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If You Can Hear This
The twisty, intricate mystery of I Killed Zoe Spanos meets the whip-smart sleuthing of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in the newest novel from acclaimed author Faith Gardner, in which a club of misfits must come together to solve a dangerous mystery—and learn to lean on each other all the while.
Posey Spade loves asking questions—it’s what’s going to make her a fantastic journalist someday. And ever since her best friend and crush chose someone else, Posey’s only focusing on her future career.
Unfortunately, she’s just moved to the small town of Wild Pines—which doesn’t provide a lot of groundbreaking journalism opportunities, only a scrappy AV Club full of self-proclaimed slackers . . . who Posey must somehow inspire to greatness.
She never thought that inspiration would come from the disappearance of the club’s beloved sponsor and teacher, Ms. Moses. But as the days tick by with no answers, Posey and the AV Club take it upon themselves to dig into the mystery.
From a nepotism scandal to a local cult, Posey learns a lot about her new town. And as she spends more time with the AV Club, she also learns that friendship is just as necessary to solving a mystery as lots of questions. Good thing Posey has both.
Posey Spade loves asking questions—it’s what’s going to make her a fantastic journalist someday. And ever since her best friend and crush chose someone else, Posey’s only focusing on her future career.
Unfortunately, she’s just moved to the small town of Wild Pines—which doesn’t provide a lot of groundbreaking journalism opportunities, only a scrappy AV Club full of self-proclaimed slackers . . . who Posey must somehow inspire to greatness.
She never thought that inspiration would come from the disappearance of the club’s beloved sponsor and teacher, Ms. Moses. But as the days tick by with no answers, Posey and the AV Club take it upon themselves to dig into the mystery.
From a nepotism scandal to a local cult, Posey learns a lot about her new town. And as she spends more time with the AV Club, she also learns that friendship is just as necessary to solving a mystery as lots of questions. Good thing Posey has both.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2024
58 people are currently reading
6967 people want to read
About the author
Faith Gardner
20 books874 followersFaith Gardner is the author of adult suspense and YA novels. She lives in the Bay Area with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
January 16, 2025
Just like the last sentence in this dynamite mystery, I hope that If You Can Hear This is just the beginning of what would be a knock-out YA series. From the endearing motley crew of teen wannabe journalists to the smoothly unfurling tale behind what happened to Ms. Moses, I quickly lost track of time as I got caught up in the words. The fact that I fell in love with Ms. Gardner’s book came as no big surprise, however. After all, she’s easily become one of my favorite authors following my love of her last adult thriller, Like It Never Was, which is one book that I can’t recommend strongly enough to anyone reading this review.
While geared more towards the younger frame of young adult readers, even this adult got plenty from the plot. With a found family vibe, realistic dialogue, and a clear sense of place, the words thrummed into my soul like only a really special book can. The absolute best piece of the puzzle, however, was the eccentric protagonist. Posey was likeable, clever, and yet also utterly black-and-white. Set against her soon-to-be friends, her character arc was truly impressive. And as for the rest of these wily teens? Well, their distinct identities and wide range of personalities only made the book sing in the most delightful of ways. All together? It made for a stellar example of masterful character creation, no ifs, ands, or buts.
All in all, from its giggle-worthy humor to the mixed media format, this book was well-written and felt wholly immersive. And while there wasn’t a particularly shocking twist considering the potential direction of the plot, I still didn’t have even an iota of a glimpse of the truth before the final timely reveal. So if you love a good cozy-ish mystery along the vein of I Killed Zoe Spanos, you’ll probably fall in love with this one just as much as this mystery/thriller fanatic. Just don’t expect any truly disturbing topics or adrenaline-pumping action. Do expect, however, one altogether rollicking good time. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Posey Spade loves asking questions—it’s what’s going to make her a fantastic journalist someday. And ever since her best friend and crush chose someone else, Posey’s only focusing on her future career.
Unfortunately, she’s just moved to the small town of Wild Pines—which doesn’t provide a lot of groundbreaking journalism opportunities, only a scrappy AV Club full of self-proclaimed slackers…who Posey must somehow inspire to greatness.
She never thought that inspiration would come from the disappearance of the club’s beloved sponsor and teacher, Ms. Moses. But as the days tick by with no answers, Posey and the AV Club take it upon themselves to dig into the mystery.
From a nepotism scandal to a local cult, Posey learns a lot about her new town. And as she spends more time with the AV Club, she also learns that friendship is just as necessary to solving a mystery as lots of questions. Good thing Posey has both.
Thank you to Faith Gardner, Harper Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 19, 2024 (out now)
Trigger warning: missing person, homelessness, mention of: depression
While geared more towards the younger frame of young adult readers, even this adult got plenty from the plot. With a found family vibe, realistic dialogue, and a clear sense of place, the words thrummed into my soul like only a really special book can. The absolute best piece of the puzzle, however, was the eccentric protagonist. Posey was likeable, clever, and yet also utterly black-and-white. Set against her soon-to-be friends, her character arc was truly impressive. And as for the rest of these wily teens? Well, their distinct identities and wide range of personalities only made the book sing in the most delightful of ways. All together? It made for a stellar example of masterful character creation, no ifs, ands, or buts.
