Serial Chillers: The Witch in the Woods (Serial Chillers, Book 1)

A seriously sinister, spooky, spine-chilling and spectacular comedy-horror, delivered expertly by Jennifer Killick who is an absolute master at MG tales of terror.

In the town of Hazard, a school project, the dark legends of the history of the town and an infamous crazed figure out in the woods, are the recipe for a nerve- jangling journey into the most feared and unknown areas of the town. A quartet of classmates decide to take on the history of 'Blood Eyed Mary', whose legends inhabit the deepest, darkest and most dangerous parts of a town already perilous, with its sinkholes and unidentified, underground rumblings. This leads to a truly terrifying, close-up encounter with the horrific sight (and wretched smell) of a legend made reality.

Fans of Jennifer Killick's Crater Laker and Dreadwood series will be thrilled by the up-levelling of the scare factor in this new series, beginning with The Witch in the Woods. Again, the author keeps the horror and fear age appropriate by having a main cast of four very different, relatable and likeable young characters. Travis, ex best friend Danielle, new-to-school optimistic best friend Zayd and school mean girl, Seline, are a formidable dynamic. The various group tensions and personality clashes lead to the story's best moments of teenage banter and sarcasm as well as the heart-warming moments where working together is what pulls the group through a nightmarish experience.

I could not put this book down. Every chapter ending leaves the reader holding their breath. The macabre and grotesque horror elements are nail biting, to say the least, but always cut through with the quips and camaraderie of the four schoolfriends. The story is fast-paced and urgent and with Travis as the narrative voice, the reader is right there in the darkened forest. As the presence of what may be 'Blood Eyed Mary' looms closer, the four uncover, not just sinkholes, but the secrets and shadows of Hazard's past and of its present…

256 pages / Reviewed by Jenny Caddick, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 11+

Having lived in Hazard all his life, Travis is not thrilled to be going on yet another trip to the local museum. His day gets worse, however, when, with his friend, Zayd, he finds himself in a project group with his ex-friend, Danielle, and the 'shiniest' popular girl, Seline. The group - or rather, Seline - decides to make Blood-Eyed Mary, the subject of one of the many urban legends of Hazard, the subject of their research and head off into her lair in the heart of the woods. Here, they find that everything is not as it seems in Hazard…

Jennifer Killick really is the Queen of pre-teen scream! The Witch in the Woods offers an edge-of-the-seat, gripping thriller which keeps the reader both guessing and jumping as the story hurtles towards its conclusion. The first in a new series, this is geared to be every bit as popular as Jennifer Killick's previous books (and there is no doubt that they love them!).

Creating relatable youngsters and capturing their voice is something which the author does really well and in The Witch in the Woods, she has surpassed herself. The story is told through the eyes of Travis. Having lived in Hazard all his life and coming from one of the town's long-term resident families, he is resigned to staying there, accepting the town's oddities, if not liking them. Having recently returned to the town, Zayd is far more curious about the place, allowing the reader to learn plenty about Hazard's peculiar history along with him. Seline and Danielle, descended from one of the most important families in the town, are both keen to escape its confines and see more of the world. As they face the terrors of the woods, the relationship between the four changes and they begin to see one another in a different light.

What they discover in the woods sets them on course for future adventures as they seek to unravel the mysteries surrounding the history of Hazard. Engaging characters, tense jump-filled action and a spooky setting all combine to make an excellent read - and I can't wait for the next one!

245 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+