Missing in Somerville

by A.J. Raven

The beautiful young bride of the town’s wealthiest man has been missing for several months and rumors of her whereabouts are rampant. Some speak of murder at the hands of her husband. Others claim that the young beauty died at the hands of a jealous ex-boyfriend. She could have run away, but why would a woman throw away a life of luxury? When a group of friends begin to search for her, they quickly discover that their lives are in danger by those determined to keep the woman’s whereabouts unknown.

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2013

About the author

Writer of mystery/paranormal/crime books. Also like to read and write stuff on the internet...you know, blogging about TV shows, comic books, anime, manga, and all that stuff. Did my B.Sc (hons) in Bio-technology and B.A (hons) in Psychology. Have also completed my M.Phil in Bio-technology!

I have written seven books in total, that make up two mystery series. 'Arousing the Legacy' is actually four books in the Colville Mystery series together! It features Anya, a female teenager, and her friends trying to survive paranormal occurrences. I've always been a fan of complex female character so, you'll see a lot of that in my books.

The other mystery series follows a bespectacled boy named Jerry as he tries to cope with high school drama, growing up, and solving crime cases in his town. The series includes two books "Missing in Somerville" and "The Game Master of Somerville". The third book "The Escaped Murderer of Somerville" has also been released!

Maybe the two series will have a cross-over in the near future. Who knows!

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character Jerry is like a young teenage "Sherlock Holmes" solving his first mystery in his hometown of Somerville that no one else seems to be able to solve or maybe even want to solve but, him with his band of friends by his side, he takes risks and challenges to solve this mystery of this young heiress who is missing, goes beyond the call of duty in some aspects, although daring in his feats he maintains his teenage awkwardness which is an adorable and yet realistic quality and also brings a comfortable flowing dichotomy to this young adult character.

He approaches this kidnapping crime like a young investigative journalist. I like the down to earth feel of this book as well as the plot twists and turns it brings to the table. I like that the friends rely on each other and support each other during the unraveling of this suspenseful mystery.

I like the dynamics of the characters the way they interact with each other at times it's like witty banter between them. I recommend this book as a great Saturday night read with an engaging discussion about the book with friends over pizza and popcorn. I like the cliffhanger ending sort of similar to an R.L. Stine type of feel to it.

[H.M. Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun, had a very youthful quality and an interesting mystery/story line. I liked that the author chose to have a lead who was complex, shy, but brave. Jerry is not just solving mysteries for a chance at writing for the local paper, he is figuring out the mystery of himself. Very good job meshing his own self-discovery with the discovery of the crime he is pursuing.

There are some elements in this book that need work, which is why I did not rate it higher. Some dialogue seems forced, a few grammatical errors are present throughout, and there are some scenes in which the going-ons of the characters, their positions, etc. are not clear to me. With some touch ups to the manuscript, this could easily be a very fast read, and a very fun one.

Thank you, A.J., for the enjoyable mystery. A little editing will make this book a great success, I am sure. Keep writing. Your voice and story was a lot of fun.

[Giuls · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had high expectations for this one because the premise sounded so interesting and I love reading about queer kids solving mysteries but it fell flat to me and I had a hard time finishing it.

The story follows Jerry, who is determined to get a spot on his school paper, so he decides to solve the disappearance of a local wealthy woman.

The setting felt often surreal and simplistic, Jerry just stumbles into answers, acts without thinking and luck is the only thing that gets him out of trouble. He should be in high school, but he speaks and acts like he's a thirteen. The dialogues sound weird and innatural and we get a lot of physical description and zero characterisation. Also his friends get described as if they were Jerry's acquaintances, yet they do everything together and they're willing to solve the mystery with him. I kept waiting for some big reveal but literally nothing happened. I wasn't invested in the story or in the characters.

I had no idea that this would be a series, so I am not going to read the second book since I didn't enjoy the first one at all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy.

[Alex Nonymous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Missing in Somerville in exchange for an honest review.

