The Running Bibliophile

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 p...

Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay centers on a chilling mystery involving a 14-year-old boy named Tommy Sanderson and his two friends, Josh and Luis. During a late-night sleepover, the boys sneak into Borderland State Park in Ames, Massachusetts, a setting that immediately feels ominous and full of potential danger. After exploring the woods, Tommy tells his friends he’ll meet them back at Josh’s house, but he never returns. His sudden disappearance sends shockwaves through his family and community, leaving his mother, Elizabeth Sanderson, devastated as police searches turn up no clues and unsettling, unexplained events begin to unfold around town. This book was chosen for a book club I belong to, and after reading the synopsis, I was super excited to read Disappearance at Devil's Rock , and I immediately went to the library to check out the book. Although it started with great promise, the book turned out to be a great disappointment. It is touted as being ...