In the Arms of Stone Angels

July 11, 2011
Two years ago, 16-year-old Brenna Nash turned in her first love, White Bird, for the apparent murder of popular Heather Madsen, then moved to North Carolina. Now, Brenna's mother is forcing her to return to her former town in Oklahoma for the summer to prepare her late grandmother's house for sale. Brenna has never cared about fitting in (she sees ghosts and sleeps in graveyards), but Heather's entourage and even the sheriff make it clear that she's not welcome. When Brenna discovers that White Bird is trapped in a mental hospital, she begins to question his culpability and seeks to regain a connection with him, while learning more about the night Heather died. In her first YA novel, adult thriller writer Dane pens a macabre slow-burner, building tension by alternating Brenna's first-person narrative with sections in omniscient third; Brenna's peers, a deputy, and an observant doctor at White Bird's hospital all contribute insight into the mystery of Heather's death. Thoroughly eerie, the plot includes flashbacks and nightmares involving crossing over into the spirit world, while Dane's well-developed characters provide an authentic exploration of guilt, loyalty, and belonging. Ages 13âup.