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The Wicked Heart
He did not want to kill.
Dusty Shane was a high school senior, and a serial killer. Already he has murdered three young women, and he has more planned. Yet Dusty did not want to hurt anybody. There was something inside him, or perhaps outside him, that compelled him to kill.
Sheila Hardolt has lost her best friend to Dusty's insane attacks. It will be her task to probe the clues Dusty has left at the site of each of his murders. Clues that will point her into the past -- to a time when a large portion of mankind lost all sense of decency.
There she will find the seed of Dusty's evil compulsion, the Wicked Heart, and the reason why it did not die the first time it was destroyed.
Dusty Shane was a high school senior, and a serial killer. Already he has murdered three young women, and he has more planned. Yet Dusty did not want to hurt anybody. There was something inside him, or perhaps outside him, that compelled him to kill.
Sheila Hardolt has lost her best friend to Dusty's insane attacks. It will be her task to probe the clues Dusty has left at the site of each of his murders. Clues that will point her into the past -- to a time when a large portion of mankind lost all sense of decency.
There she will find the seed of Dusty's evil compulsion, the Wicked Heart, and the reason why it did not die the first time it was destroyed.
244 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
23 people are currently reading
1170 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Pike
262 books5,495 followersChristopher Pike is the pseudonym of Kevin McFadden. He is a bestselling author of young adult and children's fiction who specializes in the thriller genre.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 20, 2019
If you were possessed by the ghost of a dead Nazi's girlfriend you'd probably meet girls online and beat them to death with a claw hammer, too.
September 8, 2023
I first read this book about compulsive serial killer Dusty Shame (terrible name, I know) when I was really young, maybe age 11 or 12, which is probably a little too young for that kind of thing. I’ve always remembered it as one of the most horrifying books I’ve ever read. I was worried it wouldn’t live up to what I had built it up as in my mind, but after over 25 years, I really do think the explanation behind the killings was genuinely chilling and disturbing, and the feel of evil that emanates from this thing was definitely still there.
What I did not remember, and what pushed this up to a 5 star reading experience for me, was how very sad the ending was. Now that was some bleak shit! Maybe even more frightening than the evil itself is the notion that some situations are inherently hopeless, that there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to make them any better, and that we’re powerless to help the people who find themselves trapped in them, just as they are powerless to help themselves.
NOT recommended for younger readers, but I thought it packed quite a punch, especially given the fact that it’s ostensibly supposed to be merely yet another pulpy YA horror novel.
What I did not remember, and what pushed this up to a 5 star reading experience for me, was how very sad the ending was. Now that was some bleak shit! Maybe even more frightening than the evil itself is the notion that some situations are inherently hopeless, that there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to make them any better, and that we’re powerless to help the people who find themselves trapped in them, just as they are powerless to help themselves.
NOT recommended for younger readers, but I thought it packed quite a punch, especially given the fact that it’s ostensibly supposed to be merely yet another pulpy YA horror novel.
September 30, 2019
My least favorite of his books. One of the few I would give under a three. I love this author so I do not do this very much.
I did not find the story interesting at all and this read more like a slasher movie then anything. It was rather gruesome but lacked the intensity of most of his books. The characters did not stand out.
The main character is a teenage serial killer. I just..I felt like I was reading a book version of the movie "scram". With Pike, one usually gets depth and sometimes one gets a touch of the spiritual. Those are some reasons why I love his work. He is far from your average YA mystery author.
This book though did not show that and it is one of his few where I had to struggle to make it through. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I have not reread.
If you are just starting Pike, do not start with this one. Read "Weekend", "See you later", 'Last act" or "The Eternal Enemy". His adult novel "strange girl" is another contender.
Every writer who has alot of material is inevitably going to have SOMETHING that doesn't work for a reader. This is the one that did not work for me.
I did not find the story interesting at all and this read more like a slasher movie then anything. It was rather gruesome but lacked the intensity of most of his books. The characters did not stand out.
The main character is a teenage serial killer. I just..I felt like I was reading a book version of the movie "scram". With Pike, one usually gets depth and sometimes one gets a touch of the spiritual. Those are some reasons why I love his work. He is far from your average YA mystery author.
This book though did not show that and it is one of his few where I had to struggle to make it through. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I have not reread.
If you are just starting Pike, do not start with this one. Read "Weekend", "See you later", 'Last act" or "The Eternal Enemy". His adult novel "strange girl" is another contender.
