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Fingerprints #4
Secrets
She touches your fingerprints. She knows your thoughts.
When everyone I trusted turned away, Anthony was there. He was the only one who cared, and he’s the reason I’m still alive.
But now Anthony has more important things to do than watch my back.
So it’s just me and Yana, and whoever’s out there watching, waiting for the chance�
When everyone I trusted turned away, Anthony was there. He was the only one who cared, and he’s the reason I’m still alive.
But now Anthony has more important things to do than watch my back.
So it’s just me and Yana, and whoever’s out there watching, waiting for the chance�
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
8 people are currently reading
570 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Metz
114books620followersMelinda Metz grew up in San Jose, California. People sometimes ask if she knows the way there. She kinda does, but she has an off-kilter sense of direction, so to be confident of arriving, it's better to consult some kind of navigational device.
Her mother tried to teach her to read in kindergarten, but Melinda had no interest. She also had no interest in learning to write her name. (FYI, when Melinda was in kindergarten it was all about finger-painting, play time, and naps.) Eventually, she mastered both and even majored in English at San Jose State University.
After college, Melinda moved to Manhattan to seek her fortune, which involved learning to identify fruits and vegetables while working at a grocery store,
making $2.73 working backstage for an off-off Broadway play (her part of the box-office profits), and editing books.
Melinda and the lovely and talented Laura J. Burns pretty much became unofficial writing partners when they were editors at the same company. They teamed up to brainstorm story ideas, and at some point their brains fused in some key places. Later they worked on the Roswell High book series, Laura developing and editing the series, Melinda writing.
That series led to Melinda and Laura, now an official writing team, writing two TV pilots, moving to L.A. to work on the Roswell TV show, and briefly living in Toronto while on the writing staff of 1-800-Missing. They both continue to write books, together and separately.
Laura and Melinda's new book, Sanctuary Bay, a YA thriller, is coming out in January 2016. It's set at an ultra-exclusive private school on an island. Once a student is accepted to the school, they must stay until graduation. No visits home, no contact with the outside world at all. Find out why in January!
The first four books in Melinda's new middle-grade mystery series,S.M.A.R.T.S., are out now. The books involve a group of kids in a makerspace club and they all have lots of science info. For all the cool geeks out there!
Melinda lives in Concord, NC with her dog, Scully (yes, she loves the woo-woo so much she named her dog after a kickass X-Files character). She has never regretted learning to read and write her name.
Her mother tried to teach her to read in kindergarten, but Melinda had no interest. She also had no interest in learning to write her name. (FYI, when Melinda was in kindergarten it was all about finger-painting, play time, and naps.) Eventually, she mastered both and even majored in English at San Jose State University.
After college, Melinda moved to Manhattan to seek her fortune, which involved learning to identify fruits and vegetables while working at a grocery store,
making $2.73 working backstage for an off-off Broadway play (her part of the box-office profits), and editing books.
Melinda and the lovely and talented Laura J. Burns pretty much became unofficial writing partners when they were editors at the same company. They teamed up to brainstorm story ideas, and at some point their brains fused in some key places. Later they worked on the Roswell High book series, Laura developing and editing the series, Melinda writing.
That series led to Melinda and Laura, now an official writing team, writing two TV pilots, moving to L.A. to work on the Roswell TV show, and briefly living in Toronto while on the writing staff of 1-800-Missing. They both continue to write books, together and separately.
Laura and Melinda's new book, Sanctuary Bay, a YA thriller, is coming out in January 2016. It's set at an ultra-exclusive private school on an island. Once a student is accepted to the school, they must stay until graduation. No visits home, no contact with the outside world at all. Find out why in January!
The first four books in Melinda's new middle-grade mystery series,S.M.A.R.T.S., are out now. The books involve a group of kids in a makerspace club and they all have lots of science info. For all the cool geeks out there!
Melinda lives in Concord, NC with her dog, Scully (yes, she loves the woo-woo so much she named her dog after a kickass X-Files character). She has never regretted learning to read and write her name.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 6, 2019
(Source: I own a copy of this book.)
This time Anthony is starting at Rae’s school, and someone is still after her.
This was another okay instalment, and once again Rae put herself in danger repeatedly, and some of the things that happened were again unbelievable.
