Sleepy Hollow: A Novelization (Includes the Classic Short Story) [Mass Market Paperback]

Peter Lerangis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

HEADS WILL ROLL

It is 1799, the eve if a new century. In New York City, young Constable Ichabod Crane is eager to use his latest scientific methods and his powers of deduction to solve the most brutal of crimes. But nothing can prepare him for the shocking murders that take him far from the city's cobblestones to the eerie town of Sleepy Hollow.

Awaiting him are three beheaded bodies, all apparently victims of a legendary Headless Horseman returned from the grave to exact revenge. With the help of an orphaned child and a beautiful young woman, Ichabod uses reason to confront the horrors of the unexplained.

But the reality of Sleepy Hollow's waking nightmare is always before him. A reality where witches cast spells in the darkened woods...trees bleed...and a demon rides at night.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's 1799, and a charming bumbler of a constable has been sent from New York City to the quiet little village of Sleepy Hollow where three beheaded bodies await him. Hoping to match deductive reasoning against the superstitions of the villagers, Ichabod Crane sets out to determine the motive of the killer at large. Unfortunately, the killer does not seem to be of the living, breathing variety; the specter of the Headless Horseman has been haunting the hamlet for over 20 years. With the help of the exquisite daughter of his host, Ichabod delves dangerously deep into the mystery.

Based on Washington Irving's classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this bone-chilling story takes the premise, setting, and characters from the original to create a fresh, spooky tale. Ichabod Crane (played by Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's movie adaptation) is a more appealing character than Irving's constable; here his clumsiness endears, while the original Ichabod is a figure for mockery. Readers may be surprised at the understated hilarity of Irving's original story, included in its entirety following the adaptation. Don't be content with the film version alone--this story is well worth a read in the gloaming of the day. Includes eight pages of full-color photos from the film. --Emilie Coulter

About the Author

Peter Lerangis is the author of over 140 books for early readers through teens, including The Sword Thief, the third book of the New York Times bestselling series, The 39 Clues. Peter lives in NYC with his family. He got the idea for the title of his novel, wtf, by reading one of his son's IMs.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671036653
• ISBN-13: 978-0671036652
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Leave You Guessing, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Sleepy Hollow: A Novelization (Includes the Classic Short Story) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book will leave you guessing, untill the near end of the book, of who is controlling the Headless Horseman, who stole his head from the grave? This book get's creepy during the middle of the book. It makes you think during the night. I recommend this book for all who love to be scared.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every bit as good as the movie - and in some ways, better, January 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sleepy Hollow: A Novelization (Includes the Classic Short Story) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sleepy Hollow is my favorite movie. At the time I started reading this book, I had seen it 42 times; the movie already having debuted in movie theaters over a year ago. I've read quite a few books on the movie and the original story, and this book including both certainly is worthy of your money. I couldn't put it down and I finished it in a day. It has the same plot, of course, as the movie; but with more insight. You get into the characters' heads and know what they're thinking. There is much detail cut out of the movie that is revealed here; so many things in the book you pick up that would be otherwise impossible to learn through the movie. I strongly reccomend this book to anyone - whether you have seen the movie or not. And the original Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving that is included is an added bonus!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review, March 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sleepy Hollow: A Novelization (Includes the Classic Short Story) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is about a mystery of a killer. There are three bodies that turn up beheaded and no one knows who the killer might be. A frail schoolteacher from the town of Sleepy Hollow named Ichabod Crane goes out on a journey to try and find out who the killer might be. He is surprised to find out that the killer is actually someone that returned from the dead to seek revenge upon the town. Ichabod Crane is sets out to hunt down the headless horseman that has killed many people. The daughter of the host he is staying with that he is determined to marry accompanies him. He thinks he can beat the horseman by using his brain and they set out on a journey full of spook to try and beat the horseman at his own game.
This book is really great for children because it is a mysterious tale that many children can get into. This is a book that can be for adults but it is written in a way that children can read it and love it as well. It keeps kids thinking and wondering what is going to happen next. This is something that a book should do because it keeps kids interested and into the book.