Scarlett Undercover
By Jennifer Latham
Published: May 19, 2015
Meet Scarlett, a smart, sarcastic fifteen-year-old, ready to take on crime in her hometown. When Scarlett agrees to investigate a local boy's suicide, she figures she's in for an easy case and a quick buck. But it doesn't take long for suicide to start looking a lot like murder.
As Scarlett finds herself deep in a world of cults, curses, and the seemingly supernatural, she discovers that her own family secrets may have more to do with the situation than she thinks...and that cracking the case could lead to solving her father's murder.
Jennifer Latham delivers a compelling story and a character to remember in this one-of-a-kind debut novel.
My review:
While some teens make money by babysitting, Scarlett is a tough talking girl who has started her own private investigation company. Well she's trying to anyway and she's had her own business cards made up which is how she gets involved in what may be a murder investigation when a young girl suspects her brother is involved.
Scarlett and her older sister Reem have had to grow up quickly after their dad was murdered and their mom died of cancer. While Reem throws herself into her medical residency and draws comfort from their Muslim faith, Scarlett is hoping to find answers about what happened to their dad. Her new case is starting to look like it could be connected as thugs start following her around and someone breaks into their home.
Scarlett Undercover is a fast paced mystery with a likable but not always careful heroine. Scarlett definitely takes some risks during the investigation. She is not like the typical 15 year old--she carries around a blackjack (weapon) and knows how to defend herself with it. She is also very loyal to her sister and family. Scarlett has been compared to Veronica Mars and I can definitely see the similarities in their personalities and I think fans of the show would probably like Scarlett. The mystery itself involves the djinn and some Middle Eastern mythology though the "supernatural" is never really proven to be real or at least Scarlett doesn't quite buy it. Overall I thought it was a good (but not great) mystery with a spunky and intelligent heroine I liked. I kind of hope it will be a series.
Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Scarlett and her older sister Reem have had to grow up quickly after their dad was murdered and their mom died of cancer. While Reem throws herself into her medical residency and draws comfort from their Muslim faith, Scarlett is hoping to find answers about what happened to their dad. Her new case is starting to look like it could be connected as thugs start following her around and someone breaks into their home.
Scarlett Undercover is a fast paced mystery with a likable but not always careful heroine. Scarlett definitely takes some risks during the investigation. She is not like the typical 15 year old--she carries around a blackjack (weapon) and knows how to defend herself with it. She is also very loyal to her sister and family. Scarlett has been compared to Veronica Mars and I can definitely see the similarities in their personalities and I think fans of the show would probably like Scarlett. The mystery itself involves the djinn and some Middle Eastern mythology though the "supernatural" is never really proven to be real or at least Scarlett doesn't quite buy it. Overall I thought it was a good (but not great) mystery with a spunky and intelligent heroine I liked. I kind of hope it will be a series.
Note: I received an ARC for review purposes courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Awesome review! Thanks for putting this one on my radar. It's definitely new to me. I love a good Veronica Mars-like story and this one seems to fit the bill. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall.
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