I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

Pip and Andie are white, and Sal is of Indian descent.Ī treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense.Īfter surviving a suicide attempt, a fragile teen isn't sure she can endure without cutting herself. Jackson’s debut is well-executed and surprises readers with a connective web of interesting characters and motives. Online articles about the case and interview transcripts are provided throughout, and Pip’s capstone logs offer insights into her thought processes as new evidence and suspects arise. Pip’s sleuthing is both impressive and accessible. But someone is watching, and Pip may be in more danger than she realizes. With his help, Pip digs deeper, unveiling unsavory facts about Andie and the real reason Sal’s friends couldn’t provide him with an alibi. Unable to ignore the gaps in the case, Pip sets out to prove Sal’s innocence, beginning with interviewing his younger brother, Ravi. Andie’s body was never recovered, and Sal was assumed by most to be guilty of abduction and murder. The original investigation concluded with most of the evidence pointing to Sal, who was found dead in the woods, apparently by suicide. For her senior capstone project, Pip researches the disappearance of former Fairview High student Andie, last seen on April 18, 2014, by her younger sister, Becca. Pip has known and liked Sal since childhood he’d supported her when she was being bullied in middle school. 12 & up)Įveryone believes that Salil Singh killed his girlfriend, Andrea Bell, five years ago-except Pippa Fitz-Amobi. The book finally catches fire during Bronwen’s psychological crisis, at last engaging readers’ feelings as the protagonist summons up the courage to express herself, leading to an emotionally satisfying resolution. It’s a believable journey, though it’s flatter than it should be, probably because the central romantic relationship is essentially dull and without conflict. In the course of the story Bronwen tastes true love, gets in touch with her feelings and breaks through to her family. This is because Bronwen struggles with her own, more distant clan: a disengaged brother, a mother who cares more about appearances than honesty and a stepfather who failed to adopt her as promised. And although her boyfriend, Jared, is portrayed as being almost perfect, part of his charm lies with his family, a warm and affectionate unit Bronwen longs to be part of. It doesn’t sound like much of a problem, but it is, because, despite his wonderfulness, Bronwen isn’t ready to get married. A 17-year-old girl who suppresses her own desires to please others gets engaged to a wonderful guy.

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan