Book Tour: Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon (& Ground Floor BTT meme)

Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon
A Young Adult Mystery
Copyright 2011
Publisher:  Outskirts Press, December 2010
230 Pages
ISBN 978-1-4327-6714-3 (hardback)
978-1-4327-6713-6 (paperback)
Genre:  Fiction; Action/Adventure; Young Adult, Mystery
Available at www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore or www.outskirtspress.com/kellisuelandon, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Author Website:  http://www.kellisuelandon.com/
Source:  Provided by the author for review purposes

(from the cover)  "Katie Brashers announced to her friends that she was taking a trip to Florida for spring break, but when class resumes, Katie isn't in attendance.  Her friend Michelle Martin grows suspicious, especially since she let Katie borrow a treasured family book that she failed to return.  Not to mention, Katie never said goodbye to her devoted boyfriend, Brad.  Michelle confides in her best friend, Tami.  Dodging Michelle's demanding mother, they team up with Brad and form their investigation by talking to neighbors and looking inside Katie's house. Michelle is about ready to give up until she takes her dog on his daily walk and uncovers a clue that leads her closer to the truth, but also throws her into circumstances beyond her control."

As I read this book, which held my interest from beginning to end with no lag whatsoever, I thought I'd have the mystery solved or I'd think "wouldn't it be cool if this is what happened".  But I was wrong.  The story of Katie's disappearance grew more climatic, a body was found in Katie's back yard, and the mystery grew darker still. 

The author did a great job giving an authentic voice to the teens involved in the novel.  The story is told from Michelle's perspective and calls back memories of myself at that age.  Situations are dramatic at 16 and initially the reader thinks just that, that Michelle is overdramatising the disappearance of her friend who went for vacation during spring break and didn't return.  School faculty think nothing of it as they were informed the family moved to Florida.  Only Katie's friends find suspicion in this.  Afterall, one doesn't just move away on a whim, not saying goodbye to friends and especially boyfriends.  Do they?

I enjoyed this debut novel from this up and coming author.  Teens, especially girls, and women will find this mystery captivating.  It doens't compare to the witches or vampires series that are all the rage right now.  This is realistic with characters like those you attend/went to school with.  That's what differentiates Sudden Moves from the rest and that's a good thing! 

If you enjoy a quick read with depth and mystery and a little romance, you'll like this novel.  Watch this author!  She has the makings of a best-seller!  Kelli Sue Landon has another book soon to be published.  See my post tomorrow for an author interview and news of her upcoming novel. 

Rated 4.5/5



This book was provided to me by the author for review purposes.  I have not received any remuneration to do so.  This by no means influences this review nor opinion of this work nor the author.


Joining the Thirsty for Comments Thursday blog hop.  It's my first TFCT.  What do you think of this review?  Does it entice you to read this book, Sudden Moves?  Let me know in the comments section and please leave a link to your blog and the post you want comments on.  Have a great week, everyone!

Booking Through Thursday posts this topic to book bloggers this week:  There’s something wonderful about getting in on the ground floor of an author’s career–about being one of the first people to read and admire them, before they became famous best-sellers.
Which authors have you been lucky enough to discover at the very beginning of their careers?  I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a virtual book tour for up and coming author, Kelli Sue Landon.  Her first novel, Sudden Moves - a Young Adult Mystery, is featured here today and with several other blogs.  She has an upcoming book signing which you can read more about in tomorrow's interview with the author.  Her second novel is going to print and she is writing her third.  Exciting things are happening for Kelli!  Watch this author!

And, if you’ve never had that chance, which author do you WISH you’d been able to discover at the very beginning?  Had I been able to time travel to discover some famous authors at the beginning of their careers, I would have liked to have been there to discover Agatha Christie, to have seen her first novel come to fruition and to watch her career take off to the success it still enjoys today!  Additionally, I'd liked to have witnessed the genesis of careers such as John Grisham, Stephen King, Michael Creighton and J.K. Rowling.

I wish Kelli continued success as she pursues her writing career!!