Every writer who has alot of material is inevitably going to have SOMETHING that doesn't work for a reader. This is the one that did not work for me.
September 11, 2007
I must have read this book around 8 or 10 years ago, but parts of it still stick in my head. I remember it being so unique and there being a lot of what I loved about Christopher Pike's writing and story-telling.
June 15, 2022
Reading these original Pike books I got from my library's book sale has me transported back to high school man.
September 20, 2020
I was basically reading this great teen horror/thriller at a snails pace, because not only was it really good it was also pretty dark and disturbing and found I had to put it down a few times and walk away from it to keep a bit of my sanity if not equilibrium. Lol Which ultimately makes it a keeper in my Pike collection. Good stuff!
October 4, 2022
Yikes. Another clanger from Pike.
Dusty Shame is a high school student compelled to kill "innocents" via a hammer to the head, due to voices he hears. His latest victim is Nancy Bardella, whose best friend is Sheila Hardholt, Dusty's lab partner. Sheila is devastated over being dumped by Matthew Jaye. When Sheila doesn't hear from Nancy, she convinces Matt to take her over there. Nancy is nowhere to be found. They do find a card featuring a black swastika. When Lieutenant Black is called to the scene, he confirms similar cards were left at the scenes of disappearances of other girls.
Sheila then becomes a central part of the investigation, even managing to question parents of the other missing girls. If that sounds unlikely, it only gets much, much worse from there! Lieutenant Black puts Sheila in touch with former cop Captain Gossick, who saw similar crimes some 50 years ago, at the height of Hitler's reign of terror. (The swastika, get it?) The book then plummets into depths from which it cannot be saved when we essentially learn that
Good grief.
There was nothing to latch on to here. Dusty was an absolutely nothing character. He had no personality. I didn't care why he felt compelled to kill. I certainly didn't feel sorry for him! We never get to know his victims. They're barely on page. So there's no suspense over them getting killed. Sheila's devastation over her break-up with Matt also had no gravity, because he was a nothing character, too. Why was she so obsessed with him? He was so boring you could remove him from the book completely and not change the book at all, other than we wouldn't have had Sheila whining to all and sundry about their break-up, which would have only been a good thing!
This is another book that will make up part of The Midnight Club adaptation. Maybe they can make this story a bit less ridiculous and a bit more interesting and suspenseful. The Wicked Heart was wickedly dull and uninspired.
Dusty Shame is a high school student compelled to kill "innocents" via a hammer to the head, due to voices he hears. His latest victim is Nancy Bardella, whose best friend is Sheila Hardholt, Dusty's lab partner. Sheila is devastated over being dumped by Matthew Jaye. When Sheila doesn't hear from Nancy, she convinces Matt to take her over there. Nancy is nowhere to be found. They do find a card featuring a black swastika. When Lieutenant Black is called to the scene, he confirms similar cards were left at the scenes of disappearances of other girls.
Sheila then becomes a central part of the investigation, even managing to question parents of the other missing girls. If that sounds unlikely, it only gets much, much worse from there! Lieutenant Black puts Sheila in touch with former cop Captain Gossick, who saw similar crimes some 50 years ago, at the height of Hitler's reign of terror. (The swastika, get it?) The book then plummets into depths from which it cannot be saved when we essentially learn that
Good grief.
There was nothing to latch on to here. Dusty was an absolutely nothing character. He had no personality. I didn't care why he felt compelled to kill. I certainly didn't feel sorry for him! We never get to know his victims. They're barely on page. So there's no suspense over them getting killed. Sheila's devastation over her break-up with Matt also had no gravity, because he was a nothing character, too. Why was she so obsessed with him? He was so boring you could remove him from the book completely and not change the book at all, other than we wouldn't have had Sheila whining to all and sundry about their break-up, which would have only been a good thing!
This is another book that will make up part of The Midnight Club adaptation. Maybe they can make this story a bit less ridiculous and a bit more interesting and suspenseful. The Wicked Heart was wickedly dull and uninspired.
August 20, 2019
Definitely not one of his best. It was just okay. I found it a bit on the unreal side especially when a detective actively agrees to allow a 17 year old girl to help with the investigation and gives her secret info pertaining to the crimes.