All in all, from its giggle-worthy humor to the mixed media format, this book was well-written and felt wholly immersive. And while there wasn’t a particularly shocking twist considering the potential direction of the plot, I still didn’t have even an iota of a glimpse of the truth before the final timely reveal. So if you love a good cozy-ish mystery along the vein of I Killed Zoe Spanos, you’ll probably fall in love with this one just as much as this mystery/thriller fanatic. Just don’t expect any truly disturbing topics or adrenaline-pumping action. Do expect, however, one altogether rollicking good time. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Posey Spade loves asking questions—it’s what’s going to make her a fantastic journalist someday. And ever since her best friend and crush chose someone else, Posey’s only focusing on her future career.
Unfortunately, she’s just moved to the small town of Wild Pines—which doesn’t provide a lot of groundbreaking journalism opportunities, only a scrappy AV Club full of self-proclaimed slackers…who Posey must somehow inspire to greatness.
She never thought that inspiration would come from the disappearance of the club’s beloved sponsor and teacher, Ms. Moses. But as the days tick by with no answers, Posey and the AV Club take it upon themselves to dig into the mystery.
From a nepotism scandal to a local cult, Posey learns a lot about her new town. And as she spends more time with the AV Club, she also learns that friendship is just as necessary to solving a mystery as lots of questions. Good thing Posey has both.
Thank you to Faith Gardner, Harper Books, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 19, 2024 (out now)
Trigger warning: missing person, homelessness, mention of: depression
November 19, 2024
Posey Spade, who has dreams of being a journalist like her father, has just moved to Wild Pines. Being a new student at a new school is hard but she is determined to make the most of it. She joined the AV Club in hopes of doing some journalism at her new school, but finds the club is full of slackers and those who want to watch movies to pass the time. After their teacher goes missing, Posey and her fellow AV club members decide to investigate her disappearance and set about to learn the truth!
If You Can Hear Thisis a YA book that on the surface is about students seeking answers about their missing teacher but it is much, much, more. I enjoyed watching as the club members began to share and be vulnerable with each other. How they found a purpose and in doing so made friends, grew in confidence, used teamwork, and learned about their community.
I thought Faith Gardner did a great job in drawing her characters. The teens in this book felt real and I am sure that YA readers will relate to one or more of the characters. I enjoyed the writing and the well thought out mystery.
Well written, mysterious, and engaging.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
If You Can Hear Thisis a YA book that on the surface is about students seeking answers about their missing teacher but it is much, much, more. I enjoyed watching as the club members began to share and be vulnerable with each other. How they found a purpose and in doing so made friends, grew in confidence, used teamwork, and learned about their community.
I thought Faith Gardner did a great job in drawing her characters. The teens in this book felt real and I am sure that YA readers will relate to one or more of the characters. I enjoyed the writing and the well thought out mystery.
Well written, mysterious, and engaging.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
October 25, 2024
when posey is the new girl at wild pines high school she joins the AV club, as she wants to be a journalist. not even a week a the new school and the multimedia teacher suddenly goes missing. posey and the AV club make it their mission to find out what happened to mrs. moses. this was such a good YA thriller and totally gave me a good girls guide to murder vibes.
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC!
January 31, 2025
Posey Spade is a misfit looking for a place where she will fit in. The audio-visual club at her new high school could be just the thing she’s been looking for. The club is an eclectic group with a lot of heart and a strong desire to be heard and taken seriously. When their teacher turns up missing, the club comes together to find their beloved leader. Although this is a YA mystery, I was engaged and interested as the plot unfolded. I could relate to Posey’s wish of being accepted and belonging. The characters were well-developed driving the emotional, unpredictable, and intriguing story. Faith Gardener always delivers a clever and original story with numerous unexpected twists along the way to the surprising conclusion. Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for my copy.
December 30, 2024
The characters were fun but the actual mystery/thriller aspect was so so lame
October 6, 2024
I was provided an ARC of this book from NetGalley in return for my honest review.
If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner is a young adult mystery novel that follows Posey Spade and her AV club as they investigate the disappearance of their beloved teacher, Ms. Moses. The book explores themes of friendship, trust, and the power of community.
I found the use of race to describe characters unnecessary, especially when it didn't add any value to the story and they weren't ever mentioned again.
This book may not be the best choice for readers seeking a more complex or unpredictable plot. The ending felt rushed as well, 259 pages, and only the last two chapters were really used to wrap up the story.
Overall, If You Can Hear This is a decent young adult mystery that offers a somewhat thrilling read. The characters were mostly likable. If you enjoy mysteries with high school-aged characters and a focus on friendship and teamwork, this book may be worth checking out.
If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner is a young adult mystery novel that follows Posey Spade and her AV club as they investigate the disappearance of their beloved teacher, Ms. Moses. The book explores themes of friendship, trust, and the power of community.
