The first book in the action-packed series from New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman is perfect for young fans of James Patterson and John Grisham.
Eli Frieden lives in the most perfect town in the world: Serenity, New Mexico. Honesty and integrity are valued above all else. The thirty kids who live there never lie—they know it’s a short leap from that to the awful problems of other, less fortunate places.
Eli has never left Serenity . . . why would he ever want to? Then one day, he bikes to the edge of the city limits and something so crazy and unexpected happens, it changes everything. Eli convinces his friends to help him investigate further, and soon it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems in Serenity. The clues mount to reveal a shocking discovery, connecting their ideal crime-free community to some of the greatest criminal masterminds ever known.
The kids realize they can trust no one—least of all their own parents.
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“With no unemployment, nohomelessness, and no crime, Serenity, New Mexico, is the perfect town. Or is it?…The mystery is unraveledthrough several alternating first-person narratives. The distinctive voices ofa cynic, a true believer, a hopeful optimist, a terrified tag-along, and otherscreate depth, while break-ins, theft, vandalism, and an explosive car chase keepthe pages turning…A fresh premise, good pacing, surprising twists, and engaging characters all combine to make this a series worth following.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“A terrific page-turner, full of unexpected twists and revelations. Buckle up.”
— James Patterson“Masterminds takes readers on a wild ride with terrific humor, a surprising mystery, and characters you can’t help but root for.”
— Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author“It’s hard to express how much I loved Masterminds without spoiling it. Real characters that make you laugh, twists that genuinely surprise, a plot that reveals itself perfectly. Another instant classic by one of my favorite authors.”
— James Dashner, New York Times bestselling author of The Maze Runner Trilogy“The compelling, twisty mystery has a truly gratifying payoff, and the emotional depth of the characters, not to mention the steadily building pace, will keep readers engaged to the final page, which happily lays the groundwork for a sequel.”
— Booklist (starred review)“Several teens learn that their idyllic small-town existence is a sham in this first entry in Korman’s Masterminds series…Rotating among several young narrators, Korman builds tension as the mystery unfolds, leading to several surprise twists that upend the status quo…This tense, fast-paced story will have readers racing toward the cliffhanger ending.”
— Publishers Weekly“This unique and action-packed story is filled with twists and turns that readers will not see coming. A wonderful start to what promises to be a thrilling series.”
— School Library Journal“A masterful story and a cast of five individual voices combine to deliver a real thriller…Ramon de Ocampo as Eli is the best narrator of the quintet, transitioning from a bored, carefree, and pampered teen to a serious young man who is desperately unravelling a disturbing plot. Mike Rylander also shines in the difficult task of voicing Malik, the angry, cynical teen who will earn listeners’ grudging admiration.”
— AudioFileGordon Korman is the bestselling author of more than eighty books for children and teens, including his popular 39 Clues series. In 1999 the Disney Channel created The Jersey, a television series based on his Monday Night Football Club books. Visit him online at www.gordonkorman.com.
Ramón de Ocampo, an Earphones Award-winning narrator, was a cowinner in 2018 of the Audie Award for Best Multi-Voiced Performance. A graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, he has been seen on television, film, and stages all over the world, including recurring roles on such television shows as The West Wing, 12 Monkeys, Sons of Anarchy, and Medium. He is the winner of a prestigious Obie Award for his stage work.
Mike Rylander has worked as an actor, host, writer, and producer in a wide variety of mediums and genres. As an actor, he has appeared in Parks and Recreation, The Young and the Restless, The Gambler, and Hollywood Adventures. Presently, he is an Associate Video Producer and Social Content Producer for CBS Interactive and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Maxwell Glick is an actor based in Los Angeles. He has appeared on television in guest roles in numerous shows such as The Office and Castle. He also has voiced numerous commercials, audiobooks, and cartoons. Originally a regional theater actor, Glick has played Arpad in She Loves Me, Matt in The Fantasticks, and Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs. A New York native, he is a graduate of Boston College.