The Dark Corner

Spooksville #7

by Christopher Pike

They wanted to give it one more try. Bum has told Adam and his friends about a place on the other side of the Secret Path that is supposed to be more fun than anything they have ever seen. Bum is so enthusiastic about the other dimension that Watch and Adam are willing to try the magical path once more, even though they know it is dangerous. Sally, of course, warns them that they'll all probably end up dead.

As usual, they ignore Sally.

They pass through the mysterious doorway.

They have fun, at first.

Then they learn that there are much worse things than dying.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Paranormal, Childrens, Supernatural, Young Adult

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Christopher 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.

Reviews

[Carrie (brightbeautifulthings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After his first experience with the Secret Path, a mysterious route that leads to Spooksvilles in alternate dimensions, Adam isn’t sure he wants to mess with it again. But when a kid their age, Bryce Poole, goes missing on the path, Adam and his friends decide it wouldn’t hurt to look around. Supposedly, the Path’s destination depends on what people are thinking and feeling when they walk it, so they’re delighted to find a paradise on the other side this time. However, things are not what they seem in this new Spooksville, and Adam and the others may be in more danger than ever. Trigger warnings: violence, threats, blood, implied torture, fires.

Once again, this is a classic Pike mix of science fiction and horror. I’m happy to see the series revisiting ideas from earlier books like alternate dimensions and the Secret Path, and equally happy to see it introducing new characters like Bryce. This new dimension is creepy enough, but it’s more classically Pike-ish than the first book–that is, readers who are familiar with his YA or adult fiction are going to find it very familiar. He constantly returns to demonic races in his fiction, usually lying just under the surface of the regular world, and The Dark Corner fits easily into this category.

Of course, it’s a middle grade novel, so he still manages to find the humor in it, and the ending is particularly funny and satisfying. It’s always fun to see the characters playing off one another as well, with Sally goading the boys and generally leading them into trouble (while simultaneously seeming the most reluctant to do whatever unwise thing it is they’re going to do). Adam and Cindy particularly shine in this book, and I like how each novel pairs different characters together and gives them each a chance to play to their strengths.

I review regularly at brightbeautifulthings.tumblr.com.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I figured it was time to finish up another Spooksville book.I mostly wanted to finish The Dark Corner,because next up is The Little People and on the front cover,it depicts a guy holding a fork with food flying around,so I figured that would be thematic for Thanksgiving,well it's past Thanksgiving and now I'll place The Little people a December read for I don't know,maybe like a Santa's Elves kinda thing.Anyway The Dark Corner begins with our main protagonists Adam,Watch,Cindy and Sally are sitting around trying to figure out what to do on their last bits of Summer vacation.They mention school and all the weird teachers.This excites me,because there is another book in the series that seems to be all about a creature teacher.Sally brings up this guy named Bryce,that is apparently like this James bond like guy.She claims he's very good looking and is really brave.Cindy seems intrested and Watch and Adam seem a little skeptical,because they have been on plenty of adventures and Sally has never mentioned him once.We find out Bryce went through The Secret Path,and Sally is just kind of worried about him.The kids do the same thing they did in the first book to enter The Secret Path.Before going in,however they find a knapsack belonging to Bryce.They decide to let Cindy stay behind and if they don't return for her to go get help.The kids enter and are pretty surprised that The Secret Path is really bright and nice looking.Apparently the more scared you are,the scarier The Secret Path will be.I actually don't remember that,but that's on me I read the first book around two years ago.This place is described as "a" Heaven.They explore a bit and get food at a local fast food place and its free.They talk to the server and he tells them they need to see their counterparts in this world.Adam and Watch are reluctant,but they end up doing it.They run into the Adam,Watch and Sally Of this world and they turn out to be demons.They change shape with horns on their head and stuff.The place changes now to "a" Hell.They chain the three to poles where they are supposedly set to rot.The demons rip hair out of the three and each eat some.This entitles the demons to escape to the other side.The chained group are informed that the gatekeepers will put them on trial to see if they can go home or not.Back on the other side The demon versions of Adam,Watch and Sally meet Cindy.She assumes these are the real people.They go to get food and the demons ask for raw hamburgers and Adam's counterpart attacks the owner.Back in the other dimension with Adam,Watch and Sally a supposed gatekeeper comes up to them,but he pulls off a mask and it's revealed to be this Bryce character.He entered and learned all about these demons.He informs the kids he got this costume from others trying to help.He won't reveal who though,because they are scared.He tells them the only way to get back home is to find his counterpart ,get him to touch the tombstone they used to enter without Bryce touching the demon,find the other demons on the other side get them to enter the portal as well.Adam,Watch and Sally agree to do this.They find Bryce's demon on the beach.Bryce informs them the demons hate cold things so his plan is to trick him into drinking cold lemonade the color of blood.He gets Adam to wear his costume to do this,because agian he cant touch the demon.He tells Adam to just tell him that it's one of the kids' blood.Adam gets the demon to drink the lemonade and it knocks the demon out long enough for them to drag the demon so he can touch the tombstone so Bryce can escape for help.Back in the dimension with Cindy.Bryce goes to Cindy's house.He knocks on her door.Cindy is scared to go to the door though,because these demons told her they will come back to get her and her brother.Bryce comes up with a plan and it involves raw meat at the grocery store and bycicles.We go back to the other dimension with Adam Watch and Sally for the final time and it's basically a full on court case.We have a judge,jury and a lawyer.There is no way for the kids to escape this the fair way so they have this scale thing where heavy coins are attached to one side and a kid on the other.The demons go through and look at the lives of each kid and see what good deeds they did.I won't spoil what happens here but it's pretty sweet and funny ,in a way.The Dark Corner was really fun.If you guys have been following my reviews for this series you probably already know my rating.I give The Dark Corner a five out of five stars,although I do have a few nitpicks,none that were enough to deduct any points though.I felt like the previous books,when we have chapters of different characters interacting were a little more intresting.I didn't feel super invested when it was just Cindy.This was probably,because she was just talking to demons.She did have a time to shine though,when she's about to get eaten she reveals something about herself I thought was just a lie.I also felt like some of this was a rehash of The Cold People.The kids running around town,but instead of flamethrower,they use cold things.It was just the opposite.I also wish we got more descriptions of what the demons looked like.Other then that,this was a fun one.