I found the use of race to describe characters unnecessary, especially when it didn't add any value to the story and they weren't ever mentioned again.
This book may not be the best choice for readers seeking a more complex or unpredictable plot. The ending felt rushed as well, 259 pages, and only the last two chapters were really used to wrap up the story.
Overall, If You Can Hear This is a decent young adult mystery that offers a somewhat thrilling read. The characters were mostly likable. If you enjoy mysteries with high school-aged characters and a focus on friendship and teamwork, this book may be worth checking out.
August 24, 2024
Wow. So, that was a book. And, now it's over!!
Ugghhh, I was not a fan of this book. I kept putting off reading it, till I finally needed to just sit down and finish it. The characters didn't feel very interesting, and I found some of them really dislikable. The mystery was disappointing, and I didn't feel a lot of suspense. Like, I get that their teacher was missing and all, but it just didn't feel urgent to me. Stakes are really important, and I did not feel them in this book. There was, also, the aggravating teen speech. As in, abbreviations even in the spoken language that I did not understand despite being a teenager myself. And, some of the little details, like the classes she was taking, were wrong and kept annoying me. Juniors are usually not taking algebra and biology unless they're behind. This may be changed in the final version, so, there could be that.
There is a good chance that I'm just not interested in YA mysteries/thrillers anymore. They're all very similar, and, at a certain point, you get bored of the peppy, motivated main characters and the sidekicks they drag along in solving a mystery that feels kinda boring. And, I've just summed up most of the YA mysteries I've read, like, ever.
So, I would not recommend this book, but, as always, these are just my opinions, and you may love this book for all the reasons I disliked it.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Ugghhh, I was not a fan of this book. I kept putting off reading it, till I finally needed to just sit down and finish it. The characters didn't feel very interesting, and I found some of them really dislikable. The mystery was disappointing, and I didn't feel a lot of suspense. Like, I get that their teacher was missing and all, but it just didn't feel urgent to me. Stakes are really important, and I did not feel them in this book. There was, also, the aggravating teen speech. As in, abbreviations even in the spoken language that I did not understand despite being a teenager myself. And, some of the little details, like the classes she was taking, were wrong and kept annoying me. Juniors are usually not taking algebra and biology unless they're behind. This may be changed in the final version, so, there could be that.
There is a good chance that I'm just not interested in YA mysteries/thrillers anymore. They're all very similar, and, at a certain point, you get bored of the peppy, motivated main characters and the sidekicks they drag along in solving a mystery that feels kinda boring. And, I've just summed up most of the YA mysteries I've read, like, ever.
So, I would not recommend this book, but, as always, these are just my opinions, and you may love this book for all the reasons I disliked it.
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
October 7, 2024
This is just a knock off, poorly written copy cat of "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder". Even the main character Posey is similar to Pippa and Sol vs. Sal. Missing woman, aspiring journalist in high school. It's not worth the time just read the original
June 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for approving this arc!
In this book, we follow Posey, our main character who moves from San Francisco to small mountain town, Wild Pines. Shortly after her arrival, Mrs. Moses, a teacher at Wild Pines High School, goes missing. Using her journalism skills, Posey as well as other members of the Wild Pines HS AV Club, figure out a way to figure out the mystery behind Mrs. Moses' disappearance.
Sounds like a fun little YA thriller, right? Well it's not. The mystery behind Mrs. Moses was just as boring as some of the side plots, like the Butt family (yes there is a family with the last name Butts) and Posey's huge, never explained, fear of bears. Don't even get me started with all the other little plot lines that show up once, but are never talked about again! I wanted to like it, I really did, but the ending was lazy and not thought through at all. The relationships between characters are as bland as white bread. I just can't think of anything else to say about this book other than I'm happy I finished it.
In this book, we follow Posey, our main character who moves from San Francisco to small mountain town, Wild Pines. Shortly after her arrival, Mrs. Moses, a teacher at Wild Pines High School, goes missing. Using her journalism skills, Posey as well as other members of the Wild Pines HS AV Club, figure out a way to figure out the mystery behind Mrs. Moses' disappearance.
Sounds like a fun little YA thriller, right? Well it's not. The mystery behind Mrs. Moses was just as boring as some of the side plots, like the Butt family (yes there is a family with the last name Butts) and Posey's huge, never explained, fear of bears. Don't even get me started with all the other little plot lines that show up once, but are never talked about again! I wanted to like it, I really did, but the ending was lazy and not thought through at all. The relationships between characters are as bland as white bread. I just can't think of anything else to say about this book other than I'm happy I finished it.
June 13, 2025
This book was actually so good. The mystery was 10 out of 10 but I did have a problem with some things in the book.
As a Christian reader, I found certain parts of this book uncomfortable to read. There was a reference to some stickers on the back of a car that I personally disagreed with. I won't go into detail because I don’t want to stir up conflict. I prefer when authors allow readers to form their own opinions rather than inserting divisive ones into the narrative. Books are an escape we don't need certain things thrown into a book.
