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Sweet Valley High #110
Death Threat
When the Wakefield's houseguest and Jessica's biggest rival is kidnapped, Jeremy, Jessica's fiancé, insists he can find the kidnappers, until Jessica catches him in the wrong place and fears she will have to betray Jeremy in order to save Sue.
195 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
22 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Francine Pascal
1,139 books1,846 followersFrancine Paula Pascal was an American author best known for her Sweet Valley series of young adult novels. Sweet Valley High, the backbone of the collection, was made into a television series, which led to several spin-offs, including The Unicorn Club and Sweet Valley University. Although most of these books were published in the 1980s and 1990s, they remained so popular that several titles were re-released decades later.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 21, 2024
This book is mind-blowingly awful and pretty much has to be read in one sitting, or you'd never pick it up again. The ridiculous starts right from the first page, and continues until the last.
We start off with an extended recap of the last scene from the last book (God only knows why), with Jeremy arriving at the Wakefields' home in the middle of the night, claiming Sue has disappeared. He discusses this with the twins and the three of them decide not to (1) wake up their parents (as its two in the morning), or (2) call the police; instead, they opt for (3) going into the dark California woods and searching for her themselves.
Jessica is less than thrilled about this; Elizabeth feels guilty for all of the bad thoughts she ever had about Sue. The two set off alone while Jeremy claims to be checking elsewhere, but in reality he rushes to the cabin where the Halloween party was held, where Sue is waiting for him. As predicted, the two have cooked up a scheme to filch the money left to Mrs Wakefield instead of Sue by staging a kidnapping. Jeremy tells Sue to stay in the attic, out of the way, and he returns to herd the twins back home and begin his part as the grieving ex.
Jeremy shows his true colors as the pedo-grooming asshole that he is. He runs back and forth between the Wakefields' house and the cabin, eventually tying Sue up in the attic and basically leaving her there. Sue begins to have second thoughts about perhaps spending the rest of her life with this psycho (gee, really, Sue?), whereas Jessica is so lovesick and insecure that she clings to him like a puppy.
When the Wakefields receive the ransom call the next morning, the parents forbid the twins from leaving the house. Jeremy manages to convince them not to call the police, but Ned insists on hiring a private detective instead. This detective, Sam Diamond, is supposed to be the best in southern CA, but she's not terribly bright. She interviews all of the family and Jeremy in the same room, giving Jeremy the info he needs to stay one step ahead of the "investigation" around the kidnapping. Ned even makes a big deal about showing him the ransom money, after they all decide that not only will they pay it, but they will send the twins to deliver it. Master Detective Sam okays this, and even tells Jeremy the plan to follow the twins and nab the kidnapper. If anyone suspects Jeremy is behind this nonsense, they don't say or do anything to show it.
Meanwhile, because the twins are missing from school, everyone becomes concerned, especially Lila and Todd. Lila smells a rat and puts the most obvious bits together, concluding Jeremy is likely up to no good; after a muffled phone call with Jessica, and run-ins with both Wakefield parents acting strangely, she becomes convinced the family is being held hostage. She turns to her trusty boyfriend Robby and Todd to work out a very elaborate plan to rescue the family.
Retconned Robby (credit to Marian for that very apt nickname!) has been changed so much that now he admits to only having known Jeremy a few days before the fateful encounter on the beach - which means he knows nothing about him, not really, (making the events of #106 and #107 retroactively impossible), and oh hey! He very conveniently has a cousin who works for the local power company! They can totally steal some uniforms and a truck as part of their elaborate rescue plan! What could go wrong??
Lila obviously has the brain cells in this book, although Liz has a few, too, as she stares in marvel at the way Jessica is acting, even wondering what happened to the confident man-killer who is an expert at playing the field. Jessica is acting so insecure and jealous that it's just pathetic. WHY does she want this man?? He treats her badly! Claiming he's worried about Sue! Jess even goes to the lengths of stealing Steven's wedding ring from book #83 and giving it to Jeremy to try to strengthen their bond. It won't fit on the pedo-grooming ass's ring finger, so he is totally rocking a gold band pinky ring. Ugh, ugh, ugh.
