Book Review: See How They Run by Ally Carter

See How They Run
Author: Ally Carter
Series: Embassy Row (Book 2)
Publication: Scholastic Press (December 22, 2015)

Description: For the past three years, Grace Blakely has been desperate to find out the truth about her mother’s murder. She thought it would bring her peace. She thought it would lead her to answers. She thought she could put the past to rest.

But the truth has only made her a target.

And the past?

The only way to put the past to rest is for Grace to kill it once and for all.

On Embassy Row, power can make you a victor or a victim; love can turn you into a fool or a fugitive; and family can lead you forward or bury you deep. Trust is a luxury. Death is a very real threat. And a girl like Grace must be very careful about which secrets she brings to light.

My Thoughts: This second Embassy Row novel has Grace trying to cope with her new knowledge and old guilt. Her brother Jamie comes to Adria on a break from West Point because he's so worried about her. He brings along a fellow classmate - John Spencer - who has reasons of his own for wanting to visit Adria.

They go to a party on a nearby island known to be haunted and also known as the place where kids from Embassy Row go to party. Grace has to get away from the group because bonfires and the smell of smoke bring flashbacks of things very painful. She finds Spence at a clearing in the forest outside some ruins. He kisses her which leads Alexei to fight with him. In fact, the fight and Alexei's threats to kill him are captured on many of the phones of other partygoers.

When Spence is found dead the next day with a broken neck, those videos lead the police to think Alexei did the deed. However, Alexei has diplomatic immunity. When his father makes a deal for Alexei to give up his immunity and talk to the police, Grace is sure that is a bad idea. She is determined to clear her friend's name.

Meanwhile, Grace is also learning about secrets that make her a potential member of a society of women that has existed for more than 1000 years. The only thing is, she isn't at all sure that she can trust the society.

This was a fast-paced thriller narrated by Grace who may or may not have mental issues that make those around her, and sometimes Grace herself, question what is real. I can't wait to read the third book in this series.

Favorite Quote:

"So you're a secret society ... of librarians?"

Ms. Chancellor laughs. "Among other things," she says. But in my mind I'm remembering how she held the gun, how calm she was when she fired. "Every army in the world knows that knowledge is power -- information, the world's most lethal weapon. The women keep the secrets, my dear. We have always kept the secrets."

I bought this one Dec. 28, 2016. You can buy your copy here.