Jane O'Connor has written a raft of books for children, but Dangerous Admissions is her first adult book. It's classic chick lit mystery with a gutsy heroine - single mother Rannie Bookman - a fantastic Manhattan setting and lots of romance and thrills.
Rannie is a freelance copy editor and part-time tour guide for the exclusive Upper West Side private school her son Nate attends (courtesy of her rich WASP ex-mother-in-law).
When the Director of College Admissions is found dead at his desk - and Nate is a suspect, Rannie turns amateur sleuth.
Unlike most chick lit suspense I've read, Dangerous Admissions is written in third person. As well as Rannie's point of view, we get insight into Nate's life and thoughts.
I also really liked the character of Olivia, Nate's friend and fellow Chapel School student. She has an older brother who is a recovering drug addict and another suspect for the murder.
Jane O'Connor's characterisation is truly excellent; the teenagers had distinctive, believable voices, and I really bonded with Rannie.
The plot is suspenseful, with lots of twists and turns, and there is a dash of romance, too.
A fabulous new sleuth on the chick lit mystery scene.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try: Size Doesn't Matter by Meg Cabot
