Four Letter Word

December 11, 2023
Incoming high school senior Izzy Bell fervently hopes to flee from her Eureka, Calif., hometown post-college. The only thing that brings her joy is Murder Will Speak, a true crime podcast. A new potential bright spot is the arrival of Italian foreign exchange student Alberto Bianchi, whom Izzy’s family is set to host for the upcoming school year. Handsome Alberto seems to instantly fall for Izzy, but worry over her mother’s high expectations, her absent father, and her love interest’s sudden coldness puts a possible new romance on the back burner. Odd behavior from Alberto, including his almost comical Italian accent, as well as friendship troubles add to Izzy’s stress, which worsens when bodies begin appearing around town. And then the latest episode of Murder Will Speak chronicles an L.A. serial killer known as the Casanova Killer, whose description is eerily reminiscent of Alberto. Though certain reveals are moderately predictable, McNeil (Three Drops of Blood) doles out clever clues and plot twists to keep the action moving and raise the stake—and death toll—of this entertaining mystery toward a life-and-death, storm-raging finish. Major characters are white. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ginger Clark, Ginger Clark Literary.

March 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 Rising senior Izzy is too busy planning to live her mother's dream life--studying art history in Italy--to think about what she wants. Hosting an Italian foreign exchange student for the summer is key to their plan, and, at first, Izzy finds charismatic and attractive Alberto easy to like. However, his odd behavior eventually disconcerts instead of charms: his Italian accent is exaggerated, his English too good, and his flirting turns Izzy's best friend and mother against her. Then comes the first murder: her brother's girlfriend. Readers will glean that Alberto isn't what he claims, particularly as true-crime buff Izzy frequently references the at-large Casanova Killer, but tension lies in when and how this is revealed. Clues coalesce for relatable Izzy, who turns from balancing the shifting dynamics in her romantic and family life to catching a killer. The latter half of the book is a satisfying cinematic thrill ride, with a huge storm, a dramatic revelation, and a fight for survival.

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January 1, 2024
Izzy Bell might not know much Italian or understand why the handsome Jake Vargas has stopped texting her, but she does know how to help her mother, who has bipolar disorder. All Izzy must do is master Italian and move to Italy to study art history, fulfilling the dreams her mom never got to fulfill (instead, her mom, Elizabeth Bell, got pregnant with Izzy's oldest brother). To help improve Izzy's mastery of the language, the summer before her senior year, the Bell family welcomes college-aged exchange student Alberto Bianchi to their Eureka, California, home. Only hot, flirty Alberto might be too good to be true, and true-crime podcast aficionado Izzy begins to question his real identity--and his real intentions. With a serial killer on the loose and a potentially disastrous storm approaching, Izzy's primary focus is on survival. McNeil ratchets up the tension in her thrill-filled tale set in a vividly rendered small coastal city as "the Storm of the Century" approaches. Izzy is an engaging and fully developed protagonist who balances a confusing romance, rocky family dynamics, worries about the future--and, oh yeah, she potentially faces a serial killer. Following a slower first half, the pacing revs up as the story races to the action-packed finale in this crisply described, cinematic read that fans of Karen McManus will appreciate. Most characters read white. Readers will root for the multidimensional hero of this twisty whodunit with heart that's sure to surprise and scare. (Thriller. 12-18)

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February 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-An Italian foreign exchange student comes to stay with her family, and Izzy hopes it will brighten up her home life. Her mom's mental health struggles have worn on Izzy over the years, as well as her expectation that Izzy will follow through with her abandoned dreams to study abroad in Italy. Alberto's arrival is a part of that plan, to help Izzy practice Italian before she becomes an exchange student herself. Unfortunately, a few things don't seem quite right about their handsome new guest-his clothes don't fit quite right, his accent seems a little over the top, and he has a violent temper. When a death linked to an at-large serial killer occurs in their town shortly after his arrival, Izzy becomes suspicious. She knows she listens to a lot of podcasts, but she's beginning to wonder if she's living with a murderer. Seasoned mystery readers will quickly guess the story's gradual reveals, but this book isn't so much of a "whodunit" as an action-packed coming-of-age story about a girl learning to find her voice and trust her instincts. Readers will be cheering Izzy on as she uses wits and grit to outmaneuver a killer who is determined to make her the next victim as she gets closer to the truth. McNeil adeptly creates believable characters and a detailed portrait of a small Northwestern town. VERDICT A story of personal growth wrapped up in high-stakes thrills. Recommended for libraries with many teen thrill-seekers.-Joanna Harris

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