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Review: Envy by Gregg Olsen

Envy by Gregg Olsen
Published by Splinter



New York Times bestselling adult true crime author Gregg Olsen makes his YA debut with EMPTY COFFIN, a gripping new fiction series for teens based on ripped-from-the-headlines stories…with a paranormal touch.
Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.
Envy, the series debut, involves the mysterious death of the twins' old friend, Katelyn. Was it murder? Suicide? An accident? Hayley and Taylor are determined to find out--and as they investigate, they stumble upon a dark truth that is far more disturbing than they ever could have imagined.
Based on the shocking true crime about cyber-bullying, Envy will take you to the edge--and push you right over.


***
Envy is Gregg Olsen's YA debut. Having never heard of his adult books let alone read any of them I wasn't sure what to expect but I am pleased to say I really enjoyed Envy and am looking forward to the next instalment in the series.

From the outset you get the idea that this book is one of the first offerings in what is a very different genre in the YA market and one that I think is going to expand hugely in the not so distant future. It pulls no punches and it really grimm and a bit nasty in places but doesn't apologise for being that way. I liked that although it wasn't a true story the author had used a true case as inspiration for the story which made it all the more harrowing.

The main story was focused on the mystery surrounding the death of Katelyn. A teenage girl who died in suspicious circumstances. I really liked how the story kept you guessing right until the end about what actually did happen to her and I liked how the story of Katelyn was developed and unfolded as the book went along.

Another storyline that is hinted at and will probably be picked up on and developed even further is a paranormalesque mystery surrounding the twin protagonists of the piece Hayley and Taylor. Finding out more about them and this paranormal twist was probably as intriguing as the main mystery and one that has loads of potential for further development.

All in all a very satisfying read. The storyline twists and turns and keeps you guessing throughout and the main characters were really enjoyable to follow. A very different offering in the YA genre and fab introduction to an author I hope to read more of in the future.

Comments

Maya said…
ooh, this looks interesting. Adding it to my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing!
This does look and sound like a good read. I'll keep an eye out for it (fortunately I'm a shower kind of girl, as I learned from horror movies that most baths end in death and that one should always have a see-through shower curtain in case of knife wielding maniacs with mommy issues).
Oh I'm glad to see you enjoyed this one! I haven't seen any reviews of this book around and I have sitting on my review pile waiting for me..