Justin, Bobby, and Gabe have numerous exchanges that will have readers chuckling, snickering, and laughing out loud. Strand's penchant for tongue-in-cheek humor and witty repartee is on full display here. But it doesn't take long for Murphy's law to take effect-in increasingly silly and exasperating fashion.

With a $5,000 loan from Justin's grandmother and the most popular girl in school as its star, Justin's film is off to a good start. After their vampire movie falls apart, the trio resolves to go big or go home, and going big means making the greatest zombie movie ever. Their films have been poorly received on YouTube, and few of their fellow students show much interest in their moviemaking exploits. Justin and his pals Bobby and Gabe have been making movies for a while now, but none has gained much traction. Teen filmmakers try to make the titular cinematic masterpiece. The plot slowly and inexorably increases the tension, only for the cliffhanger to act as an unwanted pin in the balloon.Ī compelling contemporary thriller for readers who don’t mind waiting for Volume 2.

Bree’s rebelliousness exists only to exist, it seems. Although some characters are well-rounded-Kitty and Margot and some minor characters-others are less successful. Will they be able to discover the murderer’s identity without revealing their own? That question is regrettably left unanswered. With the sadistic Coach Creed and the ’Maine Men, a “school-sanctioned goon squad,” determined to reveal DGM’s members, the team’s bonds begin to fray, especially when they begin receiving anonymous photos that hint at the girls’ secrets. But then their latest target ends up dead-holding evidence that implicates DGM in his death.

Student body vice president Kitty initially brought together actress Olivia, invisible Margot and rebellious Bree after a freshman year class project, and since then, they’ve successfully neutralized some of the worst offenders at Bishop DuMaine. No one knows who is in DGM-no one would suspect it’s four very different girls with no apparent ties of friendship. That is, until a group called Don’t Get Mad begins giving the worst offenders their just deserts. A new series aiming at the Pretty Little Liars sweet spot kicks off.īullies run rampant at prep school Bishop DuMaine, ignored by principal Father Uberti.

Get Even by Gretchen McNeil