From Product Description:

In order to keep an eye on her half-sister, Shaylee, Julia Farentino takes a job at an elite boarding school in Oregon known for turning wayward kids around. Julia is suspicious of the school, because she knows of one student who disappeared, and has never been found. Soon she uncovers disturbing information about previous students.

I have usually enjoyed Lisa Jackson, but realize not all her books are as good as others. I picked this up hoping her new book was good...... UGH - it took so long to get through it.... could definitely have used editing - and the worse was at the end when you realize she's coming back with a sequel for the horrid Shay and Jules characters. So very disappointing - bring back the old Lisa Jackson! <br />Don't waste your time unless you have nothing else to do or read!!

I think this is probably the worst book I've ever read and I average 12-15 books a month. The characters aren't developed or likable. The dialogue is unbelievably juvenile. The book drags on forever and is just repeating things you already learned in the first few pages. I read maybe the first third of it and skimmed the rest because it was just so tedious. <br /> <br />Spoiler alert..... <br /> <br />Page 115 (Nona's death scene) "She scrabbled, trying to dig at her attacker's wrists, force HIM off her, gain a little room so that she could drag in a breath...... <br /> <br />Talk about a surprise ending, the author must have changed her mind at the last minute!!!

The Story: <br />Jules has always felt protective of her half sister, Shaylee. Shaylee was only 12 when Jules' father was killed in their home. They said an intruder came in the house and killed him. Shaylee has acted out ever since, doing drugs, robbing stores, generally having a bad attitude. After she was caught robbing a store Shaylee had a choice of juvie or a rehabilitation center for troubled kids. Jules is leary about sending her there, last year a girl disappeared from the Academy. Jules keeps researching Blue Rock Academy making sure Shay will be safe. Jules receives a message from a frightened Shay begging her for a rescue, fearing for her life. Jules takes desperate measures and applys for a job at BRA, it is the only way to get closer to Shay. Once she arrives the murders start happening, fearing for both their lives Jules tries to find out what is going on, with the help of Cooper Trent. Cooper is Jules ex-boyfriend that she never got over. Trent is there doing his own investigation. Together they must find out what's really happening without being one of the victims. <br /> <br />Thoughts: <br />This was a good story. It was a little slower that the books I'm use to from Jackson. The end had my jaw dropping! Jackson has a talent of misdirection. I never even guessed who the murderer was and the other nefarious plot. The characters don't really evolve, well maybe a little. Mostly this is about Cooper and Jules trying to save everyone and get to the bottom of things. I liked the idea and the layout of the book, it was just a little slower than usual. I still liked it, I enjoyed it once it was over. There isn't much romance between Cooper and Jules, just a tiny dash, usually more in Jackson's books. It almost felt like a John Saul book with the trouble at the school, it was just missing the supernatural plot. <br />

I loved this book. The ending was quite a suprise. I hope that Lisa Jackson writes a follow up to this book.

This was my first venture in Lisa Jackson's world and I was soooooo disappointed with this book. If I were asked to describe the book in two words, I would say it was boring and tedious. I can't believe I read it to the end! Well, in fact, I didn't... I was listening to it on audiobook, so at least I was busy doing other things and don't feel that I totally wasted my time. I would never have put up with it in print. The premise was interesting, but the delivery was unconvincing and surprisingly boring, with barely enough suspense to keep me going hoping that it would eventually deliver - which, by the way, it never did. <br />As for the ending, it was so ludicrous!... Did anyone in the publishing company actually read that novel before it was printed?! I do wonder.