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Fear Street Super Chiller #1
Party Summer
Welcome to Fear Street.
Don’t listen to the stories they tell you about Fear Street. Wouldn’t you rather explore it yourself…and see if its dark terror and unexplained mysteries are true? You’re not afraid, are you?
Time to Party
Cari Taylor and her three friends look forward to a “party summer,” working at The Howling Wolf Inn, an old hotel on a tiny island off Cape Cod. But to their dismay, the hotel is completely deserted, and someone warns them to leave immediately.
The mysterious owner, Simon Fear III, allows Cari and her friends to stay, giving them the run of the hotel. The four teenagers are thrilled…until they realize they have been put up in the “haunted wing”…until Simon's weird and frightening brother appears…until they hear a woman screaming, “No party—please, no party!”…until the walls and faucets begin to drip blood!
When Simon Fear is murdered, Cari and her horrified friends want out. But they can’t escape! They’re trapped on the island. And that’s when the “party” begins…
Don’t listen to the stories they tell you about Fear Street. Wouldn’t you rather explore it yourself…and see if its dark terror and unexplained mysteries are true? You’re not afraid, are you?
Time to Party
Cari Taylor and her three friends look forward to a “party summer,” working at The Howling Wolf Inn, an old hotel on a tiny island off Cape Cod. But to their dismay, the hotel is completely deserted, and someone warns them to leave immediately.
The mysterious owner, Simon Fear III, allows Cari and her friends to stay, giving them the run of the hotel. The four teenagers are thrilled…until they realize they have been put up in the “haunted wing”…until Simon's weird and frightening brother appears…until they hear a woman screaming, “No party—please, no party!”…until the walls and faucets begin to drip blood!
When Simon Fear is murdered, Cari and her horrified friends want out. But they can’t escape! They’re trapped on the island. And that’s when the “party” begins…
215 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1991
71 people are currently reading
2159 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stine
1,679 books18.7k followersRobert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
July 9, 2007
I think it's awesome that I remember R.L. Stine books by covers instead of actual plot.
August 3, 2021
This was a five-star read until toward the end when it started to (kind of) fall apart. Not completely, mind you, it just lost some of what I loved about the first half of the book. A fun read overall, though!
May 2, 2020
Not the worst book of Stine's career, but maybe not the best either.
August 9, 2024
I'm a big fan of the point horror series and was really excited to come across a pile of fear street in a charity shop recently. As my first read in the series I was quite impressed. Written by Stine but with none of his trademark false scares, i found the characters relatable and the pace very quick so this was enjoyable to read. The end reveal is definately on the ridiculous side, but I would still reccommend this one.
Cari and her friends get jobs working at a hotel for the summer on a remote island. But there are no guests when they arrive and the owner seems to be pretty creepy. When her friends start to disappear one by one, Cari realises this won't be the summer party she hoped for.
Cari and her friends get jobs working at a hotel for the summer on a remote island. But there are no guests when they arrive and the owner seems to be pretty creepy. When her friends start to disappear one by one, Cari realises this won't be the summer party she hoped for.
August 3, 2023
A group of friends are excited to work at a hotel by the beach this summer. It will be the perfect opportunity to party and make some extra money.
However when they get to the island and the hotel, it seems that they are the only ones there. The mysterious owner lets them in and stays in the old hotel wing.
But this hotel seems to be haunted. And now our main characters are trapped on the island with no way out.
I appreciated that the book took place outside of Fear Street but still was linked to it but more than summer vibes it gave gothic haunted mansion ones.
Even though I did not find this book spooky and it was not as chilling as I had hoped, it was a nice little mystery to be solved. But keep in mind that most of these books are indeed a bit predictable so you might see the twist coming.
However when they get to the island and the hotel, it seems that they are the only ones there. The mysterious owner lets them in and stays in the old hotel wing.
But this hotel seems to be haunted. And now our main characters are trapped on the island with no way out.
I appreciated that the book took place outside of Fear Street but still was linked to it but more than summer vibes it gave gothic haunted mansion ones.
Even though I did not find this book spooky and it was not as chilling as I had hoped, it was a nice little mystery to be solved. But keep in mind that most of these books are indeed a bit predictable so you might see the twist coming.
December 12, 2020
I know that when people are reviewing Fear Street books, being able to predict the twist is often part of a negative review. But usually I can't predict the twist, so when I do successfully guess it, it just makes me enjoy it more! In this case I totally figured it out!
