Cold Light
Nov 14, 2012
Author: Jenn Ashworth
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 2011 in the UK,
October 16, 2012 in US
ISBN-10: 0062076035
ISBN-13: 978-0062076038
Warning up front - there's not one happy, shiny moment in this entire book.
The story surrounds 3 sullen, sneaky and cynical 14 year old girls who smoke, drink, steal and occasionally fool around with creeps.
Shall I mention that there could also be a murder of a Down's Syndrome boy involved?
This is a British novel but the slang is kept at a minimum so it's easy to delve into and not have to translate what the meanings are.
The story starts 10 years after the death of 14 year old Chloe and her suspiciously older boyfriend in a lover's suicide pact. Or was it? Memories are played out as Lola watches the television while the mayor digs up the first chunk of dirt for a memorial to Chloe that the city has decided to build. The first chunk of dirt also displays the body that someone apparently buried in that particular spot.
This starts a collection of flashbacks on Lola's end starting at age 14, when 3 young girls ran around loose, did things they shouldn't have, hung out with people they shouldn't have..... and experienced some pretty serious ramifications.
I will say this, Jenn has sullen, callous teenage angst down pat. These girls are spot on in their characterization. You don't like a single one of them, but you can understand them and why they act the way they do.
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Reviewed by Idgie. If you would like to have the Dew review a book, please contact me at dewonthekudzu@gmail.com
