Don’t Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
Don’t Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon
paperback 464 pages
Expected publication: June 1st 2011 by Harper Paperbacks
ISBN-13: 9780061689376
(Disclosure: Review copy sent to me by the publisher)
Type: {Airplane Read: makes time fly}
Rating: {I’m Lovin’ It: Very entertaining!}
Why You’re Reading It:
- Creepy stories keep you reading
- You like to spook yourself
- You are a fan of Jennifer McMahon
- You enjoy mind benders
What I Thought:
I spook easily. There, I’ve said it. So why did I decide to review a book with a creepy picture of a little girl on the cover under the title Don’t Breathe a Word? Honestly, I thought it was going to be a sweet fairy tale. The description of the book talks about a fairy king who lures little girls away from their families into the woods, never to return. Who would have thought it would be scary?
Ok, I lie. And I’ve probably confused you. Much like this book. I don’t know why I chose to review this book, so I won’t even go there. What I do know: I had to stop reading this book each evening as the sun started going down, I started jumping when I saw a “shadow” out of the corner of my eye (you know you see them too, so don’t lie — and they will freak you out while reading this book), I checked under my bed more times than usual, and I still haven’t completely figure out the ending.
Fifteen years ago, twelve year-old Lisa disappeared in the woods behind her house. What began as a creepy legend passed down in the town’s folklore becomes reality for Lisa, her brother, Sam, and their cousin, Evie. Sure that there are ancient fairies in the woods behind her house, Lisa is determined to meet them and see if they can help cure her father, who has twice tried to kill himself and lies in a coma at the hospital. Sam doesn’t believe it and Evie desperately pleads for Lisa to stay away from the fairies. But one night, Lisa leaves them behind to meet Tielo, the fairy king, and is never heard from again.
In present day New England, Phoebe is living with grown-up Sam when they get a strange call from a scared person claiming to be Lisa. What follows is a very creepy story about how Lisa went missing and what happened to her afterwards. Though McMahon does an excellent job of keeping the reader turning pages (and, admittedly, consistently checking behind her as she is reading), the reader will have to be very willing to suspend disbelief to make it through the book. As with most things mystery, you will be shaking your head wondering why the characters are having such an easy time believing what is happening (and why they never go to the police — which the author tries to convince you of a good reason for this, but it just didn’t fly for me). Also, there are a few aspects of the story that I still had questions about at the ending, even though McMahon did a pretty good job of tying up loose ends.
Over all, this book is perfect for the person who likes to spook themselves silly. She pulls no stops while taking you through a disturbing ride. But if you’re the sort who needs to have all the answers with your endings cut and dried, this might not be your book. We are warned that the fairies lie, and that what we think is true might not be. Heed the warnings.
I just got this one off Netgalley and knew next to nothing about it. But the girl DOES look creepy, I’ll give you that. Sounds like a good, quick read. I like scaring myself silly.
It is definitely a quick read — especially if you don’t have to stop each day as the sun goes down.
Wallace, I’m the same way! I don’t know why I decide to read these books that are just going to spook me out, but I do. And the next thing you know its dark outside and I’m getting creeped out and wind up having nightmares, but I do it all over again the next evening. This happened with The Passage, So Close the Hand of Death and so many other books. Its crazy though, because when I was younger I loved watching horror movies and reading Stephen King and whatnot, but now at 32, I’m such a wimp. And looking at the book you read, I know I’d be creeped out – just look at that kid! Yikes!
I am the SAME way! When I was younger, you could not tear me away from the early Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine books. I LOVED being scared silly. Now, not so much. Haha — you’d think it would be the other way around, no?
Ack! That cover is enough for me…I don’t think I could stand to have her staring at me all the time.
My review copy was an e-copy, so luckily I didn’t have to see that face, haha!
While this book sounds to be right up my alley, my God that cover!!! I’d have to put post-its all over it I think.
With that being said, I may just have to pick it up.
See what I responded to Jill above — maybe that would be the way to go… you could save your post its that way.
I actually like the cover and think I could suspend disbelief long enough to enjoy this one.
Whew! As someone else who spooks easily and has a hard enough time falling asleep as it is, sounds like I need to steer clear of this one. The cover alone has me uncomfortable.
I agree with Fizzy Jill – I wouldn’t want that cover in my house! LOL
I spook easily too so I am not sure this is a good one for me