DNF @ 10%

I really wanted to like this one, the premise was so interesting to me, but I just struggled with the writing style and was unable to continue.

This is book was really good. I really enjoyed the plot. Two high school girls are doing a podcast about their towns biggest mystery a missing girl, for their journalism class. They are trying to figure out what happen to her. Interviewing people that were friends and family of the missing girl Clarissa.

Although I seen the plot twist coming, I still really enjoy the book. The story and the writing is easy the follow and not confusing.

I would recommend this book to friends especially if they like a mystery and multimedia style writing.

Welcome Back!

Last week, I was still really in a mystery mood and trying to overcome my massive book hangover from Nine Liars. So on a whim, I saw the audiobook for Missing Clarissa on Libby and decided to swoop in and give it a try.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Clarissa went missing from a small town in Washington in 1999, she was attending a summer party and was never seen again after. Now 20 years later two friends are going to find out what happened to Clarissa or at least try to. They are going to start a podcast for a school project, and they intend to talk to everyone close to Clarissa and see if they can figure out anything the police might have missed back in 1999. As the girls begin their podcast they have literally no idea what they are doing but as time goes on they quickly learn and they also learn that this case might lead to danger.

I absolutely loved this book. I listened on audio and I must admit I think that format lends itself amazingly to this story. There is a slight switch-up in tone whenever they are reading the podcast episode versus the rest of the story. I also loved the characters, both the main characters were unique and had different ideas, theories, and lives outside of the case. I just learned from GoodReads there is going to be a sequel! I am beyond excited and I can not wait to pick it up. In the meantime, I highly recommend picking up this mystery on audio.

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

Everyone in Oreville, Washington knows the name Clarissa Campbell. It isn’t because she was so memorable but instead because her story is so hard to forget. One night Clarissa was at a party in the woods, then she was never seen again. Despite a bunch of partygoers for witnesses, there was no body, evidence, and the police had little else to go on. More than twenty years later, the story has disappeared from the national spotlight. For local high school juniors Blair and Cameron, though, Clarissa is legendary. Figuring out what happened to Clarissa is the perfect project for these best friends to use in their journalism class. A true crime podcast with interviews and real journalism is sure to earn them an A. Cam is all in, determined to solve the unsolvable, and Blair is more than happy to go along with Cam’s plan. As Cam and Blair begin interviewing those who were closest to Clarissa, a different picture than what national media reported starts to unfold. Not everyone is happy with the duo digging up the past. Will Cam and Blair be able to honor Clarissa’s memory and bring peace to those who love her, or will they learn that Clarissa’s story isn’t much more than an urban legend?

THOUGHTS: Shorter in length, this mystery is sure to attract true crime and podcast fans as well as readers of books by April Henry or Natasha Preston. Recommended for YA collections.

Somewhat predictable young adult thriller, but still enjoyable nonetheless. I think a teen reader will enjoy this one more than I did.

3 stars!

Another YA thriller but unfortunately another miss. I feel like a lot of books compare themselves to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Sadie (both books that I really loved) and really the only things in common are the idea of a podcast element and that there are high school girls involved. I think where this book lacked was the intrigue of the main character. I thought both of these characters were extremely dull and surface level. I couldn't really differentiate between the two of them, and if I heard one more comment about Cam being so smart I was not going to finish this.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really love a good YA thriller w/ a podcast element (hello still looking for that AGGGTM high)!

The first thing I noticed was all the diversity this book had in it. The characters, the topics they discussed, all of that is really nice to see in a YA book. You don't have to go way into it, but just enough to keep it in your mind to think about. I really was invested in the mystery of this but I'll be honest the way it was written wasn't exactly for me. It kept being annoyed by the main character and that was distracting.

Would definitely read this author again in the future!

YA thriller/mystery—yes please! This book is perfect for all lovers of "A Good Girl's Guide To Murder." Totally recommend giving this one a shot.

I enjoyed the premise of this book as podcasts are very popular right now and I liked the idea of high schoolers looking in to a local crime from years ago.

I wasn't a fan of the characters though. Cam was stubborn, narrow-minded, and rarely thought about the consequences of her actions. She just bulldozed through anything and anyone she felt was in her way.

The book was also a little slow for me. The ending was predictable and didn't have the twists and surprises I would have liked to see.

Thank you Net Galley and Wednesday books for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Back in August of 1999, the whole town of Oreville, Washington was shaken when Clarissa Campbell, the beloved and incredibly popular cheerleader, vanished without a trace during a party in the nearby woods. Despite extensive efforts, her disappearance remains an unsolved mystery to this day, leaving the community forever haunted by the unanswered questions surrounding her fate.

