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Trona is a small, foul-smelling, mostly insignificant town in California. Besides a booming chemical plant, the only thing that characterizes this dismal town is dirt, sagebrush, and an enormous abandoned mansion.

The mansion is, admittedly, the only notable addition to Trona, but it’s something everyone tries to avoid due to its creepy facade. Everyone except for Camm Smith, who is obsessed with the need to get inside.

Seven years earlier, as Camm herded a pack of little trick-or-treaters past the mansion, her young neighbor, Hugh, disappeared, becoming just one of many children who have vanished from Trona over the years without a trace. Now a senior in high school, Camm is still haunted by the old tragedy and is sure the answer to the mysterious disappearances lies hidden somewhere in the decaying mansion. Joining forces with her best friend, Cal, who also happens to be Hugh’s older brother, Camm naively begins a perilous search for the truth.

As things spiral quickly out of control, and others die, Camm and Cal discover it will take all their combined ingenuity to stay alive. An unseen creature, lurking deep within the bowels of the mansion, seems to have supernatural powers and is now hunting them. Making matters worse, they become entangled with hostile federal agents, who care only about keeping old secrets permanently hidden. Left with only their wit and seemingly ineffective firearms, they know they are running out of time. Unless they can make sense out of the few pieces of the puzzle they manage to unearth, the monster will certainly destroy them, and like so many others before them, they will be gone without a trace.

280 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2013

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The Brothers Washburn

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Amy Lignor.
Author 10 books221 followers
February 28, 2013
Oh, yes…Look out Grimm Brothers - there’s a new ‘team’ in town that knows all about how to combine YA with the realm of horror and suspense and their names are The Brothers Washburn.

Trona, California is the location of this unique tale - an isolated mining town that’s beyond boring and basically filled with nothing but sand that sits between Death Valley and…the middle of nowhere.

When we begin, it is Halloween, and eleven-year-old Cammy is working hard to corral the neighborhood children as she takes them door to door to receive their candy. What she doesn’t know is that something truly evil is following behind. When a little boy from the Halloween group completely disappears - never to be heard from again - the story jumps forward seven years and begins a dark, eerie thrill ride of events.

Cal is Cammy’s best friend and has been since they were kids. However, as they’ve grown up, a little bit of romance is now flowing through their relationship (at least in Cal’s mind). Cal grew up to be a popular kid, and has tried his very best to forget about that awful Halloween so long ago. Unlike Cal, Cammy can’t forget about it. Ever since that night she has been wary of literally everything and everyone, especially a location in town that scares her to her very core.

You see, there is a dilapidated place in Trona called Searles Mansion. This is a house that everyone in town is frightened to even get close to because of a very odd past, but Cammy can’t shake the feeling that this mansion has something to do with the long ago disappearance.

When another child suddenly goes missing, Cammy and Cal end up caught in a truly twisted tale that involves everything from a horrific entity to a government conspiracy that will surprise every reader. One thing is for certain, when you come to the last page you’re going to seriously want Book II deposited in your hands as fast as possible. It’s THAT good!
Profile Image for Erleen Alvarez.
Author 3 books91 followers
March 17, 2013
For more of my reviews, check out Books For YA!

If I would describe reading Pitch Green in 3 words, it would be spine-tingling, action-packed, awesomeness. It's not everyday that I can find a horror book that can scare the hell out of me but Pitch Green effortlessly did that to me. It was definitely hard to put down.

The characters jump right out of the pages. They're realistically flawed and super relatable. Camm and Cal are the most badass mystery-solving duo I've ever encountered in my entire reading life. With Camm's focus and intelligence and Cal's strength and gun know-how, these two teenagers are unstoppable once they agree on a certain goal. But what I admire to both of them is their audacity and their perseverance. I mean, it's easier to run away to something you don't know, right, but this two teens faced it head on and I'm totally amazed by them.

There's no dull moment with this book. Every scene has something interesting going on in it. I almost had a heart-attack when the Guardian tracked Camm to their house. I didn't realized I was holding my breath when the lights in Camm's house turned off. It was so intense that I almost pissed my pants (no joke). But Pitch Green is not all horror if that's what you think. It also have some fun parts like when Camm and Cal introduced their names to Agent Allen (that part was hilarious) and also, when they do their bantering.

