Stay Dead

New York Times bestselling author April Henry delivers a thrilling murder mystery featuring a teen with an assassin on her trail fighting to uncover the truth behind a government cover up, perfect for fans of Karen McManus.

"A page-turning cat-and-mouse survival story." --Kirkus Reviews

Sometimes, the only way to live is to make sure the world thinks you're dead . . .

In the aftermath of a car accident that claimed the life of her senator father, sixteen-year-old Milan finds herself adrift, expelled from her third boarding school. Milan's mother, who has assumed the senate seat, diverts her private plane to pick up her daughter. But on their way home, a bomb rips off a wing and the plane crashes in the mountains. In her final moments, Milan's mother entrusts her with a key. She reveals it will unlock the evidence that so many people have already died for--including Milan's father. The only way Milan can survive, her mom tells her, is to let everyone believe she died with the other passengers.

​Milan is forced to navigate a perilous descent in freezing conditions while outwitting everything from a drone to wild animals. With relentless assassins on her trail, she must untangle the web of deceit and save herself and countless others. Will she piece together the truth in time?

"Milan is in a race against time and terror to get to her parents' one trusted friend before she ends up dead, too... readers will be intrigued and thrilled to see how it all turns out." --Booklist

"The cat-and-mouse between Milan and Lenny adds a thick layer of tension, especially as Lenny closes in on her target... things come together nicely as the climax looms. Perfect for fans of Mindy McGinnis." --School Library Journal

Maine North Star YA Award

Author: April Henry
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books-Little Brown and Hach
Published: 05/28/2024
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780316480291

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.5
Point Value: 9
Interest Level: Upper Grade
Quiz #/Name: 554271 / Stay Dead


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 03/01/2024 pg. 54
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2024
School Library Journal 05/03/2024 pg. 1

About the Author

April Henry is the New York Times bestselling author of many acclaimed mysteries for adults and over fifteen novels for teens, including the bestselling Girl, Stolen; Girl Forgotten, which was an Edgar Award winner, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and a Tome Student Literacy Society It List Selection; Two Truths and a Lie, which was a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers; and The Girl I Used to Be, which was nominated for an Edgar Award and won the Anthony Award for Best YA Mystery. She lives in Oregon and invites you to visit her at aprilhenry.com.