All the Pretty Things

Ivy is reeling after returning from a family trip. Her best friend Morgan found one of their classmates at the bottom of a trestle bridge apparently dead from the fall. Ivy talks Morgan down from a ride at the theme park her dad owns where a lot of the kids from town are employees. While Morgan is mending at the hospital, Ivy does her own investigation when the police write the fall off as an accident. However, her interviews have unintended repercussions, leading to a publicly humiliating face-off, a suicide attempt, and more. The only thing her investigation is leading to is more questions and a resolution she may not be able to face.

Many mysteries are infused with humor—this is not one of them. It is a serious tale focused on finding the cause of Ethan’s death and is similar to stories by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Megan Miranda. Seemingly unimportant discussions and observations return to haunt Ivy’s findings. Ivy is very dogged in her determination to find the answer, and sometimes the reason for the focus is forgotten. Patience is indeed a virtue, and when everything is wrapped up, the ending is a satisfying gift, well worth the wait.