[Alex Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first sequel book in the Spooksville series did not disappoint. Living up to the first book of the entire series, The Dark Corner explores a different realm on the secret path, and this new realm—whilst similar to the previous—had a demeanor I loved. That whole dimension is interesting and offers some great moments and lore. The climax of this book, which I don’t wanna spoil, tries a hand at something I wasn’t anticipating and I adored it; it leaned into the more comical aspects of this series and it worked well. There’s a new possibly central character introduced here which is always a plus, and as an added bonus, Sally wasn’t annoying but rather the contrary: actually funny. Perhaps it’s because she was separated from her rival most of the book? Probably. No less, the writing and characters are at their finest, and the biggest praise I have for this volume was just how much fun it is. Great all-round, no notable detriments. Cindy’s arc could’ve had more importance, but it’s solid and enjoyable as is. Overall, 10/10. Whilst not heavy on conveying the plot, it does setup stuff more and quite literally takes a look back on our characters, all the while having the most entertainment value of the series alongside Aliens in the Sky and arguably The Secret Path. Best Spooksville so far.

[Natalia Pinto Gatica · Rating 3 out of 5]

El rincón oscuro es una historia de un grupo de chicos que viven en la ciudad de Fantasville, en esta conoceremos sus aventuras en otras dimensiones, pero lo que es simplemente un juego de niños, se transformará rápidamente en una situación de sobrevivencia. Luego de que una de las chicas pidiera al grupo ir en rescate de uno de sus compañeros de clase, se enfrentarán a un Fantasville terrorífico lleno de demonios; pero lo misterioso de este lugar es que cada uno de estos seres es un doble de cada habitante de Fantasville original. Si los pequeños son capturados, sus vidas serán arrebatadas y suplantada por un demonio que tomara su forma.


Una historia entretenida, llena de aventuras y con un grupo de jóvenes dispuestos a vivir inolvidables aventuras antes de que comiencen el año escolar.


Personalmente la disfruté, pero no me convenció del todo, el final es abrupto y muy simple, creo que se podría haber aprovechado de mejor manera la historia; pero aun así es un libro de lectura ligera y rápida que fácilmente puede ser leída en un viaje de bus, haciéndolo así más ameno y entretenido.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun middle grade adventure. I didn't read this series when I was younger...but I am finding them to be so fun! Like just the right amount of scary and tense sirltuations but everything still works out in the end and all is well. And I like that the books follow the same characters...in this particular story there are references to past adventures and I enjoyed how they worked that into the stories. I really like Pikes writing in this series too. Would definitely recommend for kids who want something spooky but not TOO spooky.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novela que definitivamente me intrudujo a leer.

[Elusive · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 'The Dark Corner', Sally keeps extolling the virtues of Bryce who regularly embarks on the Secret Path to prevent evil from seeping into Spooksville. Worried as he has been missing in action for a week, she ventures to the other dimension once again with Adam and Watch.

To their surprise, they wound up in a paradise with abundant greenery, a sweet scent in the air, a friendly Ann Templeton and tasty fast food. These were revealed to be smoke and mirrors upon visiting their (unbeknownst to them) evil counterparts.

Action was aplenty. They got into numerous tight spots and had plenty on their plates such as finding Bryce, escaping their restraints, getting back home, etc. I liked how well they fended for themselves, as well as one another and their lawyer, Foulstew being Bum's counterpart.

Overall, 'The Dark Corner' was solid throughout.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evil twins from the demon dimension. Loved the trial in hell, but thought it would be every time they were good they got in trouble and every-time they were bad they got rewarded, as it took place in hell. Other than that a fun quick read.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 10 yr old son picked this up from library but lost interest. I decided to read to see what I thought and I wasn't a fan. The kids way of relating didn't set a great example although it was mostly redeemed at the end.

[Emmie · Rating 3 out of 5]

10/11/19

[beccasbookscapes]

Audiobook is great.

[Ana Ibarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, there were many things happening at once and the characters behave on their own way. Some interesting info came out, making the whole series/town a whole lot more interesting.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading these with my 9 year old. Loved Christopher Pike when I was younger.

[Solim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Demons, alternate dimension and a court drama all in one.

[Cameron Stolfuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This month I read Spooksville The Dark Corner written by Christopher Pike. It is a mystery book that takes places in all different kinds of spooky places that Bryce, Cindy, Watch, and Sally experience. This book is about a few teenagers going through freighting and scary things. It's also about demons leaking around every corner. I rated this book a 4 cause it has tons of action and suspense.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.