The Headmaster's List (Hardcover)

Reviews

"Fast paced YA thriller" by Penny O. - 10 May 2023

The Headmaster's List opens with a horrific car accident after an end-of-summer party, in which one of the four students is killed, and the main character, Spencer, is seriously injured with head trauma and broken bones. Her ex-boyfriend Ethan was driving and is charged with reckless driving and manslaughter. Spencer can't remember anything about that night but has the nagging feeling that something is wrong. Spencer, along with Ethan's best friend Jackson, investigate the circumstances and events on the night of the crash. The students all attend an elite LA private school. The formatting of the book which includes multiple points of view, police reports, and a local crime podcast kept the pages turning and the pacing fast. As Spencer tries to piece together the truth, while dealing with her injuries, post-traumatic stress and academic load, it becomes apparent that someone wants her to stop seeking answers. The story ends with a couple of big twists. There were some aspects that were unrealistic such as the sloppiness of the police investigation and Spencer's apparently endless prescription of Vicodin, and her parents lack of awareness of it. The Headmaster's List is a gripping addition to the YA thriller genre.