REVIEW: DEAD TIME

Author: Anne Cassidy
Series: Yes, #1
UK Publisher: Bloomsbury
UK Release date: May 2012
Genre: YA Crime
Read via NetGalley
Kindly given by the publisher for an honest review

When Rose was twelve, her mother and stepfather went out for dinner and never came back. Now seventeen, she lives with her grandmother and goes to school in London. She’s always wondered about her stepbrother, Joshua, whom she only lived with briefly and who was also relocated after their parents’ disappearance. When Rose and Joshua meet again, they find they have much in common, including a desire to uncover the mystery surrounding their parents’ disappearance . . . and a mutual attraction to each other. But when Rose witnesses the murders of not one but two of her classmates, she must uncover who is behind these violent crimes. And when she and Joshua discover that a much larger conspiracy is underway, both of their lives will be in danger. From international bestseller Anne Cassidy, this first in a fastpaced and romantic new mystery series will keep readers guessing. (Goodreads)

Rose is an unlikely heroine at the start of the book because she expresses so little emotion. She's hidden inside herself and withdrawn from connecting with other people on any level so that she won't get hurt emotionally. This is only compounded by her cold aunt, who offers her no affection or love. But deep down Rose is tough and forthright and when Emma asks for her help she can't resist helping her and later on investigating the two deaths. Partly because no one did for her parents, but also because underneath her tough shell she is kind and caring. If you give her time, she will grow on you.

Joshua is this strange combination of friend, step-brother, and potentially something more. Rose is really uncertain of her feelings towards him, and because of his apparent sisterly feelings for her, she is afraid to do anything about it. There isn't really any romance, more of an underlying hint and allusion to something that could happen. I'm hoping the rest of the series builds on this and we might see something develop between or change between them. I also we get to see more of Joshua and what he is like behind his obsession to find his dad.

There is a lot of intrigue and tension in Dead Time. As Rose becomes drawn into the murders of two fellow students at her school, the tension started to rise. Rose couldn't help but investigate who was behind the murders, and often I wanted to shout at her because you could just feel something bad was going to happen. With the murders and her parents' disappearance there are different clues to follow and questions to answer, and whilst I enjoyed all the mystery behind the story I wanted there to be even more. I wanted more action, drama and intrigue, and I wanted to get a little further into the mystery behind her mum's disappearance.

Dead Time is a murder-mystery ride infused with intrigue and danger.

Rating: 3.5*

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