The Cheerleaders
by Kara Thomas
July 31, 2018
384 pages
Goodreads Summary:
There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.
First there was the car accident—two girls gone after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know why he did it. Monica’s sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they lost.
That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it’s not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica’s world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad’s desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn’t over. Some people in town know more than they’re saying. And somehow Monica is at the center of it all.
There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn’t mean anyone else is safe.
There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.
First there was the car accident—two girls gone after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know why he did it. Monica’s sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they lost.
That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it’s not that easy. She just wants to forget. Only, Monica’s world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad’s desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn’t over. Some people in town know more than they’re saying. And somehow Monica is at the center of it all.
There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn’t mean anyone else is safe.
Review
Kara Thomas's newest thriller, The Cheerleaders, has exceeded my expectations. She really is an exceptional mystery writer. The duo narrative skillfully shows us the past and present, bridging the two to slowly lead the readers into the story's climax(es).
While Monica wasn't the most likable character with her self-destructive behaviour and questionable life choices it's easy to see that was her coping mechanism. Her inability to get over her sister's suicide led her to start her own investigation into the deaths of the cheerleaders. With the help of a new friend, Ginny, Monica uncovers new evidence and testimonies. With each discovery Monica gets closer to the truth(s) but also unforeseen danger.
Kara Thomas is excellent at keeping the suspense alive. I was on the edge of my seat and holding my breathe as I turned page after page. The story can feel a little long but every moment was essential to unraveling the mysteries. Just when I questioned what the relevance of one scene was, I realized its importance. They fit perfectly together to form the truths. I pride myself in being able to guess plot twists (because of my love for crime shows) but I completely did not see one particular connection coming. To say I was shocked by the final reveals would be an understatement. The Cheerleaders has an ending that really packs a punch.
If you're looking for some thrills that'll keep you guessing and the unexpected that'll have you gasping out loud and reeling, try The Cheerleaders. I guarantee your mind will get a workout!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way.
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