Bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson is back with a new beach read for young readers. Kaylani is a born-and-bred Brooklyn girl at heart. She's also a Daddy's girl, perfectly content with spending her days on the phone with her imprisoned father. But her mother insists that Kaylani spend this summer in Martha's Vineyard with family friends, the Watsons.

The Watsons live in Oak Bluffs, a town in Martha's Vineyard with a rich Black history. Although their daughter is snobby, Kaylani connects with other kids who show her around the beach town. A time is had until a shocking murder rocks the community. Of course, the main character Kaylani is determined to solve the mystery.

Not only does Tiffany D. Jackson perfectly execute a story for a younger audience, but she managed to hold my grown attention span! I was drawn into the mystery and felt the suspense through the pages. Do not let the title fool you; it is not a gory read. While it may be predictable for adults, the story has good pace and explores themes like racism, imprisonment, justice and murder at a level appropriate for Scholastic readers.

School is out; fiction is in! I recommend Blood in the Water for middle-school readers. Parents/guardians, add this to your kids' summer reading list. Teachers, consider Blood in the Water for your curriculum in the new school season. Encourage the pre-teens to research Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs and Black history.

Happy Early Pub Day, Tiffany D. Jackson! Blood in the Water will be available Tuesday, July 1.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Anything TDJ writes you better believe im going to read. She can do no wrong in my eyes! I was definitely shock by the twist that was in this! It def takes you on a wild ride!

I dont like this authors writing at all, this is obviously YA, but it felt even more immature than that to me. The characters were not very developed.

All 12-year-old Kaylani McKinnon of Brooklyn can think about is getting her father out of prison. Her dad allegedly embezzled funds from his job, but he didn't commit the crime. Kaylani and her mother met with his lawyer with little hope of securing his release. Kaylani is a mock trial student and she wants to become a lawyer. With all of this legal talk, Kaylani's mother just wants her to focus on being a kid. So she sends Kaylani to Martha's Vineyard to spend her summer with their family’s friends in their huge mansion.

Before she stepped on the island, Kaylani already knows something is up with the family. There's London, a stuck up tween who treats Kaylani as a charity case. She wants nothing to do with Kaylani. Then there's Cassie, London's sister, a teen who keeps more secrets than she lets on. The three of them attend a party where they meet up with Chadwick, a popular teen among the town, and Cassie's ex. After a fight between Chadwick and another teen at the party, Chadwick leaves with Cassie. The next day, Chadwick is found dead, and Kaylani has to find out how and why.

Tiffany’s debut Middle Grade murder-mystery novel unpacks secrets, history, incarcerated parents, and class in this powerful novel. The characters are well developed, the descriptions of the island are vivid, and the pacing is terrific. This is a great novel to hand to tweens who want a mystery to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Scholastic for the e-ARC. This didn’t quite hit like Tiffany Jackson’s other books, and I’ve read quite a few of her books – being a fan of her writing. Kaylani was a fun character. However, about the time I got invested in her and the other characters, the book was unfortunately over. I will attribute the disconnect to this being targeted at middle schoolers, since the twists were predictable and the mystery easily solvable before the end.

Still, this was still a solid read, and I would recommend it, specifically for middle schoolers.

I'm a huge fan of Jackson having devoured her YA titles and enjoyed her children's titles with my son. I'm so excited that she wrote a middle grade title. I wondered how she would handle dialing back the horror when she scares you so good in her YA novels. Jackson made it work in this mystery. No scares but I can see middle grade students enjoying this book and wanting more from her. This was a great taste of summer with an engaging whodunit - a perfect primer to get middle school students looking for her YA titles. I loved the main character - she was savvy but stayed true to her values. There was enough foreshadowing that I believed that the killer did it even though it was an unexpected reveal.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I always enjoy Tiffany D Jackson's work. She is one of my favorite YA authors. I really enjoyed this read. Its a story of class, murder and with deep rooted history. I was rooting for the main character so hard, she had been through enough and just wanted her to catch a win. I will say I was wrong about the ending! I just knew I was right.

