Book Review: “Watch You Burn”

“Watch You Burn” by Amanda Searcy

Source: Purchased

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Summary: 

Jenny didn’t want to move to the creepy, possibly haunted town with her dad. But the cops are on to her, and the only way she can protect herself is by moving as far away from her hometown as possible and staying out of trouble.

But even after she moves, Jenny still gets the itch. The itch to light a match and then watch it burn.

It’s something she hasn’t been able to stop, ever since an accident years ago. Now, in a new town, Jenny has the strange feeling that someone is watching her every move. Will her arsonist ways be exposed? Or is the burning truth deep inside her a greater danger?

This was the perfect book to keep me entertained during jury duty. There’s just enough mystery and suspense to keep me hooked and I didn’t mind being caught up reading for hours.

I loved the atmosphere. New Mexico doesn’t really make an appearance in many YA books so it was fun to see a tiny reflection of the world I’ve grown up in. I live in the biggest city in the state and the story takes place in a fictional small town but the FEELING is there. It feels like New Mexico.

Once again, Searcy creates story that’s not strictly a mystery. Jenny is an unreliable narrator so it’s hard to fully grasp what’s going on. You think you have an idea of what’s going on but as the story progresses, you realize your guesses are all wrong.

I really enjoyed getting inside Jenny’s head. Yes, it’s weird and confusing that Jenny is both intrigued and scared of fire. That’s how addiction can be. It’s not supposed to be logical or make sense. It’s why you, as a reader, need to keep a closer eye on her. Don’t take anything she says at face value.

Great engaging mystery!

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