Wicked Games — Gemma Halliday

From New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Gemma Halliday comes a cosplay convention that turns deadly...GamerCon has come to Silicon Valley, and high school reporter Hartley Grace Featherstone is excited to cover the convention that celebrates the history of video gaming and the latest break out titles causing a buzz on the scene. Case in point: the much anticipated Athena's Quest by hot young game developer Connor Simon. However Hartley's cavorting with Pokémon and Mario-loving fans gets cut short when, before Hartley can even try out the new game, Connor is found dead—bludgeoned to death by a gaming console!GamerCon is suddenly a crime scene, Hartley is in the middle of a homicide story, and everyone at the convention is a suspect. From Connor's gorgeous girlfriend, to his overbearing talent manager, to his former partner with a grudge and an agenda, and his teenage protégée with a secret, everyone in Connor's life had a reason to want him dead. With the help of her bubbly best friend and the bad-boy editor of her school paper, Hartley finds herself wading through suspects, crashing crime scenes, and digging up evidence...all while dodging her mom's new boyfriend who just happens to be the homicide detective assigned to Connor's case.As tensions escalate and the danger mounts, it's only a matter of time before the killer strikes again...and it could be game over for Hartley!Hartley Grace Featherstone Mysteries:Deadly Cool – book #1Killer Looks – book #2Wicked Games – book #3Irreverently funny voice... wicked pace... explosive conclusion!~ BooklistHalliday balances the comedy and suspense notes well, keeping her characters intriguing and her narrative bright. Suspenseful fun.~ Kirkus ReviewsThis fun and outrageous mystery is a perfect mix of humor and horror that will have readers laughing while they try to figure out 'whodunit.'~ School Library JournalI absolutely adore this series and these characters... it's smart, funny and full of heart.~ The Book LifeRating: This book does not contain any scenes with graphic gore, violence, or sexual content. Its rating would be similar to a PG13 movie or Hallmark Channel mystery. Themes encountered by real teens are explored, while keeping the overall rating and content appropriate for younger- and pre-teens. Consequences are shown for behaviors, and negative actions are not glorified.