Blood in the Water is a fast-paced, middle-grade mystery with beachy summer vibes and a twisty core. Tiffany D. Jackson delivers a compelling whodunit through the eyes of 12-year-old Kaylani, who’s determined to uncover the truth behind a local teen’s suspicious death. While the tone suits younger readers (10–15), Jackson’s signature storytelling still shines—a solid read for fans of smart young sleuths and layered mysteries.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I love Tiffany D. Jackson and I don't typically read middle grade books. However, because I love this author so much I wanted to give it a try. I am going to rate it on NetGalley because I am required to but I'm not going to on goodreads or anywhere else because this isn't the age group for me. That being said, it sadly did not work out for me and I am not sure if it's the age problem or the book itself. There is a wealth of powerful knowledge in this story that should be read by the age group, it really hit home there. Where I kind of struggled was, Tiffany D. Jackson actually spoke some to this in the intro, it felt like the kids were acting a bit older (though not always). Something about that just felt disjointed to me. I really hope that she writes an adult book because I would love to read that!

If you have a middle grade reader at home this is is a wonderful book for them and will aid in important conversations.

Jackson is one of my favorite authors and I was so excited to see her try out middle grade. This book is super good, I actually didn’t figure out the mystery so I was genuinely surprised by how it all played out. thought Kaylani was a strong character who believed in her dad and being honest about who she was. She has strong morals and ethics, which I think is super important. This book did feel like it was a little middle grade and YA which I think creates a good balance for the audience. The only disappointing part was that I felt like some parts could have been more fleshed out, but it was still a very well done read.

I really like this author and her books, however this one was way too YA for me. Had I been a teen reading this I would have rated it higher for sure. The story was prettt good, I just wish it was a bit longer and gave some more answers at the end. I feel the ending was still a bit unfinished. Overall tho a pretty good read for teens I’d say!

I’ve read previous works by Tiffany D. Jackson and I’m always excited to dive into anything she writes—even if I’m older than the target age group, her storytelling never fails to hook me. With The House Before Last, she brings her signature brilliance to middle grade in a way that’s equal parts sharp, suspenseful, and heart-filled.

This gripping mystery drops Brooklyn native Kaylani into the pristine, privileged world of Martha’s Vineyard, where a summer that was supposed to offer rest and fun takes a dark and dangerous turn. A local teen dies under mysterious circumstances—was it an accident, or something far more sinister? As Kaylani searches for answers, she uncovers layers of secrets that shake everything she thought she knew about the people around her—and even herself.

Kaylani is a standout protagonist: intelligent, observant, and determined, with a fierce moral compass and an unwavering loyalty to her father, who’s incarcerated for a crime she believes he didn’t commit. Her curiosity and courage make her impossible not to root for, and watching her navigate a world so different from her own—wealthy, entitled, and filled with judgment—is compelling from start to finish.

Even though this book is geared toward a younger audience, I found the writing style, the clever pacing, and the emotional depth incredibly engaging. Jackson masterfully balances real-world issues like class, incarceration, and identity with fast-paced mystery, all wrapped in an atmospheric island setting that feels vivid and alive.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for sharing this thrilling, heart-pounding digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. If you love layered mysteries, bold heroines, and a summer story with real stakes—don’t miss this one!

All the props to Tiffany Jackson! It's not easy to craft a satisfying murder mystery within the word count constraints of a middle grade novel, but she's done it seamlessly! While the suspect list is small, making the whodunnit part fairly easy to solve, that never deterred my enjoyment of Blood in the Water. I loved everything about this.

Kaylani is the hero of this story in every way. I appreciated her tenacity, intellect, and her ability to trust her gut when something didn't feel right. Her backstory made her more than qualified to solve the mystery, both logically and emotionally. Her unwavering loyalty to her dad is the backbone of this book, revealing itself during several plot points that made this book that much more enjoyable and impactful.

I'm even more impressed that this is Tiffany Jackson's first attempt at writing middle grade. If this is what she's capable of achieving on the first try, I hope she sticks around a while. I can see this being the big MG book of the summer. Pure perfection.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Scholastic for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kaylani goes to spend part of her summer on Martha's Vineyard after her father goes to prison for theft/fraud of money. She spends her days with spoiled entitled brats, London and Cassie. She meets Chadwick, who is super good looking, and thinks maybe the summer won't be so bad afterall. Then someone ends up dead. She wants to find the real killer. I really enjoyed this book. but I do feel like it was a little rushed.

I adore Jackson's books so I powered through this one and loved it! Kaylani's dad is in prison for embezzlement and she's convinced he's innocent. Suddenly one summer she's invited to Martha's Vineyard to stay with the Watsons where London is her age and sister Cassie 4 years older. She's excited but a little frightened as she's never met these people and knows how a tight-knit community doesn't always accept strangers easily And when she gets there the drama begins! It's exciting and fast-paced as Lani races to discover some long-hidden truths in this community.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I’m so excited to get a middle grade book from Tiffany Jackson that will be a wonderful addition to my middle school library. There’s mystery and danger as one might expect from a Tiffany Jackson book, and she doesn’t shy away from darker topics, but the audience is clearly slightly younger than her YA books.

I read this in one sitting ! I really enjoyed this book even though it’s a children’s book ! it was still very suspenseful and the plot was great! Tiffany D Jackson just has a way of sucking you into anything she writes ;it genuinely amazes me ⭐️ I haven’t met book by her I haven’t liked !

