Aspen Brooks had an incredible senior year in high school, probably one unlike any a homecoming queen has had in the past. Unfortunately, it involved slashed tires, a kidnapping, and a psycho school principal. But that’s all behind her now and Aspen, Dooney & Burke purse (Coach is so passé) and gorgeous boyfriend Rand in tow, is headed to her freshman year at State college, which she expects to be the best four years of her life (you’ve read the books).

But Aspen’s flowery dreams come with a few bees. First, it turns out her new roommate is her mortal enemy and homecoming queen competition, Angel Ives. How could life be so cruel? But the hits keep coming as Aspen discovers the Zetas, the sorority she’s wanted to pledge ever since learning about the Greek system, are a bunch of snotty beyotches. Although she’s not sure if she can deal with them, one thing she does know, Aspen plans to be the one to find out what happened to Mitzi, the niece of Aspen’s friend Detective Harry Malone. Mitzi disappeared from the Zeta house under suspicious circumstances and is presumed dead. Can Aspen in Nancy Drew mode solve the mystery?

A cute story with a sassy heroine, TWISTED SISTERS certainly reminds you of those first university years as Aspen gets her collegiate feet wet. Of course, not many new coeds are also amateur sleuths, and balancing class, the sorority, a boyfriend, and her extracurricular activities is a delicate act that could fall either way if she’s not careful. Aspen is a charming character and the center of the story. Her antics entertain while moving the plot along. Secondary characters include her boyfriend Rand, a more loving teenage boy you will never find; roommate Angel, who isn’t as bad as Aspen expected; and Koop, Rand’s roommate who has developed a stalker-like crush on Aspen. They all add their own flavor to the story as they influence the decisions Aspen makes.

Check out TWISTED SISTERS and the fabulous Aspen Brooks for an entertaining who-dun-it.

Kathy Samuels