Rae seriously has a death wish. Some guy wants to kill you � obviously you should meet some random person at a motel � brilliant idea! Not. How dumb is she?
The storyline also had some moments of idiocy.
� ‘Do you know Marcus?� � I’d jolly well hope so, I’m pretty sure she went way past first base with him.
� ‘My mother’s dead.� � Oh dear � better let two total strangers into your house to let them help you go through her things.
� ‘You’re drunk? Hey let me hop in the car with you while you go for a joy ride then!�
� ‘Some weird guy wants to meet you at a motel? Let me give you a ride there!�
The ending was okay, although once again solving the kidnapping problem seemed a little too easy.
I really hope Rae gets some common sense in the next book!
Overall; an okay if unbelievable YA paranormal mystery story.
6 out of 10.
This time Anthony is starting at Rae’s school, and someone is still after her.
This was another okay instalment, and once again Rae put herself in danger repeatedly, and some of the things that happened were again unbelievable.
Rae seriously has a death wish. Some guy wants to kill you � obviously you should meet some random person at a motel � brilliant idea! Not. How dumb is she?
The storyline also had some moments of idiocy.
� ‘Do you know Marcus?� � I’d jolly well hope so, I’m pretty sure she went way past first base with him.
� ‘My mother’s dead.� � Oh dear � better let two total strangers into your house to let them help you go through her things.
� ‘You’re drunk? Hey let me hop in the car with you while you go for a joy ride then!�
� ‘Some weird guy wants to meet you at a motel? Let me give you a ride there!�
The ending was okay, although once again solving the kidnapping problem seemed a little too easy.
I really hope Rae gets some common sense in the next book!
Overall; an okay if unbelievable YA paranormal mystery story.
6 out of 10.
February 11, 2014
Actual rating - 2.5
was an okay read, but it could drag in areas.
Large chunks of the book were quite slow, so i was starting to get bored.
Rae was a bit dumb in this one, again.
There were loads of parts where i thought "Why didn't she do this?" and "What is she doing?"
I've given up hoping that she wises up - because i've been saying it for the whole four books, and she still hasn't!
The ending was okay. I felt really sorry for Yana, when she told Rae a story from her childhood.
Overall, slow, and could be quite boring.
was an okay read, but it could drag in areas.
Large chunks of the book were quite slow, so i was starting to get bored.
Rae was a bit dumb in this one, again.
There were loads of parts where i thought "Why didn't she do this?" and "What is she doing?"
I've given up hoping that she wises up - because i've been saying it for the whole four books, and she still hasn't!
The ending was okay. I felt really sorry for Yana, when she told Rae a story from her childhood.
Overall, slow, and could be quite boring.
March 27, 2011
My oh my, this series just never seems to stop! But that's a super awesome thing! When Anthony gets a scholarship to attend Sanderson Prep, Rae's school, things seem to be looking up for these two. Anthony is psyched to have the opportunity to be closer to Rae and she seems equally thrilled to have him there, knowing he's one step closer to fulfilling his dreams. But things don't start off so well and after a number of misunderstandings pull these two apart it seems as if they might be going their separate ways. Anthony becomes immersed in the world of the popular clique, going to parties and hanging with the jocks at lunch, while Rae is obsessing about her mothers' illness and whether or not she's starting to show symptoms of the same mysterious affliction. A weird love triangle emerges as Marcus begins to confide in Anthony his desire to win Rae back and elicits his help, in the way of advice, to gain her trust.
Feeling abandoned by Anthony, Rae enlists the help of Yana to help solve the mystery of her mothers' death and to collect data on the New Age group her mother was a part of. Anthony halfheartedly pursues Jackie, since he's now convinced himself that Rae and Marcus are bound to get back together, and more misunderstanding bloom when Rae thinks there's a real romance afoot. But as with previous books in this series, things aren't always what they seem and as Anthony quickly figures out, there's more going on with Jackie than he first thinks. Instead of simply running hot and cold, Jackie has some real issues that culminate in an attempted suicide that nobody saw coming. Meanwhile, the closer Yana and Rae get to the truth, the stranger the truth becomes and the more danger they seem to attract.
