The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Book Cover for: The Killer's Cousin, Nancy Werlin

The Killer's Cousin

Nancy Werlin

Winner of the Edgar Award for best mystery.

My name, David Bernard Yaffe, will sound familiar, but you won't remember why-at least not at first. Most people, I've found, do not. I'm grateful for that. It gives me some space, however brief. However certain eventually to disintegrate.

But I won't lead you on. The story I have to tell is not about me. This is about Lily.

Lily, cousin of a killer. My Massachusetts cousin. Lily.

I need to talk about Lily.

Recently acquitted of murder, David has moved to Massachusetts to stay with his aunt and uncle and repeat his senior year of high school. After everything that's happened in his life, he shouldn't be creeped out by his eleven-year-old cousin.

Right?

Book Details

  • Publisher: Nancy Werlin
  • Publish Date: Sep 30th, 2025
  • Pages: 228
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.50in - 5.50in - 0.52in - 0.59lb
  • EAN: 9798986758688
  • Recommended age: 13-18
  • Categories: Thrillers & Suspense - Psychological

Praise for this book

"This tautly plotted thriller, rich in complex, finely drawn characters, is an absolute page-turner." -Booklist

"The novel's gothic flavor, compelling minor characters . . . and subtle exploration of guilt and complicity add texture to this tense psychological drama."

--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Readers will be hard pressed to put this book down." -VOYA, starred review

  • Winner of the 1999 Edgar award for best young adult mystery
  • An American Library Association "Best of the Best: Best 100 YA books of the Past 10 Years) selection, 2005.
  • Starred reviews in Booklist, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Voya, and Kliatt
  • An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
  • An ALA Quick Pick-Top 10
  • An ALA Teens' Top 10 Best Book Pick
  • IRA Young Adult Choice
  • A Booklist Editor's Choice
  • A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
  • Winner of the 2001 Garden State (New Jersey) Teen Book Award
  • Winner of Black-Eyed Susan Award (Maryland), High School division, 2000-2001
  • Honorable Mention "Silver Kiss" in the Golden and Silver Kisses 2002 award program, from the Dutch Stichting CPNB.
  • Texas TAYSHAS high school reading list, 2000
  • Evergreen (Washington State) Young Adult Book Award list, 2001
  • South Carolina Young Adult Book award list, 2000-2001
  • Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book award list, 2000-2001
  • Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award, YA master reading list, 2002-2003
  • Pennsylvania Young Adult recommended list, 2000-2001
  • South Dakota Young Adult Reading Program list, 2000
  • A New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age
  • A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year
  • A Parent's Guide to Children's Media selection