Description

“Unforgettable and impossible to put down—this novel is heart-pounding suspense at its best. A stunning debut.” —Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures and author of The Lovely Reckless

The Hidden Memory of Objects is a highly original and beautifully written debut mystery novel with a speculative element, perfect for readers who loved Gayle Forman’s If I Stay.

Megan Brown’s brother, Tyler, is dead, but the cops are killing him all over again. They say he died of a drug overdose, potentially suicide—something Megan cannot accept. Determined to figure out what happened in the months before Tyler’s death, Megan turns to the things he left behind. After all, she understands the stories objects can tell—at fifteen, she is a gifted collage artist with a flair for creating found-object pieces. However, Megan now realizes that her artistic talent has developed into something more: she can see memories attached to some of Tyler’s belongings—and those memories reveal a brother she never knew.

Enlisting the help of an artifact detective who shares her ability and specializes in murderabilia—objects tainted by violence or the deaths of their owners—Megan finds herself drawn into a world of painful personal and national memories. Along with a trusted classmate and her brother's charming friend, she chases down the troubling truth about Tyler across Washington, DC, while reclaiming her own stifled identity with a vengeance.

Reviews

“Unforgettable and impossible to put down—this novel is heart-pounding suspense at its best. A stunning debut.” — Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures and author of The Lovely Reckless

“The Hidden Memory of Objects is a tense and compelling mystery novel, but it’s also a heartfelt examination of the deeper mysteries of how we ever come to know each other and the transformative power of grief. A fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable read.” — Cynthia Hand, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Time We Say Goodbye

“An electrifying debut, The Hidden Memory of Objects is both heart-stopping and heartbreaking. You’ll carry a piece of it with you forever.” — Kimberly Derting, author of the Body Finder series

“A thrilling mystery that thinks—about grief and love, about the people we are and the people we’re quietly becoming.” — Brittany Cavallaro, New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Charlotte and The Last of August

“Debut novelist Amato adeptly mixes the paranormal and historical to build a page-turning mystery. Readers will gladly follow along as [Megan] inches closer to uncovering the secrets of the objects her brother held dear.” — Publishers Weekly

“Amato’s well-constructed debut novel is inventive, clever, and realistic even within the psychometric boundaries. The mixture of historical and political themes, with class and racial differences, serves up a very different type of mystery.” — Booklist

“Amato’s impressive debut has something for everyone. This captivating read is at its core a mystery, but also includes interesting elements of American history—and even a touch of the supernatural. With a strong female protagonist and well-crafted secondary characters, this is an engaging page-turner.” — Romantic Times

“Amato’s keen eye for detail in her complex characters and in her Washington, D.C. setting make for a richly engrossing reading experience; readers who like mysteries with a strong sense of place, a connection to history, and a dash of friendship and romance will enjoy this.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“This debut novel is fast-paced and engaging, and the diverse characters…are endearing. The elements of U.S. history add layers to this unique and enjoyable read.” — SLJ