Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn

Reviewed by Lori
Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls
Title: Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

Perma-Bound Catalogue #; 69563

Description: Narrated from several different perspectives, tells the story of the 1956 murder of two teenaged girls in suburban Baltimore, Maryland.

Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It

Why I Read It: Interesting title and I like a good murder mystery.

Lori's Notes: This book was not what I was expecting.  Set in June 1956, the plot describes the murder of two girls - Cheryl and Bobbi Jo - and the toll their death takes on the community who are left to deal with the aftermath.  While the book's write up sounded like it would be a crime and detection story it really follows the people associated with this horrible event.  The perspective changes but mainly focuses on Nora and Ellie - the best friends of the murdered girls, Buddy - the ex-boyfriend of Cheryl and the major suspect of the crimes - and Mr. Death, the actual killer.  We also glean information from Cheryl and Bobbi Jo's diaries, as well as Mr. Death's brother and Charlie, a friend of Nora's as to their thoughts about this horrible event.  The chapters are labeled for the character whose perspective we are following which is helpful.  The book was interesting, particularly the epilogue in which we learn that these events are loosely based on events from the author's past.  The time period and characters are well written.  The treatment of Buddy by the town - the fact that untrue rumours circulated by Cheryl end up making him the prime suspect and the accusations are something he cannot escape make him a particularly sad character.  Nora is the only person who seems to look beyond appearances but even she doesn't recognize Mr. Death.  No one does.

Recommended Readers: Grade 9 and Up

Themes: Mystery, Death, Friendship, Bullying, Crime and Punishment, Coming-of-Age, Perception, Appearances, Guilt and Innocence.

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movie: The Watcher (2000)
TV Series: CSI
Music: Long Tall Sally performed by Little Richard
Websearch: 1956

Post Reading Discussion, Inquiries and Activities: 

  • How do Cheryl's rumours about Buddy abusing her affect him after she is murdered.  
  • Why doesn't Nora do more to defend Buddy?  
  • What do you think about the police investigation?  Do you think how they treated Buddy was fair?
  • Why are Cheryl and Bobbi Jo targeted by Mr. Death?
  • What do you think would have happened to Ellie and Nora if they had been with them?
  • What might be another title for this book?
  • What happens when crimes go unsolved?  How does it make people feel?
  • How have police investigations changed over time?  What new technology might have helped police solve the crime in 1956?


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