Book of the Week December 4, 2025
Veteran YA author Marissa Meyer and up-and-comer Tamara Moss (Lintang and the Pirate Queen) deliver a fast-moving YA murder mystery by skillfully blending the high-stakes world of reality television and a clever, puzzle-centric plot. The opening premise is gripping: season five of popular game show The Escape Game is underway, but the shadow of a murder at the close of season four looms large. Six months ago, contestant Alicia Angelos (the pretty one) was found murdered. Now, her sister, Sierra Angelos (the goth one), returns for the new season—not just to win, but to seek justice for her sister, even though most people believe she was the killer who “got away.” Louis and wife Rani are the Game Master and the show’s producer, respectively, and they will do just about anything to keep ratings high and Hitflix, the network, happy, while assistant Vera is left cleaning up after everyone. Sierra is paired with three other teens who have their own reasons for wanting to win—fame, fortune, and a chance to be on their own. Forming Team Helsing, the teens discover their found family and commit to not only solving the mystery of Alicia’s death but to finding themselves. There’s a hint of forbidden romance, ‘cause why not? Escape-room clues add heightened tension, and the intertwined relationships make everyone a suspect, especially after a second murder occurs. Teens and adults who love reality shows, word and math puzzles, and escape rooms will eat this one up.
