They Wish They Were Us - Jessica Goodman Audiobook

Written by Jessica Goodman
Read by Kristen Sieh
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Publisher: Books on Tape
Release date: August 4, 2020
Duration: 09:51:01

TV ADAPTATION “THE PLAYERS’ TABLE” STARRING HALSEY AND EUPHORIA’S SYDNEY SWEENEY.

In Gold Coast, Long Island, everything from the expensive downtown shops to the manicured beaches, to the pressed uniforms of Jill Newman and her friends, looks perfect. But as Jill found out three years ago, nothing is as it seems.

During freshman year Jill’s best friend, the brilliant dazzling Shaila Arnold, was killed by her boyfriend. After that dark night on the beach, Graham Graham Calloway confessed, the case was closed, and Jill tried to move on.

Now, it’s Jill’s senior year and she’s determined to make it her best yet. After all, she’s a senior and a Player—a member of Gold Coast Prep’s exclusive, not-so-secret secret society. Senior Players have the best parties, highest grades and the admiration of the entire school. This is going to be Jill’s year. She’s sure of it.

But when Jill starts getting texts proclaiming Graham’s innocence, her dreams of the perfect senior year start to crumble. If Graham didn’t kill Shaila, who did? Jill vows to find out, but digging deeper could mean putting her friendships, and her future, in jeopardy.

Goodman deftly explores the complex nature of friendship, privilege, grief, and the often crushing expectations placed on teens, all of which dovetails neatly with a twisty murder mystery. Most characters seem to be white except for Nikki, who emigrated with her family from Hong Kong; Jill is Jewish. There is queer representation in the supporting cast. A sophisticated and suspenseful debut. (Mystery. 14-18)

VERDICT The mystery holds, and while strong language, drug use, and full sex scenes make this a better choice for older teens, the novel has appeal for most collections. — School Library Journal,