50 pages • 1 hour read
The Cousins
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Book Brief
325
Novel • Fiction
Massachusetts • Contemporary
2020
YA
14-18 years
HL760L
Super Short Summary
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus centers on Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah, three grandchildren of Mildred Story, who are mysteriously invited to spend the summer on Gull Cove Island. They uncover family secrets involving disinheritance, concealed identities, and dark past events, including the circumstances surrounding a teenage boy’s death years earlier, which had lasting effects on their relatives. Topics include trauma, substance abuse, and death by drowning.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Unnerving
Emotional
Dark
Reviews & Readership
133,263 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Karen M. McManus's The Cousins features a gripping narrative with well-crafted suspense and engaging characters. Reviewers praise the intricate plot twists and the author's ability to maintain intrigue. However, some critics note the pacing can be slow in parts and that certain character developments feel predictable. Overall, it delivers a satisfying read for mystery and thriller fans.
Who Should Read The Cousins?
Readers who enjoy The Cousins by Karen M. McManus likely appreciate young adult mystery novels with intricate family secrets and unexpected twists. Fans of McManus's earlier work, One of Us Is Lying, or books like We Were Liars by E. Lockhart will find this thrilling and engaging.
133,263 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Aubrey Story
Aubrey Story
Aubrey is a high school swim star from Oregon and one of the three narrators and protagonists. She confronts her family's past while navigating her own role in the Story legacy over a summer on Gull Cove Island.
Jonah North
Jonah North
Jonah is initially believed to be Milly and Aubrey's cousin and the third narrator and protagonist. He uncovers family secrets while redefining his connections with Milly and Aubrey during their summer on Gull Cove Island.
Mildred Margaret Story
Mildred Margaret Story
Mildred is the grandmother of Milly, Aubrey, and JT, known for her mysterious disowning of her children. Her complex history with the Story family becomes a pivotal point investigated by her grandchildren.
325
Novel • Fiction
Massachusetts • Contemporary
2020
YA
14-18 years
HL760L
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