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Alice England #1
Strange Truths
Why did she have to be so goddamn weird?
Mikey Warrender’s goals are within his grasp. On track for a spectacular swimming career in the last months of his senior year at school, his life seems ideal. A successful Senator father, a pretty, popular sister, and a girlfriend who acts and looks, well, perfect. They’ve had their share of trouble in the form of Mikey’s late twin, but that trouble died with Toby and now things can finally get back on track.
Until Alice England. Mikey couldn’t have been less interested in a friendless undertaker’s daughter who sees strange things and always speaks the truth—until she starts stalking him at school. Alice has reason to believe Tobias Warrender was reluctant to take that fatal dose of crystal meth. What’s more, she insists Mikey is grieving for his twin. Curious, Mikey lets Alice in—just for a moment—and before he knows what’s happening she’s wedged her foot in the door and busted his world wide open.
Alice leads him through a series of discoveries that make him look more closely at his own carefully constructed reality. Innocent yet knowing; kind yet devastatingly honest, Alice effortlessly unravels Mikey Warrender’s falsely safe world—and what really happened to Toby.
Strange Truths is a coming of age detective story that will appeal to adults both young and old(er), especially lovers of classical mystery with a twist.
Mikey Warrender’s goals are within his grasp. On track for a spectacular swimming career in the last months of his senior year at school, his life seems ideal. A successful Senator father, a pretty, popular sister, and a girlfriend who acts and looks, well, perfect. They’ve had their share of trouble in the form of Mikey’s late twin, but that trouble died with Toby and now things can finally get back on track.
Until Alice England. Mikey couldn’t have been less interested in a friendless undertaker’s daughter who sees strange things and always speaks the truth—until she starts stalking him at school. Alice has reason to believe Tobias Warrender was reluctant to take that fatal dose of crystal meth. What’s more, she insists Mikey is grieving for his twin. Curious, Mikey lets Alice in—just for a moment—and before he knows what’s happening she’s wedged her foot in the door and busted his world wide open.
Alice leads him through a series of discoveries that make him look more closely at his own carefully constructed reality. Innocent yet knowing; kind yet devastatingly honest, Alice effortlessly unravels Mikey Warrender’s falsely safe world—and what really happened to Toby.
Strange Truths is a coming of age detective story that will appeal to adults both young and old(er), especially lovers of classical mystery with a twist.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
246 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2016
223 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Wasley
14 books73 followersS.D. Wasley was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia.
She has been composing literary works since before she could write – at five years of age she announced her first poem in the kitchen, improv-style. Today, she lives in the Perth hills region with her two daughters, surrounded by dogs, cats and chickens.
S.D. Wasley writes fiction in the genres of mystery, paranormal and young adult.
SD Wasley’s debut novel, The Seventh, was published with Evernight Teen in January 2015 and she has now publish two complete series. View her other titles on Goodreads or the sdwasleyauthor.com website.
She has been composing literary works since before she could write – at five years of age she announced her first poem in the kitchen, improv-style. Today, she lives in the Perth hills region with her two daughters, surrounded by dogs, cats and chickens.
S.D. Wasley writes fiction in the genres of mystery, paranormal and young adult.
SD Wasley’s debut novel, The Seventh, was published with Evernight Teen in January 2015 and she has now publish two complete series. View her other titles on Goodreads or the sdwasleyauthor.com website.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 4, 2019
I got the ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review :) well, originally I was approached by one of the publishers I'm working with from time to time, with a proposition to participate in a very cool way of promoting an upcomng book and I was intrigued enough to sign up ;) at the end of that promoting cycle I was offered an ARC, so naturally I said yes :) I mean, who says no to free books? crazy people, that's who ;) anyway... :) I'm very glad that it landed on my kindle because I really enjoyed it :) it was definitely different than what I usually read, but I liked it :) it was also the first book written by this author that I got my hands on and I have to say, it definitely won't be the last :) I had to think a little bit about how to approach writing this review so I can convince you to give it a try without actually spoiling you stuff from it, and ultimately I decided that less is more in this case, so I will tell you a bit about the overall story and the main characters and then just concentrate on my thoughts and feelings after finishing it instead of all the little details :) so let's start, shall we? :)