I loved that pacing of the story as well as the plot twist. The only thing I do wish is that it was a little bit longer or that it gave an epilogue.

All in all another great read by TDJ

I loved GROWN by Tiffany Jackson and I tend to enjoy middle grade books for a fun change of pace so this one caught my eye. I loved this story. Yes, it's for young readers, but the plot was so well done. Jackson is such a master at craftting compelling stories.

In this mystery we follow Kaylani who lives in Brooklyn with her mom and her father is incarcerated. She is headed to Martha's Vineyard to stay with family friends for summer vacation. This privileged life is very different to her from her usual life and it takes her some time to adjust. The wealthy Black families here are definitely way more pretentious than what she's used to. When a local teen winds up dead, a murder investigation starts, and Kaylani does some amateur sleuthing herself. Was this a murder, or an accident?

This was such a fantastic read. It kept me guessing with the local teen case mystery. Kaylani was such a great character. She really wanted to help out with this case. I also loved the setting of Martha's Vineyard. Such a beautiful spot and the descriptions just felt perfect for a summer thriller. I liked how the twist played out too. I definitely think kids and adults alike can enjoy this one.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading this, but I do not think Tiffany Jackson is suited to MS fiction. I think she likes bite and that is hard to accomplish in middle grades. I appreciated the extended metaphor of the sharks in the story. Would buy and add to my classroom library!

A really solid upper-MG mystery; off the top of my head I can think of maybe three other middle grades where someone actually gets murdered, so kudos to Jackson and Scholastic for giving advanced readers something meaty.

I figured out the culprit about 3/4 of the way through, and I think the story could have benefitted from a few more suspects to throw readers off the trail. That said though, the pacing is phenomenal. I tore through it in a couple of hours and can't wait to share it with my readers. Enjoyed getting a glimpse of life at Martha's Vineyard as well. 10 and up.

🩸🌊🦈 I was so excited to see that I was approved to receive an ARC of Blood in the Water. Tiffany D. Jackson is one of my all-time favorite authors, so I could not wait to dive in! *wink* (Pun very much intended). Thank you to Netgalley, Scholastic Press, and Tiffany D. Jackson for the opportunity to read Blood in the Water.

Jackson did a fantastic job shifting her writing toward a younger audience. I was a bit worried the book would be less twisty and complex than her other novels because it was made for MG rather than YA, but it was not in the least. When I thought I knew what was going on, I very much did not. Which, looking back to when I was in middle school, is perfect for that age range. No child wants an author to hold their hand through a mystery/thriller. Writers should trust that their readers are smart, and that also applies to younger ones. I am confident that kids will LOVE this book. And, adults too! I can attest to that.

Grab this book the second it hits shelves on the first of July!

Tiffany D. Jackson never disappoints with her writing. I cannot wait to see what she will write next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊🦈🩸🌊

It’s been a long time since I picked up a middle grade book—I honestly thought I’d outgrown them. But this one completely proved me wrong. The writing was so strong and engaging that I often forgot it was meant for a younger audience.

Yes, some of the characters were a bit frustrating at times, but then I had to remind myself: they’re middle schoolers. And honestly? Their behavior felt pretty true to how my friends and I acted back then—messy, dramatic, and totally believable.

I did figure out the twist pretty early (around the 30% mark), but I read and watch a lot of thrillers, so that’s kind of expected. Even so, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, a really fun and well-written read. I’m super excited to dive into The Scammers next!

This is a classic Tiffany D. Jackson suspenseful tale but written for a younger audience. The voice is authentic, and the details weave together by the end. Middle grade kids will love this!

The story is fast-paced, super twisty, and full of drama. Jackson does a great job blending suspense with real-life issues like privilege, race, and justice. You’ll be second-guessing everyone until the very last page.