Overall, Pitch Green reminds me why I love horror and mystery books. It will scare you to death and the mystery in this book will keep you guessing from beginning to end. The Brothers Washburn are, now, my new favorite horror authors other than Stephen King. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installation of this awesome new series.

So what are you waiting for? If you love horror, suspense and mystery or you just love a good scare, check this book out and you wouldn't regret it.
Profile Image for Audrey.
1,399 reviews223 followers
November 6, 2017
What a great, fun creepy book! It’s very clean, being YA, but still plenty scary. There’s a monster and a creepy mansion connected to it. Camm and Cal are great characters—not stupid or annoying—and they complement each other well. The writing is smooth and feels experienced. Just be warned that children and dogs are NOT safe in this book.
Profile Image for Mandy Sickle.
1,530 reviews155 followers
March 20, 2013

I received Pitch Green in return for an honest review from the publisher Jolly Fish Press. Camm is still haunted seven years later by the disappearance of her best friends little brother on Halloween night. She was responsible for all the kids and when Hughie fell behind she let herself get distracted by the time she went to look for him he was gone. The sheriff searched the mansion looking for Hughie but came up empty handed he become one of many unsolved mysteries.

Now seven years later another child has gone missing right out of his locked back yard the FBI is called in to investigate the disappearance. When Camm is questioned as a witness she’s determined to help the agent solve the case. After seven long years the mansion is opened against the owners will allowing them to search for the missing boy. What they find inside the mansion is not what is to be expected since it’s been closed since 1941. The mansion is in perfect condition not a bug, spider web or speck of dust. However just one look isn’t enough for Camm when she gets a chance to fakes locking the door so that she can return later to investigate.

Unsure what’s looming in the shadows she enlists the help of her best friend Cal to join her on the search. Together the pair explores deeper into the mansion finding a secret room and what’s left of Hughie’s costume confirming that he was taken. Together Camm and Cal must find out what’s looming in the basement and figure out how to stop it before it can take another life or find them.

Wow! I started reading Pitch Green yesterday afternoon, but I kept getting interrupted and didn't get a chance to pick it up till before bed. I’m not a huge fan of horror books mostly because I have an overactive imagination and I tend to get scared. So of course I was far enough in to know what loomed in the shadows but it didn't haunt my dreams. I even woke up early to finish because I wanted to know what happened to Camm and Cal. Pitch Green is a captivating suspense thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat loaded with creepiness and something that goes bump in the night. I love the writing style the authors give us both sides of the main characters as well as a look into what’s lurking in the shadows which I found interesting to see both sides. I found Pitch Green flows smoothly from start to finish granted it’s a scary story and I’m kind of a wimp I think teens as well as adults will enjoy the book. It reminds me of the scary books I used to read as a teen that used to keep me up all night. I really loved the two main characters they work so well together they complement each other creating the One Team. I can’t wait to read the next one with the teaser they left at the end of this one.
Profile Image for Kayla.
509 reviews
February 10, 2013
Wwwwoooowwww! I could NOT put this book down! Thanks Brothers Washburn for allowing me the chance to review an AUG of Pitch Green. I literally just sat and read through the entire novel this afternoon. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Yes, Yes... I had several things I should've been doing - like dishes, laundry, and cleaning up around the house... but those things can wait...

I haven't read a horror novel that grabbed me like Pitch Green since I read Dreamcatcher by Stephen King! It's like Rose Red meets Dreamcatcher - a creepy, huge mansion plus an unexplainable "creature" thing that the government tries to cover up. >_<

I LOVED this book. There are several scenes (especially Hughie & Ginger) that left me cringing in horror... I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to finish it after that because those issues hit too close to real life. I pushed through them because I needed to know what happened & how it ended.

Pitch Green is full of not only horror but a mystery aspect that leaves you glued to the pages. The characters are amazing. They aren't over the top. They're NORMAL - like these people could be my neighbors (if I lived in a creepy little town in the middle of the desert that is).

I honestly can't think of one thing that could've been done differently.

There are several questions that have left to be answered at the end BUT those are like tid-bits that you are just curious about - not MAJOR things that you must know in order to feel like the story ended. I can't wait to see what The Brothers Washburn come up with next in their Dimensions in Death series.


HUGE 5 Stars!
Profile Image for Sarah Simpson.
1 review
April 5, 2013
This book was paced really well and the characters were well developed. I could really imagine what was being written about, the detail was really good, just the right balance to spark the imagination without going over the top, which can get boring. Really well written and an unusual story that was totally not predictable. It was really spooky and I got very scared. It was an adrenaline rush! I think this book is going places and that we will be hearing more from The Brothers Washburn! I highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for Diane.
2 reviews
April 8, 2013
Camm & Cal hooked me! I finished Pitch Green in less than 2 days. Once into the story, I couldn't put the book down! Now I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. What will happen next, I wonder?!
Profile Image for Janet Jensen.
Author 9 books22 followers
March 15, 2013

Be Afraid. Be Very, Very Afraid. Pitch Green by Berk and Andy Washburn, the First installment in the highly anticipated Dimensions in Death series.

Trona is a small, smoggy, mostly insignificant town in California. Besides a booming chemical plant, the only thing that characterizes this dismal town is dirt, sagebrush, and an enormous abandoned mansion. The mansion is, admittedly, the only notable addition to Trona, but it’s something everyone tries to avoid due to its creepy facade. Everyone except for Camm Smith, who is obsessed with the need to get inside.

Seven years earlier, as Camm herded a pack of little trick-or-treaters past the mansion, her young neighbor, Hughie, disappeared, becoming one of the many children who have vanished from Trona over the years without a trace. Now a senior in high school, Camm is still haunted by the old tragedy, and is sure the answer to the mysterious disappearances lies hidden somewhere in the decaying mansion.

Joining forces with her best friend, Cal, who also happens to be Hughie’s older brother, Camm naively begins a perilous search for the truth.As things spiral quickly out of control, and others die, Camm and Cal discover it will take all their combined ingenuity to stay alive. An unseen evil lurking deep within the bowels of the mansion is now hunting them. To make matters worse, they become entangled with hostile federal agents, who will do all they can to keep old secrets permanently hidden.

Left with only their wit and seemingly ineffective firearms, Camm and Cal know time is running out. Unless they can make sense of the few pieces of the puzzle they manage to unearth, their lives are in danger, and like so many others before them, they may also disappear without a trace. (Synopsis by Jolly Fish Press)

Review:

Cal and Camm (a.k.a. Smith and Jones) are two smart, resourceful college-bound kids, friends since childhood, who must call on all the resources they can muster to face unimaginable evil in the old Searles mansion and discover how to put an end to it. Cell phones and access to a library don't hurt either as our tech-savvy heroes put their combined knowledge and skills to work in order to tackle a horrifying puzzle that has gone unsolved for generations.

Aided by nerves of steel, a bit of moonlight, and an arsenal of handy tools, they must also defy numerous government agencies and other formidable obstacles as they battle the malevolent forces in the mansion that no one else has been able to defeat. When they’ve accomplished their mission and astonished the bumbling authorities, reality hits and they sound like typical teens, though, wondering,”How are we going to explain all of this to our parents?”


Pitch Green by Berk and Andy Washburn is filled with suspense, horror, the occasional touch of humor, a bit of teen romance, and as many surprises as 280 fast-paced pages can hold. Cal and Camm, who call themselves Team One, are two very likeable heroes. What will their next adventure be? I suspect it’s right around the corner. Or, to be more accurate, in Volume Two of the Dimensions in Death series. Stay tuned. And it wouldn't hurt to watch your back.


Jolly Fish Press is sponsoring some great giveaways! For details, visit the blog of the Brothers Washburn at http://www.thebrotherswashburn.blogsp...

Here's the official website for Pitch Green:
http://www.jollyfishpress.com/authors...

You can also keep up with the Brothers Washburn here: facebook:book.com/TheBrothersWashburn


Share notes: @JanetKayJensen @BrosWashburn, #YA #horror #amreading
Profile Image for Heather.
499 reviews274 followers
March 14, 2013
(This review can also be found on my blog The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl).

Those who know me know that YA horror is my favourite genre. I was lucky enough to be asked by Jolly Fish Press to review a book that fit that genre. The book was Pitch Green (Dimensions in Death #1) by The Brothers Washburn. I definitely wasn't disappointed with this book.

Camm and Cal have been best friends forever. They've pretty much gone through everything together including the disappearance of Camm's little brother seven years ago. As Camm and Cal dig deeper to solve Cal's little brother's disappearance, they discover that more children have gone missing in their little hometown starting back in 1941. They also discover that some sinister force is behind the disappearance. Will Camm and Cal lose their life in the process of uncovering this mystery or will they lose their sanity?

Okay, I don't really get the title of this book. I understand the whole "green" part of the title which I won't explain due to small spoilers, but I don't understand the "pitch" bit. It's definitely an unusual title, that's for sure. However, I don't like or dislike the title. It just leaves me perplexed.

I'm definitely a fan of this spooky looking cover! I love the spooky green font and the creepy looking grandfather clock with the hanging man pendulum which features quite frequently in the book. I do believe that the cover of this book gives its readers a glimpse into what to expect.

I enjoyed the world building. I could definitely picture the creepy mansion in my mind, and because I live by lots of plants (not the green kind), I could totally relate to the Trona plant mentioned throughout the book.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book although I must admit that there was a chapter or two when I thought that the pacing was going to be slow. However, it quickly picked up, and I was hooked. I finished Pitch Green sooner then I had anticipated...that's how great the pacing was!

The only problem I had with this book was the fact that Camm and Cal seemed a bit younger than 18. They came across, to me, as being about 12 or 13 years old due to their actions, dialogue, and thoughts. Other than that, they were quite enjoyable characters. I loved how much of a wise cracker Camm was.

As I said before, the dialogue didn't match that of two 18 year olds. Don't get me wrong, the dialogue did make me laugh quite a bit, but it was off. The dialogue wasn't that bothersome after I got farther into the book and just imagined Camm and Cal to be two 14 year olds talking to each other. As for language, there is only one swear word.

I will definitely be buying the next book in the series. The ending of this book definitely left me wanting more despite the characters acting younger than their age.

I'd definitely recommend this book to everyone aged 13+ especially those who are fans of the horror genre.

(I was given a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review).
Profile Image for  Jody Reads Smut.
1,138 reviews259 followers
January 30, 2013
Pitch Green is a very fast paced YA horror story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you will not want to put it down. Introducing Cammy, and Cal, they have been next-door neighbors and best friends since the 3rd grade.


When Cal was eleven and Cammy was ten, they were going trick-or-treating and taking the younger kids with them and were to keep an eye on them. Cal’s little brother Hughie was among the group of kids they had to watch. Cammy dreaded it when they had to pass the old haunted Searles Mansion to get to the other street where Cal already was.


Hughie wanted to go as a ghost but he refused to wear the store bought costume he wanted to do it the old-fashioned way with a sheet. Cal was upset with him because Hughie had to keep stopping to pull the sheet up so he would not trip, then move the top of the sheet so that he could see. Cal just kept going on and left Hughie behind so Cammy stayed back trying to get Hughie moving, which she felt was unfair since after all Hughie was Cal’s younger brother he should have been watching him.


Things got out of hand and Hughie fell down and bloodied his nose, and before Cammy could get back to him she was shocked by the squeal of skidding tires, she whirled around to see little Ruthie the youngest in the group running out into the street in front of a car. After Cammy got Ruthie to safety, she turned around to get Hughie but she could not see him, and she had seen him fall in front of the old ugly Searles mansion.


She went up and down the street looking and Cal told her “oh the big baby probably went back to the car with dad”. Cammy went back, picked up Hughie’s candy bag in front of Searles Mansion, and caught up with the other kids to finish trick-or-treating. Hughie did not go back to the car with his dad, he did not go home, and no one could find Hughie. Cammy told the police the last place she had seen Hughie was in front of the old Searles mansion…. Eight weeks later Hughie’s picture showed up on milk cartons.