The main character is described as pansexual or bisexual, and a side character is mentioned to be gay.
While representation is becoming more common in literature, I personally find it difficult when these details feel more like statements than actual parts of the story. I believe stories can be powerful without needing to make social or political points that may alienate readers.
As a Christian reader, I found certain parts of this book uncomfortable to read. There was a reference to some stickers on the back of a car that I personally disagreed with. I won't go into detail because I don’t want to stir up conflict. I prefer when authors allow readers to form their own opinions rather than inserting divisive ones into the narrative. Books are an escape we don't need certain things thrown into a book.
The main character is described as pansexual or bisexual, and a side character is mentioned to be gay.
While representation is becoming more common in literature, I personally find it difficult when these details feel more like statements than actual parts of the story. I believe stories can be powerful without needing to make social or political points that may alienate readers.
November 12, 2024
Posey Spade, a budding journalist, moves to a small town where she must inspire a group of misfit students in the AV Club to investigate the mysterious disappearance of their teacher. As they unravel the town's secrets, Posey learns the importance of friendship and teamwork in solving a dangerous mystery.
This book is definitely geared towards a teenage audience, but I found it to be quite enjoyable. The writing was well-crafted, and the characters were not only likable but also quite clever. Each character was well-developed and displayed a level of intelligence beyond their years. This was a refreshing change from the typical Young Adult novels that tend to focus on drama and simplicity.
The plot of the book was intricately woven and slowly revealed, keeping me engaged throughout. I found it particularly frustrating when Posey and the AV club attempted to intervene, only to receive no support from the authorities, leading to an unexpected outcome.
I have noticed that this book has received mixed reviews, but personally, I found it to be quite engaging. The book cover is also quite appealing. The narrative, plot, and resolution were all enjoyable, and I highly recommend giving this book a chance. If Teen YA novels are not typically your preference, you may not enjoy this book, but I usually steer clear of them myself and am glad I gave this one a chance. I am looking forward more work from this author.
Thank you, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is definitely geared towards a teenage audience, but I found it to be quite enjoyable. The writing was well-crafted, and the characters were not only likable but also quite clever. Each character was well-developed and displayed a level of intelligence beyond their years. This was a refreshing change from the typical Young Adult novels that tend to focus on drama and simplicity.
The plot of the book was intricately woven and slowly revealed, keeping me engaged throughout. I found it particularly frustrating when Posey and the AV club attempted to intervene, only to receive no support from the authorities, leading to an unexpected outcome.
I have noticed that this book has received mixed reviews, but personally, I found it to be quite engaging. The book cover is also quite appealing. The narrative, plot, and resolution were all enjoyable, and I highly recommend giving this book a chance. If Teen YA novels are not typically your preference, you may not enjoy this book, but I usually steer clear of them myself and am glad I gave this one a chance. I am looking forward more work from this author.
Thank you, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 8, 2025
DNF 47% in. The MC is judgemental of literally everyone and everything. Her only friend is homeless and sleeping in his van, and she wonders if the government is giving him money when he says he can't afford gonna have cup-of-noodle. There's like ten more examples. Mostly it's stuff she thinks and has the decency not to say out loud. I almost DNF'd when she aired footage of the missing woman's husband (that she fully believes did NOT cause their teacher to disappear) wearing a "Killer" shirt (the band is Killer Liver but can only see the top.
Read by Reba Buhr. #booksin25
Read by Reba Buhr. #booksin25
April 28, 2024
This is a cozy mystery with a neat cast of characters-the school misfits and the new girl in town. The story moves along nicely with leads and dead-ends during the students attempt to solve the mystery of their missing teacher.
September 26, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
January 31, 2025
When the high school media teacher in a small town goes missing, an unlikely team of six kids who are apart of the AV club join together to solve what happened to her. You have Poppy, the main character (who is so annoying and hypocritical and just eh) who is the new girl in town that has journalism in her blood. Sal, the loner and club president who lives in his van and everyone thinks he was having a secret affair with the missing teacher (not true). You have Yash, a boy with a lot of siblings that ends up being the dad friend of the group who always comes to everything and anything prepared. You have Jeremiah, who has big dreams that don’t involve staying in a small town and working for the family business. Athena, who was one popular and famous for her acting and online accounts up until she had a slight manic episode the year prior, but she’s back and better then ever. And last but not least, Lexy, a misunderstood rich girl who wants to be herself.
It’s a pretty good book, but it’s a slow burner. It does stay interesting from start to finish. But the best way I can sum it up is that the whole story is kind of monotone. Like it’s slow and not all that exciting and the ending and the twists/turns weren’t too mind blowing. Like I was shocked for a split second about it and what happened. But the lead up and the reveal aren’t really worth it. But that’s just my opinion. It definitely would have been rated higher though for me if I didn’t have two major issues with the book itself.
