The Thirteeth Chime by Emma Micheals

Released: August 13th, 2010

Pages: 238
Publisher: Bokheim Publishing
Rating: 4/5


HATRED NEVER DIES... 
Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted. She is about to finish college, has a fiance that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie. But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital. 


Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David. Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again. Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey.  


I read The Thirteenth Chime in almost one sitting, mostly because I was scared I would get creepy nightmares and dreams about the book. The overall story itself is quite creepy. The Thirteenth Chime would actually be a perfect episode for Supernatural. The book was quite enjoyable it kept my attention and kept me on my toes to what would happen next. I think one of the best things about a book is that you don't end up knowing where the story is going and are fooled unexpectedly, which this book did perfectly.  

I liked the characters Emma created but I had a hard time connecting with them, they just didn't seem real to me. 

While the action and horrifying scenes in this novel are very tight and well-written, there are other points in the novel, which are still rough around the edges. For example, it appears that Emma writes description and tidbits of conversation that doesn’t actually contribute to moving the plot forward or developing characters further. Arguably, these moments are there because they help improve the reader’s awareness of the scene or setting, and I firmly believe that most teen readers won’t be bothered by them once they get into the over-arching plot.

Overall, I do recommend this novel and will look forward to the next book in the series.