Wowie—that was a roller coaster. Another knockout from Tiffany D. Jackson.

Kaylani is spending her summer in Martha’s Vineyard with family friends—but she’d much rather be back home in Brooklyn with her Switch and a plan to prove her father’s innocence. As if that’s not enough, there’s serious tension with the host’s granddaughters… and then a local teen, Chadwick, turns up dead. Can a group of neighborhood kids come together to solve a mystery bigger than any of them expected...?

As a 30-something-year-old woman, not once did I think, “Yep, this is middle grade.” It felt sharp, layered, and completely engaging. Honestly? This book has me wanting to explore more middle grade titles—if they’re anything like this, I’ve been missing out.

Kaylani is spending the summer in Martha’s Vineyard with family friends. Her father is in prison and her mother is working. The Watsons have offered to host her this summer. But Kaylani doesn’t want to go she wants to work on getting her father released from prison. On the way to Inkwell Island the spots shark riding the ferry. Kaylani is terrified of the sharks, seasick from the ferry and already having issues with the Watson’s granddaughter London.

Let me start by saying Tiffany D Jackson is a must read author for me. Her books are always so well written. I was so excited to read this even though it is geared towards middle grade readers. And I wasn’t disappointed. I really liked the main character. She was smart and observant and uniquely herself. I really liked how the book was peppered with black history. I wasn’t aware of all the black history regarding Martha’s Vineyard. I really liked the side characters other than the Watsons. I love the way the story unfolded. It was very suspenseful. I’m excited to buy this when it releases and I will be recommending it to everyone with younger kids and adults too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for providing me the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a middle grade reader, I can confidently say that this read more on the young adult side with childish main characters. however, Tiffany D Jackson can do no wrong. The atmosphere immediately pulled you in and you love all of the characters immediately. Yes, Jackson is a thriller-esque writer, but this felt a bit darker for a middle grade which I was not a fan of but overall very good. The only thing I wish for was a thorough explanation of the big reveal at the end. It felt a bit rushed, but all in all this was a very good middle grade debut!

"Sometimes I wish adults didn't lie to kids. Especially when everything happens right in front of our faces."

Kaylani, the future youngest-lawyer-in-America, notices everything. After all, after her father is sent to jail over circumstantial evidence, it's her job to prove it couldn't have been him. Shipped off to Martha's Vineyard for the summer, she finds herself embroiled in yet another crime. This time, a teenage boy has been found with a shark bite. This is a story of Black opulence, family secrets, and middle school drama. I give it a five out of five stars.

Tiffany D. Jackson does it every time for me I enjoyed this so much. The secrets and twists in the book were amazing. She is definitely my go to when it comes to a good thriller. And recommend that everyone read and gets the book when it releases.

One thing I won’t ever do is miss out on a Tiffany D. Jackson release. I will literally drop whatever I’m doing to read it. I was so excited when she announced a middle grade novel and she did not disappoint. Learning about Martha’s Vineyard and following a whodunnit was a fun summer read that I feel like middle graders would enjoy. I enjoyed Kaylani spewing off her lawyer facts since she is an aspiring lawyer and trying to clear her Dad’s name as he is currently serving a sentence for a crime Kaylani thinks he didn’t commit. The Watsons (the family that Kaylani stayed with) had me side eyeing them the whole book and I loved that Kaylani was able to make new friends. I really enjoyed this.

I had a lot of fun with this summer murder mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard!! Kaylani is a smart and fierce fmc and I loved getting to know her as well as some other fav characters in this book!

Tiffany D. Jackson makes a splash with her Middle Grade debut "Blood in the Water"! I am amazed by Jackson's ability to write such a compelling, engaging and thrilling story that is both a true mystery and age appropriate!

Kaylani is going to clear her Dad's charges, he's innocent and she's going to be the one to prove it. She will dedicate her summer to the library and research... At least that was her plan before her Mom sent her away to Marthas Vineyard with the Watsons. She hasn't seen London Watson since they were little girls, flash forward and London has become entitled, bratty and she does not want to spend her summer being Kaylani's tour guide around the island. However, after a night of breaking rules the son of the Watson's family friend is found dead on the beach. While theres been sharks spotted in the water that seems too convenient of an explanation and Kaylani is determined to get to the bottom of it...

