Name: Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer
ISBN: 9780982840931

Michaela James

A caller's cryptic clues, an elusive pastor, her brother's disappearance and an impenetrable commune, have Scarlet and friends sleuthing once again.

Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer

Leelynn Brady

Disclaimer: I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by LW Media Group Ltd. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

This book was definitely darker than the first one, and it has some disturbing topics on girls being held against their will in a commune. While there isn’t any word on whether or not these girls are being sexually assaults in that commune or anything of that nature from what I remember, it is worth noting that this is the main plot of the story. In this case, Scarlet’s sister Violet is one of the girls in the commune, and someone tells Scarlet that she needs to save her sister. It only makes sense that there would be some sort of worry on Scarlet’s end when she hasn’t been able to contact her sister the entire time.

I also feel like this plot was a little more intense than the first novel, and it seemed like there were a lot of details to keep track of that readers would have to follow very closely in order to make sense of it all. There were times where I had to rewind the book to make sure I was understanding what was happening at the time correctly, but it still made for a great ride.

I liked this story a little better than the first because Scarlet’s friends were a lot more involved in her sleuthing. From her reconciliation with a childhood friend Mia, to the ever amazing Niles and Tom, even Scarlet’s new boyfriend James gets in the mix and it makes for a better journey. There were times where we could tell that they are amateur sleuths and some of their actions were a little discombobulated and silly, but with lives on the line, they made sure to find out everything that they needed to in order to solve this mystery.

It wasn’t just the mystery of Violet either, but Scarlet’s brother Trent was also missing as well, so there were two siblings that Scarlet had to end up saving in this novel, although from two very different situations. The way that Michaela James is able to explore the different relationships between siblings, parents-and-children, and even romantic couples was great to see, and I think it made all of the characters more relatable in the end.

I was also really glad that Prudence – Scarlet’s micro pig – was able to make some brief appearances as well! She is the absolute cutest, and I am also glad that Scarlet was able to make sure that Prudence was in the safe hands of her mom and grandfather before going on dangerous missions.

Scarlet Oaks and the Exposed Photographer

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