The Dead and Buried by Kim Harrington

Series: THIS IS A STAND-ALONE

Genera: Mystery/Paranormal Thriller

Subjects: Ghosts, hauntings, high school, murder, death, supernatural, gemstones, Massachusetts

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 295 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Scholastic: Point

Summary/ product description: “A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.
Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.
Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: Talk about an awesome teen murder mystery. Really, it was pretty awesome once you get past some of the clichés of high school stuff. I loved the two other YA novels by this author, Clarity and Perception. I love the first person perspective of a quirky, smart and tough female heroine. My favorite part about Jade’s character is that she’s into gemstones like I am. The only other books I’ve read about characters that are into gemology, jewelry making and other gem magic was the Bloodring Trilogy by Faith Hunter (it’s an adult series about of Stone Mage). I’m a rock hound. Got a collection that is many time larger than Jade’s. And yes, I know the mystical uses of various gems and used to make beaded necklace for certain chakras.

Also, it’s interesting that she moved into the house of the extremely popular mean girl who was murdered. And Kayla’s ghost is pestering her to find her murderer. It reminded me of Auracle by Gina Rosetti, or just the Clarity series. And I loved how this book kept me guessing till the end. I was so sure it was one person, but then they had an alibi. Some people may have guessed who it was right away. I didn’t.

There’s love triangle between Jade, Donovan and Kane. Donovan’s artistic, and Kane’s athletic. I think I prefer Donovan. I like art, or at least, making art. There’s Alexa, who’s academically obsessed and doesn’t seem to think about stuff that isn’t school related, or math. Faye, who was Kayla’s friend. She’s not as mean as Kayla was. Colbey, who is Jades little half-brother, who’s room used to be Kayla’s. I like the interesting names the author chose.

Also, I love a good ghost story, or murder mystery, so it was a nice change of pace from all the paranormal romance and dystopian books I’ve been reading lately. It’s thrilling, fast paced. A page-turner. I read it in a half day, with breaks. It’s a nice, short read. I can’t wait to see what YA Kim Harrington will write next. Hopefully Clarity, book 3. This book is a stand-alone, so no sequel.

Cover Art Review: Hate this new cover. So boring. I loved the original one with the girl coming down the stairs. This one has wet looking cement and a dead girl laying on it. The girl in the book died falling down the stairs. This cover makes no sense. It does not scream ghost story. The back cover has the stair case from the original cover.

 

~Haley G