mollysmommyreads

A middle grade/YA mystery though I have to admit, I have a few issues with the series. I originally read this book back in 2008 and I didn't remember much about it other than a vague sense of it was cute. I don't know if it's because I'm older and have a different point of view than I did 9 years ago or what but I feel differently about them now. For instance, I really, really dislike Ingrid's parents. Like, a lot. I didn't like them in this book but it really hit home while I was reading the second book that the dad is kind of borderline emotionally and verbally abusive. And in this book Ingrid's brother attacks her and gives her a black eye. In order to protect him she lies and tells everyone she fell down. Um, hello?! Classic abuse story. In the book we find out that Ty's rage issues come from the fact that he's been taking steroids, again, because of the pressure his dad is putting on him, though there are plenty of hints of his drug use in this book as well. I'm going to finish reading the series because I'm invested at this point and because I bought them all on kindle and I don't return books once I've read them. But I'm not thrilled with the series as a whole and I won't recommend them to any of my friends for their kids.