Review: Lost in the Bayou by Cornell DeVille

Lost in the Bayou

Author: Cornell Deville

Publication Date: December 2nd, 2011

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Genre: YA/Mystery/Thriller

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Synopsis:

It's the summer of 1963. It's hot and sticky. The locusts are droning in the trees, and Robin Sherwood and her brother, Andy, are in trouble. Their parents have disappeared, and their crazy uncle Conrad with the silver claw where his hand used to be has shown up. Unfortunately for them, he's planning on killing them so he can inherit the Sherwood Fortune. They've run away to the bayou and the Voodoo Swamp in order to escape his crazy game. Robin would rather take the chance on becoming alligator bait than to face what's waiting for her in the cellar. This is a YA thriller that will keep both boys and girls turning the pages.

My Thoughts: It's been a while since I read a book this creepy. As a massive Stephen King fan I really do love books on the creepy side, books that can literally freak you out. This book did just that, so I was very happy :).

The story is about two younger children, mainly the older girl. She is 14 and her little brother is 11. They come from a very wealthy family, and all is well and wonderful until their parents go on a ride in their private helicopter and never come home. While the parents are missing, their only relative, their dad's brother comes to watch over them. They had no idea what to expect, since the older sister, Robin, hadn't see him since she was two and her brother Andy had never even met him. Their uncle brought with him a whole giant heap of creepy and crazy! After making a few pretty awkward and scary comments he straight out tells them he is going to kill them. He wants his brother's money and they are in the way of him getting it and he plans to rectify that. Heck, while we're already in crazy town, let's move on up to insane city and make a game out of it! He tells them they'll play hide and seek. As long as they can hide they'll live, but once he finds them...they're dead.

 Based on how  off his rocker their uncle Conrad seems, they believe he means it without a shadow of a doubt. Not knowing what else to do they decide to take off and hide in the bayou beside them. What follows after that was a shocking surprise, a little trip into the paranormal, and definitely creepy. The book gave me goosebumps and had me turning the pages as fast as I could, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. If you love a good creepy, adventurous, dark read, you are sure to love this book!

Robin is definitely a girl to be admired, at her young age, left parent-less and scared, she takes on full responsibility of her younger brother and braves situations that I couldn't even dream of entering. She has no short supply of bravery or gusto. She is prepared to do what she must to protect her family and take Uncle Conrad down in the meantime if she must! Another thing I found great about this book is that it doesn't seem aimed at girls at all. Maybe I'm wrong in saying so, but it seems to me that most YA is aimed at the female population. That's not the case in this story at all, it doesn't really seem to be aimed at either. And even though it's a little dark and creepy, I think the non-faint-hearted kids could enjoy this story as well.

It was a great read, it really pulled me in, had me spooked and anxious and biting my nails. Definitely worth picking it up to read it :). Especially if you love some creepy adrenaline!