Vengeance by Megan Miranda

Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408839584.
(Age: 14+) Thriller, Supernatural. Following Fracture, this sequel is told from the point of view of Decker. Everyone blames Delaney for Carson's death, but Decker knows that she is not to blame. Instead she is drawn to people who are dying. But rumours have spread about the curse that surrounds the friends, and Decker is devastated when he sees a body lying in his kitchen and knows that Delaney could have told him what was going to happen. After some strange and frightening incidents threaten them all, Decker begins to realise that something or someone is out for revenge.
Having read the first book Fracture, it was easy to catch up on the main characters, Decker and Delaney and follow through their heartbreak over their friend's death. Decker is less forgiving of Delaney's actions when she doesn't tell him of an impending death and much of the novel centres on the angst of Decker ignoring the one person that he loves.
The strength of Miranda's writing lies in the way that she manages to get the reader to start questioning whether Delaney's rescue from drowning in the frozen lake has created some kind of supernatural revenge from Falcon Lake or whether there are other factors in play. There is an overriding air of foreboding as near fatal accidents occur around Decker and Delaney and Decker is left not knowing who to trust.
Teens will enjoy the chilling atmosphere, the teenage romance, the parties and life in high school and the touch of the paranormal will be welcome by fans. This is a tense and exciting psychological thriller that is a successful follow-up to Fracture.
Pat Pledger