New Releases by April Henry

When an adopted teen takes a DNA test to find her biological parents, she unknowingly puts herself in the crosshairs of a serial killer. Adopted as a newborn, Tessa has always wondered who her biological parents are. After turning eighteen, she takes a DNA test in hopes of finding the answers. With best friend El and lab partner Victor, Tessa uses the results to start building her family tree. But they find more dead ends than answers. Her biological mother, who was raised in a religious cult, has cut all ties with her controlling family. And her biological father remains a complete mystery, at least until the police show up. For fifteen years, they’ve been trying to identify a serial killer known as the Portland Phantom. Tessa may be the link they’ve been waiting for. April Henry delivers a twisty thriller about the families who choose us—and the ones we’re born into. Biology does not have to dictate one’s destiny. And don’t miss these other chilling thrillers from April Henry including: Stay Dead Girl Forgotten Two Truths and a Lie When We Go Missing

New York Times bestselling author April Henry delivers a true-crime-style mystery featuring a teen determined to save a missing girl she sees in a disturbing photo. What if you found evidence of a crime, but no one believed you? Seventeen-year-old Willow always has a camera around her neck. She volunteers as a photographer at Finding Home animal shelter. When Willow stumbles upon a lost camera memory card, it''s filled with hundreds of photos of teenage girls. Some are smiling, others unaware, and a few seem terrified. The police tell her taking photos in public isn''t a crime. But Willow can''t seem to let it go, especially after she finds her own photo on the card. Willow teams up with new volunteer Dare to figure out what happened to the girls. As their investigation heats up, so does the chemistry between them. But everyone around Willow has a secret: Finding Home''s owner, her own mom, and even Dare. When Willow learns that some of the girls on the camera card have gone missing, she realizes the unknown photographer might be a serial killer. Can Willow find him before he finds her?

New York Times bestselling author April Henry delivers a thrilling murder mystery featuring a teen with an assassin on her trail fighting to uncover the truth behind a government cover up, perfect for fans of Karen McManus. "A page-turning cat-and-mouse survival story." —Kirkus Reviews Sometimes, the only way to live is to make sure the world thinks you’re dead . . . In the aftermath of a car accident that claimed the life of her senator father, sixteen-year-old Milan finds herself adrift, expelled from her third boarding school. Milan’s mother, who has assumed the senate seat, diverts her private plane to pick up her daughter. But on their way home, a bomb rips off a wing and the plane crashes in the mountains. In her final moments, Milan’s mother entrusts her with a key. She reveals it will unlock the evidence that so many people have already died for—including Milan’s father. The only way Milan can survive, her mom tells her, is to let everyone believe she died with the other passengers. u200bMilan is forced to navigate a perilous descent in freezing conditions while outwitting everything from a drone to wild animals. With relentless assassins on her trail, she must untangle the web of deceit and save herself and countless others. Will she piece together the truth in time? "Milan is in a race against time and terror to get to her parents’ one trusted friend before she ends up dead, too… readers will be intrigued and thrilled to see how it all turns out." —Booklist "The cat-and-mouse between Milan and Lenny adds a thick layer of tension, especially as Lenny closes in on her target… things come together nicely as the climax looms. Perfect for fans of Mindy McGinnis." —School Library Journal

★ An Edgar Award Winner ★ Piper Gray starts a true-crime podcast investigating a seventeen-year-old cold case in this thrilling YA murder mystery by New York Times bestselling author April Henry. Seventeen years ago, Layla Trello was murdered and her killer was never found. Enter true-crime fan Piper Gray who is determined to reopen Layla’s case and get some answers. With the help of Jonas—who has a secret of his own—Piper starts a podcast investigating Layla’s murder. But as she digs deeper into the mysteries of the past, Piper begins receiving anonymous threats telling her to back off the investigation, or else. The killer is still out there, and Piper must uncover their identity before they silence her forever.

Amazon Editor’s Choice for Best Young Adult Teen Vogue 15 Best New Thriller & Mystery Books for Summer Featured in Crime Reads Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection "An atmospheric and entertaining thriller perfect for snowy night chills." — Kirkus Reviews In this chilling mystery from a New York Times bestselling author, a storm strands a group of teens in a creepy motel—leaving them trapped with a killer. Nell has always wanted to be an actor, but she doubts her ability. As a member of her school’s theater program, she prefers working backstage. On the way to a contest, an unexpected blizzard strands her acting troupe in a creepy motel. Soon they meet a group of strangers from another high school—including the mysterious and handsome Knox, who insists they play the game Two Truths and a Lie. When it’s Nell’s turn, she draws a slip of paper written in unfamiliar handwriting: I like to watch people die. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed. Suddenly, a night of harmless fun turns into a matter of life and death. As guests start to go missing, it becomes clear that a murderer is hiding in their midst ready to strike again. In a room full of liars and performers, the truth is never quite what it seems. Nell is going to have to act like her life depends on it—because it does.