I particularly liked that an actual Fear was featured in this Fear Street book.
I particularly liked that an actual Fear was featured in this Fear Street book.
June 17, 2023
A disappointing first Fear Street Super Chiller.
Almost no chills to be had. No deaths, no ghosts, no supernatural, no partying, almost no summer, just a bunch of kids stripping wallpaper and getting lost in spider-filled secret tunnels.
Almost no chills to be had. No deaths, no ghosts, no supernatural, no partying, almost no summer, just a bunch of kids stripping wallpaper and getting lost in spider-filled secret tunnels.
July 21, 2025
Wow this was SUPER fun! I really enjoyed the setting, it’s not a beach book, it’s an old abandoned hotel on the coast owned by a FEAR family member! A bunch of teens working there, lots of secret tunnels, rooms, lots of Scooby doo shenanigans. It was a great read and would’ve been a 5 star until the ending where things started to get a bit murky for me.
June 28, 2023
Goodreads app ate my first review so I’m trying again. This is not a beach story. I expected a beach story. I’ll forgive Stine though, because the characters shout “PARTY SUMMER!” every chance they get, and that more than makes up for it.
While we don’t get beachy island murdery vibes, we do get…
- a spooky old hotel on a tiny island with eccentric owners (hi, Fear fam!), secret passages, and plenty of cobwebs
- A sus witchy friend who dabbles in the occult. Just a little.
- Ghosts (maybe)
- A twist, of course. This IS a Fear Street, after all
Lots of fantastic outfits, but never trust a stranger in a Safari jacket.
While we don’t get beachy island murdery vibes, we do get…
- a spooky old hotel on a tiny island with eccentric owners (hi, Fear fam!), secret passages, and plenty of cobwebs
- A sus witchy friend who dabbles in the occult. Just a little.
- Ghosts (maybe)
- A twist, of course. This IS a Fear Street, after all
Lots of fantastic outfits, but never trust a stranger in a Safari jacket.
September 9, 2021
I wanted to like this way more than I did, because there’s been a heatwave and I just wanted some summer thrills.
But despite the promise of a spooky hotel on an isolated island and plenty of creepy inhabitants, Party Summer was boring. I didn’t like any of the characters - they all annoyed me - and the twist was visible a mile off.
I don’t know why this one in particular struck me as unbelievable compared to the others, but it definitely felt that way. Especially the teens’ behaviour. And Aunt Rose stopping for a sandwich in the middle of an escape attempt.
But despite the promise of a spooky hotel on an isolated island and plenty of creepy inhabitants, Party Summer was boring. I didn’t like any of the characters - they all annoyed me - and the twist was visible a mile off.
I don’t know why this one in particular struck me as unbelievable compared to the others, but it definitely felt that way. Especially the teens’ behaviour. And Aunt Rose stopping for a sandwich in the middle of an escape attempt.
August 17, 2017
Scariness Factor: This one gets one out of five protoplasm-covered skulls. Mostly because all the fuckery was a joke played by one of the characters. Also, no real ghosts in this one; just a good 'ol case of split personality.
Deaths: 0! What the hell?! This is not what I came for, Bob. Not at all! But, to his credit, this was the first Super Chiller, so he was still finding his sea legs (see what I did there?!).
Deaths: 0! What the hell?! This is not what I came for, Bob. Not at all! But, to his credit, this was the first Super Chiller, so he was still finding his sea legs (see what I did there?!).
July 2, 2020
This was my first foray into the YA horror Fear Street series and it could very well be my last.
I know this was written for a much younger audience, but even with that being said, the characters were two dimensional and the plot overly simplistic (despite a nice-ish twist). I expected more from the creator of Goosebumps (some of which read much better than this).
The best about Part Summer? The cover.
I know this was written for a much younger audience, but even with that being said, the characters were two dimensional and the plot overly simplistic (despite a nice-ish twist). I expected more from the creator of Goosebumps (some of which read much better than this).
The best about Part Summer? The cover.
July 20, 2023
Fun and creepy
Read
July 15, 2024¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Read
July 3, 2025MM 7.81 Amazon 7/3/25
July 14, 2025
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
I really, really liked Party Summer! My favorite part about this was that there were actual Fears in this book! I mean, our main character, Cari, lives on Fear Street, but we get Simon Fear III, great nephew of THE Simon Fear!
