The Interrogation of Gabriel James

July 26, 2010
Price’s (Lizard People) taut thriller takes place during the police questioning of high school sophomore Gabe, who has witnessed a murder he might be partly responsible for. Switching between the interrogation room and Gabe’s memories, the teenager’s first-person narration is sparse, giving necessary information but moving forward quickly. Gabe lives in Billings, Mont., and as part of his school’s cross-country team, he witnesses firsthand the harassment of Danny Two Bull, a Native American teen recruited to run for the team. Gabe has also just been dramatically dumped by his girlfriend, so when he learns that a fellow classmate, who lives out on a former commune, may be interested in him, he follows her home, even after she rebuffs him, and discovers disturbing secrets about her family life. These and other strands combine in a series of events that lead up to the climactic murder scene. Tension builds effectively, and the final revelations, including those that involve Gabe’s own family, do not disappoint. The fast pace, dark mood, and well-plotted story line should have readers hooked. Ages 13–up.