Fast forward over two decades, and we find ourselves in the present day. Blair and Cameron, inseparable best friends who attend Oreville High School, embark on an ambitious project: a true crime podcast that aims to delve deep into the enigmatic urban legend surrounding Clarissa Campbell's disappearance. Their determination leads them down a rabbit hole of dark secrets, exposing the hidden underbelly of this small town. As they peel back the layers of the past, Blair and Cameron uncover the shocking truth about Clarissa's tumultuous relationship with her charming boyfriend. More disturbingly, they stumble upon a small-town art teacher who not only holds a prominent position but also had a compelling motive for wanting Clarissa dead. The duo realize that this teacher might just become the captivating centerpiece of their next podcast episode, given the depth of his involvement and the secrets he harbors.

With each revelation, Blair and Cameron find themselves on a treacherous path, unearthing the twisted history of their community and putting themselves at risk in pursuit of the truth. The lines between justice, vengeance, and their own safety blur as they navigate the dangerous terrain of Oreville's secrets, all while aiming to bring closure to a decades-old mystery.

The characters in this book have an incredible ability to captivate you and stir your emotions. It was such a delightful, quick, and effortless read. I breezed through it within a few hours, completely engrossed in every aspect of the story. I was so deeply invested that I never paused to try and predict the ending before reaching it.

I definitely plan on reading more books by this author in the future, and I want to extend a big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Netgalley, Wednesday books and Ripley Jones for providing me with an e-arc for review. My apologies for being late.

I opted to do this on audio while reading the e-arc and it was a good experience, I really enjoyed the podcast element at the end of each chapter. You do have to suspend some disbelief that after years these high schoolers are able to quickly solve the murder but it plays out nicely. The MC's are slightly unlikeable but do have a little growth throughout the story. Overall it was a fun read/listen.

This was a weird read for me., wanting to love it., was hard at times to keep reading but got thru it.
The last quarter of the book was more exciting and the story was moving a lot quicker then the first 3/4.
I did enjoy it in the end!!

Missing Clarissa is a captivating novel that delves into the dangerous world of true crime podcasting. With its intriguing premise, complex characters, and a web of secrets waiting to be unraveled, this book is a thrilling ride from start to finish.

The story opens with the disappearance of Clarissa Campbell, a popular cheerleader, which quickly becomes a national sensation. Fast forward over two decades, and we meet Blair and Cameron, best friends and high-school juniors, who embark on a true crime podcast journey to uncover the truth behind Clarissa's vanishing. The author skillfully weaves together the past and the present, building suspense and leaving readers eager to uncover the hidden secrets of the small town of Oreville, Washington.

Blair and Cameron are compelling protagonists, driven by their curiosity and determination to seek justice for Clarissa. Their dynamic friendship and shared passion for true crime make them relatable and engaging. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they expose a dark underbelly of secrets, unearthing connections that lead to unexpected twists and turns.

Jones masterfully constructs a cast of characters, each with their own hidden motives and intricate relationships. From the enigmatic boyfriend to the influential high school teacher, the author creates a rich tapestry of suspects, keeping readers guessing and questioning everyone's innocence. The complexities of the characters make for a thought-provoking exploration of the blurred lines between guilt and innocence.

The writing style in Missing Clarissa is engaging and immersive, drawing readers into the heart of the investigation. The pacing is well-executed, with a perfect balance between the present-day podcasting efforts and the past events surrounding Clarissa's disappearance. The author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions paint a vivid picture of the small town, its residents, and the haunting mystery that has plagued them for years.

One of the highlights of this novel is its ability to tackle larger themes within the framework of a gripping mystery. Jones skillfully explores the impact of secrets, the power of public perception, and the consequences of unchecked curiosity. These deeper layers add depth and complexity to the story, elevating it beyond a mere whodunit.

If I were to offer any critique, it would be that at times the plot may feel slightly predictable, adhering to some of the conventions of the genre. However, this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book, as the execution and the characters make up for any minor predictability.

Missing Clarissa is a mystery of a girl who had went missing 20 year before this book takes place we follow Cam and Blair as they start a podcast for a class over the case. This book had me second guessing myself and has so much more going on then a missing person going on.. With that said at time this story felt like it was dragging a bit and felt like maybe we wouldn't get to know what happened to Clarissa, but that ending was tensed, but kind of felt rushed a bit. With that said it did suck me in at point and i had to force myself to put it down so I could get some sleep. so over all i give this book 4 stars

Missing Clarissa gives the same type of vibes as A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, but in the best way! Two girls, tasked to "create something" for their journalism assignment, decide they want to look into an old unsolved mystery of their town - what happened to Clarissa? Did she run away? Was she killed? If so, who killed her? Why?

This was told through both girls' point of views in (mostly) alternating chapters. In addition to researching the crime (and everything that comes with that), each girl has their own specific kind of struggles to deal with as well. Will their friendship survive? Better yet, will they?

Missing Clarissa
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Author: Ripley Jones
GR: 3.56

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

My Thoughts: This novel is premised on two teenagers doing a podcast on a twenty-year old podcast as a project for a class grade. What develops from the podcast is so much more. This is more of a slow burn mystery with most of the action occurring in the latter half of the book.

