Challenge Corner discussion

Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone's declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! This is the first book I've read by Karen McManus and it definitely didn't disappoint.

(view spoiler)[I liked the twins aspect. From the beginning, it reminded me of a horror movie in a small town. Why I associate twins in thriller books to horror movies, I'll never understand. Ha!

I thought the instafriendship between Malcolm, Mia, Ellery, and Ezra was a little farfetched. However, beyond that, the storyline was amazing! I hated that Malcolm was constantly being framed for the crimes, but Ellery was quick to determine his fate for herself before automatically condemning him, which I loved. I wish there had been more romance throughout (I'm a sucker for a good romance, haha), but the plot twists were amazing. Every time I thought I knew who the killer was, I was so wrong! I can't believe that Peter got away with it for as long as he did without getting caught.

And can we just talk about that INSANE cliffhanger ending?!?!? OMG! What does that even mean?! Good gracious, I couldn't b believe it. I wish there was a sequel! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9 (view spoiler)[when that dude paused I knew he was gonna announce Ellery as the third candidate. I was like no way is this not happening. I like Malcolm but man his brother is sketchy as fuck!! Declan needs to leave and stop acting so suspicious. I don’t really have a suspect at this point but I’m enjoying the book and I love Ellerys interest in crime. Also Brooke is being weird and I don’t trust it. (hide spoiler)]

Ch19 (view spoiler)[well crap things really don’t look good for Malcolm! I don’t think he did it tho. Someone else was responsible and idk if his brother is involved at all. I totally ship Ellery and Malcolm but I also need more Mia cause I love my bisexual girl. I wonder if Daisy and Declan being in town is related at all to Brooke’s disappearance and the targeting of the homecoming candidates. I also don’t like how cagey Sadie is about her past. Or seeing Brooke and Van Puckett being shady. What were they talking about!? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 29 (view spoiler)[holy shit their mom had an affair with Ryan’s dad!! I was not expecting that. And Katrin was the one who hit that teacher and is hanging these signs! Wtf girl what’s wrong with you?? I can’t believe that video Malcolm took isn’t worth more and that receipt. It should be enough to at least make Katrin a suspect. Also I have a bad feeling that text Ryan just got was about Brooke’s body. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Ch 9 [spoilers removed]

Ch19 [spoilers removed]

Ch 29 [spoilers removed]"

I also... (view spoiler)[knew that Ellery would be the third candidate. That part was a little obvious. I liked Malcolm a lot also! (hide spoiler)]

How are you enjoying the rest of the book? Have you been able to finish it yet? I really enjoyed it!

The synopsis of the book on GR was the perfect little summary for this book and definitely helped grab the reader's interest! So much suspense!

Starting this one now!

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[so Declan is back in town and not saying why. Already one dead body and now vandalism all over town threatening homecoming queens. They all have to be connected, but how? (hide spoiler)]

Yes I finished just hadn't typed up my thoughts!

Finished (view spoiler)[Wow! I never would've guessed it was Malcolm's step dad or whatever his relationship was with that dude. And what he said to Ellery was so fucking creepy!!! I'm sad that they didn't find Brooke alive. And freaking Viv engineering the messages was not surprising. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ So now Brooke is missing. Poor Malcolm. He's always just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And what is with his step sister now trying to throw him under the bus with Brooke? I do not like her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[ I'm honestly a little lost on this one. Normally I can solve them early on but this one has me going all over the place. I have theories but they are out there lol. I guess I'm like Ellery that way. But something is up with Katrin and Sadie. Also Viv is sketchy as all hell. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ okay so Peter was one of my suspects but I couldn't make it all work. And Katrin is just horrible. Happy that Declan and Malcolm are working out their shit and that the twins are getting to know their half siblings. Over all I enjoyed this one (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Viv and Katrin both were HORRIBLE! For the graffiti and then Katrin just stood by her dad knowing he murdered her friend??? Craziness (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[okay, it’s interesting but what is with this whole town. I want to know who did all that stuff in the cemetery. I also want to know what’s with their mom. I have so many fucking questions. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed]"

Girl, the book is over and I STILL have questions!!!! (view spoiler)[The majority of my questions also revolve around the mom. This is a rare book that I wish wasn't a standalone because I NEED more info!!!! I question if the mother was actually involved somehow, specifically in her twin's murder. Hmmm.... (hide spoiler)]

Morgan wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed]"

Girl, the book is over and I STILL have questions!!!! [spoilers removed]"

AGREED

Jenn wrote: "Morgan wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed]"

Girl, the book is over and I STILL have questions!!!! [spoilers removed]"

AGREED"

Morgan wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed]"

Girl, the book is over and I STILL have questions!!!! [spoilers removed]"

OMG THATS WHAT I HAVE BEEN THINKING

Ch. 19: (view spoiler)[LMFAO. WHY TF WOULD SHE TRUST SOMEONE SHE HAS KNOWN FOR A MONTH OR SO. Personally, I need like maybe five years. Heck. I don’t even trust any of mine driving my car or babysitting my puppies and I’ve been with them since middle school. Also I hate Katrine. She seems like a bitch that needs to die. (hide spoiler)]

The sister is the WORST.

Yeah she sounds like a lovely person ...🙄🙄

Ch. 28: (view spoiler)[I don't understand this family. Why would she want her mom.. why doesn't she realize she's full of shit and constantly lies? Oh lord, I want to slap this girl. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[WAIT WHAT? THAT'S HOW IT'S GOING TO END? I do not accept. Again, I have so many questions because some things just made me cringe.. and then made me question everything all over again. Oh lord, send help. (hide spoiler)]

OMG OMG It finally showed up at library .. totaly didn't think itd make it in time lol going to pick it up tonight

ok end of chapter 7 I think or 8 (view spoiler)[ They're kind of putting a lot of people into the light of who it could be - I like Ellery a lot she's me but younger hah obsessed with those types of shows/books, etc. too - I'm wondering how their stories will truly intersect I mean .. someone trying to solve a murder and someone kind of indirectly thrown into one - him imagining his brother choking out the girl seems suspicious ........ did he really do it (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 14 - (view spoiler)[ the book seems slow to me even though there are clearly things happening - ? something happening to brooke - ? Malcolm being set up (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 24 - (view spoiler)[ still not much happening for me - Ryan seems suspicious … ? multiple people in on it (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 28 - (view spoiler)[ totally didn't think that Ryan would be their sibling .. creepy old man .. (hide spoiler)]

and the end - (view spoiler)[ once Katrin started getting involved I thought about his step dad - when brooke goes missing in the house it seemed awfully suspicious .. and now that I re-read my note .. the fact that her mother got with a married man older than her was foreshadowing for that … and I 100% knew that Sadie was the one meant for death back in the day not her sister .. still it weaved together nicely - was a bit slow ironically (hide spoiler)]

I haven't really posted on here because I read the whole book today, but I definitely agree with Ashley about the end. I thought the plot was kinda simple, but the characters were fun and I still enjoyed trying to unravel the mystery, so all in all it was a pretty good book.

I finally have my book so I'll be reading it hopefully today. If not, then tomorrow.