American girl : novel / Wendy Walker.

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Title:

Author:

Walker, Wendy, 1967- author.

ISBN:

9798212385329

9798212409827

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

238 pages ; 24 cm

Abstract:

"Charlie Hudson, an autistic 17-year-old, is determined to leave Sawyer, PA as soon as she graduates high school -- in the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at a sandwich shop called The Triple S to save money for college. But when shop owner Clay Cooper -- a man who is both respected and feared by many in this economically depressed community -- is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case. Charlie must work to protect herself and her friends, and uncover the danger that may still be at large in their tightknit community. Based on the #1 bestselling audio, American Girl is a riveting thriller told through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist." -- Jacket flap.

Subject Term:

Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction.

Murder -- Fiction.

Autistic people -- Fiction.

Secrecy -- Fiction.

Meurtre -- Enquêtes -- Romans, nouvelles, etc.

Meurtre -- Romans, nouvelles, etc.

Autistes -- Romans, nouvelles, etc.

Secret -- Romans, nouvelles, etc.

Autistic people

Murder

Murder -- Investigation

Secrecy

Homicide -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

Pennsylvania -- Fiction.

Genre:

Thrillers (Fiction)

Detective and mystery fiction.

Fiction

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Avon-Washington Township Public Library	Adult Fiction Book Hardback	120791003098042	F WAL	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

"Wendy Walker's unforgettable thriller will stay with you long after you've turned the final page." --Greer Hendricks, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Wife between Us

A pulse-pounding novel about a small-town business owner found dead and the teenage girl caught in the crosshairs, American Girl is the latest thriller from internationally bestselling author Wendy Walker.

Charlie Hudson, an autistic seventeen-year-old, is determined to leave Sawyer, PA, as soon as she graduates high school. In the meantime, she works as many hours as she can at a sandwich shop called the Triple S to save money for college. But when shop owner Clay Cooper--a man both respected and feared in their small, economically depressed town--is found dead, each member of his staff becomes a suspect in the perplexing case. Before she can go anywhere, Charlie must protect herself and her friends by uncovering the danger that is still lurking in their tight-knit community.

Based on the #1 bestselling audio, American Girl is a riveting thriller told through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

An autistic teen impedes a homicide investigation to protect her friends in this cunning thriller from Walker (What Remains). Seventeen-year-old Charlie Hudson is intent on leaving her small hometown of Sawyer, Pa. Already accepted to MIT, she just needs to earn enough money making sandwiches at the Triple S to afford tuition. Everyone in Sawyer despises the Triple S's odious owner, Clay "Coop" Cooper, so few are surprised when he's found murdered on a street near his home. Police believe Coop was killed elsewhere and then moved, however, and their suspicions seem to be confirmed by surveillance footage that shows a terrified Charlie hiding under the Triple S's counter one night after closing. Charlie refuses to divulge what she witnessed--several people she loves have motives, and while she isn't sure who offed Coop, she won't risk implicating any of them. But if the culprit isn't someone she knows, Charlie's silence could be putting her in grave danger. The twisty tale unfolds in urgent first-person-present narration, and Charlie initially keeps as many secrets from readers as she does authorities, instilling an air of uncertainty that fosters tension and momentum. The exquisitely rendered and emotionally complex characters add depth. Nita Prose fans, take note. Agent: Dan Conaway, Writers House. (Oct.)

Booklist Review

Seventeen-year-old Charlie Hudson is a math wiz on the spectrum who is headed to MIT. She considers herself "a girl with a stupid set of rules" because she codifies her experiences into guidelines to keep herself in sync with everyone else. For example, she calms herself with the mantra "lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions," which she developed while working her tail off at the Triple S sandwich shop in small and economically depressed Sawyer, Pennsylvania. When Charlie's boss, Clay Cooper, is found dead, every staff member becomes a suspect. Then, an FBI agent pursuing Clay in a much larger investigation shows up, and enlists Charlie's help. As she begins work on the case, she discovers the heartaches, helplessness, and unfulfilled dreams of those around her, especially her mother. Much like Walker's previous thriller, Don't Look for Me (2020), a mother and child relationship dominates an intense first person narrative. This one will mesmerize readers with brilliant and moving characters filling out a carefully plotted story with many twists and turns. American Girl is not just a good mystery, but a truly enlightening tale as well.