For readers grappling with past fears or the presence of lingering threats, this story explores the dark shadows of memory and the courage needed to face them.
A parent might reach for this book when their mature older reader is looking for a genuinely suspenseful story that explores complex themes of fear, trauma, and moral ambiguity. Set in a small New Zealand town, the story follows young Colin who is targeted by Herbert Muskie, a menacing and grotesque man from his father's past. The book is a psychological thriller that masterfully builds a sense of dread as Colin tries to unravel the dark secret that connects his father to this terrifying figure. Recommended for ages 11-14, this is a powerful, literary choice for kids who appreciate intense, scary stories and are ready to discuss how past events can cast long shadows and what it truly means to be brave in the face of evil.
Deals with themes of generational trauma, guilt, and has a somber, unsettling tone.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
A main character (the father) is revealed to have a dark and morally complex past.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with psychological torment, intense bullying, and the lifelong effects of past trauma and guilt. The approach is secular and unflinchingly realistic. The resolution is not a simple happy ending; it is grim and sobering. Colin survives and achieves a form of justice, but is emotionally scarred by the experience, providing a realistic rather than purely hopeful conclusion.
Ideal Reader
A mature 12- to 14-year-old who actively seeks out genuinely scary stories and psychological thrillers. This reader is not easily frightened, enjoys a slow-burn atmosphere of dread, and is ready to think about morally complex characters and unsettling, realistic evil. This is for the kid who has outgrown Goosebumps and is looking for something with more literary depth and true suspense.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the level of psychological cruelty. The villain is not a fantasy monster; he is a disturbingly realistic bully. There are detailed descriptions of his grotesque gluttony, and a particularly disturbing scene where he forces Colin to eat until he is sick. The climax is tense and involves violence. The book warrants a post-reading conversation about fear, secrets, and the fact that adults can be flawed and make terrible mistakes. The parent's child has been asking for 'truly scary' books, or has started exploring adult thrillers. The parent wants to provide a book that satisfies that craving for suspense but is still high-quality, age-appropriate literature. The child might also be fascinated by complex villains and the psychology of fear.
Age Experience
A younger reader (11-12) will likely experience this as a terrifying horror story, focusing on the frightening villain and Colin's immediate peril. An older reader (13-14) will be better equipped to grasp the deeper psychological layers: the theme of inherited trauma, the moral ambiguity of Colin's father, and the way the entire town is held hostage by a shared, unspoken past.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many middle-grade books labeled 'thriller', this is a true psychological horror story. Its uniqueness lies in its literary quality and its grounded, realistic portrayal of evil. The horror comes not from supernatural events but from the masterful build-up of dread and the deeply unsettling, all-too-human villain. It treats its young readers with intelligence, refusing to soften its dark themes.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Colin's quiet life in a small New Zealand town is shattered by the arrival of Herbert Muskie, a profoundly obese and malevolent man. Muskie has a shared, traumatic past with Colin's father, and he begins a campaign of psychological terror against Colin to force the revelation of a long-buried secret. Colin must confront his own fear and the moral failings of his father to protect himself and his family from the escalating threat.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Colin's father is not a simple hero. Do you think he was right to keep his secret from his family for so long? Why or why not?
2
Herbert Muskie uses many different tactics to scare Colin, from his physical presence to his quiet threats. Which of his actions did you find the most frightening, and why?
3
At the end of the story, the author says Colin feels 'cold and hard'. What do you think this means for him? How has his experience with Muskie changed him forever?
4
Many adults in the town seem to know about Muskie but do nothing to help Colin. Why do you think people are often afraid to stand up to bullies, even when they know something is wrong?
