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Jess Tennant #2
Bet Your Life
Jess Tennant has now been living in a tiny town on the English seaside for three months, and is just beginning to relax and think of it as home after the traumatic events of last summer. But in the small hours of Halloween night, a teenage boy is left for dead by the side of the road. Seb Dawson has a serious head injury and may not survive. Jess might not have liked Seb much, but surely he didn't deserve this. The police don't seem to be taking the attack very seriously, but Jess can't just let it go, and she takes matters into her own hands.
As she investigates, Jess discovers that Seb was involved in some very dangerous games. A secret predator around girls, he would do whatever it took to abuse them, from lying and blackmail to spiking drinks. Could a group of vengeful victims be behind his attack? Or is there someone else with a grudge against Seb, who will stop at nothing to silence him? Jane Casey returns with another edge-of-your-seat mystery in Bet Your Life.
As she investigates, Jess discovers that Seb was involved in some very dangerous games. A secret predator around girls, he would do whatever it took to abuse them, from lying and blackmail to spiking drinks. Could a group of vengeful victims be behind his attack? Or is there someone else with a grudge against Seb, who will stop at nothing to silence him? Jane Casey returns with another edge-of-your-seat mystery in Bet Your Life.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2014
94 people are currently reading
1636 people want to read
About the author
Jane Casey
36 books2,670 followersShe studied English at Jesus College, Oxford, followed by an mPhil in Anglo-Irish Literature at Trinity College, Dublin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
May 27, 2016
i think this one one haf a bit to much teen drama in favor of invistigation better,than book one for shere,though
December 28, 2019
Sonu saçmaydı biraz 😕
August 7, 2016
An einem Stück durchgelesen, auch diese Geschichte mit Jess und Will hat mir sehr viel Spaß gemacht, 1 Stern Abzug gibt es für das etwas nervtötende Hin- und Her zwischenzeitlich was die Liebe betrifft ;)
Nichtsdestotrotz mag ich die Kulisse sehr gerne und hatte zum Schluss tatsächlich ein paar Tränen in den Augen, die Autorin hat einen tollen Schreibstil.
Nichtsdestotrotz mag ich die Kulisse sehr gerne und hatte zum Schluss tatsächlich ein paar Tränen in den Augen, die Autorin hat einen tollen Schreibstil.
February 9, 2019
Dieses Buch hat mir leider nicht ganz so gut gefallen wie der erste Band. Es war an der einen oder anderen Stelle einfach ein bisschen zu langweilig und die Liebesgeschichte hat zu viel Raum bekommen.
February 17, 2014
Quality crime writing for any age...
Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan is one of my favourite detectives - a series which has improved with each new book. I love Casey's realistic characterisation and strong plotting, and although the storylines are dark, Casey's trademark humour lifts them, making the books considerably more enjoyable than the majority of grimy, gloomy books that are filling the crime shelves at the moment. Now Casey is alternating the Kerrigan books with the Jess Tennant series for Young Adults, and she brings all the same hallmarks of quality to these.
After her experience in the first book in the series, How To Fall, Jess has developed a bit of a reputation in the small coastal town of Port Sentinel as someone who can get to the truth of a problem. So when Seb Dawson is found badly injured after a Hallowe'en party, his little sister, Beth, asks Jess to investigate. Jess is reluctant, partly because she doesn't want to cross swords again with the local police inspector Dan Henderson, Will's dad. But when it looks as though the police are going to write the matter off as an accident, Jess can't accept this and so her investigation begins...
The first thing I have to say is that this book is not aimed at me. I ceased to be a Young Adult many moons ago, and I must admit that any time I read a YA book I feel a) tremendously old and b) thrilled to bits that I'm not sixteen any more and never will be again. Having made that disclaimer, I still find these books more enjoyable than most of the 'adult' crime I read, and that's down to Casey's story-telling skills.
Jess is developing nicely in this second outing. She's just as strong and obstinate as she was in the first book (and still gorgeous, of course) but she's beginning to show a level of sensitivity to other people's feelings that I felt was lacking last time round. In How to Fall her motto seemed very much to be 'the truth at all costs, no matter who it hurts', but she's now beginning to understand that sometimes some truths are better left hidden. This doesn't stop her wanting to get to the truth, but it makes her a more nuanced character, and more likeable. My other slight disappointment in How to Fall was that in the end the hero had to step in to save her. This time though, Jess takes more control and, although she does end up in peril, it's not really through her own headstrong foolishness and she doesn't wait around for some strong, silent male to come to the rescue.
But, for any YAs who read the first book and are now worried, fear not! Will is back in all his hot but moody glory. And we have a love triangle with Will's equally hot old friend/enemy Ryan trying to win Jess's affections. (I vastly prefer Ryan's humorous approach to Will's moody one myself - but I suspect that's age-related!)
The storyline starts off looking as if it's going to be about bullying again, but gradually becomes much darker. Hard-hitting, it addresses issues that are very relevant to young people - difficult to specify without spoilers, but involving questions of drinking, peer pressure, misuse of power and sex - and although handled sensitively, Casey doesn't pull her punches. So definitely more for the older YA audience, I would suggest - perhaps from about 14 up? And the whole love triangle thing means it's going to work better for girls.
Highly recommended, and not just for YAs. The quality of the plot and writing make this an enjoyable read for Old Adults too. (Though personally I find Maeve Kerrigan's Rob much hotter than either Ryan or Will!)
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Random House Children's.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan is one of my favourite detectives - a series which has improved with each new book. I love Casey's realistic characterisation and strong plotting, and although the storylines are dark, Casey's trademark humour lifts them, making the books considerably more enjoyable than the majority of grimy, gloomy books that are filling the crime shelves at the moment. Now Casey is alternating the Kerrigan books with the Jess Tennant series for Young Adults, and she brings all the same hallmarks of quality to these.
