40 Days in Hicksville

by Christina Kilbourne

Kate doesn’t want to spend one minute in the “Hicksville” her mother moved them to, much less the year she’s stuck here in the decaying house they inherited from her grandparents. She misses her boyfriend and sneaking out at night to make urban exploration videos for her growing YouTube channel. Zach, the boy who lives next door, tries to befriend Kate even though she ignores him. But when Kate discovers her estranged grandfather lives nearby, she wants to meet him despite the small-town rumours of his violent past, and takes Zach with her.
That’s when they find the crevasse on her grandfather’s property and the skeletons hidden inside.
That’s the day they find out Kate’s uncle and his friend went missing as teenagers. Instead of counting down the days until she can leave Hicksville, Kate and Zach start working together to solve the cold case that has silenced her mother for thirty-five years.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery

264 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2023

About the author

Christina Kilbourne is an award-winning young adult author who handles complex subjects with sensitivity and tact while covering issues of critical significance to youth.

Her novel, Dear Jo, was the recipient of three Canadian young reader’s choice awards in British Columbia (Red Cedar), Saskatchewan (Snow Willow) and Manitoba (MYRCA). It was also shortlisted for a young reader’s choice award in New York (New York State Charlotte Award). She is a four-time recipient of an Ontario Arts Council Works in Progress Grant.

Christina Kilbourne was born in Southwestern, Ontario, then moved and spent her elementary and high school years in Muskoka, a resort area two hours north of Toronto, Canada.

She graduated with an Honours BA in English Literature and Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario and completed her Masters degree in Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of Windsor, Ontario.

Upon graduating Christina travelled across Africa, Mexico, Central, South America, Australia and parts of the South Pacific. She lived two years in New Zealand.

She writes adult, young adult and middle grade fiction and has had her work translated into Slovenian, Portuguese, Ukrainian and Spanish.

Christina currently lives with her husband and two children near Bracebridge, Canada. She is a member of the Writer’s Union of Canada.

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this on the shelf at the library and the author's name sounded familiar. I have read one of her other YA novels and enjoyed it, and liked this one a lot too. Was nice to have something decent and easy to read to burn through while I was fighting a migraine for a couple days.

[Arissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, sorry if I got some of the details wrong, I read this a while back.

I liked this book because it was based on a true story and I also always love a good mystery book, but I feel like the end kind of ruined it. First off, for the whole story, there was some chemistry between Zach and Kate which I liked, but then in the end, the story wasn't as realistic/gruesome as I was expecting. What I was wanted was for James to have committed suicide after his friend was killed by his dad (I think) and the other old grandpa. Also, he would have committed suicide because of the pressure/tension in his family stemming from his raging alcoholic dad. Instead, he just escaped and then came back many many years later to a random bistro restaurant his sister started in his hometown? What?

Also, I think there was another guy that was run over by a tractor. To be honest, when I read that part I literally laughed out loud because of how stupid it sounds. Then, the other guy got killed because he saw the two grandpas hiding the body of the other one. That makes more sense but I still can't get over the tractor thing.

Then, at the end, Zach and Kate just had to kiss. I was left with so many questions while there were just there kissing. Maybe if I got that suicide ending I wanted them I would not have a problem with this kissing/ romance because this seems too much of a "and they all lived happily ever after" type of ending and I hate it.

However, the rest of the book was pretty good and it was one of my favorite Forest of Reading books for 2024-25. I am also going to the presentation for this book in the Forest of Reading festival place so I will come back and update it if the author talks about this ending/explains more.

[Vivian Ayabaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this book!! it had amazing like fun detail but also it wasn’t like pages of just unnecessary stuff that like you eye read for five minutes and then go back because you didn’t take in a single word. i loved the character development for kate and omg i literally died at the end with her and zach it was so cute!! 🥰 this book had me flipping the pages anxious or excited for what the next page would bring. i also loved the concept of kate’s mom opening a restaurant, i don’t know what about it but i just really liked that detail about the book. something else that i love love loveeee is that it flips between kate and zach every chapter, i just love that i can see both of their perspectives. it’s definitelyyyyy he fell first she fell harder and it’s just soo cute. definitely go read it, it’s a great, cute, small town mystery with a bit of friendly romance! 💘📚🔍

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book frustrates me because the storyline has so much potential. But the dialogue is written in the most clunky, choppy way. It took away from the whole story because the flow would get so off, it was so awkwardly done. Idk. I wish it was better than it was. The plot deserves a better written story.
⭐️⭐️✨ 2.5/5

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest of Reading site has this book categorised for grade 7-8 readers and I think it would be a very exciting, compelling mystery for readers of that age. I read a lot of YA, but usually not geared towards readers so young.

