What’s Murder Between Friends (Meg Gatland-Veness, Pantera)

Hallie has always dreamed of being an actor. Thanks to her drama teacher, Ms Lovelace, the school is finally putting on its first show. When Hallie’s class stumbles upon Ms Lovelace’s murdered body, the show is at risk, and there’s a crime to solve. Hallie and her friends know that in this small country town, the murderer could be anyone they know. What’s Murder Between Friends pays homage to the theatrical with a dramatic mix of teen crime investigation, a murderer on the loose, a show to put on, and a blossoming love triangle. Mystery and melodrama make this novel a page-turner, and the reader is kept guessing throughout. In true epic theatre fashion, the ending causes shock and will likely divide readers as to whether it’s sensational or dissatisfying in nature. Meg Gatland-Veness has an immense skill in depicting gritty Australian settings and themes without losing the voice of her characters—as seen in her previous novels I Had Such Friends and When Only One. In What’s Murder Between Friends, as Hallie starts to ask questions of the people around her, themes of family violence, suicide, disordered eating, homophobia, drug use and incarceration are all explored through the eyes of teenagers. What’s Murder Between Friends is a memorable new addition to the market and is best suited to readers aged 15+ who are fans of Karen McManus or Gatland-Veness’s previous books.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jordi Kerr is a freelance reviewer and youth literature advocate, and a support worker for the LGBTIQA+ community. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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