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Dangerous Lies
Common Sense says
- Becca Fitzpatrick
- Mystery
- 2015
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Dangerous Lies is a teen romance-thriller by the author of the Hush, Hush saga. This one's thoroughly grounded in some harsh realities, though, such as 17-year-old Stella having to take care of her mother, who's a drug addict. Drug and alcohol addiction affect a number of important characters, and the pain and trauma inflicted on loved ones is a major theme. Stella witnessed a murder, and the aftermath and body are briefly described with lots of blood and spattered remains. Other violence includes a few fights and attacks with pain described. There's some kissing and heavy making out described; older teens have sex, but it's not directly narrated, though some physical sensations are described. Strong language is infrequent and moderate ("ass," "damn," and "butt" most often).
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What's the story?
Only three months shy of her 18th birthday, Stella is forced into the federal witness protection program while she waits to testify against a powerful drug dealer accused of murder. She's whisked away from her home, and all contact with her past life is cut off. She finds herself on an old farm in Nebraska with a strict and cantankerous foster mother. Fortunately, she's also now neighbors with the handsome Chet. As she gets to know him and the people of Thunder Basin, she feels worse and worse about having to lie about who she really is. After she stands up to town bully Trigger, he starts digging into Stella's past, threatening her safety just as she's warming up to life in rural Nebraska. DANGEROUS LIES keep piling one on top of another. Can Stella ever be her real self again?
Is it any good?
Stella's a believable hero, and teens will relate to her longing for the independence of turning 18 and struggling with who she really is. But the story lacks emotional punch. Perhaps a hero with so much going on -- the murder trial, the mother’s drug addiction, hiding her identity, falling for a new guy, and all the lying -- may have been too much to chew: No one issue makes a particularly strong impact, and some aspects of the story get short shrift.
The romance especially -- but occasionally the suspense, too -- fall into cliché too often. But teens looking for a light read will enjoy rooting for Stella as she struggles to find a safe haven.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why mysteries and thrillers are so popular. Why do we love reading them so much?
Do you know anyone who's addicted to drugs or alcohol? What impact does it have on that person's loved ones?
Do you think Stella will ever forgive her mother? Do you think she should? Why, or why not?
Book details
- Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Friendship, Misfits and Underdogs
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: November 10, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.