Harry V. Keefe Library, Boston Latin School: Wolfpack Reads!

Play both roles, the profiler and the killer

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - 5/5 Stars

Published: 2013, Little, Brown Books

Genre: Crime/Mystery

Reviewer: Jolie N., Class II

Jump into two sides of a murder mystery in The Naturals as you play both roles, the profiler and the killer, to ultimately figure out who is to blame for a mass of deaths. Cassie Hobbes, the protagonist, has just been recruited by the FBI to work in their top secret, Naturals program. This branch of the FBI is specifically staffed with teenagers who have special abilities that enable them to view the world differently. These talents have allowed them to precisely understand lies, emotions, and one’s nature to assist in figuring out the people behind unsolved crime cases. The program was initially supposed to solve cold cases, but a series of murders have come up close to home, shifting the characters’ focus towards solving an ongoing, unsolved case. Read more to dive into a world of suspense, secrets, and twists that surround The Naturals.

This is one of my favorite novels that I have picked up recently. You get to take part in having the main character’s skills as you read the thoughts behind the killer yourself. The book had a lot of suspense and twists that just took me by surprise. I liked how fast the pace was and it brought me out of a reading slump as I just could not stop reading after any of the cliffhangers. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading mystery, crime, and thriller as it was a combination of all of the above. Additionally, I suggest it to readers 14+ as certain concepts and descriptions around the murders in the novel can be viewed as too mature and scary for younger audiences. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves solving puzzles and just enjoys the perplexities that come with all things mystery. This book can be requested from BPL.