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Knifepoint
Jill took a job which sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. She didn't realize that the money was terrible, the hours long and the coworkers insufferable. After a blow-up with her boss, she takes a single man into the mountains for a ride, only to find that he is a dangerous killer. When Jill fights back and manages to escape, she is in a desperate race to survive and make it to safety.
Also available in Spanish.
Also available in Spanish.
128 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
18 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Alex Van Tol
15 books25 followersI'm the author of 13 YA and middle grade books. When I'm not writing, I travel to schools to speak with groups of students. I love visiting schools!
I also work as a full-time freelance writer, creating stories and articles for universities, government organizations, magazines and more.
A few random facts:
* The most I've ever written in a single day is 14,000 words. That was a very, very long day.
* I print. I don't use handwriting.
* I like cats and horses. I used to work as a wrangler on an Alberta ranch.
* Stephen King was my favourite writer growing up.
* Small spaces worry me. You won't find me wiggling through caves on my tummy anytime soon.
* My favourite authors are Jonathan Franzen, Cormac McCarthy, Paulo Coelho, Amy Tan, JK Rowling and Jeff Kinney.
I also work as a full-time freelance writer, creating stories and articles for universities, government organizations, magazines and more.
A few random facts:
* The most I've ever written in a single day is 14,000 words. That was a very, very long day.
* I print. I don't use handwriting.
* I like cats and horses. I used to work as a wrangler on an Alberta ranch.
* Stephen King was my favourite writer growing up.
* Small spaces worry me. You won't find me wiggling through caves on my tummy anytime soon.
* My favourite authors are Jonathan Franzen, Cormac McCarthy, Paulo Coelho, Amy Tan, JK Rowling and Jeff Kinney.
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March 16, 2018 Knifepoint
I picked this book because the title stood out to me. I also picked this book because I read other books by the same author. The main characters of “Knifepoint” are Jill, James, and Kristi. Jill takes a job that sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. My book is about a teen named Jill who finds a perfect job in the summer to make quick cash. Jill takes a guy out for a ride that seemed kinda weird. Jill later finds herself in trouble with a crazy killer that has a knife pointed at her face. the book is mostly set at the rance and the mountains. Knifepoint was scary and overwhelming at the same time. My favorite part of the book was when Jill took the weird guy out for a ride alone and found herself in a scary situation. I liked this part of the story because it made the story way more interesting and made me want to read more. When I was reading Knifepoint I kinda expected that Jill was gonna be in that situation because she didn’t tell anyone that she was taking a customer out for a mountain ride.
The book was really good overall it really made want to read scary books even more. I really enjoyed this book and the flow of it. What I learned about the book is that you should always tell someone where you are going. I would highly recommend other kids and adults to read this book it would hook you on very fast.
I picked this book because the title stood out to me. I also picked this book because I read other books by the same author. The main characters of “Knifepoint” are Jill, James, and Kristi. Jill takes a job that sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. My book is about a teen named Jill who finds a perfect job in the summer to make quick cash. Jill takes a guy out for a ride that seemed kinda weird. Jill later finds herself in trouble with a crazy killer that has a knife pointed at her face. the book is mostly set at the rance and the mountains. Knifepoint was scary and overwhelming at the same time. My favorite part of the book was when Jill took the weird guy out for a ride alone and found herself in a scary situation. I liked this part of the story because it made the story way more interesting and made me want to read more. When I was reading Knifepoint I kinda expected that Jill was gonna be in that situation because she didn’t tell anyone that she was taking a customer out for a mountain ride.
The book was really good overall it really made want to read scary books even more. I really enjoyed this book and the flow of it. What I learned about the book is that you should always tell someone where you are going. I would highly recommend other kids and adults to read this book it would hook you on very fast.
July 16, 2022
I read this book in 2019 and I’ve been trying to find the title for SO long because I remember I really liked this book, AND I FINALLY FOUND IT!
February 19, 2020
By Alex Von ToL
The book I read was called Knife Point by Alex Von ToL. This book was overall about a women name Jill who took a summer job at a ranch taking care of horses and guiding tourist on trails around the mountains. Until one day she takes a guy riding horses in a trail and he turns out to be a crazy killer. I really enjoyed this book because it made you want to keep reading it had a lot of action thrills that made you more interested in it.