The rescue squad pounces on the Wakefield house after the twins leave with the ransom money, just as Jeremy is barreling out of the house and putting on a ski mask. They hose him down with a fire extinguisher and jump on him, only to be stunned that it's Jeremy. They of course let him go (because of course they do), even as they're wondering why he's wearing a ski mask. Jeremy has disabled Sam's car, so he has plenty of time to follow the twins, release Sue, grab the ransom, and skedaddle before anyone is wiser.
The Wakefields discover their rescue party on the lawn and ask them WTF is going on, but everyone has a big hearty horselaugh when the twins and Sam return with the battered and beaten Sue, who has been rescued! Sam even brags that the money they used was actually counterfeit, to which Sue gasps. She's seen Jeremy's truly evil intentions and knows he will Not Be Happy when he discovers the money is fake. Still, she's prepared to leave with him, going outside and waiting for him like a moron before realizing that yeah, he never had any intention of returning for her. He was literally there to take the money and run. Sue is content to let him keep the money (especially now that she knows its fake) and laments that she's been just as foolish as Jessica has been about him.
Meanwhile, the crew is watching the video that Jessica took of the ransom drop, trying to discover any clue that they can as to the kidnapper's identity. They are all frustrated to realize that his face is too well-hidden, but Jessica sees the golden pinky ring and knows that it was Jeremy, all along.
The most frustrating thing about this book is that everyone has to be a complete idiot to make the plot even near the realm of plausibility. Jeremy is so certain that he can charm anyone into doing anything he likes that he's momentarily stunned that Mr Wakefield contacts a detective upon learning of Sue's disappearance. Like - really, dude? You thought you were that good? The fact that everyone acts very stupidly and allows him to make a clean getaway helps his cause, but surely someone (besides Sue and Jessica) know that he was behind it all? He was the only one who came and went from the Wakefield residence the entire time, so of course the leaks came from him! I wanted to throttle pretty much everyone.
The funniest bit was definitely learning that Bruce Patman won the costume contest at the Halloween party in the last book, and he came dressed as his own car, LMAO. I certainly hope that included the iconic 1BRUCE1 license plate!!
That, and the fact that Elizabeth's kidnapping from #13 Kidnapped! features in fairly heavy rotation during this stressful time, earns this book the single star I'm giving it.
Thank goodness we're near the end of this mess, even if we do have to go through a Thriller-length finale book to get there.
We start off with an extended recap of the last scene from the last book (God only knows why), with Jeremy arriving at the Wakefields' home in the middle of the night, claiming Sue has disappeared. He discusses this with the twins and the three of them decide not to (1) wake up their parents (as its two in the morning), or (2) call the police; instead, they opt for (3) going into the dark California woods and searching for her themselves.
Jessica is less than thrilled about this; Elizabeth feels guilty for all of the bad thoughts she ever had about Sue. The two set off alone while Jeremy claims to be checking elsewhere, but in reality he rushes to the cabin where the Halloween party was held, where Sue is waiting for him. As predicted, the two have cooked up a scheme to filch the money left to Mrs Wakefield instead of Sue by staging a kidnapping. Jeremy tells Sue to stay in the attic, out of the way, and he returns to herd the twins back home and begin his part as the grieving ex.
Jeremy shows his true colors as the pedo-grooming asshole that he is. He runs back and forth between the Wakefields' house and the cabin, eventually tying Sue up in the attic and basically leaving her there. Sue begins to have second thoughts about perhaps spending the rest of her life with this psycho (gee, really, Sue?), whereas Jessica is so lovesick and insecure that she clings to him like a puppy.
When the Wakefields receive the ransom call the next morning, the parents forbid the twins from leaving the house. Jeremy manages to convince them not to call the police, but Ned insists on hiring a private detective instead. This detective, Sam Diamond, is supposed to be the best in southern CA, but she's not terribly bright. She interviews all of the family and Jeremy in the same room, giving Jeremy the info he needs to stay one step ahead of the "investigation" around the kidnapping. Ned even makes a big deal about showing him the ransom money, after they all decide that not only will they pay it, but they will send the twins to deliver it. Master Detective Sam okays this, and even tells Jeremy the plan to follow the twins and nab the kidnapper. If anyone suspects Jeremy is behind this nonsense, they don't say or do anything to show it.
