Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Nothing More to Tell

Author: Karen M. McManus

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Copyright Date: 2022

ISBN: 9780593175903

Format: Print Prose Book

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

Awards: None

Interest Level: Ages 14+ (Amazon)

Plot Summary:

Brynn is, to her dismay, moving back to her home town, Sturgis, with only half of her senior year left. To make her college applications more competitive she applies for an internship with Motive, a true crime show. She gets the position with an intriguing application and an episode proposition of an unsolved murder from four years ago. Right before she initially moved away from Sturgis four years ago, her favorite teacher, Mr. Larkin, was murdered, discovered by her ex-best friend Tripp, and fellow Saint Ambrose students Shane and Charolette. The murder was attributed to a drifter but things just don't seem to add up, especially when the murder weapon has only fingerprints of 13 year old Shane, who discovered the body.

Brynn ends up conducting her own investigation to get to the bottom of her beloved teachers murder. As she digs deeper she discovers more and more unexpected secrets about Mr. Larkin and the people of Saint Ambrose. Is the story really worth it?

Author Background:

Karen M. McManus is a young adult thriller writer who has received many accolades especially for her series One of Us is Lying. She had a passion for writing since she was in second grade but began professionally pursuing the passion after reading the Hunger Games in 2014. Some of her favorite authors are Agatha Christie and Gillian Flynn. Her other works include the One of Us is Lying series, Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You'll Be the Death of Me, and recently released Such Charming Liars.

Critical Evaluation:

My favorite book reviewers @newlynova will always read a YA thriller whenever she needs a pick me up or feels like she if falling into a "reading slump." After reading Nothing More to Tell, I totally understand why. This is absolutely not the best thriller I have ever read but it was everything it needed to be! This thriller was fun, easy, a little absurd, and had relatively low stakes. Much of the YA I have read recently is very emotionally exhausting, not in a bad way, but in a way that requires a little break. This book was that break. The characters were likable but not too developed and the plot did not contain themes that made my heart ache. I found that the thriller had countless turns and felt that I was constantly being rerouted. The background romance storyline was very cute and easy to route for! I am a thriller reader who always wants to be ahead of the story, but with all the added bombshells I was bamboozled. My mom recommended this author to me, she noted though that this was not her favorite of her work but that she still enjoyed it. If I were to recommend Karen M. McManus I think that I would first recommend her series but I would also want to keep her entire body of work close because its like candy, easy to gobble up!

Creative Use for Library Program:

True Crime Podcast Club- True crime has picked up so much recently and people including teens love a little thrill. Librarians host a weekly true crime podcast club where teens listen together to recently released true crime podcast episodes. With massive bowls of popcorn, teens can try and debunk the mystery as each story develops. Librarian can host this in the evening with lights turned low and some chilling ambience to set the thrilling vibes

Speed Round Book Talk:

Four years ago Mr. Larkin was found dead in the woods by three teenagers, one of which had their fingerprints on the murder weapon, but they were found not guilty. Brynn a newly appointed true crime intern is determined to uncover the truth of what really happened. Why would anyone want to kill Mr. Larkin, he was a sweet guy... wasn't he?

Potential Challenge Issue and Defense Preparation:

The main issue that I found that some could also have with this novel was how alcohol was used within the story. On multiple occasions the main character Tripp relies on alcohol to drown his anxiety and guilt while this is something that many people do, and the story points out that it is destructive. I think there needed to be more discourse on him realizing this is not a healthy habit as he was showing alcoholic tendencies. It is unreasonable to assume that teens do not drink however this story may show mixed messages about when to drink or the ease of quitting.

Reason for Inclusion:

Karen M. McManus is an essential author for any current teen library. I am including Nothing More to Tell because sometimes you need a fun standalone to get your brain and heart racing! This book and its author are current and popular. It's an easy read and opens the door to the genre of thrillers. What a great start to dive into Karen M. McManus with even better works to read!

Check Out:

To the left is some fan art by Karen's niece, Shalyn, of Tripp and Brynn and to the right is the trailer for Karen M. McManus's One of Us is Lying on Peacock.

References:

Amazon. (n.d.). Nothing More to Tell. Accessed July 2024 from https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-More-Tell-Karen-McManus/dp/0593175921

Goodreads. (n.d.). Nothing More to Tell. Accessed July 2024 from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51559209-nothing-more-to-tell

Karen M. McManus. (n.d.). About [Photo]. Accessed July 2024 from https://www.karenmcmanus.com/about

Karen M. McManus. (n.d.). Contact/FAQs. Accessed July 2024 https://www.karenmcmanus.com/faqs

Peacock. (2021, October). One of Us Is Lying Official Trailer [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/TWVMBfMpFiU?feature=shared

@writerkmc. (2024, February). It’s Leap Year Day, which means it’s also Tripp Talbot’s birthday! He only gets to celebrate every four years, so I [Post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/C37mpPcrlS0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==