The Amateurs

The Amateurs, Sara Shepard’s latest installment, features a female sleuth protagonist reminiscent of Nancy Drew – but one who has some secrets of her own. Eighteen-year-old Seneca has been drawn to crime ever since the disappearance of high school senior Helena Kelly five years earlier. The unsolved case inspired Seneca to become a member of Case Not Closed, an online message board dedicated to the pursuit of old cases. When a message appears on the board about Helena’s case and Seneca decides to follow the lead, she is pulled into a world of crime, mystery, and secrets about her own past as well as Helena’s.

The story reads like a true Sara Shepard novel, fast paced and full of twists you know will happen but that you still can never anticipate. While some of the supporting characters could use a little more depth and relatability, Seneca is a genuine protagonist whose journey is thrilling and engaging. The Amateurs is sure to be a quick read, but its twists and turns will take you on an adventure that you can’t get enough of.