Death at Morning House
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Average rating4
The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.
With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.
Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?
Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.
All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first.
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I was afraid that I wouldn't like a new, non-Stevie Bell mystery but I loved weirdo Marlowe. What a delight!
This was such a fun and clever read! With its layered plot, dark humour, and some truly unforgettable characters, I found myself completely hooked. It's a double locked-room mystery with an atmospheric setting and dual storylines spanning nearly a century, which made it feel fresh and unique.
The characters really stood out for me. They were lively, relatable, and, above all, fun to read about. Marlowe, the main character, was my absolute favourite. She's flawed but determined, and I loved following her as she pieced everything together. Johnson also nails how teens act and think—the mix of bravery, impulsiveness, and shaky logic felt so real, even to someone who's long past those teenage years!
The mystery itself was packed with twists, hidden clues, and rising tension that kept me guessing. The way the story jumped between timelines and perspectives made it more complex, but sometimes it slowed things down or felt a bit messy. Still, the writing was sharp and engaging—it felt like Marlowe was telling the story directly to me, which made it so easy to get drawn in.
While the book wasn't perfect, and I think the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, it was such a creative and entertaining mystery. Whether you're a teen or an adult, this one's worth picking up. I really hope we get to see more of Marlowe in the future!
Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
This was a really entertaining YA mystery thriller. I really enjoyed it. The setting on an island with a creepy old house was great. I loved the main character. The pacing was great!
My favorite part was the two storylines and honestly I wish there was more on the historical side.
Either way I really enjoyed this, it wasn't too predictable or too young even as an adult reader. It made me remember how fun a YA mystery can be.
