Slide (Slide #1) by Jill Hathaway

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.  Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.  Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.  Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.(synopsis from Goodreads)

Slide is the debut young adult novel of author Jill Hathaway. Hathaway delivers a suspenseful murder mystery complete with twists, romance and a unique paranormal ability.  Slide was an enjoyable read and I got caught up in solving the mystery. I was able to finish this in just a few hours and found it to be a delightfully suspenseful tale. 

The protagonist is Vee Bell.  She suffers from narcolepsy. (A disease that causes a person to fall asleep, anywhere at any time) This would be a horrible problem to deal with for anyone, but Vee has an even bigger problem. When she has an episode she slides. Sliding causes her to slip into someone else’s mind and experience what that person is experiencing through their eyes. Vee has learned that this occurs when she is touching an object that the other person owns or touched. As a result, she is very careful not to touch things. Vee’s ability is a dark secret she hasn’t shared with anyone. When it first began happening, shortly after the death of her mother, she confessed to her Dad. The next thing Vee knew she was seeing a shrink and being medicated. Vee quickly learned not to talk about it.  My feeling for Vee waivered back and forth, but ultimately I came to like her. She hasn’t had it easy, pops too many caffeine pills and has way too much responsibility for a girl her age. Her disease has made her a social outcast, and placed her in some serious situations. Her best friend Rollins saved her from one and she depends on his friendship to ground her. Rollins has feeling for Vee, and she knows it, but doesn’t act. A new boy named Zack begins school and flirts with her. Vee is attracted to Zack and their relationship is filled with some cute moments.

While there is high school drama and a love triangle the tale primarily focuses on a murder mystery. This occurs when Vee accidently slides into someone she cannot identify and realizes she has witnessed a murder. The victim turns out to be her sister’s best friend Sophie. The police and everyone else think Sophie’s committed suicide. Vee knows the truth and she struggles with what to do with this knowledge.  The tale that unfolds involves death, suspense and secrets.  In order for Vee to solve this and prevent any more victims, she needs to slide and take control of her ability. I enjoyed watching her put the pieces together. Hathaway cleverly lays clues which have you thinking one thing, only to discover something else entirely.

Slide was a unique mystery, and Hathaway has a gift for weaving a suspenseful tale. I highly recommend this to fans of young adult paranormal mysteries laced with romance.  Slide will be published on March 27, 2012. It will be available in paper and eBook formats.  I am looking forward to reading book two of this series entitled, Impostor. It is expected to be released in 2013. Hathaway is on my authors to watch list.

I want to thank HarperCollins and netGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I gave this novel 4 coffee cups out of 5. 

Author's website: Jill Hathaway

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