What happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles

Little, Brown, 2006 hbk.

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