I really enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to all lovers of YA horror; Pitch Green is one of those books that are very hard to put down because you want to know what is going to happen next. I would like to thank Kirk from Jolly Fish Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review Pitch Green.
Profile Image for Kat.
787 reviews26 followers
March 23, 2013
Bad things lurk in the dark. Alone? Be afraid! Be very afraid. People go missing all the time; and in a small town in the Mojave desert, children go missing EVERY year. Eighteen year Camelot Mist Smith was eleven when her six year old neighbor, Hughie, went missing on Halloween. Seven years later, while Cam can never ignore the past, Hughie's older brother, California Gold Jones just wants to forget about the void in his home and focus on his promising jock future. Cam and Cal are still friends, closer yet since the abduction. When a FBI agent comes to town, Cal and Cam become unofficial interns apart of the investigation realizing that the disappearances are far sinister with deeper implications pointing to the secrets of the town's haunted house and staple of the community.

Pitch Green is a chilling young adult horror mystery. The comic relief comes in very small bursts such as the lead characters' ridiculous names and Cal's unavoidable pigheadedness immaturity. The romance is overshadowed and downplayed in leau of the seriousness of the plot. The point of view is third person alternating between center stage and behind the scenes. This provides much of the spine tingling suspense, because you can see through the mind of the stalker without actually having them revealed. The conclusion was beyond my predictions and is sure to stick with me. Pitch Green was well written and high on the creepy give-me-the-heebie-jeebies factor. I recommend this to any teen looking to get spooked. The Brothers Washburn have been compared to the Grimm brothers. While I'm only slightly familiar with their works I can agree that these authors possess the same drive to be the recipe of nightmares.
Profile Image for Lehua Parker.
Author 27 books51 followers
March 13, 2013
Camm and Cal have a problem that’s stinkier than a sulfur lava vent, creepier than a naked rat tail, and hungrier than a shark. It’s a problem and puzzle they’ll have to solve before it strikes again and another child disappears.

No pressure.

Pitch Green, by Berk and Andy Washburn publishing as the Brothers Washburn, is the first in their young adult Dimensions in Death series. Set in the Mohave desert, Pitch Green introduces us to Trona, a small California town whose only claim to fame is a dry lakebed where chemicals are extracted and processed in the town’s factory and a huge deserted mansion that miraculously repairs and cleans itself. Seven years ago on Halloween night, Cal’s younger brother Hughie disappeared and Camm has never forgiven herself. Now high school seniors, Camm and Cal are in a race to discover one of Trona’s darkest secrets before it can kill again.

Of course, nothing is quite what it seems in Trona. There are layers to this town that I’m sure will be revealed as the series progresses. There are delicious hints of government conspiracies, mad scientists, and cover ups. There are also guns, puzzle boxes, Hebrew script, and barf-tainted kisses. Best friends and potential romantic couple Camm and Cal are intelligent, dedicated, resourceful, and brave—not lily-livered, hide your head under the sheets characters or girl/boy stereotypes—and refreshingly, the adults aren’t buffoons either.
By turns witty, funny, scary, thrilling, and chilling, it’s a horror story mystery that reminded me of a more sophisticated and modern spin on Nancy Drew or The Hardy Boys. It’s fresh, fast-paced and smart. Can’t wait for book two!
Profile Image for Liesel Hill.
Author 8 books133 followers
April 11, 2013
I received a copy of Pitch Green through my publisher, Jolly Fish Press for review. I read it in preparation for the tour, but I confess, I didn't really know what it was about. Because of that, I picked it up with no expectations whatsoever. What I found was a delightful, well-written, YA horror story. I breezed through this novel with no trouble at all, and always excited to read more.

Camm is a typical teenage girl, dreaming of life at a big Unversity to, in part, escape her small town. Children have been disappearing inexplicably for years, including the younger brother of her best friend and boyfriend, Cal. When things get interesting and mysterious, Camm takes it on herself to investigate what never seems to have been investigated. What she finds is a twenty-year-old secret, separably entwined with her small town's history.

Both Camm and Cal are great characters. They come across as real kids--and real smart ones--with real problems. They made me smile and root for them constantly. The mystery was well-written, making me turn pages, and the pacing was perfect.

