Imagine living in a house with the man you think killed your mother. David suspects his dad. All he’s ever wanted at school (where his dad is Headmaster) is to be the First Shot – the person on the drill team who is the best and gets the opportunity to perform at graduation. Enter Misty, she’s a national champion shooter who is David’s main competition. She picks apart his technique and decides to teach him so she can have some real competition. Mother’s murder has never been solved and when some clues are discovered, David and Misty decide to investigate.

I liked this mystery – I didn’t expect to – I judged the book by its cover – it didn’t appeal to me. But since it’s a Gateway Nominee for 2009 – 10, I thought I’d try it. Wow – read it in one evening on vacation.
( )

David Crandall, haunted by his mother's murder two years ago, uncovers a dark family secret that leads him to believe that his father is the killer.

First Shot is a fast-paced murder mystery with some satisfying plot twists and suspenseful moments.

David Crandall feels like an appendix: useless, vestigal. He attends the prestigious Arsenal where his father is Headmaster. He gets mediocre grades, is pretty much ignored by his classmates, and his father is uber-strict. Oh, and did we mention, his mother was murdered...? By his father?!

David's senior year finds him struggling with this loss and trying to uncover his mother's killer. The bright spot is a gorgeous sharpshooter, Misty, who helps David -- both is his skills with a firearm and in pursuit of the mystery of his mother's death.

One might have wished for better writing and better character development, but as a thriller for YAs, this fills the bill. ( )

ACTUAL RATING: 3.75 Walter Sorrells delivers a solid fast-paced murder mystery in his latest novel First Shot, which is definitely a "bulls-eye!"

Among some of the many things that made First Shot great were the solid, well thought-out characters. There is definitely evidence of deep characterization in First Shot. The characters each have their own motives (which stay constant throughout the story), and they are well developed so the readers can "feel" for them.

The plot was a bull's eye! The plot of First Shot revolves around a murder mystery...with an unlikely suspect. This makes for a very creative plot that sucks readers in and doesn't let them go. The pacing seemed just right; it never seemed too slow or too fast, which was very helpful in moving the mystery along.
        My only real critique of First Shot is the ending. The ending seemed, in a way, abrupt and incomplete, and as a reader I still had a few unanswered questions. It actually felt like Walter Sorrells just wanted to be finished writing! However, this didn't do much damage to the plot, so it's not a real concern.

All in all, I don't usually read mysteries, but First Shot definitely did not disappoint. It is sure to be a hit among young readers and adults alike!

FAVORITE QUOTE: "There are a million ways to cheat - any moron can figure one out. It's playing fair that takes ingenuity." ( )

Being the one to deliver "The First Shot" at graduation has been the most important thing to David, until the night he sees his father burying something. Two years earlier his mother was murdered.

When Misty the new girl teaches him techniques of shooting, they soon discover the mystery of discovering the murderer.

Very good. Check for popularity. Fits list very well. ( )