The Agathas, Book 1
Classic mysteries help two teen detectives solve a murder.
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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 in Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson's The Agathas, the first in a series, two teens become unexpected friends and crime solvers. A fan of Agatha Christie mysteries, Alice Ogilvey comes from a wealthy family and was once one of the most popular kids at Castle Cove High School in California. Iris Adams comes from a lower income home and has always found herself invisible to fellow students like Alice. When Alice's former best friend Brooke Donovan disappears after a fight with Alice's ex-boyfriend Steve, many people think she's simply run off. Alice doesn't believe it and teams up with Iris and a group of high school forensic club members to find out what's really happened to Brooke. They soon find out that Brooke hasn't run off, she's been murdered -- and Steve is the main suspect. Now it's up to Alice, Iris, and the teen CSIs to prove Steve's innocence and find the real killer. A teen dies after being thrown off a cliff. A girl makes and shares a sex tape and there's some swearing ("f--k," "bitch," "a--hole," "crap," "Jesus"). The story shows how an unlikely group of teens can successfully work together as a team, and Iris exhibits great courage is standing up to her abusive father.
Community Reviews
Not appropriate for my 13 year old.
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What's the Story?
THE AGATHAS is told in the alternating voices of high schoolers Alice Ogilvey and Iris Adams. Alice has returned to Castle Cove High School after what's become a much talked about local mystery -- she went missing after breaking up with her basketball player boyfriend Steve and she's never told anyone where she went or what happened. Since she's missed the first few months of school, her parents have arranged for Iris to tutor her. Alice is absolutely not OK with the idea and Iris isn't all that enthusiastic about tutoring someone like Alice, whom she sees as privileged and entitled. But Iris really needs the money, as unlike Alice, she doesn't come from a wealthy family. Her mother works in a bar, they're struggling financially, and her abusive father is constantly violating the restraining order they have against him. Everything changes between the girls when Brooke Davidson, Alice's former best friend, disappears after a fight with her now-boyfriend, Steve. When Brooke's grandmother offers a $50,000 reward for information about her disappearance, Iris sees the money as a chance for a new life for herself and her mother somewhere far away from Castle Cove and her father. Alice isn't interested in the money, she just wants to know what happened to Brooke. So Iris and Alice team up. Alice brings crime- solving wisdom from Agatha Christie characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple to the search, and Iris enlists friends from the high school forensics club. When Brooke is found dead, suspicion falls on Steve. But Alice and Iris have a long list of other potential suspects on their Murder Board -- Brooke's stepfather, fellow students, and even "Unknown."
Is It Any Good?
This bright and engaging series debut is filled with long-buried secrets, unexpected suspects, and strong messages about teamwork, courage, and friendship. Fans of Veronica Mars are sure to be delighted with The Agathas and its intrepid teen detectives. At the conclusion of the novel, Iris and Alice are discussing two unsolved murders in Castle Cove, so readers can look forward to more adventures and crime-solving from the duo and their friends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance teamwork played in The Agathas. Have you ever been on a team where the members seemingly had nothing in common but worked together to achieve a goal?
A shouting match between Brooke and Steve leads to shoving and grabbing shoulders. Do you think something like this is no big deal or would you see it as teen dating violence?
Do you have a favorite mystery author? What makes them your favorite?
Book Details
- Authors: Kathleen Glasgow, Liz Lawson
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, High School
- Character Strengths: Courage, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: May 3, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 405
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: June 6, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Veronica Mars
Strong female teen private eye digs into serious topics.
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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Book 1
Teen detective "unsolves" murder in riveting thriller.
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And Then There Were None
Masterful murder mystery takes dark view of justice.
For kids who love mysteries
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