Author: Jessie Humphries
Genre: Mystery
Published on: May 1, 2014 by Skyscape
In sunny Southern California, seventeen-year-old Ruby Rose is known for her killer looks and her killer SAT scores. But ever since her dad, an LAPD SWAT sergeant, died, she's also got a few killer secrets.
To cope, Ruby has been trying to stay focused on school (the top spot in her class is on the line) and spending time with friends (her Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks are nothing if not loyal). But after six months of therapy and pathetic parenting by her mom, the District Attorney, Ruby decides to pick up where her dad left off and starts going after the bad guys herself.
When Ruby ends up killing a murderer to save his intended victim, she discovers that she's gone from being the huntress to the hunted. There's a sick mastermind at play, and he has Ruby in his sights. Ruby must discover who's using her to implement twisted justice before she ends up swapping Valentino red for prison orange.
With a gun named Smith, a talent for martial arts, and a boyfriend with eyes to die for, Ruby is ready to face the worst. And if a girl's forced to kill, won't the guilt sit more easily in a pair of Prada peep-toe pumps?
At first glance (and a perusal of the synopsis), this book appears like a Nancy Drew sort of read. Only, Killing Ruby Rose seems more thrilling, and aimed at slightly older audiences. The titular character, Ruby Rose (not to be confused with the actress of the same name), isn't your typical rose-tinted-lenses kind of girl. She’s rich, talks to her collection of designer shoes like friends, and had a SWAT sergeant for a father. He taught Ruby how to fight and how to use weapons. Thankfully, this dad still let his baby girl have a childhood. Ruby started training in her teens. Her best friend, Alana, found this rather strange but went along with it.
Ruby never thought that her training would come in handy so soon. We meet her after she’s just recovered from a devastating loss: that of her father. All Ruby knows is that he died during an operation with SWAT. This caused her to withdraw for months. Ruby’s therapist told her that she needed an outlet to cope. What did she end up doing? Ruby started following criminals around as her “outlet”. Besides her friends, it’s what’s been keeping Ruby sane.
Since she’s a teen girl, Ruby isn’t immune to the opposite sex. She’s had her eye on a particular boy: Liam Slater, a surfer. They go to the same high school. Ruby isn’t silly-cutesy about her feelings for Liam, though. The two haven’t really spoken to each other when the book starts. Ruby doesn’t know that Liam is also interested in her. The later events of the book bring them together. Ruby and Liam’s chemistry is palpable, especially as their relationship develops. Liam also plays a bigger role than I thought he would. I admire Liam for sticking with Ruby through it all. Not many guys would do that for a simple crush. He wants Ruby for the long haul.
As for Ruby, she’s in for a bigger mystery than anyone could have expected. Events are set in motion after Ruby kills a murderer to save a little girl’s life. He happens to be one of the miscreants Ruby had been stalking. She never intended to kill any of them, but this time she was forced. It doesn’t take long before Ruby realizes there’s a man out there pulling her strings. The bad thing is that she is powerless to stop him. This man always rigs scenes in such a way that Ruby can’t help doing what he wants her to. Who is this guy, and what is he after? Ruby will have to rely on her friends and her unusually high IQ to beat this mastermind at his game. When everything leads Ruby to the place where her father died, she will face shocking revelations.
Ruby’s relationship with her mother isn’t as good as it was with her father, though. Jane Rose is completely dedicated to her career as the District Attorney. She wakes up early and doesn’t return until late at night. Ruby is all but used to this. She wishes to be closer to her mother, but unfortunately Jane hardly budges. She has been increasingly distant since Ruby saved a life by killing a bad guy. I had no idea what was going on with this woman. Ruby had to work hard to pry anything off her.
Rounding out Ruby’s personality is her best friend, Alana. She is of Hawaiian descent. The two met in elementary school. Ruby bonded with Alana after defending her from bullies. Since then, they’re inseparable. The events of the book test the limits of their relationship, though. Ruby loves Alana, but considers pushing her away to spare her from the danger. Alana is one of the few characters that stays in the dark about what’s going on. She’s also one of the few true friends Ruby has. The latter tends to feel a closer bond toward inanimate objects (particularly shoes) than to people. Alana keeps Ruby normal…or as normal as she can be. As a pair of friends, they felt believable and well fleshed out. I like the way their story arc plays out. It proves the strength of their bond.
Jessie Humphries masterfully weaves the plot threads to keep the reader hooked. Nothing makes sense at first, though. We’re all as clueless as Ruby until we learn who is manipulating her and why. I was blown away by the ending. It wasn’t at all what I expected. Killing Ruby Rose is nothing short of awesome. I truly enjoyed this book. Note: this is no Nancy Drew, folks. Ruby Rose is more PG-13 than PG.
My rating: ★★★★ 1/2
4.5 stars - A fantastic page-turner!
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