Confessions (Private) [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Kate Brian (Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2010 | Series: Private (Book 4)

Sometimes the truth hurts.... Reed Brennan came to superposh Easton Academy to make a brand new life for herself. At first it seemed as though her dream had come true-she was living in the ultraexclusive Billings Hall, hanging out with the all-powerful Billings Girls, and dating the very hot Thomas Pearson. But Thomas turned out to be different from what she thought...and then he turned up dead. And if that wasn't twisted enough, Reed's new boyfriend, Josh Hollis, was arrested for Thomas's murder.Now everyone is back to worrying about the regular stuff, like how to sneak to the boys' dorms at night, whether two-ply cashmere is warm enough for fall, and whether to fly to London or Barcelona for Thanksgiving break.Everyone except for Reed.Reed is convinced that Josh is innocent, which means the killer is still out there. Now it's up to Reed to uncover the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more secrets she unearths and the closer she gets to the confession that will change everything...if she's alive to hear it.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—This fourth entry in the series jumps right into action as one of the "Billings Girls" watches her current boyfriend being hauled away for the murder of her former one. Though Reed Brenner lives in the prestigious Billings Hall and is best friends with the top group, she is not like the other girls. For one thing, she's a scholarship student and for another, she believes Josh is innocent. While the rest of the school tries to figure out ways to party off campus, Reed becomes obsessed with finding the real killer. She discovers an ill-advised affair, a jealous debutante, and more secrets than money at Easton Academy. The novel is a quick read, complete with plenty of pop-culture references. The suspense grows along with Reed's paranoia. Much of the tension comes from the protagonist's relationship with the Queen Bee, Noelle. She doesn't trust her but is drawn to her nonetheless. Readers will feel the same way. Give this book to teens who want light reading and a little mystery.—Sadie Mattox, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Kieran Scott writes under the pen name Kate Brian, whose best-known books are The Princess and the Pauper, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys, The Virginity Club, Sweet 16, Fake Boyfriend, and the prolific Private series. Several books in the Private series have been on the New York Times children's bestseller list as well as the USA Today bestseller list. Cassandra Campbell has recorded nearly two hundred audio books and directed many more. She has been nominated for and won multiple Audie Awards, as well as the prestigious Odyssey Award. She has received numerous starred audio reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal as well as thirteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. Cassandra was also named a Best Voice by AudioFile for 2009 and 2010.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Tantor Media; Unabridged,Library - Unabridged CD edition (May 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400142342
• ISBN-13: 978-1400142347
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

More About the Author

I am a total Jersey girl. I grew up in Bergen County, went to Rutgers University, lived in Hoboken for a year (requisite post-college party time) and then moved back to Bergen, got married, and bought a house ten minutes from where I grew up. I graduated from Rutgers with a double major in English and Journalism, worked as an Editor for four years, then decided I liked writing better and struck out on my own. You've been reading my books ever since!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprise ending! ***slight spoilering***, April 28, 2007

By 

*Caligirl_08* (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Confessions (Private, Book 4) (Paperback)

This is book 4 of the Private series. At the end it's confirmed that there will be a book 5 so even though the ***SPOILER***Thomas mystery is finally resolved Reed's adventures at Billings and Easton will still continue (thankfully!)

I don't want to reveal the ending but I will say regarding the identity/ies of ***SPOILER***Thomas's murder, I kinda saw it coming but was still shocked at the same time. I was pretty set in thinking one person did it, but it turned out to be a twist down a road I never thought the author would take! I won't ruin it for you, you'll have to find out for yourself! You won't be disappointed, I started this book at around midnight planning to read a few chapters before going to sleep and ended up staying up all night to finish it!

Another awesome highlight was Noelle finally getting served by an unlikely minor character who ended up being a major player and rival later on.

if you're a fan of the series, you'll definitely not be disappointed.

