Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything

By: Justine Pucella Winans

Narrated by: Vico Ortiz

Murder most fowl? In this sardonic and campy YA thriller, an anxious, introverted nonbinary teen birder somehow finds themself investigating a murder with their neighbor/fellow anime lover, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group...and trying not to get killed next.

Sixteen-year-old Bianca Torre is an avid birder undergoing a gender identity crisis and grappling with an ever-growing list of fears. Some, like Fear #6: Initiating Conversation, keep them constrained, forcing them to watch birds from the telescope in their bedroom. And, occasionally, their neighbors. When their gaze wanders to one particular window across the street, Bianca witnesses a creepy plague-masked murderer take their neighbor’s life. Worse, the death is ruled a suicide, forcing Bianca to make a choice—succumb to their long list of fears (including #3 Murder and #55 Breaking into a Dead Guy’s Apartment), or investigate what happened.

Bianca enlists the help of their friend Anderson Coleman, but the two have more knowledge of anime than true crime. As Bianca and Anderson dig deeper into the murder with a little help from Bianca’s crush and fellow birding aficionado, Elaine Yee (#13 Beautiful People, #11 Parents Discovering They’re a Raging Lesbian), the trio uncover a conspiracy much larger—and weirder—than imagined. And when the killer catches wind of the investigation, suddenly Bianca’s #1 fear of public speaking doesn’t sound so bad compared to the threat of being silenced for good.

In this absurdist, darkly comical YA thriller that is a deceptively deep exploration of anxiety and identity, perhaps the real murder investigation is the friends we make along the way.

Loved, loved, loved!!!

As a parent of kids in the LGBTQ+ community, this book and the challenges faced by Bianca regarding their gender identity questions and coming out to those around them, was enlightening. The murder mystery aspect was well done also. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and look forward to listening to the next book by Justine Pucella Winans.

Loved it!!

Such a good story. Would definitely recommend to others. Now I need a copy for my kindle!

Loved it! Great narrator

I *really* enjoyed this book. The mystery of "who is evil" was a bit predictable, but the characters were likeable and the clue solving was good. Also I really loved the gender rep (non-binary awakening). Vico Ortiz continues to be an excellent narrator!

LOVED THIS!

I came here for Vico Ortiz as the narrator but was totally blown away by the story! It’s like Hitchcock’s Rear Window for a new generation. The mystery itself was compelling but I was also drawn in by the gender identity struggles Bianca tackled throughout the book.

All the characters were interesting and fun to have around - even the villains!

Now I gotta find more stories from this author!