If the Witness Lied

Cooney, Caroline B. If the Witness Lied? New York: Delacorte, 2009.

Genre: Mystery

Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction: I have always loved Caroline B. Cooney's novels, from the first Janie book and still now with If the Witness Lied.  She has a way of making characters come to live and enticing readers to continue the novel.  In this story we meet Jack and Tris, brothers whose parents have died.  In the first half of the book their sisters, Madison and Smithy come home to celebrate their late father's birthday and realize their youngest brother was unlikely their father's murderer.  As the novel progresses they realize their Aunt Cheryl murdered their father and blamed it on Tris, since he was too young to be penalized for any wrongdoing.  

The story (unfortunately) ends abruptly and Cheryl is taken into custody for killing the children's father and stealing from them, losing her television deal in the meantime.  The children move to live with their grandparents, realizing it does not matter where they live, only that they are together.  

Author Facts: Caroline B. Cooney has lived in many places but has settled in South Carolina because she loves being warm.  She has three children and five grandchildren.  Even though she is educated and has attended many colleges, Cooney has not graduated from any.  

Author Website: http://www.carolinebcooneybooks.com/index.html