Social Suicide (Deadly Cool #2)
Publication: April 24, 2012
Pages: 277
Author: Website | Facebook
Publisher: Harper Teen
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depository
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….
Social Suicide is the perfect blend of mystery and humor. After having displayed skill at investigation over the course of Deadly Cool, Hartley is now a member of her school’s paper and hunting down stories instead of mysteries. However, she can’t seem to escape trouble, as she finds out when she discovers the body of Sydney Sanders. Hartley’s need to prove that Sydney’s death was a homicide (or twittercide, as her best friend Sam calls it) leads her deep into a plot brewing at school with her wit and discomfort about her growing attraction to Chase alleviating the tension.
I adore Hartley and her friends. While the questions surrounding Sydney’s death are key to the plot, the characters are the ones who bring the book to life. Hartley is a smart girl who pursues her goals with determination, yet she’s also a teenager who is discomforted by her attraction towards someone she considers (or wants to see as) a friend as well as her mom’s sudden announcement that she wants to date again. Sam is the best friend who’s there when Hartley needs someone and who is set on playing matchmaker and costume artist for Hartley. Chase is the bad boy who just looks like one; he’s there for Hartley, believing in her and supporting her in her investigation. Kyle completes the picture as Sam’s boyfriend and fellow cohort in playing the cute, lovey dovey couple. If I ever needed backup on some case, I’d call in these people. Not only are they brilliant, they have personality. No job would be boring with them around.
I appreciate how the romance plays out in the Deady Cool series. Hints have been dropped at a romance between Hartley and Chase, but they’re still at the awkward friends-with-sparks-between-them stage. The two lived completely different lives before the murder of the Chastity Club’s president brought them together in Deadly Cool, and they’re just becoming friends. I appreciate how the two are taking their time exploring the possibility and not rushing into things. Plus, Hartley’s initial denial at her attraction to Chase is cute. As for Hartley’s mom, she is a woman who isn’t ready to settle down; she knows what she wants just as well as Hartley does, and I enjoyed seeing how her decision to pursue a new relationship impacts her relationship with Hartley.
Even if you haven’t read Deadly Cool, it is perfectly fine to start with Social Suicide, if you so desire. It is better to start with the first book, so that you have all the details. However, Social Suicide provides some context when the situation calls for it, and you won’t be missing out on anything if you start with it (like me). This is definitely my favorite mystery of the year, and I will be getting my hands on a copy of Deadly Cool as soon as humanly possible!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. No payment was received in return for a review. The receipt of the book had no influence on the opinions expressed in my review.
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Midorichan says
I have read it in August and I've loved it ! Mystery, murder, it's for me ! The characters are funny, especially Sam and her boyfriend. Anyway, this book is a lot of laugh and suspens.
Your review is really great =)
April Hays says
This sounds great! I just recently won a copy of this book and didn't know it was a second in a series. So, I am going to get the first and start there. Thanks for the awesome review…can't wait to read these books.
Crystal says
Congrats! You've got a great book there. Enjoy! 😉
Gin Bryant says
Great review, Kris! I loved Deadly Cool, so I'm really looking forward to Social Suicide. And I agree with you on Chase & Hartley taking their time. It's refreshing to see that in a novel!
Crystal says
Social Suicide is a great book, and I'm glad to hear that you loved Deadly Cool. I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa says
This series sounds very fun and entertaining! Loving Chase and Hartley! I can't wait to read it 🙂 Hopefully I can find the time this year to get to it. Glad you enjoyed this!
Crystal says
It is very fun and entertaining. I love Chase and Hartley and am anticipating the next installment (because there HAS to be a book three!!) 😀 Hope you get the chance to read it. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
Julie says
I didn't quite like Social Suicide as much as you did. I loved the characters but the interrogating seemed very weak. XD Great review!
Crystal says
The interrogation isn't very strong, true, but the story was fun and I may be giving Hartley and co. some leeway for being high school students 😉
Amy @ Books, College, and Other Random Things says
I'm glad you liked it. I have Deadly Cool, but I haven't read it yet. My copy of Social Suicide should come in today.
Old follower
Crystal says
Thanks, Amy. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!