Review ~ SOCIAL SUICIDE (Deadly Cool, #2) by Gemma Halliday

Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper's brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went...a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH's resident body finder, I'm stuck trying to prove that Sydney's death wasn't suicide.

I'm starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos... ~From GoodReads

Last fall, I read and fell in love with DEADLY COOL. Author Gemma Halliday delivered a story with a funny, but completely sincere heroine, an awesome best friend/sidekick in Sam, a hot and mysterious semi-love interest in Chase, and an intriguing mystery. To say I had high hopes for SOCIAL SUICIDE would be an understatement. I've been bouncing to read this one for months, but made myself hold out until closer to the release. SOCIAL SUICIDE was totally worth the wait.

Once again, teen super-sleuth (and I'll admit, busybody) Hartley Featherstone has found herself in the middle of a high school murder mystery. What is going on in San Jose, y'all? First a girl dies by iPod cord strangulation, now another dies by Twittercide?! That's right, Twittercide. I think Halliday has an acute sense for what will draw readers in. When I read the word "twittercide", I knew this book would be the LOL-fest that DEADLY COOL was.

The fact that I still love Hartley despite the fact she does the exact opposite of the smart thing in almost every situation is a testament to her endearing qualities. Hartley is an everygirl. Smart, sincere and brave to a fault, Hartley is willing to do whatever it takes, even dressing like a chicken, to find justice for these poor girls who keep getting offed by technology.

As for the secondary characters, I loved them even more in SOCIAL SUICIDE. Hartley's mom is still a riot, rocking out to Aerosmith in the school parking lot and forcing her to eat things like "texturized vegetable protein balls". Blech. Sam is her awesome self, maybe even more so in this book. She's now choosing clothes for her boyfriend Kyle, obsessed with her GPA and has gone from using "effing" in place of swearing to "fluffing". Too cute! And Chase. Chase is still cool, slightly broody, has that crooked smile, and is always gently nudging Hartley to her limits. I really, really love this character. I may have even put hearts around his name while taking notes. (I totally did.)

The only flaw I found with the story is it's predictability. Having read DEADLY COOL, I could predict almost everything in the plot. I would have liked a bit more of a brain tease, but I still had a great time and enjoyed the story for what it was. And honestly, it's so much fun that I don't mind. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

SOCIAL SUICIDE is a great addition to the DEADLY COOL series. It's a fast paced, light-hearted adventure that's sure to give you a smile on every page. And, I have to say, these books would make a great tv series or movies. I can't wait to see what Halliday serves up next.

Favorite Quote:

(So many great quotes. This is just one of many.)

"This first thing I did was run. Okay, actually, the first thing I did was scream, lose my balance, flail my arms in the air like some kind of uncoordinated bird, then slide down the side of the tree and land on my butt.
Then I ran." (pg. 31, ARC)

Paperback, 272 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen

You can preorder Social Suicide at:

Book Depository | B&N | Amazon


Source: Received for review from the publisher.

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper's brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went...a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH's resident body finder, I'm stuck trying to prove that Sydney's death wasn't suicide.

I'm starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos... ~From GoodReads

 I absolutely adored Deadly Cool. So when I found out Gemma Halliday had written another book starring the funny, amazing Hartley Featherstone, I was bouncing with excitement. I actually have an ARC of Social Suicide, but am waiting until closer to release to read it. I don't know how long I can hold out!

Paperback, 272 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen

You can preorder Social Suicide at:

Book Depository  |  B&N  |  Amazon

In My Mailbox, #24

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is a great way to put a spotlight on books received during the past week.

For Review:

Social Suicide (Deadly Cool, #2) by Gemma Halliday (Thanks to Harper Pub)

Because of Low, by Abbi Glines (Thanks to Abbi Glines)

Received in Trade:

Lock and Key, by Sarah Dessen

Someone Like You, by Sarah Dessen

Purchased:

Overprotected, by Jennifer Laurens

Fallen in Love (Fallen, #3.5) by Lauren Kate

Thanks for stopping by! 

Review - Deadly Cool, by Gemma Halliday

First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?

As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.

I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

(From GoodReads)

My Review

I'm smiling right now. I know, you can't see me. But trust me, I am. The reason for the big smile? This book, Deadly Cool. Based on the cover, which  I adore, and the synopsis, you might think Deadly Cool to be a dark, serious book. And I'll admit, there are aspects to the book that are dark and serious. Such as, cheating boyfriends, murder, and a killer on the loose. But author Gemma Halliday told the story with a droll, quick-witted tone that absolutely knocked the ball out of the park.

I'll admit, it helps that Deadly Cool was exactly the type of book I was in the mood for. Young Adult, contemporary, non-paranormal was what the reading-doctor ordered. I knew I was in for a delicious treat when I read the opening lines:

"There are three things you never want to

 find in your boyfriend's locker: a sweaty jockstrap,a D minus on last week's history test, and an empty condom wrapper. Lucky me, I'd hit the trifecta."

And, thankfully, the entire book was able to maintain that tone. It was packed full with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud situations.

Deadly Cool has an easy to read, conversational tone. I felt like I was a participant in the action. Halliday did an immense job of lending main character, Hartley, and the other teens, non-irritating, engaging voices. Well, except for a couple of the girls. But they were supposed to be irritating! There wasn't a single character in the story that wasn't spot-on, well written. The cheating boyfriend, Josh, is shockingly likeable. Like Hartley, I knew I should despise him, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for the poor guy. I suppose it helps that he is descibed as looking very much like Zac Efron. And as much as I adore Josh, I have a thing for unconventional book guys. Like Chase, Hartley's partner in crime solving. He's cool, wears black-on-black-on-black a lot, has messy hair and sly comebacks. Perfect.

Deadly Cool was a pleasant surprise. I thought I would most likely enjoy it. I loved it. I read within a few hours time, dying to know who did the deed. This book was a fun, breezy read. A stand-alone that could easily be a series. And, Wow, I hope Halliday does give us more Hartley, soon!





Favorite Quote:

"Whether it was the chamomile or the good long cry or the fact that Chase was once again speaking to
  me, I had a little spring in my step as I walked to second period, only five minutes late. I might be a
  leper, but I was a leper with a clue."

Paperback, 272 pages

Expected publication: October 11th 2011 by HarperTeen

Find Deadly Cool at:

GoodReads | Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository (at an awesome price!)

* I received Deadly Cool from Harper Teen, in exchange for an honest review. *

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, just do as following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include any spoilers so as not to ruin the book for others!

Make sure to share the title and the author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR piles.

This week's Teaser is from



Deadly Cool

by Gemma Halliday

First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?

As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.

I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

(From GoodReads)

Here's my teaser:

"I slowly tiptoed toward the closet. sure the sound of my heart pounding was loud enough for Sam to hear. I reached a hand out and quickly slid the door back..."

I haven't finished Deadly Cool yet, but based on this Teaser, it should be very suspenseful.

Paperback, 272 pages

Expected publication: October 11th 2011 by HarperTeen

Find Deadly Cool at:

GoodReads  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon  |  Book Depository (at an awesome price!)