A Long Stretch of Bad Days

The Whippoorwill Award-winning novel "A Good Girls Guide to Murder" is a thrilling and gripping YA mystery about two teen girls who investigate a small town's past and uncover buried secrets.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Lydia Chass, a high school student in Henley, has always dreamed of attending a prestigious journalism program and leaving her small town behind. However, a school error leaves her one credit short of graduating, and she is forced to stay in Henley for another year. Bristal Jamison, a fellow student with a bad reputation and a foul mouth, also needs one more credit to graduate. Despite their differences, the two form an unexpected partnership to investigate the Long Stretch of Bad Days—a week when Henley was hit by a tornado, a flash flood, and its first, only, and unsolved murder. As their investigation unearths buried secrets, some don't want them to see the light. When the threats escalate, the girls must uncover the truth before the dark history of Henley catches up with them.

The Whippoorwill Award is a prestigious literary award that recognizes outstanding works of young adult fiction. This year, the award was given to Mindy McGinnis for her thrilling and gripping YA mystery novel, "The Long Stretch of Bad Days." The novel follows two teen girls, Lydia Chass and Bristal Jamison, as they investigate the history of Henley, a small town that has been hit by a tornado, a flash flood, and its first, only, and unsolved murder.

Lydia Chass is a hardworking student who has always dreamed of attending a prestigious journalism program and leaving Henley behind. However, a school error leaves her one credit short of graduating, and she is forced to stay in Henley for another year. Bristal Jamison is a fellow student with a bad reputation and a foul mouth, but she also needs one more credit to graduate. Despite their differences, the two form an unexpected partnership to investigate the Long Stretch of Bad Days.

As their investigation unearths buried secrets, some don't want them to see the light. When the threats escalate, the girls must uncover the truth before the dark history of Henley catches up with them.

The novel is set in a small town in the Midwest, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. Lydia is a strong-willed and determined girl who is not afraid to take on challenges. Bristal is a bit more reserved, but she is also loyal and caring. The two girls work well together, and their friendship is one of the highlights of the novel.

The plot of the novel is fast-paced and suspenseful. The author does a great job of building tension and keeping the reader engaged throughout the story. The mystery is well-crafted, and the author does a great job of keeping the reader guessing until the very end.

One of the things that I loved about this novel is the way that it deals with the themes of grief, loss, and forgiveness. Lydia and Bristal both have experienced significant losses in their lives, and they must learn to forgive those who have hurt them. The author does a great job of showing the characters' growth and development as they work through their emotions.

Another thing that I loved about this novel is the way that it explores the impact of social media on society. The girls use social media to investigate the Long Stretch of Bad Days, and they quickly discover that it can be a dangerous tool. The author does a great job of showing the negative effects of social media on society, and how it can be used to manipulate and control people.

The novel also has a strong sense of place. The author does a great job of describing the town of Henley, and the surrounding area. The descriptions are vivid and detailed, and they help to create a sense of atmosphere and place.

However, there are some things that I didn't like about this novel. One of the things that I found frustrating was the way that the author handled the romance between Lydia and Bristal. The romance felt forced and unrealistic, and it took away from the story. I would have liked to see more development of the relationship between the two girls.

Another thing that I didn't like about this novel was the way that it dealt with the issue of racism. The novel takes place in a small town in the Midwest, and the characters are all white. The author does a good job of showing the impact of racism on society, but I felt that the issue was not explored in enough depth.

Despite these flaws, I still enjoyed this novel. The plot is fast-paced and suspenseful, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The themes of grief, loss, and forgiveness are well-crafted, and the author does a great job of exploring the impact of social media on society. If you are a fan of YA mysteries, then I would recommend this novel to you.

In conclusion, Mindy McGinnis's novel, "The Long Stretch of Bad Days," is a thrilling and gripping YA mystery that explores the history of a small town and the secrets unearthed by two teen girls. The novel is set in a small town in the Midwest, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The plot is fast-paced and suspenseful, and the themes of grief, loss, and forgiveness are well-crafted. However, there are some things that I didn't like about the novel, such as the way that the romance between Lydia and Bristal was handled and the way that the issue of racism was dealt with. Despite these flaws, I still enjoyed this novel, and I would recommend it to fans of YA mysteries.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 203 x 136 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780063230385