Meanwhile, because the twins are missing from school, everyone becomes concerned, especially Lila and Todd. Lila smells a rat and puts the most obvious bits together, concluding Jeremy is likely up to no good; after a muffled phone call with Jessica, and run-ins with both Wakefield parents acting strangely, she becomes convinced the family is being held hostage. She turns to her trusty boyfriend Robby and Todd to work out a very elaborate plan to rescue the family.
Retconned Robby (credit to Marian for that very apt nickname!) has been changed so much that now he admits to only having known Jeremy a few days before the fateful encounter on the beach - which means he knows nothing about him, not really, (making the events of #106 and #107 retroactively impossible), and oh hey! He very conveniently has a cousin who works for the local power company! They can totally steal some uniforms and a truck as part of their elaborate rescue plan! What could go wrong??
Lila obviously has the brain cells in this book, although Liz has a few, too, as she stares in marvel at the way Jessica is acting, even wondering what happened to the confident man-killer who is an expert at playing the field. Jessica is acting so insecure and jealous that it's just pathetic. WHY does she want this man?? He treats her badly! Claiming he's worried about Sue! Jess even goes to the lengths of stealing Steven's wedding ring from book #83 and giving it to Jeremy to try to strengthen their bond. It won't fit on the pedo-grooming ass's ring finger, so he is totally rocking a gold band pinky ring. Ugh, ugh, ugh.
The rescue squad pounces on the Wakefield house after the twins leave with the ransom money, just as Jeremy is barreling out of the house and putting on a ski mask. They hose him down with a fire extinguisher and jump on him, only to be stunned that it's Jeremy. They of course let him go (because of course they do), even as they're wondering why he's wearing a ski mask. Jeremy has disabled Sam's car, so he has plenty of time to follow the twins, release Sue, grab the ransom, and skedaddle before anyone is wiser.
The Wakefields discover their rescue party on the lawn and ask them WTF is going on, but everyone has a big hearty horselaugh when the twins and Sam return with the battered and beaten Sue, who has been rescued! Sam even brags that the money they used was actually counterfeit, to which Sue gasps. She's seen Jeremy's truly evil intentions and knows he will Not Be Happy when he discovers the money is fake. Still, she's prepared to leave with him, going outside and waiting for him like a moron before realizing that yeah, he never had any intention of returning for her. He was literally there to take the money and run. Sue is content to let him keep the money (especially now that she knows its fake) and laments that she's been just as foolish as Jessica has been about him.
Meanwhile, the crew is watching the video that Jessica took of the ransom drop, trying to discover any clue that they can as to the kidnapper's identity. They are all frustrated to realize that his face is too well-hidden, but Jessica sees the golden pinky ring and knows that it was Jeremy, all along.
The most frustrating thing about this book is that everyone has to be a complete idiot to make the plot even near the realm of plausibility. Jeremy is so certain that he can charm anyone into doing anything he likes that he's momentarily stunned that Mr Wakefield contacts a detective upon learning of Sue's disappearance. Like - really, dude? You thought you were that good? The fact that everyone acts very stupidly and allows him to make a clean getaway helps his cause, but surely someone (besides Sue and Jessica) know that he was behind it all? He was the only one who came and went from the Wakefield residence the entire time, so of course the leaks came from him! I wanted to throttle pretty much everyone.
The funniest bit was definitely learning that Bruce Patman won the costume contest at the Halloween party in the last book, and he came dressed as his own car, LMAO. I certainly hope that included the iconic 1BRUCE1 license plate!!
That, and the fact that Elizabeth's kidnapping from #13 Kidnapped! features in fairly heavy rotation during this stressful time, earns this book the single star I'm giving it.
Thank goodness we're near the end of this mess, even if we do have to go through a Thriller-length finale book to get there.
May 27, 2020
Well, Sue is kidnapped. And, because of this, Jessica actually complains (again) that Sue is getting more attention than her. So now I want to complain about Jessica complaining. Her character is just so unreal in her audacity. Causing Sue to want to commit suicide in the last book and now STILL complaining that she can’t have Jeremy to herself.
