Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Publisher: Tor Teen
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Mysteries
Teen sleuth and forensic scientist in training Erin Blake has solved the mystery behind her mother's murder, but her work isn't done yet...
Sheryl Scarborough continues the adventures of teen amateur sleuth and aspiring forensic scientist Erin Blake in this sequel to To Catch a Killer.
Barely three weeks after catching the killer of Erin’s mother and their biology teacher, Erin and her crew are back, up to their elbows in forensics projects. But this time it’s with the full approval of their parents.
With Uncle Victor at the helm, Erin and her best friends, Spam and Lysa, are prepping a new classroom for CSI summer camp, where they will serve as camp counselors. Meanwhile, Erin's super-hot new boyfriend, Journey, is graduating, just in time for him to take a position as Victor’s intern in the new CSI lab on campus. Journey and Victor are going to take another look at the evidence in the murder trial that sent Journey’s father to prison. The girls are under strict orders not to meddle with the murder case, but that's easier said than done...
To Right the Wrongs is the second installment in author Sheryl Scarborough's Erin Blake series. The story takes place shortly after the events of To Catch a Killer. Protagonist Erin Blake and her best friends Spam and Lysa are more popular than ever. You could say that they are celebrities for their part in solving not one mystery, but two. But, Erin isn't use to the spotlight, and actually prefers to remain somewhat anonymous as long as she has her two friends at her side.
For Erin, one mystery remains unsolved; who is Erin's biological father? As that temptation hangs over the story, things get a bit strange at the school. While Erin tries to focus on her last 2 weeks of sophomore class &
summer forensic class set up by her Uncle Victor, mysteries keep coming her way. From a new
principal, Miss Blankenship, who is everywhere it seems at once, to Spam’s boyfriend acting strangely, to
the girls’ digging up information to help Journey build a case to get
his dad out of prison.
Erin's world is way more interesting now that she has proven herself to others, especially Victor. Erin is ready to jump in feet first with her friends in order to help Journey, but Victor and Journey play a heavy hand that discourages Erin from getting involved and messing things up with her over zealousness. It seems even her friends want to put the breaks on her skills and her eagerness to participate. Despite Erin's promise not to interfere, she takes a position just the opposite.
You can't blame Erin. She was born to be a CSI team member. She understands forensic's at a level that would impress even the most critical of reviewers. As the trio prepares to become the first of the schools camp counselors, Spam's new friend finds himself under scrutiny after nearly becoming road kill at the school. Spam, who is a brilliant character, decides that she is going to do whatever she can to help him.
One of the best things about this story is the camaraderie between Erin, Spam, & Lysa. It's okay that they have the occasional disagreement. After all, they are still only 16, and have plenty of other things happening in their lives. But, when push comes to shove, I don't think any of them would ask to be friends with anyone else. Erin and Journey's relationship takes a few hits this time out.
I can blame Erin for wanting too much, and being disappointed when she isn't chosen for things that she is qualified for. I can also blame Victor for spending way too much time on other things, while ignoring Erin's desire and curiosity. The least likable character, unfortunately, is Journey. Journey is a character who came along and kind of stumbled into Erin's world and ended up being at the right place at the right time. Now, he is so involved in proving his father's innocence, that he ignores what is right in front of him.
I bumped my rating down a half a gizmo because I thought the first book was much more entertaining than this one. This story is still action-packed, and the mysteries involved are ones that you can't ignore. It's fair to say that Erin's personal life with Rachel and Victor take interesting turns as well. I won't spoil anything, or say that we find out who Erin's father is, but I will say that readers will be pleased at how the story wraps up. Will there be another book in the series? The author is silent on this question. If there is, I would definitely find a way to read it. If not, that's fine as well.