While I love seeing more queer kids solving mysteries (Velma from Scooby-doo would be proud) Missing in Somerville was just too disconnected from reality for me to enjoy it.

This has big 'person who's been out of high school for years trying to write high schoolers' vibes. We're introduced to Jerry by him correcting his mother and saying that no, he's going to high school, not school and I couldn't help but think of that thing 4 and a half year olds do when they insist on adding the half whenever you call them 4. I just graduated high school and I have never in my life heard someone consider that an important distinction to make and the weird disconnect between Jerry and an actual teenager continue throughout the book.

The mystery was also solved more by Jerry being lucky enough to stumble into answers and witnesses just telling him a bunch of things they apparently never told the cops. I'm a big fan of mystery stories where the detective character has to become inventive in how to get answers and everything felt a tad too easy here.

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this mystery prior to its publication.
Our story centres on Jerry, determined to get a spot writing on his school paper, and his investigation into the mysterious disappearance of a local wealthy woman.
From the outset we are told by Jerry that what he and his friends are about to get tangled up in is dangerous. Of course we want to know more.
Having now finished the book I can’t help but think Jerry is one of the luckiest people alive. He acts without thinking, bumbles into situations and gets an awful lot of luck to help him work out what’s happened. He and his group of friends are reminiscent of Scooby Doo and the gang - solving the crime more by luck than judgment!

[Noelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This read like a 12 year olds wattpad novel. The characters are clearly in their mid to late teens but it reads as middle grade/ lower young adult.

Aside from the mystery, nothing was really resolved and the end hints at something darker that is obviously for the sequel. Too bad I won't be reading it.



Thank you to Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Hina Tabassum Khatri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided with a copy for an honest review.

Jerry wants to write for his school newspaper and the editor wants him to do so too. But he has to prove himself by writing something unique that will place him apart from all the other applicants. TO write a story that stands out, he looks towards the case of a missing woman and is determined to solve the case with the help of his four friends.

This story is about determination being the trigger to reaching high. Some goals seems way beyond what one perceives to be anywhere within their reach but often times taking that first baby step towards it happens to be removing the biggest hurdle in the path. This story is about the same determination.

It also looks into the fact that just because you've known someone for ever and claim to love them does not necessarily love them.

A great effort by A.J. Raven. When I began, I was not sure of the story but my interest was built with every words that I read.

A very good read.

[M.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing in Somerville by A J Raven is an enjoyable and quick read about the mystery of a missing woman in the hometown of a group of high school students. They resolve to find out what's happened to her, in order to assist a friend who wants to become a reporter on the school newspaper.
It is the interplay between the characters that keeps the reader involved and much of the story is dialogue between the group of high school students, who have high school student concerns and worries.
The solving of the mystery is almost an aside, and one that comes about a bit too quickly for my liking. I would have enjoyed some more details as to how the mystery is solved and a few more details about the motivation behind the crime.
At heart it is a mild 'who dun it' with an interesting twist at the end that would benefit from some snappier dialogue between the students and perhaps, a little more tension before the mystery is solved.

[Tempestraven Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't a lot of books out there that can show the range of emotions that characters go through. Missing in Somerville is different and that's why i love it. Not only is there a mystery that needs to be solved but the way the characters, Jerry and his friends, interact with each other, makes the whole situation a lot more relatable. I hope to read more in the series. http://tempestraven.wordpress.com/201...

