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 Is it Robin, silent, shy, withdrawn?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 Alexander is new to town and very mysterious, while Robin is the shy and withdrawn mute.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!!!

BREAKING GLASS by Lisa Amowitz

Publication date: July 9th, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 232
Date read: July 5th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller, Paranormal
Source: ARC from Spencer Hill Press
Format: Paperback





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(Description source: Goodreads)

On the night seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass winds up in the hospital with a broken leg and a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit, his secret crush, Susannah, disappears. 

When he begins receiving messages from her from beyond the grave, he's not sure whether they're real or if he's losing his grip on reality. 

Clue by clue, he gets closer to unraveling the mystery, and soon realizes he must discover the truth or become the next victim himself.

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One tiny sip to beat back the rising waters that threaten to drown me.

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I pride myself on my steely self-control.

The way Breaking Glass is described makes it sound so incredibly mysterious and suspenseful and that really drew me in, I love a good mystery! The blurb of Breaking Glass only covers the very basics, so be prepared! This novel will surprise the hell out of you! But only in the very best of ways...

Breaking Glass begin with the main character, Jeremy Glass, stuck in an awkward situation that will lead up to his accident. The novel then goes on flipping between the present and Jeremy's memories. Jeremy reveals secrets throughout the story and deals with a lot of devastation, all the while trying to figure out exactly what happened to Susannah.

Breaking Glass is misleading in the best possible way, keeping you guessing as to what is going on and throwing you for a loop every time you think you may finally have guessed what will follow. Jeremy is an incredibly interesting character, he doesn't spend a whole lot of time dwelling in complete self-pity, rather focusing on the mystery of Susannah, and trying to untangle the many lies. There are reasons why he is the way he is and his reactions are authentic, he is strong, self-deprecating and still capable of being funny.

Jeremy is an amazing narrator, giving up more information bit by bit and keeping readers hanging, is he right? Has Susannah been murdered? Or is everything in his head?

Lisa Amowitz creates real characters who are flawed and completely 3 dimensional, with real problems and issues that have reasons explaining them and consequences for how they react. Each character will surprise you with how much they change in your opinion from the very first impression they give, some are the exact opposite from how they first seem and others shock you with how incredible they are. Ryan is my favourite character aside from Jeremy.

Lisa perfectly developed her antagonist, making this person twisted, manipulative, and sinister. The plot of Breaking Glass is tumultuous and such a rollercoaster with so much going on and so many emotions, this read is dark and haunting and so unexpected.

After reading Breaking Glass, I am of the firm belief that there is not a chapter that Lisa Amowitz can write, not matter what the subject matter is, that is not readable. This story will draw you in, captivate you and intrigue you, a dark, twisted and unforgettable read.

I begin to run at full tilt. I still have some distance to cover, but that’s no problem for me, even with the Absolut pumping heat through my veins. But my boot heel catches on a wet leaf then slides out from under me.

I’m flying, but I land softly.

I rate Breaking Glass Five out of Five!