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The Interrogation of Gabriel James
Eyewitness to two killings, fourteen-year-old Gabriel James relates the shocking story behind the murders in a police interrogation interspersed with flashbacks. Step by step, this Montana teenager traces his discovery of a link between a troubled classmate's disturbing home life and an outbreak of local crime. In the process, however, Gabriel becomes increasingly confused about his own culpability for the explosive events that have unfolded.
170 pages, Hardcover
First published August 10, 2010
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February 22, 2017
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1.5 Stars
Gabriel James is witness to a double murder. There have been multiple hate crimes, vandalism and drug sales going on in his small town recently. After the funeral of one of the victims, Gabriel decides to go to the police station and explain what he saw that night.
Although the book was fast-paced... I found the plot to be slow and a bit boring. It took a very long time for anything remotely interesting to happen in the story. I didn't find myself connecting to any of the characters and really didn't care that much what happened to each of them.
1.5 Stars
Gabriel James is witness to a double murder. There have been multiple hate crimes, vandalism and drug sales going on in his small town recently. After the funeral of one of the victims, Gabriel decides to go to the police station and explain what he saw that night.
Although the book was fast-paced... I found the plot to be slow and a bit boring. It took a very long time for anything remotely interesting to happen in the story. I didn't find myself connecting to any of the characters and really didn't care that much what happened to each of them.
June 20, 2011
There's a current (June 2011) to-do among those who read and critique young adult fiction over whether the genre has gotten too dark/grim/melodramatic/R-rated (or worse). Without getting into the fracas, I'll just say that proponents of that argument might hold up The Interrogation of Gabriel James as evidence.
Montana high schooler Gabriel James - middling cross-country runner and son of a single mom (with lots of unresolved issues about his runaway, now dead, father) - is in a police station, wondering if he's going to be arrested. Gabriel was there when two teen boys were killed, one by the hand of the other, and came away badly injured. He and his mother were at one boy's funeral, where the boy's father was in handcuffs. A lot of people aren't talking, but Gabriel is, after a fashion. What exactly happened is revealed only slowly and in disjointed bits and pieces as Gabriel is interrogated. This is definitely not the Hardy Boys: there's animal abuse, racist harassment, drug abuse, all kinds of dysfunctional family issues, cults, homelessness, teen sex (not graphic), violence, some of it graphic and some of it sadistic ...
The book is on the whole well-written; well-paced with lots of action yet thought-provoking. Somehow I didn't find it worked quite as well for me as some YA novels - but that may be simply because I don't truly enjoy plot lines that are quite this melodramatic. This is not a criticism of melodrama, nor of those who enjoy it - just not my favorite cup of tea. (OK, I've shown my side in the fracas alluded to in the first paragraph.)
Price has said he drew upon his previous work in at-risk schools and psychiatric hospitals for the plot lines of this book, which is truly chilling.
Montana high schooler Gabriel James - middling cross-country runner and son of a single mom (with lots of unresolved issues about his runaway, now dead, father) - is in a police station, wondering if he's going to be arrested. Gabriel was there when two teen boys were killed, one by the hand of the other, and came away badly injured. He and his mother were at one boy's funeral, where the boy's father was in handcuffs. A lot of people aren't talking, but Gabriel is, after a fashion. What exactly happened is revealed only slowly and in disjointed bits and pieces as Gabriel is interrogated. This is definitely not the Hardy Boys: there's animal abuse, racist harassment, drug abuse, all kinds of dysfunctional family issues, cults, homelessness, teen sex (not graphic), violence, some of it graphic and some of it sadistic ...
The book is on the whole well-written; well-paced with lots of action yet thought-provoking. Somehow I didn't find it worked quite as well for me as some YA novels - but that may be simply because I don't truly enjoy plot lines that are quite this melodramatic. This is not a criticism of melodrama, nor of those who enjoy it - just not my favorite cup of tea. (OK, I've shown my side in the fracas alluded to in the first paragraph.)
Price has said he drew upon his previous work in at-risk schools and psychiatric hospitals for the plot lines of this book, which is truly chilling.
April 16, 2018
This book was very well thought out and planned. I personally really liked how the whole book was Gabriel telling the cops the story. I thought that, that was an interesting perspective of the book.