March 30, 2025
Muy loco, si se hiciese una adaptación completa y fiel de esta novela, tendría que ser con una productora independiente de esas que permiten realizar productos de serie b con momentos surrealistas y con mezclas explosivas donde no sabes si tomarte en serio el terror o no. El término para describir esto en inglés sería cheesy, lo cual viene a ser una especie de cutrez con encanto capaz de entretener todo el rato. Al principio no hay nada raro, se lee como una novela de Dexter, en primera persona, desde la perspectiva de un asesino en serie joven y apuesto que nos confiesa sus crímenes pasados, su modus operandi y que además nos adelanta cuáles van a ser sus siguientes objetivos. El protagonista trastornado no asesina a otros delincuentes, al contrario, mata a chicas jóvenes catalogadas como inocentes. Estas muertes, sin embargo, no le dan placer y es justo en este punto donde encontramos la primera rareza o anomalía, porque su motivo consiste en callar una voz que le atormenta, una entidad que no le deja dormir.
A medida que se revela el origen de este mal, el libro se adentra más en el terreno de lo sobrenatural. Esto puede defraudar o encantar dependiendo del tipo de lector que seas, pero como ya he dicho, ser aficionado de la serie b ayuda a encajar algunas locuras inesperadas. Paralelamente, tenemos también los capítulos de la amiga íntima de una de las víctimas, que recopilará pistas como una investigadora profesional, estrechando el cerco. Si cuento más os puedo estropear la experiencia, ya que se lee muy rápido, apenas hay parones entre crímen y crímen. No os dejéis engañar con lo de que es una novela young adult, hay bastante crudeza aunque los personajes sean adolescentes.
ENGLIH
A crazy book, if a full and faithful adaptation of this novel were to be made, it would have to be with an independent production company, one of those that allows B-movie products with surreal moments and explosive combinations where you don't know whether to take the horror seriously or not. The term to describe this in English would be "cheesy," which is a kind of charming cheapness capable of entertaining the entire time. At first, nothing unusual happens; it reads like a Dexter novel, in the first person, from the perspective of a young and handsome serial killer who confesses his past crimes, his modus operandi, and who also gives us a sneak peek at his next targets. The deranged protagonist doesn't murder other criminals; on the contrary, he kills young girls considered innocent. These deaths, however, don't give him pleasure, and it's precisely at this point that we find the first oddity or anomaly, because his motive is to silence a voice that torments him, an entity that won't let him sleep.
As the origin of this evil is revealed, the book delves deeper into the realm of the supernatural. This may disappoint or delight depending on what type of reader you are, but as I've already said, being a fan of B-movies helps you cope with some unexpected madness. At the same time, we also have chapters about the close friend of one of the victims, who will gather clues like a professional investigator, narrowing the gap. If I say more, I might spoil the experience, as it reads very quickly, with hardly any breaks between each crime. Don't be fooled by the idea that this is a young adult novel; there's plenty of rawness even though the characters are teenagers.
A medida que se revela el origen de este mal, el libro se adentra más en el terreno de lo sobrenatural. Esto puede defraudar o encantar dependiendo del tipo de lector que seas, pero como ya he dicho, ser aficionado de la serie b ayuda a encajar algunas locuras inesperadas. Paralelamente, tenemos también los capítulos de la amiga íntima de una de las víctimas, que recopilará pistas como una investigadora profesional, estrechando el cerco. Si cuento más os puedo estropear la experiencia, ya que se lee muy rápido, apenas hay parones entre crímen y crímen. No os dejéis engañar con lo de que es una novela young adult, hay bastante crudeza aunque los personajes sean adolescentes.
ENGLIH
A crazy book, if a full and faithful adaptation of this novel were to be made, it would have to be with an independent production company, one of those that allows B-movie products with surreal moments and explosive combinations where you don't know whether to take the horror seriously or not. The term to describe this in English would be "cheesy," which is a kind of charming cheapness capable of entertaining the entire time. At first, nothing unusual happens; it reads like a Dexter novel, in the first person, from the perspective of a young and handsome serial killer who confesses his past crimes, his modus operandi, and who also gives us a sneak peek at his next targets. The deranged protagonist doesn't murder other criminals; on the contrary, he kills young girls considered innocent. These deaths, however, don't give him pleasure, and it's precisely at this point that we find the first oddity or anomaly, because his motive is to silence a voice that torments him, an entity that won't let him sleep.
