Title: The Butterfly Clues
Author: Kate Ellison
First published February 14, 2012
325 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781606842638 (ISBN10: 1606842633)
Rating: 3.72
Overview
Meet Penelope (Lo) Marin, a collector of beautiful things. Moving from one city to another due to her dad’s job, Lo has developed a habit of collecting quirky trinkets and souvenirs that make her feel at home.
But after her brother’s tragic death, her hoarding has become a dangerous obsession. One day, while scouring a flea market, she comes across a stunning butterfly pendant that she recognizes as stolen from a recently murdered girl known as “Sapphire.” Unable to shake off the murder from her mind, Lo embarks on a dangerous quest to solve the mystery of the “butterfly clues” with the help of a street artist named Flynt.
As she delves deeper, Lo discovers a seedy and violent underworld that hits closer to home than she ever imagined. Will she uncover the truth behind the murder and her brother’s death?
Find out in Kate Ellison’s thrilling novel, The Butterfly Clues.
About the Author
As a child in Baltimore, Kate Ellison would spend hours pretending to be someone else entirely. Sometimes she would imagine herself a twin, other times a telekinetic, and often a benevolent witch with a box full of magical stones.
She even fancied herself a spy or a soccer player. After training as an actor in Chicago, Kate walked across the entire country of Spain.
She’s also an artist, dabbling in painting and jewelry-making. One of her artist friends keeps their true name a secret from the world, but Kate won’t spill the beans.
Now, Kate calls Brooklyn, New York home, and she’s proud to have written her first novel, The Butterfly Clues.
Editoral Review
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison is a young adult novel published on February 14, 2012. Ellison is a debut author who weaves an intriguing tale of mystery and self-discovery set in the heart of New York City.
The novel falls into the young adult fiction category and features themes of love, loss, mental illness, and the nature of obsession. The novel follows the story of Penelope (Lo) Marin, a high school student struggling with the recent loss of her mother.
Lo has a unique form of OCD that causes her to collect and organize random objects, and she often finds comfort in their order. One night, Lo stumbles upon a dead body behind her school and becomes obsessed with solving the murder.
With the help of her new friend, Flynt, and her unique perspective of the world, Lo navigates through the dangerous world of New York’s underground scene to uncover the truth. Ellison expertly crafts a story that delves into the psyche of Lo, allowing readers to see the world through her eyes.
The setting of New York City serves as a brilliant backdrop for the story, with descriptions of the city that transport readers into the bustling metropolis. Ellison also addresses important topics such as mental illness and social class, adding depth and complexity to the characters and plot.
The Butterfly Clues is a well-paced novel with twists and turns that keep readers engaged from start to finish. Ellison’s writing style is descriptive, vivid, and confident.
The characters were well-developed, each with their unique voice and perspective, making them relatable and engaging. The themes of love, loss, and mental illness were seamlessly woven into the plot, creating a deeply moving and emotional story.
However, the novel had a few flaws. Some readers might find the plot predictable, and the romance aspect of the story could have been developed further.
The novel also deals with mental illness, but it could have been explored in more depth. Overall, The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison is a beautifully crafted young adult novel that explores important themes with wit and heart.
Ellison’s unique writing style, well-developed characters, and fast-paced plot make for a captivating read. Fans of young adult fiction, mysteries, and contemporary stories will enjoy this book.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