The book would be a bit scary for younger readers--even I shivered a few times--but it's not at all explicit. PG-13 rating in my book. I never read much YA horror in my day, so I can't say for sure that it's comparable to something like Fear Street, but it seems to me this would be a good comparison. Overall, I found it to be delightful and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun, creepy read! Hats off to the Brothers Washburn! I look forward to their next novel with great eagerness.
Profile Image for Rebekah.
60 reviews17 followers
September 19, 2014
This novel has the classic creep factor recipe. Take Trona, a small town that is run down and where nothing grows and mix it with a hidden mansion that is falling to ruin. People in the town say it is haunted and children try to stay away from it. Then on Halloween night Cal's brother Hughie disappears. Fast forward six years and see how the tragedy has affected the lives of those who were there that night. Camm carries guilt for having left Hughie alone to save a child almost hit by a car. And then another child disappears from a locked and fenced in yard. An FBI agent rolls into town and the lives of friends Cal and Camm will never be the same.

From the first scene on Halloween to the last words of the novel I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! I even put off feeding my children dinner so I could finish. I have not read a horror novel like this since Stephen King. It scared me so much that I slept with the lamp on by my bed that night. I get goose bumps just thinking about it again.

If you like YA horror you will love this novel. I cannot wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds. I want to know more about the guardian of the mansion. Enjoy!! This book appeals to both boys and girls that like a suspenseful novel with a horror touch. Sometimes it's the things hiding in the dark that we cannot see that scare us the most.
Profile Image for Terron James.
Author 4 books66 followers
July 3, 2013
Another ARC (Advance Reading Copy) has made its way to my doorstep, but this time from The Brothers Washburn. Berk and Andy Washburn , aka “The Brothers Washburn,” are both lawyers by profession, writers at heart. They grew up together roaming the wastelands of the Mojave Desert, where most of this novel series is set. Both brothers returned from lengthy and successful careers in the wastelands of the law to write YA horror stories based on the wastelands of their youth. They currently live north of Denver, Colorado. The Dimensions in Death series is merely the beginning of the ingenious and spine-tingling world of The Brothers Washburn. Be on your guard, people, there is a new Grimm in town.

Pitch Green, my friends, is an exciting thriller that gets your blood pumping from beginning to end. One specific character, Camelot Mist Smith, is destined to be the Nancy Drew of this decade. She definitely has the brains and courage to keep her unauthorized and even prohibited sleuthing moving forward.

The supernatural happenings in the book are grounded just enough to give you the impression that there might be a scientific explanation behind them. Washburns' descriptions are vivid enough to leave you with an extra sense of vulnerability. You will be scared. No questions asked.
Profile Image for JenniferJ.
704 reviews82 followers
February 21, 2013
Amazed at what The Brothers Washburn have put together here! It has a hint of everything in it including the mystery of people, mostly children, that have been disappearing for many years but yet the cases keep being discarded and everything is very hush hush when it comes to the huge and creepy Searles Mansion which seems to be at the root of it all.

I loved Camm and Cal! They were like the kids next door, so real and what you'd typically expect in actual teens. The chemistry between them was so amazing. I wished at one time there had been more of a romance angle but at the end realized it would have been a tough ending if there had been.

Although this is basically geared towards young adults, I admit I got the heebie jeebies and goosebumps reading it and if my lamp had flickered at any time I bet I would have jumped out of my skin in fright!
Profile Image for Maria Cisneros Toth.
5 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2013
AUGH!!! I knew there was a good reason why I stay out of basements. I just started reading "Pitch Green" last night and it was so freaky, scary good, I couldn’t put it down. It’s so well-written, fast paced, so full of tension that I nearly jumped out of my skin a few times. Really! Strong characters, good storytelling voice, and lots of surprise twists and turns. One suggestion for the reader, if you scare easily you might want to leave the lights on. I sure did. Highly recommending this book to my friends and family. Looking forward to the next one! Thanks for the excellent read guys!
Profile Image for Ambre.
5 reviews
March 14, 2013
Pitch Green was a horrifyingly delicious book! I read it all in one sitting. I loved the main character Camm, she was smart, tough, and a great lead for a horror book. She didn't just sit there and look pretty but she was out solving mysteries. I like how the book added humor in just the right places to help ease the scare before it scared you again. I am glad I bought and read this book! It is definitely a must read for anyone who likes scary stories!!!
Profile Image for Kathy Dickinson.
44 reviews3 followers
May 25, 2013
Awesome, fun, creepy, scary, & just a great read! This may be a book for young adults, but this older adult enjoyed this book immensely. Won this book on goodreads & I want to thank the BROTHERS WASHBURN for giving me a chance to read there book. Rates right up there with DEAN KOONTZ whom is a favorite of mine. Look forward to your next book!
Profile Image for Rhiannon.
433 reviews
April 13, 2013
It was awesome!!! I had to read it during the day so Iwouldn't get freaked out at night.
4 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2013
I don't usually like horror, but the characters in this story really pulled me through it. It is the kind of book that I want to read again, but haven't yet, because I am a little afraid too.
Profile Image for Breena.
444 reviews
May 31, 2013
I am not a horror fan but this was Good!
I can't wait for the next two to come out.
I appreciated the clean horror (is that possible?) of the story.

