Book Review: You’re Next: A Short Novel Inspired By True Events by A.J. Desai

This was a fast and interesting read. The author has an easy and very understandable way of putting words together. Everything starts in 1988 when Hannah’s sister Hailey was wounded and disappeared one night in the woods in the vicinity of an abandoned cemetery. Rumors were saying that some Satanic cult has taken her away and the media have reported amply on the subject. Hannah was only 16 then and she struggled how to cope with the events. Years went by but she couldn't live even for one day wondering what happened to her sister. Twenty years later, without any news about Hailey, Hannah receives some strange phone calls, messages, and witnesses other little things that make her think that she is being stalked and what’s worse that she is next. She couldn't go to the police at first as she was sure they wouldn't believe her, even, later on, she wasn't believed as she didn't have proof. By now she was seeing a therapist and actually, this is the way how we get to know everything, from the sessions that Hannah has had. Happenings made it that another person died and it seemed similar to her sister’s disappearance, but now Hannah is the major suspect. I will not reveal the ending, but I can only tell you that it surprised me. Either is a result of post-traumatic stress disorder or the crazy reality, I let you discover for yourself.

Type of reader: Occult/mystery/Thriller readers and all the others that love a book that keeps your attention wondering what will follow next and also trying to figure out what stands behind everything.

My favorite quotes from this book:

“I think my sister is out there, alive, somewhere, but I don’t know where to look. When I walk to work, I look behind every bush, peer around every corner, and look into the face of every stranger I pass on the street, wondering if it’s Hailey.”

“I wanted her gone. I wanted to be the special one. The one always in demand. I wanted to look down at others the way Hailey looked down at me. Please don’t judge me. It was a moment of desperation.”