But, of course, Jessica is hopelessly naive to Jeremy’s true intentions. As we know (because I read these out of order), Sue is faking being kidnapped on November 1st so that her 500k inheritance will revert from Alice to her. Jeremy and Sue plan to get the money with the kidnapping plan and then abscond to Mexico or whatever. Of course, Sue is also naive until the end that Jeremy just wants her money to himself and has zero intention of coming back for her.
The Wakefield’s are pulled out of school while the kidnapping is going on (I’m sure everyone else has quit school in the meantime too, since God knows the school cannot function without them there), and Ned hires private detective Sam Diamond (a woman) to wiretap their phones and bug the twins when they go for the ransom money drop off.
Since Jeremy is the one orchestrating all of this, he’s in the house during the reveal of all Sam’s plan for catching the “kidnapper.” Sam doesn’t reveal one crucial detail though - the money they are bringing to the kidnapper is all fake.
Jeremy “releases” Sue from kidnapping and then leaves with her money and Jessica’s heart. He says he will come back for her later in the day but doesn’t come back for her or Jessica. Jessica, as is natural, hates all the attention Sue is getting upon her return. I don’t think I’ve said it enough, but Jess is THE LITERAL WORST.
Sue feels awful about their whole plan and isn’t that happy about all the attention she’s getting. While she’s on the porch waiting for Jeremy to come back for her, she has her sudden realization that he is a crock and half, and he never had any intention of ever including her in the spending of HER money (which, thanks to bomb ass Sam Diamond, is fake).
Jess grabbed a camcorder spontaneously before the drop off and ended up catching the kidnapper on tape. No one can make out anything about him... but Jessica can. On the kidnapper’s pinkie finger is the ring Jessica gave Jeremy earlier in the week. If memory serves, though, Jessica still denies Jeremy has anything to do with this at the beginning of the next book, A Deadly Christmas. She is (say it with me!) THE LITERAL WORST!!
There’s a side plot to kill pages about how Jessica tells her friends about the kidnapping but Lila hears that the Wakefield’s are the ones who are in danger, so she, Todd, and Robby devise a plan to save the Wakefield family. I was over it on about page two. Second books in trilogies are so useless. (Except apparently The Godfather Part II? Idk, I haven’t seen it).
Quotes:
“Jessica’s eyes shined with love for [Jeremy]. I think I’m going to vomit, thought Elizabeth.”
Me too, Liz.
Sam: It’s impossible to trace a call from a cellular phone.
Ah, the good old days.
But, of course, Jessica is hopelessly naive to Jeremy’s true intentions. As we know (because I read these out of order), Sue is faking being kidnapped on November 1st so that her 500k inheritance will revert from Alice to her. Jeremy and Sue plan to get the money with the kidnapping plan and then abscond to Mexico or whatever. Of course, Sue is also naive until the end that Jeremy just wants her money to himself and has zero intention of coming back for her.
The Wakefield’s are pulled out of school while the kidnapping is going on (I’m sure everyone else has quit school in the meantime too, since God knows the school cannot function without them there), and Ned hires private detective Sam Diamond (a woman) to wiretap their phones and bug the twins when they go for the ransom money drop off.
Since Jeremy is the one orchestrating all of this, he’s in the house during the reveal of all Sam’s plan for catching the “kidnapper.” Sam doesn’t reveal one crucial detail though - the money they are bringing to the kidnapper is all fake.
Jeremy “releases” Sue from kidnapping and then leaves with her money and Jessica’s heart. He says he will come back for her later in the day but doesn’t come back for her or Jessica. Jessica, as is natural, hates all the attention Sue is getting upon her return. I don’t think I’ve said it enough, but Jess is THE LITERAL WORST.
Sue feels awful about their whole plan and isn’t that happy about all the attention she’s getting. While she’s on the porch waiting for Jeremy to come back for her, she has her sudden realization that he is a crock and half, and he never had any intention of ever including her in the spending of HER money (which, thanks to bomb ass Sam Diamond, is fake).
