A Blazing Start to Summer
You know how sometimes life hands you lemons, and you’re supposed to make lemonade? Well, what if life hands you a candle that explodes and burns down your crush’s family’s cottage? Asking for a friend. Or rather, asking for Marlowe Wexler, the accidental arsonist and reluctant heroine of Maureen Johnson’s latest YA mystery, “Death at Morning House.”
Johnson, known for her knack for weaving intricate mysteries with a dash of humor (hello, Truly Devious series!), doesn’t disappoint with this standalone novel. She serves up a delicious cocktail of murder, family secrets, and teenage awkwardness that’ll have you turning pages faster than Marlowe can say “hot bottom.” (Don’t worry, I’ll explain that later.)
From Ashes to… More Ashes?
The Setup: A Fiery First Date
Poor Marlowe. All she wanted was to impress Akilah, the girl she’s been pining after for ages. But instead of sparks flying between them, actual sparks fly from a scented candle, and suddenly Marlowe’s summer job goes up in flames – literally.
Johnson’s writing shines as she captures the mortification of a date gone horribly wrong:
“I want to be able to tell you that I was gallant and in control, that I pushed her behind me to keep her from the flames, that I ran to the kitchen for a fire extinguisher, because Juan and Carlita are the kind of responsible people who would have a fire extinguisher and of course it would be in the kitchen, and that I ran back in and extinguished the curtains and whisked Akilah out the door, and that she cried out ‘Marlowe, you saved my life and the house!’ before we kissed under the moonlight by the lake and that we would laugh about it with our grandchildren.”
Spoiler alert: That’s not how it goes down. Instead, Marlowe finds herself jobless, girlfriendless, and with a reputation as the local pyro.
A Second Chance… or Is It?
Enter Dr. Belinda Henson, a history professor with a convenient job offer. Marlowe is whisked away to Ralston Island in the Thousand Islands region, where she’ll spend her summer giving tours of Morning House, a grand mansion with a dark history.
At first glance, it seems like the perfect opportunity to escape her troubles and make some cash. But as any reader of Johnson’s previous works knows (I’m looking at you, Stevie Bell fans), nothing is ever that simple.
Welcome to Morning House: Where the Past Isn’t Dead, It’s Just… Napping?
A Cast of Characters (Some More Alive Than Others)
Johnson excels at creating a vivid cast of characters, each with their own quirks and secrets. There’s:
- Van: the perpetually high tour guide with a penchant for dad jokes
- Liani: the no-nonsense lifeguard who may or may not be harboring some serious guilt
- Tom: the boat guy whose family seems to have their fingers in every pie (and maybe some bodies in the basement?)
- April: the sweet redhead who’s maybe a little too invested in everyone’s business
- Riki: the snarky gift shop girl with a thing for true crime (and maybe Marlowe?)
And let’s not forget the ghosts of Morning House’s past:
- The Ralston family: a bunch of rich weirdos obsessed with eugenics and nut cutlets (yes, you read that right)
- Max and Clara: the two Ralston kids who died under mysterious circumstances back in 1932
Peeling Back the Layers (Like an Onion, But With More Murder)
As Marlowe settles into her new gig, she quickly realizes that Morning House is hiding more than just outdated furniture and questionable dietary choices. Johnson masterfully weaves together past and present, dropping breadcrumbs of information that’ll have you going “Ohhh!” and “Wait, what?” in equal measure.
The author’s knack for atmospheric writing really shines here. You can practically smell the musty air and feel the oppressive heat of a Thousand Islands summer:
“The juiciness of the previous day was replaced with a relentless sweatiness. The air felt like a sour kitchen sponge, the kind that’s been sitting by the sink for a week and never really dried. The river air, which normally smelled fresh, had a tang to it that spoke of blooming biomes. A swampy, farty smell.”
Gross? Yes. Evocative? Absolutely.
Mystery, History, and a Dash of Romance
Unraveling the Past
As Marlowe digs deeper into the history of Morning House, she stumbles upon a web of secrets that spans generations. Johnson deftly balances the historical mystery with present-day drama, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The author’s research into the Thousand Islands region and the era of Prohibition shines through, adding depth and authenticity to the story. You’ll find yourself googling “Thousand Island dressing origin” and “eugenics in the 1930s” before you know it. (Just maybe don’t do that last one in public.)
Love in the Time of… Murder?
While the mystery is the main course, Johnson serves up a side of romance that’ll have you rooting for Marlowe’s love life. Her pining for Akilah is achingly relatable:
“I had the strange feeling that I was being set up for something. I had taken the place of a dead guy, as Riki had put it. Dr. Henson had hinted at something odd, that I was supposed to be a pair of eyes in this group. Riki was clearly an outcast, and it felt like she was leaving me a trail of crumbs in her looks and pauses, her book suggestions, and her too-casual comment.”
And don’t even get me started on the tension between Marlowe and Riki. The slow burn is real, folks.
When the Past Catches Fire (Literally)
A Race Against Time
As Marlowe gets closer to uncovering the truth about Morning House’s dark past, the danger in the present intensifies. Johnson ratchets up the tension, leading to a heart-pounding climax that’ll have you holding your breath (and maybe checking your smoke detectors).
The author’s skill at blending humor with genuine suspense is on full display here. One minute you’re laughing at Marlowe’s internal monologue, and the next you’re genuinely worried for her safety.
Confronting the Ghosts (Both Literal and Metaphorical)
Without spoiling too much, let’s just say that Marlowe has to face some serious demons (and maybe a few actual ghosts) before the mystery is solved. Johnson doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy themes like grief, family legacy, and the dangers of unchecked power.
The Verdict: A Sizzling Summer Read
“Death at Morning House” is a worthy addition to Maureen Johnson’s impressive catalog of YA mysteries. While it may not reach the dizzying heights of the Truly Devious series, it stands on its own as a compelling, atmospheric thriller with a protagonist you can’t help but root for.
Strengths:
- Johnson’s trademark wit and humor shine through, even in the darkest moments
- The setting is vividly realized, making the Thousand Islands feel like a character in its own right
- The blend of historical mystery and contemporary drama keeps the story fresh and engaging
- Marlowe’s journey of self-discovery is relatable and heartwarming
Potential Drawbacks:
- Some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the middle sections
- A few plot threads feel a bit rushed in the resolution
- The sheer number of characters can be overwhelming at times
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of Johnson’s previous work, or just love a good mystery with a side of awkward teen romance, “Death at Morning House” is definitely worth picking up. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a summer night—just maybe keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case.
For Fans Of…
- “Truly Devious” by Maureen Johnson (obviously)
- “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus
- “The Inheritance Games” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
A Hot Bottom Bonus
Oh, and about that “hot bottom” I mentioned earlier? It’s not what you think, you pervs. It’s a special ice cream cone with caramel sauce pooled in the bottom. Trust me, after reading this book, you’ll never look at ice cream the same way again.
So go ahead, grab a copy of “Death at Morning House,” and prepare to get swept away in a mystery that’s hotter than a flaming scented candle. Just maybe don’t read it by candlelight, okay?
