Book picks similar to
Overkill by Alane Ferguson


young-adult
mystery
fiction
thriller

The Dead Game


A. Bates - 1993
    They make up a game to get back at them. The object is public humiliation, which the kids figure is appropriate retribution for cheaters. But the game goes wrong, almost as if it is playing itself. Or could someone else possibly have taken it over? When a student on their “hit” list dies, Linnie, Ming and Jackson know they have to do something to stop a game that is out of control. But how do you stop something when you can’t figure out the rules?

Monsters


Emerald Fennell - 2015
    Set in the Cornish town of Fowey, all is not as idyllic as the beautiful seaside town might seem. The body of a young woman is discovered in the nets of a fishing boat. It is established that the woman was murdered. Most are shocked and horrified. But there is somebody who is not - a twelve-year-old girl. She is delighted; she loves murders. Soon she is questioning the inhabitants of the town in her own personal investigation. But it is a bit boring on her own. Then Miles Giffard, a similarly odd twelve-year-old boy, arrives in Fowey with his mother, and they start investigating together. Oh, and also playing games that re-enact the murders. Just for fun, you understand... A book about two twelve-year-olds that is definitely not for kids.

The Cabin


Natasha Preston - 2016
    But when they wake to find two of their own dead and covered in blood, it's clear there's a killer among them.As the police try to unravel the case, Mackenzie launches her own investigation. Before long secrets start to emerge, revealing a sinister web of sins among the original seven friends. The killer is still free. Every one of them is a suspect. And Mackenzie starts to realize that no one is innocent…

Funhouse (Point Horror, #9)


Diane Hoh - 1990
    So no one listens when Tess says she saw someone tampering with the track. — But one person knows it's true. That person is playing a deadly game--and is going to make sure Tess doesn't stand in the way. Tess soon finds she's being terrorized, with threatening notes, menacing phone calls, slashed tires and nasty pranks. When another "accident" occurs in the Funhouse, Tess is sure that she was the intended victim. Who is committing all these horrifying acts? And why?Tess is just beginning to realize that the Funhouse can scare you...to death.

Skeleton Creek


Patrick Carman
    . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and forbidden to see Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her videocam to search things out. . .and then email the clips for Ryan to see. In a new, groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts -- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.Skeleton Creek, one of Mr. Carman’s most popular series, has won or been nominated for many awards including:Nevada Young Readers’ AwardPennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice AwardsNew Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award shortlistChildren’s Book Council book of the year nomineeDelaware Diamonds ShortlistOregon Battle of the Books Shortlist

Dark Souls


Paula Morris - 2011
    . . .Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won't run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . .Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York's hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy — one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York's haunted souls?Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous — and deadly — is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery — and find redemption.

Haunted Sister


Lael Littke - 1998
    When her spirit travels to the "other side," however, she is told that it isn't her time to die, and is sent back to live out her life. When she awakens from her coma, though, she discovers that she hasn't come back alone. There is someone else inside her mind. The voice in Janine's head claims to be the ghost of Lenore, Janine's twin sister, who drowned twelve years earlier. Lenore blames her own death on Janine and is determined to live again in her sister's body. Now the two girls must vie for one body. Can Janine be sure that her twin is really inside her, or is she simply going crazy?

Hangman's Curse


Frank E. Peretti - 2001
    The message of Hangman's Curse on the wounded spirit is one that teens will never forget. In this gripping mystery/adventure a mysterious curse appears to be spreading throughout Baker High, attacking popular student athletes and immobilizing the student body with fear while Elijah and Elisha, teenage twins, must work to uncover the truth.

Misty


V.C. Andrews - 1999
    Andrews fans, and particularly the younger readers among them, will thrill to the first in a new, four-book series on the struggles and secrets of children of divorce. Misty is the tale of a young girl facing the trials of her devious, divorced parents and the terrors of a deeply-held secret. When she meets three other girls in therapy, also children of divorce, she learns that she's not alone -- andnot alone in sharing secrets.