Plus, Simon actually explains some of his family’s history, well, the things he knows about/heard of only. So, if you’re wondering what the deal is with Fear Street and the Fear family, and about all the horrible stuff that’s happened and how it all started, Simon gives a great summary in this book! But Simon’s knowledge is very limited, not knowing exactly what happened on that fateful night. So, if you the whole story, I think you can find it in the Fear Street Saga Trilogy . There is also another series, the Fear Street Sagas , which is more of the family’s unfortunate history.
Anyway, as for the particular story in Party Summer, it was interesting enough, though the plot twist at the end wasn’t very surprising. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read this one before (I honestly can’t remember, lol) or because it was actually that predictable.
Also, the romance between Cari and Eric felt very forced, so I didn’t really enjoy it. But overall, I really enjoyed this read! It was thrilling and suspenseful, as always, plus the Fear family background was great!
The Fear Street connection: So the book doesn't take place on Fear Street... mostly. But we obviously get to meet a direct descendant of the infamous Fear family! And also, unfortunately for Cari, she lives on Fear Street.
I really, really liked Party Summer! My favorite part about this was that there were actual Fears in this book! I mean, our main character, Cari, lives on Fear Street, but we get Simon Fear III, great nephew of THE Simon Fear!
Plus, Simon actually explains some of his family’s history, well, the things he knows about/heard of only. So, if you’re wondering what the deal is with Fear Street and the Fear family, and about all the horrible stuff that’s happened and how it all started, Simon gives a great summary in this book! But Simon’s knowledge is very limited, not knowing exactly what happened on that fateful night. So, if you the whole story, I think you can find it in the Fear Street Saga Trilogy . There is also another series, the Fear Street Sagas , which is more of the family’s unfortunate history.
Anyway, as for the particular story in Party Summer, it was interesting enough, though the plot twist at the end wasn’t very surprising. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read this one before (I honestly can’t remember, lol) or because it was actually that predictable.
Also, the romance between Cari and Eric felt very forced, so I didn’t really enjoy it. But overall, I really enjoyed this read! It was thrilling and suspenseful, as always, plus the Fear family background was great!
The Fear Street connection: So the book doesn't take place on Fear Street... mostly. But we obviously get to meet a direct descendant of the infamous Fear family! And also, unfortunately for Cari, she lives on Fear Street.
May 11, 2021
The first one of the Super Chillers and you can kinda tell, looks like they started out as being too long for the kind of stories they are. Although in this case it is generally pretty suspenseful and enjoyable for the most part. The set up is a classic one and there's decent tension they get out of it. It later basically turns into The Most Dangerous Game which I very much approve of.
It's another one where it kinda falls apart in the end. Some of the plot points that were set up either don't matter or don't have the best payoff. The whole thing with there maybe being a ghosts gets a payoff that is both weak and tossed aside since it happens while more important stuff going on. One aspect to the villain wasn't needed, and the very end is another pretty abrupt one that left me going "Wait, what about X?'
It's generally one of the more suspenseful ones for most of it, but some of certain story elements fall short in the end. A better one in some areas, less in others. Overall, The Horror at Chiller House was the better Stine take on The Most Dangerous Game but this was a high Decent at least.
It's another one where it kinda falls apart in the end. Some of the plot points that were set up either don't matter or don't have the best payoff. The whole thing with there maybe being a ghosts gets a payoff that is both weak and tossed aside since it happens while more important stuff going on. One aspect to the villain wasn't needed, and the very end is another pretty abrupt one that left me going "Wait, what about X?'
It's generally one of the more suspenseful ones for most of it, but some of certain story elements fall short in the end. A better one in some areas, less in others. Overall, The Horror at Chiller House was the better Stine take on The Most Dangerous Game but this was a high Decent at least.
November 27, 2024
I had no recollection of reading this one, but according tho my recently unearthed notebook of book reports from fourth grade – I most certainly did. My favorite part of the book were it’s two main characters, Cari and Jan. The biggest letdown was that I didn’t feel like the book ever went far enough. While it was well-plotted and Stine accomplished what he set out to do, I still wanted more. The opening passage foreshadowed there might be some creepy occult stuff at play, which is my favorite kind of horror story, but none of that really panned out in a satisfying way. My favorite RL Stine is when he’s not afraid to get weird – and this one never really did. All in all it’s a well executed but forgettable story.
