Killing Rachel

The Murder Notebooks #2

by Anne Cassidy

Rose's mother and Joshua's father have disappeared. Police inquiries have gone nowhere and the case, it seems, is closed: Rose and Joshua have been told that the police believe their parents are dead. But Rose and Joshua still hold out hope that they are alive. Joshua is determined to follow up his own inquiries, which includes working out the meaning of the cryptic notebooks - the murder notebooks - they have discovered. Then Rose is distracted by odd, desperate messages she receives from Rachel, a former best friend from her school, followed by the terrible news that Rachel is dead. But perhaps Rachel's death will provide one more piece of the puzzle about what has happened to Rose and Joshua's parents . . .

A taut and pacy thriller in The Murder Notebooks series, from an acclaimed writer for teens.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Initial reaction: Argh, this hurts to write. You know, despite my criticisms of it in some modes, I actually did like Anne Cassidy's first book in this series, "Dead Time". Rose was a flawed protagonist in that, but at least she owned up to where she was wrong and the cases and mysterious elements of the murders in that were interesting.

This book? I can't even begin to note how tough it was to slog through 2/3 of this book with very sloppy prose, lack of an engaging mystery, Rose being utterly insufferable, and really just lacking any kind of collective spark that could carry it. What makes it worse is that the story did have a few moments where the narrative worked in scene, but the cramping of details at the end without any build-up really didn't do wonders for this mystery at all.

I'm very disappointed in this, and I really dislike saying that, but I hope my review can expound a little more as to why I felt this way.

Full review:

Despite the fact that I really like Anne Cassidy's writing style, and that I enjoyed "Dead Time" well enough in light of its flaws, "Killing Rachel" was a disappointment on so many levels. I do have to ask what happened here in comparison to the first book, because while I can say that Rose was never an easy protagonist to like, she became full on insufferable in this book. Not to mention the structuring and progression of this story was rather sloppy through the entire work.

The long and short of this book revolved around Rose combing through her previous relationship and falling out with former classmate Rachel, who in the beginning of the book tries to contact Rose begging her for help through phone calls and messages. Guess what happens to Rachel after not long?

*points to title - obvious spoiler is obvious*

It's so infuriating because the book starts off with Rose denouncing the girl because of the way she was "bullied" (but not, according to Rose) by Rachel. Then she thought Rachel was obsessive and crazy with the constant messages asking for Rose's aid. However, when Rachel *dies*, Rose suddenly feels as if she's suffered a great loss.

Then the narrative goes into a long, meandering account of Rose's relationship with Rachel, trying to establish character backstory when playing between current events. Surprisingly, the side characters in this book (Joshua, Rose's grandmother, Skeggsie) weren't really a significant presence in this novel as they were in the former. Joshua had a role, but it was more on the level of Rose lusting after him and then one key scene when he gets mixed up in the crossfire of events. That one scene was probably better written than most of the novel, because the stakes and tension were actually well done.

I'll admit that by the time Rachel's murder was resolved, I didn't feel a lick of investment in the overarching narrative. There were so many opportunities to flesh, develop, and bring forth an intriguing mystery here, but the presentation, characterizations, and nonsensical progression pretty much soured the experience. I don't know if I'll continue with the series, but I hope if it continues from this point, that it improves upon it's lacking areas. The first book was decent with notable flaws, but this book dropped the ball.

Overall score: 1/5

Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Walker Childrens.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars
This was okay, but not as good as the author's Patsy Kelly books.

* Joshua is still trying to work out what happened to their parents.
* Rose is receiving letters and calls from a girl (Rachel) who she knew at boarding school who she fell out with.
* So, Josh speaks to some Russian bloke, and gets given some files by an old colleague of his dads. He goes to look at a small cottage which he thinks belongs to his dad, and ends up getting beaten up by the russians.
* Rose goes back to her old boarding school to find that Rachel is dead.She works out that a girl named Molly did it. She's given a letter by Rachel's parents which contains proof that her mother was alive 5 months earlier.
* An ex-police officer goes to great lengths to convince Rose and Joshua that their parents were in a silver Audi pulled from the chalk mines, and are dead.

I didn't really get why Josh would be given one of his dad's old case files?! Like really? Rose pisses me off with all the - I want to kiss Josh but I can't because he's my brother crap. He's not really her brother!! Is a butterfly tattoo not a bit girly for all these men to be sporting?
I liked that they mentioned so many places that I had been to, but this wasn't really exciting enough for me.

[Jennifer ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Killing Rachel, the sequel to 'Dead Time' was suprisingly upaced and strong willed and for, me developed the character of Rose, as you are given her backstory - which makes her a hell of a lot more likeable. I was a little disappointed with Dead Time as I found Rose highly annoying and although I wasn't thrilled by this book - it was for me an improvement from Dead Time. Rose's ex-best friend - Rachel has been found dead in the school lake under mysterious circumstances. There is a startling new development to the Butterfly project as Rose and Joshua pursue their quest to find their parents. Are Brendan and Kathy really still alive - or did Frank Richards make it up? This question is answered throughout the book.

[15CatterfeldD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the second in a series. I actually read this book first accidentally and enjoyed it so much I went back and read the first. This was a real page turner and I couldn't put it down. There were many plot twists that kept me on my feet which was exciting. I would definitely recommend it to readers aged 13+.

[Char · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just eurgh! So frustrated with this series. Writing review now

FULL REVIEW:

For my pre read thoughts and rating reasons please visit my blog, From the Shadows I Review

Okay, you remember the issues I had with ‘Dead Time’? The ones that I assumed were first book jitters as Anne Cassidy figured out the pace of her book and how the series arc was going to fit over the course of the books? Well it turns out, I was wrong. They’re still there, this story wasn’t engaging either. As I was reading I still felt distanced, and not in a way I like either. I also felt like nothing really happened in the search for Brendan and Kathy until the final 20% of the story. It bothered me that the point of the series was cast aside in favour of a one book plot. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Rachel but I feel that it actually took the focus of the book and there was other, more interesting, stuff going on with Joshua’s hunt that I’d rather have read. What Rose took away from the whole thing could have been condensed into a smaller part of the story and we could’ve enjoyed Joshua’s detective mission.

The main characters haven’t improved in this book. If anything I like them even less! The only character I really liked in ‘Dead Time’ was Skeggsie and he barely makes an appearance in ‘Killing Rachel’

Rose – She’s shut herself off from the world and then has the cheek to complain when people call her “offish”. Numerous times in this book (and the previous one) people have tried to talk to her and she’s just brushed them off. I get that she lost her mum but we’ve all got problems! She makes it so hard to be liked and that makes being with her for the duration of the book. It’s like being stuck in a lift with your arch enemy.

Joshua – He isn’t any better in this book. I find him to be so selfish. It feels like Anne Cassidy wants us to believe that Joshua is intensely focused on finding his dad but for me it’s an excuse for the fact that he doesn’t care about anyone around him. Rose’s ex best friend has been found dead and he barely seems to register how she feels. He just expects her to automatically follow him and agree with everything he does.

Overall I’m pretty unimpressed. Things that I’d let slide in ‘Dead Time’ are still there and in some cases are worse. The detail is so inconsistent, for example we’re told the name of Rose’s blog (Morpho) every time it’s mentioned (yea, I got it the first 100 times) but when it comes to other things it’s lacking. An example of this is bands, Anne Cassidy tends to write “A band Rose liked” or “A band Rose didn’t like”. I mean I don’t go “I’m listening to a band I like” I say “I’m listening to Fall Out Boy.” (Although it’s Green Day at the moment, I’m going off topic again.) It’s details like this that add character depth. I want to know what Rose is listening to! I do like how easy the books are to read though and, even though it wasn’t a part of the bigger picture, the mystery of Rachel Bliss, but unfortunately not much else.

[Salma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really enjoy this book because you could tell what was going to come next and don’t really like books that. I would recommend a different horror story called “Say her name” by Juno Dawson.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery of the Butterfly Project grows as Rachel and Joshua continue to try to solve the disappearance of Rose's mother and Joshua's father five years prior. Even the police have closed the investigation, but these two teens are continuing to look for answers. When Roses' ex-best friend starts to send Rose messages, saying she needs to talk to her, Rose ignores her, still feeling the sting of their lost friendship. Then, Rachel turns up dead, and Rose must give the letters to the police. Rachel had claimed to have seen Rose and Joshua's parents, alive, but her track record for being honest was nil at best.