This book is about a girl name Jill who enjoys her job but doesn’t realize that the money is terrible, the hours are long but she doesn’t care she likes to take people around the trails and show them around on horses. One day Jill get in to a big fight with her boss James she take a guy name Darren out on a ride by her self and only him and Jill finds him attractive. Everything is fine they are having a good time until Jill stops to show him something he grabs her and won’t let her go finally she got out but hurt her arm and he grabbed her again and pulled out a knife jill does her best and fights him off she get away until her horse kicks her off and leaves her behind as she forgets what happens she wakes up to find her self tied up Darren found her again but she keeps fighting and get away and finds help.
I really liked this book had a lot of action in it drama and a lot of thrills. It made you want to keep reading it you think she would be safe and then another thing would happen to her. Jill never gave up she kept on fighting and was not gonna let Darren kill her she kept on going. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book especially if you are into thrills and drama.
The book I read was called Knife Point by Alex Von ToL. This book was overall about a women name Jill who took a summer job at a ranch taking care of horses and guiding tourist on trails around the mountains. Until one day she takes a guy riding horses in a trail and he turns out to be a crazy killer. I really enjoyed this book because it made you want to keep reading it had a lot of action thrills that made you more interested in it.
This book is about a girl name Jill who enjoys her job but doesn’t realize that the money is terrible, the hours are long but she doesn’t care she likes to take people around the trails and show them around on horses. One day Jill get in to a big fight with her boss James she take a guy name Darren out on a ride by her self and only him and Jill finds him attractive. Everything is fine they are having a good time until Jill stops to show him something he grabs her and won’t let her go finally she got out but hurt her arm and he grabbed her again and pulled out a knife jill does her best and fights him off she get away until her horse kicks her off and leaves her behind as she forgets what happens she wakes up to find her self tied up Darren found her again but she keeps fighting and get away and finds help.
I really liked this book had a lot of action in it drama and a lot of thrills. It made you want to keep reading it you think she would be safe and then another thing would happen to her. Jill never gave up she kept on fighting and was not gonna let Darren kill her she kept on going. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book especially if you are into thrills and drama.
July 9, 2012
So, apparently Orca Book Publishers is known for shorter, more action-packed books for young adults and other "reluctant" readers that make sure to keep the pace fast and the story short in order to appeal to those who may otherwise not enjoy reading.
Well, I'm not really the target audience here, I guess. I'm not really into action/thriller type novels and short ones like these drive me a little nuts. But, if you fall into any of the aforementioned categories, give it a try. It's a quick one-sitting type read.
Now, as far as plot goes -- there's really not much here. A girl gets a job working at a ranch where she spends all day single-handedly tending to horses and giving tours and adventure rides while her boss and coworkers sit around doing nothing. She hates her job and has her mind set on making this her last day -- so she doesn't really see the signs when a single, mysterious man requests a tour to a deserted area in the middle of nothing.
As you may have guessed from the title, she is then held captive at knifepoint, and then the rest of the (short) 110 pages or so hit plot-point after plot-point (with little introspection between) as our heroine (whose name I've already forgotten) struggles to get away.
There was really nothing about this one that should have led me to pick it up, so I'm probably not the fairest or most unbiased for a review. If the snippet on the back sounds like your kind of thing, give it a read. If all else fails, you haven't lost much time on this one!
Well, I'm not really the target audience here, I guess. I'm not really into action/thriller type novels and short ones like these drive me a little nuts. But, if you fall into any of the aforementioned categories, give it a try. It's a quick one-sitting type read.
Now, as far as plot goes -- there's really not much here. A girl gets a job working at a ranch where she spends all day single-handedly tending to horses and giving tours and adventure rides while her boss and coworkers sit around doing nothing. She hates her job and has her mind set on making this her last day -- so she doesn't really see the signs when a single, mysterious man requests a tour to a deserted area in the middle of nothing.
As you may have guessed from the title, she is then held captive at knifepoint, and then the rest of the (short) 110 pages or so hit plot-point after plot-point (with little introspection between) as our heroine (whose name I've already forgotten) struggles to get away.
There was really nothing about this one that should have led me to pick it up, so I'm probably not the fairest or most unbiased for a review. If the snippet on the back sounds like your kind of thing, give it a read. If all else fails, you haven't lost much time on this one!