Score: 2.5
Full Review with spoilers and gifs:
https://www.danstalter.com/party-summer/
Score: 2.5
Full Review with spoilers and gifs:
https://www.danstalter.com/party-summer/
August 6, 2022
3 stars (reread). I originally rated this 2 stars because when I started GR I rated things randomly and couldn't remember anything about this one. I know I read it and owned it, but rereading this was interesting. The beginning was boring and it wasn't until the last 75 pages where I became interested and the story took on a The Most Dangerous Game turn, which I imagine 11-year-old me didn't appreciate it because I had yet to be exposed to it. Anyway, the beginning was boring and the ending was problematic, but I liked the suspense of those chase sequences. I also didn't expect a strong witch connection to the Fear family and it was nice to see how early works inspire and connect to the overall Fear family.
March 11, 2020
I have to admit that this entry in the Fear Street series comes up short. It's actually pretty tame compared to the others and the plot seems very generic. I know that could be argued about a lot of these books, but this book just has some random kids getting mixed up in some random stuff. They have no real connection to it. The book does manage to save a little bit of face with the inclusion of the Fear family so while it's not the best Fear Street book, it's definitely not the worse.
September 25, 2019
Meh, it was ok. Not the best Fear Street book but definitely not the worst. I was hoping for the typical slasher but instead we got a lacklustre ghost story, if you can even call it that. So I was disappointed about that. And the twist about Simon I saw coming from a mile away. Regarding the history of the Fear family I found a few inconsistencies as I’ve read the Fear Street Saga books but that’s neither here nor there.
June 30, 2025
“Party Summer” by R. L. Stine is a suspenseful mystery novel.
Four teens head out together to spend their summer working at a hotel away from home. They called it “party summer.” But they quickly discover things aren’t what they seem at the hotel. Will Jan, Cari, Eric, and Craig survive their summer?
“Party Summer” has whispers of the supernatural. The tension builds through suggestions of things that might not be right, paired with no clear indication about whether they are or not (what-ifs and whys). For example, why did Aunt Rose not show up at the hotel when she was supposed to? Did she trick them into going? Is she sick? Has something happened to her? What? The back half of the story is filled with surprising twists, and everything is tied together to create a satisfying ending.
This was a re-read for me, and it was an enjoyable way to spend time.
Four teens head out together to spend their summer working at a hotel away from home. They called it “party summer.” But they quickly discover things aren’t what they seem at the hotel. Will Jan, Cari, Eric, and Craig survive their summer?
“Party Summer” has whispers of the supernatural. The tension builds through suggestions of things that might not be right, paired with no clear indication about whether they are or not (what-ifs and whys). For example, why did Aunt Rose not show up at the hotel when she was supposed to? Did she trick them into going? Is she sick? Has something happened to her? What? The back half of the story is filled with surprising twists, and everything is tied together to create a satisfying ending.
This was a re-read for me, and it was an enjoyable way to spend time.
August 27, 2021
“Party Summer” indeed , this nostalgia heavy summer read really started off fantastic the mood of that first chapter could have carried a full book but it unfortunately didn’t in this story.
The story slowly started to decline once our 4 main characters, teens looking to work at a hotel on a private island while enjoying a party summer of freedom finally make it to the island to find the hotel closed.
No spoilers but I can say the book really starts to meander around half way through and lots of red herring story lines develop that ultimately resolve into a fairly anticlimactic nothing by the end. It’s a 3 star read for me.
The story slowly started to decline once our 4 main characters, teens looking to work at a hotel on a private island while enjoying a party summer of freedom finally make it to the island to find the hotel closed.
No spoilers but I can say the book really starts to meander around half way through and lots of red herring story lines develop that ultimately resolve into a fairly anticlimactic nothing by the end. It’s a 3 star read for me.
March 31, 2023
A fun, quick read! Perfect for killing a reading slump. It moved along well, nice short chapters. Everything was pretty predictable but it's expected from these books. Perfectly formulaic! It also made me realize how much YA books loooove describing what people are wearing. Like...is that a teen thing, being obsessed with outfits? Literally every outfit worn by every character was described fully every day 😂 Anyway, good read!
June 28, 2024
A decent book with average characters and plot nothing special about it and it was just saved by the unexpected twist.
i liked the beach atmospheres and the hotel too and For a summer read on the beach, it's still a pretty good mystery and I appreciated that the book took place outside of Fear Street but still was linked to it but more than summer vibes it gave haunted mansion ones.
#VERDICT: ( 7/10)
i liked the beach atmospheres and the hotel too and For a summer read on the beach, it's still a pretty good mystery and I appreciated that the book took place outside of Fear Street but still was linked to it but more than summer vibes it gave haunted mansion ones.