The story is told in past (cold case crime) and the present. Cam has made some questionable decisions, even as a teenager, however, she is sociable, although immature, and envies the time Blair spends with James. Blair really wants to be a writer but she is insecure and her parents are not the most supportive of her dreams. While they are different, they work well together, with their personalities playing off one another to make a strong podcast team. This town is no different from any other town, it has secrets. The characters were developed well, mysterious, and creative. The characters, even some of the adults, were a bit immature, while this is a Young Adult novel and you expect a level of this, it just seemed to be more than the norm. The story had some twists, but mostly in the last part of the story.

Overall, this was a good story, I just wanted to see more sooner with more twists to keep the interest throughout the novel. I would like to have seen some of the past chapters told from Clarissa’s perspective, I think it would have added another layer to the story. The ending was a tad predictable. The audience this story is geared towards would be teens, and I would recommend picking up to read, or even listen to.

WOW! So, as an adult school librarian who loves YA books, I always feel like I need to give a disclaimer at the beginning of my YA reviews. This is written for teens so it's not John Grisham, nor should it be. The original disappearance is set in 1999, the year I graduated high school. How could I not read this?

That disclaimer given:

Missing Clarissa is a book that I cannot wait to get in my high school library. It has plentiful representation (which a lot of students are looking for, even though it can feel a bit obvious to an adult), an LGBTQIA+ storyline, and a solid mystery. The tagline on the front of the book is also intriguing. "Everyone loves a dead girl." Using the lens of a podcast is an innovative idea.

The main characters (Cam and Blair) are savvy and do solve the mystery through their investigation after some missteps that even my students will sigh at. Cam in particular is impulsive to a fault. Blair is more relatable in my opinion. They're fairly typical high school journalists. It has a bit of a Nancy Drew feel for those old enough to get that reference. The adults are very forthcoming, the kids are very know-it-all. Like Nancy Drew.

Overall a good book that I could see my teens checking out at the school library.

This was a fun, twisty read. I did have to keep reminding myself that the girls were in highschool though because certain things kept driving me crazy but they totally tracked with the age / mindset.

While true crime podcasts don't usually pique my interest, this story did. I felt like parts of the story dragged a little bit but the end more than made up for it. I do read a lot of young adult, but the characters in this book read a bit younger than what I expected. I would say that's the only negative though. If you like murder mysteries, true crime podcasts, then I would recommend this book.

Yo, this isn’t really usual for me. While I love thrillers, I don’t think I’ve ever read one that was funny? But it wasn’t funny because of the subject matter? It was because one of the main characters was annoying? I found myself laughing at her so I didn’t get mad. As someone who majored in Mass Communication, her whole blase’ attitude wasn’t for me.

The very best part about this was the podcast. I have such a weird relationship with podcasts lol I like them when they’re in books. Even more so when the book is a mystery or thriller. But when they’re in real life, I just don’t like them. I think it’s because the menz have ruined them for me. But anyway, when I saw there was one in this book, I needed to read it. And the podcast didn’t disappoint. I think it was the way they had no idea what they were doing. And the way people said they sounded like they recorded in a bathroom. The author just made it seem like these are everyday teens who could do this. And I love it. It lets teens know they too can start something big like this.

Buttttt I didn’t like the characters. Again, they had no idea what they were doing. They were doing all they could to figure it out. But what I didn’t like was they just went off vibes only. They just JUMPED and didn’t think about anything first. Well at least one of them. I was happy that there was two of them and they were able to bounce ideas off each other and help each other come to different realizations. They were the true definition of partners. But the one that just did the things and didn’t think about the consequences? I was glad that they showed the truth of what could really happen. And I was glad that they showed that it wasn’t them, but they were still a shitty person. Because they were shitty, but not for that. And anyone working a case like this will most definitely run into that.

As for the mystery, I think I was so into it because of the cold case aspect of it. It sounds weird and possibly morbid, but my favorite shows are Unsolved Mysteries and anything to do with like mysteries that have been unsolved for years and then something happens and they’re able to catch the person who did it. And this was basically one of those shows in book forms. I do think the way it was played out and the way the author helped them solve it was pretty bad ass tho. Definitely seemed like it was plucked off a show. But it seemed a bit advanced for some teens lol

There is a romance storyline there, but I thought it was unnecessary? Like it was just there to be sure that there was one? And I hated that because one of them was an LGBTQ relationship, and the other was a toxic relationship that gave me the ick from the first page. I just feel like they were unnecessary. Especially since they had nothing to do with the mystery. They were just there. Making them more fleshed out could have made the book longer. Or cutting them and making them just friends wouldn’t have made any difference.

The narrators for this were amazing. I don’t know, it’s just something about a full cast. No matter what the characters are, even if they annoy me like this one did, I was still enthralled because of the narrators. I know they were just the interviewee’s, but they still gave some difference to the book and it was fun to see how each of them were able to play their own individual parts.

There was some space for another book at the end tho. Hopefully since they’ve learned lessons in this one and know better, maybe things would be better. The only thing missing……… Another true crime that needs to be solved. I guess we’ll have to see what the author decides.