Description
Temporarily out of stock
Title: Window, The
Author: BRUNSKILL AMELIA
Format: PAPERBACK
Publication date: 16/04/2019
Imprint: EMBER
Price: $17.00
Publishing status: Active
School Library Journal (01/01/2018):
Gr 10 Up–In many ways, Jess Cutter is the opposite of her identical twin sister Anna. Jess lacks Anna’s social ease and effortless athleticism, preferring to keep to herself and focus on academics. Yet the sisters have always shared a deep mutual understanding in spite of their differences. Then Anna dies after falling from her bedroom window in the middle of the night, and Jess is certain there is more to the story than the police–and her parents–are willing to see. To uncover the truth, Jess begins investigating on her own, and quickly discovers that Anna was keeping secrets from her. The debut author creates a compelling and suspenseful narrative from the first page; the short chapters and fast pace will appeal to thriller fans. Brunskill adeptly depicts the messy process of grief, with a particularly sensitive portrayal of how Jess’s relationship with her parents is altered. Unfortunately, these accomplishments are marred by several problematic elements. As Jess’s independent investigation progresses, her behavior quickly crosses the line into unhealthy and obsessive. She never receives appropriate help or clear guidance from an adult to handle this situation, and her encounters with mental health professionals are characterized in a very negative way. There are also hints that Jess’s parents and others don’t believe her suspicions about Anna’s death because her past struggles with mental illness have made her unstable. VERDICT This fast-paced suspense novel is unfortunately marred by its problematic handling of mental health topics; a secondary purchase.–Kelsy Peterson, Forest Hill College, Melbourne, Australia
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Kirkus Reviews (02/01/2018):
Even death can’t break the bond of identical twins. In this debut novel, Jess sets out to uncover who was responsible for her sister’s fatal fall.Jess knew that she was the one her parents worried about, the one her classmates found odd, the one who was private and didn’t like to be touched. When her identical twin, Anna, is found lying dead beneath her window, everyone is quick to identify her fall as an unfortunate accident. Jess, who knew Anna better than anyone, suspects foul play, and she uses her observational skills to seek the truth. The task isn’t easy when everyone in small-town Birdton, Montana, has their secrets–even Anna. In the process of getting to know her sister’s friends, frenemies, and love interests, the perpetually misunderstood Jess develops her own bonds and begins to forge her own identity. All of the characters but one are white, and this becomes a key plot point in the story. Entries from Anna’s diary interspersed with Jess’ methodical first-person narration heighten the tension and fill in gaps, while plenty of red herrings keep readers guessing throughout Jess’ investigation. Perhaps her biggest discovery, however, is that of Anna’s love for her.A solid, quiet murder mystery for thoughtful readers. (Mystery. 14-18) COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ISBN: 9781524720322
Pages: 352