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
Finn watches in horror as his stepmother is gunned down in front of his house. His father reacts and kills the gunman. When Finn learns that the killer is the same man who admitted to killing his birth mother years before, he is shocked and wants to know if this is more than a terrible coincidence. At the police station, he meets Lila, daughter of the killer, and they strike up a wary friendship. Both of them are desperate to find the truth. What they discover hints at a much larger conspiracy.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 12
- Grade:
- 8 to 12
- Reading age:
- 12
Awards
- , Forest of Reading Golden Oak Award
- , Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Snow Willow
- , Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (MYRCA)
- Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
Editorial Reviews
"Guilty is a perfect example of why Norah McClintock is the queen of Canadian YA crime fiction, having won the Arthur Ellis Award for crime fiction at least five times...With both Finn and Lila coming at the crimes from different perspectives, converging at a dramatic life-threatening climax, Norah McClintock keeps the story fast-paced and intriguing, hopeful for justice (the coveted aim for most readers of crime fiction) and even peace of mind through resolution."
— CanLit for LittleCanadians blog
"McClintock is well-known for her many young adult crime novels...Guilty will appeal to both her fans and to new readers as well. The book is fast-paced and exciting...The usual elements of a good mystery are all there, with a number of suspects and potential scenarios. People keep secrets of all kinds, and the final unravelling of the plot surprises both Lila and Finn and will catch readers off guard both in its simplicity and ingenuity....Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine
"McClintock has crafted an engrossing thriller that will keep readers turning pages. Full of intrigue from the first page, the story alternates between Finn and Lila's narration...McClintock does a fine job of capturing both teen's emotional responses to events. The quest to discover the truth, rather than character development, is what drives this book, and teens will be drawn into the mystery. The action and shorter length make this an ideal choice for reluctant readers, but it is also a good pick for avid mystery and thriller fans."
— VOYA
"[A] searing detective story...The novel gets off to a tense start as 17-year-old Finn watches a strange man approach his father and stepmother in front of their garage...The chapters alternate between Finn and Lila's points of view, a juxtaposition that lends even more depth and energy to an already exciting story."
— Booklist
"A thrilling tale of three mysterious murders. Just when you think you have it all figured out—everything changes...Best. Ending. Ever."
— YALSA YA Galley Teen Review
"Layers of description and Finn and Lila's discoveries, as well as their budding relationship, will keep the readers engaged until the very end...A good read for reluctant and voracious readers alike. The characters are compelling and the plot just twisted enough to hold attention."
— Tri State YA Book Review Committee
"McClintock maintains pace and tension throughout this novel and manages to make an incongruous situation entirely believable."
— Resource Links
"McClintock's book will be a sure winner because of its short format, intriguing plot, and interesting characters."
— Library Media Connection