Kaylani’s a young girl from Brooklyn who travels to Martha’s Vineyard for a few weeks in the summer ! Her father’s in prison for a crime she believes he did not commit & parents want to take this vacation to rest and be a kid for a while . She’s staying with Mr & Mrs.Watson ( friends of her Grandma) & their two grandkids .

Kaylani meets a few friends her first days there & one of them ends up dying ! She’s determined to solve the mystery of his murder . This investigation leads to a lot of secrets being uncovered that could affect people close to her & herself !

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for sending me an ARC of this book.

I love Tiffany D. Jackson so when I found out that she had another book coming out, I immediately knew I had to read it!! This is a mystery thriller that takes place in Martha’s Vineyard and follows our main character Kaylani. I love Kaylani‘s character because no matter where she went, she didn’t let that change who she was as a person. She stood firm in her beliefs and you also see her grow a little bit throughout the book. Kaylani has been through some stuff, her dad is in jail and she firmly believes that he was framed. Her mother is trying to help her move forward, so going to Martha’s Vineyard for this summer with this girl London she used to be close with when they were like five years old is supposed to give Kaylani a break. Little does she know that it is not going to be a break for her, in fact, there’s going to be murders, lies, and betrayals in Martha’s Vineyard. I found myself captured from the start. I loved all the twists and turns!! When you actually find out who did what…CRAZY. I was surprised because I didn’t see that coming. This is also a very quick read, but Tiffany did it again!

I found the characters and the storyline very compelling. Kaylani believes her father has been wrongly convicted; her relationship with him, the way her peers either judge or accept her because of (or despite) his status, and the way it tied into the main mystery were all really interesting. While I ultimately didn’t find the mystery’s solution to be believable, I really appreciated much about this book, not the least of which were the historical aspects of Martha’s Vineyard for Black families.

Tiffany D. Jackson doesn't miss! I would recommend this primarily to younger middle grade students looking for something with intense themes.

There were aspects that I was eh on:
- Not that I want the father to be guilty, but I find that many YA and middle-grade novels feature innocent but incarcerated adults. Sometimes adults make mistakes and do things that aren't legal, and I would love to see that represented
- Mrs. Watson - her callousness wasn't fully believable to me, nor Jadens role

On the other hand:
- Chadwick is a great name
- Kaylani had very strong morals that keep you rooting for her

This is Jackson’s middle-grade debut and it was fantastic. Setting is Martha’s Vineyard and it’s giving fun vacation vibes at first. An atmospheric middle grade mystery that blends sun-soaked summer days with dark secrets hiding just beneath the surface! Jackson does what she does best— a fast-paced, twisty mystery while also exploring serious themes like race, class, and the pressure to “fit in.” This is the 4th novel I’ve read by her and I’m a huge fan! Monday’s Not Coming, Allegedly, The Weight of Blood and this one.

I have one rule as a reader: Never skip a Tiffany D. Jackson book.
There is just something so transformative about her approach to suspense and if you think just because this is a middle grade book it won't keep you guessing, you'd be wrong. the stakes feel so high and I was so worried for Kaylani.
10 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.. Kaylani lives in Brooklyn with her mother; her dad is in prison for embezzlement, so Kaylani spends time researching the law and also talking with her dad on the phone. Her mom sends her to Martha's Vineyard to spend the summer with their wealthy friends and two granddaughters who live in a large historical home because she feels Kaylani needs to have some fun. Kaylani doesn't want to spend the summer there, and the girls, one a little older and one about her age, really don't want her there either. However, Kaylani quickly makes friends with some other tweens on the island and before you know it, a teenager ends up dead, possibly from drowning, a shark attack, or maybe even murder. Kaylani wants to help solve the case and with the help of two boys on the island they uncover all kinds of clues and Kaylani's knowledge about the law helps.

Even though this was written for middle school students, it still felt very YA (that's a good thing) with the relationships, the party, and the red herrings. (I did figure things out very quickly, but hopefully students won't). The cover is very appealing and will be a great summer read. I think will be an easy sell for my middle school readers because they love a good murder.

Scholastic eARC
Tiffany D. Jackson is one of my favorites for YA, and I was so excited for this middle grade debut. This book had everything I love about her writing - vivid characters, a suspenseful plot, and solid friendships. I loved the kid sleuths here and how they really worked together and truly cared for each other. I hope lots of middle grade mystery lovers will love this one!

Tiffany D. Jackson has written a mystery for kids! It was so good I couldn’t stop reading it. Young readers will relate to the characters a lot. It has a real-life theme and typical children characters. I will definitely be recommending my middle school librarian to purchase a copy when it comes out!

Loved this book! I've spent a lot of time on Martha's Vineyard and the author nailed the authenticity of the island. Author Tiffany D. Jackson’s gripping murder mystery Blood in the Water will keep readers guessing until the end.

Spending a few weeks on Martha’s Vineyard with her family’s snobby friends was not how Kaylani envisioned her summer, but neither was solving a murder. This is a must read for those readers who enjoy mysteries and suspense! Great for ages 9 to 13.

Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Fun, fast moving MG mystery from an awesome YA author making her MG debut and she does it wonderfully. A young Brooklyn girl spends the summer at Martha’s Vineyard learning a ton about her family, making new friends, exploring the black history of the area while solving an intriguing murder mystery.