flanders this Trilogy is richly descriptive and a delight to read from bk 1: Silent Saturday that introduces the edgy concept of teens encroaching on 'forbidden spaces' by adventuring in peoples empty property.  Silent Saturday introduces our hero Veerle who with her friend Kris realises a serial killer is at large.  Bk 2: The Demons of Ghent  follows Veerle's

story as, recovering from recent events, she moves to live with her father in Ghent and soon becomes aware of an ominous yet familiar presence that makes her blood run cold.

 Bk 3 (released March 2015) Urban Legends  again sees Veerle pitted against a serial killer.  This trilogy is beautifully written, edgy, scary and a damn good read.
Helen Grant's Amazon page
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helen-Grant/e/B0034Q347S/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0




Bomb by Sarah Mussi
Topical, relevant and very, very scary.  In the UK a new and extreme religious movement called The Brightness exists. The Brightness radicalises young men through the internet, social media and skillful campaigning.  Their modus operandi is to abduct young girls and attatch bombs to them then coerce them into becoming 'suicide bombers.  Genesis Wainwright a sixth from student is abducted and a bomb strapped to her body.  Se is controlled by an ear piece super glued to her ear.  Terrified she enlists the help of her friends only to find herself caught between the police with orders to shoot suspected bombers and The Brightness who want to cause as much mayhem and destruction as they can.  Bomb is brilliantly written and doesn't hold back. It delivers a strong and thrilling story with  important messages about radicalisation.  Through fiction Sarah Mussi explores current issues and their effects without demonising  anyone.  I'd recommend it to all teens and would even suggest it as a core text for 'citizenship & guidance' lessons.  
Release date 7th May 2015 
Available on kindle for £4.49 and PB for £6.99
Sarah Mussi's Amazon page
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sarah-Mussi/e/B001JS1YSY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1429702316&sr=1-2-ent

The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig

In a post apocalyptic world the only children born are twins who share a strange link that means that each twin suffers the pain and death of the other. One twin is the Alpha twin (the perfect one) the other is the Omega twin (the damaged one either physically or mentally one).   Cass and Zach are such twins but because Cass's 'disability' (she's a seer) wasn't immediately apparent they remained together as siblings for longer.  Now separated, Zach has worked his way into the high echelons of power and made enemies so he kidnaps Cass and locks her in 'The Keeping Rooms' to ensure his own safety.  Meanwhile Cass is increasingly experiencing visions about a mysterious 'Omega Island' which the Alpha's are hell bent on destroying.  An enjoyable and exciting read that explores inequality at it's most basic.
Release date Feb 2015
Available on Amazon kindle for £6.49 or HB £10.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Sermon-Francesca-Haig/dp/0007563051/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430047189&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fire+sermon+by+francesca+haig