This book is semi suspenseful so there for I enjoyed reading it. The end had a twist that I never saw coming until it was right there. Which was actually pretty cool considering most books will gradually lead up to stuff like that. Over all this book was really good! I personally really enjoyed it.
This book is semi suspenseful so there for I enjoyed reading it. The end had a twist that I never saw coming until it was right there. Which was actually pretty cool considering most books will gradually lead up to stuff like that. Over all this book was really good! I personally really enjoyed it.
February 3, 2019
Book #19 of the EBN Challenge at my Library.
Challenge Topic: A Book Written in the First Person.
This was pretty good and a quick read. Had a great twist at the end but didn't end the way I had expected.
Challenge Topic: A Book Written in the First Person.
This was pretty good and a quick read. Had a great twist at the end but didn't end the way I had expected.
December 23, 2016
Personal Response: I thought that this book was pretty good, because it is basically a mix of a thriller and an action book. The only thing that I wish would be different it that the book could have been a little bit longer.
Plot: The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price is a mystery book about two killings. The book starts at a graveyard, where a funeral is being performed. As soon as the funeral is done, everyone there turns and silently leaves. Gabriel James, our main character who happened to be at the funeral, leaves and decides to go the the police station. He has decided to tell the police about what he part of the story he had. Basically what happens is that some people say that their pets are being kidnapped. Then, someone keeps starting some fires. After that, a very talented runner named Danny Two Bull moves into town. Danny happens to a Native American. Danny gets a dead animal in his gym locker. Then, Danny keeps getting some racist notes from someone. Gabriel finds his friend, Durmie, and asks him if he knows anything about who is making some racist notes. Durmie happens to be a nearly homeless man, who collects trash to make some money. Durmie doesn't know anything about the notes, but tells Gabe to look out for "the twins". The twins are two blonde twins who are drug dealers. Gabriel hears from a friend that a girl named Raelene Ray likes him. So the next couple of days, Gabe tries to talk to Raelene, but she just keeps walking away fast with a blush on her face. The next time Gabriel tries to talk to Raelene, Raelene starts screaming. The teacher ends up yelling at him. Gabriel decides to follow her and her brother home. He notices that the two's clothes are hanging in the front of the house. Gabe goes to Emily, Raelene's friend, and asks her if she knows anything about it, but she says that she doesn't. Gabe keeps going back to Raelene's house to find out more information. He looks through the window and sees that the brother and sister are naked and the dad is sitting on the couch. He knocks over the barrel that he is standing on and runs back to his car. Gabe goes to Durmie's house and finds him covered in blood. Gabe brings him to the hospital. The doctors tell him that Durmie tried to kill himself. Gabe goes back to Durmie's house and finds "the twin" destroying his room. The two beat Gabe up and run out of the room. Gabriel decides to go back to Raelene's house and hides his car a couple miles away. He goes into the Ray's barn, but a goose starts attacking him. Then, two people knock Gabe out and put him in a car. Gabe wakes up and sees his good friend and Raelene's brother planning to kill him. Gabe gets out and starts running away, but Raelene's father stops him. The two talk for a while, but one of "the twins" shoot Raelene's brother. So, Mr. Ray shoots the twin with a shotgun. The police come and stop all the violence. And that is how Gabe saw how the whole story.
Characterization: Gabriel changed in many ways in this book. One way he changed is that in the beginning of the book, Gabe wasn't that good at cross country. At the end of the book, he was a pretty good runner. Another way that Gabe changed is that in the beginning of the book, Gabe really didn't have a big role in the story. At the end of the book, he played a major role in the story line.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read books full of suspense and action. Most guys would like this book, but some girls might also like it too.
