First Shot

ACTUAL RATING: 3.75 Walter Sorrells delivers a solid fast-paced murder mystery in his latest novel First Shot, which is definitely a "bulls-eye!"

Among some of the many things that made First Shot great were the solid, well thought-out characters. There is definitely evidence of deep characterization in First Shot. The characters each have their own motives (which stay constant throughout the story), and they are well developed so the readers can "feel" for them.

The plot was a bull's eye! The plot of First Shot revolves around a murder mystery...with an unlikely suspect. This makes for a very creative plot that sucks readers in and doesn't let them go. The pacing seemed just right; it never seemed too slow or too fast, which was very show more helpful in moving the mystery along.
        My only real critique of First Shot is the ending. The ending seemed, in a way, abrupt and incomplete, and as a reader I still had a few unanswered questions. It actually felt like Walter Sorrells just wanted to be finished writing! However, this didn't do much damage to the plot, so it's not a real concern.

All in all, I don't usually read mysteries, but First Shot definitely did not disappoint. It is sure to be a hit among young readers and adults alike!

FAVORITE QUOTE: "There are a million ways to cheat - any moron can figure one out. It's playing fair that takes ingenuity." show less

Imagine living in a house with the man you think killed your mother. David suspects his dad. All he’s ever wanted at school (where his dad is Headmaster) is to be the First Shot – the person on the drill team who is the best and gets the opportunity to perform at graduation. Enter Misty, she’s a national champion shooter who is David’s main competition. She picks apart his technique and decides to teach him so she can have some real competition. Mother’s murder has never been solved and when some clues are discovered, David and Misty decide to investigate.

I liked this mystery – I didn’t expect to – I judged the book by its cover – it didn’t appeal to me. But since it’s a Gateway Nominee for 2009 – 10, I thought show more I’d try it. Wow – read it in one evening on vacation. show less

First Shot is a fast-paced murder mystery with some satisfying plot twists and suspenseful moments.

David Crandall feels like an appendix: useless, vestigal. He attends the prestigious Arsenal where his father is Headmaster. He gets mediocre grades, is pretty much ignored by his classmates, and his father is uber-strict. Oh, and did we mention, his mother was murdered...? By his father?!

David's senior year finds him struggling with this loss and trying to uncover his mother's killer. The bright spot is a gorgeous sharpshooter, Misty, who helps David -- both is his skills with a firearm and in pursuit of the mystery of his mother's death.

One might have wished for better writing and better character development, but as a thriller for YAs, show more this fills the bill. show less

David struggles with his father who is the Headmaster at his prep school in Maine and holds his son more accountable than any other student. Ever since his mother was killed, David has seen his father become cold and withdrawn. The only success David feels at school comes from being part of the shooting team. Even that success is taken away by a new girl whose talent for shooting gets him kicked into the alternate slot on the team. Adding to his dismal world view is a wealthy roommate who succeeds at everything and doesn't think anything of invading David's space and using his stuff. When he decides to investigate his mother's murder, he visits the Police Chief and discovers that a former friend and his brother discovered the body. show more Other clues left at the scene include an unusual key and a watercolor painting washed out by the rain. Hooking up with his old friend and assisted by the new girl, the trio discover their lives in danger as they get closer to the identity of the murderer. This title is well-written, but misses the mark just a bit for this reader. In places, it seems that the character voice does not ring true for a young adult speaker - almost feeling like an adult "talking down" to a young person. While the plot was extremely active, some of it seemed unbelieveable. The teens are dealing with ruthless adults, yet in every instance when their life is in danger, they miraculously escape. And even though this happens several times, they never get the police involved. Teen characters in other Young Adult novels have handled these types of situations with cunning and not just luck. show less

David Crandall attends The Arsenal, a military-style prep school on the New England coast. His father is the headmaster, which means life for David is practically intolerable. Add to that the fact that David's mother was murdered two years ago, and on top of that is the lingering thought in David's head that his father was the murderer, and you've got a pretty good idea that David isn't exactly having the time of his life. When new questions come up about his mother's murder, David decides to take matters into his own hands and try to find out what really happened. Like the book Fake ID, Walter Sorrells has written a gripping page turner that most high schoolers and most middle-schoolers will enjoy. While some of the characters are a show more little flat or predictable, the who-dunnit mystery keeps the pages turning and the David's growth as a character by the end of the book make for a satisfying read. This is one I'll recommend to reluctant readers and those who like action/adventure. show less

David Crandall uncovers some disturbing evidence leading him to suspect that the murderer of his mother is his own father! This is a fast paced, interesting book with a couple great sub plots, including the one that explains why the book is called First Shot. Very enjoyable. Put it in your collection.

David is an average teen with no real "star qualities." Unless you count his shooting ability. He is a self taught rifleman and has the best shot at The Arsenal, the military school he attends. This is not enough for his father, who as the headmaster of The Arsenal, expects much more David. Their relationship is very strained and is perpetuated by the murder of David's mother two years ealier which is still unsolved. Now, at the beginning of David's senior year, the sheriff has taken a new interest in the case and David becomes suspicious of his father. Beginning his own investigation David learns of a damaging family secret and begins to unravel the truth. Could his dad have really murdered his mother?