However, if you are bothered by plots that involve high school students and murder, this is a book to avoid.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply irresistible..., May 23, 2007

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confessions (Private, Book 4) (Paperback)

Fifteen-year-old sophomore, Reed Brennan, used to spend her days contemplating how, exactly, she would manage to escape her tiny hometown of Croton, Pennsylvania, along with her highly dysfunctional family. But now, after almost an entire semester of rubbing elbows with the young, beautiful, and elite at the prestigious Easton Academy, Reed has begun to wonder whether her old life was truly as horrible as she originally thought. Since her arrival at Easton not four months ago, Reed has found herself on a tumultuous roller coaster ride full of varying emotions, and a handful of tragedies that have left her perpetually scarred mentally, physically, and emotionally. Her acceptance into the ultra-exclusive Billings Hall dorm gave Reed the feeling of finally being accepted. But after a series of hazing activities, she began to wonder if being friends with the all-powerful Billings Girls was really as crucial as she believed. Of course, the answer to that was quite simple - yes. Once the hazing was complete, Reed found herself fully immersed in the Billings way of life, and loved the envy she saw in people's eyes when she entered the cafeteria surrounded by Noelle, Kiran, Taylor, and Ariana. It didn't hurt matters much that Reed was also the girlfriend of the totally handsome Thomas Pearson. But after a bumpy few weeks with Thomas, Reed was forced to come to terms with the fact that Thomas wasn't who she thought he was. In fact, he was something completely different. But all that doesn't matter anymore, for he turned up dead, leaving her free to do as she pleases. And what she wanted, oddly enough, was Thomas' best friend, Josh Hollis. Josh isn't like the other Easton boys. He's sensitive, kind, caring, and handsome all rolled into one. Reed is only too happy to make Josh her boyfriend. But once the deed is done, things take a turn for the worse, for Josh is hauled into the Easton Police Department, and charged with the murder of Thomas. Reed knows more than anyone that Josh had nothing to do with Thomas' untimely demise, and will do anything to clear his name. Unfortunately, Reed appears to be the only Easton student interested in saving Josh from his current predicament. While everyone else begins planning their Thanksgiving trips to Barcelona or Christmas getaways to London, Reed knows that the most exciting thing she can expect from the holidays is being picked-up in a station wagon and dragged back to Croton to force-feed cranberry sauce to her pill popping mother. Casting her holiday woes aside, Reed throws herself full-force into proving Josh's innocence to everyone around her - including the police. But the more digging she does to clear Josh's name, the more dirt she uncovers about the people she's considered her friends since day one. Dirt that gets Reed closer and closer to the truth that she's been searching for, for so long. But before she has the chance to hear the confessions that have remained hidden since Thomas's body was discovered, Reed will have to protect herself. For if she's not careful, she may just find herself six feet under before the semester is over.

Taylor Bell's departure in the previous PRIVATE installment, UNTOUCHABLE, seemed like a small change in the series; but her absence leaves quite a storm in her wake, and is felt fairly profoundly within the pages of CONFESSIONS. Since her disappearance, a schism has formed between the Billings Girls that only grows larger as the days go by, resulting in a separation of cliques. On one side there's Noelle, Kiran, and Ariana. On the other, there's Reed - who seems to have finally come to realize that the Billings Girls don't have the final say regarding each and every one of her actions - Natasha, and newcomer Cheyenne - an unlikely character whom we meet for the first time in CONFESSIONS. Cheyenne is clever, cunning, and brave enough to face-off against Noelle any time - day or night. While she oft-times sticks out like a sore thumb - in a good way - her quick rivalry with Noelle, sharp tongue, and ability to wrap just about anyone - male, female, student, or teacher - around her finger make her a major player who will certainly step up to the forefront in future installments - or so we can hope. It's refreshing to see that Reed has begun to think for herself, and put some distance between her and the Billings Girls; yet one can't help but feel unsurprised that her newfound bravery and confidence has put her in danger of coming face to face with an early grave. Kate Brian has cast a somber pall over the Easton campus; but her descriptive writing, and beautiful, affluent backdrop work hand in hand to create an intriguing tale that readers can't help but devour word for word. The contrast of murder and mystery, paired with the lifestyles of the rich and the famous work together to weave a juicy story. But it is the wide array of controversial characters - whom you simultaneously love and hate - that keep you coming back for more. The abundance of disappearances, illicit romances, scandals, and blackmail don't hurt much either. While the previous PRIVATE novels lay the groundwork, with CONFESSIONS, Brian begins to show different sides of her cast that spell revelations for the very near future, making the reader question, yet eagerly anticipate her next move. Another amazing piece to the puzzle that won't be easily forgotten. Simply irresistible...

Erika Sorocco

Freelance Reviewer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Private Book that is a Pleasure to Read, July 23, 2010

By 

Teen Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions: The Web Series (Private Novels) (Paperback)

Confessions continues the intrique at Reed's private school. Now her new boyfriend Josh is under suspicions for murdering her former boyfriend. Reed is determined to find the real killer while her Billings friends are planning their next big trip. Engaging light read for girls, the book is the right length, and this book had me wanting to read the next book.