Reviews

My Murder Year by Kate Larkindale

chrisseyb's review

emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

My Murder Year 

By:  Kate Larkindale

This is a fantastic YA Mystery that reads quickly and has an amazing depth to its character development.  Stas has found herself in a very interesting situation when she finds her mother unable to care for her.  However, this is where the story really begins.  She has so many people who want to take care of her, however, there is really only one that she desires to live with.  But at this point, there are so many different opinions and she doesn’t know who to trust who is even looking out for her best interests.  This is such an amazing, interesting read.  I definitely recommend picking it up! 

jemery07's review

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

My heart was invested in Stas and her story from the beginning. The battling internal feelings surrounding dance and her divorced parents were relatable and well described. She feels most connected to the woman that will soon be her step-mom, but has been her Mama for the majority of her life. Hearing her dad and his church talk poorly about same-sex couples makes her obviously frustrated as she knows first hand what it is like to have 2 loving Moms.
When her Mom is murdered and she is then stuck between who will care for her, all her emotions are frozen. None of the options feel right, being back with her Mom in their home is what felt right but that is no longer an option.
Que in Zane, who is mature beyond his years and dealing with his own demons. A voice of reason as well as a shoulder to cry on, he’s amazing.

This is so well written it transports you right into Stas’ life.

ashleynichole1021's review

emotional tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Wow this book had me in my feelings. The devastation and heartache! I felt it. The story captivated me in the best way and I simply couldn’t put this down. Had me on edge and guessing till the last page! I highly encourage you to check this book out. Beautifully written with amazing characters and plot!

tytanmom23's review

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

My Murder Year by Kate Larkindale. This is a very emotional mystery that revolves around a 17 year old named Anastasia who goes by Stas. She lives with her mom and momma K who is her mom's partner. She rotates weekends with her dad so she and her brother Teddy stay with him every other weekend. Her best friend is Irena and like most 17 year olds they sneak out every now and then to go to a party. She can't get away with it at her moms but her dad's is a different story. When her Mom and Momma K's wedding coming up Stas can't find her mom and goes to look for her. She finds her mom alright but she's dead and she will never forget it. Not only is her mom dead but her dad is the key suspect. Now relatives Stas has never even met from Russia come to take her to live with them. Stas feels like her life has been turned upside down. I read this book so fast. I didn't want to put it down. Its such a great young adult/LGBTQ read. Its very emotional as well so be prepared. 

meggs1717's review

fast-paced

4.0

This is a great YA mystery that will keep you on your toes and turning the pages. We follow Stas, who has help from her friend Jonny, as she tries to solve a string of murders that have taken place over that past year. Stas is a high school student who is going to be a bridesmaid in her mother's upcoming wedding...that is until she finds her mother dead. We follow her journey of not only trying to find who has done this to her mother (as well as trying prove that Mama K...her mother's long-time partner...didn't do it) but also Stas finding herself along the way. This is really fast-paced, keeps your attention, and the characters are so well-developed (I love that!) and relatable. YA or not, this is a great read!

aylaphipps's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Devastation. Suspense. This is the first work I have read by the incredible Kate Larkindale, and honestly her skill left me devastated at so many points. Several chapters were read through nonstop tears as I devoured this mystery in hopes of a happy ending of some kind. 

Anastasia Nonu goes by Stas, she is seventeen and lives with her mom, mama K (mom’s long-term partner) and Teddy, her little brother. She seemed to be finding acceptance in her life with things she couldn’t change while also finding moments for herself, such as going to her dads for a bimonthly visit but sneaking out to a party with her best friend. Irena Varushkin is her Russian ballerina mother, who teaches classes out of her studio behind their home. Tusi Nonu is her Samoan father that owns a theatre across town and is a contemporary dancer. While their love story started with sparks it ended in a fire that led to them splitting after five years when Stas was only four. With Mom and Mama K’s wedding days away, things were getting stressful. A great day asked out by the cute boy, Zane, at the party last weekend ends in devastation when Stas realizes her mother hadn’t come back inside yet from her “workout” in the studio. In search of her mother before K and Teddy returned home from scouts leads her to the scar of a lifetime and beyond. The only thing worse than finding her mother’s body, being told she would be taken from the only true family she had left by “blood” relatives she had never met or rarely seen. Her only light in all her darkness and grief is Zane but what’s his story? 

