The book Keeping the Beat is a murder mystery that keeps the reader’s attention by slowly revealing the details through multiple characters’ perspectives. The book begins with a murder then shifts back in time to chronicle the events that lead up to it.

The cast of characters are five girls from Britain who form a rock band and win the opportunity to spend a summer in Los Angeles in attempt to make it big. Each girl tries to maintain her own relationships outside of the band while also continuing to support the efforts of the band. The details are given at a fairly slow pace, making the novel feel as though it drags at times. The characters are relatable and the style of prose is also easy to get into and well written. Recommended for grades 8-12.