Deadly Cool
#1 in the Deadly Cool Series
Author: Gemma Halliday
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Source: Personal Library
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Synopsis: Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren’t enough, now he’s depending on Hartley to clear his name.
But as much as Hartley wouldn’t mind seeing him squirm, she knows he’s innocent, and she’s the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school’s resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer’s next victim.
What I Loved: Oh my goodness! Hartley is an awesome narrator. She’s funny and smart. The best thing for me is that she has a sarcastic sense of humor. Hartley, despite being the victim, takes on her cheating ex-boyfriend’s case. Granted this helps her get closer to the hot goth bad boy, Chase. Chase helps Hartley work Josh’s case. He’s the school newspaper editor: he’s getting an exclusive. His help isn’t 100% selfless. 
While Deadly Cool contains murder, it isn’t a serious book at all. Gemma Halliday keeps it light, funny and hard to put down.
What I Could Have Lived Without: The only problem with a book being all light and funny is that the motive was almost comical. I do have to admit that I didn’t immediately know who the killer was but it did become kind of obvious. The big reveal just wasn’t there.
Recommended For: Readers looking for a good book that will make you laugh but not tax your brain.
Avoid If: You’re looking for a meatier read or enjoy your who-dun-its to be complex.
Other Reviews:
Amanda @ On a Book Bender
Ruby @ Ruby’s Reads
Candace @ Candace’s Book Blog
Amanda April 6, 2012 at 6:21 am
Glad you enjoyed this one! I love a good mystery, and the humor in this was fantastic!
OUAC_Stephanie April 8, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Hartley's snarky wit is what kept me glued to be honest. I just loved her personality. I'm very much looking forward to the second book's release later this month!
Tabitha @ Tabithas Book Blog April 6, 2012 at 7:32 pm
This book sounds great! I love a good mystery and the fact that this book won’t overwhelm me with emotional depth is good. Thanks for the great review!
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OUAC_Stephanie April 8, 2012 at 3:32 pm
I really hope you enjoy it! It's a light and fun read and I've found a new author to watch.
Alexa April 9, 2012 at 5:38 pm
I kept thinking that this one was going to be a less complex story and I guess I was right.
I have very little interest in this one but I might check it out one day from the library in order to see if this quick story is any good.
Thanks for the great review, I'm glad you liked it.
OUAC_Stephanie April 15, 2012 at 12:30 pm
I would definitely get it from your library if your unsure. It's a lot of fluff but sometimes as a reader you just need fluff.
Alexandra April 14, 2012 at 12:49 am
I loved this too – like you said, it's such a fun read, and I adored Sam – "OMG you touched a dead body!" And I can't wait to see more of Chase!
OUAC_Stephanie April 15, 2012 at 12:30 pm
So many one liners from that book. My favorite was from Hartley and something along the lines of "Yeah, seeing dead bodies turns me into a track star." Love it!