As the origin of this evil is revealed, the book delves deeper into the realm of the supernatural. This may disappoint or delight depending on what type of reader you are, but as I've already said, being a fan of B-movies helps you cope with some unexpected madness. At the same time, we also have chapters about the close friend of one of the victims, who will gather clues like a professional investigator, narrowing the gap. If I say more, I might spoil the experience, as it reads very quickly, with hardly any breaks between each crime. Don't be fooled by the idea that this is a young adult novel; there's plenty of rawness even though the characters are teenagers.
October 29, 2021
In the end, this was a fun ride. In spite, or perhaps because of these elements:
The teen (and, honestly, adult) dialogue was painfully 1950s for a book set in the nineties. Which is typical for this genre, but really stood out in this one.
Lieutenant Black should be fired for sharing so much confidential case information with a high school student who really could be a potential suspect. And freely letting her investigate.
The extensive description of how “internet clubs” and “email” work.
The teen (and, honestly, adult) dialogue was painfully 1950s for a book set in the nineties. Which is typical for this genre, but really stood out in this one.
Lieutenant Black should be fired for sharing so much confidential case information with a high school student who really could be a potential suspect. And freely letting her investigate.
The extensive description of how “internet clubs” and “email” work.
August 11, 2011
Darker and more poorly written than any other Pike book I've read (and there have been some doozies). A teenage serial killer's horrific crimes parallel the totally devastating break-up of his lab partner, Shelia. She improbably becomes involved in solving the murders, which are even more improbably tied to the Nazis. The highlight is the killer's name: Dusty Shame. Don't read this unless you love clunky dialogue or share my fascination with Christopher Pike.
December 21, 2017
A lovely piece of work. So hard to put down. I’m going to have to buy another copy because the one I had wasn’t in good shape.
Psychotic behavior with a nazi Germany back story I loved every minute of it!! Must read for sure!!!
Psychotic behavior with a nazi Germany back story I loved every minute of it!! Must read for sure!!!
August 15, 2023
i was really excited to read this because the wicked heart was my favorite story in the midnight club (the best tv show of all time btw) and even though this took some insanely crazy turns i was eating it up, i NEED to read more christopher pike
February 2, 2013
Nothing like a story about a high school student who's a serial killer, possessed by a Nazi demon bitch! One of the darker Pike YA books, but also one of the best.
March 16, 2025
I fucking hate nazis.
December 2, 2019
All of these three-star reviews for his books are purely for nostalgia, because middle school AJ looooooved Christopher Pike. But adult AJ had a hard time with the lazy plot work and too-tidy ending.
May 9, 2025
Evil Nazi Being that used to screw Himmler and mass murder Jews inhabits her daughter’s Alzheimer’s ridden brain and tells her kid to smash the fuck out of innocent girl’s heads with a hammer.
July 2, 2022
3.5 stars, classic murder mystery, nothing remotely special about it expect it has ties to World War 2, good short book just wouldn't reread anytime soon.
December 12, 2024
Extremely delayed review but every time i read a christopher pike book i’m like. This would be perfect if he didn’t hate fat women. Lol. One of the murder victims puts up a fight with the killer and it is described approximately thus: “at five ten and a hundred and thirty pounds, [sue, or whatever her name was] was a big girl”. Ummm that is both taller and thinner than I am, and im not considered “””big””” by most people…thats actually really skinny for a tall girl LMAO. Book was insane in a good way otherwise. “Heinrich Himmler is my grandpa and his evil baby mama that history forgot is compelling me from beyond the grave to murder”
December 13, 2018
This book is chilling and still scares me as an adult. Reality is always much more terrifying than fiction. Two favourite quotes: "when people broke up, their subsequent conversations usually went in circles. Because really, there was nothing to say if one wanted to leave and the other wanted to stay. It was all doomed." Profound words. Also, Dusty's reflections on his loneliness actually made him more human in the end: "Things happen, bad things, and there is no one to talk to about them. So you just keep them inside and try to pretend that they didn't really happen. Then after a while there is so much inside that isn't real, and then you don't know what is... what is." "I wish there had been one person to talk to." And there you have it in a nutshell, hearts become darker the more they dwell in empty darkness. The author's insight is moving, despite Dusty's apparent heartlessness throughout you gave him a heart in the end.
