I had no idea this book was for middle grade readers, but I still picked it up because I love Tiffany Jackson’s YA books. She’s got a knack for writing YA novels that keep you on the edge of your seat.

This book was super suspenseful, and there was a twist at the end that I totally didn’t see coming. I think middle schoolers would really enjoy this book and not get bored.

Thanks a bunch to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this advanced copy. My opinions are my own, of course!

I'm sorry I am late with submitting my review, but BLOOD IN THE WATER is as good as everyone says it is! This is a great MG mystery that would be perfect for kiddos looking to branch out into reading more serious stories. I LOVED IT and I know my library kiddos will too.

I loved this book! This book read so smoothly and I was able to.read it in just a few days. The story follows Kaylani who is spending the summer at Martha's Vineyard with the Watson family. While there a sudden death occurs that looks very suspicious. Kaylani becomes friends with some local kids to find out what happened. Great twist at the end,!!!! Highly recommend!

Allegedly by Tiffany D Jackson is one of my favorite YA books of all time (allegedly). I was really excited to see Tiffany dipping her toes in the middle grade genre. I listened to a webinar with Tiffany promoting this book. She mentioned how popular these mystery/thriller books have become in the young adult age range, and middle schoolers are looking for the same type of book. Well, she has delivered!

This book gives you some history on black families owning homes on Martha’s Vineyard. Oak Bluffs specifically was known for being a haven for black families seeking respite from racial discrimination. This area was a popular vacation destination and homeownership for the Black community in the early 19th century (and still today). The setting of this book was perfect for a summer read. It even has me wondering what lobster ice cream tastes like!

Kaylani is 12 years old and is from Brooklyn. Her father is in prison for allegedly smuggling money from his employer. Family friends, the Watsons, have invited Kaylani to spend the summer with them on Martha’s Vineyard. Kaylani feels a little bit like a fish out of water in this rich community. When a teenage boy dies from jumping off a famous bridge in the community, everyone wants to brush it under the rug as a shark attack. Kaylani isn’t convinced. Kaylani is determined to find out what really happened to this boy. As she starts digging to solve this mystery, she uncovers even more questions about the community and the Watsons. I really like Kaylani’s character. She is smart, observant and courageous.

The culprit to the murder took me by surprise! I didn’t have any inkling that the murderer was who they were. This is one of the reasons why I love Tiffany D Jackson – she always takes me by surprise.

I really do think middle school kiddos are going to love this book. I will be highly recommending this book to anyone who loves mysteries. I also really appreciated how short this book is! It’s only 272 pages long and anymore, I feel like authors like to write too long of books for kiddos and teens. They don’t have time for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic | Scholastic Press for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tiffany D. Jackson has done it again with Blood in the Water — a gripping, emotionally charged mystery-thriller that will keep readers on edge until the final page. Known for her masterful exploration of social issues through suspenseful storytelling, Jackson blends horror, heartbreak, and justice in a way only she can.

I'd previously read Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson and was excited to receive an ARC of this book. Even though I’m older than her target age range, her storytelling is just so good. Tiffany Jackson has such an amazing ability to communicate the nuances of class, race, and the stigma of having an incarcerated parent. I've never been to Martha's Vineyard but I felt like I was there through the descriptive narration and world building the author does.

I’m a fan of Tiffany D. Jackson in general, and even though this book is for a middle school aged reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Kaylani brought spunk, smarts, and adventure to the story. She was a determined young lady who fought until the end for what’s right. I applaud Tiffany D. Jackson for being able to step out of her normal writing style and complete a wholesome, yet entertaining book for children. Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for the opportunity to read this ARC.

What a phenomenal book! I started this book today and finished it today. This is the perfect mix of mystery, murder, emotion, and summer fun that I know my middle school students will adore. I cannot wait to purchase this title and put it in my library! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Scholastic for letting me read an advance copy of this book!

Thank you Scholastic for this ARC! #BloodintheWater #NetGalley

This is my first Tiffany Jackson book! I listened to the audiobook and loved it and I loved that my children were listening with me. This book is a Middle Grade book and they heard the book and kept coming back to see what was going to happen, until they finally just came back into the room to listen.

I loved the summer storyline, it reminded me of specials that I would watch as a child about kids going to visit relatives or to summer camp in the summer! I loved Kaylani McKinnon character and how she stayed true to herself and her beliefs no matter what others thought. I would definitely recommend this book to others, if they want a thriller to read - I would recommend it to younger people as well as those the same age as me!

Another great book by Tiffany D. Jackson. Honestly, with this being a MG book, I didn't guess the plot twist to almost the very end.

