CM Magazine: Scared to Death.

________________ CM . . . . Volume VII Number 21 . . . . June 22, 2001

Scared to Death.

Norah McClintock.
Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2001.
202 pp., pbk., $5.99.
ISBN 0-439-98812-8.

Subject Headings:
Murder-Juvenile fiction.
Gangs-Juvenile fiction.
Teenagers and death-Juvenile fiction.

Grades 7 - 10 / Ages 12 - 15.

Review by Betsy Fraser.

*** /4

excerpt:

"Ross, are you sure you can't think of any reason why Tessa might
have wanted to talk to Levesque?" That had been bothering me for
days. I'd be sitting in my room, working on a French essay or
studying for a history quiz, and suddenly I'd see Tessa Nixon
standing on my porch, clutching her textbooks to her chest,
looking nervous and asking if Levesque was home. If only I had
asked her what was wrong. If only I had pressed her for details.

Chloe Yan was shocked when she heard about Tessa's murder. Tessa had been asking to see Chloe's stepfather Levesque, the chief of police, only a few days before. Chloe can't get rid of the notion that, if she had only talked to Tessa, the murder might never have happened. Levesque has ordered Chloe to stay out of the investigation: the last time she involved herself in a murder inquiry she was nearly killed. Things aren't as clear to Chloe. Her best friend, Ross, who is a suspect in the murder, has his own ideas about who is guilty. Can Chloe help to find out who the guilty party really is?

McClintock's third mystery featuring Chloe Yan is a solid and well-crafted tale. Chloe finds herself involved in the murder investigation almost against her will, with dire consequences. Her character continues to evolve and will appeal to teens, even those who haven't read her earlier mysteries, Over the Edge and Double Cross. Chloe's relationships with her friends and family are warm and realistic - not storybook perfection but complete with squabbles and close moments that help to move the story along and provide a backdrop to the plot. Mystery fans will enjoy the latest novel by the three-time winner of the Arthur Ellis award, a novel which will easily entice new readers to the genre.

Recommended.

Betsy Fraser is a mystery fan and a librarian with Calgary Public Library.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - June 22, 2001.