Who Killed Peggy Sue?

The murder of a first-place winner rocks a small-town high school in the third thriller from the author of Cross Your Heart, Hope to Die.   With the killer of the Peach Blossom Queen still on the loose and the festival on hold, everyone is on edge in the small town of Paradiso, California. Amid all the horror and sorrow, one good thing has happened: the hunkiest guy in school likes Hope Hubbard. It's a dream come true for the high school computer whiz (and sometimes bookie). But she's not betting on everything getting back to normal soon.   As a tornado of rumors swirls through town, a few suspects are cleared while others emerge. The killer could be anyone-a respected citizen, the school's heartthrob teacher, a best friend, even a boyfriend. The three candidates still in the running for Peach Blossom Queen must rethink their strategies. And even when Hope discovers a pivotal piece of evidence, it may be to too late to save the town's reputation-and the next victim.

A high school tradition takes a deadly turn and a killer crushes the competition in the second suspense-filled thriller following Dying to Win.   Senior year isn't supposed to end like this-with the death of a fellow student. Now, instead of fun times with good friends, there is fear and mourning. The girl who was to be crowned queen of the annual Peach Blossom Festival has been brutally murdered, leaving behind a trail of broken bonds and malicious rumors in her wake . . .   While the contest is being rescheduled, class computer whiz Hope Hubbard is determined to find the killer. No one is above suspicion. Not Hope's crush Jess Gardner, who was seen buying rope and a wrench before driving through town with the victim on the last night of her life. Not the ambitious reporter for the local tabloid, who could make her career writing about this case. And certainly not the three remaining Peach Blossom Queen contestants. Just how far would they go to get the full scholarship and Hollywood screen test that comes with winning the crown?   Hope must tread carefully, because someone caught her snooping around and has threatened her life if she doesn't stop. All she can do is rely on the loyalty of lifelong friends, all of whom have their own secrets to hide . . .

A murderous senior year kicks off this twist-filled series with "a slickly constructed plot, a bouncy narrative and an abundance of cliffhangers" (Publishers Weekly).   The town of Paradiso, California, is abuzz during the lead-up to its annual Peach Blossom Festival. This year, the theme is the 1950s, so the locals are already calling the soon-to-be-named queen, "Peggy Sue" after the Buddy Holly song. The four finalists are all seniors at the high school, with an equal chance of winning the crown-or dying . . .   Wealthy and beautiful Lacey Pinkerton is the favorite, since she already rules the school. But her developer father is facing pushback on plans to build a new mall on the endangered scrublands. Activist Raven Cruz has set her mind on becoming an environmental lawyer and desperately needs the full scholarship that comes with being crowned. Kiki De Santis is getting pressured to drop out of the running so her best friend Lacey can win, while April Lovewell is the dark horse. A talented artist, her dream of getting out of Paradiso with her biker boyfriend could come true if she's named queen. They're four girls with a lot to win-and lose-but one won't survive the week. Let the games begin . . .

In the heart-stopping series finale from the author of If Looks Could Kill, a new festival queen is crowned, putting her in the crosshairs of a killer.   With a suspect who has confessed to the murder of the Peach Blossom Queen behind bars, the cloud over Paradiso, California, has lifted. Along with everyone else, high school senior and part-time sleuth Hope Hubbard is relieved to move on from the tragedy and flurry of false accusations.   When the new Peach Blossom Queen is announced, the longshot winner realizes that it's no fun being celebrated by the town when someone you've known your whole life is behind bars. Especially when a series of dangerous mishaps have her convinced that the wrong person has been arrested-and she could be  the next victim. There's only one person who can help: Hope.   For Hope, starting up her investigation again would be a pain-and possibly even deadly. But a plan starts to take shape. A trap is sprung. And who it catches will surprise everyone . . .