If you like: JAMES PATTERSON

James Patterson is a hugely prolific writer, with books from children's to YA to adult, and he's renowned for his skill in storytelling. As you can see, he's so prolific that it leads us to sometimes wonder whether he's actually writing some of these novels. But it doesn't matter all that much- he's very popular, and for good reason. But even with so many series, you many run out of books by him that you want to read. Like me- I'm only interested in his YA novels for the most part. So if you like his style, check out these lesser-known YA mystery writers. 

Unwind: Neal Shusterman- For fans of Maximum Ride, this science fiction/dystopian series is a great next step. Where troublemakers and delinquents can be 'unwound' for their healthy body parts, three teens go to the extreme to keep it from happening to them- and to others. Click here to place a hold on it. 

Dead Girls Don't Lie: Jennifer Shaw Wolfe- When a random crime turns out to be not-so-random, and the people you trust the most could be the ones who've done something terrible, the only person you can count on is yourself. For fans of any of James Patterson's mysteries, click here to check it out for yourself. 

The Naturals: Jennifer Lynn Barnes- In NYPD Red, James Patterson chronicles the adventures of a special crime task force that deal with all sorts of misbehavior. Barnes' series is also about a special task force- but these teens have superpowers. If you think you'd be interested, click here to place a hold.

Waiting On Wednesday: All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

All In

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publication Date: November 3, 2015

From Goodreads:

Three casinos. Three bodies. Three days.

After a string of brutal murders in Las Vegas, Cassie Hobbes and the Naturals are called in to investigate. But even with the team's unique profiling talents, these murders seem baffling: unlike many serial killers, this one uses different methods every time. All of the victims were killed in public, yet the killer does not show up on any tape. And each victim has a string of numbers tattooed on their wrist. Hidden in the numbers is a code—and the closer the Naturals come to unraveling the mystery, the more perilous the case becomes.

Meanwhile, Cassie is dealing with an equally dangerous and much more painful mystery. For the first time in years, there's been a break in her mother's case. As personal issues and tensions between the team mount, Cassie and the Naturals will be faced with impossible odds—and impossible choices. 

Why I picked it:

This is one of the books that I've been the most excited about all year. I love Cassie and the gang, and I can't wait to see where this story takes them. I love getting to see them grow, and figure out who they are. I'm also curious to see if Cassie makes any headway on trying to figure out who she likes more, Dean or Michael. Hmmm, the suspense is killing me. 

Teen Book Review: Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Perfect Cover by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, was hilarious to read. It was as comical as it was clever. Toby Klein, the main character of this book is a phenomenal computer hacker but prefers combat boots to heels. So when a group of cheerleaders recruit her to be on their squad she can't help but laugh. But she realizes that it's not just any group of cheerleaders, it's a group of spies. After she joins the squad it gets even funnier as she's forced to wear skirts and lipstick. I couldn't get enough of this book and am very excited to read the second installment.

(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 14, Western High School)

Reserve a copy of Perfect Cover.