Hello everyone! We’re discussing another mystery today, and we’ll start with some background information.
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was published in 2013 as a YA Mystery novel, similar to Stalking Jack the Ripper from my first book review! The Naturals also became super popular on Booktok as a fast-paced thriller that interweaves the element of FBI behavioral profiling tactics into the story. The main selling point of this novel is the fact that it centers around an ensemble cast of teenagers who all possess a unique ability that sets them apart from their peers. They are recruited by the FBI for these abilities to solve cold cases, until they’re dragged into an active case by the serial killer themselves.
Before I give a plot summary, here is my review of the book. I gave it 4/5 stars. “I really liked this book, the atmosphere and characters did a really good job at making me not want to put the book down. Every character in the novel had their own traits, which made the ensemble cast very strong, and I think that is important in a novel with this setup. I also liked that the two love interests for the main character were very different, even though I don’t generally like love triangles. I especially loved that even though I was able to predict a few of the twists, the ending still completely shocked me. To me, writing in such a way that your readers can solve the main mystery in the book is so important, and it’s even better when there are details revealed at the end that enrich the story without invalidating everything we just read. I also liked that she didn’t wrap up the other character’s stories at the end of the book, because there are many things that are still unresolved that could not and should not have been made to fit into this first book. Overall, it had a vision that was really well executed, and I’m excited to read the next one!”
Finally, here is a mildly detailed plot synopsis of the book, **potential spoilers ahead**, do not read if the book seems interesting! Cassie Hobbes is a 17-year-old girl who has a natural ability to profile people effortlessly. Her life was flipped completely on its head when her mother disappeared without a trace when Cassie was 12. In the present day, she is recruited by an FBI agent who wants her to join a group of kids with exceptional natural abilities such as hers. Although reluctant, she cannot help but be enticed by the prospect of using these new resources available to her to investigate her mother’s disappearance, which the authorities have long since given up on. Cassie moves into a house with the other recruits, who have all been there much longer than she has, and she finds herself both struggling to connect with her peers and thriving with all of her newfound purpose. Similarly, she also finds herself caught between the two male recruits, Dean and Michael, as she finds herself drawn to them both. All of this falls to the wayside however, when during her training to be a profiler, she receives threatening mail from an active serial killer, involving her in the case. As Cassie’s life ends up in danger, all of the characters are racing to catch the killer without knowing who they can trust.
This book would be great for anyone looking for something fast paced and easy to get through! Support your public libraries (library cards are free!) and your local bookstores (the small businesses, not always Barnes & Noble). Happy reading!