As far as the rest of the story, Sheila's character is sadly nondescript, she's just a heartbroken teen who suddenly turns detective. But you can't really relate to her. In fact, the first time I actually cheered for Sheila is when she said "I don't give a damn where you bury me." Pike finally made her something other than a lovesick puppy. I wish that had happened sooner. Now, if only every girl would nearly get murdered so some guy shits himself into submission. It's a wonderful world. I really hated the epilogue. It didn't explain why Matt had dumped her, it didn't explain what happened to the "wicked" essence of Scheimer. Was it destroyed with Dusty? Also, it felt as though he had inherited her "mind controlling" hold over others. The way Wendy just strolled back into her house. It was the only explanation. Anyway, I would have preferred a better conclusion but I guess it is left up to the imagination. Don't get me wrong, I highly value Pike's ability to write such a story but missed the element of a clever twist and neatly tied storyline.
One of the darkest Pike stories written.
As far as the rest of the story, Sheila's character is sadly nondescript, she's just a heartbroken teen who suddenly turns detective. But you can't really relate to her. In fact, the first time I actually cheered for Sheila is when she said "I don't give a damn where you bury me." Pike finally made her something other than a lovesick puppy. I wish that had happened sooner. Now, if only every girl would nearly get murdered so some guy shits himself into submission. It's a wonderful world. I really hated the epilogue. It didn't explain why Matt had dumped her, it didn't explain what happened to the "wicked" essence of Scheimer. Was it destroyed with Dusty? Also, it felt as though he had inherited her "mind controlling" hold over others. The way Wendy just strolled back into her house. It was the only explanation. Anyway, I would have preferred a better conclusion but I guess it is left up to the imagination. Don't get me wrong, I highly value Pike's ability to write such a story but missed the element of a clever twist and neatly tied storyline.
One of the darkest Pike stories written.
November 27, 2024
The Wicked Heart read like a promising rough draft. I can see how that would make it an ideal candidate for The Midnight Club Netflix series. Some cool ideas are swimming around in this book, but the plotting and characters leave a lot to be desired. Pike is known for methodical and twisted plots with complex and engaging characters. This book comes close but ultimately misses the mark on both counts. The plot was kept moving at a steady clip, but the characters felt rushed and ill-defined. I know I am being a tad harsh here. The characterizations were not all that bad. I have just come to expect better from Pike because I have seen him do better multiple times. The Wicked Heart also features some pretty gruesome kills. The violence stands out even among Pike’s other books, in part because of how personal it is. There are way more deaths in The Last Vampire books for example, but the brutality of the murders here is uniquely intense. I don’t think this was a bad thing, but it’s the sort of violence that deserves a deft touch. The fast-paced action style of the writing did not suit the nature of Dusty’s crimes. This, in turn, exposed the thin characters and shoddy plotting which might have worked well in a different book, but they felt out of place here. Despite all of this, I’m excited to see how they adapt this one for the show. The right elements are all there to make The Wicked Heart a solid and compelling story.
Score: 2.5
For my snark-filled, spoiler-laced, deep-dive review; check out my blog:
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Score: 2.5
For my snark-filled, spoiler-laced, deep-dive review; check out my blog:
Blog Review I Instagram I Twitter
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September 19, 2009
Disturbing--that's how I'd described Pike's book if I was only allowed one word in any review. Intense, semi-historical, and definitely disturbing; that about sums up what you'll feel after reading this.
This book started out a near flawless murder mystery. We have a teenage boy, Dusty, who is compelled to kill young woman by a force unknown. He even ends up somehow aiding in the investigation to capture the killer that was himself.
The most amazing thing about this is how much you come to care for Dusty, while simultaneously abhorring what he does. The mystery part of this book deals with what this voice is--is it supernatural or is Dusty just crazy? But for a novel about a teenage serial killer, this story goes much deeper than those unfamiliar with Pike would expect. Exploring Dusty's mind is scary and tragic, but Pike pulls it off brilliantly. This story goes all the way back to the tragedy of the Holocaust, looking for answers as to how mankind can be capable of such evil. A sort of subplot between Dusty's classmate Sheila and her boyfriend is interesting, but ultimately distracts from the core of the novel, particularly at the end.
Book Details:
Title The Wicked Heart
Author Christopher Pike
Reviewed By Purplycookie
This book started out a near flawless murder mystery. We have a teenage boy, Dusty, who is compelled to kill young woman by a force unknown. He even ends up somehow aiding in the investigation to capture the killer that was himself.
