Spook: A Novel [Hardcover]

Steve Vance (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1990

Better to leave Spook alone, advise the townspeople of Sturgis, Georgia, an old mill town at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Or else Spook might just--reciprocate!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Seldom does the payoff for a monumental buildup equal expectations, but the resolution of this thriller's spellbinding plot actually exceeds its promise. Newly single New Yorker Lola Aragon has taken a job as a high school administrator in rural Georgia. Hearing about MaryAnn Nelson, a local girl born with such monstrous deformities that she has been virtually imprisoned by her mother and may not even know how to speak, Lola resolves to help her, ignoring warnings that MaryAnn may be more feral than human. But people who have passed MaryAnn's house in the dead of night have been murdered hideously by a hooded girl who runs like a wolf through lightless woods--and, in fact, MaryAnn's mother forces her to wear a hood to hide her grisly features. When a pair of tough teenagers equally determined to make contact with MaryAnn breaks into the shack, one of them is left without a throat and the other, near death, flees and brings a mob to its feet. MaryAnn runs away, and the prolonged search for her elicits both sympathy and fear, but the surprise awaiting readers is nothing short of stunning. And after the gasp subsides, the truly dark side of Vance's ( The Abyss ) first hardcover novel will overwhelm.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Almost 16, wild MaryAnn Nelson has never been seen by the townspeople, only whispered and rumored about. They say she runs with her dogs at night and when she does, small animals are eviscerated, items are stolen, and people disappear. Beaten by her mother, forced to wear a hood to hide her disfigured face, and often chained to her bed, MaryAnn has never been to school or had any social interaction. Education specialist Dr. Lola Aragon arrives in her small Southern town, hears the rumors, and vows to educate her. And that's when MaryAnn's family secrets come to light. The cover alone will entice teens, with its fluorescent, leering skull, mouth agape with yellowing teeth. And once hooked, MaryAnn's plight is sure to attract readers. YAs will readily identify with the high school boys who sneak up to her house intent on taunting or touching her, an act they soon regret. This first novel is chilling, well plotted, and scary--everything horror fans want.
- Pam Spencer, Jefferson Sci-Tech, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Soho Pr Inc; 1ST edition (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939149389
• ISBN-13: 978-0939149384
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,012,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Reading, March 20, 2006

By 

Just Another Opinion (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spook (Paperback)

I must respectfully disagree with some of the negative reviews of this novel. I picked it up because it sounded as if it might be interesting, and I was not disappointed. It is suspenseful and entertaining, with a clever and satisfying twist to conclude the plot. Well done, Mr. Vance!

4.0 out of 5 stars Much better than most of the Amazon reviewers thought, May 15, 2004

By 

David "Laymon Fan" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spook (Hardcover)

Very good book. I'm surprised at the negative reviews here.

Positive reviews might have raised their expectations too high. Try to go in unspoiled: don't read the book jacket or the reviews.

4.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was good, April 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Spook: A Novel (Hardcover)

I thought this book didnt get into to to much detail but i thought it was still a good book.. Its a little confusing then again im only 13 and there were like 3 words i didnt no... i would definatly tell my friends to read it even though it doesn't get anywhere at some points! and im still only on page 211 so i dont no how it ends.