Review: Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick

Title: Trick or Treat

Series: Point Horror #6

Author: Richie Tankersley Cusick

Genre: YA, mystery, horror

Publication date: October 04, 2011 (e-book)

Originally published: October 1989 (paperback)

Published by: Open Road

Source: The publishers via Netgalley (Thanks!)

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Buy it (e-book only): Amazon

Synopsis:

A young girl is tormented by her new house’s terrible past.

Martha wants to be happy for her father. She likes his new wife—even if she’s a terrible cook—but she doesn’t understand why they had to leave Chicago and move to this horrible house in the country. It’s big, broken-down, and miles from anywhere, alone in the woods with nothing on the property but an overgrown cemetery. But at night it doesn’t feel empty. Conor—her new, weird stepbrother—chose Martha’s new room for her. It’s dark and drafty, and no matter how she tries to fix it up, she can’t sleep easily there. At night, whispers come from the closet, filling Martha with a sense that something terrible happened here. She’s right. Not long ago, the house was the site of a gruesome murder. When Conor and Martha’s parents leave town on their honeymoon, the two teens will find out why the dead don’t rest easy at the old Bedford house. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Richie Tankersley Cusick including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

My rating: ★★★★☆

Martha's life changes drastically when she, her father, her father's new wife, and her new stepbrother (Connor) move to a new house in a new town. Martha barely knows her new family, she's new in town, and weird things keep happening in the new house...could it possibly be haunted? It's very probable. You see, Martha soon learns that there was a murder in that house not that long ago. Then someone starts pranking Martha, just like they did Elizabeth, the girl who was murdered in the house. Martha must figure out who is responsible for these pranks before they kill Martha too.

I love horror novels and mysteries, and I have to say, this was an awesome mystery! I kept trying to guess who was pranking Martha and who killed Elizabeth...but I was wrong every time! The person responsible for this and they're motives...I did NOT see coming! I LOVE being surprised! :D

I thought the book had a great plot, and great characters. I really liked Connor...he was all mysterious and gorgeous...totally swoon-worthy! Yeah, I know he's Martha's stepbrother, but that doesn't mean that I can't swoon over him ;)

Anyway, I love these kinds of books: thrilling, mysterious, and suspenseful...remind me of the good old days when I read the Fear Street books by R.L. Stine...good times. Actually, I think Mr. Stine wrote some books for this Point Horror series!

This novel was very short, yet very entertaining! I'd definitely recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery and thriller!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a comment! :)