Reading Metrics
Description
In the sleepy village of Cedar Falls, puppet-maker Polly Deacon lives a quiet, back-to-nature life that is shattered when she discovers her best friend Francy's abusive husband dead in the town dump with a hole in his chest. With a killer on the loose and Francy unable to recall the night's events, suspicion spreads through the community and Polly is drawn into a dangerous investigation to uncover the truth. As danger mounts, she must protect those she loves while racing to expose the hidden secrets of Cedar Falls before another life is taken.
Quick Summary
Polly, a puppet-maker who loves her simple back-to-nature life, gets thrown into a bewildering mystery when she discovers her best friend Francy's abusive husband dead in the dump with a bullet hole and Francy can't remember the night at all. The story balances a cozy, hand-crafted setting with the gritty shock of a murder, so you feel the tension rise as Polly tries to piece together what happened while also navigating the messy emotions of her friend. It's a great pick for older teens who might be reluctant readers, since the language is straightforward (AR 4.7) but the plot moves at a pace that keeps you hooked, and the humor pops up in unexpected places. Parents will want to note that the book tackles heavy topics like abuse and trauma, though it's handled with enough levity to keep the tone from becoming grim. If you liked the quirky small-town puzzles of *The Westing Game* but wanted something with a bit more emotional weight, this one will feel right at home.