Plot: The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price is a mystery book about two killings. The book starts at a graveyard, where a funeral is being performed. As soon as the funeral is done, everyone there turns and silently leaves. Gabriel James, our main character who happened to be at the funeral, leaves and decides to go the the police station. He has decided to tell the police about what he part of the story he had. Basically what happens is that some people say that their pets are being kidnapped. Then, someone keeps starting some fires. After that, a very talented runner named Danny Two Bull moves into town. Danny happens to a Native American. Danny gets a dead animal in his gym locker. Then, Danny keeps getting some racist notes from someone. Gabriel finds his friend, Durmie, and asks him if he knows anything about who is making some racist notes. Durmie happens to be a nearly homeless man, who collects trash to make some money. Durmie doesn't know anything about the notes, but tells Gabe to look out for "the twins". The twins are two blonde twins who are drug dealers. Gabriel hears from a friend that a girl named Raelene Ray likes him. So the next couple of days, Gabe tries to talk to Raelene, but she just keeps walking away fast with a blush on her face. The next time Gabriel tries to talk to Raelene, Raelene starts screaming. The teacher ends up yelling at him. Gabriel decides to follow her and her brother home. He notices that the two's clothes are hanging in the front of the house. Gabe goes to Emily, Raelene's friend, and asks her if she knows anything about it, but she says that she doesn't. Gabe keeps going back to Raelene's house to find out more information. He looks through the window and sees that the brother and sister are naked and the dad is sitting on the couch. He knocks over the barrel that he is standing on and runs back to his car. Gabe goes to Durmie's house and finds him covered in blood. Gabe brings him to the hospital. The doctors tell him that Durmie tried to kill himself. Gabe goes back to Durmie's house and finds "the twin" destroying his room. The two beat Gabe up and run out of the room. Gabriel decides to go back to Raelene's house and hides his car a couple miles away. He goes into the Ray's barn, but a goose starts attacking him. Then, two people knock Gabe out and put him in a car. Gabe wakes up and sees his good friend and Raelene's brother planning to kill him. Gabe gets out and starts running away, but Raelene's father stops him. The two talk for a while, but one of "the twins" shoot Raelene's brother. So, Mr. Ray shoots the twin with a shotgun. The police come and stop all the violence. And that is how Gabe saw how the whole story.
Characterization: Gabriel changed in many ways in this book. One way he changed is that in the beginning of the book, Gabe wasn't that good at cross country. At the end of the book, he was a pretty good runner. Another way that Gabe changed is that in the beginning of the book, Gabe really didn't have a big role in the story. At the end of the book, he played a major role in the story line.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read books full of suspense and action. Most guys would like this book, but some girls might also like it too.
July 11, 2012
This is one of the quickest reads I've had all summer. I read this is one day. It was a choice for my Young Adult Book Club so I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. Okay, that's a lie, I might have picked it up if I found it at the library.
I really liked the idea of this novel but I don't feel like it was executed very well. I didn't mind it jumping from interrogation to the events leading up to Gabriel James being interrogated, however I feel like some things were glossed over too easily.
I enjoyed reading about the things going on with Two-Bull, however they abruptly stop mentioning him after a certain point. As though the author was done with this character and had no further use for him. And some of the things that went on with Two-Bull were never fully explained to the reader.
And the ending was a little outrageous. I mean, honestly. I can understand if he might have two dads, but three or four is just ridiculous! And he was just a little too cool with things after they unfolded.
For me, it felt like the author just wanted to get the book out and done with. If a lot of things were elaborated a little bit more I may have appreciated it more. But they weren't so I didn't.
And we'll never find out how poop got into Two-Bull's shoes.
I really liked the idea of this novel but I don't feel like it was executed very well. I didn't mind it jumping from interrogation to the events leading up to Gabriel James being interrogated, however I feel like some things were glossed over too easily.
I enjoyed reading about the things going on with Two-Bull, however they abruptly stop mentioning him after a certain point. As though the author was done with this character and had no further use for him. And some of the things that went on with Two-Bull were never fully explained to the reader.
And the ending was a little outrageous. I mean, honestly. I can understand if he might have two dads, but three or four is just ridiculous! And he was just a little too cool with things after they unfolded.
For me, it felt like the author just wanted to get the book out and done with. If a lot of things were elaborated a little bit more I may have appreciated it more. But they weren't so I didn't.
And we'll never find out how poop got into Two-Bull's shoes.
September 2, 2018
This book had some interesting twists, but ultimately, it fell a little short for me. As I read, I was intrigued enough that I wanted to read more, but in the end, I was just "meh."
The story is based on Price's work in psych hospitals and alternative schools, and specifically on a case he heard of in that work. He wove into it issues he saw with racism against native Americans, homeless individuals living with mental illness, and research on cross country running.
The story is told in alternating segments, moving from two police officers questioning Gabriel following a double homicide Gabriel witnessed, and Gabriel's memories of events leading up to the event, recalled in flashbacks prompted by the officers' questions.