#VERDICT: ( 7/10)
June 10, 2023
Very hard not to change my five star ratings on any of these Fear Street books when I can remember them so vividly as I re-read them even if some of them have been a long time back in middle or high school.
The first Super Chiller, a memorable cover and quite an exciting and interesting plot round it up to five stars thanks to nostalgia. The summary on the back has one little mistake and well...I'll get to the other matter soon.
Cari Taylor can't wait to get away from Shadyside for the summer...away from Fear Street and who wouldn't really?
Not to mention overprotective parents and an annoying younger sibling but there are her friends Jan, Craig and Eric coming along. Jan's Aunt Rose is a writer wanting to go and visit a beach resort off of Cape Cod to finish her work, inviting her niece and her friends along.
It's not exactly a free ride as the teens will be working at the hotel but they get to use the pool and the beach and hang out with other teens for most of the summer. Cari can't wait despite the fact that she thinks Eric is kind of cute but perhaps there is a summer romance ahead...
Jan is more thrilled because she is sure that the hotel they will be staying at is probably haunted since it is on the New England coast. Jan is big into ghosts and the strange and unusual to the dismay of her friends even though Craig and Eric get a kick out of teasing her about it.
When the name of the hotel is called The Howling Wolf Inn, wouldn't you think it was haunted?
Cari's mother thinks it sounds like something out of a bad horror movie and she couldn't be that far off from how this whole thing is going to go...
On the drive, Rose starts feeling really sick and they stop at her sister's where she decides to stay and rest and not go to a doctor, telling Jan and her friends that they can catch their ride to the island alone and take the next boat out to the island once she feels better.
At first reluctant, Jan gives in and the four teenagers head out and catch their boat on-time. Once there, no one meets them so they walk to the hotel and knock on the door.
A man answers and tells them they are closed in a not so nice manner. Seconds later, a different man opens the door and apologizes for the rudeness of his servant, Martin. Dressed dapper for almost an African safari is white-haired, white-mustached he introduces himself as Simon Fear the Third.
That should be a clue to send them running for the shore but no, they enter the hotel and find that it is deserted of any guests or employees. Simon says he wrote a letter to Rose telling her to postpone the trip a few more weeks as they are renovating the inn but have hit a snag with the workers leaving for another job.
In the middle of one job for another? I've heard of some hinky contractors but a whole crew?
Another red flag chosen to be ignored.
This has made Simon postpone the opening of the hotel for the summer so no jobs for Jan, Cari, Eric and Craig but...they do get full use of the pool and beach until they can reach Jan's Aunt Rose and go back home.
So that their "Party Summer" doesn't have to be over so soon, the teens convince Simon to let them help with the work and he agrees. Martin isn't happy and says it is too dangerous for inexperienced workers let alone four teenagers.
It seems like Martin doesn't want them here doesn't it?
They get shown to their rooms and that is when the trouble begins. Cari hears voices whispering her name in the halls, Jan claims to see the ghost of a woman in white and there is a sticky substance found on the doorknobs.
Protoplasma, the sure sign of a spectral presence.
There is also Edward, Simon's brother. The complete opposite of distinguished and jovial Simon with the patch over his eye roaming the halls but so far only Cari has seen him. It isn't too long after that Cari also hears another voice.
The clear voice of a woman arguing with either Simon or Edward:
"No party! Please...no party!"
So much for a "Party Summer" right? Well not the way Cari and the others had planned that's for sure and it just goes from bad to worse when Jan goes missing.
The others search for Jan and overhear an argument between Simon, Edward and the mysterious woman that soon escalates and ends in the sound of a gunshot.
Simon Fear The Third is dead at the hands of his clearly unstable brother Edward...Jan is missing and that's just the warm-up because Cari, Eric and Craig are about to find out just what sort of party awaits...
I didn't hide this review because a few of the spoilers are on the very back of the book in the description so yeah no blood dripping from the walls and faucets...but it doesn't spoil everything.
The flow is fine but once we get to the twists...the narrative starts to trickle out. Smooth sailing, a few tidal waves and then just...nothing.
Ends in typical Stine fashion of a snarky quip and then you can just imagine a freeze frame or audience applause.
For a summer read on the beach, it's still a pretty good mystery.
Haven't read Party Summer? I'd still recommend it. It's the first Super Chiller and still a fairly early Fear Street entry but it is worth a read.
Even if you only read it once...
The first Super Chiller, a memorable cover and quite an exciting and interesting plot round it up to five stars thanks to nostalgia. The summary on the back has one little mistake and well...I'll get to the other matter soon.
