Book Review: Sadie by Courtney Summers

Summary: A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page.

Release Date: September 2018
Age Group:Contemporary, True Crime, Podcast, YA (but I think more New Adult content)
Source: Review Copy from Publisher
Reviewed By: Nat

Review:

Sadie was raw, gritty and relevant.

I listened to Sadie as an audiobook and I couldn’t be happier in that decision. Summers has an exceptional writing style that delivered a story partly as a podcast that bounced between past and present events- the reporter present day and Sadie’s POV.

It was an absolute treat to listen to all the different characters come to life! I felt like I was a part of a true crime story and was actively searching for Sadie.

The plot was so darn good. The imagery was both incredible and tormenting. With every word that Sadie stuttered or thought, I felt it. This story makes you feel so many different emotions: love, loss, hate, disgust, shock, empathy, anger and resolve. I was emotionally drained by the end, that is a clear sign of great writing.

Sadie, herself, hit me pretty hard. From her stutter to her internal monologue, I just loved her. I cheered with each triumph of justice she felt and mourned with each tragic revelation. Her story and character were executed in such a way that you were left punched in the gut and gasping for air as you cheered “keep going!”.

As I finished the last page, my first thought was this could be someone’s real story. That hurt. And I think that is was supposed too.

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I would not recommend this to a teen due to the language and nature of the violent crimes. I felt Sadie read more as New Adult lit versus YA.

I would recommend this read as an audiobook and for fans of Making a Murder and True Crime stories. It's not pretty and a solid reminder that there are ugly people who appear innocent-- the true monsters in the dark.