When Rae gets too close to the answers she's seeking, a showdown with the mystery stalker takes place, leaving the reader with an amazing, suspenseful ending, one that thrusts Rae and Anthony back together in a spectacular way. It truly opens the door, and I mean wide open, for a real romance to begin, yay! This book, this whole series, is so sharply written and so thrilling that as soon as I finished one book, I'm scrambling for the next. I literally read books one through three in one sitting, they're simply that great. By far, the best series I have ever read. Melinda Metz weaves together a compelling story, blending it with equal parts mystery, suspense, friendship and romance. I'm truly excited to read book five!
Feeling abandoned by Anthony, Rae enlists the help of Yana to help solve the mystery of her mothers' death and to collect data on the New Age group her mother was a part of. Anthony halfheartedly pursues Jackie, since he's now convinced himself that Rae and Marcus are bound to get back together, and more misunderstanding bloom when Rae thinks there's a real romance afoot. But as with previous books in this series, things aren't always what they seem and as Anthony quickly figures out, there's more going on with Jackie than he first thinks. Instead of simply running hot and cold, Jackie has some real issues that culminate in an attempted suicide that nobody saw coming. Meanwhile, the closer Yana and Rae get to the truth, the stranger the truth becomes and the more danger they seem to attract.
When Rae gets too close to the answers she's seeking, a showdown with the mystery stalker takes place, leaving the reader with an amazing, suspenseful ending, one that thrusts Rae and Anthony back together in a spectacular way. It truly opens the door, and I mean wide open, for a real romance to begin, yay! This book, this whole series, is so sharply written and so thrilling that as soon as I finished one book, I'm scrambling for the next. I literally read books one through three in one sitting, they're simply that great. By far, the best series I have ever read. Melinda Metz weaves together a compelling story, blending it with equal parts mystery, suspense, friendship and romance. I'm truly excited to read book five!
October 2, 2013
I'm at that point that I just want to yell at Anthony and Rae to just please please talk and get it on.
A lot of this love triangle or square even wouldn't have happened if they just told each other how they felt.
But then on a side note, the book wouldn't have been the same if they were any different. Especially with Anthony as we all know that he felt inferior and undeserving of someone like Rae.
The someone after Rae stepped up his/her game and took both Rae and Yana.
Now it's up to Jesse and Anthony to figure out where they are and rescue them before it's too late.
Awesome finale to this book, Rae and Anthony are now were I wanted them from the beginning.
A lot of this love triangle or square even wouldn't have happened if they just told each other how they felt.
But then on a side note, the book wouldn't have been the same if they were any different. Especially with Anthony as we all know that he felt inferior and undeserving of someone like Rae.
The someone after Rae stepped up his/her game and took both Rae and Yana.
Now it's up to Jesse and Anthony to figure out where they are and rescue them before it's too late.
Awesome finale to this book, Rae and Anthony are now were I wanted them from the beginning.
September 14, 2010
melinda metz is freaking amazing.
September 14, 2023
it's getting soo good. I know Anthony thinks he isn't right for Rae, but jesus man, you have to try harder that that.
November 23, 2024
Love it!
October 16, 2021
I was really looking forward to this book. I feel like this series has a lot to offer and the mystery is good, but this was definitely not a great book in this series.
I never like when the two characters you know and root to be together have terrible miscommunication. It was to the point I was getting really annoyed. I just wanted to yell at one to stop what they’re doing and just talk to each other.
My other issue with this book was I didn’t feel it added to the mystery. What did we learn? Nothing really. We already knew Rae’s mom was in this weird group thing. Did this book expand on that? Not really. Did we learn anything new about the people after Rae? Not really, other than they’re about to take action.
Will I continue with this series? Yes, I’m far too invested to just stop now.
I never like when the two characters you know and root to be together have terrible miscommunication. It was to the point I was getting really annoyed. I just wanted to yell at one to stop what they’re doing and just talk to each other.
My other issue with this book was I didn’t feel it added to the mystery. What did we learn? Nothing really. We already knew Rae’s mom was in this weird group thing. Did this book expand on that? Not really. Did we learn anything new about the people after Rae? Not really, other than they’re about to take action.
Will I continue with this series? Yes, I’m far too invested to just stop now.
September 25, 2024
The will they, won’t they kills me. Clearly the FMC and MMC like each other and I’m just emotionally cringing that it is taking them so long. Dont get me wrong, she wrote teenagers well…but they are cringy and don’t communicate anything.