The most amazing thing about this is how much you come to care for Dusty, while simultaneously abhorring what he does. The mystery part of this book deals with what this voice is--is it supernatural or is Dusty just crazy? But for a novel about a teenage serial killer, this story goes much deeper than those unfamiliar with Pike would expect. Exploring Dusty's mind is scary and tragic, but Pike pulls it off brilliantly. This story goes all the way back to the tragedy of the Holocaust, looking for answers as to how mankind can be capable of such evil. A sort of subplot between Dusty's classmate Sheila and her boyfriend is interesting, but ultimately distracts from the core of the novel, particularly at the end.
Book Details:
Title The Wicked Heart
Author Christopher Pike
Reviewed By Purplycookie
January 3, 2022
It's been 25 years since I've picked up a Christopher Pike book and I inhaled just like I did when I was a schoolgirl.
I remember The Wicked Heart being one of my favorite stories but didn't remember much other than the main character befriended a serial killer and was able to see past his imperfections and still befriend him. What I didn't remember was how much of a crybaby Sheila was over Matt. It was almost embarrassing to read. Good grief. That girl needs to have some self-respect and quit begging her ex to come back to her.
What I also didn't remember was the German/Nazi past and how it linked to Dusty Shame. I do recall Mr. Pike's books all having an otherworldly sense to them and I truly believe that his books have a lot to do with my views/beliefs of the world today. Nicely done. It was a great little time capsule to jump back into.
I remember The Wicked Heart being one of my favorite stories but didn't remember much other than the main character befriended a serial killer and was able to see past his imperfections and still befriend him. What I didn't remember was how much of a crybaby Sheila was over Matt. It was almost embarrassing to read. Good grief. That girl needs to have some self-respect and quit begging her ex to come back to her.
What I also didn't remember was the German/Nazi past and how it linked to Dusty Shame. I do recall Mr. Pike's books all having an otherworldly sense to them and I truly believe that his books have a lot to do with my views/beliefs of the world today. Nicely done. It was a great little time capsule to jump back into.
January 27, 2026
I first read this book when I was 14 years old. I remember when my classmate and friend, Zainura, who was also a bookworm, insisted that I read it. The book belonged to her older brother, and she said it was too scary for her and thought it was something I would enjoy reading.
It was my first Christopher Pike (CP) book, and I was blown away after reading the first chapter. I remember thinking that CP’s books were way more mature and gory compared to R.L. Stine’s Fear Street. I personally felt like the protagonists in CP’s books had more realistic flair and spoke more vulgarly.
I was intrigued from the first page and was completely absorbed in the book before asking my sister to read it. She loved it too!! From then on, I started to pick up more CP books. I recall my friend lending me another book called Master of Murder.
However, re-reading this book as an adult did not give me the same pleasure. I knew going in that reading something you had enjoyed years ago, when you were the intended target audience, was going to feel different when read from a new perspective.
I felt my rating for this book dropping as I continued reading. Don’t get me wrong — I did enjoy the killing scenes and the killer’s creepy subconscious because it brought back the same rushed feeling I had when I first read the book as a teenager. But the rest of the story just didn’t sit well with me. Okay, I will bite and accept the supernatural route the author went for, but the story concluded too quickly and left barely anything to explore in depth.
I wished — and I think I had the same thought years ago — that the story hadn’t taken the supernatural route and instead leaned more toward generational violent genetics or mental illness. It would have made the story even more solid (in my opinion) because the Nazi storyline felt far-fetched, if it was even possible at all. The way Sheila quickly concluded everything was ridiculous.
Another thing I noticed was that although Sheila was the main female protagonist, all the other female characters were basically dumb and easily manipulated. While I can’t speak for the first two victims because that happened off-screen, the other two victims (Wendy and Dixie) were stupidly gullible. The male characters were the only ones who realized something was wrong with Dusty Shame (shitty name for a killer), while Sheila herself was oblivious to his weirdo nature.
When I was reading Wendy’s scene, I nearly screamed at how naïve she was to hesitate and turn back to a bloody random stranger she had never met online — someone who had literally tried to slash her throat moments earlier — claiming he was her online buddy just trying to play scare games. WTH!!
