Reviews for The Lair
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Wendy Ribelin Picks The Liar by J. Q. Starmer Author: J.Q. Starmer Genre: young adult horror Rating: 4 - Rare Find Annie Waneright just wants to play basketball with her friend Dustin, but it seems that The Shadow is always there. The Shadow is Cory, Dustin's friend from another part of town, and Annie can't stand him. But Cory has a plan, an exciting, dangerous plan that even Annie can't resist. Manor's Peak, the site of a gruesome hanging thirty years ago, was a ritzy and luxurious hotel. The caretaker has guarded the resort since it shut down after the murder. But now the caretaker has gone to Arizona for three weeks, and Cory wants to snoop around the hotel. At first, Annie thinks this is a terrible idea, but her best friend Kate, Dustin, and Cory make a compelling argument, and Annie reluctantly agrees. She shares the legend of the Halloween Man as they hike to the hotel, hoping to change their minds, but her friends are not deterred. They are awed by the sheer beauty of the place. The hotel is opulent, as are the grounds. Dustin breaks a window and the friends climb inside the hotel. It is dusty and unused, all the furniture covered with sheets, and kind of creepy. Annie and Kate go off by themselves and become frightened when they hear footsteps above them on the balcony. The footsteps begin descending the stairs, and the girls flee. The frightening encounter only strengthens the four friends' resolve for the truth, and soon their worst nightmare has come to life. Are they really being pursued by one of the undead? Or is it only someone playing a mean trick? What about the tapping on Annie's sister's window at night? These questions plague the friends, and compel the plot to a dizzying conclusion at the hotel. The Lair is a spine-tingling yarn filled with believable dialogue and excellent details. With just the slightest hint of romance, this book is sure to capture the Young Adult reader's attention, and leave them clamoring for more adventures with Annie. Reviewer: W.S. Ribelin |
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The Lair by J. Q. Starmer 10-31-2003 -- Young Adult Horror Manor's Peak Hotel has been closed for many years, ever since it was the site of a grisly murder. Local legend says that the murder victim still walks on Halloween night, seeking a victim to take his place. The town's children shiver with horrified delight over 'the Halloween Man.' Laurel and Kate, both in middle school, love to retell the story while watching horror movies on television. When the hotel's caretaker goes on vacation, Laurel and Kate, with Dustin and Cory, sneak into the hotel to explore. Their high-spirited venture turns into terror when they discover that the hotel hides a secret far more deadly than a mere ghost... Ms. Starmer has crafted an effective thriller in the tradition of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. While her prose sometimes stumbles, the plot moves along well, and tension rises with every chapter. The Lair is well suited to adolescent readers — as long as they enjoy a good scare! Jeanette Cottrell, Reviewer eBook Reviews Weekly http://www.ebook-reviews.net Author of "There's No Such Thing!" http://www.teleport.com/~mkr |