[Jessi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly dont know how to really feel about this book. I wont say the story was bad, but there was just so many irritating points about the book that really just yanked you right out of the story. First, his group of friends. He describes them more like acquaintances that he barely knows. but yet, they do everything together. Kate doesn't even seem to like them. This is the weirdest arrangements of friends willing to go look for a body together and makes absolutely no sense. Secondly, why does nearly every chapter end with some sentence like :" if i only knew then what i know now". Seriously stop. It was cute the first time or two. We dont need to be reminded every chapter that things are going to get worse. Really, On that same note, to end a book with that same sentence is just plain cruel. There was not mention that this would have a sequel or be part of a series. So now I am beyond annoyed. In addition to the random plot points that were brought up once and never mentioned again. Case in point "the master"... or how about the moms outburst... no resolution. I am honestly so annoyed with this I likely wont bother to read a second book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[AMHH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the premise of this novel is fantastic: prospective high-school reporter Jerry investigates the mysterious disappearance of Devona, a beautiful local woman, with varying degrees of help from his friends, while simultaneously dealing with more prosaic teen dramas like what it means to be kissing the guy next door. The mystery is suitably mysterious, and the pacing of the story works as well. It’s worth pointing out, however, that while Jerry himself is a compelling and nuanced character, at times awkward, assertive, scared, and brave, the same can’t be said of all of Missing in Somerville’s characters -- Jerry’s mother and father, for example, come across more as caricatures of parents than actual people. Moreover, the writing doesn’t really live up to the content. The dialogue in particular is stilted, wooden and often unbelievable, particularly when teenagers use formal prose better suited to nineteenth century dowagers. For me, the dissonance between style and substance ultimately got in the way of fully enjoying the novel.

*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an unbiased review.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one. I did. The blurb and the cover snapped my attention up. The way each of the characters are written, the way they speak, it just didn’t fit a group of high schoolers. It got robotic at times and it bothered me. The mystery aspect was solved by chance and I wish there would have been more to it.

[Tempestraven Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, there aren’t a lot of books out there that have a strong teenaged gay or bisexual lead paired with a nice mystery. Or maybe there are and i don’t know about them. Anyway, i like to read books and i got to know about a little mystery titled “Missing in Somerville”

Now, the title is quite self-explanatory. You can tell that the story will take place in Somerville, is a mystery and it’s probably going to be about something that has gone missing. However, what it doesn’t tell is how much fun this book is.

Now, the fun part are the things that are experienced by the main character, Jerry Mathews. If you have been looking for a mystery title that has a strong gay lead, then this is one is for you. Jerry Mathews, is the kind of character who doesn’t take no for an answer when he decides to do something. Wanting to write for the school newspaper he stumbles upon a mystery that will put Jerry and his friends in life-threatening situations.

The dynamics between the friends is fun to read about. You have Ashley, Kate, Justin and Nick. All of them have very different personalities, however, that’s what makes them a strong group and each individual will do what he or she can in order to save their friends. Relationships are very important to the story, whether it’s friendship or the weirdness that Jerry experiences when he shares a kiss with his neighbor Kevin.

Being a Young Adult novel, you can be sure to find a lot of emotional and full of angst moments as well. After the kiss, Jerry’s and Kevin’s relationship changes and Jerry needs time to get over the whole thing. Of course, he has to solve the mystery and spending time on what the kiss actually meant seems like a waste of time to him.

One of the things that i liked about the book is that there’s no extra character in it. every character has their own personalities and has a job to do that adds to the whole story. Some of the characters aren’t what they seem to be and that’s the best thing about the book.

Jerry’s competence and bravery shines in the last chapter of the book when the real culprit is found and let me tell you, the fight sequence isn’t an easy one to digest. Even though Jerry is the lead, he doesn’t come out unscathed. He’s just a teenager who hasn’t been in a fight ever in his life.

Somerville Mysteries is a good read. Things start to gain speed quite soon and doesn’t slow down until the last page. Jerry Mathews is a character who is definitely someone readers will look up to. He isn’t a hero and neither a saint. He’s a teenager who is trying to figure out stuff happening in his life and he has a ‘mean-streak’ in him as well.

http://tempestraven.wordpress.com/201...

[Lee French · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story primarily about teenagers acting like teenagers, who happen to be solving a mystery as they do so. The main character, Jerry, is awkward and uncomfortable about nearly everything, while managing to pull out enough confidence to do incredibly stupid things and get away with them, for the most part. He's believable and enjoyable, and his friends are an entertaining crew of wingmen(and women). Overall, I enjoyed the story and its twists and turns.

