Deadly Cool (Hartley Featherstone) [Paperback]

Gemma Halliday (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 11, 2011 | Series: Hartley Featherstone

First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?

As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.

I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Merry and often suspenseful. A pleasant, funny, chick-lit mystery.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Halliday has her finger on the pulse of high-schoolers, whether goth, jock, prude, or computer nerd. With red herrings aplenty and a wicked pace, this relentlessly pulls the reader along to anexplosive conclusion.” (Booklist )

“This fun and outrageous mystery is a perfect mix of humor and horror that will have readers laughing while they try to figure out ‘whodunit.’ ” (School Library Journal )

“Halliday effectively combines a murder mystery with daily high school drama. Sharp humor is layered throughout the novel (fans of Veronica Mars will likely appreciate this one).” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) )

“Gemma Halliday delivers a fun, sassy read that has you turning pages so fast, you’ll be breathless.” (C.C. Hunter, author of Born at Midnight )

About the Author

When Gemma Halliday was sixteen she wanted to be either a rock star or Marilyn Monroe. Instead, she ended up working as a film extra, a teddy bear importer, a department store administrator, a preschool teacher, a temporary-tattoo artist, and a 900-number psychic before settling on the career of author. Since then, her books have been published in several countries, optioned for television, and have won lots of cool, shiny trophies, including a National Readers' Choice Award and three RITA nominations. Gemma now lives in the San Francisco Bay area, where she loves watching reality TV shows, eating takeout pizza, and shoe shopping. She is also the author of Deadly Cool.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; Original edition (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062003313
• ISBN-13: 978-0062003317
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #781,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In her previous life, Gemma worked in such diverse jobs as a film and television actress, a teddy bear importer, a department store administrator, a preschool teacher, a temporary tattoo artist, and a 900 number psychic. Luckily, she sold her first book, Spying in High Heels, in 2005, ending her string of eclectic employment.

Since then, Gemma has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a National Reader's Choice award and three RITA nominations. She now makes her home in the San Francisco Bay area, where she is hard at work on her next book.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#40 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#42 in Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

#55 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#67 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#40 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Suspense

#42 in Books > Romance > Romantic Suspense

#55 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery

#67 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Cool Fun! October 11, 2011

By Andrea Thompson

Format:Paperback

I'm smiling right now. I know, you can't see me. But trust me, I am. The reason for the big smile? This book, Deadly Cool. Based on the cover, which I adore, and the synopsis, you might think Deadly Cool to be a dark, serious book. And I'll admit, there are aspects to the book that are dark and serious. Such as, cheating boyfriends, murder, and a killer on the loose. But author Gemma Halliday told the story with a droll, quick-witted tone that absolutely knocked the ball out of the park.

I'll admit, it helps that Deadly Cool was exactly the type of book I was in the mood for. Young Adult, contemporary, non-paranormal was what the reading-doctor ordered. I knew I was in for a delicious treat when I read the opening lines:

"There are three things you never want to find in your boyfriend's locker: a sweaty jockstrap,a D
minus on last week's history test, and an empty condom wrapper. Lucky me, I'd hit the trifecta."

And, thankfully, the entire book was able to maintain that tone. It was packed full with witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud situations.

Deadly Cool has an easy to read, conversational tone. I felt like I was a participant in the action. Halliday did an immense job of lending main character, Hartley, and the other teens, non-irritating, engaging voices. Well, except for a couple of the girls. But they were supposed to be irritating! There wasn't a single character in the story that wasn't spot-on, well written. The cheating boyfriend, Josh, is shockingly likeable. Like Hartley, I knew I should despise him, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for the poor guy. I suppose it helps that he is descibed as looking very much like Zac Efron. And as much as I adore Josh, I have a thing for unconventional book guys. Like Chase, Hartley's partner in crime solving. He's cool, wears black-on-black-on-black a lot, has messy hair and sly comebacks. Perfect.

Deadly Cool was a pleasant surprise. I thought I would most likely enjoy it. I loved it. I read within a few hours time, dying to know who did the deed. This book was a fun, breezy read. A stand-alone that could easily be a series. And, Wow, I hope Halliday does give us more Hartley, soon!

Favorite Quote:

"Whether it was the chamomile or the good long cry or the fact that Chase was once again speaking to
me, I had a little spring in my step as I walked to second period, only five minutes late. I might
be a leper, but I was a leper with a clue."

* I received Deadly Cool from Harper Teen, in exchange for an honest review. *

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely enjoyable, fun and thrilling! April 27, 2012

By Evie Seo (Bookish blog)

Format:Paperback

320 pages of pure fun and entertainment - Deadly Cool is a pretty cool book indeed. It's a teen murder mystery told with a surprising lightness and sprinkled with some seriously hilarious teenage humor. Fast-paced and riveting, this book will both chill you and make you laugh out loud!