[Elaine Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A city girl moves to the country family homestead with her mother. She meets the boy next door and they become friends. With twists and turns the kids discover a couple bodies and a 35 yr old cold case is reopened by the boys father a police office. Interfering in the case the kids discover more evidence which helps with the mystery of what really happened that day.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a strong one that has really neat true crime-esque vibes, I loved both Zach and Kate, and the reveals felt natural and interesting! I had a great time with this, there's definitely a lot more than you'd initially think and a lot of things hit home for how well done the depiction for a rural area was, with how tight knit everyone is.

[Dana Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seamless suspense perfect for the young adult reader in your life. I especially loved that the two main characters, Zach and Kate, formed a solid friendship first. The story evolves quickly, keeping you engaged with every page. And then the twists…wow. Such a wonderful book with which to spend a couple of days.

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was very readable, the references to Facebook are a bit dated, but I’m not sure how much teens will mind. Zach was a bit undeveloped as a character and it felt like his mom’s departure and the messiness of his house were maybe going to go somewhere originally, but never did. The romance felt unnecessary but believable, and I appreciate that it didn’t really distract from the plot or become the whole point. No super strong feelings here, but nothing really bugged me and I never had trouble picking it up to keep reading.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells you about two kids that solve the crime of the town.

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a cold case? Rebellious city girl Kate gets transplanted to a rural setting in order to reset her attitude. Instead, she inspires an anxious cop kid Zach to explore a cavern with her on a gun-wielding 80 year-old’s property, past midnight. “Don’t do it!” you’ll want to call out. But of course they do and this will lead to an uncomfortable discovery which causes the reopening of a 35 year-old missing persons’ case.

For sure some twists along the way but what also captivates the reader are the interesting characters: the country boy who’s willing to drive his tractor over to the girl’s house and mow the whole field to gain her attention. The city girl who likes videoing derelict buildings at night to gain a social media presence. “Rebels are overrated bullshit,” she tells her teacher first day. The mom who tests out amazing recipes for her future restaurant (and the teens appreciate that food, what?) And an estranged grandfather who shoots rabbits and possibly, in the past, Kate’s grandmother.

Heart beating a little too quickly? Use the 54321 method Zach’s therapist, would advise. Reading 40 Days to Hicksville to find out how that works.

[Sarah Lasko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook - good narration

First of my Red Maple reads this school year. Kids will like this one. I enjoyed how the kids were adventurous, smart and heroic. Some timeline issues - flight from Auz - TO is not an over night.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an unexpected turn. I didn't love the audio version. Main character sounded like she was talking through gritted teeth the entire time. But the book would be more loved via hardcopy. It's an easy one, so if you're looking for a quick day/weekend read!

[Myah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to pre-read because I’m going to do this as part of a reading program at my school!

So fun for the young reader in your life, I actually enjoyed this way too much, so many twists! I would’ve ate this up in grade 6

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one set not too far from home and putting two teenagers into the middle of a cold case. As the case progresses the characters evolve. Definitely wanted to keep reading.

[Ronald Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kenza Boughrara · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was pretty good, read cuz it reminded me of One Of Us Is Lying. But it was predictable

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid middle grade mystery with some good twists.

[Faheem · Rating 4 out of 5]

a surprisingly good book for the red maple reading challenge.

[Jeffery Jefferson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ts was le tres sad. The ending was very depresso expreso

[Caramella Ammoury · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's very very good.

[Kayla Moniz-Pedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was apprehensive to read this due to the “boring looking cover” but in the end I adored this book! It was fantastic and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! Loved the characters!

!!!!!!!!!MAJOR ENDING SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!

I loved when James came back!!!!!! I was also the biggest Kate and Zach supporter for chapter one! The ending was adorable.