Book Review: FAMOUS LAST WORDS

FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Katie Alender

"Hollywood Can Be Murder"

From Goodreads:
Hollywood history, mystery, murder, mayhem, and delicious romance collide in this unputdownable thriller from master storyteller Katie Alender.

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.

Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem -- and the movies.

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REVIEW:

I received an ARC of FAMOUS LAST WORDS for review from Scholastic.

I was a bit freaked out at first about the possibility of a ghost story but I really loved the idea of a murder mystery taking place in Hollywood, so I jumped into the book but kept the lights ON. (I'm a 'fraidy cat.) OH. MY. WORD. I totally loved the setting and the characters from the get-go. I was pulled into the mystery surrounding the serial killer terrorizing Hollywood. I read the book in one evening because I couldn't put it down.

Willa, the main character, is not completely broken so as to annoy the reader at the beginning of the story. She is so strong but locked up behind her walls of hurt. I loved seeing her grow as the story developed. **No spoilers** but I LOVED seeing her at the end of the book when she gets to be the heroine of her own story.

The creepy ghost part is only mildly scary (no nightmares, here!) and adds a lot to the story, especially the old Hollywood movie star connection.

Recommended for: murder mystery fans, ghost story fans, YA fiction fans.

(A bonus for younger readers/clean reads - no bad language or bedroom scenes.)


Available from Scholastic Books
Publication Date: September 20, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-545-63997-2
Also available as an ebook