I ADORED "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson and when I saw she had a new title coming out, I was ecstatic!! I'm honored to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of "Blood in the Water." The story keeps in line with Jackson's signature style, crafting a gripping narrative through characters you have empathy and real care for. The twists and turns had me hooked and I couldn't help but read it all in one sitting, even though I wanted it to last longer. I predict that "Blood in the Water" will be a hit summer read, perfect for long road trips, days by the pool, and beach time. While it's not a conventional "beach read," it's masterfully written and I will be recommending it to my friends!

I love Tiffany D Jackson. I wasn't aware this was a middle grade novel when I requested the arc, but I eneded up loving it. I read a good amount of middle grade and this one was fun, unique, and fast paced. The mystery was also quite good.

Thank you Netgalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

With “Blood in the Water,” bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson makes a chilling and unforgettable entrance into middle grade fiction—delivering a gripping mystery set against the vibrant, historic backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard. Blending light horror, social commentary, and suspense with sharp, smart writing, Jackson crafts a summer thriller that’s both age-appropriate and emotionally resonant, without ever underestimating its young readers.

At the center of the story is Kaylani, a Brooklyn girl with a fierce sense of justice, razor-sharp observation skills, and unwavering loyalty to her incarcerated father—who she’s determined to prove innocent. Forced to spend the summer with her mom’s well-off friends, the Watsons, Kaylani enters the world of Oak Bluffs: a Black enclave brimming with beauty, wealth, and buried secrets. From pristine beaches and mean-girl drama to late-night bonfires and cultural landmarks, the island feels equal parts postcard-perfect and unsettlingly polished.

When a local teen mysteriously dies—under circumstances the adults brush off as a shark attack—Kaylani begins to dig deeper. What she uncovers is a web of lies, privilege, and hidden connections that link back to her own family’s past. The whodunit structure is classic yet effective, with red herrings, twists, and just the right dose of dread to keep pages turning fast. There’s even a clever touch of horror-lite, just enough to thrill without crossing into nightmare territory—perfect for younger readers ready to dip their toes into something darker.

Kaylani shines as a protagonist. Smart, self-possessed, and refreshingly skeptical, she challenges the adults around her and calls out the classist dynamics she encounters—particularly in her tense relationship with the Watsons’ daughter, London. Their character arcs, while sometimes a bit tidy, offer believable growth. Kaylani’s budding friendships with Miles and Deion provide warmth and levity amid the tension, while her unwavering devotion to her wrongly convicted father adds emotional weight to her quest for truth.

Jackson excels at balancing mystery with meaning, weaving in themes of Black history, incarceration, wealth disparity, and justice without ever losing the pace. The setting is particularly vivid, with Oak Bluffs rendered in such rich detail that it becomes a character in its own right—lush, haunting, and full of hidden histories.

Though seasoned readers may find the mystery’s resolution somewhat predictable and neatly tied up, the journey there is so engaging that it hardly detracts. Every loose end connects back in satisfying ways, and Kaylani’s tenacity makes her an inspiring role model for young readers—with more than a few adults likely to be rooting for her, too.

Overall, “Blood in the Water” is an atmospheric, fast-paced mystery with depth, heart, and brains. Tiffany D. Jackson proves she can thrill readers of any age, delivering a middle grade debut that entertains as much as it empowers. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this one is not to be missed. Add it to your summer reading list—and keep an eye on those waves.

This was a really great foray into middle grade fiction. For me one of the strongest parts of Tiffany D Jackson’s writing is the narrative voice and that was definitely true here. Kaylani had such a clear and distinct voice as the narrator and felt like a real kid that I wanted to follow along on this story. Jackson also did an amazing job setting the scenery and atmosphere of a summer on Martha’s Vineyard. I struggled to put this one down — the fast pacing, mystery, and strong characters had me reading it in one sitting.

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

Kaylani’s life has been in a tailspin ever since her dad was arrested for embezzlement. She was determined to spend her summer fighting for his innocence, but instead she’s sent away to spend the summer on Martha’s Vineyard with her dad’s former mentors—the Watsons—and their spoiled granddaughters. But things take a darker turn when a local kid turns up dead in the water, and Kaylani finds herself wrapped up in yet another mystery.

