Out of Tune

September 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-Alicia, a popular student and talented violinist in a small town in Canada goes missing-after a short search, her body is found bludgeoned in a field. The police suspect Carrie, a classmate and fellow musician, who had spewed public vitriol after losing out to Alicia for a spot in a prestigious national orchestra. When Carrie, who maintains her innocence, appeals to teen sleuth Riley Donovon for help in clearing her name, Riley starts her own investigation, digging up some secrets as she goes. This is the third book in the revamped "Riley Donovan" series, and while it's not crucial to the central mystery to read the others first, readers might have unanswered questions about Riley's relationship with her aunt, her friends, and this town if they skip the first two. The author has written hi-lo for teens in the past, and while this title isn't in that category, the straightforward language, evenly plotted mystery, well-placed red herrings, and suspenseful situations makes this a solid choice for teens reading at a variety of levels. VERDICT What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in readability. A solid mystery.-Beth McIntyre, Madison Public Library, WI

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2017
A musical prodigy, Alicia, goes missing and turns up murdered in this latest Riley Donovan mystery from prolific McClintock. Red herrings are distributed carefully, as are possible suspects, as Riley uses her guardian aunt's position in the local police force as well as gossip, mostly from annoyingly whiny friend Ashleigh, to investigate. After previous outings, Riley is an experienced solver of mysteries and is approached to clear an acquaintance who is suspected of having committed the crime. Moorebridge is a small Canadian town with a largely white population where most everybody has heard of one another even if they don't know them personally. The threads of the mystery eventually lead Riley to discover the perpetrator and to find a solution that, of course, puts her in danger. The key to the plot (both the novel's and the crime) is the tremendous pressure and competition endemic to the world of gifted musicians. And this small community has three! The swift pace and Riley's straightforward narration make this accessible, and low but not absent levels of gore and violence keep pages turning. A solid whodunit. (Mystery. 11-15)

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October 15, 2017
Grades 7-10 No one expects Alicia, a talented, lovable high schooler, to be murdered, but her dead body was just found bludgeoned in the woods outside the small town of Moorebridge. And when there's a local mystery to be solved, Riley can't help but get involved. Alicia was a violin prodigy and reading tutor, beloved by everyone in town . . . except her violin rival, Carrie. When Carrie is immediately suspected by the police, she begs Riley to help her prove her innocence. But Riley is about to find out that poking around in other people's business is going to get her into deep trouble. McClintock, who died earlier this year, was a prolific, five-time Arthur Ellis Award winner for crime fiction, and she struck gold again with this latest mystery in the Riley Donovan series. The plot is complex and tightly woven, the reveal is both surprising and satisfying, the violence is prominent but tastefully presented, and Riley continues to be a strong and relatable protagonist with good moral fiber.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)