Book Review: Frozen Beauty by Lexa Hillyer

Release Date: March 17th, 2020
Read: March 21st - 23rd, 2020
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Source: HarperCollins

Description from GoodReads:

Everyone in Devil’s Lake knows the three golden Malloy sisters—but one of them is keeping a secret that will turn their little world inside out….

No one knows exactly what happened to Kit in the woods that night—all they have are a constellation of facts: icy blue lips and fingers cold to the touch, a lacy bra, an abandoned pick-up truck with keys still in the ignition. Still, Tessa, even in her fog of grief, is certain that her sister’s killer wasn’t Boyd, the boy next door whom they’ve all loved in their own way. There are too many details that don’t add up, too many secrets still tucked away.

But no matter how fiercely she searches for answers, at the core of that complicated night is a truth that’s heartbreakingly simple.

Told in lush, haunting prose, Frozen Beauty is a story of the intoxicating power of first love, the deep bonds of sisterhood, and a shocking death that will forever change the living.

Review:

   These woods are lovely, dark and deep.
   Even though I own her Spindle Fire series, this is the first Lexa Hillyer book that I've read. I'm not going to lie to you, the cover was the reason I decided to pick Frozen Beauty up. It was an upcoming release and was going to be in my Teen Mystery section at work, so I thought, why not?

   I have not picked up a murder mystery in a while, especially one that had no paranormal or fantasy aspects to it. It was a refreshing change of pace, and was interesting to read just because it took place in the winter.

   I really enjoyed the various ways that the story was told, from the "before" and "now" timelines. With the timelines being the different sisters, and the third and dead sister being portrayed through her poetry. It made for a unique experience, and left no dull moments.

The characters themselves made for an entertaining experience. Being a third out of a group of three sisters, I found myself relating to the sisters throughout the story. The relationships between then all were oh so relatable, from the stealing of each others clothing, to knowing when too or not to talk to each other in the morning.

Overall, I enjoyed Frozen Beauty and would certainly recommend it to teens looking to try out the teen mystery experience.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"The face of a wolf, shadowed and fierce, stared back at him."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Murder Mystery, High School, Family, Sisters