Alice is definitely the first person I have to talk about :) after all, the whole series is named after her :) she works in her family's funeral home and she is... well... very hard to describe, that's for sure ;) she's refreshingly honest and just... different than others... and I don't mean that in a bad way... not at all :) I loved her originality... is that even a word? ;) either way, I'm going with it :) if it's a word then awesome, if not, even better :) then it works perfectly with Alice :) I love how her brain works and I adore what kind of a person she is... I know that I'm being a bit vague, but I truly believe the less you actually know, the better your experience with this book gonna be :) so now let me tell you a bit more about Michael... he is the opposite of Alice... where she's an outsider without friends, he's the star of the swimming team, a popular guy with the perfect girlfriend... but as much as they seem different, there is one thing that Alice and Michael have in common... a dead twin... dun dun duuuunnnn... sorry, but that revelation needed a dramatic music theme ;) ok, but all jokes aside... Michael's twin funeral is actually where they sort of meet... I mean, they go to the same school, but he was totally unaware of her before that... but after... well, one conversation and she sort of... stayed under his skin... with time they form an unusual friendship... is there more between them? I won't spoil you that ;) but I will say that this is definitely young adult / coming-of-age type of story, with a dash of mystery to it... again, I can't be too specific, because I don't want to ruin you the surprises along the way :) since that is basically all I can share with you without spoilers, how about I will skip to the part about my thoughts ;)
I really enjoyed this book :) trust me, I wasn't sure what to expect about it, so it kind of surprised me :) especially since it's not the kind of a book I usually read :) but the writing style was really good :) I was drawn into the story from the start and was curious where will it go... I am certainly gonna come back to this author, not only because I want to know what the next book will be about, will we see the characters we met here... will it be a whole new set of people... who knows?!? :) but I absolutely want to try out some of her other work as well :) this wasn't a perfect book, it didn't blew my mind, but don't get me wrong... I really enjoyed it :) I gave it 4 stars and that is a really good rating :) I think I would enjoy it even more a few years ago, when I was a bit closer in age to the main characters of the story, but still... :) it was a good book :) I can wholeheartedly recommend it if you are looking for an original and different story :)
XOXO
A
Alice is definitely the first person I have to talk about :) after all, the whole series is named after her :) she works in her family's funeral home and she is... well... very hard to describe, that's for sure ;) she's refreshingly honest and just... different than others... and I don't mean that in a bad way... not at all :) I loved her originality... is that even a word? ;) either way, I'm going with it :) if it's a word then awesome, if not, even better :) then it works perfectly with Alice :) I love how her brain works and I adore what kind of a person she is... I know that I'm being a bit vague, but I truly believe the less you actually know, the better your experience with this book gonna be :) so now let me tell you a bit more about Michael... he is the opposite of Alice... where she's an outsider without friends, he's the star of the swimming team, a popular guy with the perfect girlfriend... but as much as they seem different, there is one thing that Alice and Michael have in common... a dead twin... dun dun duuuunnnn... sorry, but that revelation needed a dramatic music theme ;) ok, but all jokes aside... Michael's twin funeral is actually where they sort of meet... I mean, they go to the same school, but he was totally unaware of her before that... but after... well, one conversation and she sort of... stayed under his skin... with time they form an unusual friendship... is there more between them? I won't spoil you that ;) but I will say that this is definitely young adult / coming-of-age type of story, with a dash of mystery to it... again, I can't be too specific, because I don't want to ruin you the surprises along the way :) since that is basically all I can share with you without spoilers, how about I will skip to the part about my thoughts ;)
I really enjoyed this book :) trust me, I wasn't sure what to expect about it, so it kind of surprised me :) especially since it's not the kind of a book I usually read :) but the writing style was really good :) I was drawn into the story from the start and was curious where will it go... I am certainly gonna come back to this author, not only because I want to know what the next book will be about, will we see the characters we met here... will it be a whole new set of people... who knows?!? :) but I absolutely want to try out some of her other work as well :) this wasn't a perfect book, it didn't blew my mind, but don't get me wrong... I really enjoyed it :) I gave it 4 stars and that is a really good rating :) I think I would enjoy it even more a few years ago, when I was a bit closer in age to the main characters of the story, but still... :) it was a good book :) I can wholeheartedly recommend it if you are looking for an original and different story :)
XOXO
A
November 11, 2016
See my full review of this title on my book blog, So Few Books, at: https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/2016/....
This book was nothing like I expected, but I absolutely adored it. There are so many things that this book is about that I don’t even know how to describe it. A little at a time, bit by bit, so subtlety that he isn’t even aware of it, Alice gets Mikey to examine his life, his family, his goals, and everything that he thought he knew about himself and his place in the world. Full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, mystery, romance, drama, and enough teenage angst to fill the night sky, this is a coming of age tale that is so much more. With this tale, S.D. Wasley proves herself a master story-teller. I can’t wait to read more of Alice England in future installments.
I received a free copy of this title from the author, Curiosity Quills and NetGalley; and have willingly provided an honest review.