The dialogue is a bit stilted and formal - the kids don't really feel like they're talking like kids. Several words they use come off oddly, like 'bespectacled', and 'cronies', things I don't really believe average teens would say in the context they're used. Some of the attempts at teen humor don't come off well, either. These things are fairly minor, but I noticed them.

Jerry's uncertainty regarding his sexuality is refreshing and well handled, but it isn't resolved. We're left not knowing what he's going to do or how he's going to explore it, which is unsatisfying. A few hints here or there could have given enough of a hint about where he's headed to tie that off.

There's a lot of showing instead of telling in this book, and much repetition of information. The characters tell each other the same things too many times, and Jerry explains background information too much. Many of the small moments are irrelevant to any of the themes or plot lines, and only serve to throw useless information at us.

The best parts of this book are when Jerry is busy freaking out internally over one thing or another. His mental voice is excellent and engaging. Likewise, the mystery and the kids' attempts to find information about it are clever and amusing. The end could have been a little tighter, but it stands just fine as is.

The book is fast-paced and an amusing read, and I recommend it to anyone looking for quick, summer beach reading.

[Scott Spotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the group dynamics of Jerry and his gang. They look out for each other and all have distinct personalities. Jerry's gang reminds me of Archie Andrews and all in the Archie comics. Jerry is Archie, Ash is Betty Cooper, and Kate is Veronica Lodge. To me, that was the strong part of the novel. The gang gets into trouble, and its members bail each other out and rely upon their numerous contacts within the small town, especially Kate, who is the wealthy socialite.

The book was portrayed as a crime investigation by an amateur sleuth like the Hardy Boys, but my attention kept drifting to the dynamics of the group of teenagers. The depiction of the disappeared heiress was so-so, and the methods of Jerry to solve the mystery were sometimes clueless, relying upon good luck and very willing victims to help him in his task.

It would be fun for A.J. Raven to keep writing the series as a sort of "Archie's Crime Mysteries" where Jerry relies upon his gang to help him out as he resolves to launch a career as a junior investigator. In that sense, it is similar to an old book series, "The Three Investigators" with Jupiter Jones and gang. In The Three Investigators, the trio of boys don't have the same range of emotions and interests as does A.J. Raven's gang, which is why I liked this crew. (The Three Investigators are very popular in Germany).

One twist in the book that made it more up-to-date and refreshing, even if brief, was the topic of forbidden love.

Don't let the three stars throw you off... I really enjoyed this book, for a light read, and would probably read it over and over again. Sharpen the plot on the crimes and you'll have a feast! Use more old fashioned detective methods, like talking to police, checking for fingerprints and footprints, researching the old newspapers at the library, and so on!

This could easily become a series. The gang is ready to go, for more adventures!

[Genevieve Paquette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and NineStar press for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This read as though it was written by a precocious 14 year old. And not in a good way. The structure, phrasing, dialogue, everything sounded like the kind of earnest but self-indulgent stuff I would have written in my early teens and hidden in a shoebox under the bed. The dialogue was awkward, stilted and inauthentic, with teenagers speaking in a stiff, formal manner, peppered with slang from the early 2000s. Wassup?
I was disappointed. I'm always looking for good YA mysteries to pass on to the young people in my life. This wasn't that.
The characters were... like they were written by a 14 year old. Lots of descriptions of hair and hotness but no personality. And the plot was not even thin, it was emaciated. The mystery wasn't mysterious, and the detective didn't detect so much as do a few dumb things and get lucky because of some really convenient coincidences. Like, he was being followed by an undercover cop, and his friend's dad is also an officer, and they're the ones who actually saved the day.
It wasn't good, but it did make me nostalgic, so I guess that's something .

[A.J. Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author of this book so of course I think it's amazing :) and besides all the reviews it received, especially on B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/missi... don't lie. Some people didn't enjoy it as much but I'm happy that a lot of other's did and it encouraged me to write a sequel.