Friday, April 13, 2012

Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

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Deadly Cool
Gemma Halliday
Series: Deadly Cool, #1
Release date: October 11th 2011
by HarperTeen

Goodreads / Purchase

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren’t enough, now he’s depending on Hartley to clear his name.

But as much as Hartley wouldn’t mind seeing him squirm, she knows he’s innocent, and she’s the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school’s resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer’s next victim.

There are a ton of funny books out there, and sure, plenty have made me chuckle, but very few have made me laugh out loud. Deadly Cool is one of them. Add in an engaging mystery and a dash of romance, this is perfect for a fun, diverting read. It’s exactly what I was in the mood for.

Hartley’s cheating ex-boyfriend is the #1 suspect in a murder. Convinced it wasn’t him, Hartley is determined to find the real killer. Besides, how can she kick his ass if he’s in jail? If you know me at all, you know very well that humor and sarcasm are my friends, thus it’s safe to say that Hartley and me would easily become fast friends. I love her mindset, her way of thinking is in sync with my own; I could not have related to her more. Above this amusing attitude, she’s feisty, smart, and super sweet. She is perfect for the tone of the story.

Although it’s a murder mystery involving more than one dead body with a constant threat for more, Deadly Cool keeps it on the lighter side. It does have a surprisingly tense ending, but in no way is this a scary or dark book. It’s delightful entertainment that’s perfect for a pick-me-up book; in my case, it was a great change of pace from all the dystopians and dark paranormals I’ve been reading. The mystery itself kept me engrossed; I kept theorizing who the killer might be. In the end I can’t say it would be impossible to predict, but I was satisfied with Gemma’s ability to keep me in the dark, while having all the clues fit undeniably well together in the end. Honestly, I was so consumed by the amusing tone of the book that I didn’t stop to ponder very much about the killer. Even if I would have guessed it on page one, it wouldn’t have spoiled my enjoyment of the book whatsoever.

As fun as it is, it’s not just fluff; there are some real emotions throughout. Overall, from Hartley’s relationship with her mom, to her encounters with the ever present police officer, to the copious modern day details – we’ve got a very realistic teenage life representation that is built through quirky observations and amusing behavior from Hartley herself. I mean, who doesn’t consider Ice Cream (with nuts and fruit!!) a balanced meal, or drive in a car that runs on cooking oil?

Witty, clever, and carefree – Deadly Cool an all around great time that’s sure to bring a smile on your face. It’s a perfect escape that will leave you craving for more!

4 Hot Espressos
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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36 Responses to “Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday”

  1. Emily

    Omg I LOOOOOVVEEEEE this book! It is amazing! I don’t usually like mysteries so that’s saying something. I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂

  2. Dalene @ A Date with a Book

    I was so exicted to see your tweets that you were reading this and couldn’t wait to read your review. So going to read this next! I’m reading her High Heels Mystery series and I am thoroughly loving them all! I’m glad there’s more Gemma when I get finished 🙂

  3. Amy

    I really need to get around to reading this book. I bought it last year when it came out and of course, in my nook it sits, lonely (well actually not lonely at all it has plenty of company in there. lol) and waiting to be read. I am glad you liked it. I have heard mixed things about it, but since we have similar tastes, I am pretty sure I will like it.

  4. Andrea @The Bookish Babes

    I loved Deadly Cool. It’s everything you said above fun, light-hearted, clever. I just finished Social Suicide and it’s maybe even more funny. Such a great series. I think it would make a super tv show. So glad you enjoyed it. Great review!

  7. Jac

    When this first came out, I had zero desire to read it… I didn’t like the cover, and it sounded like it wasn’t my cup of tea. But the more I see reviews (and especially yours!) the more I want to read it.

    I think I’ll just trash my current TBR list and just read everything you review and love… LOL!

    -Jac @ For Love and Books

  10. Rebecca

    Oh, I love books that can make you laugh out load and still bring some seriousness into it all. I’m so glad you liked it! I’ve been super curious about this one, but haven’t been sure if I should pick it up or not. I think you just convinced me to. 😉

  13. Rachel

    This was so much fun. I can’t wait to read book 2. Which is out or coming out this month, I think. Must go check. Great review, Giselle. 🙂

  15. Candace

    I loved this one too! I think your review said pretty much what I thought. I read the second one the other day and liked it even more. Love Hartley!

  16. J.R.

    I wasn’t going to read this book because I’m a cover person and the cover didn’t really “speak” to me but after reading your review I’m going to give it a whirl 🙂

  17. Amber Hughes

    Great review! I loved this book! Great, fun read. I’m so looking forward to reading Social Suicide! Another cool thing about Deadly Cool is that I live about 45 minutes from where the book takes place and I’ve been to some of the places she mentions. She even mentions my home town too! 🙂

  20. Mimi Valentine

    HARTLEY! <3 Usually it would be the guy I'd recognize first when thinking back at a book LOL, but for this one, I just had to adore the heroine most! She was just so fun and feisty and (like you said) SUPER sweet. She's the kind of girl you'd want to be BFFs with in high school (just like Chase is the guy you'd want to date)! 😛

    Amazing review, Giselle! <3 This book really WAS so much fun, and I can't wait to read book two and your review of it — I know you have a copy, so I'll be watching your reviews for sure! 😉

  22. Lexie

    Okay, I really, really must read this one. I’ve been reading a lot of dark, intense books, and while those can be fantastic, sometimes it’s nice just to read something fun, something that’s light and snarky and makes you laugh out loud. And since this also happens to be a murder mystery, that’s an automatic win.

  26. Sam

    I have heard so many wonderful things about this book and I can’t wait to finally start my copy! It’s always great when a book can make you laugh out loud. Awesome review! 🙂

  31. Danny

    Oh damn it I really wanted to read it last year when it came out!! I love a good light and cute read and this one sounds exactly like this! Plus, I like a good murder mystery which is not too dark. Basically, I guess I would like it!! wooot!

  33. Carina

    Aww hun, I shouldn’t have read this review now. 😀 I’ve always wanted to read this one, but you just made me want to go to TBD and order a copy immediately. But I still have soooo many other books I need / want to read.

    I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much and I love how you described it. It sounds like a really interesting and entertaining read – and sometimes I just need something “lighter”, too. Lovely review! Thank you. 🙂

  34. Bonnie Regan

    This ended up on my TBR after Miss Wendy read this and then I promptly forgot. Now your review comes along and I realize I really need to read this – this sounds like so much fun! 😀