After her experience in the first book in the series, How To Fall, Jess has developed a bit of a reputation in the small coastal town of Port Sentinel as someone who can get to the truth of a problem. So when Seb Dawson is found badly injured after a Hallowe'en party, his little sister, Beth, asks Jess to investigate. Jess is reluctant, partly because she doesn't want to cross swords again with the local police inspector Dan Henderson, Will's dad. But when it looks as though the police are going to write the matter off as an accident, Jess can't accept this and so her investigation begins...
The first thing I have to say is that this book is not aimed at me. I ceased to be a Young Adult many moons ago, and I must admit that any time I read a YA book I feel a) tremendously old and b) thrilled to bits that I'm not sixteen any more and never will be again. Having made that disclaimer, I still find these books more enjoyable than most of the 'adult' crime I read, and that's down to Casey's story-telling skills.
Jess is developing nicely in this second outing. She's just as strong and obstinate as she was in the first book (and still gorgeous, of course) but she's beginning to show a level of sensitivity to other people's feelings that I felt was lacking last time round. In How to Fall her motto seemed very much to be 'the truth at all costs, no matter who it hurts', but she's now beginning to understand that sometimes some truths are better left hidden. This doesn't stop her wanting to get to the truth, but it makes her a more nuanced character, and more likeable. My other slight disappointment in How to Fall was that in the end the hero had to step in to save her. This time though, Jess takes more control and, although she does end up in peril, it's not really through her own headstrong foolishness and she doesn't wait around for some strong, silent male to come to the rescue.
But, for any YAs who read the first book and are now worried, fear not! Will is back in all his hot but moody glory. And we have a love triangle with Will's equally hot old friend/enemy Ryan trying to win Jess's affections. (I vastly prefer Ryan's humorous approach to Will's moody one myself - but I suspect that's age-related!)
The storyline starts off looking as if it's going to be about bullying again, but gradually becomes much darker. Hard-hitting, it addresses issues that are very relevant to young people - difficult to specify without spoilers, but involving questions of drinking, peer pressure, misuse of power and sex - and although handled sensitively, Casey doesn't pull her punches. So definitely more for the older YA audience, I would suggest - perhaps from about 14 up? And the whole love triangle thing means it's going to work better for girls.
Highly recommended, and not just for YAs. The quality of the plot and writing make this an enjoyable read for Old Adults too. (Though personally I find Maeve Kerrigan's Rob much hotter than either Ryan or Will!)
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Random House Children's.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
February 2, 2014
Published 13th February by RandomHouse Childrens Publishers UK
Thank you for the review copy via netgalley. BIG thank you.
Jess Tennant has now been living in Port Sentinel for three months, and is just beginning to relax and think of it as home after the murderous events of the summer. But in the small hours of a dark night, a teenage boy is left for dead by the side of the road. Seb Dawson has a serious head injury and may not survive – and Jess decides to find out who beat him up, and why?
So for those of you who have not yet read “How to Fall” do that first because that is the beginning of Jess Tennant’s adventures in Port Sentinel, and whilst you could quite happily read Bet Your Life on its own you will certainly get a lot more fun out of it if you have followed along from the start.
In this instalment, Jess is trying to keep her head down, living a quiet life with her family after the events of the first novel, but frankly I knew going in that this wouldnt last long simply by knowing the character – and I was right. Jess has a tendency to get involved simply by being in the right place at the wrong time..and once she has something in her head, despite her own best efforts its not going anywhere until she has fixed it. I love that about her.
This time she is caught up in some violent events after Seb Dawson, a guy she has had little dealings with, is found horrifically injured at the side of the road. When Seb’s sister begs her to find out what happened and why, Jess once more enters the maelstrom that is Port Sentinel and its people with all their hidden secrets and conflicts. At the same time she has to deal with her, quite frankly, complicated and messy love life whilst also keeping a weather eye on her mother who has man troubles of her own. Its all brilliantly compelling, wonderful to read and perfect for Young Adults. Of which I, of course, am one. Ok maybe not the young. Or even the adult. Still, I LOVED it.
I’ve always adored how Jane Casey sets up then develops her characters, both in her Young Adult books and her Maeve Kerrigan crime series, in ways that get you truly involved in the lives they are living.
The mystery element of this one aside for a moment, I was utterly caught up in the ebb and flow of the daily revolving door of people going in and out of each others lives. I’m not just talking the romantic angle – although I’m right with Jess I can’t make up my mind either – Ryan or Will, Will or Ryan, I hovered between the two like a demented butterfly during the whole of this read – am pretty sure I’ve made my mind up now but hey, I’m sure there is more to come! I’m also talking about the personal relationships Jess forms with others around her – the “popular” girls from How To Fall are back, with added insight into their lives and what lies beneath the surface – and the adults that populate the story are JUST as well drawn and important to the whole as any of the teenagers. I may be a little in love with Dan. Just saying..
As for the mystery element, as always well done and intriguing with some beautiful little twists and turns, a healthy dose of irony and realism and enough suspicious characters to shake many sticks at – all done in a compelling and fascinating way that has you solving the clues right along with Jess.
Jess herself does not want to become known as the modern day Nancy Drew but sorry Jess in a way that is what you are, but with your own little quirks and definitely with added “kick ass” . Either that or a teenage version of Jessica Fletcher. One thing is for sure I’M not going to live in Port Sentinel anytime soon, even though it sounds beautiful. I’ll watch and admire from afar.
Highly Recommended – we need more of this type of YA Crime fiction out there.