Who is responsible for her mother’s murder? Her father sees her mom’s relationship is a sin, could he really be behind this? While the world is ours the diversity of the characters is beautiful to mentally picture. Stas is Russian mother and Samoan father, while she mostly takes after her father, she has her mother’s Russian bone structure with her father’s beautiful skin. Teddy is Mama K’s; she is Korean and used a Slavic sperm-donor, so he resembles her mom Irena also to be “their son”. While Teddy has his mother’s Korean features such as eyes and skin tone, he has the Slavic soft blonde hair and blue eyes. Their family truly sounds beautiful with such unique diversity within it. As mentioned above I did bawl like a baby in several parts and for several chapters as I have experienced the unrelenting grief of loss, not with my mother but my Irish twin brother. The author’s ability to capture so much pain and emotion leaves your heart rung out on the floor as you gasp for air and fight through each page hooked by the words and begging for answers to soothe the pain. I certainly will be keeping an eye out for more of Kate’s work, her talent is stunning and all-consuming. 

tarajohnson's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

5.0

 

My Murder Year is a YA LGBTQ book full of loss, grief, angst, family drama, suspense, intrigue, and ultimately love. The story centers around the character of teenager Stas who has suffered a lot at the tender age of seventeen. When she discovers her mother’s dead body her life goes into a tailspin. Stas’ father becomes the prime suspect and family members that Stas has never met are determined that she comes to live with each of them. A tug-of-war ensues and family drama escalates as the custody battle over young Stas rages on between them. Uncertain who to trust Stas turns to her new friend Zane for support and comfort as she navigates through her grief. She must also try to figure out who really killed her mother. This was a poignant and emotional tale of overcoming loss and the struggles of adolescence that will leave you reaching for the box of kleenex. The characters were relatable and Stas was someone that I immediately felt a connection to. This book took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and my heart broke for Stas. I highly recommend this book. 

bilberrysweet's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

This is a refreshing YA novel with an alternative family unit and a young lady who isn't picture perfect. The dialogue between the mother and daughter feels as if a teenager is speaking through the text. The plot pulls you in as a reader to find out what happens next. The angst of going through teenage years will have you following Stas on an emotional roller coaster ride. Finding your mother murdered and having your father as the suspect would be enough to drive anyone over the edge. Death, grief, pain, and loss full this story but so does love.

jennadb's review

4.0

Author Kate Larkindale brings us an emotional YA LGBTQ tale, My Murder Year. 

This contemporary romance is full of suspense, tension, angst and drama, family agenda’s, dilemmas and complications. 

At seventeen Stas has experienced more than anyone her age should. She should be enjoying life and its new discoveries when going from a teenager to a YA. Dealing with the hardship of finding oneself during teenage years is enough but unfortunately, tragedy has struck, and she is in danger of losing it all.

It is an emotionally charged tale of loneliness, confusion and overcoming loss and staying with true family and the struggles place upon her. This tale is an emotional rollercoaster as it deals with the complexities of death and grief, pain and loss. 

The adults in Sta’s life think they know best so she has to be careful about who she trusts and what they truly mean for her. What are their agenda’s?

Grab a copy to find out what happens to Stas.

shellyk51's review

challenging emotional medium-paced

4.0

 This is a very interesting story with many twists and turns. I like that so the story had me right from the beginning. Stas has many choices and not many that she wants. It's interesting to follow and see what happens and the outcome. I found the writing perfect for the teen/YA category. They'll relate well. The characters kept me entertained and I think they'll be relatable to the younger ones too. It's a fun mystery to figure out.