Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
Release Date: March 7, 2023
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Mysteries
In a gripping novel perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, two friends start a true crime podcast—with dangerous consequences
In August of 1999, dazzlingly popular cheerleader Clarissa Campbell
disappears from a party in the woods outside the rural town of Oreville,
Washington and is never seen again. The police question her friends,
teachers, and the adults who knew her—who all have something to hide.
And thanks to Clarissa’s beauty, the mystery captures the attention of
the nation. But with no leads and no body, the case soon grows cold.
Despite the efforts of internet sleuths and true-crime aficionados,
Clarissa is never found—dead or alive.
Over twenty years later,
Oreville high-school juniors and best friends Blair and Cameron start a
true crime podcast, determined to unravel the story of what—or
who—happened to this rural urban legend. In the process they uncover a
nest of dirty small-town secrets, the sordid truth of Clarissa’s
relationship with her charismatic boyfriend, and a high school art
teacher turned small-town figurehead who had a very good reason for
wanting Clarissa dead. Such a good reason, in fact, that they might have
to make him the highlight of their next episode…
But does an
ugly history with a missing girl make him guilty of murder? Or are two
teenage girls about to destroy the life of an innocent man—and help the
true killer walk free?
Ripley Jones' Missing Clarissa is the story of two best friends, Cameron Munoz and Blair Johnson, who start a true crime podcast—only to realize they may have helped a killer in the process. In August of 1999, dazzlingly popular cheerleader Clarissa Campbell disappeared from a party in the woods outside the rural town of Oreville, Washington and is never seen again. The police question her friends, teachers, and the adults who knew her, especially her boyfriend Brad Bennett who she apparently had an argument with, are who all have something to hide.
Thanks to Clarissa’s beauty, the mystery captured the attention of
the nation. But with no leads and no body, the case soon grows cold and the Sheriff doesn't seem to care.
Despite the efforts of internet sleuths and true-crime aficionados,
Clarissa is never found—dead or alive. 20 years later,
Oreville high-school juniors and best friends Blair and Cameron start a
true crime podcast called Missing Clarissa, determined to unravel the story of what—or
who—happened to this rural urban legend. 20 years later, Clarissa's mother still thinks she is alive and refuses to move on.
In the process they uncover a nest of dirty small-town secrets, the sordid truth of Clarissa’s relationship with her charismatic boyfriend, and a high school art teacher turned small-town figurehead who had a very good reason for wanting Clarissa dead. Such a good reason, in fact, that they might have to make him the highlight of their next episode. But does an ugly history with a missing girl make him guilty of murder? Or are two teenage girls about to destroy the life of an innocent man—and help the true killer walk free?
Cameron is a head strong young woman who is very good at school but dragged Blair into taking a journalism class to add more depth to her already large resume. Blair is also an athlete who is hoping her own skills will get her a scholarship into the school of her choice. Cameron tends to be blinded by her surroundings, not realizing the girl she makes fun of, might actually be a pretty nice person, as well as someone who you could call your girlfriend. Blair often gets caught up in Cameron's ideas which lead to questionable actions.
So, overall, this isn't a bad story. My complaint is that authors today tend to use their personal issues and politics into the story instead of just letting the characters themselves tell you who they are and why you should care about what they have to say or do. The villain of this story hides in plain sight. I think the podcast part of this story was probably the most interesting in that we really see how deep Cameron and Blair get while telling the story. The story is told by both protagonists, which provides more background for the girls' friendship as well as making for a more well-developed plot.
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