Happy Reading Folks!
Thank you for the review copy via netgalley. BIG thank you.
Jess Tennant has now been living in Port Sentinel for three months, and is just beginning to relax and think of it as home after the murderous events of the summer. But in the small hours of a dark night, a teenage boy is left for dead by the side of the road. Seb Dawson has a serious head injury and may not survive – and Jess decides to find out who beat him up, and why?
So for those of you who have not yet read “How to Fall” do that first because that is the beginning of Jess Tennant’s adventures in Port Sentinel, and whilst you could quite happily read Bet Your Life on its own you will certainly get a lot more fun out of it if you have followed along from the start.
In this instalment, Jess is trying to keep her head down, living a quiet life with her family after the events of the first novel, but frankly I knew going in that this wouldnt last long simply by knowing the character – and I was right. Jess has a tendency to get involved simply by being in the right place at the wrong time..and once she has something in her head, despite her own best efforts its not going anywhere until she has fixed it. I love that about her.
This time she is caught up in some violent events after Seb Dawson, a guy she has had little dealings with, is found horrifically injured at the side of the road. When Seb’s sister begs her to find out what happened and why, Jess once more enters the maelstrom that is Port Sentinel and its people with all their hidden secrets and conflicts. At the same time she has to deal with her, quite frankly, complicated and messy love life whilst also keeping a weather eye on her mother who has man troubles of her own. Its all brilliantly compelling, wonderful to read and perfect for Young Adults. Of which I, of course, am one. Ok maybe not the young. Or even the adult. Still, I LOVED it.
I’ve always adored how Jane Casey sets up then develops her characters, both in her Young Adult books and her Maeve Kerrigan crime series, in ways that get you truly involved in the lives they are living.
The mystery element of this one aside for a moment, I was utterly caught up in the ebb and flow of the daily revolving door of people going in and out of each others lives. I’m not just talking the romantic angle – although I’m right with Jess I can’t make up my mind either – Ryan or Will, Will or Ryan, I hovered between the two like a demented butterfly during the whole of this read – am pretty sure I’ve made my mind up now but hey, I’m sure there is more to come! I’m also talking about the personal relationships Jess forms with others around her – the “popular” girls from How To Fall are back, with added insight into their lives and what lies beneath the surface – and the adults that populate the story are JUST as well drawn and important to the whole as any of the teenagers. I may be a little in love with Dan. Just saying..
As for the mystery element, as always well done and intriguing with some beautiful little twists and turns, a healthy dose of irony and realism and enough suspicious characters to shake many sticks at – all done in a compelling and fascinating way that has you solving the clues right along with Jess.
Jess herself does not want to become known as the modern day Nancy Drew but sorry Jess in a way that is what you are, but with your own little quirks and definitely with added “kick ass” . Either that or a teenage version of Jessica Fletcher. One thing is for sure I’M not going to live in Port Sentinel anytime soon, even though it sounds beautiful. I’ll watch and admire from afar.
Highly Recommended – we need more of this type of YA Crime fiction out there.
Happy Reading Folks!
January 29, 2015
**I received this book for free from (St. Martin's Griffin) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Mystery
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Since we last left Jessica "Jess" Tennant at the end of How To Fall, she's been living quietly in the small English town called Port Sentinel. Jess still doesn't quite fit in, has no friends, no boyfriend, and feels like a polar bear set loose in the Florida Everglades. Her mother Molly, on the other hand, has found a job at a gallery, but is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend and the father of Jess's ex-boyfriend Will.
If you haven't read How To Fall, then you don't know that once Jess has a bone in her mouth, she refuses to let go of it until the mystery is solved. It is how she ended up solving her cousins murder, it's why she now has a reputation around town. But, will it be good enough to solve the case of Sebastian Dawson who was left to die in the middle of the road?
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via NetGalley 01/27/2015* Expected publication: February 3rd 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published February 6th 2014)
*Genre* Young Adult, Mystery
*Rating* 3.0
*My Thoughts*
Since we last left Jessica "Jess" Tennant at the end of How To Fall, she's been living quietly in the small English town called Port Sentinel. Jess still doesn't quite fit in, has no friends, no boyfriend, and feels like a polar bear set loose in the Florida Everglades. Her mother Molly, on the other hand, has found a job at a gallery, but is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend and the father of Jess's ex-boyfriend Will.
If you haven't read How To Fall, then you don't know that once Jess has a bone in her mouth, she refuses to let go of it until the mystery is solved. It is how she ended up solving her cousins murder, it's why she now has a reputation around town. But, will it be good enough to solve the case of Sebastian Dawson who was left to die in the middle of the road?
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Recvd via NetGalley 01/27/2015* Expected publication: February 3rd 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published February 6th 2014)
October 29, 2015
I thought that this book (the second in Jane Casey's Jess Tennant series) was better than the first, even though the mystery wasn't as connected to the main character (in the first book, Jess is investigating the mysterious death of her cousin Freya, and in this one, a teenager no one likes is left for dead on the side of the road with a serious brain injury, and the victim's sister asks Jess to investigate). It was sort of hard to believe that Jess would get wrapped up in this mystery; it was explained by the fact that Jess felt like she needed to help the victim's little sister, but she really doesn't have a NEED to investigate like she did in the first book. Still, even though it was pretty obvious whodunit, it was a better crafted mystery than the one in the first book. I also thought it was kind of funny how the main character's love life struggles were so similar to the ones in the Maeve Kerrigan series--it seems like their love lives are following similar paths.
I guess I've been writing down a lot of the negatives here, but it was an enjoyable read and I think it would be even better if I were a teen. I'm still way more in love with the Maeve Kerrigan series, but that's probably because I'm an adult and the mysteries can be better because Maeve is a real detective instead of a teen who just happens to solve mysteries.
