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Scarlett thought Dan McAndrew's murder was long behind her, but when she and her classmates arrive in Edinburgh for a weeklong field trip, she's startled to be joined by her old St. Tabby's cohorts--and enemies--who are visiting the area on a field trip as well. Even more startling, Callum, Dan's surviving twin, is in the area--and his cold treatment leaves Scarlett wondering what's changed, especially when a series of attacks makes her believe that someone's out to get her for her past mistakes. Would Callum ever hurt her, though? And what's Scarlett to make of her conflicting feelings for Callum, now that Jase isn't around? Even more upsetting, why is her most trusted confidante, Taylor, acting distant and dismissive?

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2011

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About the author

Lauren Henderson

58 books403 followers
Born in London in 1966, Lauren Henderson read English at university and then worked as a journalist for - among other publications - the New Statesman, Marxism Today, the Observer and Lime Lizard, a much-mourned indie music magazine. Lauren now divides her time between Italy and London and, when not wine-tasting, writes full-time.

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5 stars
277 (32%)
4 stars
316 (37%)
3 stars
194 (22%)
2 stars
43 (5%)
1 star
14 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
1,021 reviews64 followers
June 23, 2011
Scarlett’s back in the final instalment of the Scarlett Wakefield series. I must say that I have had a fun time reading about her adventured and Kiss of Death was just as good as the other three books in the series.
The mystery in Kiss of Death was a little different. This one wasn’t a murder mystery as such; it was more of a who is trying to commit murder mystery. It had me guessing all the way through, there were a few people I had suspected it to be. Well, to be honest I even suspected Taylor, but not giving anything away, I had not guessed who the culprit was right up until the very last moment.
I think that Kiss of Death is my favourite of the Scarlett Wakefield books. This one I was laughing out loud quite a lot at and I just had such a fun time reading it.
The ending was very lovely, it wrapped everything up so nicely and it tied up all the loose ends. I loved Kiss of Death and the whole series. If you’re looking for a really fun mystery series, then the Scarlett Wakefield series by Lauren Henderson is definitely a good one to go for.
Profile Image for Thia Lee.
328 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2022
2.5 Stars...

Well, I am glad that I am finished with this series. Overall, book 4 was ok, but I found myself bored at times because it dragged on, and NOTHING really happened until around the 80% mark. It did get better toward the end once all of the mystery starts to unfold, and the focus was actually on the mystery and not all the teenage/romance drama.

I think the whole series had potential, but the issue is the same with each book---the author didn't invest enough time on the actual MYSTERY. All of them have way too much kissing, tongues touching, crushing, mean girl drama, etc. that added nothing at all for the story itself.

As for Scarlett, it's also the same thing with her in every single book---her going after some boy (rolling eyes)! I think Scarlett's tongue has been down the throats of just about every single boy in all of Britian and its bordering countries (ok I'm exaggerating, but still). I got so very tired of her constantly needing to have a boy in her life. Sometimes she just got on my nerves. I thought she was a bit shallow and needed more depth beyond that of being boy crazy. I did like Taylor, but I don't quite understand how she went from being this not so attractive masculine bodied tomboy into a bombshell that guys were falling over. Anyway, as mentioned before, the ending saved this one for me because other than that, most of the story was pointless and a bunch of fillers used to fill pages until the reveal.

Overall, I give the book 2.5 Stars and the series a 2.7.

Content: no sex, but some kissing and touching
Language: not too much- a few scattered throughout
4 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2012
■■The Kiss of Death by Lauren Henderson was really quite enjoyable. The setting is Edinburgh, Scotland during school spring break. I would classify Kiss of Death as fiction with heavy touches of mystery and suspense. This work is the final installment in a series that Lauren Henderson entitled Kiss Me Kill Me. Another classification used to describe this work by Ms.Henderson is “tart noir.”

The young heroin in the story is Scarlett Wakefield. She is a student at the elite Wakefield HS for Girls, found generations ago by her grandmother. The school girls, including Scarlett and her best friend Taylor, have been whisked away to Edinburgh for spring break where they find they are cohabitating in an old boys boarding school with the privileged HS Girls from St Thaddeus. As a former student at St Tabby’s, Scarlet bumps into some old friends and some very bad memories.

