Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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Mad Mabel  by Sally Hepworth  is a domestic thriller about the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. Now 81 years old, Elsie is living on Kenny Lane and has been for the past sixty years. When a mother named Roxanne moves into Mabel's neighborhood with her seven year old daughter, an unlikely friendship forms between Elsie and the seven year old child named Persephone. As Elsie's secrets come to light, her world comes crashing down.  Having read quite a few novels by Sally Hepworth, I requested an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mad Mabel  without reading the synopsis of the story. I was thrilled when NetGalley and St. Martin's Press approved my request. The expected publication date of the book is April 21, 2026. Not knowing anything about the storyline before I started reading Mad Mabel  made the story much more interesting to me as I had no preconceived ideas. The tale was told from Mabel's perspective in alternating timeli...
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Book Review: The Photographer by Barbara Steiner

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Vintage YA Horror Novel The Photographer by Barbara Steiner
The Photographer by Barbara Steiner is a Young Adult horror novel that was originally published in 1989 and follows a new student named Derrick who joins the school photography club and the student newspaper. Megan, who is already a member of both groups, begins having unsettling and vivid dreams shortly after Derrick arrives. As Derrick starts taking photographs of the prettiest girls in school for the newspaper, Megan realizes that her disturbing dreams are beginning to come true. As events escalate, she becomes convinced that Derrick is somehow connected and feels compelled to prove that he is responsible before more damage is done.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, I was in the mood for a short, spooky book and came across The Photographer while researching other books written by Barbara Steiner. It immediately caught my attention, and I decided to give it a try. It definitely delivered the eerie atmosphere I was hoping for and made for a quick and creepy read that fit the season perfectly.

Different Editions of The Photographer by Barbara Steiner
As I continued reading, the story started to feel very familiar, leading me to believe that I may have read The Photographer before. The book blends horror with light science fiction elements, which adds an interesting layer to the overall story. It truly feels like a classic example of 1980s YA Horror, complete with teenage angst, supernatural undertones, and a sense of creeping dread that slowly builds throughout the novel.

That being said, I did find myself a bit disappointed with the overall execution of the story. I went in expecting more, especially since I remember really enjoying another book by Barbara Steiner in the past. While the premise is intriguing and the nostalgic 1980s vibe is strong, the story did not fully live up to my expectations. I ultimately rated The Photographer by Barbara Steiner three out of five stars. Despite my mixed feelings, I still think this YA horror novel would be an enjoyable read for kids ages 11 and up, particularly for readers who enjoy classic spooky stories with a vintage feel.

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