I guess I've been writing down a lot of the negatives here, but it was an enjoyable read and I think it would be even better if I were a teen. I'm still way more in love with the Maeve Kerrigan series, but that's probably because I'm an adult and the mysteries can be better because Maeve is a real detective instead of a teen who just happens to solve mysteries.
April 10, 2018
Going in to this book I wasnt sure id like it but i fell in love with Jess. She doesnt care what anyone thinks of her she reminded me alot of Veronica Mars. I just wished she wouldnt of picked will
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2015
YA (over 9th grade) Mystery/Thriller
In this dark and angst-ridden book, Casey brings back amateur sleuth, Jess Tennant. Jess is visiting in an English village by the sea when a teenage boy is beaten half to death on Halloween night. She becomes involved in the case when the boy’s half-sister believes the local constabulary and the boy’s own family have no interest in solving the case. As she grows more involved in her investigation, Jess realizes that the victim, Seb, who remains in a coma, was a predator on other teens. He is anything but well liked and most of the people she talks to are glad he got attacked.
This borderline sordid book is most definitely for older teens that are mature enough to endure the story and plot intricacies and often disturbing cruelty among the characters. Casey does a good job of making you guess who the bad guys/girls really are, but the story simply has too many characters and subplots that are often confusing and become jumbled as you try to sort through them. A series must bring new readers clearly into past events that have an impact on the story. Unfortunately, this is missing in Bet Your Life and took me out of the story too many times.
Casey has created a viable and interesting character in her protagonist, Jess Tennant, and definitely has a flair for creating tension and complex plots, but a little sorting out is needed to make this serious a hit.
In this dark and angst-ridden book, Casey brings back amateur sleuth, Jess Tennant. Jess is visiting in an English village by the sea when a teenage boy is beaten half to death on Halloween night. She becomes involved in the case when the boy’s half-sister believes the local constabulary and the boy’s own family have no interest in solving the case. As she grows more involved in her investigation, Jess realizes that the victim, Seb, who remains in a coma, was a predator on other teens. He is anything but well liked and most of the people she talks to are glad he got attacked.
This borderline sordid book is most definitely for older teens that are mature enough to endure the story and plot intricacies and often disturbing cruelty among the characters. Casey does a good job of making you guess who the bad guys/girls really are, but the story simply has too many characters and subplots that are often confusing and become jumbled as you try to sort through them. A series must bring new readers clearly into past events that have an impact on the story. Unfortunately, this is missing in Bet Your Life and took me out of the story too many times.
Casey has created a viable and interesting character in her protagonist, Jess Tennant, and definitely has a flair for creating tension and complex plots, but a little sorting out is needed to make this serious a hit.
March 7, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. You get drawn into the mystery right from the beginning. I love Jess and the way she interacts with her peers - a little over the top but it works for her. Her friends all have big personalities too which makes the read fun along with the intrigue. The good guys are endearing and the bad guys are dreadful. You will likely turn around and read the book a second time.
There is some adult content not appropriate for juvenile so more of a book for young adult or older.
There is some adult content not appropriate for juvenile so more of a book for young adult or older.
February 28, 2015
Like its predecessor (How to Fall), this book is incredibly fun.
Jess has been dragged into another mystery (this one a little more plausible) and while she remembers what happened to her last time (I guess nearly dying will do that), she also can't resist helping. (Seb's little sister wants to know what happened to him and doesn't buy the police investigation's result.)
I'm not entirely sure that there can be a third one, but I've enjoyed these two books a great deal.
I also want to check out Jane Casey's adult series. I like her writing style a great deal.
Jess has been dragged into another mystery (this one a little more plausible) and while she remembers what happened to her last time (I guess nearly dying will do that), she also can't resist helping. (Seb's little sister wants to know what happened to him and doesn't buy the police investigation's result.)
I'm not entirely sure that there can be a third one, but I've enjoyed these two books a great deal.
I also want to check out Jane Casey's adult series. I like her writing style a great deal.
January 12, 2022
This book was definitely written for a younger audience considering the fact that it had a lot of teen drama and the characters were around 15-17 years old. Over all a great thriller, definitely some interesting turns when Jess was trying to find out what happened to Seb. I wish the book was more focused on the actual case, it would have made the book much more interesting rather than reading about jess’s family drama.
Read
February 3, 2017loved it!!! it captures the entire essence of what Jess is going though inwardly and outward. i absolutely loved it
February 26, 2022
There was way too much drama about her and her ex and the other guy. I couldn't enjoy the book because it was focused more on romance instead of the thriller part.
October 26, 2022
jess, ryan and will are poly because i said so
April 12, 2023
Didn’t realise it was teenage fiction to many different characters to remember so lost who everyone was and how they were related to
April 29, 2025
(arkakapakyazısı)
“Jess Tennant üç aydır İngiltere’nin ufak bir sahil kasabasında yaşamaktadır. Geçen yazın sarsıcı olaylarından sonra yeni yeni rahatlamaya başlayan Jess, Cadılar Bayramı’nda gece yarısı Seb Dawson’ı yolun kenarında ölüme terk edilmiş hâlde bulur. Seb başından ciddi şekilde yara almıştır ve hayatta kalamama ihtimali vardır. Her ne kadar Jess, Seb’den hoşlanmıyor olsa da onun ölümü hak ettiğini düşünmemektedir. Polisin bu saldırıyı fazla ciddiye almadığını düşünen Jess, durumu öylece bırakamaz ve meseleyi kendisi ele alır.
