Review: The Amateurs By Sara Shepard - Murder and Message Boards!
Five years ago, high school senior Helena Kelly disappeared from her backyard in Dexby, Connecticut, never to be heard from again. Her family was left without any answers—without any idea who killed Helena, or why. So when eighteen-year-old Seneca Frazier sees a desperate post on the Case Not Closed message board, she knows it’s time to change that. Helena’s high-profile disappearance is the one that originally got Seneca addicted to true crime. It’s the reason she’s a member of the site in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, she agrees to spend spring break in Connecticut working on the case with Maddy Wright, her best friend from Case Not Closed. However, the moment she steps off the train, things start to go wrong. Maddy’s nothing like she expected, and Helena’s sister, Aerin, doesn’t seem to want any help after all. Plus, Seneca has a secret of her own, one that could derail the investigation if she’s not careful. Alongside Brett, another super-user from the site, they slowly begin to unravel the secrets Helena kept in the weeks before her disappearance. But the killer is watching…and determined to make sure the case stays cold.
C ase Not Closed is a a popular website/message board dedicated to solving unsolvable crimes. When Aerin Kelly writes a desperate post for help, about the disappearance and murder of her older sister Helena Kelly. Aerin would do anything find her sister's killer. Seneca Frazier, Maddox Wright, Madison Wright (Maddox's step sister), and Bret Goady, frequently checks Case Not Closed, They see the desperate post from Aerin, pleading for help to find out what happened to her sister, Helena. They all agree to meet up to help solve the case. At first, Aerin is skeptical wondering how a bunch of teenagers can help her, but then she figures that she has nothing to lose. She has already lost so much already and is determined to find out what happened to her sister. The plot is full of code scrambles and mysterious clues. Each character is hiding something and slowly the truth is revealed. At times, the group finds out things that the police never did. They begin looking into many suspects and they soon realise that they're playing a dangerous game as it all leads up to a sinister revelation.
The story is told in five POV's. Aerin, Seneca, Maddox, Aerin and Bret. Whats interesting about these protagonists, it appears that each of them had experiences a family member was murdered. Aerin Kelly does come from a wealthy family. She come across as feisty, resilience, and smart. she's extremely angry with her parents and herself for giving up easily on Helena's case. she blows of steam by flirting and making out with guys and to have no commitment to them. He does come out of her shell when she meets the case not close group. Seneca Frazier come across has obsessed, thrill seeker that passionately wants to solve Helena's murder case. She is persistent, driven and smart she solves many riddles and clues. She is a keeper! Up next we have Maddox Wright. I like him! He's too nice and too friendly. He’s a nerd with an edge! He's Da man with all the girls, However he does tend to get himself into silly situations. Overall he's not you stereotypical tool, in fact I would hang out with him. Then there is Maddox's step sister Madison Wright. This girl can talk and talk, She is quick witted and rapid fire questions like there is no tomorrow, she definitely gutsy when it comes to finding out information. She is one of my favorite character in the series. Lastly theirs Bret Goady. He is a fascinating character. Bret comes across as intelligent and caring. He is the glue to the group, trying to keep everyone focus. However, he is a little obsessed with Aerin and his backstory is quite unique and very curious. Overall all of the characters in the book well-rounded adding an interesting element to the story. I disagree with many book reviews in regards to the male characters not being believable, in terms of their typical stereotype. I thought it was refreshing that the author didn't write Maddox and Bret as meatheads, with obnoxious or contemptible personality. It would have ruin the story and would have driven me nuts. Maddox and Bret were pretty cool. As a male reader it was nice to be able to relate to them.
Overall This story has a very clear plot center. Sara Shepard writing is well edited and very polished. The story is a fast-paced and engrossing read. The author writes in close third person and switches between characters in each chapter. I could not put the book down. I was hooked. This book is completely different from what Shepherd has wrote in the past. Sure there are some similarities but I like the teamwork and how each character is really thinking about and approaching the case Their was a bit of romance in the right places. But It did not overshadow the main story. It was unpredictable on what the characters were going to do and what their feelings are towards one another that does impact their decision making. I highly suggest and recommend The Amateurs and look forward to the next installment in the series.
The song I chose that best describes the story is Stranger By VersaEmerge.
Who is your favorite character in the book? Would you be brave enough to meet somebody to solve the mystery case? Did you guess the mystery twist at the end? Let us know in the comment box!
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AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES