Customer Reviews

The Truth Trap

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"The Truth Trap" is one of the best young adult novels of the last decade. A hard-hitting look at the pain and suffering of Matt McKendrick, the novel shows his attempt to survive the murder of his sister. Adding to that difficulty is the fact that he is the police's primary suspect! Having taught this book for a number of years, I can tell you that the scene in jail is enough to convince any male teenager not to commit a crime; it's unforgettable. Matt is a survivor, however, and he fights back against the loss of his sister and his reputation. An excellent page-turner, "The Truth Trap" will keep you up at night until you finish. My sole warning to the reader: there are three sequels, and the murder mystery is not solved at the end of the first novel (which sometimes angers my students, until I tell them that the sequels are in our school library!).

I first read this book about five or six years ago and loved it. My friends bought me the sequels, and they're great, too. ("Aren't You the One Who...?", "Losers and Winners", and "Cutting Loose"). I've reread "The Truth Trap" a few times, always looking in the library for it, and I'm finally going to buy it now. Amazingly, each time I read it I find something new: another nuance, another aspect of emotion. Miller is a great author, giving the reader deep looks into the characters' personalities and emotions. Her plots are unbeatable for excitement and interest. Having read each of the four books about Matt McKendrick a few times, I still find myself getting teary-eyed. Sometimes I just skim the book, looking for all the good parts (many per book). I strongly recommend these books!

Matt McKendrick is without a doubt one of the best characters I have ever met in the pages of a novel. He is so real. Frances Miller is an amazing writer. Her books are exciting, funny, sad. After reading her books (The Truth Trap is the first of a four-part series) you walk away with new friends.

I first read this series of books when I was in high school. I've probably read them four or fives times since then. I highly recommend them for adults as well as young adults.

The Truth Trap was one of my favorite books as a teenager. From the very beginning the reader is drawn into Matt's story, rooting for him all the way. The trilogy is well worth the read, but reader/parents beware: there is a gang rape scene when Matt is in prison. It is not terribly graphic, but may raise questions in more naive kids.

I was first introduced to this book way back in junior high. It soon became a favorite and I borrowed it from our school library numerous times. Eventually it was so worn out it was discarded and given to me. My copy got worn out and taped together after many reads. I finally was given the chance to replace my copy with this new release. I love the style of the printing. It seems to glow off the page. A great re-release for a great novel!

Facing the threat of possible separation after the deaths of their parents, 15-year-old Matt McKendrick flees his tiny Idaho ranching community with his deaf younger sister Katie. Once they hit Los Angeles, however, Matt quickly learns that he never anticipated how hard life in a major city might be.

Leaving Katie in an abandoned theatre as he searches for work, Matt returns to discover Katie's been murdered...and *he* is the primary suspect! In a place where no one knows him, Matt struggles to clear his name -- a daunting task, with most of the LAPD believing he is guilty, and the media creating a public frenzy.

With the encouragement of his partner Tony Prado -- and his own family -- Lt. Les Ryder slowly learns to look past Matt's tough, angry exterior and become acquainted with the teenager inside. He begins to think that maybe, just maybe, Matt is telling the truth...

The Truth Trap is about a sad family. Two kids are on thier own. This book shows how Matt, the teenager in the book, is really dedicated to his family. His younger sister, Katie is deaf. Matt took care of Katie after their parents dies in a car accident. People tried to separate them so they run away to stay together. I wish that Katie had lived. Matt went to a lot of struggles to get the family that he is with now to trust him. All in all this is a good book.