The deaths were the culmination of several events and stories Gabriel knew about as independent issues. It was only at the very end that Gabriel pieced together the connections between what he had thought were separated events, and the reader is brought along to try to piece things together as Gabriel narrates his memories.
The story is based on Price's work in psych hospitals and alternative schools, and specifically on a case he heard of in that work. He wove into it issues he saw with racism against native Americans, homeless individuals living with mental illness, and research on cross country running.
The story is told in alternating segments, moving from two police officers questioning Gabriel following a double homicide Gabriel witnessed, and Gabriel's memories of events leading up to the event, recalled in flashbacks prompted by the officers' questions.
The deaths were the culmination of several events and stories Gabriel knew about as independent issues. It was only at the very end that Gabriel pieced together the connections between what he had thought were separated events, and the reader is brought along to try to piece things together as Gabriel narrates his memories.
October 15, 2018
This book is a action heavy entertaining book that you could read for hours. This book touches on many issues in America today like abuse and racism. This book is filled with action and suspense and it was not so long you had to pinch yourself to get it done. Overall this book was great and I would recommend it to anyone.
September 26, 2017
very fast read not my favorite but is still a great book i didn't love the ending
June 12, 2019
Weird, twisted, and completely unexpected!
July 18, 2023
very strange book but i respect the writing style and the way the audience pieces together what happened through the interrogation instead of experiencing it with gabriel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2017
I'm not always sure where dividing line is between good YA fiction and adult fiction, but I do know that the blurrier that line is, the more I tend to enjoy a book. In "The Interrogation of Gabriel James" Price has written a compact thriller that demands your interest from the beginning and which treats its YA audience as adult more than it treats them as young. This respect for the intelligence of the reader makes the novel an excellent read for both the YA and Adult demographics, and it's easy to see why this novel won the Edgar Award in 2011 in the YA category.
The novel is Gabriel's first person rendering of his interrogation by Billings, Montana police regarding his knowledge of and involvement in a string of hate crimes, drug sales, and violence that have culminated in the deaths of two young men. Unfolding at a brisk pace, the story takes place almost entirely within the confines of an interrogation room, with Gabriel both answering questions aloud, and treating the reader to even greater detail through unspoken flashbacks. As the interrogation progresses, the story comes together and its dark truths begin to emerge.
I enjoyed the directness and speed at which the story unfolded, as well as crisp and authentic dialog. Price captures the intelligent young adult mind well in his Gabriel James character, and I was frequently impressed with his ability to take me back to that exciting time in my own life when adulthood was just visible on the horizon. From the details of small city high school life, to the travails of dating and the general angsts of pursuing schoolwork, sports and the opposite sex, Price demonstrates a gift for portraying a mind in that unique and formulative period of development. I was also impressed with his ability to develop the novel's many other characters given that there was less time and opportunity to do so with the unique structure of the story.
Again, Price demonstrates a respect for the maturity and intelligence of the reader as this, at times, disturbing and dark mystery unfolds. It's a thrilling and worthwhile read, quite deserving of its place in Edgar Award history.
The novel is Gabriel's first person rendering of his interrogation by Billings, Montana police regarding his knowledge of and involvement in a string of hate crimes, drug sales, and violence that have culminated in the deaths of two young men. Unfolding at a brisk pace, the story takes place almost entirely within the confines of an interrogation room, with Gabriel both answering questions aloud, and treating the reader to even greater detail through unspoken flashbacks. As the interrogation progresses, the story comes together and its dark truths begin to emerge.
I enjoyed the directness and speed at which the story unfolded, as well as crisp and authentic dialog. Price captures the intelligent young adult mind well in his Gabriel James character, and I was frequently impressed with his ability to take me back to that exciting time in my own life when adulthood was just visible on the horizon. From the details of small city high school life, to the travails of dating and the general angsts of pursuing schoolwork, sports and the opposite sex, Price demonstrates a gift for portraying a mind in that unique and formulative period of development. I was also impressed with his ability to develop the novel's many other characters given that there was less time and opportunity to do so with the unique structure of the story.
Again, Price demonstrates a respect for the maturity and intelligence of the reader as this, at times, disturbing and dark mystery unfolds. It's a thrilling and worthwhile read, quite deserving of its place in Edgar Award history.
