Wendy Corsi Staub | DON'T SCREAM

Plot (via Goodreads):

Don't Tell A Soul. . .

In a remote, heavily wooded area near the Berkshires of Massachusetts, Rachel Lorant died on her birthday. But she didn't die alone. That night, her four sorority sisters make a solemn, trembling pledge. They will never reveal what has just happened in those woods--ever. Instead, they will take their terrible secret to their graves. . .

Don't Think About The Past. . .

Now, ten years later, their secret is coming back to haunt them as each receives a card in the mail from Rachel: "Happy Birthday to Me. xoxo R." It's clear that someone knows what happened that night. Someone is stalking them and sending mysterious, chilling gifts that only they can understand--deadly warnings of what is to come. For the sins of the past have come back with a vengeance, and a killer will see that they all pay in blood. . .

And Whatever You Do--Don't Scream. . .

Brynn Costello has never felt such pure fear. She didn't want any part in what happened so long ago, but now, the mother of two will do anything to stay alive and protect her family--even if it means matching wits with a killer she can't see. . .a twisted psychopath who is closer than she thinks and who is saving her death for last. . .

Review:

Don't Scream is an eerie and devilish novel featuring one of my favorite backstories and a plethora of characters that were diabolical and too much fun to read about.

The plot to this novel was not only wildly entertaining and well-paced, but reminiscent of the novel Valentine by Tom Savage which is one of my favorite novels as well as the movie Sorority Row (aka The House on Sorority Row). I loved the opening that was straight out of a horror movie and I enjoyed that the author really took her time building this web of deceit and intrigue that featured a stalker story-line and she also did a great job of going back and forth between a thriller, a suspense novel, and had elements of a more domestic suspense as well. You really get a great look into these women and their personalities all contrasted each other wonderfully. While I enjoyed the pacing and I loved this one all together, there were times where when things slowed down for character development, I was antsy for them to pick back up. When the pacing did speed up, it was one hell of a wild ride.

If you’re looking for an entertaining read with great character development and a wildly twisted ending, this is definitely one you can devour within one weekend. Because of this, I am definitely going to be looking more into this authors work and look forward to reading more of her novels.

Rating: 4/5