Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

Amazon.com Product Description:

When 16-year-old Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret. A few months ago, Scarlett was invited to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then . . . Dan McAndrew took his last breath as she held him in her arms. No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.

Kiss Me Kill Me is a fun and thoughtful story. I really liked the main character, Scarlett. She is your everyday girl, sort of quiet and funny, has a few close friends and enjoys gymnastics. She has a crush on a popular boy so when she gets the chance to possibly see him at a party she drops her friends and hangs out with the popular girls. She feels bad about it but does it anyway. That night her life will change forever.

I like how we have the chance to get to know Scarlett instead of being dunked head-first into the mystery, so then, by the time Scarlett has to hold this heavy burden of thinking she killed Dan with a kiss we are rooting for her all the way. I also like the sleuthing tactics that Scarlett uses, which usually involve her gymnastics (swinging from trees, fitting into very small spaces etc). It's great fun to watch her set out to solve the mystery of how Dan actually died.

When Scarlett starts attending Wakefield Hall which her grandmother runs, she's determined to keep her past a secret and not get involved with any other boys. She doesn't want to risk killing anyone else with her kiss. It doesn't turn out so easy for her though, with another student Taylor, snooping through her things and the attractive groundskeeper Jase being so sweet to her.

I don't think I was ever truly shocked by anything that happened in the book but it was still great fun to read! The book ends with a lot of questions still unanswered so I can't wait to see where the story goes in the sequel Kisses and Lies.

Kiss Me Kill Me was released in Paperback on January 13th and is also out in Hardcover.

3.5/5 Stars
Review copy received from publisher

Do you know of any other teen mysteries?