June 11, 2012
I know you aren't supposed to choose a book by it's cover, but while browsing the YA shelves I found this title and liked the idea of a mystery. As a high school librarian, I have seen that mysteries aren't the cool genre and I wanted to see what passes as mystery today. The book is set with a crime having happened and Gabriel is sitting at the local police department in the interrogation room with two officers going through not only the event surrounding the actual crime, but what led up to it. Filled with creepy innuendos that can only described as disturbing, this book deals with racism, drugs, and other family secrets. Gabriel finds out more than he bargains for including the indiscretions of his parents. The back woods of Montana is a great back drop for the secrets. I don't want to be a spoiler. The book has an extensive interview with the author and I found it a great way to get into the mind of an author. The questions are posed to intrigue the teen reader and enrich the story after the fact and it does. If you follow the reviews on GoodReads, you will find them greatly mixed. The innuendo about incest is pretty creepy no matter what your age, but you may kids drawn to the story through it's taboos. Over all I think this is a good story and I would recommend to my older teen readers that want a psychological book with a crime thrown in for good measure. My only criticism might have been a bit more forensics thrown in.
March 30, 2012
Even though this novel has a fairly easy reading level it possesses content that could be deamed questionable. The story is told first person through Gabriel's eyes after the crimes have occured. The way they are narrated through interrogation give an opening into Gabriel being able to discuss the events. He is considered a suspect and must convince two police not only of his innocence but also to care about issues that seriously need to be addressed within the life of a classmate.
As a student the base of the plot line may be a little far fetched, after all how often do middle schoolers get to be the prime suspects in murder cases. However, rejection from a crush, insatiable curiousity, and erratic behaviors, are all no strangers to the adolescent. Because of the other basic premises, it is not too distant for them to be entranced.
As a teacher, an activity you could do with a student is to have them write about a strange, unexplainable occurence that they were a witness to. They could also write or discuss a time in which they were falsely accused of doing something and what they did to convince the accusers of their innocence (and how it turned out) as if they were creating their own individualized "The Interrogation of (Student Name)".
As a student the base of the plot line may be a little far fetched, after all how often do middle schoolers get to be the prime suspects in murder cases. However, rejection from a crush, insatiable curiousity, and erratic behaviors, are all no strangers to the adolescent. Because of the other basic premises, it is not too distant for them to be entranced.
As a teacher, an activity you could do with a student is to have them write about a strange, unexplainable occurence that they were a witness to. They could also write or discuss a time in which they were falsely accused of doing something and what they did to convince the accusers of their innocence (and how it turned out) as if they were creating their own individualized "The Interrogation of (Student Name)".
Read
April 5, 2012Even though this novel has a fairly easy reading level it possesses content that could be deemed questionable. The story is told first person through Gabriel's eyes after the crimes have occurred. The way they are narrated through interrogation give an opening into Gabriel being able to discuss the events. He is considered a suspect and must convince two police not only of his innocence but also to care about issues that seriously need to be addressed within the life of a classmate.
As a student the base of the plot line may be a little far fetched, after all how often do middle schoolers get to be the prime suspects in murder cases. However, rejection from a crush, insatiable curiousity, and erratic behaviors, are all no strangers to the adolescent. Because of the other basic premises, it is not too distant for them to be entranced.
As a teacher, an activity you could do with a student is to have them write about a strange, unexplainable occurence that they were a witness to. They could also write or discuss a time in which they were falsely accused of doing something and what they did to convince the accusers of their innocence (and how it turned out) as if they were creating their own individualized "The Interrogation of (Student Name)".
As a student the base of the plot line may be a little far fetched, after all how often do middle schoolers get to be the prime suspects in murder cases. However, rejection from a crush, insatiable curiousity, and erratic behaviors, are all no strangers to the adolescent. Because of the other basic premises, it is not too distant for them to be entranced.
As a teacher, an activity you could do with a student is to have them write about a strange, unexplainable occurence that they were a witness to. They could also write or discuss a time in which they were falsely accused of doing something and what they did to convince the accusers of their innocence (and how it turned out) as if they were creating their own individualized "The Interrogation of (Student Name)".
April 13, 2011
Gabriel James is being questioned by the police. There have been mysterious fires, missing and dead pets, and two killings. Gabriel knows what happened, and the police want to know what he knew, when he knew it, and whether he was involved or just another victim. His story is told in first person as the interrogation takes place, and the reader learns the whole story through Gabriel’s voice. By the end, the reader learns the whole story, and Gabriel learns some hard truths about his own life and that of his friends and family.
