Ameri-scares Virginia: Valley of Secrets

Ameri-scares #8

by Elizabeth Massie

Each Ameri-Scares novel is based on or inspired by an historical event, folktale, legend, of myth unique to that particular state.

Twelve-year-old Danny has escaped the children's home where he has lived since he was four, returning to the Shenandoah Valley to find his parents and demanding to know why they gave him up. Very soon, though, he realizes there is something dark and dangerous about his parents, something he is afraid to understand but more afraid not to understand. With the help of Jenni, a young neighbor, Danny quietly and courageously investigates the clues leading to the answers about his parents, his family, and what hides in the dark mountain cave not far away.

Genres: Audiobook

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2013

About the author

Elizabeth (Beth) Massie is a 2-time Bram Stoker Award and Scribe Award-winning author of horror/suspense, historical fiction, media tie-ins, nonfiction, and short fiction for adults. She also writes novels for teens and middle grade readers. Her series, Ameri-Scares, is currently in development for television by Warner Horizon (Warner Brothers), LuckyChap, and Assemble Media. Stay tuned! She lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband, illustrator Cortney Skinner.

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

•audiobook•


Danny wasn’t a strong - nor weak - main character. He was very bland and I couldn’t find myself rooting for his happy ending.
Even the ’friendships’ he recalled as a 4 yr old weren’t very tangible.
A native Virginian, I was intrigued then let down. I don’t feel the atmosphere nor setting was captured and painted.
I hadn’t heard of the legend (revealed in the final two chapters) and had to look it up. Again, the book didn’t do justice.
I have several other books in this series on my shelf but they aren’t calling to me.

Narrator kept the me from giving up, when it seemed the story was dragging on ...


This is my voluntary review of an audiobook received for free.

[Shersta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious to discover what a book billed as a "scarey novel for kids" might offer, I spent an afternoon investigating the mysterious past of an unhappy young boy, Danny, and the terrifying secrets that he unearthed about his hometown as a result. Written for middle-grade readers, I found the writing solid and the historical basis for the story itself fascinating. Because I am not among the target readership, I had some difficulty deciding if the story was too predictable (and, as a result, boring) for the younger crowd, or if the suspense would ultimately appeal. Otherwise, I found Massie's work entertaining and fun, and would definitely read more of her Ameri-scares series myself--and maybe even let the kids have a go once I'm done.