Jess grabbed a camcorder spontaneously before the drop off and ended up catching the kidnapper on tape. No one can make out anything about him... but Jessica can. On the kidnapper’s pinkie finger is the ring Jessica gave Jeremy earlier in the week. If memory serves, though, Jessica still denies Jeremy has anything to do with this at the beginning of the next book, A Deadly Christmas. She is (say it with me!) THE LITERAL WORST!!
There’s a side plot to kill pages about how Jessica tells her friends about the kidnapping but Lila hears that the Wakefield’s are the ones who are in danger, so she, Todd, and Robby devise a plan to save the Wakefield family. I was over it on about page two. Second books in trilogies are so useless. (Except apparently The Godfather Part II? Idk, I haven’t seen it).
Quotes:
“Jessica’s eyes shined with love for [Jeremy]. I think I’m going to vomit, thought Elizabeth.”
Me too, Liz.
Sam: It’s impossible to trace a call from a cellular phone.
Ah, the good old days.
Read
December 18, 2024I don't know, Lila. I think you're letting your imagination run away with you. Jeremy's not some kind of shark preying the waters of Sweet Valley, California.
Due to the ick, I sped through Death Threat with a quickness. Was this one written by the same ghosty who did 107? It's got callbacks to previous books not even in the minis for this. Unfortunately it also completely rehashes the end of 109. WHY. We don't need a copy paste for that; it was bad enough the first time.
So, with Death Threat we learn officially that Sue is dumb as a box of rocks, Jeremy is the absolute goddamn worst, and we have even MORE retcon for Robby! Should we just call him Retcon Robby now?
Seriously, Sue, why the fuck would you WANT to run off with Jeremy after how he treated you in the cabin? It wasn't a one-off, the dude was an abusive POS each time he came by. He's such an asshole, I'm super disappointed Detective Sam (how many Sams and Jeremys does this series have?) didn't sniff out his actions. I really, really wish the Wakefields had just closed ranks on him and told him that he was not part of the Rescue Sue operation.
The highlight here is Lila deciding that the Wakefields are being held hostage, with an honorable mention for Liz trying to bond with Sue over them both being kidnapped. Sue, you should feel even shittier considering Liz really was kidnapped and you were only like, half kidnapped. Back to Lila, though. I cannot tell you the absolute glee I felt when I realized that for any other series, it would be cuckoo bananas to just assume the family was being held hostage, but in Sweet Valley, it's practically normal. I'd have killed for a Morrow mention but since neither Lila nor Todd is really a big Nicholas fan, I get why it wasn't. Seriously, hostages and kidnapping in this quaint little town. Love it.
The rescue mission is definitely played for laughs and I loved it, except the fact that no one thought to put the puzzle pieces together for Jeremy in a fucking ski mask. Like wtf. Dude, why would you put that on outside Casa Wakefield anyway? Wait til you get to your car or maybe the first light before the gas station or whatever. Logic has no real place here, but that's fine. Extra bonus points (not stars) awarded for Todd crawling across the Wakefield lawn on his belly and getting Lila of all people to do the same. Imagine you're one of the neighbors and look outside and see that.
I can't with the flipflopping back and forth on Phil, Sue's stepfather. One minute he's "very nice" and the next we're repeating him not bothering to come see her after her suicide attempt. Like...wtf.
How could she and Jeremy have planned to take on Ned Wakefield, one of the most renowned lawyers in southern California? Now she felt foolish for thinking she could trick the Wakefields.
I can't. I literally stopped, stared, and just... what the fuck. Honestly, this is the same kind of delusional thinking I'd expect from Margo in the throes of her obsessing over her new family, because it's just so over the top and ridiculous.
But that's redeemed fairly quickly with this interaction:
"Are you saying I shouldn't be able to have a career as a writer or a journalist just because I look like I could be on the cover of a fashion mag-" Elizabeth stopped mid-sentence.
Jessica smiled at her sister's comment. "So you think you look like a model, Liz?" she asked, a twinkle in her blue-green eyes.
I also kinda loved that Ned and Alice let Jessica dig her own grave when retelling the wedding fiasco to Sam, but I am disappointed that Ned and Alice were too cool about Sue's lies. Seriously, that's a VERY big lie to just try and sweep under the rug. It also goes against everything Sue said previously about not realizing there was anything wrong in her relationship with Jeremy and not one person has called her on THAT.
