If Anything Happens To Me

by Luanne Rice

Overview

Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen McManus, this heart-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice follows two girls on the hunt for a murderer who's still on the loose.

A Washington Post Best Book of Fall 2024!

It's been eight months since the body of Eloise Parrish was found in the woods.

Eloise's surviving sister, Oli, is numb with grief and shock. But Oli's also angry. Her sister's killer was never identified or caught. There are no leads, no clues. The case is growing cold, and only Oli seems to care.

Until Oli finds another girl left for dead, in the exact spot Eloise's body was found. Except this girl is alive. She can't remember how she got there, but Oli knows that she's the key to solving Eloise's murder.

The two girls join forces to unravel a mystery that is all too real — and all too dangerous. As their search leads them around Oli's seemingly idyllic hometown and into the paths of people Oli knows well, Oli begins to wonder who she can trust... and how much she'll risk to learn the terrifying truth.

New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice delivers a tour-de-force thriller, full of breathtaking writing and heart-pounding suspense, about sisters, secrets, and the lengths we're willing to go to for those we love the most.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338739534
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/17/2024
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Luanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of 35 novels, which have been translated into 25 languages. The author of Dream Country, Beach Girls, The Secret Language of Sisters, and others, Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor's Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category. Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television, including Crazy in Love for TNT, Blue Moon for CBS, Follow the Stars Home and Silver Bells for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, and Beach Girls for Lifetime. Rice is an avid environmentalist and advocate for families affected by domestic violence. She divides her time between New York City and Old Lyme, Connecticut. Visit her online at luannerice.net.

Date of Birth:

September 25, 1955

Place of Birth:

New Britain, CT

Editorial Reviews

06/24/2024

Supernatural elements heighten the tension of this predictable mystery thriller by Rice (Last Night, for adults). In the small town of Black Hall, Conn., teenage Oli Parrish’s beloved younger sister Eloise is found dead and buried in a shallow grave in the nearby woods. Eight months later, no suspect has been identified in her death. On a visit to the crime scene, Oli discovers another girl has been buried there—only this time, the victim is still alive. Oli learns her name is Iris and that she has no memory of her past. Soon, however, details emerge: she and her sister Hayley were both kidnapped and locked in an attic, where Hayley is still held prisoner. Certain Iris and Eloise’s situations are related, Oli and Iris endeavor to investigate, free Hayley, and capture the perpetrator. Joined by Oli’s crush Matt, the girls follow clues to Miramar, an old Victorian hotel. The appearance of three ghostly figures dressed in white, a sick girl with a rare disease, and mysterious occult practices add texture; confidently wielded language and smooth plotting are a testament to Rice’s expertise, making for a fast and enjoyable read. Most characters are white. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for If Anything Happens To Me:

"Rice's eerie page-turner of a mystery is propelled not only by the tense plot but by the girls' relationship... Surprising twists, secret histories, and uncanny atmosphere await readers in this immersive thriller that emphasizes the importance of speaking out when others are getting hurt, especially if staying silent could lead to tragedy." —Booklist

"In the latest from bestseller Rice, a teen searches for her sister's killer with the help of his latest victim... A fast-paced thriller with particular appeal for fans of nature and family stories." —Kirkus Reviews

"A fast-paced tale of two loves—one true, one toxic—that will have readers racing to the final page. Luanne Rice always delivers!" —Tami Hoag, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"No one writes sisters like Luanne Rice, and in If Anything Happens to Me, she gives us an unforgettable heroine who will stop at nothing to avenge her sister's murder. These characters are vivid and real, the plot shocking and unflinching, as she reveals the truth of human nature and the raw courage of sisterhood." —Iris Johansen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"If Anything Happens to Me is many things—a twisting mystery, a vivid portrayal of New England, a story about grief and loss—but at its heart, it's a book about the unique love between sisters, a bond that transcends death and lasts forever. As Oli searches for the truth about her beloved sister Eloise's disappearance, she is never alone—Eloise may be gone, but somehow she is still with oli every step of the way as only a sister can be. The book's pulse-quickening mystery as well as its moving portrayal of a sister's love have stayed with me since the final page." —Alyssa Sheinmel, New York Times bestselling author of A Danger to Herself and The Castle School for Troubled Girls

Praise for Pretend She's Here:

"This riveting novel will dazzle you with its suspense and twists — and most of all its deep emotional truths." — Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Home

"Gripping and chilling and hard to look away from." — Lucy Christopher, author of the Printz Honor Book Stolen

"Lots of twists and turns occur leading up to the thrilling climax and denouement. The author's excellent, vivid writing style and extremely captivating plotting will immerse teens... A must-purchase for all YA collections." — School Library Journal

"This psychological thriller studies the depths of grief... intriguing." — Kirkus Reviews

"Reading like Emma Donoghue's Room with a YA twist, Rice's latest doesn't disappoint." — Booklist

From the Publisher

10/04/2024

Gr 8 Up—Oli Parrish, soon to be a junior in high school, has been through the unimaginable. Her only sister, Eloise, was murdered and found half-buried in the same spot where they used to share so many happy memories. Eight months later, with still no lead on who murdered her sister, it happens again. Oli stumbles upon another victim, in the same place her sister was killed—only this time, she is still alive. This mysterious girl has a concussion and very little memory of what happened to her. She only has a deep sense of danger and the conviction that something bad will happen if they go to the police. Desperate for answers, Oli helps this mysterious girl to recover her memories, in hopes it will finally lead to answers about what happened to her sister. Rice delivers a YA thriller with no detailed romantic encounters (although there is a love interest) and no gore. The dialogue is lengthy but engaging, and all characters are relatable and well-developed. However, the mystery is brought to a close quite early on, resulting in several chapters used for wrapping up character arcs. Readers may feel satisfied with the resolution but unsatisfied with the lack of suspense. VERDICT Hand this to fans of Karen M. McManus or students looking for a thrill without the gore. Recommended as an additional purchase.—Ashley Grillo

School Library Journal

2024-06-15
In the latest from bestseller Rice, a teen searches for her sister’s killer with the help of his latest victim.

It’s been eight months since Oli’s sister, Eloise, was murdered, and the police still haven’t found her killer. Keen naturalist Oli takes solace in spending time outdoors alone and with her friends from the school nature club, including her crush, Matt. While she’s visiting the site where Eloise’s body was found by some hikers, Oli ends up rescuing Iris, a girl who’s been buried alive in the same location. Iris’ memory is spotty, but she knows that the kidnapper still has her sister, Hayley, and that he’ll kill her if they go to the police. So the girls team up to find Eloise’s killer and rescue Hayley themselves, traveling along the Connecticut shoreline. Along the way, they find connections to the ghostly Sibylline sisters, who allegedly were oracles nearly a century ago. After a leisurely start, the plot ratchets up to breakneck speed. The killer’s unusual motive, ample information about the flora and fauna of southern New England, and a whisper of the supernatural all add interest to this story about the power of sisterhood. Main characters present white.

A fast-paced thriller with particular appeal for fans of nature and family stories.(Thriller. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews