Don't Say a Word

July 1, 2019
Kylene "Ky" Danners sleuths her way into the dark heart of a teen exploitation ring in Natusch's follow-up to 2018's Dare You To Lie. It's only been about a week since Kylene and FBI agent Cedric Dawson exposed the secret behind the success of Jasperville High's football success (hint: It wasn't talent). It left her best friend, Garrett, in the hospital and Ky physically and emotionally battered and the pariah of her high school football-obsessed Ohio town. She also discovered who really took those topless pictures over two years ago that completely ruined her reputation. Ky could care less about her rep, but she does care about finding out who framed her ex-FBI agent dad for murder and about getting him out of prison. Posing as Ky's ex--much to her chagrin--Dawson goes undercover as a high school student to find out who is behind the death of one of the girls Jasperville deems disposable, and Ky agrees to help if Dawson will consider new evidence in her father's case. The narrative spins its wheels a bit while Ky chases various leads (and a few red herrings), but Natusch makes up for it in the harrowing finale when she cranks the danger quotient up to 11, and Ky's instinct to help those who are most vulnerable makes her a winner. All main characters are assumed white. A heart-pounding mystery. (Thriller. 14-adult)

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