Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

Abstract

Reviewed by: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus Karen Coats McManus, Karen M. Two Can Keep a Secret. Delacorte, 2019 [336p] Library ed. ISBN 978-1-5247-1473-4 $22.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5247-1472-7 $19.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5247-1474-1 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 9-12 Twins Ellery and Ezra have moved in with their grandmother in Echo Ridge, a small town haunted by unsolved mysteries: their mother’s twin sister disappeared on their Homecoming night; five years ago, a girl named Lacey was killed on Homecoming night; and now twins come across the still-warm body of a popular teacher who was killed in a hit and run accident. Ellery becomes even more intrigued when messages appear around town threatening another tragedy on Homecoming night. Malcolm, who shares narration with Ellery, has struggled as the younger brother of the possible murderer of Lacey, and he and Ellery form a bond that tightens as Homecoming draws near. Multiple red herrings surface, including Ellery’s suspicion of both the town cop and the town drunk, the deteriorating mood of the local mean girls, and the return to town of Malcolm’s enigmatic brother, who surfaces at inauspicious moments. These tightly knit and well-placed plot elements, along with the development of Ellery and Malcolm’s relationship, keep pages turning until the revelation of the murderer’s identity and motivations, as well as some other secrets that turn out satisfyingly well. Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois