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!

Blair and Cam are two ordinary teenagers who find themselves looking back on the legendary cold case in their town. A local girl disappeared many years ago without a trace, sparking nationwide attention and many theories to her whereabouts as her body was never found. Is she even dead or alive?

There are a number of things I really enjoyed about this book, and oddly enough, the mystery itself isn’t the chief reason. Firstly, I really enjoyed both Blair and Cam as our protagonists. Blair was the one who gave into other people’s desires, whether it was Cam’s more exuberant personality or her boyfriend’s domineering attitude. Cam, in contrast, knew who she was and didn’t care what others thought. What was more enjoyable was their interaction with one another. On paper, they don’t look like they could be best friends, and yet, their opposing natures balanced one another and forced the other to see from a different perspective.

I also really liked how they came across as real teenagers. They made mistakes, super dumb ones. And the whole reason they started this thing into Clarissa? For a school assignment. With the slight narcissistic thought that they’d be able to crack what others couldn’t over the years. I mean, what college would say no to you if you solved a cold case with this level of media scrutiny?

In the vein of recent mystery favourites featuring podcasts like Sadie and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, each chapter was divvied up by the subject matter they were interviewing with regards to the case. I’m not sure what it is about mysteries with podcasts formats, but there’s something about it that keeps us on our toes as we watch, like a podcast audience, what would happen next. I did like this format in this novel, but it did feel more of a plot device than something integral to the storytelling.

And lastly, there is the commentary between the girls and their journalism class. Clarissa, as a beautiful white girl, gets all this media attention for being missing, yet thousands of other girls disappear all the time, namely from Indigenous backgrounds. I appreciated this running thought here because it is something to be mindful of in our own society. It’s not heavily discussed, but its presence here is a question. Would Clarissa have gotten such fervor from her community and around the country if she wasn’t a white, blond girl?

Now, I’ve written a number of things that aren’t the mystery, but I’ve yet to comment on how I felt about it. I love mysteries, and I’ve read my fair share. While this novel isn’t something that will shake your core with its ending, I will say I didn’t guess everything immediately. It may not be earth shattering in its plot twists but I don’t think the purpose of this mystery is simply just a whodunnit. Missing Clarissa brings more to the table, and for that I’m quite pleased with how everything turned out.

Overall Recommendation:

Missing Clarissa combines a few elements that make this story compelling: intriguing protagonists, a commentary on missing white girls, and a podcast style of storytelling. While I’m always down for a good mystery, the best things about this book isn’t really the whodunnit. Whether it was predictable or not earth shattering enough, this book gives on social commentary as well as a realistic growth arc for the two protagonists. I came in looking for a simple mystery but got a lot more out of it.

3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-Arc. This was such a easy read considering that it is a YA thriller. This had total AGGGTM vibes but so much lighter. I love the team that Cam and Blair make I love how their friendship works I can totally see my younger self as both of them.

Who loves books featuring true crime podcasts?

This YA thriller was one of the better ones I’ve read. It was fun, easy to read and entertaining at time but it wasn’t enough for me.

Two high school students start a true crime podcast for their journalism class featuring Clarissa. Clarissa was a popular cheerleader who went missing in 1999. The duo believes that they will be able to figure out what happened to her. As they progress in their investigation their podcast blows up and creates a ripple effect.

Missing Clarissa is available March 7, 2023

Thank you netgalley and wednesdaybooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Missing Clarissa is a YA crime thriller from Ripley Jones.

"Best friends, Blair and Cameron, decide to do a true crime podcast about an unsolved case that happened in their town. A popular girl disappeared after a party twenty years ago. There were several suspects but never a conviction. And Cameron thinks they can solve it. As they talk to people, many signs point to a charismatic teacher. But is the real killer still lurking?"

Initially the character of Cameron was awfully annoying. She's impetuous and immature and manipulative. Blair is a little easier to take but she also lacks confidence in most things. The two girls make a good, complimentary team in talking to the different parties about the crime. Ripley thows in a few surprises and red herrings to keep you guessing. You might figure out the killer but probably not.

This revolves around a podcast which seems to be a new trope, especially in YA. I'm glad to see more crime fiction in YA.

