Unnatural Deeds

September 15, 2016
Like a PG-13 version of Gone Girl (2012), Balog's (Dead River, 2013, etc.) latest tells the tense and tragic story of three teens mixed up in a world of murder, obsession, and mental illness. Sixteen-year-old Victoria Zell, a loner suffering from severe anxiety, spends her days feeling trapped at St. Ann's, a Catholic school in Bangor, Maine. Vic wants only to spend time with Andrew, her longtime boyfriend and best friend. Andrew understands her, and like Vic, Andrew suffers from his own debilitating condition: agoraphobia. The two are inseparable--until Zachary "Z" Zimmerman arrives at St. Ann's. Z's arrival spells trouble for Vic as she teeters between her loyalty to the safe and loving Andrew and her desire, bordering on obsession, for Z, who is full of mystery and danger. Vic sometimes reads as a naive Catholic schoolgirl, a familiar stereotype, but her account, addressed to Andrew with each chapter preceded by police interviews, news updates, and coroner's reports, is nevertheless a compelling one. The portrayal of mental illness seems authentic, but readers should recognize that Vic is entangled in a web of unhealthy relationships, especially with Z, who treats her like a puppy. Vic is white, with "stick-straight beige hair," the charismatic Z has tan skin, golden hair, and blue eyes, and Andrew's race is unclear. A page-turner that will keep readers riveted, this is a treat for mystery fans and will keep readers guessing right up until the end. (Thriller. 14-18)

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November 1, 2016

Gr 6 Up-The latest from YA novelist Balog, this fast contemporary title takes readers on a dark journey through mental illness and murder. Victoria narrates the story to her best friend and boyfriend Andrew, who is her agoraphobic, homeschooled neighbor of seven years. She wrestles with her guilt, though, after finding herself drawn to new student Z. Secrets and well-placed clues shape the suspenseful plot, which balances Vic's relatable questions about romance with true crime suspense surrounding a missing person. Police reports, interrogations, and newspaper articles about the crime begin each chapter and offer a refreshing change of writing style while foreshadowing the tale's climax. Vic's psychological struggle culminates in an unpredictable, shocking ending that most readers will not see coming. This thriller will stay with readers long after the last page. VERDICT A good choice for teens who are dealing with the loss of a friend. A strong purchase for YA thriller collections.-Seth Herchenbach, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake, IL

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2016
Grades 9-12 In Balog's creepy psychological thriller, 16-year-old Victoria is pulled between her loyalty to longtime boyfriend Andrew and her obsession with the new boy at school, handsome, magnetic Zachary, nicknamed Z. But there's another story brimming under the surface of this typical love triangle, one hinted at in the police interviews, coroner reports, phone logs, and news articles that precede each chapter. With her severe anxiety, Vic doesn't fit in at St. Ann's, the Catholic school she attends, and loving Andrew is her solace. Andrew understands her, and since he's agoraphobic and her neighbor, he's always there for her. When Z arrives, he upsets the delicate balance between them; he's mysterious and exciting and pushes Vic outside her comfort zone. The fact that Vic is an unreliable narrator is telegraphed early on: They call me delusional. But I'm not. I know what is real and what isn't. It's easy to ignore, however, as the compelling story takes hold, leaving readers guessing until the end. The understated dread builds to a tense and tragic climax.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)