ZERO stars

This is the third book in the Riverdale mystery series starring the four teens from the Archie comic books: Archie, Veronica, Jughead and Betty.

In this episode the mayor (Veronica’s mom) has decided to revive an old tradition of the Riverdale Revels, a celebration of fall that includes a pageant. Seems the Revels were an annual tradition for many years, but stopped inexplicably in the 1940s, shortly after the town was official incorporated/founded, and at which time a time capsule was buried. So this year’s festivities will start with the unearthing and opening of the capsule. But when it’s opened …

Up to this point it seems like a pretty typical YA mystery. But then it goes in all sorts of weird directions. There’s a cult involved, seems there may have been some serious bad business in the past that everyone is covering up. Ostow includes a couple of pages of “The Maple Man” musing about his next victim, which seem to go nowhere. Then there are Betty’s diary entries, which read like no teen’s diary I’ve ever seen. And the occasional series of cryptic text messages. Ostow also is trying too hard, in my opinion, to diversify her cast. There are bi-sexual kids, a lesbian couple, a gay guy who’s planning to be in the pageant.

The whole thing is just a hot mess. Oh, well, at least it fulfilled a challenge or two. ( )