If It Bleeds: A Nicole Charles Mystery

Gr 8 Up—Nicole Charles wants to be a real journalist. Unfortunately, reporter positions are slim in Vancouver, so Nicole is stuck as a well-known gossip columnist. She covers the best parties (the delicious food is her favorite perk), but knows she won't be taken seriously unless she gets the chance to showcase her true reporting skills. One night while covering a gallery opening, Nicole discovers an up-and-coming artist murdered in his SUV. Before she can grab her big break, arrogant colleague Brent Hartigan steps in and steals her story. Now Nicole must engage in some sleuthing of her own to stay one step ahead of Brent, solve the case, and prove herself to the journalism world. This hi-lo novel is fast paced and likely to hold the attention of readers looking for short mysteries. However, the resolution occurs very quickly and lacks any real suspense; readers are told, rather than shown, how the case is solved. The writing lacks interest and variation and often feels forced and clunky. The protagonist is moderately well developed, with backstory introduced throughout the novel, while other characters make mostly brief appearances and tend to feel very two-dimensional. An additional purchase where other hi-lo mysteries are popular.—Kelsey Johnson-Kaiser, Columbus Public Library, WI