Jess olayı soruşturdukça Seb’in çok tehlikeli oyunlara karıştığını fark eder. Kızların etrafında dolaşan Seb, onları taciz etmek için yalan ve şantajdan içeceklerine hap atmaya kadar ne gerekiyorsa yapmıştır. Bu saldırının arkasında intikam almak isteyen kurbanlardan oluşmuş bir grup olabilir miydi? Ya da onu susturmak için elinden geleni ardına koymayacak kadar Seb’e karşı kin besleyen başka biri?”
Jess Tennant, kasabaya alışmıştı alışmasına da, Will Henderson’la ilişkisinin geldiği noktadan memnun değildi. Bu konuda, kendince bir çözüme ulaşmış gibi görünse de, kafası hala çok karışıktı. Duyguları ve mantığı arasında sıkışıp kalmıştı çünkü. Will’in kasaba dışında bir okula gitmesi ikisi için de epey can sıkıcıydı. Will geri döndüğündeyse, Jess’in peşini bırakmadığı için Ryan’la yumruklu bir düelloya kadar varmıştı olaylar. İşin aslı, ne yapacakları konusunda yaşadıkları tereddütlere, ebeveynlerinin negatif pekiştireçlerinin eklenmesi ile artan kafa karışıklıkları yüzünden işi oluruna bırakmışlardı.
Bir yandan kendi gönül işleri, diğer yandan annesi – Dan Henderson ve babası arasındaki üçlü çekişme, işini hiç kolaylaştırmıyordu Jess’in. Babasının ziyareti, hem tavırlarının çirkinliği, hem de Molly’yi geri kazanma çabalarını savaşa çevirmesi nedeniyle, Jess’in sıkıntılarını çoğaltmaktan başka bir işe yaramamıştı maalesef.
Tüm bunların üzerine, bir de Seb Dawson’un başına gelenlerin gizemini çözme misyonu eklenmişti Jess’in sırtına. Cadılar Bayramı gecesi yaralı halde bulunup hastaneye kaldırılan Seb’in kız kardeşi Beth, Petra’nın yakın arkadaşıydı. Freya olayında yaptıklarından etkilendiği Jess’ten, abisinin başına gelenleri araştırmasını isteyince, Petra’nın hatrına O’nu kıramayan Jess, çevresindeki herkesin karşı çıkmasına rağmen, soruşturmasına başlamıştı. Fakat, bu soruşturma kolay ilerlemiyordu. Çünkü, Port Sentinel, küçük bir kasaba olduğu için herkes tüm olayları kısa sürede öğrense de, kendi içindeki istihbarat ağı, dışarıdan gelen biri için kolay yoldan işlemiyordu. Küçücük kasaba, kendi içinde kaynayan bir kazan gibiydi adeta. Her yerinden sırlar, türlü zorbalıklar fırlıyordu sürekli. Jess, araştırmaya devam ettikçe, öğrendiği her yeni bilgi, gizemi çözeceğine, çözümsüzlüğe bir halka daha ekliyordu sanki. Çünkü, Seb, sevimli görüntüsünün altında bir zorba ve tacizciydi maalesef. Bu da, mağdurların utançtan konuşmalarını engelliyordu.
Gerçeğin ucu kimlere dokunacak, Jess’in hayatını nasıl etkileyecekti acaba?
Bundan sonrasında, Jess’in sıkıntıları ne yönde ilerleyecekti? Çözüme doğru mu? Karmaşaya doğru mu?
Aslında kitapta gizemden çok Jess’in ve ailesinin hayatından bahsediliyordu. Konu itibarıyla seri, az doz gizem içeren bir hayat hikayesi gibiydi. İlk kitapta da olduğu gibi sakin bir anlatımı vardı. Yazarın anlatımını sevsem de, biraz daha aksiyonlu sahneler içerseydi daha zevkle okunurdu diye düşünüyorum. Hatta, bir ara, modern bir Romeo Jüliet hikayesi okuyor gibi hissettim. Kitapta hoşuma gitmeyen bir şey de Jess ve gereksiz aşk üçgeniydi. Ya da öykünün bir süre öyle devam etmesiydi. Yine de bu sıkıntıyı beklemediğim birinin çözmesi hoşuma gitti. Sonlara doğru aksiyon dozu yükselen kitabın gizem kısmının biraz süprizli bir şekilde bitmesini sevdim.
Kitap bitti ama, Jess’in macerası bitmedi. Serinin sonu nereye bağlanacak merak ediyorum ve bu nedenle üçüncü kitabı da okuyacağım anlayacağınız.
Yazarı seviyorsanız, aksiyonu az, ufak doz bir gizem içeren bir gençlik polisiyesi okumak istiyorsanız, bu kitaba- seriye şans verebilirsiniz diyor, keyifli okumalar diliyorum herkese.
Kitaplarla kalın.
(alıntı)
“Hayat siyah beyaz değildir. İnsanlar hep kötü ya da iyi değildir. Bazen aptalca şeyler yaparlar ve çok geç olana kadar bunu fark etmezler bile.”
“Bazen bir yardım eline ihtiyacın olduğunu kabul etmek gücün bir işaretidir.”
“Bazen elindeki tek şey şimdidir.”
“Jess Tennant üç aydır İngiltere’nin ufak bir sahil kasabasında yaşamaktadır. Geçen yazın sarsıcı olaylarından sonra yeni yeni rahatlamaya başlayan Jess, Cadılar Bayramı’nda gece yarısı Seb Dawson’ı yolun kenarında ölüme terk edilmiş hâlde bulur. Seb başından ciddi şekilde yara almıştır ve hayatta kalamama ihtimali vardır. Her ne kadar Jess, Seb’den hoşlanmıyor olsa da onun ölümü hak ettiğini düşünmemektedir. Polisin bu saldırıyı fazla ciddiye almadığını düşünen Jess, durumu öylece bırakamaz ve meseleyi kendisi ele alır.
