A YA 2024 Edgar winner that's more than just a whodunnit. Seventeen-year-old Piper Gray discovers her own personal identity after moving in with her dad, her stepmother, and her step siblings. When Piper becomes a transfer student at her new high school, it begins to transform her. Mainly, because when she must select a senior "passion project" that should last the whole year, Piper decides that she'll do a podcast and is forced to engage in her new surroundings. She's a fan of true-crime podcasts that she'd always listened to with her mother, who is no longer in Piper's life. Piper is assigned a technical partner--she knows nothing about how to initiate a podcast--and her senior classmate, Jonas, walks her through the process. She met Jonas, who struggles with a disabling limp, days before school started while she'd been hanging out at the town cemetery, where Piper happen to notice a gravestone of a girl who'd died at seventeen, precisely seventeen years ago. Soon, it's revealed that the girl, Layla Trello, had been murdered, and no one has ever been charged. The crime then becomes Piper's cold-case podcast project. Although Piper at first feels invisible at her new school, with her own unique style (she buys and wears vintage clothes) only shortly after a few of her true-crime podcast are aired, Piper becomes high viz. She meets with Jonas on their free period in the school library, where they use not only new technology, but good old-fashion microfiche to do research and delve into the crime. Yet, there are so many unknowns because doesn't everyone harbor secrets? Once Piper begins to interview those who'd been around when the crime was committed and might be potential suspects, things start to get a bit hairy and threats against Piper soon follow.

About two-thirds through the story, intriguing plot twists are raised. Plus, I liked the way the ethics of what should be provided publicly as Piper tries to get to the truth and uncover what happened so many years ago. It was skillfully woven into the storyline by presenting an explanation from Piper's father and stepmother (they're both lawyers) on defamation of character, libel, slander, and First Amendment rights. This novel succeeds in so many ways. As a reader, I wanted to root for Piper and Jonas as they struggle to overcome challenges. I highly recommend this novel for YA and any age mystery readers alike. ( )

Excellent entry in April Henry's ever-growing list of engaging mysteries for teens. I enjoyed the podcasting angle, very contemporary and a good hook. Piper, new in town, decides to make a podcast for her senior project when she discovers the existence of an unsolved murder of a 17 year old local girl that happened 17 years ago, when Piper was born. But of course, the killer is still around and is not exactly pleased that she is dredging up old issues and snooping around in everybody's business... ( )

First sentence: Maybe after dark, this older section of the cemetery, with its crumbling headstones, would be scary. But it's a bright summer day, and right now, the cemetery is an escape.

Premise/plot: Piper Gray has come to live with her father and stepmother. She stumbles--quite literally--into a gravestone--Layla Trello--and discovers an unsolved murder from seventeen years before. Since she loves true crime podcasts, why not start her own? Why not interview anyone and everyone who might have known Layla in the past--how hard could that be? Why not see if she can't solve the case and get all the views (or likes or whatever). Jonas, her new friend and possible, possible love interest down the line, agrees reluctantly to help her. (He has a podcast of his own not related to crime.)

But it turns out the town doesn't really like a teenager making accusations all in the name of journalism. Her podcast comes at a cost--is it one she'll pay for with her life?

My thoughts: This one seems very on trend at the moment. I'm not complaining about teens with true-crime podcasts or murder mysteries for the YA crowd. I'm not. It is a refreshing change of pace. I enjoyed this one for the most part. ( )

Fast, satisfying, and relatable characters. In sum a fine, one sitting read. ( )

An exciting young adult thriller that will appeal to fans of true crime podcasts!

Girl Forgotten by author April Henry is a fascinating young adult thriller that had me glued to its pages from the very start. The main characters have compelling backstories, and in their current lives, they are still overcoming their pasts which makes for an absolutely riveting read.

Piper Gray is new in town, now living with her biological father and his wife and children, after growing up with just her mother, a single mom who always had to work hard to make ends meet. The discovery of the senior passion project catches her off guard; she just wants to coast through this last year of high school and be on her way, free to escape the uncomfortable living situation with her father’s new family. Her father and his family are not unkind or horrible people; it’s just that Piper doesn’t really know them and feels like an outsider intruding into their established and settled lives and routines. Her grief over her mother is palpable, and I was dumbfounded when it was finally revealed what had happened to her. But throughout, Piper remains focused on uncovering Layla’s story and unmasking a murderer. Of course, she is excited and pleased by her podcast’s success, but I felt she wanted justice for Layla rather than simply using her tragedy for self-promotion.

The book is told partly in narrative and partly as transcripts of the finished podcast episodes, which really capture the essence of the events. The little details of creating a podcast and producing quality weekly content (and on a shoestring) were fascinating. The story contains some great twists that, when revealed, literally made me exclaim out loud! I think the final reveal of the killer will be a surprise to most readers, but there are clues along the way to their identity and motive. This ultimately makes for a very tense showdown and, eventually, a very satisfying ending.

I recommend GIRL FORGOTTEN to readers who enjoy young adult thrillers, true-crime podcasts, and stories set in the Pacific Northwest.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours. ( )