March 27, 2023
Yes! Finally some romance for Anthony and Rae.
I have to keep up this series, it's really good.
Im hooking up toward the next.
Book #5 Betrayed is next . . .
I have to keep up this series, it's really good.
Im hooking up toward the next.
Book #5 Betrayed is next . . .
March 24, 2025
3.5-4 stars
April 19, 2017
Este tomo de la saga es el más simple hasta ahora, no es que sea malo es sólo que las situaciones que pasan no son lo suficientemente emocionantes y no hay en sí una trama principal que seguir (como en los libros anteriores). Eso sí, es más heartbreaking (?) respecto a la relación de Rae con Anthony. El final probablemente es lo que más me ha gustado, tal vez sea incluso lo que más me gustó del libro. Ese final es tan aagh�.
Rae comienza a seguir pistas respecto a lo que pasó realmente con su madre y ese grupo new age al que se unió y el que parece tener mucho que ver en su vida; no es tan emocionante como esperaba que fuera. Y que se tan corto le quita emoción, ya que apenas te estás acostumbrando y de repente pum! el libro ya terminó u.u
Anthony cae un poco respecto al cariño que le tengo, pero aún así me encanta leer los capítulos desde su perspectiva. Rae, bueno, sigue siendo Rae; su personalidad y todo su rollo de no-soy-la-misma-que-era-antes-y-todos-deben-darse-cuenta, no sé, no soporto esa actitud.
Rae comienza a seguir pistas respecto a lo que pasó realmente con su madre y ese grupo new age al que se unió y el que parece tener mucho que ver en su vida; no es tan emocionante como esperaba que fuera. Y que se tan corto le quita emoción, ya que apenas te estás acostumbrando y de repente pum! el libro ya terminó u.u
Anthony cae un poco respecto al cariño que le tengo, pero aún así me encanta leer los capítulos desde su perspectiva. Rae, bueno, sigue siendo Rae; su personalidad y todo su rollo de no-soy-la-misma-que-era-antes-y-todos-deben-darse-cuenta, no sé, no soporto esa actitud.
February 18, 2016
This is the fourth book in the Secrets series. It has a number of themes:
1. Rae's on/off relationship with Anthony.
2. Rae feeling isolated from the rest of the group, as if she's being left out of some things.
3. Rae's continuing search for information about her mother.
4. Rae's growing worry about the state of her health, and if she is dying from the same thing that killed her mother.
5. At least two other people who kidnap Rae and Yana for some reason.
There's a lot of things going on in the novel, and the mystery of Rae's mother deepens considerably. Staying alive looks like it's going to be a hard thing for her to do. A fairly good book, although some of it feels like its just padding.
1. Rae's on/off relationship with Anthony.
2. Rae feeling isolated from the rest of the group, as if she's being left out of some things.
3. Rae's continuing search for information about her mother.
4. Rae's growing worry about the state of her health, and if she is dying from the same thing that killed her mother.
5. At least two other people who kidnap Rae and Yana for some reason.
There's a lot of things going on in the novel, and the mystery of Rae's mother deepens considerably. Staying alive looks like it's going to be a hard thing for her to do. A fairly good book, although some of it feels like its just padding.
April 20, 2020
I love this series! These books are so addictive. they make you wonder who the killer is going to be and if Anthony and Rae are going to become a couple. I also loved Rae's unique ability where she can read fingerprints. It's really nice to read about something new like that, something that hasn't been done before. I also liked the kidnapping scene where Rae and Yana get lured into Motel 6 by one of the killers. It was very climatic and realistic especially when they had to go to the bathroom and then near the end when they said they felt like they were floating above the bed because the cords were tied so tightly around their wrists and ankles that it was cutting off their circulation. All in all a great, addicting read and I recommend it to any adult or teen.
April 23, 2015
Anthony ya va en la misma escuela que Rae, pero por una u otra razón, él piensa que ella lo evita y ella cree que él ya no la quiere cerca.
Mientras tanto, Rae sufre con sus entumecimientos a causa de su "poder" y alguien la está vigilando. Pero no puede platicarle a Anthony y está sola en eso.