There is a Brad character. He's the charismatic captain of the football team but then he becomes a murder suspect and it's all downhill from there.

This book is geared towards a YA audience and would probably be best enjoyed by fans of YA.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Missing Clarissa caught my attention due to the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder comp, and while it didn’t fully deliver, it’s cool enough as a YA thriller. Plot-wise, it’s intriguing, with a lot of twists and turns, and a lot of suspense.I also like that the story at least tried to address the issue with the true-crime industry and the emphasis on attractive white girls, demonstrating some self-awareness in that regard.
Cam and Blair as the co-leads of the book were a weak link for me. Blair was somewhat fine, even if her insecurities were emphasized a bit too much. But Cam’s impulsivity, while somewhat relatable for teens, got rather grating. And the narrative choice to present their POVs, darting between them interchangeably without much finesse, made it hard for me to truly feel connected to them.
This book has a lot of potential, and I am open to seeing how Ripley Jones’ style develops. In spite of its shortcomings I’d still recommend giving it a chance if you enjoy YA thrillers.

I feel like this may be a bigger hit for someone who has not accidentally over saturated themselves in true crime podcasts in the past.

This book was a good read. Best friends and teenagers Blair and Cam are very likeable and relatable. They choose to do a true crime podcast for a class project regarding the disappearance of a young girl years previous. There will be many potential suspects along the way. Can you figure it out? The book also touches on many other things such as racism, LGBTQ, and self esteem. I look forward to more by this author.

August of 1999

Clarissa Campbell a pretty and popular cheerleader left a party and was never seen again. There have been theories and there have been suspicions but her disappearance has remained a mystery and the case went cold.

Twenty years later

Blair and Cameron are high school juniors and best friends. They start a true crime podcast and are focused on learning what happened to Clarissa Campbell. They interview those who were in Clarissa's life and in the process, uncover some secrets. They look at her relationship with her boyfriend and her art teacher....

I found this to be a fast read and enjoyed how Cam and Blair worked on their podcase while also looking inward at themselves and who they were. The mystery of what happened to Clarissa is at the forefront.

I couldn't help but shake my head a few times at the actions that are taken in this book. Does no one care about consequences or think before acting???? Impulse issues overload!

This was a solid YA mystery/thriller which kept my attention.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Clarissa Campbell was Oreville's gold girl, cheerleader, dating the town football star, and an aspiring artist. When she disappears soon after graduation in 1999, the town is stunned, banding together to find the missing girl. But she is never found, and soon passes into town lore, becoming almost a joke by the time Blair and Cameron decide to make her the subject of their podcast, for their journalism class project. Clarissa was never found, and the case is cold and dormant when the girls begin to dig, starting with Clarissa's parents and friends. The deeper they dig, the more they found, the more dangerous the project begins. Will Cam and Blair find out who took Clarrissa, or will that person find them, instead, making them the next victims?

This was a debut book, and it really felt like it. It was really good, but parts of the book just felt...clunky and clumsy. Well written, but the main characters make some really interesting choices, considering the tools and information at their disposal. Definitely worth the read, but sometimes you can see behind the curtain, can almost feel the wheels turning in the author's head as they grapple with the threads put in place, to make sure everything fits together in the end. Which it does, but not easily.

This is definitley an author I will keep an eye on, because you can tell that they're very talented, they just might need some time to work out the kinks. It's a decent debut, for sure. Honestly, this book did suffer a bit from the fact that the one I read right before this one was basically the same premise (high school students doing a podcast digging into the history of their small towns and stirring up trouble), but done by a seasoned author.

I binge listened to Missing Clarissa today and was glad I did!

Clarissa has been missing for over twenty years. Her parents don't believe she's gone, and others in her life have moved on. Yet when Cam decides to create a podcast as her high school journalism project with her friend, Blair, everything unravels. What happened to Clarissa all those years back in the woods? Cam is desperate to find out.

I enjoyed listening to debut novel, Missing Clarissa. Narrated by a cast of characters, I would recommend listening to this novel over reading it. This book features podcast clips throughout and a faster speed alloes it to all come together. While most of the book is told through Cam's point of view, I enjoyed the other side characters and when Blair was included more.

Thank you MacMillian audio and Wednesday Books for my earc and alc copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.