The Agathas - Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson

Mystery (YA)

Rating: 8.5/10

A delight of a book that triumphantly introduces a new generation to the brilliance of Agatha Christie.  The undisputed queen of mystery without whose literary influences we would not have the array of tropes that hold up the genre to this day.

Alice, one of the in crowd, decides to disappear after her boyfriend dumps her for her best friend.  The “ex” in both instances is implied. After her return she is on the outs and finds unexpected friendship with Iris, her tutor. Iris has happily embraced the many perks of being one of the invisible kids at school, but that’s about to change.

When Alice’s ex bestie is found murdered, she and Iris launch their own investigation, adopting many of the tenants of crime solving Christie’s detectives did. And they go all out!  Creating a murder board, confronting ineffectual police, manipulating press, and collecting evidence.  Along the way they amass sidekicks, each one quirkier and more hilarious than the last.

Beyond the mystery at the center of this story is the growing friendship between Alice and Iris. The author deftly shows that we are more than the labels thrust upon us in high school at the same time as gently letting us know that labels don’t end once you are handed that diploma.  They just change.

I loved this gang so much I can even forgive the use of words like amazeballs…

P.S. I loved the way Iris describes her invisibility in the book; when people don’t see you, you have free rein to listen in on conversations, observe people undetected and learn.  All qualities necessary for a good detective!

P.P.S Christie disappeared, of her own volition, for eleven days after she discovered her husband cheated on her.  Leaving people convinced he had murdered her.  How badass is that?

Book Pairing(s): The Summer We Forgot by Caroline George, Two Truths & A Lie by April Henry, Ten by Gretchen McNeil