Still gives me the shivers...
Profile Image for Ashley.
14 reviews
May 7, 2017
Would I recommend this for an adult? Never. For a young adult, most likely. I guess that's why it's YA lit.

I'm a little disappointed in this book. I don't want to go into depth, but essentially, as the questions add on and the government gets involved, it becomes unrealistic. It's not how the town would react; is the government that negligent; did they really expect no one to have the wherewithal to ask questions when they're children are going missing? To some degree, questions are welcome; it keeps you curious--the suspense. But, these questions are too essential to neglect like that.

I'm surprised that two lawyers, who have worked with so many types of people, could really struggle to characterize humans in their most basic nature.
Profile Image for Liz Hoffman.
557 reviews6 followers
May 14, 2018
Camm and Cal are next door neighbors in search of answers hidden within the supernatural mansion in their desert town. This was a creepy & intriguing young adult horror!
Profile Image for Celese.
37 reviews
August 7, 2013
“The Brothers Washburn are masters at writing for Young Adults. Every character is believable, every description is vivid, and every moment is a surprise. The story was the perfect mix of frightening and intriguing that made it impossible to put down.”

I had the opportunity to read a new book called “Pitch Green.” I was excited to read this book since it is based in the area that I live. I never am sure what to expect from new authors, but I have to say that I have not yet had a surprise quite like the adventure this book presented me with.

“Pitch Green”, by The Brothers Washburn is about a small town in California named Trona. Children have mysteriously disappeared over the years, and nobody knows why. When it becomes personal for Cal and Camm, two friends who live in the town, they begin to realize that they are unraveling secrets that have been meticulously hidden for decades.

The prologue began with intrigue and ended with a shock. Everything was a surprise, but the wonderful thing about each new twist and turn was that it was always believable. Many times I would be stunned by the sudden direction change of the story, but there was never a moment where I felt that a moment was out of place.

I quickly became impressed with the vivid and and believable descriptions throughout the book. There was no cliché imagery and no overused synonyms. I had thought that perhaps the descriptions would not be so original as it began to describe the outside of the mansion that takes center stage in the story, but when the characters explored the inside, my opinion quickly changed. The details about moments or scenery was always an important factor in the story. No words were wasted on fluff or excessive styling. Even the puzzle box that Camm and Cal had to figure out was original, but it made sense. I was fascinated through the entire story.

The suspense and horror of the book was wonderfully written as well. After reading one night, I became so frightened that I locked every window and turned on every light in my house. I had to laugh at myself since I am an adult and thought that I wouldn’t be scared from reading a Young Adult Horror novel, but I certainly was. I finished the rest of the book during daylight hours.

The most wonderful thing about this specific horror novel, compared to many others I’ve read, is that there is nothing morally assaulting about it. The Brothers Washburn are adept at writing for the Young Adult audience. The bantering between Cal and Camm is fun and believable, and the romantic story between them is certainly not overwhelming to the story. I never even had the feeling of trepidation or concern about coming across a sexual or dirty scene. It made the book much more enjoyable.

As just one more note, I was impressed with the way the authors were able to share interesting facts about Trona and the nearby town of Ridgecrest that tied perfectly into the story. It cast the area into a much more interesting light than many people, including locals, see it. They painted a picture of the Trona that many people knew and loved.

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in Young Adult Horror and Suspense. In fact, even though I don’t usually read any books in that genre, I am looking very much forward to reading more in the series.
Profile Image for Elsie Park.
Author 3 books11 followers
April 28, 2013
In this story, young children have turned up missing without a trace for over 50 years in Trona. Cal and Camm, friends since childhood, set out to discover why. Their investigation leads them to an abandoned mansion next to the chemical plant. But there's more to the old building than its dark halls. A sinister presence inhabits the place and has set it's sights on the interloping duo as they cross into its territory.