This book was nothing like I expected, but I absolutely adored it. There are so many things that this book is about that I don’t even know how to describe it. A little at a time, bit by bit, so subtlety that he isn’t even aware of it, Alice gets Mikey to examine his life, his family, his goals, and everything that he thought he knew about himself and his place in the world. Full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, mystery, romance, drama, and enough teenage angst to fill the night sky, this is a coming of age tale that is so much more. With this tale, S.D. Wasley proves herself a master story-teller. I can’t wait to read more of Alice England in future installments.
I received a free copy of this title from the author, Curiosity Quills and NetGalley; and have willingly provided an honest review.
October 28, 2016
Loved it! Although I don't usually read YA, this is so well-written that it is easy to forget it is about, or aimed at teenagers. The plot is interesting and well-paced with some quirky characters.
There is a message about drug addiction, but it is not preachy.
I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series.
Five stars.
There is a message about drug addiction, but it is not preachy.
I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series.
Five stars.
November 8, 2016
Strange Truths: An Alice England Mystery by S.D. Wasley is a story about a girl named Alice England. Alice lives and works at a funeral parlor with her father at Tranquility Funerals. Alice has a gift…when she touches objects that were beloved by those who have passed on she sees pieces of their lives and this is very much true for when she touches a pendant of Tobias Warrender when she is preparing him for his funeral after his passing away from a drug overdose. The vision that she gets is of one of where he is reluctant to the take the drugs that are being passed to him because he in all reality wants to get better and off the drugs but he takes them anyways, uses them and then dies from them being a bad batch. Everyone has painted him as the problem child who got strung out on drugs but there is more to the story than that.
Alice is the odd girl at school and not really accepted because of her strangeness and the fact that she lives and works at the funeral parlor. But she embarks on a quest to learn more about Toby and in doing so becomes closer to his twin brother Mikey. Mikey is reluctant to really delve into his brother’s past because all that he knows and remembers is all the grief that his brother put the family through concerning his drug usage but as they go along even Mikey begins to see the true faces of those around him.
This is the first book that I have ever read by S.D. Wasley but for me this was a very good read. I really enjoyed it. I liked reading about Alice’s gift of how she’d experience the memories that she experienced from each item that she touched and her working in the funeral home. The deeper into the story I got the more engaged I became in finding out the dynamics of Mikey’s family and how all the pieces of the mystery fit together. The characters are so real and relatable that you begin to pick up on things between them. There are some things that are hinted at in certain moments if you know the tell-tale signs to look for but when it all comes together and is revealed it just adds to the story and helps elevate it. I really enjoyed how the author takes the time to even incorporate Alice’s dead twin into the story and her story of how her twin passed away and how that has affected Alice as well.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading another one of S.D. Wasley’s Alice England mysteries. I especially am looking forward to seeing how her friendship with Mikey and also with Toby’s old friends as well develops. I’m sure that it will all be very interesting and can’t wait to read more. If you are looking for an engaging book with a unique character who is dynamically different from others you’ve read before then I suggest you pick up this book. Two thumbs up for sure.
Alice is the odd girl at school and not really accepted because of her strangeness and the fact that she lives and works at the funeral parlor. But she embarks on a quest to learn more about Toby and in doing so becomes closer to his twin brother Mikey. Mikey is reluctant to really delve into his brother’s past because all that he knows and remembers is all the grief that his brother put the family through concerning his drug usage but as they go along even Mikey begins to see the true faces of those around him.
This is the first book that I have ever read by S.D. Wasley but for me this was a very good read. I really enjoyed it. I liked reading about Alice’s gift of how she’d experience the memories that she experienced from each item that she touched and her working in the funeral home. The deeper into the story I got the more engaged I became in finding out the dynamics of Mikey’s family and how all the pieces of the mystery fit together. The characters are so real and relatable that you begin to pick up on things between them. There are some things that are hinted at in certain moments if you know the tell-tale signs to look for but when it all comes together and is revealed it just adds to the story and helps elevate it. I really enjoyed how the author takes the time to even incorporate Alice’s dead twin into the story and her story of how her twin passed away and how that has affected Alice as well.
All in all I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading another one of S.D. Wasley’s Alice England mysteries. I especially am looking forward to seeing how her friendship with Mikey and also with Toby’s old friends as well develops. I’m sure that it will all be very interesting and can’t wait to read more. If you are looking for an engaging book with a unique character who is dynamically different from others you’ve read before then I suggest you pick up this book. Two thumbs up for sure.
October 19, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher
This was such an original and fascinating story! The book was very different from what I expected but I ended up really enjoying it. I actually read it all in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down.
The story opens with Alice England, the local undertaker’s daughter, preparing a body for a funeral. We learn that Alice has the power of resonance, where dead people’s momentos show stories from their lives to her. After Toby Warrender, a Sentor’s son, dies from an overdose, Alice has a vision that suggests he wasn’t willing to take the drugs that killed him.
