The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett

December 12, 2016
At 17, Hawthorn Creely is only four years younger than Lizzie Lovett, a local woman who has gone missing from a nearby campsite. Hawthorn, still holding a grudge after being dismissed by Lizzie years earlier, becomes fixated on the older girl’s life since high school. Under the guise of investigating her paranormal theory behind Lizzie’s disappearance, Hawthorn befriends Lizzie’s boyfriend, begins waitressing at the diner where she worked, and visits places Lizzie frequented. But Hawthorn’s true motivation often seems to meander from the missing woman: “Maybe, if I showed the world that werewolves existed, people would stop asking me about my plans for the future. No one would care about the future, because I would have already proven myself, accomplished something great.” Hawthorn is self-involved, shortsighted, and often selfish, but Sedoti deftly pulls readers into her head where her yearning for excitement, angst about the future, and insecurity bring further depth to her character. Hawthorn and Lizzie both emerge as surprising, intricate characters whose stories are resonant and memorable. Ages 14–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media.