Death at Morning House

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission.

Death at Morning House book cover

by Maureen Johnson

Publication Date: August 6, 2024
Publisher: HarperTeen
Hardcover: 384 Pages

Publisher Description

From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

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.

About the author

Maureen Johnson is the bestselling author of several novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the Truly Devious series, the Suite Scarlett series, and the Shades of London series

Read more about Maureen ON HER WEBSITE

Praise

“Johnson’s signature mix of wit and mystery shines in this compelling sapphic thriller. The secluded island setting—which is described to Marlowe as ‘Death Disney World’—ratchets up suspense as narration deftly alternates between Marlowe’s self-deprecating reflections and flashbacks from 1932; the queer romance subplot adds warmth and depth.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Read more

“A stand-alone sapphic mystery following two equally gripping time lines: the Ralston family deaths and Marlowe’s present-day sleuthing. Marlowe’s excellent memory and love of puzzles serve her well, while her self-deprecating, deadpan humor fills the narrative with quirky charm. Suspenseful, smartly executed, and hilarious.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Johnson’s latest juxtaposes Marlowe’s clever, funny first-person voice with chapters about a mysterious historical family. Compelling mysteries unfurl in the past and the present. Marlowe serves as an anchor amid the many contemporary characters who seem like they may be deceiving her, keeping readers guessing. An engaging and expansive mystery.” — Kirkus Reviews

“With quips both humorous and prescient, Marlowe is the perfect mix of pluck and wit, and she joins the long line of girl detectives looking to right the world’s various wrongs . . . A guaranteed hit with fans of Tess Sharpe’s The Girls I’ve Been or Durst’s The Lake House.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Death at Morning House is another phenomenal mystery from a maestro in the genre. Maureen Johnson just knows how to write the kind of stories that keep you reading until the early hours. They are incredibly well paced, with stellar characterisation and terrifyingly good twists. This is a great standalone mystery from Johnson—pivoting across two timelines to create two compelling and complex cases. Death at Morning House is the YA mystery of the summer, potentially the year. Miss it at your peril.” — The Nerd Daily

ALSO IN 

MYSTERY & THRILLERS

RECOMMENDED POSTS

error: Content is protected !!

Looking for Book Club Recommendations?

Join now and get access to our exclusive content!

Become a Passionate Reader

Say YES to your reading routine!

THE 2025 READING CHALLENGE IS HERE