The two issues I had were Poppy and how the book just seems to queer bait so hard to me. Poppy is annoying. Like it tries so hard to make you feel bad for her right? Cause true, nobody should feel weird for being passionate about the things that make them happy. But for all the bullying it implies and says Poppy has dealt with, it’s so annoying and hypocritical to see her being the most judgmental character. The way she tried to villainize the teacher at all costs and even Sal as well. I thought that was negative and disrespectful. I think the author did a bad job with that “teacher student” boundary. Obviously yes teachers can abuse the power they have. But also teachers can be amazing superhero’s to students. Some kids have school as an escape from home life and do grow (healthy) close to teachers that take them under their wings. It’s just gross to me to see her imply a teacher cannot care about a student without being looked at like they are sleeping with said student. And the way Poppy’s character just assumes the worst rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, don’t get me wrong there was a lot of inclusivity in this book. From characters of color and characters all over the spectrum of sexuality. It just felt poorly written and at a grab at being able to say it’s got queer material without really doing justice to anything queer/gay.
I struggled with the rating and my feelings because without those two things being an issue, it would have been way higher for me. Overall though, it is still a good book that is definitely worth the read. Give it a go!
It’s a pretty good book, but it’s a slow burner. It does stay interesting from start to finish. But the best way I can sum it up is that the whole story is kind of monotone. Like it’s slow and not all that exciting and the ending and the twists/turns weren’t too mind blowing. Like I was shocked for a split second about it and what happened. But the lead up and the reveal aren’t really worth it. But that’s just my opinion. It definitely would have been rated higher though for me if I didn’t have two major issues with the book itself.
The two issues I had were Poppy and how the book just seems to queer bait so hard to me. Poppy is annoying. Like it tries so hard to make you feel bad for her right? Cause true, nobody should feel weird for being passionate about the things that make them happy. But for all the bullying it implies and says Poppy has dealt with, it’s so annoying and hypocritical to see her being the most judgmental character. The way she tried to villainize the teacher at all costs and even Sal as well. I thought that was negative and disrespectful. I think the author did a bad job with that “teacher student” boundary. Obviously yes teachers can abuse the power they have. But also teachers can be amazing superhero’s to students. Some kids have school as an escape from home life and do grow (healthy) close to teachers that take them under their wings. It’s just gross to me to see her imply a teacher cannot care about a student without being looked at like they are sleeping with said student. And the way Poppy’s character just assumes the worst rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, don’t get me wrong there was a lot of inclusivity in this book. From characters of color and characters all over the spectrum of sexuality. It just felt poorly written and at a grab at being able to say it’s got queer material without really doing justice to anything queer/gay.
I struggled with the rating and my feelings because without those two things being an issue, it would have been way higher for me. Overall though, it is still a good book that is definitely worth the read. Give it a go!
October 27, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up! 💫
Something about this book had me hooked almost immediately. There's something about a good young adult novel that just gets me sometimes, and I really enjoyed this one. I do want to say right away, the inspiration from series’ like AGGGTM was glaringly obvious at certain points, most notably within the dynamic between Posey and Sal, and some of the investigation format. But it deviated more than enough to be it’s own original story, in my opinion.
The author was able to write young characters without making them seem like stereotypes or too obviously written by someone who is NOT that age. Some of their dialogue and interactions actually had me laughing. The only character who spoke in a less than realistic way was our main character, Posey - however, it’s brought up by other characters and explained, so at least it’s self aware, and I can’t say I minded it. In general, Posey was really likable. All of the kids in the AV club were. (I think Jeremiah and Lexy were my favorites, if I had to choose.) The friendships within that group were the heart of the book for me, and my personal favorite parts.
Also, I have to say, I wish the books I read as a teenager had this kind of casual diversity. Multiple characters of color and queer characters on the pages is just refreshing as hell, and I think it's amazing that young readers have this kind of representation now.
The ending of this book left a little to be desired, it felt a bit anti-climactic, but it wasn't enough of a letdown to change my overall rating or opinion of the book. If the author decides to turn this into a series of some sort, with the club diving into other investigations, I'd absolutely read it. There was a lot going on in Wild Pines that the surface was only scratched on and I think there's a lot left to uncover there. (A cult? Hello? Let's unpack it.)
I’d recommend this to any YA reader or anyone who wants a lighter read that still has a dose of mystery to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins!
Something about this book had me hooked almost immediately. There's something about a good young adult novel that just gets me sometimes, and I really enjoyed this one. I do want to say right away, the inspiration from series’ like AGGGTM was glaringly obvious at certain points, most notably within the dynamic between Posey and Sal, and some of the investigation format. But it deviated more than enough to be it’s own original story, in my opinion.
The author was able to write young characters without making them seem like stereotypes or too obviously written by someone who is NOT that age. Some of their dialogue and interactions actually had me laughing. The only character who spoke in a less than realistic way was our main character, Posey - however, it’s brought up by other characters and explained, so at least it’s self aware, and I can’t say I minded it. In general, Posey was really likable. All of the kids in the AV club were. (I think Jeremiah and Lexy were my favorites, if I had to choose.) The friendships within that group were the heart of the book for me, and my personal favorite parts.
Also, I have to say, I wish the books I read as a teenager had this kind of casual diversity. Multiple characters of color and queer characters on the pages is just refreshing as hell, and I think it's amazing that young readers have this kind of representation now.
The ending of this book left a little to be desired, it felt a bit anti-climactic, but it wasn't enough of a letdown to change my overall rating or opinion of the book. If the author decides to turn this into a series of some sort, with the club diving into other investigations, I'd absolutely read it. There was a lot going on in Wild Pines that the surface was only scratched on and I think there's a lot left to uncover there. (A cult? Hello? Let's unpack it.)
I’d recommend this to any YA reader or anyone who wants a lighter read that still has a dose of mystery to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins!
September 16, 2025
This was very cute.
Posey is tenacious. She moves at 100 mph all the time. She is on track to be an investigative journalist, a lot like her dad. She's the new girl in school and finds the school's AV club. Like most motivated people, she's a lot. That isn't bad, you just have to be prepared and a first meeting with other teens is maybe not the most welcoming environment. There's a little growing pangs here.
Then, the AV club sponsor teacher goes missing. That's when Posey and her club snap into action. They start investigating, interviewing, and ruffling feathers. They work together to produce news content for their YT page. Will they uncover what happened to their teacher or will The Man keep them down?
I kind of loved this. Posey was an interesting character. How she processed the investigation, her thought processes, her relationships with her clubmates and her dad were engaging. I loved getting to see where her mind went. She has convictions and sticks to them.
Salvatore is maybe a one note kind of guy? He's the tough guy who lived on the streets, now in his van, attempting to get emancipated from his dead beat parents. It's obvious he's into Posey and she into him. I like that they're keeping their relationship platonic. The most adorable thing? He's the Watson to her Holmes.
The other characters are kind of the same one note kids. There's the party girl, the one who reigns in the party girl, the quiet kid, and the smartypants. Maybe all the work was put into making Posey so Posey. They were still fun to engage with and you can tell they're meant to all mesh well together.
I might throw this at my kids who are probably right in the age range for this book, 13 and 14. This has enough mystery elements to make it really fun.
Posey is tenacious. She moves at 100 mph all the time. She is on track to be an investigative journalist, a lot like her dad. She's the new girl in school and finds the school's AV club. Like most motivated people, she's a lot. That isn't bad, you just have to be prepared and a first meeting with other teens is maybe not the most welcoming environment. There's a little growing pangs here.
Then, the AV club sponsor teacher goes missing. That's when Posey and her club snap into action. They start investigating, interviewing, and ruffling feathers. They work together to produce news content for their YT page. Will they uncover what happened to their teacher or will The Man keep them down?
I kind of loved this. Posey was an interesting character. How she processed the investigation, her thought processes, her relationships with her clubmates and her dad were engaging. I loved getting to see where her mind went. She has convictions and sticks to them.
Salvatore is maybe a one note kind of guy? He's the tough guy who lived on the streets, now in his van, attempting to get emancipated from his dead beat parents. It's obvious he's into Posey and she into him. I like that they're keeping their relationship platonic. The most adorable thing? He's the Watson to her Holmes.
The other characters are kind of the same one note kids. There's the party girl, the one who reigns in the party girl, the quiet kid, and the smartypants. Maybe all the work was put into making Posey so Posey. They were still fun to engage with and you can tell they're meant to all mesh well together.
I might throw this at my kids who are probably right in the age range for this book, 13 and 14. This has enough mystery elements to make it really fun.
January 20, 2025
"I'm not scared...I'm prepared."
The supervising teacher of a high school AV club goes missing, and the club of misfit students make it their mission to find her, using the school's YouTube channel 📹 🎙
"Tomorrow. There was no word more beautiful in the English language than tomorrow. Tomorrows were when anything was possible."
This was a very entertaining mystery. I read it in two days because the story was so entertaining that I didn't want to stop reading. If you're looking for an adult type of thriller, you're not going to find that here. This is definitely written with the young adult audience in mind. And it's more of a mystery. There's not really that "thrill" element.
I loved that the characters were a bunch of misfits - in a way it was remincenct of The Breakfast Club.
There were discussions about some pretty serious topics that teenagers may be facing in reality. I would recommend this to any teenage reader that I know, as well as adults who may be around teenagers, because it is one of those books that can be just for entertainment, if you just want a good mystery, but could also open up research and healthy communication pathways for situations that teenagers may need help with in life.
The supervising teacher of a high school AV club goes missing, and the club of misfit students make it their mission to find her, using the school's YouTube channel 📹 🎙
"Tomorrow. There was no word more beautiful in the English language than tomorrow. Tomorrows were when anything was possible."
This was a very entertaining mystery. I read it in two days because the story was so entertaining that I didn't want to stop reading. If you're looking for an adult type of thriller, you're not going to find that here. This is definitely written with the young adult audience in mind. And it's more of a mystery. There's not really that "thrill" element.
I loved that the characters were a bunch of misfits - in a way it was remincenct of The Breakfast Club.
There were discussions about some pretty serious topics that teenagers may be facing in reality. I would recommend this to any teenage reader that I know, as well as adults who may be around teenagers, because it is one of those books that can be just for entertainment, if you just want a good mystery, but could also open up research and healthy communication pathways for situations that teenagers may need help with in life.
March 25, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS by Faith Gardner
Posey is new to Wild Pines High. With no journalism club, she joins the AV Club. When Ms.Moses, teacher and sponsor, goes missing, Posey and the other members work to find Ms. Moses.
IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS was thrilling. I couldn't wait to figure out what happened to Ms.Moses. I had so many theories but none of them led up the those final chapters. I mean, I've wanted to read this for so long that I don't actually know how I felt about this book. I hyped it immensely in my head, expecting five-star whodunit, but was left with a lack-luster reveal. Don't get me wrong...I really enjoyed IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS. It wasn't as fast-paced as I would have liked, and I honestly couldn't stand Posey (her inner dialogue and thoughts and judgement got on my nerves), but I liked how the story unfolded on the podcast-y kind of way+plus the banter between Posey and Sal was entertaining.
I would love to read more by this author---particularly this as a series with the AV Club solving more mysteries.
IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS by Faith Gardner
Posey is new to Wild Pines High. With no journalism club, she joins the AV Club. When Ms.Moses, teacher and sponsor, goes missing, Posey and the other members work to find Ms. Moses.
IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS was thrilling. I couldn't wait to figure out what happened to Ms.Moses. I had so many theories but none of them led up the those final chapters. I mean, I've wanted to read this for so long that I don't actually know how I felt about this book. I hyped it immensely in my head, expecting five-star whodunit, but was left with a lack-luster reveal. Don't get me wrong...I really enjoyed IF YOU CAN HEAR THIS. It wasn't as fast-paced as I would have liked, and I honestly couldn't stand Posey (her inner dialogue and thoughts and judgement got on my nerves), but I liked how the story unfolded on the podcast-y kind of way+plus the banter between Posey and Sal was entertaining.
I would love to read more by this author---particularly this as a series with the AV Club solving more mysteries.
Read
December 6, 2024Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: Spooky
Drinking Buddy: I am the Quirky Main Character
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (sexuality, language)
Talky Talk: Utterly Flat Plot Trajectory
Anti-Bonus Factors: Red Herring, Saved By the Bell Syndrome, Homeless
Bromance Status: Slush Pile
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Spooky
Drinking Buddy: I am the Quirky Main Character
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (sexuality, language)
Talky Talk: Utterly Flat Plot Trajectory
Anti-Bonus Factors: Red Herring, Saved By the Bell Syndrome, Homeless
Bromance Status: Slush Pile
Read the full book report here.
March 5, 2025
I really enjoyed the setting and the characters!! The writing just wasn't my style.
April 17, 2025
3.75, this was SUPER engaging, I love YA thrillers. However, the ending was SOOOOO underwhelming it ruined it for me.
December 27, 2024
I was loving this book. It’s definitely a bit juvenile. It’s a YA but it def felt YA. But for me, the ending left me wanting more. It was lackluster and disappointing and took the book down for me. They went through all that work for that ending? 🤷🏻♀️
February 10, 2025
3.75 Stars – A Curious Mystery with a LOT of Questions
This was my first book by Faith Gardner, and I really enjoyed it! The small-town mystery, the quirky AV Club, and Posey’s determination to uncover the truth kept me hooked. The pacing was solid, and the twists kept me engaged, but there were definitely moments that had me scratching my head—mostly because Posey asks A LOT of questions. I get that she wants to be a journalist, but wow, she is relentless!
That said, I loved the way the mystery unraveled and how the friendships grew along the way. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author, both her future books and her backlist. If you like amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and a protagonist who never stops digging, this one’s worth a read!
This was my first book by Faith Gardner, and I really enjoyed it! The small-town mystery, the quirky AV Club, and Posey’s determination to uncover the truth kept me hooked. The pacing was solid, and the twists kept me engaged, but there were definitely moments that had me scratching my head—mostly because Posey asks A LOT of questions. I get that she wants to be a journalist, but wow, she is relentless!
That said, I loved the way the mystery unraveled and how the friendships grew along the way. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author, both her future books and her backlist. If you like amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and a protagonist who never stops digging, this one’s worth a read!
July 21, 2024
I thought this was ok. The YA audience who loves holly jackson or Tiffany d Jackson books would really gobble this up. The characters were great and I loved watching the plot unfold as they solved this mystery, but the pace for me, wasn’t as fast as I’d like! 3.5 out of 5! Thanks NetGalley and publishers for this arc!!
June 4, 2025
2.8
The characters were really...immature. The entire book just felt like a waste of time :/
The characters were really...immature. The entire book just felt like a waste of time :/
October 2, 2025
3.25/5 ⭐
November 8, 2024
1.5⭐️
This book tried very hard to be A Good Girls Guide to Murder and it fell very short.
