Review: The Bakersville Dozen - Kristina McBride

The Bakersville Dozen
Kristina McBride
Series: n/a
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

You have four days to locate five treasured trophies. Break the rules and you all die. Happy hunting!

Back in September, the town of Bakersville, Ohio made national news when a video went viral featuring thirteen of the high school’s elite in compromising positions. Now it’s May, and every month since the “Bakersville Dozen” made their infamous appearance on the national stage, one girl has gone missing. Officials are no closer to identifying the criminal.

Bailey “Like a Virgin” Holzman is getting really fed up with the scrutiny. She just wants to enjoy the rest of her senior year and have an epic summer before heading off to college. So when she discovers a note in her locker on the last day of school inviting her on a scavenger hunt, she thinks it’s just a sweet surprise from her boyfriend trying to cheer her up.

But following the clue leads her, instead, to the first official casualty. And another sinister envelope. The killer is close, and it could be anyone. Even the people Bailey’s always trusted most—her best friend, her perfect boyfriend, or the boy-next-door she’s always pined for. With the clock ticking, she faces a terrifying choice: play the game by the killer’s rules—follow the clues, tell no one, and no cops—for a chance to save the rest of the missing girls, or risk becoming the next grisly victim.

Months after the disappearances of several of the "Bakersville Dozen", Bailey receives a note, which sets her on a psychotic scavenger hunt. The prize? She may be able to save the missing girls' lives.

I really enjoyed The Bakersville Dozen. McBride crafted a captivating story that seemed "ripped from the headlines", built a great backstory, and filled it with lots of mystery. The thing I always love about mysteries is looking for the pieces of the puzzle, and assembling them in an attempt to solve the crime. McBride was very sly in the way she planted and revealed the clues, which only added to the fun. There were twists, turns, and even some red herrings. I was deceived several times. Just when I thought I knew "whodunit", a piece of information would be uncovered and prove me wrong. I did up being partially right, but I would have never guessed the mastermind behind this nefarious plot.

This book was more than a mystery though. It had all the makings of a great suspense-thriller. There were many times when my heart rate increased, and I found myself biting my nails. There was a spooky quality that permeated most of this tale, and this constant tension that kept me wondering what was next. It all just added to the thrill ride McBride took me on.

This wouldn't be a review by me, if I omitted my thoughts on the romance. I didn't expect it, but it was there, and I really liked it. McBride admirably integrated the romance into the story. It did not seem forced to me, and although it took a looooong time, we finally got some answers and resolutions  regarding said romance. I was quite pleased with the way McBride tied up this storyline, as well as all the other loose ends in the book.

This book toyed with my emotions and pulled on my heartstrings. It took me on quite a wild ride, and I was throughly entertained by this fast-paced mystery/thriller.

**I would like to thank the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. Quotes are from an ARC and may change upon publication.

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