Really liked this from the beginning. There could have been more jumpy moments, diving deeper into the story but overall it was entertaining!

Title: Missing Clarissa
Author: Ripley Jones
Release Date: March 7th, 2023
Page Count: 249
Format: Audiobook/Netgalley Ebook
Start Date: March 7th, 2023
Finish Date: March 8th, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

Two girls who are looking for an amazing project for their journalism class decide to do a podcast investigating the disappearance of a girl in their town. She disappeared twenty years before and the case was never solved. This is more of a case where one girl had the brilliant idea and the other girl went with it. Either way, it was amazing!

I think there were parts of the book that I would have liked to have seen get expanded upon a little more. There are also references that I wish were more than just references. This isn't a criticism of the book. It's my own personal opinion. I also wouldn't hate it if there were many other books set involving Blair and Cameron. I don't know if there will be. If it were to ever become a series, I'd instabuy all of the rest of the books in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even need to think twice about it.

I started to read it via Netgalley, but I preordered the audiobook once I was sure that I was going to enjoy it very much. The moment it hit my library, I listened to it. The narrator did a fantastic job. I did have to slow down my normal speed to listen to it. Not that I'm complaining. I'd definitely try out other books narrated by her.

Similar To:
A Good Girls Guide to Murder

Despite their seeming differences, eccentric girl genius Cam Muñoz and the pretty but academically average Blair Johnson have been best friends since the sixth grade. Now that they’re in their junior year of high school, Cam has convinced Blair to take a journalism class together. Mr Park, their journalism teacher, is the smartest person Cam has ever met, and thus one of the very few whose opinion matters to her. When he gives their class a semester-long reporting project that they can do with or without partners, she thinks she’s come up with the perfect plan to wow not only him, but everyone else in their small town, if not the world.

Twenty years ago, beautiful, popular Clarissa Campbell disappeared from their Oregon town of Oreville after a post-high school graduation party. The case gained nationwide coverage, but no trace of Clarissa was ever found. The prime suspect was her football star boyfriend Brad Bennett, but with no evidence against him or anyone else, no one was ever charged with foul play involving her disappearance.

Now Cam thinks that she and Blair should partner up to make a podcast investigating what really happened to Clarissa. Her enthusiasm steamrolls Blair into agreeing, but Mr. Park is more cautious on the subject, leading the two very different girls to two very different reactions:

QUOTE
Why’s he grilling them? Why isn’t he excited? Cam doesn’t get it. Blair kicks her under her desk, but she barges ahead. “Do we need [podcast experience]? All we have to do is hit Record and put it online.”

Mr. Park’s face is impossible to read. “Keep in mind that’s a sensitive issue for a lot of people here. Tread carefully. And you might want to do a bit of research into podcasting before you ‘hit Record and put it online.’”

“Yes, Mr. Park,” Blair says before Cam can argue. Cam slumps back in her seat, the air around her crackling with fury and hurt.

<i>Tread carefully?</i> thinks Cam. <i>What’s that supposed to mean? What’s wrong with Mr. Park?

Tread carefully?</i> thinks Blair. <i>What does Mr. Park know that we don’t?</i>
END QUOTE

While their temperaments are dissimilar, the girls’ personalities complement each other nicely as they go about digging into the cold case. Unfortunately, their differences sometimes threaten to overwhelm them, as when Cam decides to go ahead and post their first episode to the Internet without even getting Blair’s permission, much less Mr Park’s okay. When the girls come way too close to discovering the truth about someone who very much doesn’t want to be found out, they find themselves in mortal peril. Will they be silenced before they can tell the world the truth about what happened to Clarissa?

This is a really well-written story that stands head and shoulders above the rest of the podcast thriller crowd, Young Adult or otherwise. Cam and Blair are both incredibly endearing, and are characterized so perfectly that when one of them does something horrifyingly foolish and dangerous – as certain suspense heroines will do – it feels entirely organic and not just a device to advance the plot. The pacing is fast and the dialog often laugh out loud funny, even as the seriousness of the situation is never taken lightly.

In fact, the American media obsession with the disappearance of pretty white girls is taken to task in more ways than one. Sophie, one of the girls’ journalism classmates, has her own fervent opinion on the matter:

QUOTE
[“]You’re obsessed with Clarissa’s story, the same way so many other people are. But you know who comprises the highest percentage of murder victims? Young Black men. Weaponizing stories of imperiled white women serves to enforce political repression. The prison industrial complex isn’t interested in protecting people from harm. It’s founded on the principle of harming people who are already vulnerable. All these dead white girl stories? All this fixation on sexualized violence against white women? Those narratives normalize structures of oppression that don’t do anything to prevent more violence from happening.[”]
END QUOTE

Missing Clarissa is a wildly entertaining novel with a wonderful sense of self-awareness regarding its own place in the canon. The mystery is as smart as Cam and as solid as Blair, with a strong streak of modern philosophy on social justice and accountability. I loved it.

I absolutely LOVE a good true crime fiction take, especially for a younger audience -- I don't always feel like true crime is a good genre for very young people, just because at certain ages, some of the real life stuff can be a little too dark. Having those things introduced here, and giving those dark themes to YA audiences through a fictional lens, is a really neat way to get them to realize that bad things can happen without it being especially traumatic for them. This was really well done here, and I feel like it'd be great for 14-17 year olds!

3.5*

Missing Clarissa was an entertaining, quick, and pretty easy read. I was surprised with how quickly I flew through it! The mystery was engaging and I actually really liked both main characters. Although yes, Cam got to be a little much there at the end, but I enjoyed her quirkiness. Blair had her issues too, she need a little self confidence boost.

Although I thought figured out who the murderer was pretty soon after they were introduced, I wasn't 100% certain until the end. The author did a nice job making me second guess myself a few times.
It's slightly implausible that the adults would open up so much to these two teens, but if you're able to suspend disbelief a little, it really was an entertaining read.

I understand wanting to describe characters, but the way this author went about it was a bit odd, and at times a little off-putting. It's part of the reason I'm rounding down my star rating instead of up. There were a few other things here and there that contributed to my choice to round down, but they could just be a me thing.
All in all though a pretty solid debut for Ripley Jones.

3.5 stars. Upon first glance, I thought this was just going to be A Good Girls Guide to Murder written by a different author. And while that was kind of what this was, it was also better and worse in some ways. The better parts consisted of the slight comedic properties and the fact that this book didn't take itself too seriously. The worse parts? The writing was hard to understand at times. I know the author was trying to come across as 'uber smart' because that's how Cam was supposed to be but some parts just felt worded wrong and I had to reread the sentence 2 or 3 times and that just took me right out of the story. And them we have Blair's extremely self-doubt. I know it was there to show something that happens to a lot of people, but it was definitely overbearing. The last 20/30% of the book is when I couldn't put it down. This book has A LOT of good points, cultural references, LGBTQ+ characters, and a lot of other things going for it, so I definitely say give it a shot.

Ripley Jones has a great writing style in Missing Clarissa and it had the potential to be a great book but...

It's 1999 and high school "it" girl, Clarissa, goes missing. Like poof, gone. Her football quarterback boyfriend is suspect #1 but his story clears, along with every other person of interest, and time moves on without ever finding her.

Flash forward to 2012, Cameron and Blair are juniors at the same high school as Clarissa. Cam really wants to become a journalist and enlists her best friend to take Journalism with her this year. They are assigned a multimedia research project and decide to make a podcast about how Clarissa went missing with a secret side mission to try and solve the mystery themselves, despite never having made or any idea how to produce a podcast.

It had the potential to be a really great book but it was really hard to keep my attention throughout the chapters. Each chapter is supposed to be an "episode" of the podcast and is extremely long. Given that this is book is a young adult, I struggled to get to the point where I was "stuck" (in a good way) with this book. Some of the writing was a little repetitive, ie. "Kelly read this book. Kelly had a hard time. Kelly is writing a review. Kelly needs to wrap this review up." Could be a person preference but I couldn't get past it.