Pitch Green, a young adult suspense/horror by The Brothers Washburn (published by Jolly Fish Press) is a 277-page mystery that reminded me of the good old Hardy Boys (a childhood favorite of mine), though with a little more blood and guts. I finished the story in two days. It would have been one had I started it earlier in the day and not had chores and children to look after *smile*. The book gripped me from the first chapter and continued to hold my eager interest from page to page until the bitter end.

I liked the characters because they were realistic and made their decisions with logical and intelligent thought (something I really appreciate). It was neat to see the small desert town of Trona, California, through the eyes of the characters (and thus though the eyes of the authors, as well, since they grew up there). Because of this story, I can see Trona, a location previously unknown and uninteresting to most, becoming the next “fascinating landmark to visit” on vacation routes through California to see where this creepy story took place.

Pitch Green is a good read for both young adults and adults, especially for those who enjoy a great suspenseful mystery without major bad language and sex, though "son of a b----" appears twice in the story, and there is some violence and blood as expected from any story in the horror genre.

Note: In the book there are scenes with sculls, rotting flesh, blood, broken bones and torn limbs in this story, but as Pitch Green is a young adult novel, the images are tastefully reined in to give the reader a sense of the action and danger without overdoing the gruesome factor.

Well done, Berk and Andy Washburn! I await their second book with bated breath. And I love the picture on the back cover. Their expressions seem to say, “We dare you to read our story in the middle of the night when you’re all alone.” *big grin*
Profile Image for Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews).
603 reviews109 followers
March 13, 2013
In a small town where it's become common for people to go missing. There is a mysterious house that seems to be behind the disappearing people. But there can never be found a bit of evidence, and nobody has lived there for years.

One Halloween night Hughie goes missing. Camm and Cal know deep inside that his disappearance has to do with that house, but the police could not find anything. And now when Camm and Cal turn 18 there is an FBI search into the missing people's case and the town in general. As the police could not find anything with each individual case, there has been so many stacking up that it's time to look further.

The FBI agents let the kids help them out a bit and tag along with them as they explore the house and question the townsfolk. What they do find is that Hughie's Halloween costume is in the house and there is something that is not right about that house. It's ominous and there seems to be a lot more people that know things, and they aren't talking.

Pitch Green is a very fast paced read that has a storyline that keeps not only the ominous house but what is in the house very unique and imaginative. Although the story has a scary edge to it, it's fun for younger readers and teens that are looking for something fun and very goosebumps (but more adult) feel to it.

Warning: There is usage of guns by the main characters, violent battle scenes but nothing too graphic.
Profile Image for L.L. Reynolds.
Author 2 books108 followers
January 18, 2015
Ever since I was a kid, I've always enjoyed a spine-tingling ghost story and the Brothers Washburn gave me a ghastly good one in Pitch Green. The book is set in the small mining town of Trona which is located in the spooky Mojave Desert of California. I was immediately hooked by the mysterious disappearances of children, the haunted mansion, the creepy chemical plant, but when the authors threw in something scary skulking around in the night and I was in horror heaven.

The main characters are Camelot Mist Smith (Camm) and California Gold Jones (Cal) which immediately gave rise to the question, "What were those wacky parents smoking when they named those two children?, but I digress! These two are very close friends and neighbors who begin to investigate the mysterious disappearances in their town. I won't give away any spoilers. It's a very creepy read, and if you love a good ghost story as much as me, you've got to read this one!
4 reviews7 followers
May 19, 2013
3.6 Stars

It can be hard to find good YA horror, but Pitch Green fits the bill. Good characters, good plot, perfect length, appropriate for teens, GREAT setting.

The world is deep. You can tell the authors know plenty about the world that isn't important at this point in the story but will most likely come out eventually.

My biggest problem with this book is the overwriting, most likely because the authors are first-time novelists. Their editor wasn't free enough with the red pen. Chiefly, nearly every line of dialogue is driven home two or three times. Plot points are revisited repeatedly. Then restated.


Other than that, good book with a lot of potential for follow up novels.
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