Description
Eight teens are dropped off on a remote west-coast island for a week-long treatment program called INTRO (Into Nature to Renew Ourselves).
The story is told by two of them: Alice, whose police-officer mother believes Alice might have a substance-abuse problem, and Caleb, who assaulted his abusive stepfather. They are joined by six other miscreants and three staff: a psychologist, a social worker and an ex-cop. On the first night, one of the girls disappears from her cabin. There is a panicked search of the island, but she is nowhere to be found. The adults seem oddly ineffectual in dealing with the crisis—and then the ex-cop gets sick and dies. The radio has been sabotaged, and there is no way to call for help. When the social worker also becomes ill, the kids decide to take matters into their own hands and track down the killer.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12
Awards
- , Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) John Spray Mystery Award
Editorial Reviews
"Will be avidly consumed by high school readers...It is the novel's spin on what seems, at first, to be almost stereotypical fictional set-up that makes the novel much more than just a regular old 'whodunit'...Readers will remain mesmerized to the very end."
— CM Magazine
"So fun! I thought Blood on the Beach was an enjoyable and intriguing book...The authors each bring their own style and expertise to the characters they create...All in all, I think I'd definitely recommend this one to teen readers, ever to more reluctant readers, and adults who like a really solid thriller."
— Sense and Sensibilty and Stories blog
"Together, [Harvey and Stevenson] are powerful. They have created a wild assortment of characters and exposed them to a more tenuous situation than those from which they came."
— CanLit for LittleCanadians blog
"Will keep readers guessing right up until the end. Middle and high school teens who like a good mystery will enjoy this book and may be able to relate to some of the characters."
— School Library Connection
"A compulsively readable tale...wickedly fun and fresh, this fast read is highly recommended for those who can't get enough dark mysteries, lovers of illicit romance, and anyone who appreciates creepy camp stories."
— School Library Journal
"Both the adult and young adult characters are relatable and there are some great plot twists including one final unexpected twist at the end."
— John Spray Mystery Award Jury
