Book Review: THE CHEERLEADERS by Kara Thomas

Oh, this was a terrific murder mystery that had me engaged from page one with just the right amount of suspense and tight writing. Scroll down for my full review.

THE CHEERLEADERS by Kara Thomas
July 31, 2018
Delacorte Press (Random House)
ISBN-13: 978-1524718329



Description from the Publisher:
There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.

First there was the car accident--two girls dead after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know his reasons. Monica's sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they'd lost.

That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it's not that easy. She just wants to forget.

Only, Monica's world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad's desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn't over. Some people in town know more than they're saying. And somehow, Monica is at the center of it all.

There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn't mean anyone else is safe.

About the Author:

Kara Thomas has written for everything from her high school newspaper to Warner Bros. Television. She is a true-crime addict who lives on Long Island with her husband and rescue cat. She is the author of The Darkest Corners, Little Monsters, and The Cheerleaders. To learn more about Kara and her books, visit her at kara-thomas.com or follow @karatwrites on Twitter and @kara_thomas on Instagram.

My Review:

THE CHEERLEADERS, by Kara Thomas, is a terrific murder mystery with just the right amount of intrigue on every page. Kara Thomas is a wonderful writer, engaging my imagination on page one and keeping my attention through the very last page. 

As the fifth anniversary of the cheerleaders' deaths approaches, the main character, Monica, is determined to learn the truth, because Monica doesn't believe the stories that everyone else has accepted. She knows there has to be more behind how and why her older sister died.

Monica struggles to not only find the truth, but she also struggles to find her place in the world, making some questionable choices along the way.

Some of my favorite lines:

"The empty house has been the subject of my mother's bitching. All the house is doing is existing, not bothering anyone. It's exactly the type of thing that offends my mother."

"In my head, I break down the agonizing wait for Saturday. Twenty-four hours; nine class periods; one dance team practice; one awkward Friday family dinner at Ristegio's, the Italian restaurant in town; and one restless night's sleep. All hurdles to clear before I can talk to Daphne Furman."

"...computer club boys plagued by ill-fitting jeans and cafeteria pizza breath."

"I knew what we were doing was wrong, and I didn't care because I was ready to set my perfect life on fire and walk away while it burned."

I highly recommend THE CHEERLEADERS by Kara Thomas to anyone who enjoys a twisty murder mystery. 



[I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.]

5 Quotes About Writing

A quick inspirational quote always adds fuel to my tank. Here are five of my favorites:

As usual, you're welcome to share these pictures, but be sure to give proper credit to David Purse for the photos and link back to this post.


Do you have a favorite writing quote that motivates you? Please share in the comments.

Happy 4th of July!

#IWSG: Ultimate Writing Goals

Usually, this post goes up on the first Wednesday of the month, but since that is a U.S. holiday, the group decided to post today! So, YAY, it is time for The Insecure Writer's Support Group. If you've not heard of it before, check out the complete details by clicking here.

The purpose of the group is "to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!"

This month's question: What are your ultimate writing goals, and how have they changed over time (if at all)?

My answer: My ultimate writing goal is to rank on the New York Times Best Seller list. That'd be cool. Really. Cool. I have received a couple of nice orange best seller banners on Amazon. That was cool, too! And yes, I took a screen grab (see below). Next on my ultimate goal list is to receive a starred review from a major industry reviewer like Kirkus or School Library Journal. But honestly, I must say, the ONLY goal I had for my first book, Who R U Really?, was for it to help at least one person by making readers more aware of dangers online. Goal achieved. I've received multiple emails and people have told me in person that the book helped them - even saved them. Sure, I could get a starred review or make a best seller list, but will that top having a reader tell me my book changed his/her life? Probably not. 

As writers, what we do matters. Sometimes we get stuck on a negative review and forget the positive reviews. We need to remind each other that what we do makes a difference ... even if only in providing an escape for a reader from a hectic day.