Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday

Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.
Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper’s brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went... a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH’s resident body finder, I’m stuck trying to prove that Sydney’s death wasn’t suicide.I’m starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos...

Goodreads

Series: Deadly Cool #2

 Published April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen

Hartley Grace Featherstone did it again everyone. She made me laugh till my ribs hurt, made me excited till I jumped off my seat and drooled at Chase till I unwillingly stopped myself. If you haven’t read Deadly Cool yet, I STRONGLY *cracks fingers* suggest you do. Because the awesomeness of this sequel rivals the first one in any aspects possible. The elements of Social Suicide are similar to Deadly Cool namely, Hartley found the body and her life was threatened again. I guess our girl is making this a habit, hm? And this time, the oh-so-popular and addicting Twitter is involved.  I love Twitter and I do believe everyone loves it too and when this social giant is mixed with a snarky and hilarious heroine, what do we have? A very funny, thought-provoking and suspenseful book.

I would never get tired of the humor and entertainment Gemma Halliday provides with her fabulous writing. Though, I would admit I kinda get used of the style since I didn’t break a bone while laughing unlike in Deadly Cool but the magic is still there. It still managed to pull me in. I fervently hope it still would in the future. I watched Hartley grew into a more devious heroine as her detective skills were honed by the chase (and Chase, no pun intended).  And Sam? Her bestfriend? That amazing girl Hartley is super lucky to have? She just reached the top spot of my “MOST AMAZING AND DEPENDABLE BESTFRIEND” list. Sam and Kyle (her boyfriend) provide the cute romance that keeps me going. I want to meet them in person, actually XD.

And who would have thought that I was tempted to make an account in Match.com after reading about her Mom? No seriously, I visited the site and almost-ALMOST- succumb when I saw a cute guy my age. Haha. But you know what really shocked me? It was the “who” who was dating her Mom. I would bet my money on it that Hartley’s face that time was priceless.

 *But there is Geometry, right Mr. Tipkins? ; )*

The story was dashed with a little romance just enough to tell the readers that Hartley and Chase were attracted to each other and that there’s more to come. Usually, the romance is focused after the suspect is caught but I think it’s pretty understandable. So if you want purely hot, steamy love, I will not recommend this book to you. But still, you can’t miss this in your literary life. This is personified hilariousness in the form of a book.

Overall, I enjoyed this second installation and if you want a fun and light-hearted read about female detectives, Social Suicide is for you. But first, don’t you dare bypass Deadly Cool. YOU NEED TO READ THE TWO BOOKS. Like seriously. Right now. I’m being pushy but it’s worth it! I know because I just know. But please do know I’m not a know-it-all. XD

*invisible audience shouts*

“STOP FLUFFIN’ SCREWING WITH US!”

Oh, the censoring never really grows old.

The right corner of Chase’s lip curled up. “Good. I have faith you may make it as an actual reporter someday,” he said. “Now go, young grasshopper. Make me proud.”
And then he patted me on the head and walked away.
Actually patted me. Like one might pat his cocker spaniel.

I was so stupid. I was the queen of Stupidville.The Duchess of Moronland. The Empress of Misunderstandingtown.

Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

WARNING. Abuse of the word laughing. Dryness.

Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren’t enough, now he’s depending on Hartley to clear his name. 
But as much as Hartley wouldn’t mind seeing him squirm, she knows he’s innocent, and she’s the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school’s resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins to fear that she may be the killer’s next victim.

Goodreads

Series: Deadly Cool #1

Published October 11th 2011 by HarperTeen

Hilariously quirky, amazingly awesome and impressively well-written, Deadly Cool is one of my favorite reads of all time. It snagged my kindergarten level attention span at the first line.

Scenario One. Johanna while reading from page 1 to 100.

Scenario Two. Johanna while reading pages 101 till the end.

*How a respectable damsel should laugh. She’s seriously laughing, I swear. No, really, I’m just covering up my horrible laughing figure. XD*

*Indeed. Very well-said, me-myself-and-I made meme

It leans on the lighter side of mystery and I was glued on reading. Except for the few moments of taking a break from laughing too much, I was pretty much planted in front of the comp, readin’ Deadly Cool. And yes, the hot guy. Chase. Bad Boy with a surprisingly poetic side *swoons* and has a knack in “capturing moments”. There was one delectable scene involving six packs that would totally tempt you to read *sly smirk*

The plot was very realistic and you can definitely relate to the characters especially Sam, the EPIC bestfriend. The author’s writing style is compelling and the voice of the characters really suited the ambience of the book.  Even if it’s a little predictable, it didn’t lessen the awesomeness and before I crown Hartley as my most favorite heroine of the year 2011, I want to assure you, my lovely damsels, that I fortunately didn’t die laughing. Just so you know XD. The effing censoring really undone me.  It’s a cute and entertaining detective story full of hilariousness and eventful evidences that would keep you guessing who the real killer is.

I dedicate this whole paragraph to point out some finer points on how I read Deadly Cool. I read it without minding the time. Without minding the things around me. For all I know, an earthquake was happening and I was still on my seat reading. The suspense will keep you craving for more and even though the romance here was quite lacking, Chase’ sexiness sufficed. I have no complaints. I rest my case. Miss Gemma Halliday, if you’re reading this, you’ve earned yourself another crazie. Hope you don’t mind.

The book is a must-read else I shove it to your pretty face. Kidding! I’ll attach this so that you won’t escape the web called Deadly Cool.    

                                      *A happy “PLEASE READ THE BOOK DANCE” from me*                                                                

P.S. Reviews on Deadly Cool are so minimal in Goodreads. Why? Awesome people, why?

P.S.S. Apologies for the dry review. As much as I wanted to put more life in it, when it’s raining, forget it. I’m more or less hibernating right now. And my brain is so sluggish. : | 

“Holy effing crap, Josh. You scared me half to death.”“Effing?”“We’re censoring now,” I explained.

 Okay, this was bad. I was officially a peeping Tom. Or a peepingHartley. Or whatever you wanted to call me.