Former Nancy Drew fans moving on up to more sophisticated mysteries will really enjoy Natalie C. Anderson's That Kind of Girl. The very suspenseful, twisty narrative has it all: murder, intrigue, missing people and objects, a long standing family feud, and a truly bizarre treasure hunt. But mostly it's the story of two very different girls told in their alternating voices.
Roxie spent her childhood in a truly toxic environment. Her mother did her best to shield her from her abusive and domineering fundamentalist minister and cult leader father. A tragic incident left her orphaned and in foster care.
Now at 16 she's been adopted by her restaurant owner uncle. She's a student at Saint Madeline Prep. She doesn't really socialize with her classmates. But they come to her whenever they need something found or erased from social media. One day she gets a new client and goes to her mansion to discuss details...
...only to discover Kirsten dead, lying in a pool of her own blood. With no evidence of anyone else on the premises Roxie, now a person of interest, has to clear her name somehow.
Inez, a little older, still lives in her childhood trailer. She'd lived with her mother until the older woman's recent death. Now she has a job with a cleaning agency doing everything from college dorms to private residences. Because she can't earn enough through that income stream she supplements it with free lance sex work.
One party she provided her services at went horribly wrong. She keeps finding blood on her garments. Sure that she's killed someone, she's wondering when the police will find the body and start investigating cause of death.
Although Roxie and Inez live in different worlds, they're gonna need each other's help to survive the challenges life has thrown at them...
...hopefully they'll figure that out before it's too late.
Readers who like solving mysteries before the last chapter will find That Kind of Girl to be a delightful challenge.
On a purrrsonal note, when Eugene came back from plowing all night I made him breakfast and asked him for a ride to campus. Was I ever glad that I did. I found another student group to engage in Operation Valentine. I attended an e event that had wraps I could eat onthe diet from hell. I also got a huge boxed salad to take home there. I got a lot of free tomato/feta/spinach/egg whites wraps to take home in the free food fridge. A friend gave me a bag of sugar free pecan delights. I scored 3 inter library loans and 5 in house books from Orono Public Library. I now have two hours to read before bed. So I had a very wonderful day.
A great big shout out to my good friend Gwyn who will be celebrating 🍾 her birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 tomorrow. If I could think of the word that describes her best it would be compassionate. She works in student wellness where lots of people come to her for advice and encouragement. UMaine is lucky to have her. Happy birthday, Gwyn! Hope your day is as special as you are!
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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