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whineheda's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the idea of this book and the message behind it, but I didn't really have that much fun reading it. The plot is pretty predictable and the characters fall flat to me, for the most part (with the exception of David's Gram). Also, the specific book that I read was an updated version, which confused me at first because I knew that the book was published in the late 1970s but they were talking about iPods, Google, and DVDs. Even after I realized that the book had been updated, it still seemed odd because other details were old-fashioned (the kids' names, the dialogue, etc). I don't see why they felt the need to update a book like that. It's like they think that kids these days can't concentrate on a book that doesn't have tons of computers, phones, and fancy stuff. That's probably true in some cases, but that doesn't mean we should go around changing all the older books. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox...as I said, this book isn't my favorite but it has some redeeming qualities.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
andilum's review against another edition
One of the worst books I've read.
Was our book club banned book choice.
Was our book club banned book choice.
vmgomez92's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Characters had 70s names but were carrying around cell phones. The dialogue didn’t match a modern time period. Not sure why they bothered updating
mlutman's review against another edition
4.0
Listen. The 4 stars is because this is a classic and Lois Duncan is fantastic. HOWEVER!!! The modern day edits of this book are truly awful and it should have been left alone. Talking about landlines. And cars with bench seats. And Betsy and sue. And then all of a sudden mention of an iPod? An iPhone? It’s so misplaced and really took you out of the 1970’s setting immediately. I even googled halfway through if this book was adapted for modern times because I was so confused if this was the same Killing Mr. Griffin I read in school.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
Let's start with the positives. This is an excellent story. Lois Duncan is a truly masterful author of horror and thrillers for the YA set. I need to read more by her.
This premise is so simple, the story is so simple. A group of teenagers are fed up with their hard-ass teacher, so they decide to "scare him". And oops, he's dead, and now they have to try to cover up their crime.
So simple, but there are so many amazing undertones to the story. Each character's perspective is well done, including the characters who simply need a good punch in the mouth. Betsy, I'm looking at you.
Now, all of that being said.
This book was published in the late 70's. And it didn't take me long to realize that this edition had been "updated". "Modernized". "Ruined to fuck".
Small things, like substituting CD players for record players. Throwing in a reference to an iPod, or that "old band", The Grateful Dead.
This does. not. work. In fact, it is so poorly done, it is JARRING. A mother at a friend's house, and that friend gets a call on their LANDLINE TELEPHONE, so the mother whips out her cell phone to call her daughter back. What? Why wouldn't you just go pick up the landline? How does this even work?
Cell phones a plenty, except Susan gets phone calls on her landline, and has to look up a phone number in a directory.
No one can get in touch with each other in this cloak and dagger expedition, yet cell phones exist in this world and only one of the characters is poor. What?
This does. not. work. And should never have been done. I'm docking points for updating.
This premise is so simple, the story is so simple. A group of teenagers are fed up with their hard-ass teacher, so they decide to "scare him". And oops, he's dead, and now they have to try to cover up their crime.
So simple, but there are so many amazing undertones to the story. Each character's perspective is well done, including the characters who simply need a good punch in the mouth. Betsy, I'm looking at you.
Now, all of that being said.
This book was published in the late 70's. And it didn't take me long to realize that this edition had been "updated". "Modernized". "Ruined to fuck".
Small things, like substituting CD players for record players. Throwing in a reference to an iPod, or that "old band", The Grateful Dead.
This does. not. work. In fact, it is so poorly done, it is JARRING. A mother at a friend's house, and that friend gets a call on their LANDLINE TELEPHONE, so the mother whips out her cell phone to call her daughter back. What? Why wouldn't you just go pick up the landline? How does this even work?
Cell phones a plenty, except Susan gets phone calls on her landline, and has to look up a phone number in a directory.
No one can get in touch with each other in this cloak and dagger expedition, yet cell phones exist in this world and only one of the characters is poor. What?
This does. not. work. And should never have been done. I'm docking points for updating.