The Darkest Corners    by Kara Thomas Order:  USA  Can Delacorte, 2016 (2016) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto Kara Thomas's The Darkest Corners is a great addition to the contemporary YA suspense genre. Tense and multi-layered, this is a real page-turner. Tessa Lowell never wanted to return to Fayette. It was not because of the memories of the Ohio River Monster trial in which she testified; it was not because that was where her dad was jailed; and it was not because both her mom and her other sister abandoned her. She had no desire to return because that is where her best friend from childhood still lived, and ever since Tessa moved away ten years ago, Callie Greenwood has wanted nothing to do with her. Unfortunately, Tessa has to return because her father requested her presence at his deathbed. Callie's mom, who was a second mom to Tessa when she was little, invites her to stay with them. Tessa hopes she will get a chance to talk to Callie, but all she receives is the cold shoulder, that is until another girl winds up dead just like the others in the Ohio River Monster case. This leads the girls to question everything that happened those ten long years ago, including their testimony that helped put away the killer. Together, they must rectify the past while tentatively building their futures. The Darkest Corners has a lot going for it – a smart protagonist, realistic teen angst, a good mystery, and plenty of twists. It also has too many plots. The plots do eventually intersect, but they still feel a little disjointed. The end, which is very suspenseful, is also very rushed. This is Kara Thomas's debut novel. While there are a few problems, it's still a strong offering, and it is obvious that Thomas has the talent to go far with this genre. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews