When her grandfather’s dementia becomes too much for Tess (!) to handle, she moves from Montana to DC to live with her sister, Ivy. Ivy is secretive and clearly revered, and it’s not long before Tess’ new classmates at the exclusive Hardwicke Academy explain why: Ivy is a fixer. DC’s political elite rely on her to hide their skeletons and clean up their messes. Soon, Tess is doing the same at her prep school. Eventually, the sisters’ problem-solving overlaps as they uncover a plot of the well connected to secure even more power.
Somehow, even though these are high school kids solving a mystery, it doesn’t feel like an episode of Scooby Doo or a DCOM. The teens in those book are respected, not dismissed, and it’s great to see. It’s fun, fast paced, and filled with intrigue.
5 out of 5 stars.
Pair with: Canned espresso martini
