Read this suspenseful dual timeline mystery about the nuclear scare
Don't Breathe a Word — Jordyn Taylor
What to Read This Week
Don’t Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor
What It’s About
Just when you think the story is about one thing, it pulls in a whole new plot and spins you around and spits you out somewhere new, in the best way possible.
We’ve got two timelines in this book, so I’ll start with present day. Eva has always been looking for a place to belong, and she never thought she’d find it being the new girl at an ultra-fancy boarding school, but she somehow is tapped to join the Fives. It’s a top-secret (but everyone knows it exists) society at the school reserved for the best of the best, helping those inside climb to success both in the school and long past that well into their adult years. Eva is fascinated, a little worried, and confused at why she was chosen, but she’s not about to rock the boat—that is, until she discovers there are some secrets being kept and she’s forbidden from asking questions.
Jump back to 1962 at the very same academy. There are still students attending the school, but it’s right in the middle of the great nuclear scare, so most of the student body is worried about safety in case of emergency. A professor is preparing the school for what would happen in that event, and to do so, he needs a group of test students to make sure everything runs smoothly before giving it the all-clear for the rest of the school. Connie is one of the selected students, and as the testing begins, she realizes more could go wrong than she thought before she signed up.
The two storylines converge in ways that both are perfectly executed in the story and yet will still surprise you, and even if you think you know where one piece is going, Taylor does an excellent job of layering so many mysteries that even if you catch some clues, you won’t mind because of the incredible storytelling along the way.
Who Will Like It
This is one of those books that has a very teen-focused covers that I think does it a bit of a disservice. Since there are two timelines with two groups of characters of varying ages, it really does span a wide range both in genre and audience. If you’re a fan of historical mysteries (or contemporary mysteries), I’d definitely pick this one up.
Alternatively, if you’re still deep in dark academia land and want another brooding boarding school story with roots in systemic corruption, you should also grab it immediately. (Also for dark academia with multiple timelines see: Plain Bad Heroines by Emily Danforth.)
Next Up
I’ve been into short story collections at the moment, and I’m just starting Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks (yes, that Tom Hanks). I have no idea what to expect from the stories, other than that I wanted very Tom Hank–type content right now (comforting and a bit off-beat funny) so I’m hoping it delivers!
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I think Don't Breathe a Word sounds like something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the recommendations.
My book club so strongly disliked the Tom Hanks book :D I'd be interested to hear how it goes for you. I DNF'd but a few who did read through said there were a few good ones in there.