There Can Only Be Six by Andrea Levesque is a YA mystery set in a privileged enclave of Rhode Island’s wealthiest families.
Loaner, Harper Fontaine finds herself moving in with her absentee father after she’s expelled from high school. Summering with the richest families on the East Coast is one thing but living there full time sounds painful. If she just keeps her head down, Harper can bide her time until she’s off to college.
Out of the blue she finds an anonymous invitation to join the secret society, The Order of the Six. She must make it through a demanding initiation process. As each step gets more dangerous, Harper gets glimpses of the town’s dark history. With help from new friends, including the frosty and alluring girl next door, Harper ascertains the society’s origins as well as their new motives. When Harper discovers her family history is intertwined with the Order, she needs to accept she’s in real danger before it’s too late.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
There Can Only be Six is written in first person from Harper’s point of view. Her character is intelligent and funny which comes through in the writing.
All the supporting characters have their own, distinct backstories that inform their decisions. I think this made the story stronger than if the burden of solving the plot’s mysteries had been left to Harper alone.
Levesque does a nice job bringing the posh Rhode Island town to life with architectural, design, and wardrobe descriptions.
Sheena butting in here to say that I adore this cover!
Cons And Heads Up
This the first book in a series, and it ends with the main character setting off on the next part of her journey. It’s not a cliffhanger so to speak, but it will leave you wanting more. Let’s hope Ms. Levesque is busy writing.
The Conclusion
There Can Only Be Six is a fun mystery/adventure/romance with enough teenage angst to jog my own memories of that time in my life.
Harper is smart, witty, and scrappy. It was a pleasure hanging out with her for a couple of days, and the story had enough surprises to keep me involved. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Excerpt from There Can Only Be Six by Andrea Levesque
Salt stung my senses as my consciousness danced somewhere between being awake and asleep. But I wasn’t asleep, not really. I was drugged. And I was in a boat. I knew this, despite the weight of my body and the blissful call of darkness, beckoning me to let go. But I didn’t. Not all the way, at least. I willed myself to sense the rocking of the boat against the waves, to feel the tiny splashes of water against my face. I’d lost control of myself, my limbs lolling and eyelids heavy, but I could still hear. I would bide my time until my strength came back. And I would find out who kidnapped me.
Male voices shouted over the sounds of the ocean. I tipped my head in their direction, determined to pick up on something that could help me find a way out of this. “Doesn’t matter if the others get out eventually.” One guy said. “She’s the one they want. Therefore, she’s the biggest threat.”
“Won’t they come looking for her?” Another male voice said from the other end of the boat. Something was wrong with their voices. My mind pushed through the grogginess, grasping for answers. They were muffled, I realized. The men were wearing something on their faces.
The first guy laughed, a chilling, cold sound. “Yeah, but by the time they do, it’ll be too late. That’s the point.”
Too late? What the hell did that mean? My heart rate, which was much too slow from the sedative, skipped a beat. I attempted to roll over, suddenly overcome with desperation. I’d been hoping to get some momentum, but my endeavor was not rewarded. All it did was attract attention, drawing footsteps near me from a third man. His voice rang out above me.
“Shouldn’t we wrap her up?” This voice was higher pitched than the others, causing something to nag at me about their voices, though I didn’t quite recognize any of them.
My eyelids fluttered, and I felt hands lift me, then set me back down again. Thick wool was now swaddled against my body, and though it kept me from moving any further, I relished the relief it gave me from the cold. We were on a boat to God knows where in the middle of the night, and it was beyond freezing. Terror mixed with lethargy, and despite my protests, I started drifting off again. I had one final thought before blackness swallowed me whole.
I made the wrong choice.
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Series
There Can Only Be Six
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781955208086
Publisher: White Willow Press INC
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