YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

You knew a teenager like Charlie Crabtree. A dark imagination, a sinister smile--always on the outside of the group. Some part of you suspected he might be capable of doing something awful. Twenty-five years ago, Crabtree did just that, committing a murder so shocking that it’s attracted that strange kind of infamy that only exists on the darkest corners of the internet--and inspired more than one copycat.

Paul Adams remembers the case all too well: Crabtree--and his victim--were Paul’s friends. Paul has slowly put his life back together. But now his mother, old and senile, has taken a turn for the worse. Though every inch of him resists, it is time to come home.

It's not long before things start to go wrong. Reading the news, Paul learns another copycat has struck. His mother is distressed, insistent that there's something in the house. And someone is following him. Which reminds him of the most unsettling thing about that awful day twenty-five years ago.

It wasn't just the murder.

It was the fact that afterward, Charlie Crabtree was never seen again...

got this one from the library recently and excited to give it a try!

Starting this one tonight :)

Haley wrote: "got this one from the library recently and excited to give it a try!"

Yes! It looks really good.

yay!! I'll be starting soonish just because I work tonight :)

ch 1-4 (view spoiler)[ uhhhh... I was not expecting Charlie to predict that happening!! or does he have some sort of sixth sense that can tell how others die?? what the actual heck!! I'm speechless (hide spoiler)]

ch 5-13 (view spoiler)[ I don't understand why these boys were even friends with Charlie... I would of been freaked out when he started to describe the "man with red hands". The mom definitely knows something about the crimes, but her mental state does not help Paul's situation to figure something out. It'd be nice if his relationship with Jenny could work out by the end. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ What was that?? Did Charlie just know that would happen or did he make it happen? Maybe a crazy coincidence? Either way I guess I would want him on my side. The story is coming together for me a little more now. It was a tad confusing with mixed times and perspectives at first. (hide spoiler)]

up to ch 24 (view spoiler)[ i wonder what in the heck happened to Billy... I want to say charlie is back, but where has he been?? I'd be creeped out to stay at that house if I had any sort of feeling that someone had been inside!!! (hide spoiler)]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

I thought the SAME THING!! like what the heck, how even?? I like the changing perspectives, but also wish that everything from the past was explained in the first few chapters and just have the rest of the book based in present time to avoid any confusion

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[I really like Jenny. She's a little odd but I love that she is just herself and doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. Her story was a bit gruesome though.
Charlie and his dream talk is just creepy. But somehow it seems to work? Is this like a supernatural thing or is he just really good at manipulating what's happening around him? (hide spoiler)]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[ It's so weird to me that there are actually forums like this one where people discuss murders this way. Like getting that kind of information and almost like tips low key. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Michael's parents. I can't imagine being a parent going through this, knowing that he was so desperate for friends and then they just killed him. Obviously this has to be the real Charlie, but how have they not been able to trace him through the computer. Surely she would have asked them to. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[ Oh good, they did search for him after all. That would have been the first thing I did. Even if he isn't the real Charlie, he is still dangerous. I wonder if it could be Billy? I can't imagine going back to the place where I committed the crime and living with the same people. (hide spoiler)]

Ashley wrote: "Chapter 12
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ sounds horrific to be going back to the same town where your friend was murdered... (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Chapter 12
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I bet it was. It makes sense that Paul stayed away so long and only went back for his mother. I don't blame him but I feel bad for her. (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "ch 5-13 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ My only guess it because they were sort of weak themselves. Billy and James had terrible home lives and wanted to feel like they had some kind of power, even over their dreams. Charlie may have been in charge, but he gave them that power. That's why Paul didn't fall for it. He was fine at home and didn't feel like he needed Charlie's approval. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[ Another reason I'm glad I'm not a cop. That was gruesome. I'm assuming it was Billy dead, though I don't know why anyone would kill him like that. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ This is definitely escalating. I feel so bad for James mostly. He wants so badly to fit in and believe. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for James. He's obviously just a follower. Really hope they didn't actually get Goodbold's dog, but I have a feeling they did somehow. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26
(view spoiler)[ How can the police not take this seriously with all the connections? A coincidence that he gets the doll the same day that Billy is killed? And with two teens mimicking Charlie? That's too much happening to be coincidence. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28
(view spoiler)[ I really hope Paul and Jenny get together by the end. They were so cute. (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "up to ch 24 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ It has to be Charlie or someone else local when the other murder occurred. The current mystery is scarier than what happened before. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting that ending at all. I was hoping for more of a twist though. Like Charlie was still alive and he was the one on the forums or something. I do think there was closure though for Paul because everything was explained, especially with his mother. (hide spoiler)]