Review | A Study in Secrets (Last Chance Academy #1)

The Good

I really enjoyed this story! It’s more of a scavenger hunt than a murder mystery, but it still has a strong mysterious air because everyone at the academy seems shrouded in secrets. The first-person perspective really works because we’re newcomers like Meg and have to figure out each character’s motivations and whether or not they’re trustworthy.

There are quite a number of characters in this story, and I have a feeling this series will only get better as we start to peel back the layers and learn more about each one. Despite this being a series starter, I found myself connecting with the characters and becoming invested in who wins the prize. There are also so many questions about who the hunt’s mastermind is, what secrets other kids are hiding, and whether Meg will make the right decisions about her friendships and stay out of trouble.

Speaking of friendships, I was surprised to discover that friendships and relationships, in general, are the central theme of this story. Meg has had some awful experiences with trusted friends in the past and struggles to confide in and rely on new people. She’s also reeling from the grief of losing her mother and starts off being more withdrawn, but gradually opens up as the story progresses.

Finally, this book is also set at a boarding school, which is a rare setting in middle grade, and Meg gets to keep a cat (which is forbidden on campus grounds), and that adds a layer of cuteness and appeal for animal lovers.

Content Notes

Here are some specifics to know about the content.

Content Warnings

• Death: None on the page. Meg’s mom died recently.
• Alcohol/substance abuse: None
• Sexual content: References to crushes and tweens dating.
• Violence: None
• Religious content: None.
• Language: None

Diversity

• Ethnic: Characters are mostly white and Japanese American.
• Sexual orientation: Brief reference to a male student and his boyfriend.

Recommended for ages: 9+

Good for kids who like:

• Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
• The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber
• Boarding school stories
• Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
• Scavenger hunt and puzzle-based mysteries

Publisher Details

Buy This Book

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