Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

Published: July 2013

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada

Pages: 400

Copy Provided by: Publisher

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Paradise quickly gets gruesome in this thrilling page-turner with a plot that’s ripped from the headlines and a twist that defies the imagination.

It’s Spring Break of senior year. Anna, her boyfriend Tate, her best friend Elise, and a few other close friends are off to a debaucherous trip to Aruba that promises to be the time of their lives.

But when Elise is found brutally murdered, Anna finds herself trapped in a country not her own, fighting against vile and contemptuous accusations. As Anna sets out to find her friend’s killer, she discovers harsh revelations about her friendships, the slippery nature of truth, and the ache of young love.

Awaiting the judge’s decree, it becomes clear to Anna that everyone around her thinks she is not only guilty, but also dangerous. And when the whole story comes out, reality is more shocking than anyone ever imagined...

Review:

I loved the cover on this title and knew I had to read it because it contains elements that I like - suspense, mystery, a little bit of romance...a nice change from the supernatural/dystopian titles I've gotten used to as of late. 

First off, Dangerous Girls is not meant for the pre-teen audience.  There is sex, violence and language in this book and it does deal with a serious matter.  Reminiscent of the Amanda Knox trial in Italy but toned down for an older teen audience.  Most of the story is told from Anna's point of view.  There is a lot of flipping back and forth to different timelines during the story to see how the events unfold and give the reader a broader perspective of Elise's friendship with Anna.  Like many female friends, they have become very close, very quickly and there is an element of co-dependency. 

Unfortunately, Anna becomes the prime target in Elise's murder and as we pick apart the fabric of their relationship, we see small tears in their bond.  Did Anna kill Elise or was it someone else?  Despite the number of pages, this was a quick read.  I found myself devouring this story just to discover if Anna was the killer and if not, who was.  Abigail Haas sets up the story well and has you guessing up until the last 5 pages of the book when you think you have the answer....but maybe you don't.  There is a fine line between creating suspense and making your readers angry and frustrated.  She balances this out well.  I would recommend this read to an older audience looking for something suspenseful, dramatic and contemporary.  A great summer read to enjoy!