Review: Follow Her Home by Steph Cha

Follow Her Home by Steph Cha

Publisher: Minotaur Books 

Pages: 288 

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Juniper Song knows secrets–how to keep them and how to search them out.  As a girl, noir fiction was her favorite escape, and Philip Marlowe has always been her literary idol. So when her friend Luke asks her to investigate a possible affair between his father and a young employee, Juniper (or "Song" as her friends call her) finds an opportunity to play detective. Driving through L.A.'s side streets, following leads, tailing suspects-it all appeals to Song's romantic ideal of the noir hero. 

But when she's knocked out while investigating a mysterious car and finds a body in her own trunk, Song lurches back to the real L.A., becoming embroiled in a crime that goes far beyond role play. What's more, this isn't the first time Song has stuck her nose in other people's business. As she fights to discover the truth about her friend's family, Song reveals one of her own deeply hidden secrets, something dark and damaging, urging her to see the current mystery through, to rectify the mistakes of her past life.


Kritters Thoughts:  A who dun it thriller that sweeps you away from the beginning as a young Asian woman, Juniper Song is leaving a party and is swept into the makings of the crime novels that she loves to read.  Juniper is sent to find out if a young lady has been seducing one of her friend's fathers and while in the midst of finding the details she is knocked over the head and left in her car to find more than just her automobile.

There was an extra story line that paralleled the main plot line that involves Juniper and her sister Iris; as the main story is unfolding there are elements that remind Juniper of events from the past and she must deal with them at the same time as she uncovers clues to the real mystery.  I think these two stories paralleled a little, but I felt like the could have a little more, it was a little too loose in the comparison that I would have liked.

As a reader, I loved the reminders of Juniper's fascination with a particular writer of thrillers and as she compares her current experiences to the stories that she loves to read.  That element added a little extra that I definitely loved.

I would almost categorize this is a YA thriller - there were moments that maybe should be censored, but with the character being a little younger and the drama being just over PG 13, I think readers of the YA genre may like this who dun it.


Rating:  definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2013 Challenge: 34 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.