Deadly Cool (Hartley Featherstone #1) by Gemma Halliday

book cover of Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Title: Deadly Cool (Hartley Featherstone #1)
Author: Gemma Halliday
Release date: October 11, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 303
Source: Publisher

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.

Deadly Cool is a fun, quick read that will have you rooting for Hartley Featherstone: both to solve the mystery and to get the guy!  It’s an addicting read that is nearly impossible to put down.

Hartley Featherstone is awesome.  She is funny (in a snarky, sarcastic way), she is a little but crazy, and she is really easy to like.  She is not afraid to laugh at herself and that is honestly one of her best qualities.  You don’t see that a lot.  She is also pretty dang brave.  Sure she freaks out when she stumbles upon a dead body but you can’t really fault her for that.  At least she has the guts to move past that and hunt for the killer!  Sam, her best friend, is also pretty cool.  She is very funny and she really is a good friend.  She is always there for Hartley (even if it means breaking and entering.)  Josh is not a good boyfriend (you know, the whole cheating thing) but he is a pretty good guy you can’t help but want to protect.  Chase is not so much a good guy (he’s more the bad boy type) and he’s more the protector than the protectee.  He’s kind of mysterious and aloof at first but it only adds to his appeal.  He is really funny and he and Hartley have great chemistry!  Overall some great characters.

The plot is brilliantly fast-paced.  This is one book that takes no time at all to get into.  Every page is captivating and even if some new evidence isn’t revealed, the humor will keep you reading.  It’s pretty action packed but that isn’t all that keeps you invested in the story.  It’s a mix of the action, the mystery, the subtle romance, and the awesome characters.

Overall, Deadly Cool is a must-read.  It is great for everyone: romance lovers, mystery lovers, contemporary lovers, etc.  Everyone can find something to love about Deadly Cool!

Looking for more reviews of Deadly Cool?
Mindful Musings’ Review
Candace’s Book Blog’s Review

Series:
Deadly Cool (Hartley Featherstone #1)
Social Suicide (Hartley Featherstone #2)

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7 comments

  1. I loved this book. It was so funny in that snarktastic way that real teenagers milk at every opportunity. At times it got a bit ridiculous, but it definitely did so in a fun way. I’m quite excited to see what Social Suicide is like.

  2. Book was great, characters were hilarious, especially Chase. loved the ending of the book. Can’t wait to see where Gemma Halliday goes with the series.

  3. Love it when characters don’t take themselves too seriously and laugh at themselves and acknowledge their flaws. Make them instantly likable!

    Lovely review 🙂