Finding Abbey Road

June 1, 2016
Dangerheart band manager Summer has just revealed a secret to Caleb, her boyfriend and the band's lead singer, that turns his world inside out; once again, there is a twist regarding the presumed-to-be-dead rock star Eli White, who is also father to Caleb and Dangerheart bassist Val.The band faces major fallout after traveling across the country on a tour that was set up, in part, as a scavenger hunt to find the recordings of Eli's missing songs before the record label Candy Shell can find them and claim ownership. Angry parents, band turmoil, and pushy music executives abound upon their return. It is in this chaos that new information surfaces about the potential whereabouts of Eli White's third hidden song...and perhaps even the man himself. This prompts Summer, Caleb, and Val to take matters into their own hands, traveling to London to secure answers to the questions they've been chasing. The drama that propels this trilogy closer is more mature than the previous novels'. Rather than teen romance and band squabbles, the characters now find themselves treading the murky waters of family, forgiveness, and self-trust as their high school lives come to a close. The adventure, possibility, and closure that wrap up the mystery-driven, music-fueled Exile series will leave fans satisfied and hopeful. (Fiction. 14-17)

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May 1, 2016
Grades 8-11 It's time to tie up the myriad loose ends in Emerson's rock-music mystery series featuring Summer Carlson, who's been managing the band Dangerheart through its many dramas. Summer's boyfriend Caleb, son of famous dead rocker Eli White, fronts the band, which is currently in dire straits because bass player Val has gone missing. Summer's figured out that Eli White is actually alive and in London, and she manages to get herself, Val, and Caleb there. That's where the story picks up, with clever clues based on song lyrics scattered throughout. Meanwhile, Summer's accepted at Stanfordshould she go or stay with Dangerheart as the band's career takes off? The ending offers no real surprises, but the journey there is entertaining and delightful. As always, Emerson's personal knowledge, experience, and love of music provide authenticity and should fascinate music-obsessed readers. Of note is the wholly believable personal growth and development of all the major characters and the sympathetic portrayal of Eli, an emotionally damaged man whose children must decide whether to accept him despite his shortcomings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)