Chapter by Chapter

I felt like a true Nancy Drew while I was reading Circle of Silence by Carol M. Tanzman…minus the actual grunt work. Ok, ok…more like a behind the scenes Nancy Drew…Beginning senior year, main protagonist, Valerie Gaines, is planning to finish of her high school Media career as Producer of Campus News. Luckily, or unluckily, for her a new story seems to surface involving a group of misfits who lovingly call themselves MP who are pulling pranks left, right, and centre. For what reason? To make a statement? To get a rise out of everyone? To stick it to the man?But when the pranks start to turn more morbid and threatening, Valerie and her news team take it upon themselves to find the truth, and nip this thing in the bud. But to complicate things even more for our dear ValGal, her ex-boyfriend Jagger has decided to take the same class and has been placed in Valerie’s group.Initially the pranks were thought as harmless…taking the school flag and placing it in a bucket located inside a toilet. But the MP’s, who all wear assorted masks and call themselves by said mask’s name (Skeletor, Frankenstein, etc.), feel threatened by the presence of the Campus News and their nosing around. The pranks become more and more dark and violent in nature, until eventually one of the Campus News’ own becomes the one on the receiving end of a prank which doesn’t end very well.Now Valerie and Scooby gang must dig deeper and tread further to find the truth, and to unmask these pranksters.Circle of Silence was an addictive and gripping story that I am so glad to have been able to experience. It flowed exactly how a good mystery book should read. Many cliff hanger moments, much finger pointing, multiple suspects, and action, action, action!All the characters in Circle of Silence are ones that I won’t soon forget, many with their own personal demons that they need to deal with. Valerie, although seemed like she charged into situations rather than consider different options, is a strong, female, lead. I love reading books where the female leads are headstrong, can fend for themselves, is not selfish, and extremely brave. Although her flaw for me would be how easily she accepted Jagger back into her life. I mean, hellooo…he cheated on you, and you totally busted him! And in all honestly, Raul sounds super yummy and would probably treat ValGal like a queen.Complete with an annoying younger sister, and brooding bad boy, a spunky best friend, and a potential love interest that is totally drool worthy, Circle of Silence is a must read for mystery fans everywhere. Where the decision you make can, ultimately, be your last. Get caught up in the world of WiFi High, and get your sleuthing game on!