by Amy Doak
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Reviewed by Jacqui Horwood
My 17 year old and I are big fans of Amy Doak’s Eleanor Jones series so I was keen to read her latest Young Adult book, ‘What have they done to Liza McLean?’.
It took me a while to get used to a new main character, Meg McLean. Eleanor Jones’ voice is so distinctive but I soon fell into Meg’s beat.
The book’s setting is a familiar favourite literary setting – an exclusive boarding school called Douglas College chock full of wealthy, privileged students. Meg and her sister, Liza, are scholarship students with a secret. Meg is studious and Liza is more rebellious.
The other person telling the story is Benedict, son of a wealthy ex-student. Sparks fly when Benedict meets Meg. So far, so familiar.
What makes this book different is the unravelling of what is going on at this school. One night Liza sneaks out to a party and wakes up a dutiful and hardworking student. It is soon apparent that she is not the only one who has undergone this transformation. The school prides itself on producing high achieving individuals who remain wedded to the school. How is this happening?
Once the book hits its rhythm, it gallops along with twists and turns, and an array of fantastic supporting characters. ‘What have they done to Liza McLean?’ is an enjoyable Young Adult read with fresh new characters and voices.
Publishers blurb
Dark academia meets The Stepford Wives in this new YA mystery thriller from the bestselling author of Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer.
Meg McLean is a scholarship student at the ultra-elite Douglas College. Meg’s younger sister, Liza, is along for the ride, and everything Liza has done since they arrived at the school seems to be putting their chances of success at risk.
Until one day, when Liza’s behaviour is so at odds with her usual temperament that Meg knows something is very, very wrong.
Benedict Hargreaves (the Fourth) is Douglas College’s wealthiest student and perhaps the only one who isn’t influenced by the school and its strict code of conduct. Is he brave enough to help Meg uncover what has happened to her sister? Or is he part of the elusive ‘they’ who seem to be controlling everything – and everyone?
And, when more than one murder takes place, can Meg really trust anyone?