Posey was absolutely infuriating. I’m all for unmasked neurodivergent people, but Posey was a robot. It’s never explicitly said she’s ND, but as an ND person myself I can see it. Between her overly formal way of speaking to her stiff convictions of right and wrong, this turned into a painful read quickly. The fact that she allowed Sal to park his van that he was living in on her driveway but never once asked the homeless kid to come inside was also wild to me. None of the conversations anyone has in this book feel natural. The ‘investigation’ left a lot to be desired. And the ending felt lazy.
There’s also an ‘investigation’ into inappropriate behavior between a teacher and a student. But the student was a kid abandoned by his parents with no place to go and the teacher stepped in as an almost foster parent for him. I feel like there’s a big difference between an inappropriate relationship and stepping in as a parent. Posey was so scandalized by the teacher giving him a hug after finding him drunk sleeping outside. I’m sorry, would you rather him have nothing? Posey at one point refers to Mrs. Moses as a woman with a ‘savior complex and boundary issues.’ Again, she was the only adult who ever did anything for Sal?! Mrs. Moses was a safe space for almost everyone in the AV Club but Posey was so scandalized by everything that it made no sense.
Also, there were so many sub plots that were never completed. Was the cult important? What is Posey’s obsession with bears? Who is Hannah and why do you keep mentioning her?
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing this ARC to me.
This book tried very hard to be A Good Girls Guide to Murder and it fell very short.
Posey was absolutely infuriating. I’m all for unmasked neurodivergent people, but Posey was a robot. It’s never explicitly said she’s ND, but as an ND person myself I can see it. Between her overly formal way of speaking to her stiff convictions of right and wrong, this turned into a painful read quickly. The fact that she allowed Sal to park his van that he was living in on her driveway but never once asked the homeless kid to come inside was also wild to me. None of the conversations anyone has in this book feel natural. The ‘investigation’ left a lot to be desired. And the ending felt lazy.
There’s also an ‘investigation’ into inappropriate behavior between a teacher and a student. But the student was a kid abandoned by his parents with no place to go and the teacher stepped in as an almost foster parent for him. I feel like there’s a big difference between an inappropriate relationship and stepping in as a parent. Posey was so scandalized by the teacher giving him a hug after finding him drunk sleeping outside. I’m sorry, would you rather him have nothing? Posey at one point refers to Mrs. Moses as a woman with a ‘savior complex and boundary issues.’ Again, she was the only adult who ever did anything for Sal?! Mrs. Moses was a safe space for almost everyone in the AV Club but Posey was so scandalized by everything that it made no sense.
Also, there were so many sub plots that were never completed. Was the cult important? What is Posey’s obsession with bears? Who is Hannah and why do you keep mentioning her?
Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for providing this ARC to me.
January 26, 2025
idk what it was about this book but i ate it up.
while the plot was definitely what was keeping me going, i’ve read some reviews and now realize that it was definitely character-driven.
while i really enjoyed this book, i have complaints. firstly, and most importantly, the ending. what the actual crap was that??? i waited the full book for THAT?? i had this theory that it was posey’s dad and he has killed her mom too. it just made sense because of how cold and was and how he was gone all the time AND because he made posey move to the middle of nowhere. my amazing idea crushed because the teacher just rolled her car into a ditch.
💔
next, i’ve seen other people complain about this too but i’m going to say it also. there were so many things mentioned that seemed important but had no part in the ending??? like the CULT?? that was so interesting!! why didn’t we go into depth in it??
anyway, that’s it. i enjoyed this and read it quick so that’s always good.
four stars!
while the plot was definitely what was keeping me going, i’ve read some reviews and now realize that it was definitely character-driven.
while i really enjoyed this book, i have complaints. firstly, and most importantly, the ending. what the actual crap was that??? i waited the full book for THAT?? i had this theory that it was posey’s dad and he has killed her mom too. it just made sense because of how cold and was and how he was gone all the time AND because he made posey move to the middle of nowhere. my amazing idea crushed because the teacher just rolled her car into a ditch.
💔
next, i’ve seen other people complain about this too but i’m going to say it also. there were so many things mentioned that seemed important but had no part in the ending??? like the CULT?? that was so interesting!! why didn’t we go into depth in it??
anyway, that’s it. i enjoyed this and read it quick so that’s always good.
four stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
The only thing that was thrilling about this book was when I finished it.
This was so not Faith Gardner. There's none of the fast pace, high stakes, razor-sharp wit and commentary, and compelling plot and prose that I associate with her work here. I didn't take to the characters nor was I invested in them or the storyline.
This book had so much potential and there were so many ways things could have gone, but all that for the most underwhelming ending ever...
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder this was not. And I didn't even like the first book that much.
This was so not Faith Gardner. There's none of the fast pace, high stakes, razor-sharp wit and commentary, and compelling plot and prose that I associate with her work here. I didn't take to the characters nor was I invested in them or the storyline.
This book had so much potential and there were so many ways things could have gone, but all that for the most underwhelming ending ever...
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder this was not. And I didn't even like the first book that much.
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