In Case I Go Missing by R.N. Swann (2026)
I stand fully impressed by this one. I never expected to end up so enthralled and engrossed by this Nancy Drew-ish YA mystery. I found it intricately plotted, jam packed with twists and turns and filled with well drawn characters (both teen and adult). And to my further surprise, some keen understanding of the enduring power, (sometimes good and sometimes hurtful) in friendships forged for life.
And in a startling upending of expectations, the very person you thought would be front and center, ace girl detective Sarah Vincenty, has gone missing. To find out what's become of her, it's up to her two loyal, BFFs and Scooby Gang since childhood, 17 year olds Fenny and Sam. Now, instead of doing mere legwork for Sarah as she dug into and solved the town's various crimes, her dearest friends are tasked with actually cracking the case of her disappearance.
If Sarah met with foul play, which seems more and more likely, there's no shortage of suspects in town among both teens and adults. Sarah's sleuthing sometimes uncovered adulterous affairs, which split lives asunder and she was also instrumental in getting Sam's abusive, bullying older brother Brian to flee town altogether.
But Brian's back anyway, with a fiance in tow.. And Fenny and Sam discover Sarah's investigation delved into mysteries surrounding the town that go back through generations of its history.......some of it strange and violent. Not quite ancient history, though, since someone in the here and now is leaving anonymous threats and making very real attempts on Fenny and Sam's lives..
There's no end of clues to untangle, including Sarah's surprising alliances with the most unlikely people. Fenny's troubling relationship with her mom and Sam's living his life under the thumb of his wealthy, entitled family and loathsome brother also deepen the story. And when the ongoing villainy is finally revealed, it makes for a properly thrilling finale.
All in all, a terrific YA mystery that everyone should have fun with.
And in a startling upending of expectations, the very person you thought would be front and center, ace girl detective Sarah Vincenty, has gone missing. To find out what's become of her, it's up to her two loyal, BFFs and Scooby Gang since childhood, 17 year olds Fenny and Sam. Now, instead of doing mere legwork for Sarah as she dug into and solved the town's various crimes, her dearest friends are tasked with actually cracking the case of her disappearance.
If Sarah met with foul play, which seems more and more likely, there's no shortage of suspects in town among both teens and adults. Sarah's sleuthing sometimes uncovered adulterous affairs, which split lives asunder and she was also instrumental in getting Sam's abusive, bullying older brother Brian to flee town altogether.
But Brian's back anyway, with a fiance in tow.. And Fenny and Sam discover Sarah's investigation delved into mysteries surrounding the town that go back through generations of its history.......some of it strange and violent. Not quite ancient history, though, since someone in the here and now is leaving anonymous threats and making very real attempts on Fenny and Sam's lives..
There's no end of clues to untangle, including Sarah's surprising alliances with the most unlikely people. Fenny's troubling relationship with her mom and Sam's living his life under the thumb of his wealthy, entitled family and loathsome brother also deepen the story. And when the ongoing villainy is finally revealed, it makes for a properly thrilling finale.
All in all, a terrific YA mystery that everyone should have fun with.
4 stars (****).
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