Howard Hopkins Reviews

Added August 6, 2003

The Headless Paperboy

The Nightmare Club

Author: Howard Hopkins
Publisher: Atlantic Bridge Publishing
Available At: www.atlanticbridge.net
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Young Adult Horror
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $5.00
ISBN: 1-931761-24-8
Author Email/Website: http://www.howardhopkins.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

What could be worse than moving to a new town and being the dark-skinned kid? Well, if you're October Williams, it would have to be a ghost. The ghost of Billy Fredericks appears a couple of weeks before Halloween looking for his missing head. He knows three kids took it and every Halloween three children disappear. And it appears the ghost wants October's head.

October Williams didn't want to move to New Salem. Moving away from Philadelphia meant he would see his dad even less than he did now, but his mom insisted. Adjusting to his new home and new school was difficult. The first friend he made is ordered by her father not to talk to him because his skin is a different color; the school bullies is already threatening him, and let's not forget the headless ghost. Will he ever fit it in?

Help comes from a group of outcasts: Moose, a tall redhead; Sparks, a Chinese boy great with electronics; and Nerd, a rich kid who likes to perform science experiments. The three boys formed the Nightmare Club to investigate the strange goings on in New Salem and they want October to join their group. Their immediate mission is to find and return the ghost's head. Maybe then it will quit terrorizing the town. Will they find the ghost's head before he takes theirs?

A quick exciting read The Headless Paperboy is a wonderful thriller for young adults. In between the thrills and chills is a story they can easily relate to. October tries hard to fit in but in the end accepts his differences, makes new friends and has an unforgettable adventure. Mr. Hopkins never loses sight of the fact this is for younger readers; there is no goriness or gross descriptions. He paints pictures with his words, creating a scary atmosphere without the gore, something very hard to do and find. I highly recommend The Headless Paperboy and am looking forward to book 2 of The Nightmare Club.

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