Review: Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: Clarion Books
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 330
Format: Hardback
Source: Own
Interest: Young Adult, Murdery Mystery
Challenge: 2012 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Buy The Book: Amazon

Based on an actual crime in 1955, this YA novel is at once a mystery and a coming-of-age story. The brutal murder of two teenage girls on the last day of Nora Cunningham's junior year in high school throws Nora into turmoil. Her certainties, friendships, religion, her prudence, her resolve to find a boyfriend taller than she is - are shaken or cast off altogether.

Most people in Elmgrove, Maryland, share the comforting conviction that Buddy Novak, who had every reason to want his ex-girlfriend dead, is responsible for the killings. Nora agrees at first, then begins to doubt Buddy's guilt, and finally comes to believe him innocent - the lone dissenting voice in Elmgrove.

Told from several different perspectives, including that of the murderer,Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls is a suspenseful page-turner with a powerful human drama at its core.

I am a huge fan of murder mystery books, especially those based on true stories. So when I found out this book was based on a murder that took place in the 50's and was told from multiple point's of view, including the killer's, I knew it was a must read for me!

I was so blown over by this book. It was incredible and from the very first page I could tell I was going to love it! It was amazing and is for sure one of my all time favorite books!

The story is set in the 1950's, which is when the actual murder took place. From the first sentence I read, I felt like I was instantly transported to that time era. I could see clear skies, hear Fats Domino and Elvis playing on the juke box, see the Five and Dime and smell the old fashioned milk shakes. I pictured hot summer days, wearing short shorts and driving up and down the town square in a converatable, hanging out at the drive in movies on the weekends. The author did an incredible job telling the story and making you feel like you were right there in the heart of it.

Even though the story is told from multiple point's of view, it never got confusing. It was easy to follow and clear and concise. I enjoyed seeing different takes on different event's, from the victum's friends and ex boyfriends to the murderer.

This was an incredible story about love and loss and coming of age. It went through the cycles of loss and grieving as well as how a tragic event like this affects everyone. It dealt with depression, losing faith in God, anger, and so much more.

This was an incredible story that that will forever haunt me! I can't recommend this one enough.