Retcon!Robby finally goes all in, probably realizing that having Robby be actual, lifelong friends with Jeremy at this point reflects terribly on Robby, so now he met Jere-Bear a week prior to the infamous beach meeting. Why the hell didn't we just go with this from the start? Ugh. It's giving me a headache. I do approve of Lila immediately being suspicious and also wanting to know more about Jeremy once she hears he was also two-timing Jessica. Say what you will about Lila, but when the chips are down, she usually defends her right to be the one to treat Jessica the worst. :P
In return, Jess immediately tries to pin the kidnapping on John Pfeifer, giving us this gem:
"That's totally outrageous," Elizabeth scoffed. "You're just saying that because you don't like him."
"Well, he did try to date-rape my best friend," said Jessica defensively.
It was a reach, but also totally in character for Jessica.
In general, this one is written in a way that almost works again. I do love callbacks to previous books when it makes sense, and this book does so in spades. There's the aforementioned Liz's kidnapping and we also get a mention of Cara and Steven being engaged briefly, as well as a nod to Lucy Friday from the Werewolf arc, and they blend relatively seamlessly, or as seamlessly as a kidnapping comparison can. The Lila/Todd/Robby rescue subplot is bonkers but fun, and ramping up the horror on Jeremy's end does work because he was already the woooooooorst.
Alas, there are also moments that just are jarring in their stupidity, from the super!lawyer Ned, to Sue grabbing her coat and bag before ducking outside to "get some air" after being rescued, even though she was allegedly kidnapped when she did just that before. Seriously, her coat I could understand, if it's chilly, but her bag, too? And Liz doesn't follow her and at least peek at the nearest window, despite the fact that she's been in lame spy mode all book? No, doesn't ring true.
It's a middle book in a series and it suffers for that, as it has to atone for previous sins the ghosty was likely not responsible for (and some they might've been?) and still set up the next book, so it can't go all out for anything but side plots.
"Lila?" Robby said, turning to look at her.
"Yes?"
"What are we doing here?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. The Wakefields have been kidnapped."
Due to the ick, I sped through Death Threat with a quickness. Was this one written by the same ghosty who did 107? It's got callbacks to previous books not even in the minis for this. Unfortunately it also completely rehashes the end of 109. WHY. We don't need a copy paste for that; it was bad enough the first time.
So, with Death Threat we learn officially that Sue is dumb as a box of rocks, Jeremy is the absolute goddamn worst, and we have even MORE retcon for Robby! Should we just call him Retcon Robby now?
Seriously, Sue, why the fuck would you WANT to run off with Jeremy after how he treated you in the cabin? It wasn't a one-off, the dude was an abusive POS each time he came by. He's such an asshole, I'm super disappointed Detective Sam (how many Sams and Jeremys does this series have?) didn't sniff out his actions. I really, really wish the Wakefields had just closed ranks on him and told him that he was not part of the Rescue Sue operation.
The highlight here is Lila deciding that the Wakefields are being held hostage, with an honorable mention for Liz trying to bond with Sue over them both being kidnapped. Sue, you should feel even shittier considering Liz really was kidnapped and you were only like, half kidnapped. Back to Lila, though. I cannot tell you the absolute glee I felt when I realized that for any other series, it would be cuckoo bananas to just assume the family was being held hostage, but in Sweet Valley, it's practically normal. I'd have killed for a Morrow mention but since neither Lila nor Todd is really a big Nicholas fan, I get why it wasn't. Seriously, hostages and kidnapping in this quaint little town. Love it.
The rescue mission is definitely played for laughs and I loved it, except the fact that no one thought to put the puzzle pieces together for Jeremy in a fucking ski mask. Like wtf. Dude, why would you put that on outside Casa Wakefield anyway? Wait til you get to your car or maybe the first light before the gas station or whatever. Logic has no real place here, but that's fine. Extra bonus points (not stars) awarded for Todd crawling across the Wakefield lawn on his belly and getting Lila of all people to do the same. Imagine you're one of the neighbors and look outside and see that.