As Rose and Joshua continue digging up clues regarding their parents, they are kidnapped and threatened with worse if they do not stop. What is going on? What really happened to their parents? Can they discover the truth before its too late? Will anyone help them? Believe them?

Anne Cassidy has done a wonderful job of creating a dark and foreboding atmosphere with intrigue and danger, while keeping this book age-appropriate for readers 12 & up!

This ARC copy was provided by NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: February 26, 2013

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting read in the murder notebooks series from Anne Cassidy.

The main plot for this series revolves about the death of Rachel, a girl whom Rose had previously been at boarding school with as well as spending time getting more into the supposed murder of Rose and Josh's parents some 5 years previously.

I can't say too much about this book or I'll give to much away but needless to say this story was an exciting read and lots more revelations were unveiled as Rose and Josh try to find out more about what happened to their parents even though the police tell them the case is all but abandoned. I really like Rose as a character and I love seeing how she grows as a character over each book and I love the relationship she has with her stepbrother. Lots of exciting things set up for book three!

Looking forward to the next instalment.

[Anastasiya M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rose and Joshua still have no answers about the disappearance of their parents. The police have no further leads ad the case stands still. The belief is that they are dead, but their children still hold on to the hope.

Joshua believes the answers lie in the cryptic notebooks that they have discovered and tries to work on the code to find any clues.

Rose receives the news about the death of her old school friend, Rachel, and is overcome with guilt when she admits that she had been ignoring Rachel’s calls and messages days before her death.

There could be a connection between her death and the disappearance of their parents, but how could there be a link?

Read the full review here: https://sincerelyyoursannie.com/2022/...

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd in the Murder Notebooks Series.
Rose and Joshua's parents went out for dinner one night - and never came back. The police have all but given up finding any trace of them and Rose and Joshua won't accept that they are dead. This part of this intriguing series is continuing that search. But a past school friend contacts Rose. Why does Rachel want to talk to her? Rose has tried to forget this girl who played mind games with her at school.
But when Rachel ends up dead, Rose can't ignore it anymore.
Is it connected to their parent's disappearance?
Along the journey, Rose has begun to have feelings for Joshua - after all, they are only step-siblings.

[Readgig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this book, I think that the superb craft of Anne Cassidy combined with a complex and thrilling story have worked fantastically together creating a totally gripping narrative particularly in the last few chapters. The two interlinking plots create a fast moving pace keeping the reader involved and eager to find out what’s the next step.
Reviewed by Beth.

Read the full review on our website.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most interesting sub plots to the whole series and a truly engaging plot line throughout

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 1.0 of 5

I have often enjoyed YA novels but it's only been in the last couple of years that I've come to enjoy mysteries so this is possibly one of the first books I've read that is a cross between the two. It also happens to be one of the oldest books in my Advance Reading Copy queue. And now I wish it had stayed in the queue.

First, this is apparently a second book in a series - though I'm not convinced that it matters. The problems with the book aren't about character back story or our not understanding a character motivation because it might have been set up in a previous book. No, the problem is probably more to do with lack of motivation.

Rose's parents went missing a few years ago. Rose is convinced they are dead, but her brother Joshua thinks there's a conspiracy afoot that has them in hiding. Rose and Joshua get different stories from others and the case of their disappearance appears to be coming to a close.

This is the story that is carried over from the first book (or so I gather).

Here, Rose is getting calls and texts from an old friend, Rachel, asking for Rose's help. But Rose and Rachel had a falling out and Rose is not particularly keen on helping. In fact....

Rachel has been found dead, drowned in a lake near her school. It's ruled a suicide but Rose doesn't believe that to be true. She takes it upon herself to investigate.

This book was DULL. For a mystery, with two running plots, this was excruciatingly slow. And part of what makes this slow is that the characters aren't very interesting. The most interesting character in the book is the missing parents.

There is no 'chemistry' between any of the characters and you really just don't care about anyone and you could almost understand Rachel's death as a suicide in this very dull world.

Looking for a good book? Me, too, because this wasn't it.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I picked up Killing Rachel, I didn't realise that it was a second in a series. In fact, I had no idea until I came to write this review and saw that it was #2. There isn't much in the opening that gives any indication that things have come before it, but I say this because it might go some way to explain why I found it so difficult to get into this book.

