About The Book
Penny has been trying to forget Nash, her ex, since his father was exposed as a serial killer last Halloween. But when she finds a classmate stabbed, Nash and his sister, Grace, become the easy suspects. As Halloween approaches and the body count rises, Penny suspects the copycat killer might be someone no one expects.
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My Rating

This book gave me major ‘90s teen slasher vibes, which instantly hooked me. From the very first chapter, we’re thrown into the chaos of a new killer on the loose, with our main character, Penny, caught right in the middle of it all. The story’s backdrop felt very reminiscent of Scream 4, with its small-town mystery and the return of a killer following in the footsteps of an infamous murderer. We also get a peek into Penny’s complicated relationship with her ex, Nash, which definitely added layers to the tension.

The murder mystery at the center of the plot follows a brutal pattern—one that echoes the killings Nash’s dad committed just last October. I really liked the way Preston set this up because it made every character feel suspicious and connected to a dark past, much like the vibe of the Scream movies. The pacing was fast, and there was never a dull moment, keeping me engaged throughout. Each new twist pulled me deeper into the story, even though I had a strong hunch about where the narrative might go.

However, I can’t say I completely connected with Penny as a protagonist. She has moments where she seems sympathetic toward Nash, yet at other times, it feels like she’s making everything about herself. That back-and-forth occasionally pulled me out of the story, though her inner conflict did make sense given their complicated history. I just wish her character had more depth beyond her relationship struggles. Despite this, I enjoyed how the mystery drove her forward, which felt fitting for the genre.

“I assume you don’t want me to call the cops and tell them about the killer in the cornfield?”

While I suspected early on where the story was headed, there were enough unexpected elements to keep me on my toes. I often find YA thrillers to be predictable, so I was pleasantly surprised that Preston didn’t go down the obvious route. The final twist was one I hadn’t even considered until right before it happened, which made for a satisfying payoff. I love when a book can keep me guessing, and this one definitely succeeded in that area.

That said, I’m not sure I loved the very ending. Preston tends to wrap up her books in a way that feels a little abrupt for my taste, and this one was no exception. But that’s more of a personal quirk of mine than a fault of the book. While the ending didn’t completely wow me, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. It stayed true to her signature style, which I know a lot of readers appreciate.

Overall, this was an entertaining read, especially perfect for October. The Halloween setting enhanced the creepy atmosphere, making it the perfect book for the spooky season. While it didn’t become an instant favorite, I think fans of Scream—especially Scream 4—will find a lot to love here. The book delivers on its slasher vibes while offering just enough twists to keep things fresh.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read it and what you thought! Also, what’s your favorite Scream film? Personally, I’m still partial to the original. Don’t forget to like and share this review, and if you enjoy book content, hit that follow button!

Until the next chapter,
Bunny