Book Review: Dead Ball Foul

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dead Ball Foul     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Kayla McGrady
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Young Adult   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character   Juvenile
Silver Dagger, Aug 2000, $12.50, 210 pp.
Trade Paperback

Like many small American towns, Judsonville, Virginia is obsessed with football. This year everyone looks especially forward to the annual Homecoming game when the local high school team plays its’ arch rival Jackson. The anticipated event is tarnished when someone kills a referee.

The police lean towards a student Aaron as the prime suspect. Aaron’s pal Tricia believes he could not murder anyone and teaming up with her boyfriend, Luke, sets off to prove she is right. Neither Tricia nor Luke realizes how much danger their investigation places them in, as a killer wants to remain anonymous.

DEAD BALL FOUL is clearly a young adult novel that will surprise other mystery readers with how good the plot is. Judsonville seems like a real place and the lead couple and support cast makes the small town feel even more genuine. Younger than the careers of many favorite authors, high school senior Kayla McGrady debuts with a wonderful who-done-it that will take the sub-genre by storm. Additionally, the well written novel will stun those older readers with its fabulous story line and deep rooted characterizations.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.