Dead Wrong

by Kristi Belcamino

IF THE OUTSIDERS met PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER.Emily’s first few years of high school haven’t been easy.When her parent’s divorced, she and her mother had to move out of their wealthy Minneapolis suburb into a rougher part of town.While she struggled with these changes, along with an eating disorder, her best friend, Danielle, ditched her for the popular kids at school.But then one day, Emily spies Danielle hanging out with some gutter punks—homeless kids who travel the rails hopping trains from city to city.A far cry from the crowd Danielle usually ran with.When Danielle reaches out to her, Emily is still bitter and angry and ignores the phone call.Then Danielle is found dead.Police say she drowned.But Emily knows better.And she's going to prove them dead wrong.DEAD WRONG is a compelling, gritty suspense novel that will keep you riveted until the last page.

Genres: Mystery

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2018

About the author

Kristi Belcamino is a USA TODAY bestselling author, an Agatha, Anthony, Barry & Macavity, award finalist, a newspaper cops reporter, and an Italian mama who makes a tasty biscotti.


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FULL LIST OF BOOKS:

Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:


Related to Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Gia (prequel novella)
Lone Raven (novella)
Taste of Vengeance

Queen of Spades Thrillers


Related: Eva (prequel novella)

Vigilante Crime Series:


Stand Alones:


Nonfiction


Gabriella Giovanni Mystery Series:

Blessed are the Dead
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are Those Who Weep
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Merciful

Related:
The Saint (prequel novella)
Misc:
City of Angels
Tomb of the Queen
Crush Your Query

Reviews

[Bridget Eggers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Emily convince others that Danielle's death is anything other than an accident? Did she really know Danielle or had the distance between the former BFF's changed them both? Can Emily keep her own problems under control? Or will she lose herself while trying to find the truth? You won't be able to turn pages fast enough and will regret when you finish this gripping tale all too soon. I was lucky enough to read an advance release (previously titled Gutter Punks) making me have to wait to review the book, let alone wait for a sequel (hint, hint).

Dead Wrong is gritty and intense while dealing with some harsh realities facing today's teens. A great YA read.!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily sneaks out after hearing her mother on the phone mention something about her best friend, Danielle. She ends up at one of the many beaches drawn by the red and blue lights. Emily hides in the bushes and sees the bloated, floating body of her friend. When she emerges, she sees some girls from school including Beth, Danielle’s newest friend. As well as some of the gutter punks. After the medical examiner removes the body bag, Emily goes home. She gets into bed but cannot shake the image of Danielle floating with her blonde hair fanning out in the water. This is a sight which haunts her and propels her to find out the truth. How could her friend, who could swim like a fish, drown? Emily decides to find out. This leads to her not only discovering the truth about Danielle but also finding some new friends along the way.

I was drawn into this story from page one. This book is filled with great characters including Curtis one of the “theatre boys”, Emily’s mother who is still struggling to learn how to communicate with her daughter and the gutter punks. My favorite is Raven, the cute boy who leads Emily to the best discovery of her life. This book explores eating disorders, homeless teenagers, being a single mother and a friend’s death. The emotions are raw and real throughout. Kristi accurately captures anguish, anger, and grief but especially the feeling of not fitting in or belonging. Several things happen which are realistic and caused me to pause while reading. I found myself extremely choked up at the end. I hope this leads to a series because I am not done with Emily and Raven.

Gutter Punks is a story that will resonate with readers of all ages from youth up to middle-aged adults. I think several readers, like myself, will be able to relate to being the geek who loves to read in high school who has few friends. Or the popular cheerleaders, or the theatre kids, or the teenagers trying to figure out who they are or the parents trying to raise these teenagers. I encourage all readers to discover Emily and the Gutter Punks – you will not be disappointed.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gutter Punks from Kristi Scott accomplishes what the best books in the YA category do, namely offer insight and guidance while also providing a page-turner of a story.

In the character of Emily we have a young woman who was unaware of her own strength until she found something to focus it on. She takes some chances but knows she is pushing the limits of what is safe. She is presented as both gritty (a word that would not have been applied to her before the opening of the novel) and still a child in many ways. The combination of the two does, I think, make this a compelling read. The message seems to be that no matter what you have done or experienced there are untapped resources within you that can be called on when the need arises.

Some of the positive things that are present but not overly stressed are: we are all more alike than we might ever realize, people will surprise you (both positively and negatively), we all need each other in this world, and there are times when leaving your comfort zone is both necessary and liberating.

I would highly recommend this novel for readers of any age. I particularly think this would be a great book for discussion, whether in a classroom setting or between a parent and a teenager. It will open avenues for acknowledging and expressing sentiments we might otherwise hesitate to openly share.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Wrong - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Life's been very unfair to Emily - first her parents divorce and she and her Mom end up struggling to get by, on minimal child support from her absentee father and far away from her comfort zone. Next, as a means of control over her body if nothing else, she develops anorexia and her former BFF Danielle starts to hang out with the popular girls and mock 'Skeletor' and her weirdness, avoiding her totally.
Self-isolating in her fantasy world of books becomes Emily's only consolation, as her Mom starts dating and arranges for her to have counselling. So far, so poignant...but how does Emily react when her former best friend calls her, asking to speak to her urgently...and is later found drowned in a lake? Who is Raven?

A riveting psychological thriller by Kristi Belcamino, Dead Wrong is a fascinating, gritty exploration into the emotional highs and lows of relationships and experiences, in a searing, coming-of-age spotlight of a reality check.
Get it now, but be warned - you'll need tissues!

[Bridget Eggers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Emily convince others that Danielle's death is anything other than an accident? Did she really know Danielle or had the distance between the former BFF's changed them both? Can Emily keep her own problems under control? Or will she lose herself while trying to find the truth? You won't be able to turn pages fast enough and will regret when you finish this gripping tale all too soon. I was lucky enough to read an advance release making me have to wait to review the book, let alone wait for a sequel (hint, hint).

Gutter Punks is gritty and intense while dealing with some harsh realities facing today's teens. A great YA read.!

[FredM2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different story than I usually read from Ms. Belcamino. I usually read the Eva and Gia books. I enjoyed this one just as much. It was easy reading, didn't want to put it down. The story kept you in suspense and wondering 'who dunnit'.

I was kept guessing right up to the ending. I recommend this to all Kristi's fans and all others that enjoy mystery suspense books.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I felt the characters were genuine and believable. The main characters, Emily and Raven, drew me in and kept me turning the pages. This book is very different from the many other books I have read by Kristi, but this is going to be a great series.

[Sharon Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Wrong

This is a fast paced, suspense filled,unable to put it down, read. Young adults and adults will both enjoy Kristi’s new book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dead Wrong! I can’t wait to see what is coming next.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Can Be Found In Your Darkest Hours

Emily's friend Danielle has been founded drown. Danielle was a great swimmer. What really happened? Story is a little slow going but well written with strong and believable characters.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced interesting YA novel. Read it in a day and a half. I couldn’t put it down!