Together with Michael, Toby’s twin, Alice sets off on a quest to figure out the mystery and to learn who Tobias really was. Their journey is a coming-of-age story that reads very realistically and deals with complex situations and emotions. In regard to the characters, I loved how the author made all of the main characters so complex and three-dimensional. They were entirely believable because of how flawed and imperfect they were. While I wasn’t a fan of some of the character’s actions (namely Michael), I was surprisingly invested in what happened to them.
Even though I guessed who the murderer was about two-thirds of the way through, I remained interested in the plot until the very last page (which is really saying something because if I guess correctly, I usually skim the rest of the book). The way the murder mystery plot unravels is on the slower side. However, that works in this book as the characters balance the investigation, school, and other life occurrences.
This novel wove in modern life in a nearly seamless fashion in both the investigation and the character’s lives. Additionally, the author portrays the price of modern-day fame in a very realistic manner. From Michael’s fame-seeking sister to his “fixer” cousin, the darker side of fame is examined. I’m not usually a fan of more contemporary novels but this one read like a classic character-based murder mystery that just happened to be set in this time period.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to seeing what Alice England does next. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy! My review is also available on my blog.
This was such an original and fascinating story! The book was very different from what I expected but I ended up really enjoying it. I actually read it all in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down.
The story opens with Alice England, the local undertaker’s daughter, preparing a body for a funeral. We learn that Alice has the power of resonance, where dead people’s momentos show stories from their lives to her. After Toby Warrender, a Sentor’s son, dies from an overdose, Alice has a vision that suggests he wasn’t willing to take the drugs that killed him.
Together with Michael, Toby’s twin, Alice sets off on a quest to figure out the mystery and to learn who Tobias really was. Their journey is a coming-of-age story that reads very realistically and deals with complex situations and emotions. In regard to the characters, I loved how the author made all of the main characters so complex and three-dimensional. They were entirely believable because of how flawed and imperfect they were. While I wasn’t a fan of some of the character’s actions (namely Michael), I was surprisingly invested in what happened to them.
Even though I guessed who the murderer was about two-thirds of the way through, I remained interested in the plot until the very last page (which is really saying something because if I guess correctly, I usually skim the rest of the book). The way the murder mystery plot unravels is on the slower side. However, that works in this book as the characters balance the investigation, school, and other life occurrences.
This novel wove in modern life in a nearly seamless fashion in both the investigation and the character’s lives. Additionally, the author portrays the price of modern-day fame in a very realistic manner. From Michael’s fame-seeking sister to his “fixer” cousin, the darker side of fame is examined. I’m not usually a fan of more contemporary novels but this one read like a classic character-based murder mystery that just happened to be set in this time period.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to seeing what Alice England does next. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy! My review is also available on my blog.
February 15, 2017
This book was as unique as Alice England. It was a delight to read, with all the quirky characters, the superb writing, complex relationships and intriguing plot. Bitter and sweet moments intertwine throughout the story, making it at times poignant, at times romantic and heart-warming. Definitely recommend it.
December 12, 2016
I absolutely adore Alice England and this is another amazing Young Adult story by SD Wasley.
Alice England is a very unique character and I loved her immediately. She’s a young woman in her senior year of school who lives with her father in a funeral parlor. She sees things that others don’t and she always speaks the truth. Kids in her school find her odd and basically stay away from her. Mikey Warrender thinks she’s a bit odd as well but then Alice takes him on an adventure that changes their lives. This is a kind of detective story with lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages.
I very much look forward to more of Alice’s adventures.
See my full review here: http://wp.me/p69RB3-P3
Alice England is a very unique character and I loved her immediately. She’s a young woman in her senior year of school who lives with her father in a funeral parlor. She sees things that others don’t and she always speaks the truth. Kids in her school find her odd and basically stay away from her. Mikey Warrender thinks she’s a bit odd as well but then Alice takes him on an adventure that changes their lives. This is a kind of detective story with lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages.
I very much look forward to more of Alice’s adventures.
See my full review here: http://wp.me/p69RB3-P3
May 12, 2025
Another fantastic read from the talented Ms Wasley.
I've always been fascinated by twins, but Alice and Michael's story has made me think about them in a new way.
Very much looking forward to the next book in this series!
I've always been fascinated by twins, but Alice and Michael's story has made me think about them in a new way.
Very much looking forward to the next book in this series!
July 23, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed this quirky story. High calibre Young Adult fiction with some interesting themes and a terrific, strong lead character - Alice England. I found this a very visual book - great descriptions and excellent dialogue. Looking forward to more in this series, and will definitely look for more titles by this author.
Recommended!
Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews