Death Spiral

Author: Janie Chodosh
Publisher: Poisoned Pencil
Genre: YA Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-9293-4500-7
Pages: 312
Price: $10.95

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When Faith Flores finds her mother dead from what appears to be a heroine overdose, she can’t believe it. Her mom had been clean for weeks, and Faith insists that something else must have happened. A stranger had visited them the same day she died – a man who appeared to be threatening her mother – and Faith suspects foul play.

Once settled in at her Aunt T’s place, she never expects to hear from one of her mother’s junkie friends. But when Melinda tells her about the clinical trial she and Faith’s mom had participated in, Faith has to look into it. And what she finds out will ultimately lead her to the truth.

Growing up as the daughter of a heroin addict living in a run-down section of Philadelphia, Faith has few friends. As her investigation develops, she’s forced to let her best friend and love interest in on it, allowing them to see the parts of herself she normally keeps hidden.

Death Spiral is a wild ride from start to finish and I couldn’t put it down. Faith is fearless in facing dangerous situations head-on, giving little thought to personal safety as she attempts to clear her mother’s name. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this Faith Flores Science Mystery series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger