And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman

Delia Truesdale's life is turned upside down the day her mother's ship disappears on its way to Antarctica. Despite everyone's fervent belief that her mother is dead, Delia can't accept that her organized, precise mother could simply just drop off the face of the earth. But before she can fully comprehend the situation, she's sent from her home in Palo Alto to New York City to live her with two aunts, both polar opposites of each other.

As Delia struggles to adjust to her new life and gets to know the family she's never met, she also begins to unravel some secrets her mother kept--dangerous ones that could unravel everything.

Jennifer Sturman's first YA novel is absolutely wonderful. Delia's character is witty, down-to-earth, and engaging, and Sturman's many supporting characters are quirky and fallible, unique and wholly entertaining. The plot of the novel moves fairly quickly and packs in a lot of suspense as Delia moves cross country with her extended family and gets closer and closer to finding the truth about her mother's disappearance. Despite the gravity of her mother's situation, Delia manages to keep fairly upbeat, and And Then Everything Unraveled is a humorous read. Some unanswered questions at the end of the book imply that there will be a sequel, something everyone will be excited about, and excuses the slightly abrupt ending. Sturman writes with as much heart and feeling as Sarah Dessen, but also manages to throw in enough mystery, secrets, and danger to rival a Mary Higgins Clark novel. Sturman's engrossing new novel will have you laughing in delight at one moment, and on the edge of your seat in suspense in the next!

Cover Comments: At first I wasn't sure about this cover...the cartoon-ish appearance made me uneasy, but the more I look at it, that more I love it. I love any sort of paisley or swirl design that it done tastefully, and I think it adds just the right amount of flare. The cover balances out the book perfectly!

A reminder to all you new New Yorkers:

Jennifer Sturman will be at

Partners & Crime Mystery Booksellers

44 Greenwich Avenue (corner of Charles)

New York, NY 10011

(212) 243-0440

on July 22nd (Wednesday!) from 7-8 PM

Join Jennifer Sturman as she celebrates the release of her first young adult mystery. Books and Magic Eight Balls will be given away to 5 lucky readers in attendance.

Niblies and soda will be served!