December 17, 2017
Knifepoint, I rate a 3 out of 5 stars for many various reasons. This book is a great story to read if you are interested in stories that provide a nice thrill. But the storyline of the book is very short and not as detailed as longer more developed novels. It does give a nice suspense that will keep you wondering throughout the book. It takes place in a small town, where a young woman who takes travelers out on adventures rides through the woods on horseback ends up in a sticky situation. One day she is meet by a an imposed “adventure rider” as well, and she takes him on an adventure ride, just the 2 of them. But soon to find out she realizes that he is a killer and has no idea how she will get out of her current position. She tries to stay clam through the whole thing but her emotions begin to get the best of her. Will she survive? Cam she fine the strength to overcome her fear? All these questions is what leaves you on the edge and thinking throughout this story. Even though it is not very long it gives little aspects of a great storyline. Although it starts out slow, you have to keep at it and stick through it. One of those book you can easily get bored and sidetracked on but the ending will be worth the read I’m the end. The only thing that you might feel you missing from this book is the lack of longing details that it doesn’t give. But even despite all of that you can find your enjoyment in it.
September 23, 2019
2⭐️ because there’s really not much to it, but it was exactly what it’s designed to be: Fast paced, “high interest” short fiction for reluctant readers. I have a student who is hooked on these so I’m giving them a try in an effort to customize some assignments for her. I can see their appeal!
May 1, 2018
It is a very good to read, but some of the things I didn't really like is that it kind of confuses me a bit from parts of the story, but in total i love this book and it is worth reading.
March 25, 2019
A punto de cuchillo es un libro muy interesante sobre un muchacho en medio de una tragedia de asesinatos.
April 25, 2019
I liked this book, the beginning was a little boring but it got exciting really quick
November 21, 2019
I liked the book but i could never tell if the protagonist was a girl or boy so based on the cover the protagonists is a boy.
October 3, 2020
This was legit the shortest book I’ve ever read. Wow.
December 9, 2020
Good short read. The story is somewhat predictable but for a quick read it was good.
July 30, 2022
maybe 2.5?
August 11, 2022
Action packed + pretty well written. More like a novella. It was good but not spectacular.
September 5, 2022
Oh my lord this was a thriller all right, I was so scared all throughout the book, and although it was more like The Black Phone(more of a short story than full book) it was amazing nonetheless
December 28, 2023
Good, not great. Interesting and fast paced.
January 22, 2025
MEH!! Kristi & Abby Tabby
July 21, 2022
( 2011 )
Nothing special. I'm not mad at it tho. I liked the fight the main character had
Nothing special. I'm not mad at it tho. I liked the fight the main character had
May 29, 2013
KNIFEPOINT
By Alex Van Tol
Review by Alisa Hoerth
Looking at this book you automatically figure the main character (Jill) will encounter someone with a knife, which if you like action thrillers this will intrigue you to open up the book. Alex Van Tol made me feel like I was with Jill the entire time when she wrote Knifepoint. Jill chose her summer job of guiding tourists on horse trail rides in the mountains. However, she realized how much she would have to work and how little she would end up getting paid.
Jill is the reason why this book is so good. She is so hard working at her summer job away from her friends and family. She makes me feel the way she does throughout the book. Never once did I get bored in this book. She keeps you interested and makes you wants to keep reading.
Jill’s boss found out she has a boyfriend back home so he makes her do all the work while the other girls get to hangout and be late to work all the time. She got so frustrated she ends up taking a lone man on a long trail ride without checking to see if he actually paid to ride. Later finding out he is a sadistic rapist and killer. She has to use all her strength if she wants to make it back alive.
The day started out with a nearly impossible task - rounding up 60 horses and getting them saddled and ready for the scheduled trail rides. The work was exhausting and made more difficult by the fact that Jill knew her co-workers were probably still tucked in their beds, sleeping off the fun times of the previous night. The only thing to brighten her day was the good-looking guy she spotted hanging out around the corral. After a morning trail ride, Jill expected to have a quick lunch and get a few minutes of rest, but the handsome tourist approached her and stated that he was her next scheduled appointment. He announced that he was interested in a wilderness adventure ride. The adventure rides were really for the experts, and Jill had never put herself in that category. Jill isn't prepared for what happens next. This ride may turn out to be the last one she ever takes.
What I loved about the writing style is that there was a lot of what will happen next in it. Knifepoint will lead you on and you will want to never put it down. It also uses really good description so you understand it completely like when Jill says “Suddenly, rage and fear coil my guts into a tight spring.”
Author Alex Van Tol takes readers on a terrifying adventure. The relaxing mountain ride becomes a life-threatening experience when the handsome tourist turns out to be a psychotic killer. More than half of this short, fast-paced book is filled with deadly action. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to find out how everything ends.
The only part I didn’t really enjoy about the book was the ending. It really made you upset because you want to know what happens to Jill. You want to see if she told people or if she will ever be ok after this life threatening incident. The book ends with a hanger because you don’t have a clue what happens after this.
By Alex Van Tol
Review by Alisa Hoerth
Looking at this book you automatically figure the main character (Jill) will encounter someone with a knife, which if you like action thrillers this will intrigue you to open up the book. Alex Van Tol made me feel like I was with Jill the entire time when she wrote Knifepoint. Jill chose her summer job of guiding tourists on horse trail rides in the mountains. However, she realized how much she would have to work and how little she would end up getting paid.
Jill is the reason why this book is so good. She is so hard working at her summer job away from her friends and family. She makes me feel the way she does throughout the book. Never once did I get bored in this book. She keeps you interested and makes you wants to keep reading.
Jill’s boss found out she has a boyfriend back home so he makes her do all the work while the other girls get to hangout and be late to work all the time. She got so frustrated she ends up taking a lone man on a long trail ride without checking to see if he actually paid to ride. Later finding out he is a sadistic rapist and killer. She has to use all her strength if she wants to make it back alive.
The day started out with a nearly impossible task - rounding up 60 horses and getting them saddled and ready for the scheduled trail rides. The work was exhausting and made more difficult by the fact that Jill knew her co-workers were probably still tucked in their beds, sleeping off the fun times of the previous night. The only thing to brighten her day was the good-looking guy she spotted hanging out around the corral. After a morning trail ride, Jill expected to have a quick lunch and get a few minutes of rest, but the handsome tourist approached her and stated that he was her next scheduled appointment. He announced that he was interested in a wilderness adventure ride. The adventure rides were really for the experts, and Jill had never put herself in that category. Jill isn't prepared for what happens next. This ride may turn out to be the last one she ever takes.
What I loved about the writing style is that there was a lot of what will happen next in it. Knifepoint will lead you on and you will want to never put it down. It also uses really good description so you understand it completely like when Jill says “Suddenly, rage and fear coil my guts into a tight spring.”
Author Alex Van Tol takes readers on a terrifying adventure. The relaxing mountain ride becomes a life-threatening experience when the handsome tourist turns out to be a psychotic killer. More than half of this short, fast-paced book is filled with deadly action. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to find out how everything ends.
The only part I didn’t really enjoy about the book was the ending. It really made you upset because you want to know what happens to Jill. You want to see if she told people or if she will ever be ok after this life threatening incident. The book ends with a hanger because you don’t have a clue what happens after this.
June 13, 2011
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
It was supposed to be a chance to get a taste of country life before she had to settle down to something more serious. Jill thought working in the mountains, taking vacationers on horseback adventures, would be a great summer job. Unfortunately, things were not working out on a number of different levels.
Her co-workers seemed to have more fun partying every night, which left Jill to take up the slack every morning. If that wasn't bad enough, her boss, James, seemed to think it was his duty to make life even more miserable. He was demanding, and at the same time incredibly creepy. She was beginning to think this might be her last day on the job.
The day started out with a nearly impossible task - rounding up 60 horses and getting them saddled and ready for the scheduled trail rides. The work was exhausting and made more difficult by the fact that Jill knew her co-workers were probably still tucked in their beds, sleeping off the fun times of the previous night. The only thing to brighten her day was the good-looking guy she spotted hanging out around the corral.
After a morning trail ride, Jill expected to have a quick lunch and get a few minutes of rest, but the handsome tourist approached her and stated that he was her next scheduled appointment. He announced that he was interested in a wilderness adventure ride. The adventure rides were really for the experts, and Jill had never put herself in that category; however, James was right there to insist that she was the person for the job.
Once the ride began, Jill quickly assessed that her companion was not much of a horseman, so she was able to slow things down and truly begin to enjoy the afternoon ride. They headed up to an area surrounding a deserted mill that always impressed the visitors.
Jill isn't prepared for what happens next. This ride may turn out to be the last one she ever takes.
Author Alex Van Tol takes readers on a terrifying adventure. The relaxing mountain ride becomes a life-threatening experience when the handsome tourist turns out to be a psychotic killer. More than half of this short, fast-paced book is filled with deadly action. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to find out how everything ends.
It was supposed to be a chance to get a taste of country life before she had to settle down to something more serious. Jill thought working in the mountains, taking vacationers on horseback adventures, would be a great summer job. Unfortunately, things were not working out on a number of different levels.
Her co-workers seemed to have more fun partying every night, which left Jill to take up the slack every morning. If that wasn't bad enough, her boss, James, seemed to think it was his duty to make life even more miserable. He was demanding, and at the same time incredibly creepy. She was beginning to think this might be her last day on the job.
The day started out with a nearly impossible task - rounding up 60 horses and getting them saddled and ready for the scheduled trail rides. The work was exhausting and made more difficult by the fact that Jill knew her co-workers were probably still tucked in their beds, sleeping off the fun times of the previous night. The only thing to brighten her day was the good-looking guy she spotted hanging out around the corral.
After a morning trail ride, Jill expected to have a quick lunch and get a few minutes of rest, but the handsome tourist approached her and stated that he was her next scheduled appointment. He announced that he was interested in a wilderness adventure ride. The adventure rides were really for the experts, and Jill had never put herself in that category; however, James was right there to insist that she was the person for the job.
Once the ride began, Jill quickly assessed that her companion was not much of a horseman, so she was able to slow things down and truly begin to enjoy the afternoon ride. They headed up to an area surrounding a deserted mill that always impressed the visitors.
Jill isn't prepared for what happens next. This ride may turn out to be the last one she ever takes.
Author Alex Van Tol takes readers on a terrifying adventure. The relaxing mountain ride becomes a life-threatening experience when the handsome tourist turns out to be a psychotic killer. More than half of this short, fast-paced book is filled with deadly action. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough to find out how everything ends.
February 21, 2017
A quick thriller set in nature.
June 8, 2015
In a very short book, Van Tol has done a great job of telling a story of suspense, of getting into the mind of a crazed killer.
Jill is working on a mountain ranch for the summer. It sounded like a great job—riding horses, hanging with other teens. But she finds that what she thought would be her weekly salary is actually her monthly salary. After all, she gets room and board on the ranch, right? And then the other teens, who are great to party with, aren’t so great to work with. After a hard night of drinking, they don’t want to get up in the morning and take the ranch guests out on horse trails.
When the son of the ranch owner insists that Jill do more than her share of work while he slacks off, Jill has had it. A man from another local ranch wants to be taken on a wilderness ride, off trail, where the experienced riders go. Jill is so mad that she doesn’t bother to register the guest. She just takes off with him into the wilderness.
The problem is that this is no fellow rider from a nearby ranch. He’s a psychopath and his goal is to get Jill far into the mountains and then kill her. He plays a cat and mouse game. Jill knows the area and is a strong rider. But is that enough to get away from a well-prepared weirdo?
High school housekeeping: Knifepoint is one of the books in the Orca Soundings series and is meant for students working on their reading skills. The Lexile level is 610, so it is somewhere in the 4th to 5th grade reading level. If you are working to improve your reading skills, this is a great choice for a story you won’t be able to put down.
NOTE: This review is also posted on my blog School Library Lady.
Jill is working on a mountain ranch for the summer. It sounded like a great job—riding horses, hanging with other teens. But she finds that what she thought would be her weekly salary is actually her monthly salary. After all, she gets room and board on the ranch, right? And then the other teens, who are great to party with, aren’t so great to work with. After a hard night of drinking, they don’t want to get up in the morning and take the ranch guests out on horse trails.
When the son of the ranch owner insists that Jill do more than her share of work while he slacks off, Jill has had it. A man from another local ranch wants to be taken on a wilderness ride, off trail, where the experienced riders go. Jill is so mad that she doesn’t bother to register the guest. She just takes off with him into the wilderness.
The problem is that this is no fellow rider from a nearby ranch. He’s a psychopath and his goal is to get Jill far into the mountains and then kill her. He plays a cat and mouse game. Jill knows the area and is a strong rider. But is that enough to get away from a well-prepared weirdo?
