Patrick Truman was beaten and left for dead at the Come 'n Go convenience store where he worked. He was found the next day by a driver who stopped to get gas. Patrick was on the ground with the gas pump duct taped to his mouth, and across his chest were words that let the world know how the criminal saw Patrick. Lucky to be found in time, Patrick is alive but in a coma, and the best lead the police have is people not from town.
The people of Black Creek, North Carolina are shocked by this violent crime and while everyone hopes that Patrick comes out of the coma and heals, they are also whispering how Patrick "wasn't right". The cops are looking for suspects and questioning local boys who may have been with Patrick the night of the crime. No one seems to be talking, and the people who should know the answers are protecting each other.
Cat, once Patrick's best friend, knows something is up, and she feels like she owes it to Patrick and his grandmother to find out just what happened that night. She may not have been as close to Patrick as she had been in the past, but she makes it a mission to talk to the people that were with him that night.
Shine is at it's core a mystery, as you will read in anticipation to find out who-done-it. Rich with small town atmosphere, and a girl teetering between childhood and adulthood, Shine also tells a story of friendship, families and growing up. Cat has cut her self off from other people, and while she may feel safe and protected she is missing a lot of life. In her investigation she starts seeing things again, from the poverty and pain in her small town, and the ways that people try to escape.
Fans of Lauren Myracle's other books will be taken by surprise in a good way. Shine dives deep into what makes people tick, and how being true to ourselves and the doing the right thing can make other's uncomfortable. Fans of mysteries, such as John Green's Paper Towns or Judy Blundell's What I Saw and How I Lied will enjoy Shine.
I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Now reading Badd for real.)