Murder on a School Night

Brilliant! Booksmart, Mean Girls and Sex Education solve murders. Feminist wit abounds.

This had me rolling in the virtual aisles. I'm NOT the target market (40-something parent) but I like to think I remember quite well what it was like to be the class swot who was never gonna work out what 'cool' was, and had happily found my own niche in my own academic world. This is Kerry. But best friend Annie is DETERMINED to get in with 'Les Populaires' while they still can (the same group who regular throw coffee out car windows at her). "In the secondary school hierarchy of cliques... we're less cool that a tabard-wearing dinner lady."

Gifted the 'opportunity' by leader of said Popular group Heather to find out for her who is cyberbullying her by attending one of her parties, the reluctant Kerry and eager Annie find out more than they bargained for, when they (along with Kerry's crush, new guy Scott) come across the freshly dead body of a classmate, complete with menstrual cup in her mouth.

With the local police insisting on suicide/accidental death, Annie gleefully insisting they investigate, and Kerry just wanting to go home and get her retainer in and put on a 90s rom-com, the stage is set for a YA murder mystery with b*lls (so to speak).

I just loved this. Not having grown up with such openly liberated classmates (their morning greeting to a neighbour consists of: "I am strong and empowered, the patriarchy is but sh*t upon my shoe, good morning to all and a very.... GOOD VULV@ TO YOU!"

These young women may not be seen as cool in the eyes of fellow students, but I think they would have been my idols when I was 16. Goddesses of wordplay, got each other's backs, not afraid to stand up for their rights, and just as boy- and sex-obsessed as any teen: "If I can lick a drop of his perspiration, I'm sure it will cure me of my virginity." (I may have cackled and cried with laughter over that one).

The murder mystery plot is a good one, with plenty of self-referential irony as they pair speed through potential suspects, new murders, incompetent Neanderthal-like police officers, steamy longing for hot boys and general hormonal teen angst ("No one must ever know that the closest I have ever come to a sexual experience is accidentally sitting on my phone when I get a text). I love Kerry.

They even refer to Booksmart (a recent iPlayer favourite of mine about two girls similar to this pair). The top Mean Girl is called Heather (I mean - 80s film reference anyone?!). They had me regularly with their humour: "Annie and I are skulking around the empty corridors of our school, wearing black jeans and rollnecks, a cross between a mime act and chic tortured poets." This may be aimed at teens but the older market is going to just LOVE this as well. The supporting cast are great too, stereotypes many appear to be but with hidden sides, glimpses of

I want this very, very much to be made into a film. It was great to see such a smart and contemporary teen murder mystery set in Britain rather than across the pond. With UK references.

Such an 'in' genre at the moment, and an absolute gem of a YA find. Read it.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

This book is HILARIOUS. An unashamedly feminist murder mystery with a splash of romcom and plenty of twists and turns. It is CRYING OUT to be turned into a film/TV series. And no spoilers but that very last bit is *chef's kiss*. Love this writer. Original and always on point but also has big Bridget Jones vibes (in the very best way!).