From the Publisher
"Laurie's debut for teens is quite an accomplishment...The character development is just as riveting as the plot in this well-constructed thriller."— Kirkus Reviews
"The novel packs in plenty of fast-paced, nail-biting fun, perfect for fans of Barnes' The Naturals series."— Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
"This excellent book is a must-have for all libraries, especially where suspense and teen-life fiction is hot. This novel will provide crossover appeal to both older teens and adults."— VOYA
School Library Journal - Audio
05/01/2015
Gr 8 Up—Maddie is a 16-year-old girl who sees specific death dates written on the foreheads of everyone she sees, whether in person, on television, or in photographs. After suffering the tragic loss of her father at a young age, Maddie and her mother eke out an existence in suburban New Jersey with Maddie doing "readings" for clients to supplement their income. But when children for whom Maddie has predicted the death date disappear, she becomes a prime suspect in the FBI's investigation. How can she prove that she wasn't involved in their deaths when she knew about them beforehand? The suspenseful plot is perfectly paced, the characters are well rounded, and the story line is unique. Narration, provided by Whitney Dykhouse, adds to the appeal of the novel with distinctive voices and lively inflection throughout. VERDICT A delightful listen overall, this audiobook is a great recommendation for reluctant readers as well as a strong new addition to any library, teen or adult.—Tara Hixon, Piedmont High School, OK
School Library Journal
11/01/2014
Gr 9 Up—Maddie has always seen the date people will die, but does not realize what she is seeing until one day, in first grade, her father is killed on a date she told him about two years prior. The tragedy sends Maddie's life spinning out of control: her mother can no longer function without alcohol, they leave the city to live in a small community, Maddie's ability challenges her facility to make friends, and her mother cannot hold down a job. They survive on her father's wrongful death settlement. Maddie, now 16, also makes ends meet by charging a small fee to tell people their death dates. A mother comes for a reading for her youngest son, but Maddie notices that the woman's older son will die in a week instead. The customer accuses Maddie of fraud. When the older boy goes missing a week later, FBI agents show up at the protagonist's school because they suspect Maddie and her best friend, Stubby, of foul play. Soon, more children go missing and turn up dead. This fast-paced story is a little far-fetched: the FBI agents arrest and badly beat Stubby, Maddie suffers unbelievable bullying from classmates and school administrators, all while her mother goes on drinking. At times, the teen seems younger than her years. The plot is filled with false turns, which will keep readers engaged until the surprising ending.—Lisa Nabel, Dayton Metro Library, OH
Kirkus Reviews
2014-10-01
If you could know the date of your death, would you? For Maddie, there's no choice: For her whole life, she's had the ability to see the date of anyone's death, hovering just over the forehead. But her gift hasn't helped her much—it didn't prevent her police-officer father from being killed in the line of duty, and it hasn't stopped her grief-stricken mother from descending into alcoholism. Now, Maddie does her best to blend in, uses her ability to make some extra money for herself and her mother, and spends time with her best friend, Stubs. But then a client's son disappears and is later found dead on the date that Maddie predicted he would die. Suspicion falls squarely on Maddie, especially when another teenager is murdered in similar fashion—and Stubs becomes caught up in the investigation too. The tension inexorably mounts as Maddie faces heartbreaking choices. Readers will root for Maddie not only to find the killer, but to gain a little happiness, too. Laurie's debut for teens is quite an accomplishment: Maddie's voice rings true, and her character development is handled well. Some adult characters are less well-rounded, yet the compelling plot overcomes these flaws. The character development is just as riveting as the plot in this well-constructed thriller. (Paranormal thriller. 12-18)