One of the reoccurring symbols in Kiss of Death is remarkably a kiss. An acquaintance Dan McAndrew dies after a kiss from Scarlet, while a kiss from his twin brother Callum makes Scarlet fidgety and want to “crawl out of her skin.” The kiss she longs for is from her estranged boyfriend Jase Barnes, who isn’t very popular among Scarlet’s family in particular, her Aunt Gwen. Possibly because he is the son of the gardener Barnes who she plotted with to commit murder!

The tone of this novel is one of friendship and fighting among teenage girls, competition, envy and a strong undercurrent of mystery. From the beginning Scarlett experiences strange stomach illness, fainting spells, and a push down the stairs during a building evacuation that nearly cost her life. Someone is following close behind our young heroine and trying to kill her. Scarlett coincidently has strange ties to many of the characters. …”a loose thread that starts unraveling a whole garment.”(262) is a perfect way to describe the unfolding plot and the unique ties that the characters have with one another As Scarlett’s best friend Taylor says when explaining her hypothesis on the motive for murder…”think the unthinkable.”(279) to solve your mystery



Profile Image for Jenny.
48 reviews24 followers
September 4, 2011

Kiss of Death is the awesome conclusion of the four book series regarding Scarlett Wakefield. The whole thing started with a kiss. Her first kiss. And the guy, Dan, died immediately right there in front of her. Since then Scarlett has been determined to discover the true reason Dan died. And in book three she gets the culprit through a series of fantastic events which shoot the door wide open on her own mysterious past. Why did her parents die & leave her orphaned? This book has all the answers.

Not to mention oodles of boys in kilts, run-ins with arch-nemesis Plum Saybourne who seems to have forgotten she got trumped in book three thanks to the return of her cohort Nadia, and plenty of mystery on the streets (and undergrounds) of Scotland.

This book was full of everything I have come to love about the Scarlett Wakefield series. The playful asides about fashion, life, love, and anything else pop culture are always fun but it's the British humor (humour? :D) that I appreciate most. In spite of every twist and turn and attempt on her life, Scarlett is always funny in her observations about those around her and her own inner thoughts. She is a firm personality that doesn't waver much and never edges toward the melodramatic.

The settings, while gorgeous in their own right, aren't left entirely up to our imaginations but beautifully laid out on the page. We discover a lot about history along with the rest of the plot of the book which was something I thoroughly enjoyed. It was more of the same, and the same is what I really loved about the Scarlett Wakefield series. I am very sad to know that Kiss of Death is the last.

Thank you to Ms. Henderson for producing such delicious young adult fare with nothing objectionable, as far as I'm concerned, and plenty of non-American flavor in the same vein as my favorite Britcoms and films. I will forever be a fan and will forever beg for a Scarlett Wakefield Book 5... 6... 7... 1,000. Especially if Plum gets her just desserts!

Profile Image for Lara.
4,235 reviews348 followers
May 27, 2015
Yeah, so I sort of feel like this is one of those series I should be totally embarrassed about liking so much, but whatever, guys! I like Scarlett--even though sometimes she's mean and dumb, it's in a fairly realistic kind of way. And I really love her friendship with Taylor, and also totally like her with Jase. The big reveal of this one is kind of...ok, a little over the top, but I like the way things end up over all. I will also forgive Lauren Henderson for talking about MySpace--ha!

Anyway, I'm glad I finally, finally got around to reading this. I'd probably read this series again at some point, cause it's just good, silly fun.

So there!
Profile Image for Tuffy.
182 reviews
October 8, 2019
Wow! I had fun reading this too. I mean I liked “Kisses and Lies” better because I really didn’t have any expectations and no idea how Lauren Henderson writes. So when I finished that book, I got curious with her other books.

I really like Taylor’s character. Scarlet is definitely lucky to have a best friend like her. I enjoyed the other characters too including the “The Mean Girls “

I liked how the book ended but I wish there would be more.
Profile Image for Amy Lignor.
Author 10 books221 followers
September 17, 2011
This is truly a great finale to the Scarlett Wakefield series that includes, Kiss Me Kill Me; Kisses and Lies; and Kiss in the Dark.

