About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Eight teens are dropped off on a remote west-coast island for a week-long treatment program called INTRO (Into Nature to Renew Ourselves).
The story is told by two of them: Alice, whose police-officer mother believes Alice might have a substance-abuse problem, and Caleb, who assaulted his abusive stepfather. They are joined by six other miscreants and three staff: a psychologist, a social worker and an ex-cop. On the first night, one of the girls disappears from her cabin. There is a panicked search of the island, but she is nowhere to be found. The adults seem oddly ineffectual in dealing with the crisis—and then the ex-cop gets sick and dies. The radio has been sabotaged, and there is no way to call for help. When the social worker also becomes ill, the kids decide to take matters into their own hands and track down the killer.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12
Awards
- Short-listed, John Spray Mystery Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Short-listed, Golden Oak Award
- , Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award
- Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) John Spray Mystery Award
Editorial Reviews
"A compulsively readable tale...wickedly fun and fresh, this fast read is highly recommended for those who can't get enough dark mysteries, lovers of illicit romance, and anyone who appreciates creepy camp stories."
— School Library Journal
"So fun! I thought Blood on the Beach was an enjoyable and intriguing book...The authors each bring their own style and expertise to the characters they create...All in all, I think I'd definitely recommend this one to teen readers, ever to more reluctant readers, and adults who like a really solid thriller."
— Sense and Sensibilty and Stories blog
"Both the adult and young adult characters are relatable and there are some great plot twists including one final unexpected twist at the end."
— John Spray Mystery Award Jury
"Together, [Harvey and Stevenson] are powerful. They have created a wild assortment of characters and exposed them to a more tenuous situation than those from which they came."
— CanLit for LittleCanadians blog
"Will be avidly consumed by high school readers...It is the novel's spin on what seems, at first, to be almost stereotypical fictional set-up that makes the novel much more than just a regular old 'whodunit'...Readers will remain mesmerized to the very end."
— CM Magazine
"Will keep readers guessing right up until the end. Middle and high school teens who like a good mystery will enjoy this book and may be able to relate to some of the characters."
— School Library Connection
