Snowed

by Twist Phelan

Welcome to Bristlecone, Colorado--home of skiing, snowboarding, and secrets.

As if navigating the seventh grade weren't challenging enough for twelve-year-old spy aficionada Ophelia (Phee) Mahoney, she's caught in an avalanche of trouble when she investigates a classmate's disappearance on a school ski trip and a hit-and-run that leaves a friend in a coma.

The town's sheriff, who's also the father of Phee's crush, considers the hit-and-run an accident, but Phee thinks a sinister motive was behind it. Aided by her friends, Jeopardy!-obsessed Joshua and jockette Kimiko, Phee puts her life on the line to bring justice to her home town.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2024

About the author

Hi! My name is Twist (yes, it really is) Phelan and I want to entertain you. 

I’ve always been a storyteller. Growing up in a half-Irish family meant you didn’t come to the dinner table without a story to share. While at Stanford earning my undergrad and law degrees, I wrote for the student paper. As a plaintiff’s trial lawyer (I specialized in suing middle-aged white guys who stole other people’s money) I was known for my compelling cross-examinations and closing arguments that persuaded juries. (Confession: I learned a lot of my trial technique from TV lawyer shows.)  So becoming a writer wasn’t that much of a stretch.

I write mystery novels and short stories with endings I hope you don’t see coming. The strong sense of justice that motivated me to be a lawyer guides my fiction as well. My protagonists strive to do right, within—or outside of—the system. If you like reading about characters who are professional to the core but have a heart, too, and if you enjoy mysteries that make you think, my stories may be for you.

I’ve been fortunate to have my work win awards (including two Thrillers) and have authors like Michael Connelly, Sue Grafton, and Margaret Maron and publications such as Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, and Booklist say nice things about it.

You can find out more about me and my writing at twistphelan.com or follow me at facebook.com/TwistPhelan.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Snowed, by Twist Phelan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Seventh Grader Ophelia (Phee) is investigating her classmates who went missing on a school field trip, skiing. I could not imagine solving crimes at age 12, but we never had field trips to go skiing either. Phee is a great character, very brave for her age. A good read for middle schoolers.

[Book_withquotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you NetGalley and Bronzeville Books for providing an arc of the book. This book will be released on 17th September 2024.

Welcome to Bristlecone, Colorado—home of skiing, snowboarding, and secrets. “Snowed” by Twist Phelan is a gripping YA mystery that follows twelve-year-old Ophelia (Phee) Mahoney as she navigates the treacherous terrain of eighth grade and a town full of hidden dangers. Phee, a spy aficionado, finds herself embroiled in a real-life mystery when a classmate disappears during a school ski trip, and a hit-and-run leaves her friend in a coma. The local sheriff, also the father of Phee’s crush, dismisses the hit-and-run as an accident, but Phee is convinced there’s a sinister motive at play. With the help of her Jeopardy!-obsessed friend Joshua and sporty Kimiko, Phee sets out to uncover the truth, putting her safety on the line to bring justice to Bristlecone.

This novel is a quick, easy, and thoroughly enjoyable read. Twist Phelan’s writing style is engaging, and the story is packed with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. The well-crafted characters and their dynamics add depth to the narrative, particularly Phee’s development as a strong female lead. “Snowed” deftly explores themes of friendship, self-worth, social responsibility, and the trials of growing up.

It’s an adventure-filled story that resonates with middle school readers and even adults who enjoy a good mystery. The book’s balance of thrilling action and important life lessons makes it a standout in the YA genre. I highly recommend “Snowed” for its captivating plot and relatable characters. This is a solid 4 out of 5 stars read, perfect for younger readers and a great pick for parents looking for a strong, empowering story for their daughters. Twist Phelan has delivered a well-paced, twisty mystery that is sure to entertain and inspire.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were very real. As an adult who reads a lot of mystery novels, this was a tad predictable. I’m giving the high star rating because I will be buying this for all the middle schoolers in my life. If I were in middle school, I would be screaming for the next one.

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snowed by Twist Phelan is an engaging middle-grade mystery that offers a good mix of suspense and lighthearted moments, though it doesn't quite reach its full potential. The protagonist, Phee Mahoney, is a likable and relatable character, and her determination to solve the mysteries in her small Colorado town adds a nice touch of adventure to the story. The snowy setting and the concept of a young girl taking on the role of detective create an appealing backdrop for the novel.

The plot, while intriguing, feels a bit too predictable at times. The mystery surrounding Phee’s classmate's disappearance and the hit-and-run incident unfolds in a fairly straightforward way, lacking the twists and turns that could have made it more compelling. The supporting characters, Joshua and Kimiko, are fun additions to the story, though they sometimes fall into stereotypical roles—Joshua as the brainy sidekick and Kimiko as the athletic friend—which limits their development.

The book's pacing is uneven, with some parts feeling rushed while others drag on longer than necessary. Additionally, the mystery's resolution, though satisfying, feels somewhat underwhelming. The stakes never feel high enough to create real tension, and the ending wraps up too neatly.

Overall, Snowed is decent for younger audiences who enjoy mysteries with a robust and resourceful protagonist. However, it may not leave a lasting impression on those seeking a more intricate and unpredictable mystery.

[Smurf185 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a smart girl that struggles being heard at times, and tries to be resourceful while relying on herself, but is also stubborn and will do whatever it takes to get answers.
In general I think its a good middle grade book and the people from the target demographic will not have troubles relating to or liking Phee.

When it comes to the plot in itself it was fine for the most part but discovering what happened to her classmate what quite anticlimactic, there's not really a follow up to it.
Beyond that, the other "mysteries" of the story were just all stuffed into the last chapters and made it feel extremely rushed, she found Chord, a couple pages later she was kidnapped, which resulted in waking up hospital where she is drugged, then she's home a few pages later has a gun pointed at her?? (How is it possible that its mentioned Austin went outside for just a bit and then the bat shit woman shows up, and neither him or her brother go call her from the house or see them leaving ??)
Overall it just seemed way too farfetched taking into account the mc is in 8th grade

[Nicole Lineberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this YA thriller, and I love Phee, the lead character. Phee is a head strong, yet self conscious 8th grade girl, who is trying to survive and not stand out at school. This age is so hard for kids, as it seems they are all looking for reasons to pick on each other. There were times that I wished Phee would have taken up for herself more, but other times, I was surprised when she let her feeling loose. She is willing to take chances to find out the truth of some mysteries that took place in her community and school. She put her self in danger multiple times, and had to fight or out wit the people who were trying to do her harm. While having all of that to deal with, her mom was missing after a natural disaster hit her work location. Phee sure knows how to get herself in predicaments, but has the nerve and will to get herself out. I would read another book about her adventures, and hope this will be a series, as I can see her as a junior detective. If you want to read a story set in a winter environment, complete with skiing and snowboarding, this is a book for you.

[Rune · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided with an advanced reader copy of this work via Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review.

I found Phee annoying and hard to like at frist. I didn't enjoy her personality at all. But as the story progresses she really develops and becomes less annoying and more likeable.

Aside from that the story itself, although a bit slow to take off, was well written, and kept me guessing right up til the very end. I really had no idea that was how it would end.

[Paula - · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with this free arc. In return for a honest review.

3.75. I enjoyed this book. It was a great story. And the mysteries compounded on each other in a great way. The main character Phee is a great MC she is very levelheaded for a twelve year old. This book gave me Nancy Drew vibes. A great middle grade mystery.