When we begin, Scarlett and her best friend Taylor are sitting among their class of girls from Wakefield Hall…and all they want is for death to come quickly. Their class has gone on a weeklong field trip to Edinburgh, and Scarlett can’t be happier. She needs more than anything to leave behind the tragedy of Dan McAndrew’s murder. The crime was, of course, solved, but the people around her back home seem to look at Scarlett as if she were somehow responsible.

In the dark they sit, listening to one of the worst concerts of their entire lives. The teen groups on the stage are so bad, she and Taylor can hardly hear anymore. What’s worse? The lights go up on stage and none other than Callum McAndrew - Dan’s twin - is in a kilt, and singing. Scarlett almost passes out. When she turns to the side, her eyes also fall on her - once best friends - Luce and Allison sitting with their class from St. Tabby’s.

For a little background, Scarlett once went to St. Tabby’s and got caught up with the popular crowd, leaving her friends far behind. On top of that, when Dan McAndrew dropped dead at her feet, the school asked Scarlett to leave because of all the publicity. That’s why Scarlett ended up having to attend the horrible Wakefield Hall, which is run by her Aunt who absolutely hates her.

When Scarlett, Taylor, and the other girls from Wakefield realize that they’ll have to spend their whole week with the St. Tabby girls, Scarlett wants to be sick. Not only is everything from her past coming back to get her, but she soon finds herself starring in accidents - such as being pushed over a stair railing and poisoned by an unknown assailant. Could it be her old friends looking for payback, or a twin brother wanting revenge? All Scarlett knows is Taylor is the only one she can trust, and she misses her boyfriend Jase with all her heart and can’t understand why he disappeared.

It is certainly no surprise that the fourth book in this entertaining, funny, romantic, mysterious series is even better than the first three. With this installment, Ms. Henderson has outdone herself by offering her fans a great ending to what will be, I’m sure, a much-missed series.

Great YA writing! It will be interesting to see what this incredible author does next.
Profile Image for Ashley Yuan.
154 reviews
June 12, 2011
Well to be honest it wasn't my fave Scarlett Wakefield but it was good! The ending is happy which was something I expected and the book wasn't that short but some parts were kind of boring. I thought the book was a bit melodramatic and everytime there's a killer it always has to do with inheirting something.
Scarlett and her Wakefield friends r on a school trip to Scotland and there we meet up with all the previous characters in the series. There is Luce and Alison scarlett's ex BFF, all the popular kids from st. Tabby who r also on a field trip and callum, dans twin. There is someone set to murder Scarlett. We find out it's aunt Gwen who has plotted the murder for a long time so she could inherit Wakefield hall. Scarlett finds hersel falling for callum a bit after her break up with jase. In the end it was Taylor who had always been crushing on callum and they get together. We find out plum is bisexual but is scared people will find out. In the end everything is happy, aunt Gwen falls out the window and dies. Taylor is seeing callum. Scarlett gets back with jase and plum promises not to bully anyone! Simple yet an interesting read
Profile Image for Miranda Merrill.
87 reviews4 followers
March 30, 2012
This is the fourth and final installment of the Scarlett Wakefield series by Lauren Henderson. In this book Scarlett travels to Edinburgh on a school trip hoping that Dan McAndrews murder is finally behind her, but when she and her classmates arrive she is shocked to be joined by her old friends and enemies from her old school St. Tabbys. The School she attended before Dans murder. As Scarlett and the girls explore all the sites Scarlett is attacked on numerous occasions proving that someone is out to get her.

I found this to be a good read and a great ending to the series. However I found it to be all too tidy. I like books to leave room for you to use your imagination on how things end. The mystery involving who was trying to kill Scarlett was well written but a bit predictable for me. There were parts in this story that seemed to drag and became a bit boring, but if you stick with it, it is well worth it. Overall I enjoyed the whole series the author does a great job creating mystery and her writing and character development are very well done. However I would recommend reading the other 3 books in the series before picking up this one.
Profile Image for Paty.
38 reviews
March 25, 2013
I don't even wonder why Scarlet would choose to have a normal life above anything else! I mean, how crazy is that your boyfriend's father killed your parents and that your own aunt tried to kill you! I consider myself lucky in my ordinary life.

Anyways, at first I thought the book was a bit boring with Jase out of the scene. But I decided to give the book a chance since I had already read the previous books. Plus, tons of secrets were released! Plum being bisexual! Taylor and Callum (odd!) Aunt Gwen attempt of murder! and the list can go on and on...