Getting the chance to read thisd book before publish was so fun! Tiffany Jackson writes another amazing novel with Blood in the Water! Dark, mysterious, and hopeful, Blood in the Water is a great addition to intermediate readers horror genre! It felt nostaglic like a Goosebumps book but on a new level.

"Blood in the Water" by Tiffany D. Jackson is an absolute five-star read! As a huge fan of mystery and horror novels, especially those featuring a diverse Black character group, this book hit all the right notes. It instantly reminded me of the classic Fear Street series by R.L. Stine, but perfectly tailored for a preteen audience – offering all the thrills and chills without being overly graphic.

The story drops us right into Kaylani's summer, a Brooklyn girl navigating the unfamiliar world of Martha's Vineyard. I loved how the book highlighted the rich Black history of Oak Bluffs, adding a fantastic layer to the setting. While London Watson provides some initial friction, Kaylani's connections with the other kids felt genuine and fun.

But then, BAM! A shocking event throws everything into chaos, and Kaylani's determination to solve the mystery had me turning pages faster than ever. Jackson masterfully weaves a tale of sinister truths and shocking secrets that keep you guessing until the very end. Beyond the immediate whodunit, the narrative delves deep into themes of betrayal, triangulation, and unexpected love, all while unearthing an age-old murder that casts a long shadow over the present. The suspense is expertly built, and the characters are so well-developed that you genuinely care about what happens to them. If you're looking for a gripping, diverse, and perfectly spooky read for a younger audience, "Blood in the Water" is it.

Grab your middle grade readers and on July 1 head to your local indie bookstore and pick up Tiffany D. Jackson’s debut middle grade novel Blood in the Water. I love Tiffany’s books and here for her master storytelling for a younger audience.

Kaylani lives in Brooklyn with her Mom and spends her days looking forward to talking with her incarcerated Dad on the phone. When she finds out she is going to be going to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer and staying with family friends. She’s really reluctant but in the end goes… and the unthinkable has happened… someone is missing and a possible murder investigation is about to began.

The setting was absolutely everything. I can picture the island and shops as Kaylani made herself familiar with her surroundings. I can’t help but think what a great MG Bookclub pick this would make. Delivering great conversations to a younger audience on identity, class and incarceration.

I will read what ever she writes!

Thank you Scholastic
Releases 7/1

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Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the eARC of Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson. I'm a huge fan and have read all her books, so I was thrilled to read this. This is a YA, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment at all. It's a quick read that keeps you on the edge. I love the summer vibes, and Tiffany D. Jackson just knows how to craft a compelling story with real-world issues layered underneath, and this is no different.

Thanks to NetGalley & Scholastic Press for the ARC!

This was my first Tiffany D. Jackson read, even though Allegedly, Monday’s Not Coming, White Smoke, and Grown have been on my TBR for a while. Blood in the Water is a fast-paced middle grade mystery set in Martha’s Vineyard, featuring a smart and relatable protagonist. The story explores themes of class, community, and resilience, all wrapped in an engaging whodunnit.

I predicted a few plot points but still found the ending satisfying. The book is age-appropriate with a strong atmosphere and memorable characters. A solid debut middle grade from Jackson that I’d recommend to fans of mysteries and thrillers.

As a huge fan of Tiffany D. Jackson, I was delighted to get my hands on Blood in the Water. Lately, I’ve been deep in the world of romance books, so I was a little nervous that diving into a middle grade thriller would throw me off—but this book had me hooked from start to finish.

The mystery kept me guessing, and I found myself completely invested. The pacing was quick, the plot was easy to follow, and it didn’t take long before I felt really connected to the main character. This is definitely one of those books you can breeze through, but it still packs a punch.

By the end, I was getting emotional. I was angry. I was sad. That’s how I knew the story had me—it made me feel something. Tiffany D. Jackson just knows how to draw you into her characters and their world.

I highly recommend this one for middle grade readers, but honestly, anyone older will enjoy it too. It’s a fast, gripping read with real depth—and it reminded me why I love everything Tiffany D. Jackson writes.