Also, the detective’s daughter, who knew about the recent case her father was working on, blabbered to a complete stranger she had just met about how she was always home alone, while fully knowing the killer’s MO was targeting young girls at home alone. She had the survival instinct of a wet rock. How could a detective’s daughter not have basic safety and security drilled into her head by her dad? And of course, Sheila also decided, “Let’s split up and go after the killer”…..
Sheila, I get that you’re a teen, and at that age every emotional high and low feels 100% worse, especially during your first breakup. But girl!!! Show some bloody dignity and stop begging that douchebag to get back together. I know it hurts, but stop with the whining!! Your best friend is missing and possibly dead, and your first instinct is to keep asking your ex why you can’t be together again. UGH, teen angst!!! Also, I get that it was the era when bad boys were cool, but honestly, Matt sounded like a young alcoholic in the making… ew.
I had to keep in mind that this book was published in 1993, when internet access was via dial-up connection. You couldn’t casually ask someone about their internet or computer use with jargon we’re so familiar with now. Even Detective Black had no idea how “social media” worked — they literally had to explain what email was to the victim’s family. It’s not like parents could just whip out a smartphone and watch a YouTube tutorial. The internet was still in its infancy.
That said, the girls were warned about some cyber safety by their parents, yet the murdered girls blindly trusted someone with so much personal information. Then again… we’re arguably worse now with social media, even with all the cybersecurity knowledge — oversharing to complete strangers online LOL.
The story was heavy on Nazi themes and supernatural psychics, yet after everything was dumped in one night by Gossick, Sheila suddenly made all the connections after using a “meditation” method that worked effortlessly on her first try. Suddenly, Sheila was seeing answers in visions and connecting all the dots about Dusty. The story rushed here, and suddenly Matt and Gossick were just minutes behind Sheila and Dusty.
Then the story ended in a very 90s cliché of suspense and dramatic finality — and that was it. No aftermath. How did the victims’ families react, especially Nancy’s? How did the school react knowing the killer had walked among them? Did Sheila ever find Nancy’s body in the sand mound? But instead, the author decided to reunite the couple, because of course douchebag Matt had a change of heart after witnessing Sheila in a life-and-death situation.
Makes you wonder if that relationship is even going to last once the adrenaline dies down LOL.
To conclude, reading this book from an adult's POV has definitely changed the rating, compare to how I would have rating it when I was a teen.
It was my first Christopher Pike (CP) book, and I was blown away after reading the first chapter. I remember thinking that CP’s books were way more mature and gory compared to R.L. Stine’s Fear Street. I personally felt like the protagonists in CP’s books had more realistic flair and spoke more vulgarly.
I was intrigued from the first page and was completely absorbed in the book before asking my sister to read it. She loved it too!! From then on, I started to pick up more CP books. I recall my friend lending me another book called Master of Murder.
However, re-reading this book as an adult did not give me the same pleasure. I knew going in that reading something you had enjoyed years ago, when you were the intended target audience, was going to feel different when read from a new perspective.
I felt my rating for this book dropping as I continued reading. Don’t get me wrong — I did enjoy the killing scenes and the killer’s creepy subconscious because it brought back the same rushed feeling I had when I first read the book as a teenager. But the rest of the story just didn’t sit well with me. Okay, I will bite and accept the supernatural route the author went for, but the story concluded too quickly and left barely anything to explore in depth.
I wished — and I think I had the same thought years ago — that the story hadn’t taken the supernatural route and instead leaned more toward generational violent genetics or mental illness. It would have made the story even more solid (in my opinion) because the Nazi storyline felt far-fetched, if it was even possible at all. The way Sheila quickly concluded everything was ridiculous.
Another thing I noticed was that although Sheila was the main female protagonist, all the other female characters were basically dumb and easily manipulated. While I can’t speak for the first two victims because that happened off-screen, the other two victims (Wendy and Dixie) were stupidly gullible. The male characters were the only ones who realized something was wrong with Dusty Shame (shitty name for a killer), while Sheila herself was oblivious to his weirdo nature.
When I was reading Wendy’s scene, I nearly screamed at how naïve she was to hesitate and turn back to a bloody random stranger she had never met online — someone who had literally tried to slash her throat moments earlier — claiming he was her online buddy just trying to play scare games. WTH!!