This YA mystery, out today, is perfect for fans of Karen McManus or Holly Jackson.

I was entertained by the plot, and I flew threw the story in two days. I didn't find it as impactful as my favorites, but I still definitely recommend it! I'd be interested in reading another book about the same characters solving another mystery, too.

Thank you so much, Netgalley, for my digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book follows two teenage girls (Blair and Cam) who decide to start a podcast for a school project as they try to solve the mystery of a local girl, Clarissa, who went missing back in 1999.
I did find Blair's character to be quite relatable in the sense that she wasn't self-confident and was struggling trying to maintain her childhood friendship with Cam, and her popular boyfriend who doesn't get along with Cam. If I'm being honest, though, I spent most of this book thinking Blair deserved way better than BOTH of them. Cam and the boyfriend.

Cam's character INFURIATED me. And it's a huge reason why this book only got 3 stars from me. She was so unlikeable, and acted very much like a 5 year old. She was impulsive and selfish and seemed to know nobody would hold her accountable for her impulsive actions that, in reality, would have cost her loved ones a LOT.

Although the book itself was predictable, I knew who Clarissa's killer was from the very beginning. But it was definitely interesting to see it all unravel and read the two girls figure it out. I liked how fast paced it was, and that it was told in alternating POV's.

I also really enjoyed the inclusivity in this book, the fact that it was LGBTQ+ inclusive as well as single parent, with that single parent being unconventional and quirky. I loved that. It also definitely touched on the issue of only pretty white girls getting media attention when they're missing/murdered. Which is definitely a country-wide issue and I'm glad that the book included it.

All in all, I would recommend it to someone who primarily reads YA, and doesn't mind unlikeable characters.

In a small town in Washington, two friends work together to complete a research project for journalism class. They decide to do a podcast about a girl who went missing years ago from their hometown. Their goal is to solve the mystery but bringing up old memories can be painful.
Opinion
Holy Toledo, that was a great book! All of the hints and red herrings made for an interesting time. I will say that my solution was not correct but that the real answer made for a great story. The end was so suspenseful that I literally could not put the book down.
Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A fun, twisty YA mystery! I particularly enjoyed how distinctive Blair and Cam are as protagonists, and I loved the focus on their friendship. There are so many great relationships throughout--not only Blair and Cam but also their relationship with Cam's mother Irene, and Cam's developing romance with Sophie. I didn't expect so much humor and light banter, but it was a welcome break from the heavier subject matter of Clarissa's disappearance. I also really appreciated that the novel included discussions of broader social justice topics relevant to the story, including systemic injustice in the legal system, prison abolition, and the colonization of tribal land in this part of Washington. These discussions added a lot of important depth to the story and gave me a greater appreciation for its themes. As for the mystery itself, there are several subtle clues that have big payoff in the end, which I always love. Would definitely recommend this for fans of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder who are looking for more YA mystery.

A good YA book about a missing teenager of 20 years ago. Two high school seniors decide to shed new light on this case as part of a Journalism class. The story line is not new; however, the author handles it well with good, realistic teen aged behavior throughout. Lots of twists and turns as the plot progresses. True crime enthusiasts will enjoy it, as will readers who enjoy learning about teen aged behavior and their interaction with technology. I enjoyed the book and recommend it for a good, light red.

Missing Clarissa is full of mystery and suspense. Jones' attention to detail and ability to create a vivid and immersive world make this read that will leave you wanting more.

I flew through Missing Clarissa, it gave all the best AGGGTM vibes. Cam was stubborn and headstrong, while Blair was quiet but gaining confidence in herself and her abilities.
Their final project for class was a podcast on the unsolved mystery of a local girl who went missing twenty years ago.
I had so many theories every time the girls visited someone new. The ending was heart pounding and so satisfying on several levels, I will definitely be reading what comes next from Ripley Jones.

