You think it's a game. Think again.
Survivor meets Lord of the Flies
in this fast-paced adventure with fascinating characters and
pulse-pounding tension. Twenty teens are dropped off on a deserted
island to compete for a cash prize. But Riley is looking for a vast
treasure rumored to be hidden on the island. Only it turns out others
also want the cache of riches and will stop at nothing to find it.
Kind of a book of two halves, this one. The backdrop of the reality show, and how carefully staged and managed it all is, is very clever. It's intriguing to see behind the camera at everything that goes into making a show like this, and it's all presented quite naturally and normally. Even little comments like how quickly they get used to having cameramen around ring very true.
The mystery isn't bad either. My problem was that there are so many people around, it's hard to get to know them before they start getting voted off or having to pull out. Twenty contestants, plus the producers and crew, plus Riley's backstory...it's a lot to get a handle on, and it was quite late in the story before I was confident I knew who everyone was and what their backstory was. However, I traditionally have trouble remembering people, so maybe that won't be a problem for anyone else.
An interesting, intriguing read; I didn't quite figure out whodunnit in time, though I had my suspicions. At some point I'll read it back and see how obvious it is now that I know for sure. Definitely pick it up if you like mysteries or reality TV.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much publishes on the 1st January, 2022. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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