Homecoming Queen


John Hall - 1996
    They haven’t had one at the high school in a long time, not since the Homecoming Queen died 25 years ago in that dreadful car accident. Everyone remembers Brenda Sheldon as the most beautiful Homecoming Queen Westdale High had ever seen. Now everyone is excited about Homecoming Queen and is thinking what’s past is gone and forgotten...Or is it? Melissa Brady is thrilled to be a Homecoming Queen contestant, something she has always dreamed of. Finally, she's getting everyone's attention—including that of handsome football star Seth Powell. All of a sudden everything seems perfect for her. Maybe too perfect. One by one, the other Homecoming Queen contestants start having horrible accidents. Deadly accidents... One is horribly burned. Another is attacked by a swarm of killer bees. People are spooked and are beginning to ask, is this Brenda Sheldon's ghost out for revenge? Or is it someone else, someone evil? The truth is even more terrifying than beautiful and brave Melissa Brady could ever imagine... Reviews 3.66 average rating all editions, 141 ratings, 9 reviews, added by 348 people, 161 to-reads, 86% of people liked it.—Goodreads 5.0 out of 5 stars (4 reviews)—Amazon ***** 5 stars Scream Queen John Hall wowed me with this terrifying tale of jealousy, greed & murder.—A customer Homecoming Queen is my favourite book. I would give it 10/10 because it’s the best book I’ve ever read. Mystery and suspense seems to wrap you up in an exciting blanket, nonstop! It was one of the few books that actually gave me chills. Titles By John Hall HOMECOMING QUEEN KILLER CHRISTMAS SUMMER SHARE About The Author As a teenager, John Hall devoured a diet of classic horror movies such as Halloween, Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Some of his more recent favorite horror movies are the Scream and Saw franchises. When he began reading adult horror, his instant favorites were Stephen King, John Saul and Dean Koontz. Most recently he’s a fan of dark suspense authors such as Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware, Shari Lapena, B.A. Paris, A.J. Finn, Liv Constantine and Lisa Jackson. John Hall’s novels will appeal to fans of Karen McManus, E. Lockhart, Natasha Preston, Lois Duncan, Joan Lowery Nixon, R. L. Stine and Caroline Cooney. John grew up in Brooklyn, with a younger brother and over twenty cousins (yes, it’s true!) but now lives in New York City. Readers can email him at: johnhallauthor@gmail.com

Frozen Fire


Tim Bowler - 2008
    "I'm dying," a voice tells Dusty. Who is he and how has he gotten her cell number? Dusty wants no part of this strange boy . . . until he begins saying things that only someone who knows her intimately could say things that lead her to think he knows the whereabouts of her brother, who disappeared over a year ago. Suddenly drawn in, Dusty very much wants to save this boy. Trouble is, she cannot find him. Part human, part spirit, he won't let himself be found. He is too dangerous, he says. There are mobs of people who agree and who want to see this boy dead . . . and who will hurt anyone who stands in their way. A gripping, hair-raising mystery about a boy not of this world, and a girl determined to protect him.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer


John Grisham - 2010
    . . and he’s only thirteen years oldMeet Theodore BooneIn the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk—and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom.But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much—maybe too much—he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth.The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served.Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning.

Blackbriar


William Sleator - 1972
    In the attempt to decipher a number of strange events after he moves into an old cottage, a boy discovers a group of English folk engaged in Devil worship.

The Ghost Next Door


Wylly Folk St. John - 1971
    So when Sherry came to visit her Aunt Judith, no one could explain the odd things that started to happen. Who was the elusive friend Sherry said she saw in the garden? Was she an imaginary playmate - or could she be the ghost of Miranda who had drowned in the pond years ago? Uncanny reminders of Miranda began to turn up - a blue rose, a lost riding whip... Lindsey and Tammy, who lived next door, decided to delve into the meaning of the apparent psychic phenomena. They soon found themselves drawn deeper and deeper into an intriguing mystery.

Thirteen


Tom Hoyle - 2014
    Twelve boys have been killed so far. Coron, the crazy cult leader, will stop at nothing to bring in his new kingdom. And now he is planning a bombing spectacular across London to celebrate the sacrifice of his final victim: Adam.