Secret Society

"There's plenty of pomp, snootiness and closely guarded secrets to go around in this first book in a planned series, Dolby's foray into YA writing. A group of 15 teens — plucked from the cream of New York's Nat Sherman — smoking, Marc Jacobs bag-toting prep school elite — are given VIP passes to a glamorous underground world. Exclusive all-night parties in undisclosed locations are the norm, bottomless alcoholic beverages are supplied and unquestioning loyalty is expected. Following three chosen ones — fledgling club promoter Nick, wannabe artist Phoebe and jewelry designer/fashionista Lauren — as well as outsider Patch, the foreboding story has the feel of a hazing about to go awry, especially when the three slowly realize that the Society and its 'benefits' aren't what they seem (confirming what readers will suspect all along). While the somewhat interchangeable characters teeter into archetypal/stereotypical territory, readers are likely to be too caught up in the suspense to notice. Dolby covered similar ground — private school upbringings, influence peddling and the deceptive merits of the nouveau riche lifestyle — in his second novel for adults, The Sixth Form, but who's complaining if the formula works? Ages 12 — up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Three Upper East Side teens find that they have been tapped for The Secret Society, an elite order with roots going back to ancient Egypt. Once they accept their membership, they stand to benefit beyond their wildest dreams, with one caveat: once they are in, they can never get out.

Tom Dolby is the author of the novels The Sixth Form and The Trouble Boy.He was born in London, raised in San Francisco, and now divides his time between Manhattan's West Village and Wainscott, New York. He is a graduate of Yale University, where he received his BA in the history of art. This is his first book for young adults.