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Thursday 22 May 2014

Young Adult Review: OVERDUE by Richie Tankersley Cusick

OVERDUE
Author: Richie Tankersley Cusick
Standalone
Publication date: 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Number of pages: 212
Date read: 2007
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback



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(Description source: Goodreads)

BOOK DROP


It was after hours. Kathleen was preparing to close the library when somebody returned five grisly books about death. One was slashed. All were overdue. Then Kathleen found the bookmark with the deadly warning.

Now people close to her are falling victim to tragic accidents. Someone is out for blood. Is it Robin, silent, shy, withdrawn? Is it Alexander, the dark, handsome stranger who haunts the library stacks and says he wants to help? Kathleen can count on only one thing: the killer will strike again - her death is overdue...

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I originally read Overdue when I was eleven or twelve after my brother gave it to me, and I loved it, I reread it every few years and always enjoy it.

Kathleen hates working in her local library, the place is creepy and the librarian is grumpy.
However, she never expected that books would become warnings as teens in their town start to become victims in strange circumstances. Alexander is new to town and very mysterious, while Robin is the shy and withdrawn mute. 
Kathleen doesn't know who the killer is, but she is sure that there is one, and that there is one death overdue - hers!

Kathleen is a little bit of a damsel, but when you put yourself in her shoes as she goes through everything it is understandable. Kathleen puts the clues together quickly but struggles when she is doubted by everyone, as she is the only one 

Bran is Kathleen's childhood friend and is adorably sweet, while Alexander is confident and a little self-deprecating, and Robin is sweet and protective.

The setting is a creepy, damp, old library and each scene is perfectly set with detail that sets the mood. There is misdirection, mystery, suspense, foreshadowing and doubt.
I love the interactions between the characters, the sarcasm, joking, teasing and familiarity.
This story shows the intricacy of knowing people, as well as what it means to make assumptions, not be trusted and begin to not trust yourself and doubt everything you think you know.

I love, love, love the ending, it is perfectly suspenseful, followed by absolute sweetness that I could just read over and over. I will always enjoy reading this novel and am sure I will continue to read it throughout the years.


I rate Overdue Five out of Five!!!

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