Pero como todo buen libro de misterio juvenil, SPOILER A CONTINUACIÓN: tienen que secuestrar a la chica y a su mejor amiga y Anthony tiene que ser el que la rescate para besarla apasionadamente después de eso.
Me encanta. Si fuera en otro libro a lo mejor no me gustaría eso, pero los libros de Melinda Metz me encantan por su simpleza. Son muy entretenidos y nada pesados.
Mientras tanto, Rae sufre con sus entumecimientos a causa de su "poder" y alguien la está vigilando. Pero no puede platicarle a Anthony y está sola en eso.
Pero como todo buen libro de misterio juvenil, SPOILER A CONTINUACIÓN: tienen que secuestrar a la chica y a su mejor amiga y Anthony tiene que ser el que la rescate para besarla apasionadamente después de eso.
Me encanta. Si fuera en otro libro a lo mejor no me gustaría eso, pero los libros de Melinda Metz me encantan por su simpleza. Son muy entretenidos y nada pesados.
July 6, 2009
I picked up this series secondhand and had a burst of reading through this series.
A great little paranormal mystery for YA's. Rae's ability to hear things through touch has screwed up her life making her an outcast in school. She finally agrees to attend a support group and things start to look up a little... and then someone tries to kill her.
Really glad I had the others in the series to read after this as this was a quick fix for me. Great suspense and action though and not too whiny a character.
A great little paranormal mystery for YA's. Rae's ability to hear things through touch has screwed up her life making her an outcast in school. She finally agrees to attend a support group and things start to look up a little... and then someone tries to kill her.
Really glad I had the others in the series to read after this as this was a quick fix for me. Great suspense and action though and not too whiny a character.
January 6, 2011
It took a little while to pick up. I was so sick of reading about Anthony and Rae trying to figure out if they liked each other and if the other felt the same or not. This should be a poster book for communication, as in 'this is what happens when you don't communicate with eachother people!' But making it to the end was worth it and knowing me, I'll finish out the series. I've made it this far, can't quit till I finally get to learn what the hell was wrong with Rae's mom and who is trying to kill Rae.
March 27, 2020
Ahhh I love the last few chapters of this book! Especially the very end 😍
April 17, 2011
Really really enjoying this series
June 26, 2012
YES YES YES!!!! Finallllly Anthony and Rae. Oh I am soooooooo very very happy. MUST BUY BOOK 5! Ahhhh this was soooooo a great ending. I'm so sad it ended literally with their uniting. Grrrrr
December 27, 2011
This is becoming somewhat of a drag. I mean, God knows who is behind all this, can't we just end it now!?? Lessen the pain, will you?
January 16, 2013
Can't wait to read the rest of the books!
February 18, 2014
Great book
July 23, 2014
I think i need to put this series down for awhile. The story is interesting but I can't handle any more of Rae and Anthony's 'poor me' thoughts.
May 18, 2015
This is a continuation of the series. Quick, easy read. Finished in one day. Characters are well developed and the continuing storyline is well thought out.
October 17, 2015
For me, too little Rae and Anthony action...but the end blew me away!
February 5, 2021
This felt every much like a filler book.
May 27, 2016
Kind of annoyed at the ending.. BUT! I have the next book at home so no worries :D
March 30, 2017
So this is another random book I have without having those around it.
It was ok as far as writing goes, I quite liked the simplicity of this style. However, it was very much a filler book on the way from A in,previous volumes to B in the next. I imagine reading these in turn to be like watching a soap, enough resolved to satisfy but new roads open and move the story towards the future.
In this volume the main character is back at school after a summer that seems to include kidnapping and time in the loony bin. She seems to have recovered well but has changed enough her friends no longer want to know. She has a weird psychic power and is using it to try and find out what happens to her mum. An average plot which led me to finish the book (and not give it one star) by the quality of the writing.
It was ok as far as writing goes, I quite liked the simplicity of this style. However, it was very much a filler book on the way from A in,previous volumes to B in the next. I imagine reading these in turn to be like watching a soap, enough resolved to satisfy but new roads open and move the story towards the future.
In this volume the main character is back at school after a summer that seems to include kidnapping and time in the loony bin. She seems to have recovered well but has changed enough her friends no longer want to know. She has a weird psychic power and is using it to try and find out what happens to her mum. An average plot which led me to finish the book (and not give it one star) by the quality of the writing.
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