Ask the Dark

Gr 9 Up—In this gritty, atmospheric mystery, 15-year-old Billy Zeets tells readers in his own words how he caught a murderer menacing his neighborhood. Billy's narration is heavily peppered with curse words, which are often followed with a sheepish, "Scuze my language." He's a known troublemaker in his town, but when a dead kid turns up by the stream, and then another boy disappears, Billy takes it upon himself to figure out who is responsible, and how to stop him. His checkered history as a juvenile delinquent gives him the tools he needs to solve the mystery, and his good heart shines through even when he admits to wrongdoing. Turner uses restraint when depicting gore, but otherwise the book deals with intense issues around family, violence, and class. The plot builds slowly, and savvy readers will want to urge Billy to figure it out sooner—the eventual climax feels almost understated. The characters, setting, and plot are all compelling, but as a whole, the novel lacks a certain urgency and emotional weight.