But after all, I loved how the book ended. It was pretty sappy. I was happy that Scarlet's grandmother finally showed her feelings and that Jase could actually be a public boyfriend but still... I can't imagine my life without my parents and some crazy aunt trying to kill me! I just can't conceive it!

Overall, I don't regret at all reading the series! It was fun! The series had everything from fashion to love to mystery and I can go on and on.. Give it a try!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,391 reviews
July 3, 2011
Kiss of Death is the fourth and final book in the Scarlett Wakefield series.

It was a nice ending to a good series. I've always liked Scarlett and she did not disappoint in this final installment.

This book was set in Edinburgh where Scarlett's current school Wakefield Hall and her old school Tabby's were taking a field trip. What an interesting way to bring all the characters together, which included Callum McAndrews (Dan's twin brother).

At the end of book 3 Jase (Scarlett's boyfriend) took off. So I was quite interested to see what would happen to him in this last book.

The mystery in this book was that someone was trying to kill Scarlett. A lot of suspects (Plum, her two old best friends, even Callum). Interesting mystery. And the guilty party was believable. I also liked some of the twists at the end.

Overall not to be missed if you've enjoyed the other books.
Profile Image for Linda.
271 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2011
The final book in Wakefield series, was slow going for me in the beginning, get's pretty interesting half way through. Romance and suspense.

Scarlett thinks someone is trying to killer, and she's seeing shadow's following her, but no one believes her.
Callum is playing at a concert Scarlett is attending on a school field trip,he see's in the audience and sends someone for her, she remembers their last kiss,does he?
They didn't think they would ever see each other again and she's still dating Jase, but he had left after finding out his father was the one that had killed her parents; he needed time, but he's been gone along time, he seldom calls, he hasn't been back since, she doesn't know where he's at or if he's coming back. She's need's someone there for her, who will it be, Callum or Jase?
Profile Image for Jannat Bhat.
Author 11 books135 followers
November 30, 2012
Kiss of Death is the fourth and final book in the Scarlett Wakefield series.This is a great book. Anyone who likes realistic fiction, romance, and mystery would die to read this book.This is because Scarlett's life gets pretty complicated in this book.The nonstop action and suspense keeps readers engaged from page one all the way to the end. There are mysteries, lies & secrets.

Kiss of Death finds Scarlett and Taylor on a school trip to Edinburgh. There, they encounter Callum McAndrew.Scarlett is now torn between a flirtation with Callum and her love for her absent boyfriend, Jase. But these romantic entanglements are minor problems compared to Scarlett's newest worry -- someone is trying to kill her.

So overall I'd say Kiss of Death is a compelling read and I really enjoyed reading this series.
Profile Image for Romita.
49 reviews
April 25, 2014
I was curious to see how all the threads were closed in one book. I thought only one book wouldn't be enough. But I wasn't right. It should've been a bit more exciting though. It didn't live to its prequels. A good job is done with this book. A fitting end for a good series, I liked everything about this but Scarlett ending up with Jase instead of Callum was a big disappointment. I wished Callum to be with Scarlett. Also Luce, Alison and all the St. Tabby's crowd being back was a good extra. Plum turning out to be a lesbian was kinda expected and hinted at - at some points in the book. Maybe, she finally turned more humane and kept her word to Scarlett. All in all a good read. I was satisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for krystal.
82 reviews10 followers
October 4, 2013
Decent, tight plot observant enough to make great points about British aristocracy (in my humble and likely misinformed opinion, anyway) but not self-aware enough to make any point a subtle one. Also it starts to get annoying when descriptions of the characters' personalities go downhill from class struggle backstory study to depending on physical characteristics to make a point.

