I Killed Zoe Spanos

No, this is not me confessing. That is the title of the novel, okay?

Anyway, to the point.

Anna moves in with with a family in the plush Hampton hills, working as an au pair before college. Taking a break from her hard partying, reckless self. Everything’s going well, except for the constant comparisons to the missing Zoe Spanos, whom she looks exactly like. And who is strangely familiar…
Two months later, Anna confesses to Zoe’s murder. But there are deep gaps in her confession, that everyone, including Anna can see. Martina Greene, future journalist, tries to investigate. Did Anna kill Zoe Spanos? Even Anna isn’t sure.

Murders are my favourite! Ok no, that came out wrong. The murder mystery genre is one of my favourites.
But there are plenty of murder mysteries in circulation.
Some are Christie-esque
Some feature the teen investigative journalist
With the sheer amount of murder mysteries floating around, it takes a lot more than a mildly surprising twist to stand out.
1. The concept should be interesting. Five teens in a deserted location is over, okay?
2. The characters should be non-stereotypes. The mystery genre is seemingly populated by jocks, popular girls, nerds and loners, rather than real three dimensional people.
3. The plot twists shouldn’t be too unrealistic. No more convenient serial killers, please


In this novel by Kit Frick, I was captured by the concept immediately. The plot is twisted, and will keep you guessing till the end. It can be a bit improbable, but not unbelievably so. Besides, murders are (thankfully) improbable incidences so the events related to them can afford to be a little less than mundane.

The perspective alternates between Anna two months ago, and Anna in prison today, along with Martina Greenes’ voice sometimes.
The suspense build-up is just amazing, especially towards the end.
I would say the characters are also exceptionally done. Anna is a very relatable character, someone trying to turn over a new leaf, but still bogged down by her past. She has more than one side, and can be compassionate, but makes and has made some bad decisions. Many of the other characters have the same depth and shades of grey.
Martina is a inquisitive teenager, trying to help her friend by running a podcast to try and find Zoe. Martina’s character has not been written as well as Anna’s but still isn’t too bad. She is inquisitive, and will go too far to uncover the truth. A little trope-ish, but not entirely terrible.

The writing is pretty decent, but nothing special. Told in the way the average teenager speaks. (Most similar novels are written in the way the average adult thinks the way the average teenager speaks, two very different things)

Overall a sure 4.5/5. Read with “no body, no crime” on repeat. (Sorry not sorry for the Taylor Swift plug.)