Buzz Kill

Starred review from March 31, 2014
After 17-year-old Millie Ostermeyer discovers the body of none-too-popular football coach “Hollerin’ Hank” Killdare, the student reporter decides to investigate his murder. She has several motivations, including beating out her nemesis—cheerleader/newspaper editor Viv Fitch—and clearing the name of her own father, the team’s assistant coach and the number-one suspect. Millie is joined in her amateur sleuthing by handsome, enigmatic quarterback Chase Albright; while Millie is attracted to him (or at least to his amazing vocabulary), she discovers secrets about his past, too. Bright, underachieving Millie is an offbeat and frequently hilarious narrator; after a falling-out with her favorite librarian, a heartbroken Millie huffs, “From now on, I’ll be using the school library.” (Aside from cracking the case, Millie’s primary ambitions are to win a local steak-eating contest and “to backpack around the world after high school. Or maybe take a nice nap”). A quirky cast and Millie’s quasi-bumbling antics make Fantaskey’s (Jekel Loves Hyde) murder mystery a breezy and thoroughly entertaining read. It’s easy to get swept up in the buildup to the exciting final confrontation. Ages 12–up. Agent: Helen Breitwieser, Cornerstone Literary.

May 1, 2014
Grades 9-12 When student reporter Millie finds the dead body of the football team's coach, she is determined to beat rival reporter Vivienne to the story, especially since Viv keeps writing articles implicating Millie's dad: the assistant coach, mayor, and now lead suspect. Coach Killdare wasn't popular, though, and Millie's suspects encompass everyone from the pushover principal to the furious former quarterback. One of these suspects, current QB and handsome enigma Chase, also seems to be investigating, despite Millie's attempts to shake him off. Unconventional Millie is beleaguered by the impossible standards set by her idol, Nancy Drew, who did everything with class and manners. Examples: Nancy Drew wouldn't tell off a police officer, question suspects while wearing a stained T-shirt, or eat pie with her hands while in the company of a cute boy. That Millie doesand with enthusiasmis what makes her so delightful. Fantaskey's funny murder mystery, with multiple red herrings and suspenseful cliff-hangers, is a breeze to read, but watching Millie steamroll those in her way as she solves the murder is the real treat.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)