Deadly Cool Review

Friday, September 2, 2011

Title: Deadly Cool
Author: Gemma Halliday
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: October 11, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 272
Source: Publisher

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he's pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren't enough, now he's depending on Hartley to clear his name. Seriously? Not cool.

But as much as Hartley wouldn't mind seeing him squirm, she knows he's innocent, and she's the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school's resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer's next victim.
Hartley loves Josh. Very much so, actually, until the day she heard the rumours and decided to find out if they were true. Unfortunately, the evidence didn't lie, and she goes on a path to confront him, but that decision changes things from bad to worse. Suddenly, her cheating ex is the center of a murder investigation of the very person with whom he may very well have cheated with. Sound tricky? It is for Hartley, especially because she's not sure she wants him to suffer quite that much because he can't possibly be the killer. But if it's not Josh, and Hartley's fast becoming a target, where else can she look?

Deadly Cool isn't your average mystery, however, in the same breath I will wholeheartedly admit that it's not your average contemporary either. Weaving a tenuous balance of wit, off-beat humour, a whodunit mystery and a great host of characters with oversized personalities, author Gemma Halliday has created a fun, entertaining and engrossing novel that keeps the reader guessing. If summer reading is not your thing because it's a bit too light, odds are the the quirky tone and fun, refreshing take on murder mysteries of Deadly Cool might be the perfect alternative for you.

I'll be honest, when I first read the premise for Deadly Cool, trust me, I wasn't expecting a profound novel full of depth, resounding themes and an overriding sense of accomplishment for having read the book. I was, however, fully expecting a fast-paced, action-riddled read, and Deadly Cool delivered. From page one, our protagonist, Hartley, is entertaining. She's got snark, for one, and hell if she's about to roll over and play dead while her boyfriend's off cheating with the president of the chastity club. The interesting thing to note about Deadly Cool is that, in theory, it should be everything I hate about contemporary fiction. It has cliques and cliches, and it most certainly has those teenage hormones that rule just about every inch of bad YA fiction. Yet, somehow, Deadly Cool manages to teeter on the verge of satire while still stringing the reader along on an action-packed ride that keeps you guessing. Best of all though, Deadly Cool never once tries to rest on the laurels of a serious novel, and packs a punch of witty lines that are certain to make more readers than this easily amused blonde laugh out loud.

Honestly, I can genuinely say that Deadly Cool surprised me in a good way. It was a great break from darker novels, and it was nice to read about characters that didn't take themselves too seriously. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd highly recommend it to those who enjoy YA fiction, especially mysteries and contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

28 comments:

  1. Solid Review. Old follower saying hello.

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  2. I love the irony of cheating with the chastity club's president. And who's in a chastity club anyway? Or at least a club devoted solely to the idea of chastity.
    This sounds like a fun book. It's nice to have good action books sometimes.

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  3. I'm so glad you enjoyed the book! I haven't heard of it before but now I am going to be keeping my eyes peeled! Old follower!

    -Kat
    http://katmuntser-reviews.blogspot.com/

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  4. I'm surprised! I wasn't really expecting much of out Deadly Cool, but now I'm looking forward to reading it! Fabulous review! :)

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  5. I wasn't sure if I would like this book! But it definitely sounds like I will. Great review! New follower here!

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  6. Fast-pace, action, witty, and a mystery sounds perfect.

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  7. This sounds likes such a fun read that will a great escape for a few hours. Great review :)

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  8. Oooh another great review for Deadly Cool. This seems like such a fantastic read.

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  9. "Best of all though, Deadly Cool never once tries to rest on the laurels of a serious novel, and packs a punch of witty lines that are certain to make more readers than this easily amused blonde laugh out loud."

    YES EXACTLY! Sometimes a fun book is all I want to read, and this one just made me happy:) Awesome, awesome review Melissa, you are brilliant.

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  10. I didn't know this book but i really love the cover, it's beautiful ! Thanks for the review, it sounds great !

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  11. I'm not too sure what to expect with this book, but glad you enjoyed it! I like that it doesn't take itself too seriously. This definitely sounds like a great, fun mystery - thanks for the fab review! :)

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  12. Now I am excited to read this book! Plus the mc has snark! Love it!

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  13. I love when you expect that you'll like a book or that it will be okay and then it just ninja's up on you with it's awesomeness. I really want to read this.

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  14. Ooo, I love me a good mystery, and this one definitely sound perfect. Thanks for the amazing review, Melissa, as always :)

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  15. I never thought "Deadly Cool" was a YA contemporary, mystery book. I totally got the vibe of paranormal. That cover is really misleading! I don't mind a fun read as long as the characters are fun and don't take themselves too seriously. That's where I missed the mark with "Clarity". Great review!

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  16. I love summer readings! Def. going to read this one now. It just sounds awesome. And of course I need to read something with a refreshing take on mysteries. ;) Great review.

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  17. Okay, I need to read this one now. Wit? I'm so there! It sounds so different than what I thought it would be. Great review. I need to read this one now.

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  18. I am not sure about this one, but you always make them sound so good, evil you

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  19. I've never heard of this book before you posted it! Idk why, but I sort of like the cover! Haha. New follower (from my personal blog, woot :P) Happy Friday :D

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  20. The cover intrigued me and I love that it's a great mystery, too. Think I'll have to check it out!
    Mary @ BookSwarm

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  21. I’m looking forward to this one. Thrilled to see you gave it such a high rating.

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  22. I had this on my "get it eventually list".
    I've moved it up to my "get it ASAP" list now!!! Thank you for a great review!!!

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  23. Great review. I've been very interested in this one for some time, but have heard a bit varying opinions.

    I'm hopping by from follow friday and am your newest follower. :) My FF can be found here!

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  24. Wow! You definitely have me intrigued! It sounds like a great read, I'll have to add it to my WL!

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  25. This sounds fun! I was expecting a much more serious read and, honestly, that sounded kind of boring to me. You make the book sound like a lot of fun.

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  26. I like when books surprise us. Glad to hear that it's a deeper read than what it appears to be! Great review :)

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  27. Snarky characters and a mystery? I'm in! :D

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