KILL THE LAX BRO

Category: Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Mystery & Thriller

A fresh and darkly funny 90s murder mystery about one high school’s net of lies that begin to unravel when a star lacrosse player winds up dead.

The night before graduation, all of Hancock High celebrates at their school’s annual lock-in. But what starts out as a fun night turns horribly wrong when a body is found—and the victim is none other than Troy Richards, the school’s star lacrosse player. 

Everyone is acting totally clueless. As for suspects? There’s Jennifer (the dream girl), Naomi (the geek), Sassi (the overachiever), and Tatum (the rebel). At a glance, it seems like they couldn’t be more unalike, except for the fact that they all hated Troy (the lax bro) . . . but who wanted him dead? 

From debut author Charlotte Lillie Balogh comes a wickedly sharp take on high school stereotypes, including the boys we love and love to hate: lax bros.

Coming 6.24.25

from Delacorte Press & Penguin Random House

praise

“Charlotte Lillie Balogh’s debut is utterly impossible to put down (no, really—I tore through it in twenty-four hours). The book’s expertly constructed plot is made even more propulsive by the use of six different narrators, each harboring their own secrets. And I still get goose bumps thinking about how it all ends.”

—Jordyn Taylor, USA Today bestselling author of Wicked Darlings and The Revenge Game

press

Publisher’s Weekly — Rights Report: Week of November 13, 2023

The NewsHouse — Newhouse Alumna set to release debut novel in June

self-publishing

  • PRETTY WEAPON

    KNOWN ONLY AS A NUMBER for as long as she can remember, 390 is far from an ordinary sixteen-year old. Raised to be the perfect weapon by the Institution, a place where those who are Different are held captive, she has lived under the calculating supervision of the Overseer. Sure, 390 is Different, but is there more to her than even the Overseer has accounted for? When a newcomer, 410, arrives, he learns the ropes from 390 as 390 learns things about herself she never thought possible. Joined by their arrogant fellow captive 713, this trio will discover that it's not only hard to trust those around you, but that it is hard to trust yourself. When a plan is revealed, 390, 410 and 713 will be faced with trials that, no matter how Different they are, only friends can solve. The style, the skill, the friends, the enemies, the future, the 390 HAS EVERYTHING BUT THE ANSWERS.

    GOODREADS

  • THE ALPHA'S POISON

    The sequel to Pretty Weapon, and second in the Different Novel Trilogy. After being captured by the New Institution, Kitty was more than surprised to be rescued by a bunch of superhero-wannabes. Now, the ex-perfect weapon is struggling to find her place in their 'real' world of teenage melodrama. It may seem nothing like the Institution, but she'll have plenty of bounty hunters and alleged mobsters to make her feel at home. Although the players have changed, the stakes have only risen. The Overseer is still at large, and Scylla is looming on the horizon. Not to mention that the voices in Kitty's head are getting stronger, bringing with them the Flashes. With the loss of her Difference, Kitty may not be as strong as she once was, but she's certainly not going down without a fight. 390, Kitty Lee - no matter what name you know her by, SHE’S BACK.

    GOODREADS

fan response to PRETTY WEAPON & THE ALPHA’S POISON:

  • “I loved this book! It's kind of like a mix between X-Men and The Island! It is fantastic, imaginative and engaging! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!!”

    — Meredith, Goodreads

  • “From someone who has read almost every teen book on the shelf, this one blew me away. When you combine the action of a superhero movie, the romance and friendship that comes in every teenage girl book, and sprinkle on some sarcastic comedy, you get one great novel. ”

    — Lauren, AmazonQuote Source

  • “All and all this was a fantastic novel. As I read it, in each chapter I was drawn in more and more and each character reminded me of characters from the x-men, each with their own superpowers.”

    — Imani, Goodreads

  • “If I knew the author I'd tell her to write faster just so I would know what happened. Definitely a good read, and is highly suggested.”

    — Lauren, Amazon

  • “I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author used very effective and easy-to-understand language. The journey of 390 was extremely dramatic and interesting. The chapters ended with cliffhangers every time so it was the kind of book that is difficult to put down. The author also used very descriptive language so that it almost seemed that you were experiencing what 390 was. The plot was very well put together and constantly kept you guessing. I would definitely recommend this book to other people.”

    — Clarisse, Goodreads