Killer's Cousin Paperback – February 19, 2009

I knew when I started the first chapter how it would end. Like the title of my review says predictable. I kept reading only because I paid for the book. Sometimes the wording was awkward. For instance in one place it said that I put on the lights. How exactly do you put lights on? Another is when he talks about his dresser but it's a bedroom dresser. Is there another kind? I had to look to see when this book was written because the slang was out of date. No one says the net anymore referring to the internet. Also Tara Lipinski as a favorite ice skater? Even when this book was written in 2009 she had been retired for several years. I'm supposed to believe that an 11 year old girl knows who she is and that Lipinski is her favorite ice skater? Very doubtful.

While I felt that this book was well written, the plot moved very slow and at times I felt like skipping to the end to find out what really happened. I think the character development was good but if you want a page turner, I highly recommend Please Listen by Carrie Vanlandingham. This book had me wanting to run home and check on my kids and students. I finished it in one night and still can't beleive what I read.

This book was a great addition to my bookshelf. I only read it because my daughter was reading it for school and I am glad.

Really good book. Great characters and really interesting story line. Bought it for myself then for my nephew and really enjoyed it.

This is a great book. I couldn't stop reading it. The Killer's Cousin is truly amazing and one of my favorite books.

This was an invaluable tool for struggling readers, they were able to keep up with students reader the print version.

Though I’m not much of a reader, I did enjoy reading this fiction/mystery book about a teenage boy experiencing some strange things. Would you ever imagine your own cousin murdering their sister? David did and the worst part is… well I’ll let you guys figure that out yourself. David’s parents did not want him anymore, ever since he was acquitted for the murder of his girlfriend. They sent him to his Aunt (Julia) and Uncle (Vic) but that wasn’t a very good idea. The truth of the innocent little girl Lily was bound to come out sooner or later, she was stubborn and did not want to socialize with anyone. Lilys sister Kathy had committed suicide, or at least that’s what everyone believes. Throughout the book many incidents happen, and it is told in David's voice. His sentences flow smoothly, and he tends to talk on a personal level about his life at the moment; He hears voices in the attic, and sees shadows. David believes it is Kathy whispering “Help Lily,” even though no one else hears anything. I liked Nancy Werlin’s writing style but at certain points in the story I was kind of lost. For example, Lily didn’t like David but there was no reason not to. I think explaining people's feelings needed to be clarified. I mean don’t get me wrong overall the book was fun, and mysteries are my favorite. The cover of the book is eye catching, but the text is even better. I didn’t quite react to this book like I thought I would, most of the time other books that I read are “okay” but this one left me in awe; I admire the structure of the text, and feel like I go into a different world as I’m reading. This book made me think of what is going on in people's everyday life, like they say “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” David took us on a journey through one the most life changing times in his life. The theme of this book has to do with forgiveness and strength; In the end everything turned out well but it didn’t just happen, a lot was put into fixing things. David tries not to dig into his feelings, he hides everything inside of himself, but all the secrets come out eventually. Overall, I suggest reading this interesting, and admirable book; Just take a few minutes of your time everyday to read and few pages… and be prepared for a huge plot twist.

I first read this book in 2000 when I was 13 years old. I had always despised reading before this, but was bored in class one day and read a few pages over my friend's shoulder to help pass the time - doing so literally changed my life. I was hooked instantly and finished the book within days!This book got me interested in reading, which in turn improved my vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and comprehension. My grades improved drastically, I started delving into writing, and I testedin at a college-level reading score by the age of 16. I earned a 24 on my ACT without even having to study for it, was accepted into the most prestigious university in my state, and went on to obtain a degree in Court Reporting.None of that would have ever happened if I hadn't stumbled upon this amazing book when I was 13 years old. I have Birth Hypoxic Brain Damage and a few learning disabilities, so I was always slightly behind all the other kids my age when it came to learning. And especially when it came to reading. But learning to love reading through this book changed everything for me!All that to say, this book changed my life.It's absolutely captivating. Even as a 33 year old adult who's gone on to devour Anne Rice and Philippa Gregory, I still return to this book every so often to lovingly thumb through the pages. It's so well-written, with in-depth characters and thrilling plot twists all along the way. I would love to see this made into a movie some day (though undoubtedly it wouldn't be nearly as good lol.) I find most Young Adult novels (and even Adult Fiction) to be somewhat cliché and predictable most of the time...but The Killer's Cousin is truly a one-of-a-kind thriller.By the way, for the previous review complaining about the outdated lingo and content in the book...this book was published in 1998. Not 2009 lol.

恋人を、自分の手によって死なせてしまったDavidは、事件から1年後、マスコミや世間の目から逃れ、最後の高校の一年間をやり直すために、両親の元を離れ、マサチューセッツの伯父家族の家に下宿することになる。しかし、マサチューセッツについてみると、伯母と従姉妹のLilyは、明らかにDavidを歓迎していない。そして、通い始めた新しい学校でも、好奇や恐れの目を逃れることは出来ないことも、明らかだった。事件以前の自分には二度と戻れない。それを痛感しながら、新しい生活を始めるDavidだったが、やがて、伯父夫婦の奇妙な関係と、その間に挟まれたLilyの異常に気づき始める。サイコサスペンスに入るのかな？　ただ、ヤングアダルト向けということで、深いメッセージ性のある話。少年犯罪の多いアメリカで、罪を犯した、そしてまだ犯していない少年へ宛てた切実なメッセージではないかと思った。