I love Tiffany Jackson. She’s an auto-read author for me. But middle grade books are just not really my thing, and I didn’t realize this book was middle grade until I read the author’s note at the start. For the target audience, I think this book probably delivers a decent mystery. But even when I consider that, part of me feels like the characters and plot needed more. There is no question though that as someone who’s read way too many adult and YA thrillers, this just didn’t hit the same way. But don’t worry. I’m not giving up. I’ll read whatever Tiffany Jackson writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love Tiffany’s books and this one was another suspenseful story! I couldn’t put it down. I love her character development and story plots. They make you feel like you are there and are realistic. If you enjoy Tiffany’s books, this is your next read!

Kaylani is a young girl growing up in Brooklyn. Her father is recently incarcerated and she is determined to figure out how she can get him out, as she knows he is not guilty. In the meantime, a church friend of her grandmother (and a former colleague of her father), Mrs. Watson, offers to host Kaylani at the family's summer house on Martha's Vineyard.

Once she arrives on the island, some mysteries present themselves -- the previous owner of the Watsons home, a young boy's suspicious death, and what really happened to send Kaylani's father to prison. Kaylani is. a great character, intelligent, curious, observant and determined. Luckily, those qualities help her to uncover the secrets hidden on Martha's Vineyard.

I have greatly enjoyed Tiffany Jackson's previous titles, aimed to a YA audience. Her excellent shift to MG fiction is no exception. Following Kaylani resolve the storylines is suspenseful and mysterious, with a satisfying ending.

Absolutely nails the childhood summer vibe - the hot sun at the beach, the blast of AC at the library, the fast friendships that form between kids on vacation. If you're an adult feeling nostalgic for that kid on summer vacation type of feeling, pick this up..

I've enjoyed TDJ's books in the past, but hesitated on this one because middle grade can sometimes grate on my adult mind. That said, I was pleasantly surprised to find the writing, atmosphere, and mystery to be on par with her YA books. The story kept me guessing, and was emotionally complex in ways that, I think, can resonate with readers of all ages.

I appreciated the inclusion of a parent in prison. I'm sure it helps kids in similar circumstances feel seen, but also helps all children build empathy toward other kids who may be facing that hardship. There was also some good messaging on staying true to yourself, and not trying to grow up too fast.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, fast, summery read.

It's no secret that I love Tiffany Jackson books--I've read them all and they're all good. This one was about a young girl, Kaylani who comes to Martha's Vineyard for the summer with some distant friends of the family after her father is sent to prison. The family has 2 granddaughters who aren't very nice to Kaylani and apparently have been told about her father being in prison, so they treat her differently, although the girls had played a lot as small children. Pretty early in the book, the girls all attend a party on the beach and one of the local boys winds up dead the next morning. Kaylani decides that she needs to figure out how the boy died and who is responsible. A good mystery, but not on par with Jackson's other works like Allegedly and Monday's Not Coming. This one is geared more towards middle schoolers, so the plot twists that you come to expect with Jackson books aren't as shocking here.

Kaylani is sent to Martha's Vineyard for the summer to stay with a family friend. Her parents hope this will distract her from her worries over her recently incarcerated father but she ends up facing a whole new set of worries when a boy from the island is murdered. Kaylani works to figure out who murdered him while discovering the secrets her host family holds. Tiffany D. Jackson is one of my favorite authors and she doesn't disappoint in her middle grade debut. This is just scary/mysterious enough for the intended audience but still holds all of Jackson's talent for twists and turns. I highly recommend this to tweens and young teens.

I love Tiffany D. Jackson's YA novels and was so excited to get an ARC of Blood in the Water. I jumped right in (no pun intended) but was not hooked as I normally in with Jackson's writing. The murder mystery is compelling but I just didn't feel like the storytelling was strong enough. Perhaps there was too much telling and not enough showing? I am struggling to put my finger on it but this just wasn't as strong as her YA novels.

Obsessed! TDJ can do no wrong in my book. This middle grade suspense was just what I need to change up the pace from what I had been reading lately.