Blood in the Water excels as a taut, character‑driven mystery with social depth and emotional resonance. It's a standout example of middle‑grade fiction that doesn’t condescend perfect for fans of smart, spirited protagonists and mysteries that echo beyond the page. Highly recommended.

I read this book with the audio as well and both were great I highly recommended both even tho this is young adult I believe someone older like myself will enjoy this book as well. 5/5 stars for both the audiobook and ebook

Blood in the Water
by Tiffany D. Jackson

This was a fun mystery read, perfect for summertime. Tiffany D. Jackson knows how to craft complex characters with layers, the setting was vivid and mystery aspect was executed so perfectly.

Tiffany D. Jackson has done it again. The way she's able to inject mystery and horror into modern horrors like inherited wealth, classism, and the legal system is A++. I will read anything she writes. I really think adults do themselves a disservice when they begin refusing to read YA and middle-grade fiction. There are still things to be learned from those books, and Tiffany D. Jackson proves that with this. I'm so much more knowledgeable about the Black community on Martha's Vineyard now, and this book inspired me to do more research into it. Thank you!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for trusting me with an advance e-copy.

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson is a standalone MG horror/thriller/mystery novel and was a wild ride while also kind of reminding me of my city girl life going to the countryside as a kid. Fun times…

I love books that are rooted in black culture and when it shines through in even the most subtle ways. An IYKYK type of thing.

The dynamics between Kaylani and her father is so pure from her perspective. The urge to help free her dad no matter what, which leads to her going to Martha’s Vinyard, is the driving force that gets her into sticky situations. I also liked the rich black history that was represented throughout the location. I learned many things while reading and so will many children.

Let’s not forget this ultimately being a murder mystery with a young girl trying to solve it. That in itself is a huge pull to the story. Plus the snobby friends mixed with a down to earth friend always creates chaos.

The only things that stand out as issues is the content being a little aged up so it may be a little more challenging for the lower MG readers to comprehend. Also, it’s on the longer side, more like a YA length and has longer chapters, they could be shorter for an easier read. Aside from that, it’s a really good story.

If you love a good mystery mixed with some horror aspects and thrilling moments centered around a black female protagonist, then this is for you. This would be great for readers 11+, and the younger readers reading with someone. Could be a fun story for class and storytime for the family. Explore and see what cool projects, images, and anything else creative can come from this story. Enjoy!

Other books by Tiffany to check out are Storm: Dawn of a Goddess, Whiteout (anthology), and The Weight of Blood

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Blood in the Water from Tiffany D. Jackson via NetGalley

This was a fun YA summertime murder mystery! If Tiffany D Jackson writes it, I’m reading it. Even if I’m a 50 something person reading a middle school aged book! I enjoyed the underdog taking on the rich people behaving badly vibes. I don’t want to spoil how it all plays out, but trust that it was entertaining from start to finish!

As a huge fan of Tiffany D. Jackson’s YA thrillers, I RAN to NetGalley when I saw she was releasing her first middle grade mystery and Blood in the Water did not disappoint! Set against the exclusive, beachy backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, this fast-paced story follows Kaylani, a Brooklyn girl visiting for reasons she doesn't quite understand then a teenage boy is found dead by a notorious bridge, and the summer takes a chilling turn.

Jackson masterfully balances mystery, class dynamics, and coming-of-age tension in a way that’s accessible and engaging for middle grade readers while still captivating enough for adult fans like me. Some plots (like her father’s incarceration) aren’t fully explored, but that feels intentional and appropriate for the audience. Kaylani is relatable, determined, and full of heart, and the twisty ending left me stunned!

This is a must-read for anyone who loves smart mysteries, rich settings, and layered characters. Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC! Maybe a movie next?

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the eARC.

Tiffany D. Jackson is so good at what she does. While this book is very obviously meant for middle grades, I loved it as an adult. The setting, the characters, and the mystery all worked so well for me.

This well-written book kept me guessing for a lot of the book. A lot and not all may not sound great by I have had many decades reading mysteries and have a bit of world knowledge that helped. For the middle grades reader, they will not see the end coming! It was refreshing to read a middle grade book that didn’t treat them like they were very young. The book focused on a middle grade girl and gave her the appropriate middle grade interests, sometimes young and sometimes trying to be too grown up. The main character was very believable and real. It was nice the story didn’t treat the middle grade readers like they were too new to the genre to need a complex story. It was suspenseful and kept the story moving without speaking down to the readers. I need more by this author for my middle school students.

This was a quick read. Very entertaining to see a different side of Martha's Vineyards. I loved Kaylani and Miles and Deon. Surprising twist on the murderer.