Release:September 1st 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon UK
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Rae’s father vanished without a trace. Rae knows what happened to him. But no one believes her when she says that her father didn’t run off, that he was actually taken. Now, a year of therapy later, Rae’s mother decides they need a fresh start, and so they move to a new town in the hope that life can return to normal.
The problem is, there is nothing normal about the town of Whispering Pines.
No one knows this better than Caden. He’s lived in Whispering Pines his entire life, and he’s seen more than his fair share of weird—starting with his own family, as the town is the perfect home base for his mother’s ghost hunting business.
When several kids go missing and then show up like zombies with their eyes removed, many locals brush it off. Just another day in Whispering Pines. But Caden has a dark secret, one that may explain why someone is stealing eyes. And Rae, who knows how it feels to not be believed, may be just the person Caden needs to help him put things right.
About the Author:
Heidi Lang believes that the next Grand Adventure is always just around the corner. She has chased her love of judo from the east to the west coast, run ultra marathons, started her own dog walking business, and converted a Sprinter van into a tiny home so she could experience #vanlife. Currently she lives in eastern Washington with her husband and two dogs. Find Heidi on Twitter and Instagram.
Kati Bartkowski left her job as an administrative zombie slayer for a vastly more dangerous calling: raising a toddler. She has to deal with the same sharp teeth and insatiable hunger, but her “foe” is much cuter. When she’s not busy chasing her little one around, she’s writing or drawing. Find Kati on Twitter and Instagram.
Whispering Pines Review:
Did I just read a middle grade book? Because it felt like I read a creepy, atmospheric tale that would beat some adult horror stories out of the competition.
The authors did a wonderful job with the plot. Rae and Caden share a wonderful friendship. Both of them are searching for a lost family member, and are grieving in their own manner. It was nice to see how they get together to investigate the mystery of the Serial Eye Snatcher. The author also keeps you at the edge of your seat where you don’t know who to trust. At times, Mr. Anderson is the prime suspect, or even Vivienne with her mystery backpack. Also, the monster is truly terrifying and might give you nightmare, Yes, it was that awesome! On a side note, I also liked Caden’s conversations with Aiden, even though Aiden is not physically present. Alyssa was also a very complex character and I grew to like her.
Moreover, the authors paced the story also in a nice manner. Initially, you feel like this is just a scary, monster novel. However, as the story progresses you start to realize how there is a bigger conspiracy at hand. There are quite a few twists you do not expect. Also, as a fan of Charmed, I was delighted when they named the book as “The Book of Shadows”. The entire story has a creepy X-files vibe to it, which makes it so entertaining.
Overall, this was an amazing horror fest that any horror fan would enjoy (not just middle graders). I loved this book and cannot wait to read the sequel.
