My Thoughts: The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

The Amateurs
(The Amateurs #1)
by Sara Shepard
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Publication Date: November 1st 2016
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781484742273
Genre: Young Adult | Mystery
Source: Review Copy

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I need some answers about my sister. Help…

Five years ago, high school senior Helena Kelly disappeared from her backyard in Dexby, Connecticut, never to be heard from again. Her family was left without any answers—without any idea who killed Helena, or why.

So when eighteen-year-old Seneca Frazier sees a desperate post on the Case Not Closed message board, she knows it’s time to change that. Helena’s high-profile disappearance is the one that originally got Seneca addicted to true crime. It’s the reason she’s a member of the site in the first place.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, she agrees to spend spring break in Connecticut working on the case with Maddy Wright, her best friend from Case Not Closed. However, the moment she steps off the train, things start to go wrong. Maddy’s nothing like she expected, and Helena’s sister, Aerin, doesn’t seem to want any help after all. Plus, Seneca has a secret of her own, one that could derail the investigation if she’s not careful.

Alongside Brett, another super-user from the site, they slowly begin to unravel the secrets Helena kept in the weeks before her disappearance. But the killer is watching…and determined to make sure the case stays cold. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Imagine my excitement when a mystery package arrived on my doorstep one of afternoon, and inside was a copy of The Amateurs, the newest release by Sara Shepard, and lots of awesome swag as well! Would you believe me if I told you that I've only read two of Sara's books in the past, even though I have quite a few more on my TBR? And that I haven't read the Pretty Little Liars series, even though I have the first few books just sitting on my shelf? Believe me, unfortunately, I haven't. BUT, I was super excited to read something new by Sara, and this book sounded really awesome!

When I read the summary for the book I knew that it was going to be an interesting read, and it totally was. The story is told from multiple characters points of view, and I love that, as I feel we get so much more information that way. Seneca, the main character, proves to be quite the amateur detective, and along with some other members from the Case Not Closed message board; Maddy, Brett, and Aerin, she sets out to solve a high-profile murder that has left unsolved for quite some time.

I really enjoyed the mysterious storyline for the book. I've read enough mysteries lately that I feel like I've gained some pretty good sleuthing skills, and while I was able to figure out a few things early on, there was one twist that completely caught me by surprise. I totally should have seen it coming, as I had some suspicions, but I didn't. That twist left me super anxious to see what's going to happen next in this series, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book as soon as possible!

I'm also curious to see if this new series will become a tv series as well, now that the Pretty Little Liars show is coming to an end. I'm not much of a tv person, but I'd watch it if it does.

Overall; I think The Amateurs is an interesting beginning to what should prove to be a highly gripping series! I'm super excited for the next book in the series, whenever it is to be released, so I can see what happens next. Check it out!