I've been picking at this a few pages at a time for weeks, not really settling into it and getting through it at any rate until I was more than 50% through. The opening seemed to really drag its feet, and I found it difficult to engage with either of the two mysteries because there just wasn't any excitement involved. Working towards solving the mysteries involved lots of talking to people and reading books and not doing a great deal.

It didn't help that I found Rose horribly unengaging. She was aloof and cold, even towards Joshua, who she was supposed to love. On the one hand, I could sort of understand it - she'd lost her mother, and it's later revealed that she had some difficult times at school. But at the same time, when Rachel cried to her for help, she was cold and dismissive of her, and didn't say anything to anyone about it until much later, by which time it was too late. (Not a spoiler - it's in the title.) While it's believable, it doesn't make for the sort of character you want to spend any time with.

When action started taking place, things did pick up a bit, but answers were once again discovered by talking and reading, which sapped any momentum out. And I realised when I got to about 75% through that there was no way that the central mystery of Rose and Joshua's parents would be wrapped up. Which in itself isn't a problem, but combined with the slow pace of this instalment, it's disappointing to think that I'd have to read at least one more book to find answers. And given that there's a book that comes before this one, and the mystery of the parents is barely getting started, it just feels like it's a book worth of story being unnecessarily dragged out into a series.

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book of the series Rose has to return to her old school in unfortunate circumstances after her old best friend dies suddenly after she'd written to Rose previously crying for help after supposedly seeing a ghost.



However after solving how she died, she also helps Josh as nearby they discover their parents may have been living briefly at a secluded cottage and as her old friend was a known harsh liar, can she trust something she told her in the past which just may reignite their hope of their parents being alive still?



As the duo try still to solve the mystery around their parents joint disappearance they wind up in danger and it was nice to see their team work as despite Rose holding back on the enthusiasm which Josh seems to have much more of, they still worked well in their endeavours. The action amps up a little as they finally encounter the real serious bad guys at last too.

[Kushnuma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Killing Rachel is book 2 in the Murder Notebooks.

Rose is tired of Joshua's theories about their parents and doesn't want to talk about the notebooks they found. When Rose gets weird calls from her ex-best friend and only to find out that she's now dead, Rose goes back to her school to give the letters Rachel had been sending her.

I disliked Rose a lot in this book because of the way she treats Skeggsie and Joshua when they're trying to help find out what happened to their parents. It also got a little confusing when the story was jumping between the past and the present. We also get a surprise at the end but it was what I expected for a while now.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I most definitely preferred this to the first book! I can't pinpoint a reason - I just did. I guess it has something to do with the fact that this has been the book I've been reading late at night and first thing in the morning in order to relax - I've been reading and annotating A Christmas Carol the rest of the time!

[Kez Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

the seconds in the murder notebook series I read the first one and read this straight after it was enjoyable as the first one but it was obvious its part of a larger story so until i've read them all it wouldn't be fair to judge fully but it did make me want to read the rest so on the weight of that I's say its a good book.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel. I started the series with the last book. But this book sets it up nicely, and the start of what is to come in the later novels. 'm reading the rest of them. Will Rose and Joshua see their parents again.

[Patti · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was hard to follow. I'm guessing because I didn't read book 1 things in this book didn't make sense. Also, there was a lot going on - between the missing (presumed dead) parents, suicide of a fellow classmate, then this Rachel --- was just a bit too much.

[MaxiMim-Curse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the book was very good and I can't wait to read the next books so that the mystery is solved.

[Sumaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Luan Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expectativas frustradas

[Vritti ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending is unpredictable
U will enjoy reading this book

[Hannah.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Loved every page of it. This is the book that got me into reading so I��ll read it many more times in the future!!

[ellieemt · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A death at a British girl's school

The mystery was pretty good although it wasn't solved by the evidence. I would class this more as a suspense novel.

[Lily Taylor's Version ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book overall

[Thalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel got what was coming for her 😭

[Emily Stevenson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book. But it was hella boring. But the drama and death of Rachel was okay. I DNF this book. But it's it's two star as I could of get into it, but didn't. It's not for me, but I'm glad someone liked this book.