Also, the detective’s daughter, who knew about the recent case her father was working on, blabbered to a complete stranger she had just met about how she was always home alone, while fully knowing the killer’s MO was targeting young girls at home alone. She had the survival instinct of a wet rock. How could a detective’s daughter not have basic safety and security drilled into her head by her dad? And of course, Sheila also decided, “Let’s split up and go after the killer”…..
Sheila, I get that you’re a teen, and at that age every emotional high and low feels 100% worse, especially during your first breakup. But girl!!! Show some bloody dignity and stop begging that douchebag to get back together. I know it hurts, but stop with the whining!! Your best friend is missing and possibly dead, and your first instinct is to keep asking your ex why you can’t be together again. UGH, teen angst!!! Also, I get that it was the era when bad boys were cool, but honestly, Matt sounded like a young alcoholic in the making… ew.
I had to keep in mind that this book was published in 1993, when internet access was via dial-up connection. You couldn’t casually ask someone about their internet or computer use with jargon we’re so familiar with now. Even Detective Black had no idea how “social media” worked — they literally had to explain what email was to the victim’s family. It’s not like parents could just whip out a smartphone and watch a YouTube tutorial. The internet was still in its infancy.
That said, the girls were warned about some cyber safety by their parents, yet the murdered girls blindly trusted someone with so much personal information. Then again… we’re arguably worse now with social media, even with all the cybersecurity knowledge — oversharing to complete strangers online LOL.
The story was heavy on Nazi themes and supernatural psychics, yet after everything was dumped in one night by Gossick, Sheila suddenly made all the connections after using a “meditation” method that worked effortlessly on her first try. Suddenly, Sheila was seeing answers in visions and connecting all the dots about Dusty. The story rushed here, and suddenly Matt and Gossick were just minutes behind Sheila and Dusty.
Then the story ended in a very 90s cliché of suspense and dramatic finality — and that was it. No aftermath. How did the victims’ families react, especially Nancy’s? How did the school react knowing the killer had walked among them? Did Sheila ever find Nancy’s body in the sand mound? But instead, the author decided to reunite the couple, because of course douchebag Matt had a change of heart after witnessing Sheila in a life-and-death situation.
Makes you wonder if that relationship is even going to last once the adrenaline dies down LOL.
To conclude, reading this book from an adult's POV has definitely changed the rating, compare to how I would have rating it when I was a teen.
July 26, 2021
5 stars upon reread (originally 4). I remember a lot of the content flying over my head when I read this as a kid, but as an adult it's brilliant. Truly a remarkable piece following a boy driven to murder by a supernatural force. Christopher Pike is a brilliant writer. Review to come.
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Original 2008 review:
The Wicked Heart is about a teenage boy who is a serial killer. The book was confusing at times and I felt lost towards the end, but it was still a good book.
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Original 2008 review:
The Wicked Heart is about a teenage boy who is a serial killer. The book was confusing at times and I felt lost towards the end, but it was still a good book.
August 20, 2015
Второто романче не е кой знае колко по-интелигентно. Започна с това как главният герой Дъсти Шейм, скорошен абитуриент трепе млади момичета, понеже така му нарежда злокобен глас в главата. Гласът, а и не само са свързани с нацистите, Гестапо, Хитлер, Химлер, концлагерите, и така нататък, и така нататък. Блудкави книжки, които в началото на 90-те може да са представлявали интерес за лудите фенове в Щатите, поглъщащи всякакъв хорър и някакъв интерес за лудите фенове в България, поглъщащи всякаква литература с марка USA, но в днешно време - твърдо не.
October 5, 2022
I will forever wonder why Christopher Pike decided to dedicate this book—out of all his books—to himself.
Thought it was good up until all that magical murdery Nazi nonsense.
This was a re-read for me but couldn’t remember any of it. At least now I know why I chose not to revisit it sooner.
Also lol his name is DUSTY SHAME
Thought it was good up until all that magical murdery Nazi nonsense.
This was a re-read for me but couldn’t remember any of it. At least now I know why I chose not to revisit it sooner.
Also lol his name is DUSTY SHAME
July 14, 2008
This was one of Pike's more memorable novels for me, I think because the main character is fairly complex and somehow likeable for a murderer. The plot had something to do with evil dating back to the Nazis, and the main character's relationship with his mother...
August 24, 2016
I really loved this book it was full of suspense and thriller, but I don't understand why Christopher Pike has to always make his lead female characters so annoying, which made me mark the book down unfortunately :(
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