If You Tell Anyone, You’re Next (Jack Heath, Scholastic)

Bestselling author Jack Heath has written 40 books for children, teenagers and adults. He returns with a pulse-racing psychological thriller set in a suburban high school. Zoe’s best friend Jayden has been missing for three days, and the police are dragging their heels. When she finds out about the secretive social media group that Jayden was mixed up in, she decides to investigate—even if it means putting herself in danger. Every one of her fellow pupils could be among the mask-wearing criminals that are terrorising the local community. Without knowing who to trust, who is sending her warning messages or how the creepy Adkinson house is connected to the mystery, Zoe has to discover the truth before she’s next on the hit list. Aligning perfectly with the trend for young adult horror and crime books, If You Tell Anyone, You’re Next is an excellent read for fans of Five Nights at Freddy’s or Ellie Marney’s novels. Heath’s tried and tested countdown technique is put to great effect here, as each short chapter reminds us exactly how long Jayden has been missing. Deadpan wit, genuinely thrilling action sequences and a fearless protagonist will draw in reluctant readers, and the wickedly tense plotting will keep them turning the pages. Readers aged 12 and up will be left questioning how well they really know the person sitting next to them as the story blends elements of suspense, haunted house mystery, and high school drama.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Annie Waters sells books, writes about books and podcasts about books. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews