I would rate this book 4/5 because the plot was a little confusing, but I did like how every chapter, there was a different narrator. I liked how I got to see different perspectives of the same situation through different characters eyes. Some chapters were a little confusing, since I couldn't tell what was exactly happening at that moment. Though this may be intentional, it just left me confused. I really liked how there were different forms of writing, like letters, news articles, text messages, lawsuits, etc. Such a fun, quick mystery - whodunnit style. While Saba Khan is competing in a tennis match with her Pakistani family cheering her on, an arsonist is destroying their Chicago apartment. A pair of do-gooder classmates decide to gather items in order to hold an auction to benefit the Khan family. While the classmates are cruising around the city, looking for reusable junk in alleys for the auction, they discover what turns out to be a valuable piece of artwork. These do-gooders are perfectly happy to give whatever money the artwork brings at auction to the Khans. How sweet! It's a huge story around the city - the artwork, the auction, the do-gooders. So imagine the shock and despair when the artwork disappears. Who took the artwork? Who set the fire? Everyone is a suspect in The Art of Secrets. I didn't figure it out until the end (and I felt like a freaking genius, even though I'm pretty sure I figured it out at the exact point the author intended for me to figure it out so, yeah). Told from many POVs, which really adds to the "everyone's a suspect" vibe. I listened to this one and I had high hopes because it was a full-cast performance. The audio was fine but not great. I wasn't impressed with the production value. I did like all the different voices, though, and would still recommend it. As for Gateway, it should be considered. There's always a place for a quick mystery - that go-to book for the reluctant reader. Also appropriate for middle school (in fact, it might be more appropos for MD and the Truman list - I need other opinions!).
What do You think about The Art Of Secrets (2014)?
Loved the story told from multiple points of view with it's surprise twist ending. Great pacing.
—goldie
I absolutely loved it- possibly because I am a huge fan of epistolary novels.
—shellbells
I liked the way the story unraveled. I would rate not quite a "4"
—santos
Top Ten Crime Fiction for Youth 2014 (Booklist)
—Sadaf