Profile Image for Sarah.
951 reviews5 followers
January 20, 2016
Having encountered three corpses in rapid succession, and then lost her boyfriend while he attempts to find himself, Scarlett hoped a week in Edinburgh would cheer her up. While her reconnection with a handsome musician (who also happens to be heir to an impressive estate) provides a pleasant diversion, she also finds her trips to historic sites interspersed with a less pleasant distraction: attempted murder. The greater immediacy of the threats make this the most exciting mystery of the series, and Scarlett’s focus on those threats means the angst is much less rampant than it was in the last entry.
Profile Image for Karin.
1,984 reviews25 followers
May 19, 2011
This was only my 2nd Scarlett Wakefield (I had also read #2 a while ago), and I loved it as much. Don't know why these don't get more press - hilariously funny boarding school chick lit with \intriguing mysteries built in. Kind of a combination of Ruby Oliver's humor with a British boarding school sensibility. And just the right amount of romance. Highly recommended!
In this one, Scarlett travels to Edinburgh on a school trip, run into some old classmates and an old crush and has a couple near-death experiences that she comes to realize mean someone is trying to kill her. Good stuff.
Profile Image for Krista.
90 reviews
March 15, 2017
We read the 1st one of the series for book club and it was entertaining. I enjoyed the 2nd one too, so I figured I would continue on. This one was abysmal. I think I only finished it because it was an easy read and I wanted to see if it could get worse. The storyline was pretty decent, but the execution left much to be desired. When the iPhone and iPad references started, I had to laugh. They seemed contrived and forced just to sound current. I would probably recommend the 1st two books, but then stop there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Inna.
63 reviews
December 3, 2011
I LOVED THIS SERIES!!! Kiss of Death was the last book in the Scarlett Wakefield sereis, and let me just say: this was one of my favorite series. The author just sucks you in from the minute you start the book, until you HAVE to finish reading to see what happens. I love the fact that this is a mystery/romance series, with the romance being not too heavy, so even if youre not that big of a fan of romance, you would still like this book. Definitly read it!!! :)
Profile Image for Carrie.
281 reviews108 followers
May 22, 2011
This is the fourth (and final) in this series. This is a good thing. Overall, I have enjoyed this four-book series. The books are realistic, and Scarlett is an awesome character. I do recommend starting at the beginning if you plan to read them, and the first two are the best.

Further thoughts at http://dogearedandwellread.wordpress....
Profile Image for Anne.
5,254 reviews52 followers
July 21, 2011
Scarlett is in Edinburgh with the Wakefield School girls. Turns out that the St. Tabby's girls are here, too. And someone from one of those places is determined that Scarlett shall not make it back home.

final book in the series, bringing all the characters back together to tie everything up. a fun read, good for those looking for a contemporary mystery.
Profile Image for Maren.
124 reviews8 followers
November 5, 2011
Even if you can predict the ending, getting there is entertaining. Setting the final book in Edinbrough was perfect - again with the windy, green landscapes and boys in kilts and Aran sweaters! Everything ties together pretty well and this final Scarlett Wakefield mystery is a good ending to the series.
Profile Image for Dorise.
118 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2015
I really liked this series. It is a quick and easy read, but with a good portion of action and romance for a YA girly book. I'd recommend to read the books during a readathon or before you want to sleep. You don't have to think a lot with this read. But if you are looking for more depth, seek something else.
Profile Image for Alex.
6,861 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2011
I forgot how much I enjoyed the Scarlett Wakefield books until I started reading this one. I don't know what it is about Scarlett, but I just love her.

This was a great last book in the series, and wrapped up all the loose ends. I was very satisfied with the ending!
Profile Image for Madi.
302 reviews
May 30, 2011
Aww. :) what a happy ending! Reading the end, I was so grateful. To see Scarlett's journey coming to an end. Now all she has to do is lead a careless teenager's life. I'm so happy for her. I can't wait for the new series that's talked about in the authors note!
Profile Image for Chloe.
177 reviews
December 31, 2011
Some of the characters r slightly exaggerated so its hard to relate to them and the author is writing in 1st person so sometimes she jumps around scenes which makes it very confusing to know whats happening and what happened.
Good series and I'll probably read other stuff by her.
Profile Image for Elayna.
79 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2011
I loved this book. I was totally shocked that Scarlett's Aunt Gwen was trying to kill her. I did not see that one coming or that Plum was bisexual. I'm sad to see this series end because I loved it. But I'm glas Scarlett has a good relationship with her grandma and her one with Taylor is fixed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathy.
496 reviews
July 14, 2016
It was good but not great. A little boring in parts, but overall a fitting end to the series. I was glad to see her finally tie all the characters together from the pervious books. A bit perdictable, but you have to love a happy ending!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews