All Unquiet Things
by Anna Jarzab

    ALL UNQUIET THINGS by Anna Jarzab
    Category:  Mystery/Thriller
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  1/12/10
    Publisher:  Delacorte
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Carly Ribelli was the first person Neiland “ Neily” Monroe met at Brighton Day School and was his first love.  But
    now Carly is dead.  Carly’s uncle, Enzo Ribelli, was convicted of her murder and is currently serving his sentence.  
    Neily is still struggling with her death and thinking he could’ve helped her.  Carly called him the night she died, but
    Neily ignored her calls at first.  By the time he called her back, it was already too late.

    It’s the start of senior year, a year after Carly’s murder, and Enzo’s daughter, Audrey, has returned to Brighton
    Day.  Audrey and Carly were as close as sisters.  After Carly’s murder, Audrey was tutored to avoid the media
    and gossip at school.  Neily blames Audrey for Carly’s involvement with the wild crowd.  After all, it was Audrey
    who introduced Carly to Adam Murray.  Carly dumped Neily for Adam.

    But now Audrey approaches Neily.  She asks him to help her figure out Carly’s murder.  She’s positive her father
    is not responsible, and deep down, Neily has always believed Enzo was innocent, as well.  The two form a
    tentative bond and begin to delve into the darker side of Brighton Day.  The pair become convinced that Carly
    discovered secrets that someone at the school did not want revealed.

    ALL UNQUIET THINGS is an intricately woven murder mystery.  Ms. Jarzab slowly builds the plot by
    interspersing the past with the present.  The author gives the back-story where necessary, without giving too much
    away at one time.  Though Neily and Audrey insist that they’re not friends whenever asked, as the story evolves,
    the reader notices the small nuances that indicate that, indeed, they have become what they insist they are not.

    As I was reading ALL UNQUIET THINGS, I kept comparing the style to that of John Green.  Carly had faint
    hints of the free-spiritedness of Alaska.  And the search for answers brought to mind Quentin’s quest to find
    Margo.  If you like the style of John Green, then Ms. Jarzab is an author not to be missed.   I know I’m already
    looking forward to whatever she releases next.