Review:
Jun 01 2007
What happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles
Little,
Brown, 2006 hbk.
ISBN 978-0-316-166638-6
Age 14+. Buried alive in a crate, Cass McBride faces the horror of the
words on a suicide note left by David Kirby,
'Words are teeth. And they eat me alive. Feed on my corpse instead.'
David killed himself after reading a nasty note Cass, the most popular
girl in the school, wrote about him. His brother Kyle is out to get
revenge. He kidnaps her and buries her underground. As she contemplates
the truth about her life, Cass, terrified and bloody, fights to use
words to stay alive.
This is a tense psychological thriller that was simply impossible to
put down. Gail Giles tells the story in three voices, Kyle, Cass and
Ben the policeman who is investigating the kidnapping. The portrayal of
the characters is a real strength of this novel. Gradually the reader
gains an insight into the reasons for David's suicide and why Kyle
takes such a drastic revenge on the manipulative and unfeeling Cass.
Mrs Kirby is one of the most chilling mothers I have read about.
Chapters are short and the action and tension is almost unbearable.
Readers will feel horrified as they identify with Cass as she struggles
to stay alive, both physically and mentally. The psychological sell
that Cass uses to try and get Kyle to keep her alive is riveting.
This novel has been selected for the
ALA
Best books for Young Adults and
ALA
Quick picks for Reluctant readers. Recommended as a compulsive read.
Pat Pledger
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Consulting, 2007