The Truth Trap

Matt McKendrick #1

by Frances A. Miller

Alone in a city full of strangers and accused of the murder of his beloved small sister, fifteen-year-old Matt McKendrick struggles to survive her loss and prove his innocence to the two police detectives assigned to the case. One of them believes him; the other, convinced he is guilty, is determined to make Matt confess and pay....

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery

197 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 1984

Reviews

[N.R. Tupper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 9 or 10. It absolutely shattered me. I stole my copy from the library and just never took it back. To this day (some twenty years later), I have this book sitting on my shelf. I have never read it again and maybe never will but it truly shattered me and I feel like I can remember every single detail with startling clarity (a rarity for me). This book will remain on my shelf until I don't have shelves to keep it on. :) It is a vital memory for me.

Thank you Miller for writing such a engrossing novel. Adult me appreciates how this book hooked me on reading.

[Elizabeth R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reread of course, after buying these books one by one from Powell’s during the pandemic to complete my set. This still holds up, if you have some tolerance for very 80s handling of trauma (best not to talk about it, but ok to cry), and super dramz. Which I totally do. She did a great job writing a realistic, smart, compassionate, impulsive, traumatized teenage boy.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get this book straight from the author when she visited my San Diego Middle School back in the 80's. A signed copy long lost but never forgotten.

The book, although out of my usual genre, gripped me from beginning to end and when it's two follow up novels came out I jumped on them.

I still have an original copy of the second on in first edition. They are out of print but still books I remember well.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the overall tone - as I recall, though it's been a few years, the writing was mature without being gross. My heart broke for the main character, and I hung on to every page wondering how would all be resolved.

[Amarli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sad story at the beginning.

[Paul Jacques · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was my absolute favorite as a teenager. I read them serial times then. I have even read them a couple of times as an adult. They are a must read.

[Emilia Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it and currently reading the last book in this series regarding Matt.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It will rip your heart out. I think it's out of print, which is a shame.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gritty, fast paced Young adultmystery that still manages to let Hope flourish. Its tone reminds me of seeing a flower poked through concrete in the middle of a city block. I think I should mention that the book does have some sexual violence in it, something that would be expected in this setting in real life. I mentioning it in case anyone is triggered by that. This book was instrumental in helping me shift my ideas about jail and my advocacy for fair treatment for people who are in jail and have not yet been convicted. I received it on tape from the library for the blind when the book 1st came out, and then I couldn’t find any of its sequels. I finally went looking for it this year and was able to find them. I decided to read the first book again to refresh my memory before moving on through the series.

[Alysha Gaskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's taken me years to remember the title of this book. I read this when I was about 13. It ruined specific innocence for me and at some points just devastated me. But it good, and thought provoking, and gave a sense of hope through a many of tragedies

[TONYA GOESER · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books

I read this back when I was a kid and it always stuck with me. Took forever for me to find it again.