After a bestselling fantasy writer disappears, only his biggest fan believes he’s in danger. Instead of re-reading his books, she must venture into the real world to uncover the truth in this fast-paced mystery by New York Times-bestselling author April Henry. For readers of Courtney Summers and Karen McManus. Bridget is RM Haldon''s biggest fan. She and her mom sought refuge in Haldron''s epic fantasy series Swords and Shadows while her mom was losing her battle with cancer. When Bridget met Haldon at one of his rare book signings, she impressed the author with her encyclopedic knowledge of the fantasy world he''d created. Bridget has been working for him ever since as he attempts to write the final book in his blockbuster sword and sorcery series. But Haldon has gone missing, and Bridget is the only person who seems concerned. Can Bridget piece together Haldon’s cryptic clues and save him before it’s too late? Master mystery-writer April Henry weaves another heart-stopping young adult thriller in this story that seamlessly blends suspense with an exploration of fan culture. Christy Ottaviano Books

When a fire cuts off a popular trail in the Oregon forest, a small group trapped by the flames must find another way out—or die—in Playing with Fire, an unrelenting teen-vs-nature YA thriller by New York Times bestselling author April Henry. Natalia is not the kind of girl who takes risks. Six years ago, she barely survived the house fire that killed her baby brother. Now she is cautious and always plays it safe. For months, her co-worker Wyatt has begged her to come hiking with him, and Natalia finally agrees. But when a wildfire breaks out, blocking the trail back, a perfect sunny day quickly morphs into a nightmare. With no cell service, few supplies, and no clear way out of the burning forest, a group of strangers will have to become allies if they’re going to survive. Hiking in the dark, they must deal with injuries, wild animals and even a criminal on the lam—before the fire catches them. Christy Ottaviano Books

A teen is snatched outside her kung fu class and must figure out how to escape—and rescue another kidnapped victim—in The Girl in the White Van, a chilling YA mystery by New York Times bestselling author April Henry. When Savannah disappears soon after arguing with her mom’s boyfriend, everyone assumes she''s run away. The truth is much worse. She’s been kidnapped by a man in a white van who locks her in an old trailer home, far from prying eyes. And worse yet, Savannah’s not alone: ten months earlier, Jenny met the same fate and nearly died trying to escape. Now as the two girls wonder if he will hold them captive forever or kill them, they must join forces to break out—even if it means they die trying. Christy Ottaviano Books

A killer is on the loose, and only one girl has the power to find him. But in this genre-bending YA thriller, she must first manage to avoid becoming a target herself. For Adele, the dead aren’t really dead. She can see them and even talk to them. But she’s spent years denying her gift. When she encounters her ex-best friend Tori in the woods and then realizes that Tori is actually dead in a shallow grave—that gift turns into a curse. Without an alibi, Adele becomes the prime suspect in Tori’s murder. She must work with Tori’s ghost to find the real killer. But what if the killer finds Adele first? In The Lonely Dead, master mystery writer April Henry adds a chilling paranormal twist to this incredibly suspenseful young adult novel. Christy Ottaviano Books

April Henry masterminds another edge-of-your-seat thriller in this much-anticipated sequel to Girl, Stolen. Six months ago, Griffin Sawyer meant to steal a car, but he never meant to steal the girl asleep in the backseat. Panicked, he took her home. His father, Roy, decided to hold Cheyenne—who is blind—for ransom. Griffin helped her escape, and now Roy is awaiting trial. As they prepare to testify, Griffin and Cheyenne reconnect and make plans to meet. But the plan goes wrong and Cheyenne gets captured by Roy’s henchmen—this time for the kill. Can Cheyenne free herself? And is Griffin a pawn or a player in this deadly chase? April Henry masterminds another edge-of-your-seat thriller in Count All Her Bones. This title has Common Core connections. A Christy Ottaviano Book

"Olivia''s parents were killed fourteen years ago. Now, new evidence reopens the case . . . and she finds herself involved"--

When a woman''s body is found in a Portland park, suspicion falls on an awkward kid who lives only a few blocks away, a teen who collects knives, loves first-person shooter video games, and obsessively doodles violent scenes in his school notebooks. Nick Walker goes from being a member of Portland''s Search and Rescue team to the prime suspect in a murder, his very interest in SAR seen as proof of his fascination with violence. How is this even possible? And can Alexis and Ruby find a way to help clear Nick''s name before it''s too late? April Henry weaves another page-turning, high stakes mystery in Blood Will Tell, Book 2 of the Point Last Seen series. This title has Common Core connections.

