·
Many times, when a mystery is exceptionally well-plotted, with clues throughout, it sacrifices elsewhere - often the emotional range of the characters, like the sleuth and his or her partners or sidekicks. This book did a great job of capturing the MC's emotions, down to a very believable (if fleeting) wish that his deceased, bank-robbing father is still alive, when the stolen money begins circulating in the small town. There is a crush without too much lovey-duvey stuff, and two teens dealing with very different ways of losing their families.
This is not a "follow-the-clues" mystery. That's OK in the end. Loved the final reveal. It's believable and a great resolution to the story.
My 13-year-old son recommends it.
