Missing Clarissa

In August 1999, a group of Oreville, Wash., high schoolers headed into the woods for an epic party. Among these students was beautiful white cheerleader Clarissa Campbell, who went missing after the event and was never seen again; her body was never found, and the mystery of her disappearance was never solved. Twenty years later, Oreville high school juniors Blair Johnson, who is white, and Cameron Munoz, who is Mexican American and white, develop a podcast investigating the cold case as a journalism class project. The two teens assemble a list of major players surrounding Clarissa’s disappearance, including Clarissa’s then-boyfriend and a retired Oreville high school teacher. Blair and Cam find that not only are the persons of interest still alive, but they all have something to hide. The pair conduct interviews for their podcast, Missing Clarissa, which swiftly catches fire. But as their notoriety grows and they unearth long-buried secrets, danger begins to loom. While the cold case and podcast premise tread familiar ground, debut author Jones weaves a credibly outlined mystery that teems with ample small-town intrigue. Carefully crafted surprises, fair-play clues, and a satisfying narrative payoff propel this gripping read. Ages 13–up. Agent: Greg Ferguson, 3BlackDot. (Mar.)