Tantalize

Tantalize
By Cynthia Leitich Smith
Candlewick Press, 2007. 310 pgs. Young Adult

Quincie Morris's life revolves around her family restaurant. Since her parents died, the restaurant--and the uncle who stepped in to raise her--are all she really has left. So, when the competition threatens to put them out of business, Quincie knows they need to step up their game, which they do by planning a vampire-themed restaurant. However, when the restaurant chef is murdered, Quincie's life becomes a lot more complicated because her best friend/love interest, Kieran, who is half-werewolf, is the prime suspect. At first, Quincie is sure that Kieran can't be behind the murder, but when her uncle doubts him, and the new chef, Brad, starts monopolizing all her time, Quincie doesn't know what's true and what's not.

This Goth teen romance is a cut above many of those out there--likely because Leitich Smith, an MFA professor, knows how to write. Although I'm not really interested in vampires or the like, I do appreciate the fact that this book has a plot and a strong protagonist and has been well-edited.

AE