March 19th, 2008
Review: Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
I recently had the pleasure of reading Lauren Henderson’s latest novel, Kiss Me Kill Me, which represents the author’s first foray into the world of YA (Young Adult) fiction. Her previous work includes the non-fiction book Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating, three chick-lit novels, and a series of sex-positive mystery novels in a genre she refers to as “tart-noire.” She took the time to answer some questions for me, and part one of her interview will be in the mid-issue update of All Things Girl.
Meanwhile, let me tell you about Kiss Me Kill Me:
Scarlett Wakefield is a gymnast and student at the oh-so-posh St. Tabby’s school in London. On the surface, she has every advantage: money, great friends and access to an excellent education, but Scarlett and her gymnastic buddies Alison and Luce are a clique of three, and while they mock the circle of girls that buzzes around queen bee Plum, it’s pretty clear they’re also envious of that set, as is normal among teenagers.
It’s no surprise, then, that when she’s invited to join Plum’s crew and attend a party that will include among its attendees the hottest boys from the area, Scarlett ditches her friends and for the in-crowd. She does feel guilty about it, but not enough to keep her from buying a new outfit, going to the party, and making out with the hottest of the hot, a boy named Dan. It would seem to be the perfect evening, until, just as they’re having their first kiss, Dan dies in Scarlett’s arms.
Facing accusations both from Plum, Nadia (the host of the party) and the rest of the in-crowd, and without support from the friends she betrayed, Scarlett, whom we learn is also an orphan, is ushered back home to the prestigious Wakefield School, known for academic performance, instead of a posh student body.
Alone, adrift, and confused, Scarlett determines that she must discover how Dan really died - she can’t believe it was really her fault. From this point on, the novel is part boarding school story, and part mystery, and while Scarlett does find new allies in American misfit Taylor, and gardener Jase, she’s very much always on the outside looking in.
While the story seems a bit far-fetched at first, author Henderson actually found her inspiration for it in a newspaper headline, and the characters she’s created are surprisingly three dimensional, with thoughts and feelings that ring true even for people like me, who grew up in the US, in average public schools.
There is a popular misconception that YA titles are somehow juvenile, and should be considered “children’s books” and not worthy of adult attention. Kiss Me Kill Me proves that the only real division between general fiction and YA fiction is in the age of the primary characters. The stories are really universal.
Kiss Me Kill Me was published by Delacorte Press in January, 2008.