I can't with the flipflopping back and forth on Phil, Sue's stepfather. One minute he's "very nice" and the next we're repeating him not bothering to come see her after her suicide attempt. Like...wtf.
How could she and Jeremy have planned to take on Ned Wakefield, one of the most renowned lawyers in southern California? Now she felt foolish for thinking she could trick the Wakefields.
I can't. I literally stopped, stared, and just... what the fuck. Honestly, this is the same kind of delusional thinking I'd expect from Margo in the throes of her obsessing over her new family, because it's just so over the top and ridiculous.
But that's redeemed fairly quickly with this interaction:
"Are you saying I shouldn't be able to have a career as a writer or a journalist just because I look like I could be on the cover of a fashion mag-" Elizabeth stopped mid-sentence.
Jessica smiled at her sister's comment. "So you think you look like a model, Liz?" she asked, a twinkle in her blue-green eyes.
I also kinda loved that Ned and Alice let Jessica dig her own grave when retelling the wedding fiasco to Sam, but I am disappointed that Ned and Alice were too cool about Sue's lies. Seriously, that's a VERY big lie to just try and sweep under the rug. It also goes against everything Sue said previously about not realizing there was anything wrong in her relationship with Jeremy and not one person has called her on THAT.
Retcon!Robby finally goes all in, probably realizing that having Robby be actual, lifelong friends with Jeremy at this point reflects terribly on Robby, so now he met Jere-Bear a week prior to the infamous beach meeting. Why the hell didn't we just go with this from the start? Ugh. It's giving me a headache. I do approve of Lila immediately being suspicious and also wanting to know more about Jeremy once she hears he was also two-timing Jessica. Say what you will about Lila, but when the chips are down, she usually defends her right to be the one to treat Jessica the worst. :P
In return, Jess immediately tries to pin the kidnapping on John Pfeifer, giving us this gem:
"That's totally outrageous," Elizabeth scoffed. "You're just saying that because you don't like him."
"Well, he did try to date-rape my best friend," said Jessica defensively.
It was a reach, but also totally in character for Jessica.
In general, this one is written in a way that almost works again. I do love callbacks to previous books when it makes sense, and this book does so in spades. There's the aforementioned Liz's kidnapping and we also get a mention of Cara and Steven being engaged briefly, as well as a nod to Lucy Friday from the Werewolf arc, and they blend relatively seamlessly, or as seamlessly as a kidnapping comparison can. The Lila/Todd/Robby rescue subplot is bonkers but fun, and ramping up the horror on Jeremy's end does work because he was already the woooooooorst.
Alas, there are also moments that just are jarring in their stupidity, from the super!lawyer Ned, to Sue grabbing her coat and bag before ducking outside to "get some air" after being rescued, even though she was allegedly kidnapped when she did just that before. Seriously, her coat I could understand, if it's chilly, but her bag, too? And Liz doesn't follow her and at least peek at the nearest window, despite the fact that she's been in lame spy mode all book? No, doesn't ring true.
It's a middle book in a series and it suffers for that, as it has to atone for previous sins the ghosty was likely not responsible for (and some they might've been?) and still set up the next book, so it can't go all out for anything but side plots.
"Lila?" Robby said, turning to look at her.
"Yes?"
"What are we doing here?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. The Wakefields have been kidnapped."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2022
This is the "miniseries" that just won't end. Sue Gibbons has been "kidnapped" but not really becauseshe agreedto it, wven thoughJeremywent even crazier and tied her to a chair foe days (no mentionof her peeing or pooping in this chair she was tied to for like 3 days, so am guessing Sue is not actually anatomically human), and the Wakefields continue to be clueless about Sue's creepy 24 year old ex-fiance Jeremy who is now apparently 16 yr old Jessica's fiancé, being a creepy ass psycho. The best part of the book is Lila and Todd dressing up like electricians because they misunderstood a phone call and become convinced that the Wakefield family is being held hostage in their home and believe that 2 teenagers will be able to save them! And the worst part? After 4 books of this tired ass story line, it still isn't over.
March 1, 2019
Daft as a brush. I mean really?? Two 16 year old girls are allowed to make a ransom drop?? Also that Jeremy is a wrong'un so naturally Sue still wants to be with him. On the plus side, I thought the little sub-plot with Lila, Robby and Todd going to rescue the Wakefields was hilarious and how cheesy is this cover!!!!!
