Trapped: A Novel of Terror by Jack Kilborn

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

Synopsis:
In a last-ditch effort to create good memories before the closing of their behavioral center, Sara and Martin Randhurst packed up their latest charges and take them to a secluded, alledgedly uninhabited island for an overnight camping trip. Since the teens all come from the city's streets, a night in the country will be a huge change for them.

It also happens to be a last chance for Sara and Martin to work through their own marital problems that have been compounded by the center's loss of federal funding. What starts off as a fun-filled day begins to turn into something much more sinister as long buried secrets and monsters in the dark are forced out of their hiding places. It's a tale so full of horror and craziness that it's hard to be believed when told by the survivors - if there are any.

Review:
I literally could not stop reading this book after I began with the author's note. It intrigued me that the author chose to include both the edited and first draft versions of the story in the ebook or Kindle form. For a word nerd like me, that's kind of like getting two books for the price of one. I did end up reading both versions of the story but I am limiting my review to the edited version as it's the one most readers will encounter.

Right off the bat we're introduced to the horror of the story. The story only builds in the horror and creepy departments from that moment onward. I love the fact that the author included a variety of character backgrounds into the story. The author did a good job in differentiating the way the teens acted and the way the adults acted in the various scenarios in which they found themselves. Each one of the teens were giving a realistic backstory that wouldn't be hard to find within the population today so it made it believable in that aspect as well. The story moved like a well-oiled machine.

Once it picked up steam, there was no way to stop the ride until the very last sentence. I was kept guessing all the way through with all the sub-plots and interestingly connected layers that the author brought together. I honestly didn't see the end coming to a lot of the characters' journeys and that made me want to keep turning the page. In a way, everyone gets what they deserve in this book. Despite the sometimes gory descriptions, I wholeheartedly recommend this book if you're looking for a good what the *bleep* kind of book to get you through the night. Just remember to lock all of your doors before starting.

Trapped: A Novel of Terror by Jack Kilborn was first published in November 2010. It now is available in paperback, audio book and Kindle form and can be purchased at Amazon.com at the link below.
Trapped: A Novel of Terror by Jack Kilborn