Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

When 16-year-old Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret. A few months ago, Scarlett was invited to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then . . . Dan McAndrew took his last breath as she held him in her arms. No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.

A perfectly charming beginning to a series. This is my first book written by Lauren Henderson that I've read and I loved it. It has mystery, love, and adventure. I also loved the format of the book in two sections: A.D. and B.D. Her writing is full of suspense. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the England back drop. The scenery Henderson described was beautiful.

I loved that Scarlett did gymnastics. The description in some of the parts of the book she uses was really good and impressive. The part of the story where Dan dies is so crafted. And when Scarlett goes on the hunt to find out what truly happened that night, well, the mystery in this novel is hard to guess, very unpredictable. Only a true genius at writing mystery could be that good.

And don't you just love the cover art? It's beautiful. I can't wait for the next book, Kisses and Lies, out January 2009.

Here's the synopsis for Kisses and Lies:

After discovering that someone saw what looked like Dan's emergency EpiPen in A-lister Plum's designer handbag, Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor, sneak into a posh London nightclub, where Plum has a private table. Scarlett is stunned to discover a piece of evidence that might implicate another girl in Plum's exclusive circle, Lucy Raleigh. Which means Scarlett must cast a wider net in order to catch the right suspect.

Back at school, groundskeeper Jase is hoping to take Scarlett's mind off her troubles with some heart-stopping kisses. Scarlett can't help but feel guilty for indulging in romantic rendezvous when she should be hunting down Dan's killer. However, once Scarlett finds out how Lucy is connected to Dan, she knows she must drop everything and travel to the McAndrew estate in Scotland to hunt for more clues. But when she arrives, Scarlett becomes the target of a dangerous hunt herself.

~Kelsey