Beware the Abbott Boys

Gr 8 Up–A gripping YA thriller that blends small-town suspicion with layered character dynamics. The story centers on fraternal triplets Henry, Bram, and Adam Abbott, who become the prime suspects in a local murder. When a second death follows, the town turns fully against the Abbott family. Ichaso builds tension through escalating mistrust and carefully paced revelations, using short chapters and strategic cliff-hangers to maintain momentum. The prose is clear and ­accessible, making the mystery easy to follow while steadily complicating readers’ assumptions through well-timed twists. Hayden, the Abbott family’s next-door neighbor, is a determined and empathetic protagonist who anchors the narrative as she investigates to clear the boys’ names. Her relationship with each brother is distinct and emotionally grounded. Henry is her loyal best friend. Adam is vulnerable and injured. Bram is burdened by his romantic ties to the first victim, raising the personal stakes of the ­mystery. Hayden’s persistence and emotional authenticity make her a likable and relatable lead, while the triplets are clearly differentiated in personality and motivation. ­Characters read as white.