Review - mysterious teen book: "Where the Truth Lies" by Jessica Warman
69"Where the truth lies" by Jessica Warman. First published 2010 by Walker & Company.
Seventeen year old Emily Meckler is having recurring nightmares. Why? Nothing bad seems to have happened in her life. She has wonderful parents and many great friends at the boarding school she attends. Yet… is everything as it seems? With the arrival of a new boy at her school, her life starts getting complicated. How does Emily deal with the new problems that come her way when everything she begins to uncover about her past seems to make less sense?
This captivating teen novel draws the reader in right from the start and does not let go. The fast-moving plot makes this book almost impossible to put down. Although not a mystery story as such, the plot has so many twists and turns that even fully grown mystery readers will thoroughly enjoy this young adult novel.
Apart from being a thoroughly gripping read, "Where the Truth Lies" deals with some very big teen issues. The main character, Emily Meckler, goes through a lot during the course of this book. A plot like this might seem overdone in the hands of another writer but is adeptly managed by Jessica Warman, and indeed the masterfully written ending keeps the book believable. During the course of the book Emily Meckler's character grows and changes from an accepting, eager-to-please person to someone who thinks about and challenges what she hears. After reading the book, the title "Where the truth lies" is especially appropriate and speaks volumes for this novel.
Shortcut to the book on Amazon:
 | Amazon Price: $5.70 List Price: $9.99 |
Who will like this young adult novel?
The main character will resonate most with teen girls. However, this book is set in a dual-gender boarding school, so teen boys may also enjoy this book. The teen issues brought up in the book are very mature ones, so fully grown adults will also find appeal in this novel (especially mystery fans as mentioned earlier).
The mysteries and questions surrounding Emily keeps even the most reluctant reader hooked. Because the teen issues are rather adult in nature, this book is better suited to more mature teens than younger teens.
The bottom line is...
"Where the Truth Lies" by Jessica Warman is a teen book which will appeal to anyone, but especially to teen girls aged 15 to 18. The fast-paced events and big issues which are revealed in this young adult novel results in a fascinating and memorable read.
© 2012 Giselle Maine
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Flora, it's great to hear from you. I remember RL Stine too (never knew this was the same as Christopher Pike though!). Jessica Warman's style (at least in "where the truth lies") is quite different to RL Stine though. She goes a lot deeper into some big issues that some teens are facing these days, although yes she does deliver a similarly big sense of mystery and suspense in doing so. I think also that RL Stine was perhaps geared toward the younger and middle teens than the older teens that Jessica Warman is writing toward. I am just trying to make the distinction so that other readers can understand how these 2 writers are similar, and how they are different.
Yes, I can definitely see how with your strong interest in mystery novels why you would have enjoyed "where the truth lies". If you have not looked in the teen / young adult section of the library recently you may want to - they have much cooler books there now than back when we were young! (I'm assuming we're of similar age because I remember the Nancy-Drew-to-RL-Stine transition too!)
I am about to turn 36 - next month
We are definitely about the same age then!
"Yet… is everything as it seems? With the arrival of a new boy at her school, her life starts getting complicated. How does Emily deal with the new problems that come her way when everything she begins to uncover about her past seems to make less sense?"
With intriguing introduction like this, anyone would be tempted. You ought to charge the author/publisher for this :D. Great review Giselle.
If you find time, I recommend Ice Cream Maker by Subir Chowdhury. I'm quite sure you'll enjoy it - it's all about quality - something I love in your work.
And in case you find it good enough, it would be great to read the review - rather your opinion about the book.
Hi Anusha, and thanks for your supportive words! This really made my day. Yes, I try to make the intro for the book reviews short and to the point but draw the reader in. However, I have to say that for high quality books such as "where the truth lies" it is easy - because I myself was drawn in by the fascinating plot of this book!
Thanks for your recommendation of the Ice Cream Maker - I will definitely have to read it. I appreciate your suggestion - I am always on the lookout for great books to read!
FloraBreenRobison 4 months ago
I remember reading authors like R.L. Stine/Christopher Pike (that's the same person) when I was a young adult/teen after graduating from Nancy drew (the hardcovers) which I still read. I am not familiar with Warman. She does sound like someone I would have read about 20 years ago, for sure (i.e., when I was young I'd have read her)