Jess olayı soruşturdukça Seb’in çok tehlikeli oyunlara karıştığını fark eder. Kızların etrafında dolaşan Seb, onları taciz etmek için yalan ve şantajdan içeceklerine hap atmaya kadar ne gerekiyorsa yapmıştır. Bu saldırının arkasında intikam almak isteyen kurbanlardan oluşmuş bir grup olabilir miydi? Ya da onu susturmak için elinden geleni ardına koymayacak kadar Seb’e karşı kin besleyen başka biri?”
Jess Tennant, kasabaya alışmıştı alışmasına da, Will Henderson’la ilişkisinin geldiği noktadan memnun değildi. Bu konuda, kendince bir çözüme ulaşmış gibi görünse de, kafası hala çok karışıktı. Duyguları ve mantığı arasında sıkışıp kalmıştı çünkü. Will’in kasaba dışında bir okula gitmesi ikisi için de epey can sıkıcıydı. Will geri döndüğündeyse, Jess’in peşini bırakmadığı için Ryan’la yumruklu bir düelloya kadar varmıştı olaylar. İşin aslı, ne yapacakları konusunda yaşadıkları tereddütlere, ebeveynlerinin negatif pekiştireçlerinin eklenmesi ile artan kafa karışıklıkları yüzünden işi oluruna bırakmışlardı.
Bir yandan kendi gönül işleri, diğer yandan annesi – Dan Henderson ve babası arasındaki üçlü çekişme, işini hiç kolaylaştırmıyordu Jess’in. Babasının ziyareti, hem tavırlarının çirkinliği, hem de Molly’yi geri kazanma çabalarını savaşa çevirmesi nedeniyle, Jess’in sıkıntılarını çoğaltmaktan başka bir işe yaramamıştı maalesef.
Tüm bunların üzerine, bir de Seb Dawson’un başına gelenlerin gizemini çözme misyonu eklenmişti Jess’in sırtına. Cadılar Bayramı gecesi yaralı halde bulunup hastaneye kaldırılan Seb’in kız kardeşi Beth, Petra’nın yakın arkadaşıydı. Freya olayında yaptıklarından etkilendiği Jess’ten, abisinin başına gelenleri araştırmasını isteyince, Petra’nın hatrına O’nu kıramayan Jess, çevresindeki herkesin karşı çıkmasına rağmen, soruşturmasına başlamıştı. Fakat, bu soruşturma kolay ilerlemiyordu. Çünkü, Port Sentinel, küçük bir kasaba olduğu için herkes tüm olayları kısa sürede öğrense de, kendi içindeki istihbarat ağı, dışarıdan gelen biri için kolay yoldan işlemiyordu. Küçücük kasaba, kendi içinde kaynayan bir kazan gibiydi adeta. Her yerinden sırlar, türlü zorbalıklar fırlıyordu sürekli. Jess, araştırmaya devam ettikçe, öğrendiği her yeni bilgi, gizemi çözeceğine, çözümsüzlüğe bir halka daha ekliyordu sanki. Çünkü, Seb, sevimli görüntüsünün altında bir zorba ve tacizciydi maalesef. Bu da, mağdurların utançtan konuşmalarını engelliyordu.
Gerçeğin ucu kimlere dokunacak, Jess’in hayatını nasıl etkileyecekti acaba?
Bundan sonrasında, Jess’in sıkıntıları ne yönde ilerleyecekti? Çözüme doğru mu? Karmaşaya doğru mu?
Aslında kitapta gizemden çok Jess’in ve ailesinin hayatından bahsediliyordu. Konu itibarıyla seri, az doz gizem içeren bir hayat hikayesi gibiydi. İlk kitapta da olduğu gibi sakin bir anlatımı vardı. Yazarın anlatımını sevsem de, biraz daha aksiyonlu sahneler içerseydi daha zevkle okunurdu diye düşünüyorum. Hatta, bir ara, modern bir Romeo Jüliet hikayesi okuyor gibi hissettim. Kitapta hoşuma gitmeyen bir şey de Jess ve gereksiz aşk üçgeniydi. Ya da öykünün bir süre öyle devam etmesiydi. Yine de bu sıkıntıyı beklemediğim birinin çözmesi hoşuma gitti. Sonlara doğru aksiyon dozu yükselen kitabın gizem kısmının biraz süprizli bir şekilde bitmesini sevdim.
Kitap bitti ama, Jess’in macerası bitmedi. Serinin sonu nereye bağlanacak merak ediyorum ve bu nedenle üçüncü kitabı da okuyacağım anlayacağınız.
Yazarı seviyorsanız, aksiyonu az, ufak doz bir gizem içeren bir gençlik polisiyesi okumak istiyorsanız, bu kitaba- seriye şans verebilirsiniz diyor, keyifli okumalar diliyorum herkese.
Kitaplarla kalın.
(alıntı)
“Hayat siyah beyaz değildir. İnsanlar hep kötü ya da iyi değildir. Bazen aptalca şeyler yaparlar ve çok geç olana kadar bunu fark etmezler bile.”
“Bazen bir yardım eline ihtiyacın olduğunu kabul etmek gücün bir işaretidir.”
“Bazen elindeki tek şey şimdidir.”
June 10, 2025
There were a few things I need to complain about (which made this a 2 star and not a 3)
1) Jess thinking she knows what’s best for Will and breaking up with him so he doesn’t get sent away..then he gets sent away anyway and she lets him believe she just didn’t want to be with him. But..what’s the point of that? He’s already gone
2)Not telling Will about his nasty mom. Listen, maybe he will get mad at you or maybe not. Either way he deserves to know how his mom is scheming. And how his parents are trying their hardest to keep you away from eachother.
3) No justice for Ryan. She loves Will and doesn’t like Ryan, until she’s infront of Ryan and then she likes Ryan. Stop letting him think he has a chance just because you like whoever happens to be infront of you😭
4) Jess deciding things for other people. She decides the women victimized don’t need to know they were assaulted. She only knows of one for sure (why not tell her??) but it wouldn’t be hard to be like,”Hey if you went to this party and were drugged and woke up here there was a chance you were assaulted” She decides they’re better off not knowing just because SHE is better off not knowing. I’m so sorry but that is NOT your call. You don’t get to decide that they shouldn’t be informed. But also the fact that the OTHER perpetrator cries at the end and seems sorry doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get into trouble? She’s like,”Oh well, he learned his lesson 🤷♀️” That’s.. not how crime works? You don’t get to drug people and blackmail them and release revenge p*** and then cry and you’re all good.
And also why do the police seem to agree with her and not investigate further? This was the most baffling part of the book and actually so unbelievable that my opinion of the whole book was soured.
1) Jess thinking she knows what’s best for Will and breaking up with him so he doesn’t get sent away..then he gets sent away anyway and she lets him believe she just didn’t want to be with him. But..what’s the point of that? He’s already gone
2)Not telling Will about his nasty mom. Listen, maybe he will get mad at you or maybe not. Either way he deserves to know how his mom is scheming. And how his parents are trying their hardest to keep you away from eachother.
3) No justice for Ryan. She loves Will and doesn’t like Ryan, until she’s infront of Ryan and then she likes Ryan. Stop letting him think he has a chance just because you like whoever happens to be infront of you😭
4) Jess deciding things for other people. She decides the women victimized don’t need to know they were assaulted. She only knows of one for sure (why not tell her??) but it wouldn’t be hard to be like,”Hey if you went to this party and were drugged and woke up here there was a chance you were assaulted” She decides they’re better off not knowing just because SHE is better off not knowing. I’m so sorry but that is NOT your call. You don’t get to decide that they shouldn’t be informed. But also the fact that the OTHER perpetrator cries at the end and seems sorry doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get into trouble? She’s like,”Oh well, he learned his lesson 🤷♀️” That’s.. not how crime works? You don’t get to drug people and blackmail them and release revenge p*** and then cry and you’re all good.
And also why do the police seem to agree with her and not investigate further? This was the most baffling part of the book and actually so unbelievable that my opinion of the whole book was soured.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2025
When a teenage boy is left for dead by the side of the ride left for dead Jess Tennant is soon on the case to find out the truth.
This is the second book to feature Jess Tennant and her adventures. I do find that Jess is a modern day Nancy Drew and for me that is the appeal. I used to love Nancy Drew books when I was younger so Jess Tennant is a good substitute.
Jane Casey write gritty thrillers with her Mauve Kerrigan books, and her teen books featuring Jess are just as good. The difference being is that the Jess books are not as gritty and are a lighter read. At times it is easy to forget that I was reading a teenage book.
Jess had all the qualities of a normal teenager, family problems, boyfriends problems, and just being a teenager. She can't help herself getting involved in local crimes and running around to solves them.
The book was very easy to read with plenty going on in the story to hold my interest and enough for me to read further book featuring Jess. Jane Casey has done a good job of creating two very different female characters with Jess and Mauve. She has also done a good job of defining the difference between her adult books from her teenage reads.
This is the second book to feature Jess Tennant and her adventures. I do find that Jess is a modern day Nancy Drew and for me that is the appeal. I used to love Nancy Drew books when I was younger so Jess Tennant is a good substitute.
Jane Casey write gritty thrillers with her Mauve Kerrigan books, and her teen books featuring Jess are just as good. The difference being is that the Jess books are not as gritty and are a lighter read. At times it is easy to forget that I was reading a teenage book.
Jess had all the qualities of a normal teenager, family problems, boyfriends problems, and just being a teenager. She can't help herself getting involved in local crimes and running around to solves them.
The book was very easy to read with plenty going on in the story to hold my interest and enough for me to read further book featuring Jess. Jane Casey has done a good job of creating two very different female characters with Jess and Mauve. She has also done a good job of defining the difference between her adult books from her teenage reads.
March 10, 2024
I like this author and have enjoyed ten of her novels featuring Detective Maeve Kerrigan as well as her stand alone novel "The killing kind" so I thought I would give this one a try even though it is aimed at young adults (probably teenaged girls) rather than a seventy one year old man like me.
The story is told in the first person by Jess Tennant a teenager living in a small town in Devon. When a teenaged boy is found badly beaten and in a coma the boy's younger step-sister seeks Jess' help as Jess had solved an earlier mystery and the police do not seem that interested in finding the attacker. Jess reluctantly gets involved and discovers many teenage jealousies and the fact that the victim was a nasty piece of work. Jess does identify the culprit but puts her herself in danger.
I enjoyed this but then again I still like re-reading Arthur Ransome's books, which I first read sixty years ago and I prefer some of Terry Pratchett's books aimed at younger readers to some of his books aimed at adults.
The story is told in the first person by Jess Tennant a teenager living in a small town in Devon. When a teenaged boy is found badly beaten and in a coma the boy's younger step-sister seeks Jess' help as Jess had solved an earlier mystery and the police do not seem that interested in finding the attacker. Jess reluctantly gets involved and discovers many teenage jealousies and the fact that the victim was a nasty piece of work. Jess does identify the culprit but puts her herself in danger.
I enjoyed this but then again I still like re-reading Arthur Ransome's books, which I first read sixty years ago and I prefer some of Terry Pratchett's books aimed at younger readers to some of his books aimed at adults.
May 8, 2018
Another engaging book from Jane Casey.
Jess and her mother have settled into their life living with Molly’s twin sister and her family. Jess and Will have broken up, at Jess’s insistence. Will is now going to boarding school in another town.
Petra, Jess’s cousin, has a good friend Beth. Beth’s step brother, Seb, is found badly beaten up. Jess is on the scene when Seb is found. Will’s father, Dan, is determined to put this as an accident, but Jess saw things that leads her to believe it was not.
When Petra asks Jess to look into this, Jess is hesitant but then agrees.
As we follow Jess along the path of the investigate, we learn more about her mother, father, Dan, Will and others in the town.
An easy, comfortable read.
Jess and her mother have settled into their life living with Molly’s twin sister and her family. Jess and Will have broken up, at Jess’s insistence. Will is now going to boarding school in another town.
Petra, Jess’s cousin, has a good friend Beth. Beth’s step brother, Seb, is found badly beaten up. Jess is on the scene when Seb is found. Will’s father, Dan, is determined to put this as an accident, but Jess saw things that leads her to believe it was not.
When Petra asks Jess to look into this, Jess is hesitant but then agrees.
As we follow Jess along the path of the investigate, we learn more about her mother, father, Dan, Will and others in the town.
An easy, comfortable read.
November 15, 2018
Jane Casey does a credible job writing a mystery from a teen’s perspective, in this second in her Jess Tennant series. Jess speaks truth plainly and demonstrates considerable tenacity as she tries to help a younger friend and gets swept up into something dangerous in the process. I prefer the author’s Maeve Kerrigan series, written for adults, but I like these books and admire the way Casey adapts her tone, characters and writing style to suit a younger audience. Looking forward to the third book, Hide and Seek.
August 26, 2019
Jess Tennant serisinin son kitabı
#bundankimseyebahsetme hızlı okunan gençlik polisiyelerinden. #janecasey genel olarak okumayı çok sevdiğim bir yazar zaten. Olayları ister Maeve isterse Jess çözsün, onun her kitabı ayrı haz veriyor bana. Ne zaman kafa dağıtmak istesem polisiye okurum ve Bayan Casey şimdiye kadar bu konuda beni hiç üzmedi. Aman aman bir kurgu beklemiyorsanız, siz de bu seriden keyif alabilirsiniz. Tavsiyemdir. =) 📌Bu arada yine bir sürü çeviri ve yazım hatası vardı. Olimpos Yayınevi yetkililerinin bu durumu hiç umursamadığına artık emin oldum. Ama ayıp yani! 😒
#bundankimseyebahsetme hızlı okunan gençlik polisiyelerinden. #janecasey genel olarak okumayı çok sevdiğim bir yazar zaten. Olayları ister Maeve isterse Jess çözsün, onun her kitabı ayrı haz veriyor bana. Ne zaman kafa dağıtmak istesem polisiye okurum ve Bayan Casey şimdiye kadar bu konuda beni hiç üzmedi. Aman aman bir kurgu beklemiyorsanız, siz de bu seriden keyif alabilirsiniz. Tavsiyemdir. =) 📌Bu arada yine bir sürü çeviri ve yazım hatası vardı. Olimpos Yayınevi yetkililerinin bu durumu hiç umursamadığına artık emin oldum. Ama ayıp yani! 😒
February 14, 2020
Port Sentinel near Devin UK - 2nd book in the Jess Tennant YA series. This book was better that the first book. While investigating who left Seb Dawson on the side of the road near death, Jessica’s dad shows up to reclaim his marriage to Molly, Jessica’s mother. He decides to stay and start a new business. I’m looking forward to the 3rd and last book in the series to see how Jess and her mom deal with this change in their lives. Recommended
August 28, 2018
This was really enjoyable. I was drawn in immediately. Jess is everything I wish I had been in high school. It wasn't until the end when I thought she reminded me of Veronica Mars., which is a compliment. The only thing I regret about reading this book is not realizing it was #2. It doesn't matter though. I'll find it and read it anyway.
February 10, 2025
This time, Jess is tackling a mystery that she didn't really ask for.
The plot is even better than in the first book even though the investigation is quite straight forward and not extremely complicated. The police officer in this series is really useless at investigating anything. The family drama was also enhanced.
I can't wait to see what book 3 will bring.
The plot is even better than in the first book even though the investigation is quite straight forward and not extremely complicated. The police officer in this series is really useless at investigating anything. The family drama was also enhanced.
I can't wait to see what book 3 will bring.
October 11, 2018
Even though I didn't read the prequel, I still really enjoyed this book.
I like mysteries anyway and it was nice to find out all the clues with Jess. She is a very real character with all her standard teen problems too.
I would definitely recommend this book!
I like mysteries anyway and it was nice to find out all the clues with Jess. She is a very real character with all her standard teen problems too.
I would definitely recommend this book!
January 28, 2023
Bayağı bayağı bayağı bir ergen kitabı. Yetişkinler sanki yetişkin değil de onlar da adeta birer ergen. Sos olsun diye bir de arkada ilerleyen bir gizem var. Will’in karakteri biraz çizgiden kaymış bence bu kitapla. Bir saatte atlayarak okuyup bitirilebilecek kitaplardan.
November 11, 2023
I still enjoyed this book but it had more of the teenage drama than the first book and less of the detective investigation work. I know it is a YA novel and this might be more enjoyed by the younger audience but for me, it was a little too much and too little.
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