The descriptions of dead pets, violent fights, drug deals, and a lifestyle outside the normal realm are sometimes hard to read. But it’s a mystery that unfolds in bits and pieces and keeps the reader riveted. Gabriel learns a lot about his own behaviors and attitudes and in the end discovers a long held secret. It’s a short book with a lot of story packed in the pages.
The descriptions of dead pets, violent fights, drug deals, and a lifestyle outside the normal realm are sometimes hard to read. But it’s a mystery that unfolds in bits and pieces and keeps the reader riveted. Gabriel learns a lot about his own behaviors and attitudes and in the end discovers a long held secret. It’s a short book with a lot of story packed in the pages.
April 21, 2013
I thought as an YA Edgar Award Winner, this would at least be a fairly good mystery. It wasn't. I enjoyed Rat Life. Read that one instead. As for the kids, this one will be a bit confusing and any reluctant reader most likely won't muscle through the transitions of the interrogation to the flashbacks and will become frustrated and bored with the lack of any hook and give up. I almost gave up too. There is nothing "challenging" in this book. It's not gruesome or bloody or sex filled. Once the mystery is solved I didn't care about the mystery. The aspect of running was just kind of thrown in there. The racism bit against Native Americans was never really a focal point, though I thought it would be. The drug dealing never came to fruition. etc. etc.
I feel let down. It'll be very hard to recommend this to a student. And if a student manages to read it and like it I'll add some stars...
I feel let down. It'll be very hard to recommend this to a student. And if a student manages to read it and like it I'll add some stars...
February 13, 2016
High school teen Gabriel James was a witness to two murders and this book is set in the police station where Gabriel is being interrogated by two police detectives. The story is told mostly in flashbacks as Gabriel gives a detailed account of events leading up to the killings. Hate crimes, animal cruelty, a strange deserted compound and drugs are all part of Gabe's narrative. His final statement settles the murder case but leads to more questions for Gabe himself about whether he might have some culpability in the tragedy.
This book won the Edgar Award for best Young Adult mystery novel in 2011. In my opinion the choices must have been very slim that year. I did not like much about this book and found it very hard to follow. The scenarios were very extreme to the point of nearly being unbelievable. Apparently some of the story is based on true events that happened in Montana years ago but it just did not hold my interest at all.
This book won the Edgar Award for best Young Adult mystery novel in 2011. In my opinion the choices must have been very slim that year. I did not like much about this book and found it very hard to follow. The scenarios were very extreme to the point of nearly being unbelievable. Apparently some of the story is based on true events that happened in Montana years ago but it just did not hold my interest at all.
January 12, 2011
A dark story that is very suspenseful but also confusing. Gabriel is being interrogated by police after a mysterious crime has been committed that led to two deaths. We do not learn who died until the end of the book! Gradually revealed through his view of the interrogation, as well as Gabriel's telling of the backstory in more straightforward fashion, is a complicated story about a girl he likes who hides a very odd home life from her classmates, and how he gets mixed up in it. There is a storyline about pets going missing and turning up tortured, and a Native American boy who's being bullied, and drug-dealing gangs and a homeless guy. And a weird cult that ended years ago--or did it? If you like disturbing and vaguely unsettling books, this is for you. I enjoyed the mystery but the details were a bit darker than I like. recommended for older middle school/high school.
September 8, 2011
We meet Montana teen Gabriel James in a cemetery at a funeral. There are 2 dead, but the reader won't learn who they are until the end of the book. Using the format of a police interrogation, the story unfolds as Gabriel reveals what he knew about the deaths and moves seamlessly between the interrogation and the actions that led to it. Those actions include racism, kidnapped/murdered pets, a cult leader who is becoming more and more deranged, bullies, and a long-time secret of Gabriel's own family. I liked Gabe. He seemed normal - interested in girls, athletic: an overall good kid living with and helping his single mom. The actions in the book could really have happened anywhere. This book won the 2011 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. The descriptions of the violence are disturbing, otherwise I can recommend it to older YA readers.