Alexis, Nick, and Ruby have very different backgrounds: Alexis has spent her life covering for her mom''s mental illness, Nick''s bravado hides his fear of not being good enough, and Ruby just wants to pursue her eccentric interests in a world that doesn''t understand her. When the three teens join Portland County Sheriff''s Search and Rescue, they are teamed up to search for a autistic man lost in the woods. What they find instead is a dead body. In a friendship that will be forged in danger, fear and courage, the three team up to find the girl''s killer—before he can strike one of their own. This first book in April Henry''s Point Last Seen YA mystery series, The Body in the Woods is full of riveting suspense, putting readers right in the middle of harrowing rescues and crime scene investigations. This title has Common Core connections.

In her riveting style, "New York Times"-bestselling author Henry crafts a nail-biting thriller involving murder, identity theft, and biological warfare. Readers follow Cady and Ty (her accidental savior turned companion), as they race against the clock to stay alive.

When One of the Triple Threat Is Murdered, All Eyes Turn to Justice. Cassidy, Allison, and Nicole fight for justice everyday—Cassidy as a crime reporter, Nicole as an FBI agent, and Allison as a federal prosecutor. Together they''re a Triple Threat to be reckoned with. A force that, together, has solved the toughest mysteries. Until a ruthless killer finds a way to isolate and murder one of the three. When the authorities keep the survivors at arm''s length in the investigation, the women''s desire for justice goes into overdrive. They find an unexpected ally in a quirky private investigator named Ophelia whose unorthodox methods seem to offer a possible breakthrough in the case. Yet just as the police appear to have the killer in custody and justice within sight, the murderer strikes again. Not knowing whom to trust, the team must engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse where nothing can be taken at face value . . . and nothing will ever be the same. A riveting Triple Threat mystery that will leave readers shocked and satisfied. "[S]hocking, fast-paced . . . For those seeking gal pal tales reminiscent of Tess Gerritsen''s Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, the Triple Threat adventures are a sure bet." — Publishers Weekly

When Jim Fate, an outspoken conservative radio talk show host, is killed by poisonous gas while his show is on the air, the Triple Threat Club must uncover the secrets behind the murder.

Cheyenne, a blind sixteen year-old, is kidnapped and held for ransom; she must outwit her captors to get out alive. Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what''s happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn''t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin''s dad finds out that Cheyenne''s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there''s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn''t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price? Prepare yourself for a fast-paced and hard-edged thriller full of nail-biting suspense. This title has Common Core connections.

A high-stakes suspense as timely as tomorrow’s headlines. While home on break, a seventeen-year-old Senate page takes her dog out for a walk and never returns. The resulting media firestorm quickly ensnares television reporter Cassidy Shaw, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, and FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges. Together, these life-long friends call themselves The Triple Threat—a nickname derived from their favorite dessert as well as their uncanny ability to crack cases from their three unique positions of power. Together, they must find the one face of betrayal amidst a crowd of growing suspects—including a US Senator—before they become the next victims. Lis Wiehl''s expertise in law, politics, and criminal investigation merges with April Henry''s narrative genius to create a gripping mystery filled with rich characters, real danger, and a shocking yet satisfying final twist. “Only a brilliant lawyer, prosecutor, and journalist like Lis Wiehl could put together a mystery this thrilling! The incredible characters and nonstop twists will leave you mesmerized. Open it and find a comfortable seat because you won’t want to put it down!” —E. D. Hill, FOX News anchor “Three smart women crack the big cases! Makes perfect sense to me. It blew me away!” —Jeanine Pirro, former DA; host of the CW’s daytime court television reality show Judge Jeanine Pirro Fast-paced political thriller Book 1 in the Triple Threat Series. Book 1: Face of Betrayal; Book 2: Hand of Fate; Book 3: Heart of Ice; Book 4: Eyes of Justice Book length: 85,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Cassie discovers that her stepfather, Rick, a teen psychiatrist, has been illegally prescribing a new behavioral drug to his patients?and three teens have died. Before she can report him, Rick commits Cassie to Peaceful Cove, a boot camp for troubled teens in Mexico. Cassie knows she has to get out now, before more teens die. But no one has ever escaped from Peaceful Cove alive?and even if Cassie gets over the walls and survives the Mexican desert, will anyone believe her story?

The chaotic scene of a huge chain-reaction car accident leaves Free Maker in possession of a bag of money and a dead hitchhiker in the passenger seat. But when the owner of the money realizes that it didn''t burn up in the fire, things get complicated.