Gateway Readers' Award Nominees

The Blogs: 2008-09

The Christopher Killer

by Alane Ferguson 

Booklist (July 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 21))

Ferguson's latest mystery-thriller introduces 17-year-old Cameryn Mahoney, who has the annoying habit of challenging her elders (most of whom seem to deserve it). She also has the unshakable desire to be a forensic pathologist--and a very strong stomach. The latter comes in handy during the autopsy of a friend, the latest victim of a serial killer whose signature is a St. Christopher's medal left with each body. The vivid autopsy scenes are surprising, given the fairly routine story line and agreeable, though certainly not complex, characters. It's Cammie's energy and chutzpa that really propel the story, and readers will sympathize with her as she struggles to decide whether to keep faith with science or be sucked in by a charismatic psychic. This is worlds away from the Nancy Drew college series in terms of gore, but CSI fans won't blink twice.

School Library Journal (August 1, 2006)

Gr 9 Up-When aspiring forensic pathologist Cameryn Mahoney convinces her father, the county coroner of Silverton, CO, to hire her as his assistant, she has no idea that one of the first deaths she will investigate will be that of her friend, Rachel Geller. Rachel is the fourth victim of a serial killer who strangles his victims and leaves a St. Christopher medal on their bodies. The teen must put aside her emotional response to the murder in order to evaluate the information clinically. In her relentless pursuit of the truth, Cameryn puts herself in danger of becoming the fifth victim of the Christopher Killer. Teachers and librarians who are trying to reach their television-junkie reluctant readers should look no further; this novel reads like an episode of CSI. Each scene lends itself to a mental picture straight from some crime-fighting show. The narrative gallops through a story line that is as engaging as it is implausible. Suspension of disbelief is made easy by the well-researched scientific tidbits sprinkled throughout the text, lending an air of credibility. There is the sense that this is a pilot episode with people that readers will see again as the series progresses, so the characters feel introduced rather than fully developed. Despite these flaws, this is an enjoyable read that teens will appreciate.-Heather M. Campbell, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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