A boy, a murder, a girl, a secret. From award-winning author Mariko Tamaki comes Cold, a haunting YA novel about a shocking homicide in a quiet town and four students who knew too much and said too little.

This is the story of a boy who died—and a girl who wants to know why.

Todd Mayer is dead. Now he’s some sort of ghost, hovering over his body, which has just been found in the town park, naked and frozen in the snow. As detectives investigate Todd’s homicide, talking to the very people who are responsible for how he died, Todd replays the events that led him to his end in the park.

Georgia didn’t know Todd. But she can’t stop thinking about him. Maybe it’s because they’re both outcasts at their school, or because they’re both queer. It might also be because Georgia has a feeling she’s seen Todd somewhere before, somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be.

In the vein of The Lovely Bones, this dual narrative is told through the voices of Todd in his afterlife and Georgia as she uncovers the truth behind his death, resulting in an immersive, emotional, and provocative read.

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My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I like how the narrative is told by Todd and Georgia. Todd’s death disturbs her even though she didn’t know him but that’s understandable. He was found in a nearby park, and he went to the same school as Georgia’s brother, Mark. This book isn’t just about Todd’s murder but about Georgia navigating her way through school which can be so difficult for young teens these days.

It felt like there was something missing, so it was difficult for me to get into this book like I wanted to. I think it was too much in Georgia’s head and not enough about the actual story. The detectives could have played a bigger role, for example. And even though some of the characters were a big part of the story overall, their roles were small and could have been expanded.

About the Author

Mariko Tamaki is a New York Times Bestselling writer of comics and prose. Her graphic novels include Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, with Rosemary Valero O’Connell, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, with Steve Pugh, Skim and This One Summer, with Jillian Tamaki. She has received Doug Wright, Eisner and Ignatz Awards as well as Caldecott and Printz Honors for her works. She has had the pleasure of working for Marvel, DC Comics, Abrams, Dark Horse and Boom Studios on various amazing superhero type things.

You can read all about her adventures at marikotamaki.blogspot.com.