Cari Taylor can't wait to get away from Shadyside for the summer...away from Fear Street and who wouldn't really?
Not to mention overprotective parents and an annoying younger sibling but there are her friends Jan, Craig and Eric coming along. Jan's Aunt Rose is a writer wanting to go and visit a beach resort off of Cape Cod to finish her work, inviting her niece and her friends along.
It's not exactly a free ride as the teens will be working at the hotel but they get to use the pool and the beach and hang out with other teens for most of the summer. Cari can't wait despite the fact that she thinks Eric is kind of cute but perhaps there is a summer romance ahead...
Jan is more thrilled because she is sure that the hotel they will be staying at is probably haunted since it is on the New England coast. Jan is big into ghosts and the strange and unusual to the dismay of her friends even though Craig and Eric get a kick out of teasing her about it.
When the name of the hotel is called The Howling Wolf Inn, wouldn't you think it was haunted?
Cari's mother thinks it sounds like something out of a bad horror movie and she couldn't be that far off from how this whole thing is going to go...
On the drive, Rose starts feeling really sick and they stop at her sister's where she decides to stay and rest and not go to a doctor, telling Jan and her friends that they can catch their ride to the island alone and take the next boat out to the island once she feels better.
At first reluctant, Jan gives in and the four teenagers head out and catch their boat on-time. Once there, no one meets them so they walk to the hotel and knock on the door.
A man answers and tells them they are closed in a not so nice manner. Seconds later, a different man opens the door and apologizes for the rudeness of his servant, Martin. Dressed dapper for almost an African safari is white-haired, white-mustached he introduces himself as Simon Fear the Third.
That should be a clue to send them running for the shore but no, they enter the hotel and find that it is deserted of any guests or employees. Simon says he wrote a letter to Rose telling her to postpone the trip a few more weeks as they are renovating the inn but have hit a snag with the workers leaving for another job.
In the middle of one job for another? I've heard of some hinky contractors but a whole crew?
Another red flag chosen to be ignored.
This has made Simon postpone the opening of the hotel for the summer so no jobs for Jan, Cari, Eric and Craig but...they do get full use of the pool and beach until they can reach Jan's Aunt Rose and go back home.
So that their "Party Summer" doesn't have to be over so soon, the teens convince Simon to let them help with the work and he agrees. Martin isn't happy and says it is too dangerous for inexperienced workers let alone four teenagers.
It seems like Martin doesn't want them here doesn't it?
They get shown to their rooms and that is when the trouble begins. Cari hears voices whispering her name in the halls, Jan claims to see the ghost of a woman in white and there is a sticky substance found on the doorknobs.
Protoplasma, the sure sign of a spectral presence.
There is also Edward, Simon's brother. The complete opposite of distinguished and jovial Simon with the patch over his eye roaming the halls but so far only Cari has seen him. It isn't too long after that Cari also hears another voice.
The clear voice of a woman arguing with either Simon or Edward:
"No party! Please...no party!"
So much for a "Party Summer" right? Well not the way Cari and the others had planned that's for sure and it just goes from bad to worse when Jan goes missing.
The others search for Jan and overhear an argument between Simon, Edward and the mysterious woman that soon escalates and ends in the sound of a gunshot.
Simon Fear The Third is dead at the hands of his clearly unstable brother Edward...Jan is missing and that's just the warm-up because Cari, Eric and Craig are about to find out just what sort of party awaits...
I didn't hide this review because a few of the spoilers are on the very back of the book in the description so yeah no blood dripping from the walls and faucets...but it doesn't spoil everything.
The flow is fine but once we get to the twists...the narrative starts to trickle out. Smooth sailing, a few tidal waves and then just...nothing.
Ends in typical Stine fashion of a snarky quip and then you can just imagine a freeze frame or audience applause.
For a summer read on the beach, it's still a pretty good mystery.
Haven't read Party Summer? I'd still recommend it. It's the first Super Chiller and still a fairly early Fear Street entry but it is worth a read.
Even if you only read it once...
May 5, 2021
Did Stine even write this one? It was actually well written. One of his best. Fear Street does Nancy Drew. Loved the creepy old house with all its secret passageways. The gun toting villain reminded me of the guy in Ski Weekend.
August 19, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
September 8, 2022
This was an entertaining read. I thought I knew how the story would end, but there was a great twist that I never saw coming! It did take a little while for the story to get moving though.
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