Two Can Keep a Secret #Review #twocankeepasecret @DelacortePress @writerkmc

 

Synopsis from Edelweiss:

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery’s never been there, but she’s heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it’s hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone has declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she’s in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous—and most people aren’t good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it’s safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

About: Two Can Keep a Secret is a young adult mystery thriller written by Karen McManus. It was recently published on 1/8/2019 by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 336 pages. The genres are young adult, mystery thriller, and fiction. This book is intended for readers ages 14 and up, grades 9 and up. The author is also known for her debut One of Us is Lying.

My Experience: I started reading Two Can Keep a Secret on 3/28/2019 and finished it on 4/3/2019. This book is a great read! I like Ellery’s interest in true crimes and constantly thinking about who might be the guilty one. I like how active she is in finding someone to discuss her theories with. This book has great diversity, though Ezra talks about having an ex and Mia mentions about someone being hot, but there were lack of dating on their part. I like the open and shut on the secrets of the past and crimes/vandals currently happening that got everyone on edge. I enjoy Malcolm’s view, being the brother in shadow of another brother who receives all the attention.

This book is told in the first person point of view following Ellery as she waits for her luggage at the baggage claim area with her twin brother Ezra. They are going to Vermont to live with their grandma while their mom receive treatment at rehab. The alternative point of view is Malcolm, younger brother of Declan, the ex-boyfriend accused of killing Lacey, Homecoming Queen at Echo Ridge High. As the seniors are getting ready to start another year of voting for the new Homecoming King and Queen, a series of vandalism starts up targeting the 3 Homecoming princesses. The vote has been rigged because Ellery, who just arrived into town two weeks ago, is one of the girls. This hits close to home because Ellery’s aunt went missing 20 years ago as her mom was crowned Homecoming Queen.

Two Can Keep a Secret is well written and filled with lots of potential suspects. I enjoy the fast paced and the plot of targeting Homecoming Courts. I like the focus about minority having to live up to expectations and having a good image like Daisy. It may look easy but it’s actually hard to be perfect all the time. The story and mystery goes on well but towards the end, I was disappointed by Ellery. As obsessed with true crime as she is, she freezes in front of the killer instead of rattling off the misconducts the killer did. Also, she picked locks before, somehow at the end when she is needed the most, she’s unreliable. The book ended in a way that hinted a sequel. Despite the ending, the book is still interesting to read and I do recommend everyone to read it.

Pro: fast paced, page turner, friendship, family, secrets, homecoming, diversity

Con: Ellery disappoints me in her crime solving skills

I rate it 4 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository

About the Author:

Karen M. McManus earned her BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross and her MA in journalism from Northeastern University. When she isn’t working or writing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, McManus loves to travel with her son. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller One of Us Is Lying and of Two Can Keep a Secret. To learn more about her, go to her website, karenmcmanus.com, or follow @writerkmc on Twitter. (Info obtained from Edelweiss).

***Disclaimer: I borrowed this book from my local library and my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine