Parents' Guide to Nothing More to Tell

Nothing More to Tell Cover

Common Sense Media Review

Lucinda Dyer By Lucinda Dyer , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Teen investigates cold-case murder in terrific page-turner.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

age 13+

Based on 5 kid reviews

What's the Story?

NOTHING MORE TO TELL begins in a place Brynn Gallagher thought she'd never see again: Saint Ambrose High School. After four years away in Chicago, she and her family have returned to Sturgis, Massachusetts, and Brynn will be finishing her senior year at the private school. While she's welcomed back by some old friends, she gets a chilly reception from her former best friend, Tripp Talbot. Before she left Saint Ambrose, Tripp had publicly accused Brynn of stalking him, something she still finds terribly hurtful and inexplicable. Equally as puzzling to Brynn is discovering that scholarship student Tripp has become friends with the rich and entitled Shane Delgado and Charlotte Holbrooke. There's a bright spot in her return, as aspiring journalist Brynn is hired as an intern by the true-crime podcast Motive. Brynn immediately pitches a story idea to producers: an investigation into the unsolved murder of Saint Ambrose teacher William Larkin. Bludgeoned to death in the school's woods, his body had been found by Tripp, Shane, and Charlotte. And it was Tripp who provided alibis for both Shane and Charlotte. Could this, wonders Brynn, be the reason behind their unlikely friendship? As the investigation unfolds, Brynn goes undercover at Saint Ambrose for Motive, and her list of suspects is narrowed to just one.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 2 ):
Kids say ( 5 ):

Author Karen M. McManus takes a popular storyline (spunky teen solves murder) and gives it a sparkling refresh with complex characters and a plot certain to keep readers guessing. Nothing More to Tell will appeal both to readers looking for a light-on-the-blood-and-gore mystery and those looking for a can't-put-it-down read with characters who are dealing with tough issues like teen alcoholism, family dysfunction, and broken friendships.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the mending of relationships is handled in Nothing More to Tell. Have you ever had a falling out or misunderstanding with someone close to you? What happened? Were you able to mend the relationship?

  • Tripp has a serious problem with alcohol. Does your school or community have programs to help teens battling addiction? Do you think more can be done help?

  • Are you a fan of true-crime podcasts or TV shows? Which are your favorites?

Book Details

  • Author : Karen M. McManus
  • Genre : Mystery
  • Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
  • Character Strengths : Perseverance
  • Book type : Fiction
  • Publisher : Delacorte Press
  • Publication date : August 30, 2022
  • Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
  • Number of pages : 368
  • Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
  • Last updated : September 29, 2025

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