Chain letters... scary idea (Chain Letter - Christopher Pike)

Member Name: theevilsam

Product:	Chain Letter - Christopher Pike
Date:	13/07/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Keeps you guessing untill the end

Disadvantages: Joan is not all that great a character, in terms of believability

As with all of Christopher pike novels I have read this many times. The plot is gripping with many twists and turns. As the book is relatively short (only around 200 pages depending on issue ) I read it in a day. It is almost imposable to put down and you will find yourself burning the midnight oil to see what happens next.

Based around a group of friends in an American high school, they receive a chain letter stating that someone, The Caretaker, knew what they did "that awful night" and they must pay for the terrible crime they committed.

The first half of the book is based around them trying to find out who could have seen them. the second is based around coming to grips with not following The Caretakers orders.

I read this book when i was around 12 for the first time. I found it terrifying and had nightmares when i finished it. The way it is written makes you one of the group and the fear they feel is palpable.

The story shows that guilt is a terrible thing and to escape it, it must be released. if you keep it within yourself then you are going to end up constantly scared and worrying that it is going to be found out.

Neil is easy to relate to, for me, as he is the quiet one racked with guilt. Joan is a bit too distant in the book for me and seems to be to dark and mysterious for the book.

Christopher Pike once again demonstrates his amazing skill as an author in a book full of twists and turns. The characters on the whole are extremely well made and believable, and the ending is shocking to say the least...

Summary: Quick paced story of murder and Chain letters.