The story kicks-off with Hartley discovering a condom wrapper in her boyfriend's locker (FYI, Hart is still a virgin). And I know what you're thinking, but well, it's not for the school project about reproduction ;) All of a sudden the rumors about Josh hooking up with the president of the Chastity club (Courtney Cline) are starting to make sense. Sorry to burst your bubble, Hart! Denial aside, she decides to confront her boyfriend and find out what the hell is going on. Together with her best friend, Sam, Hartley heads over to Josh's house, but instead of answers, she finds Courtney's dead body. Now, Josh might not be an exemplary boyfriend, but Harley's convinced that he's not a killer. A lying scumbag - yes, but he just doesn't have it in him to strangle someone with the cord of her iPod earbuds. But if Josh didn't kill the staying-a-virgin queen, then who did? And why?

I had a lot of fun reading this book. In fact, it took me just a few hours to finish it and these were hours well invested. It was a relaxing and enjoyable read. Now, I know this might sound weird. After all it's a murder mystery, there are dead bodies involved, a killer on the loose and at least a couple of really dangerous situations. But at the same time, the MC's narrative voice was extremely amusing and I was often cracking up at all the silly things she said/thought. It was so high-school-drama at times, it felt like reading some sort of dark and twisted version of Gossip Girl. And I do enjoy Gossip Girl. Throw in a vicious killer and it only gets better.

As much as I enjoyed the plot and the humor, I found it hard to connect with the main character. Maybe it's the personality. If I'd be the one betrayed by someone I loved and trusted, I wouldn't probably find it in me to try and help that person, I wouldn't protect him and risk my own life to prove his innocence. Hell no! There would be way more butt-kicking and less talking and tongue-biting involved! And a whole lot of really bad words, not necessarily censored. I really couldn't relate to Hartley being so understanding and forgiving. So OK she didn't quite forgive him, they didn't get back together, but still.. They guy cheated on you and then lied about it, show some real emotions, girl!

Chase, on the other hand, was a fantastic supporting character. Mysterious, hot, funny, a little bit on the darker side, with a light touch of eyeliner to make him even more unique and swoon-worthy! Sam's a great chick, too! She was a true friend, a little bit over-the-top drama queen (in a cute way) at times, but at the same time fully supportive of Hartley and ready to be her accomplice anytime she needed one. These three made a fab team and it was really fun to follow their adventures.

Overall, this was a deliciously entertaining read. One combining delirious humor and a seriously thrilling murder mystery. Gemma Halliday's writing was exquisite, the storyline she created - clever and brilliant. I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm really glad that this wasn't a stand-alone novel. Can't wait to read the sequel!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Cool, A BookBandit Review May 2, 2012

By N., The BookBandit

Format:Paperback

Hartley Featherstone is having one of those days where everything seems to go wrong. When she gets to school she finds that her relationship with boyfriend Josh has been circulating throughout the rumor mill of Herbert Hoover High School. Word in the halls is that Josh cheated on her with head of the chastity club, Courtney.

At first she doesn't readily believe the rumors. But when she finds an empty condom wrapper buried deep between books and jock straps, but not deep enough to dig out, she knows in her heart of hearts that the rumors were right.

Hurt and embarrassed, Hartley enlists best friend Sam to confront boyfriend, or rather ex-boyfriend Josh. But when they break into Josh's house they don't find Josh. Instead, they find Courtney - dead in Josh's closet.

From the apparent evidence all fingers point to Josh. But Hartley knows that he didn't, wouldn't, couldn't do such a thing. Cheating on her was one thing, killing someone was entirely something else. So when Josh reaches out to her, she takes the biggest risk, and decides to help prove his innocence.

But if Josh is really innocent, how many people will have to die to prove it?

Deadly Cool written by author Gemma Halliday is a fast paced read that mystery and non-mystery fans will flock to. Not only is it full of foreboding mystery (obviously), but there's quick and catchy dialog, characters that are believable, and even the slightest spark of a charming romance.

Now I've only read a few mysteries in my reading lifetime, but Deadly cool seemed like it wasn't your typical mystery. Sure there were twists and turns, chapter endings that won't just leave readers hanging from a metaphorical cliff but will leave them slack-jawed, and some genuinely creepy moments. So what makes this mystery so atypical? For one thing there was a certain lightness to it. It has some real laugh out loud moments. For example when main character Hartley finds herself squeezed tightly under hottie Chases's bed - while he's undressing.

Secondly, main character Hartley is charming . She's smart, sometimes snarky, and an all time terrible liar, which makes for some real life blunders. Hartley is very reminiscent of famed girl detective Nancy Drew. She has a real knack of solving the case while getting herself into some hot water situations.

Halliday's writing is strong and engaging. By the time readers reach the end, they'll be craving more. And luckily, there's another Hartley filled murder mystery on the horizon (Social Suicide, Book 2 of the Deadly Cool Series comes out April 2012). It doesn't really matter if you are or aren't a mystery fan/reader, all that matters is that there is something with in Deadly Cool's* pages that readers will genuinely love.