I received this book April 2012 and apparently forgot to write the review. Despite the fact that it has been a year and a half since I read the novel, I still remember it. For how simple and quick of a reading it is, it has managed to be slightly memorable. I thought it was a good evening read amd the author has some potential for longer, teen detective novels. I would recommend this to a teen that is starting out in this genre. ( )

The story is told in alternating first person chapters. Finn's mother was killed 10 years about when we was just 7. In the opening chapter he witnesses the man who killed his mother shoot his step mother. Then his father kills the man. Lila (the other narrator) is the murderer's daughter. Her father just got out of prison and they ware planning to start a life together.

At first I didn't care for Lila's voice, but it improved as the book went on. From the beginning the reader is suspicious that the story Finn knows might not be the real truth. The two teens must figure out what really happened 10 years ago and how that ties to the recent deaths. The book is fairly predictable, but still a fun read with interesting characters. ( )

Guilty had enough unexpected twists and interesting main characters to keep me very interested.

Finn watches from his upstairs window as a man shoots his stepmother and Finn's father then shoots the murderer. That's the opening scene, and we are off and running.

Lila's father is the one who shot the stepmother. It just so happens that he also murdered Finn's real mother, and has just been released from prison for that crime.

The story alternates perspective between Lila and Finn. Guilty may be a bit predictable -- you know they are both going to try to figure out what happened and why. I had a pretty good idea of the real story from early on in the book, but I still didn't know it all. And even if you do think you know, it just helps you root for the characters to figure it all out.

There are some good adult role models, which always is uplifting to me. The police detective, the man who knew Lila's dad from prison, the manager of Finn's father's club, and Lila's aunt all help to bring some hope to this devastating story.

The pace is unrelenting, so there's no chance to get bored. The book is short, making this an excellent choice for reluctant readers. The main characters are a boy and a girl, which means this will appeal to both. Guilty is a twisted plot with some unexpected developments. There's a heart-pounding climactic ending, but it is also satisfying. I really enjoyed this quick read and can't wait to tell some of my teens about Guilty. ( )

I was expecting to like this, because Nora McClintock usually writes pretty good mysteries, but then the first couple chapters me doubtful.

But then, halfway through, I found myself really enjoying it and I didn't like having to put it down.

But then the ending was very abrupt, and I saw it coming.

I don't usually like mysteries and I don't usually like books in which not much happens, and Guilty is a mystery where nothing much happens. Despite this, I did kind of like it. I liked Lila and Finn and found myself actually caring about them and their lives, and I really felt connected to them.

But the ending was just... too easy, I guess? I saw it coming a mile away. Still, the actual last chapter isn't that bad. It's just the solution to the mystery that's a little disappointing. ( )

The mystery of why Lila's father returned to the scene of the crime turns out to be a much bigger question than either Lila or Finn realized...

This is a fast-paced mystery that's hard to put down. The swapping viewpoints between Finn and Lila, the two teenagers left behind when the shots are over, really works to draw you in to both sides of the crime. It's a short read for an adult as it's young adult length, but rather than feeling juvenile, it feels sleek -- a book stripped down to the essential action and mystery. Definitely worth a read! ( )