Review: Kiss in the Dark

Kiss in the Dark by Lauren Henderson
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: April 13th, 2010
Pages: 247
Series: Scarlett Wakefield, #3
Age Level: 14+
Source: Bought

Synopsis via Goodreads
With Dan McAndrews's murder finally behind her, Scarlett has high hopes for a fresh start at Wakefield Hall Collegiate, the elite English boarding school her grandmother runs. Unfortunately, those hopes are dashed when her nemesis, the infamous Plum Saybourne, is transferred to the school. Plum wastes no time turning Scarlett’s impressionable classmates against her.

Scarlett has dealt with Plum’s nasty schemes before, and she can handle her archenemy very nicely, thank you—until Plum sets her sights on Scarlett’s best friend, Taylor, and new boyfriend, Jase. Then Scarlett is more than willing to fight for what’s rightfully hers.

Things only get worse after Scarlett becomes entangled in a mysterious death on campus. Scarlett is compelled to investigate because she wants to protect someone close to her. She never imagines that she’ll uncover secrets related to her parents’ fatal accident so many years ago. . . .

Review
Kiss in the Dark is the engrossing third installment in Lauren Henderson's witty and suspenseful mystery series for young adults.

Scarlett is just as funny and realistically portrayed as always and while I did feel she continued to grow as a character, Taylor is the one who really stuck out to me. Towards the end of Kisses and Lies, the tough and ever intimidating Taylor showed me a slight glimmer of vulnerability. This aspect of Taylor is taken a step further in Kiss in the Dark and while it actually broke my heart to see her go through what she did, it really helped deepen her character. Also, it is in this particular book that I really got to know Jase better. I found that I was able to grow to really like him as a romantic interest for Scarlett though I can't deny that a part of me is still hung up on Callum from Kisses and Lies. As for Plum, well the Wicked Witch of England is back and nastier than ever. Of course, Scarlett is also stronger than before and has learned how and when to take Plum down a notch, which is always immensely entertaining. A couple of new characters we are introduced to are Jase's mother as well as his demented, mean ole hag of a grandmother, both of which were an important addition to the plot.

The Scarlett Wakefield series has seemed to get more suspenseful and less predictable with each book. Kiss in the Dark was truly the most edge-of-your-seat and twisted book in this series thus far. It also had a darker and more serious edge, compared to the previous two, that I found very refreshing. The involvement of old family secrets really made this book even more intriguing for me. I've continued to be in love with the Wakefield setting and I found the writing was just as well done as usual.

The ending had me wanting to cry. Honestly, I'm a bit tired of books with peachy keen endings and Kiss in the Dark provided me with a much needed change of pace via it's teary end. Not only that, but it also has me ready to go all ninja to get my hands on the fourth book.

All in all, Kiss in the Dark may very well be my favorite book in this series so far. If you don't try these books I'll have to send the coppers to arrest you. :P Seriously though, for anyone out there looking for a great YA mystery series, this one is a must. I can definitely see myself reading them again and I can't wait for the release of Kiss of Death!

Grade
Characters: B+
Writing: B-
Plot: B+
Ending: B+
3rd in Series: B+
Enjoyment/Likability: B
Recommendable: B

Overall: B/B+

Cover: A (My favorite so far for the series!)