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April 8, 2014A dark story that is very suspenseful but also confusing. Gabriel is being interrogated by police after a mysterious crime has been committed that led to two deaths. We do not learn who died until the end of the book! Gradually revealed through his view of the interrogation, as well as Gabriel's telling of the backstory in more straightforward fashion, is a complicated story about a girl he likes who hides a very odd home life from her classmates, and how he gets mixed up in it. There is a storyline about pets going missing and turning up tortured, and a Native American boy who's being bullied, and drug-dealing gangs and a homeless guy. And a weird cult that ended years ago--or did it? If you like disturbing and vaguely unsettling books, this is for you. I enjoyed the mystery but the details were a bit darker than I like. recommended for people who like suspense.
August 2, 2011
First person. Gabriel is in an interrogation room. There is a detective in the background and an officer interrogating Gabriel. He is not under arrest- yet. Two murders have occurred, Gabriel knows a lot about what happened, this is about finding out what he knows and learning Gabe's role in the tragic events. Plumbing the undercurrents of the high school and the families around town the trio search out some kind of truth as the past and present, hidden and seen swirl about them.
Lots of flashbacks interrupted by jarring questions by the officer. Interesting pace and mood to the narrative.
I think it would read aloud in interesting ways.
Lots of flashbacks interrupted by jarring questions by the officer. Interesting pace and mood to the narrative.
I think it would read aloud in interesting ways.
November 22, 2011
I picked up this mystery on the basis of it winning the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult this year but found myself disappointed. I was largely confused by the story about a 17-year-old named Gabriel James who is being interviewed by detectives about a crime he may know something about or be involved in. Each chapter starts in the present (the interrogation room) and then switches to flashbacks told from Gabriel's point of view about the problems going on in his town. While I didn't enjoy it, I can see where some might. Recommended especially for boys, those who like darker stories, and those who like first person.
August 13, 2016
I picked up this mystery for class on the basis of it winning the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult this year but found myself disappointed. I was largely confused by the story about a 17-year-old named Gabriel James who is being interviewed by detectives about a crime he may know something about or be involved in. Each chapter starts in the present (the interrogation room) and then switches to flashbacks told from Gabriel's point of view about the problems going on in his town. While I didn't enjoy it, I can see where some might. Recommended especially for boys, those who like darker stories, and those who like first person.
April 12, 2012
I REALLY didn't like this book. It was very hard to follow with the many different characters and the constant flashbacks. Gabriel is being interrogated by two police officers because two murders have been committed. The reader is unsure if Gabriel is involved somehow with the crimes. I don't like the part of the story that discusses the Ray family and how the brother and sister have to take their clothes off upon entering the house and continue to be naked while their father is fully clothed. The author's notes at the end tell that this book is based on a true story. Not the quality type of book that I want to encourage our students to read.
May 3, 2013
I picked up this mystery for class on the basis of it winning the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult this year but found myself disappointed. I was largely confused by the story about a 17-year-old named Gabriel James who is being interviewed by detectives about a crime he may know something about or be involved in. Each chapter starts in the present (the interrogation room) and then switches to flashbacks told from Gabriel's point of view about the problems going on in his town. While I didn't enjoy it, I can see where some might. Recommended especially for boys, those who like darker stories, and those who like first person
July 11, 2011
Gabriel James is a Billings high school cross-country runner caught up in a web of events that will result in 2 deaths. The story is revealed through the police interrogation mixed with Gabe's flashbacks of his interactions with the townspeople involved. He doesn't think he is guilty, but do the police? As Gabe tries to get to the bottom of a rash of petty and hate crimes around town, he finds out more than he wants to know about a secretive family at the edge of town, a running buddy's new friends, and the history of his own family.
June 15, 2012
This book is incredible! It starts out at a funeral, where we learn that two people have died. Through most of the book, you don't know who they are, and you certainly don't know who killed them. Gabriel James is taken in to tell police what he knows about what happened, and the story unfolds as he lays out his side for two officers. It's great suspense, but even more, it's great prose. The story of Gabriel's life is just as interesting as what led up to the murders. I could not put this book down once I started reading.
June 20, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this for the writing technique - and it is a page turner, but it will take a weird kid to choose the book, at least in Middle School. The main character is a high school junior in Missoula MT caught up ina very odd set of circumstances. Throughout, he tries to do the right thing by everyone - but he doesn't keep any adults in the loop, and nearly gets killed in the process. He spends a day in police interrogation because of his involvement - to say more would be a spoiler.
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