A true crime podcast, delving into the mysterious disappearance of All-American cheerleader Clarissa Campbell, is the brainchild and journalism project of junior Cameron Munõz, and her best friend Blair Johnson. The girls have heard the story of the missing girl their whole lives, so much it has become akin to an urban legend in their small town.

I raced through this novel, drawn in from the very first page. It wasn't so much the long running mystery that held me captivated, but the way the two girls in the present navigate the tragedy from the past. Cam and Blair are such distinct, fully realized characters that you can't help but root for them.
Missing Clarissa does feel tailored to a younger audience, but I still greatly enjoyed it and think it will widely appeal to many readers. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the chance to review this advance copy.

In Missing Clarissa, we have two friends who decide to make a true crime podcast for a school project, with the intent to try to figure out what the heck happened to missing cheerleader Clarissa, who hasn't been seen since she explained it all in the 90s. (That reference was for The Olds, hope you enjoyed.) Anyway, my first thought was "wow ladies, this is a terrible idea, considering this young woman's family and friends are still alive" and kind of wondered why anyone allowed it to happen. But, once I got past that bit of disbelief, it was quite good!

It's clear from the start that our main characters have gotten themselves in over their heads- if no one else can solve this long-standing case, there is probably a reason, right? But they also have the advantage of time, fresh eyes, and a lack of bias, so I suppose it evens out. I think the best part of this story was that as the girls went along, they began to learn a lot more about themselves, and about the importance of the case beyond morbid curiosity. I felt like realizing that Clarissa was a real human being who was loved and missed and flawed all at once was the greatest lesson here.

But beyond that, the mystery was great, and I found myself very invested in the "whodunit" aspect. I also really liked that the author discussed that Clarissa's case was so famous because she was a middle class, conventionally attractive white girl, and that so many other cases, especially those of people of color, are so often ignored by the media. There is also quite a bit of commentary on the corruption of the police force, and how it seems that the well-to-do white guys in the story seem to face no ramifications for their actions.

Two friends, Cameron and Blair, start making a podcast about a missing girl whose case was never closed, and they'll soon find out that the truth behind her disappearance is a lot more complex than what they expected.
I really enjoyed this one. I simply couldn't put it down. The way in which the mystery unfolded really kept me invested in it. Plus, it's really fast-paced while maintaining a good rhythm overall.
Some of the parts that I found more compelling are the ones where they interview the people that knew Clarissa, and learning about how her disappearance affected them. It was really heartbreaking at times to see what they went through and, therefore, I think it was written brilliantly.
If you like mystery/thriller novels and you're looking for a quick read, I would definitely recommend you to read this one.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Missing Clarissa is the story of two friends, Cam and Blair, who decide to do a podcast about a girl who went missing in 1999 for their high school journalism project. As they start to unravel the truth, they also start to unravel truths about themselves as well. This book was gripping, suspenseful and full of twists and turns. I was hooked immediately and had to know what happened to Clarissa. I also loved the coming of age aspect of it, seeing Blair and Cam come into their own and grow in their relationships, friendships, family and their own selves. They had teenage angst and immaturity and I wanted to yell at them more than once but they are teens and that comes with the territory.

Clarissa Campbell disappears from a party in the woods outside her rural town. Everyone is questioned as to what happened and that’s when the internet of people sleuthing go crazy with facts and trying to find her.. dead or alive. Twenty years later, best friends Blair and Cameron start a true crime podcast and of course their topic is what happened to Clarissa. Past history’s can sometimes be painful to open.

I love true crime and podcasts centered around this story. Especially when it’s a cold case with a body never discovered. Imagine the pain her mother went through. I really loved the point of views from the characters and the interesting take this story had.

There’s a lot of twists and the story itself is interesting. There were a couple times the story fell flat but other than that I really liked this one. I mean I devoured it in a day!

While you might think this sounds similar to Sadie or a Good Girl's guide to murder, there are actually very good differences between them. The twist at the end was extremely good as well!