From the back cover:
"It's the ultimate party beach in California, summer fun in the sun to the max. And Karen, who's just broken up with her old boyfriend, means to enjoy every minute of it - especially having two new guys to choose between: one so handsome, and one so deliciously dangerous. But the party summer takes a nasty turn when Karen realizes that someone is out to spoil all the fun. As the beach party gets wilder and wilder, Karen realizes that someone very close to her is too close-close enough to kill. Will the next beach party be her last?"
Review:
I had vague memories of disliking this book as a kid. I didn't remember the plot at all, just that I didn't care for it. Re-reading it now as an adult, I found it to be a solid little thriller. There's something really fun about reading summer-themed YA horror novels during the summer, which is when I re-read this one. I really recommend reading these kinds of books during their respective time-frames: Christmas horror during the holidays, Valentine's Day horror in February, etc.
It's got a simple plot with the main character, Karen, being terrorized by someone!!! during a summer getaway with her best friend. Of course the red-herrings are everywhere, but I must admit the usual twist ending was very well done. And bonus points for the Freddy Krueger reference early in the novel!
Characterization was pretty solid for a YA horror book with the exception of Vince, the stereotypical bad-boy. R.L. Stine was trying to make him brooding and mysterious, but I found him obnoxious. Then again, I'm not a 14 year old girl, so what do I know?
Recommended!
4 out of 5