February 3, 2019
Link contains review and spoilers.
https://thingscarlalovesofficial.word...
https://thingscarlalovesofficial.word...
May 19, 2023
Oddly Jessica gets used by a lot of boys.
July 31, 2023
Ridiculous. Loved it.
October 7, 2023
Good series
June 11, 2025
I liked this one with the suspense of a kidnapping, money, and a guy who is not whom he seems to be. But it does end in a cliffhanger which I don’t have the book yet, so that’s aggravating.
October 19, 2013
It took me forever to finish this book partly because work has been keeping me busy and partly because the parts of the plot were so unbelievable that it was hard to read without cringing. The whole book takes place over the course of two very long days, picking up where the last Sweet Valley book, Double-Crossed, left off. Basically, Sue Gibbons has supposedly been kidnapped, but Jeremy is really keeping her tied up in the nature lodge cabin while he tries to extort money from the Wakefields who really believe there is a kidnapper. In the end, Jessica and Elizabeth, who kidnapper Jeremy insist make a ransom money drop off in exchange for Sue, save the day, and Jeremy blows town thinking he has real money when, in actuality, he had fake bills.
The most cringe-worthy parts of this book are the following:
Todd, Lila, and Lila's new boyfriend, Robbie (because we need a subplot) misinterpret a phone call between Lila and Jessica and believe that the twins and their parents are being held captive in their own home because Jessica and Elizabeth have missed two days of school. They then concoct the most insane plan ever to rescue them: they're going to dress up as electrical workers from the Sweet Valley Power company and get into the house that way. Of course, Robbie conveniently knows somebody at the company who helps them get uniforms and even a company truck. Hilarity ensues when the teens arrive at the Wakefield residence and take down Jeremy without knowing that they are ironically taking down the right person but for the wrong reason. Humorous? A little. But mostly unrealistic and cringeworthy.
Jessica puts together a special outfit for the ransom drop. She decides to wear a purple scoopneck sweater, black leggings with tiny purple stars on them that she wears tucked into boots, and black cap-shaped glasses. I know this was the nineties and that Clarissa Darling made this look cool, but still. I was more reminded of how I used to dress in second grade than anything else.
Finally, Mrs. Wakefield seems to think that the answer to calming everyone down throughout this entire book is food. After the first call from the "kidnapper", she decides that the twins need to stay home, and they might as well all have a nice family breakfast of pancakes since there's nothing else they can do at the moment. Really? A girl is missing, and the answer is family time and pancakes.
The most cringe-worthy parts of this book are the following:
Todd, Lila, and Lila's new boyfriend, Robbie (because we need a subplot) misinterpret a phone call between Lila and Jessica and believe that the twins and their parents are being held captive in their own home because Jessica and Elizabeth have missed two days of school. They then concoct the most insane plan ever to rescue them: they're going to dress up as electrical workers from the Sweet Valley Power company and get into the house that way. Of course, Robbie conveniently knows somebody at the company who helps them get uniforms and even a company truck. Hilarity ensues when the teens arrive at the Wakefield residence and take down Jeremy without knowing that they are ironically taking down the right person but for the wrong reason. Humorous? A little. But mostly unrealistic and cringeworthy.
Jessica puts together a special outfit for the ransom drop. She decides to wear a purple scoopneck sweater, black leggings with tiny purple stars on them that she wears tucked into boots, and black cap-shaped glasses. I know this was the nineties and that Clarissa Darling made this look cool, but still. I was more reminded of how I used to dress in second grade than anything else.
Finally, Mrs. Wakefield seems to think that the answer to calming everyone down throughout this entire book is food. After the first call from the "kidnapper", she decides that the twins need to stay home, and they might as well all have a nice family breakfast of pancakes since there's nothing else they can do at the moment. Really? A girl is missing, and the answer is family time and pancakes.
July 9, 2013
I have read so many of these books I can't remember all of them.
April 17, 2017
I really enjoyed the kidnapping plot however the subplot with Todd and Lila trying to come to the rescue after a miscommunication with Jessica was stupid.
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