High school housekeeping: Knifepoint is one of the books in the Orca Soundings series and is meant for students working on their reading skills. The Lexile level is 610, so it is somewhere in the 4th to 5th grade reading level. If you are working to improve your reading skills, this is a great choice for a story you won’t be able to put down.
NOTE: This review is also posted on my blog School Library Lady.
September 5, 2011
When Jill chose her summer job of guiding tourists on horse trail rides in the mountains, she thought it was the better choice than her friends who served drinks in bars. However, her dream of a perfect job quickly died when she realized how hard she would have to work and how little she would end up getting paid. To make it even worse, when her young boss realizes she has a boyfriend back home, Jill ends up being the one chosen to do all the work while the other pretty blonde girls get to hang out at the ranch. She’s so frustrated by this and argues with her boss. Not thinking clearly, she takes out a lone man on a trail ride without double checking that he was actually a paid client. Unfortunately, her lone client ends up being a sadistic rapist and killer. It will take all of Jill’s courage, strength, stamina and mental ability to outwit this psycho and make it back to the ranch alive. While I am sure reluctant readers will like this action-filled read, they will definitely have to suspend reality to believe how some of this excitement occurs. Jill’s almost super-human reactions are not believable, but it is fast-paced. This is a typical Orca Soundings book with a reading level of 3.8.
June 19, 2011
I borrowed this from the library at school today. One thing I really hate about library books is that they put the stickers right over the back of the book so you can’t read the synopsis… so I went into this book blind. I picked it up mainly because of the title, Knifepoint. Having no idea what I was about to read, I began the book with trepidation, thinking it would be way below my interest and reading level (which is why I’ve never read an Orca Soundings book before). While it is below my reading level, it is right on target with interest level, and I was hooked! Now, the beginning of this book is a little slow–Jill describes her summer job as a ranch hand, and I really didn’t understand where the book was going, but very soon the story picked up and the suspense of the novel was really killing me. My heart started to accelerate as Jill realized that she was alone with a psychopathic killer, and I could not put the book down!
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
To see my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
April 18, 2016
Orca Soundings books provide my reluctant readers and my ELL students with stories that grab their attention. That's what I love about these little gems. Many students have gone on to read more challenging material after reading one or more of these small books.
Recently, one of my ELL students read the copy of Knifepoint I have in Spanish and begged me to read the English copy. It gave us a platform to discuss a story in English, not her native language.
No, Orca Soundings books aren't to be compared with books vying for the Newbery or the National Book Award; however, they have their place in my classroom library for that student who "hates reading" or that student learning to read in English.
Fortunately, Knifepoint pulls the reader into Jill's story quickly as she finds herself on a trail ride with a ruthless killer. Even as an experienced reader, I wanted to find out whether Jill successfully made it out of the clutches of this "wolf in sheep's clothing." Knifepoint is a good solid read that will spur my reluctant teens into reading more challenging texts.
Recently, one of my ELL students read the copy of Knifepoint I have in Spanish and begged me to read the English copy. It gave us a platform to discuss a story in English, not her native language.
No, Orca Soundings books aren't to be compared with books vying for the Newbery or the National Book Award; however, they have their place in my classroom library for that student who "hates reading" or that student learning to read in English.
Fortunately, Knifepoint pulls the reader into Jill's story quickly as she finds herself on a trail ride with a ruthless killer. Even as an experienced reader, I wanted to find out whether Jill successfully made it out of the clutches of this "wolf in sheep's clothing." Knifepoint is a good solid read that will spur my reluctant teens into reading more challenging texts.
February 9, 2011
This was my first time reading an Orca book, and I didn't know quite what to expect. The plot was all right, nothing stunning. In case you are unfamiliar with Orca books, they are high interest/low reading level, so if you picked one up without knowing what it was you might be highly disappointed. But for someone with a low reading level, there is enough action to keep their interest. I would not recommend this to those with high reading levels.
Product Description
Jill took a job which sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. She didn't realize that the money was terrible, the hours long and the coworkers insufferable. After a blow-up with her boss, she takes a single man into the mountains for a ride, only to find that he is a dangerous killer. When Jill fights back and manages to escape, she is in a desperate race to survive and make it to safety.
Product Description
Jill took a job which sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. She didn't realize that the money was terrible, the hours long and the coworkers insufferable. After a blow-up with her boss, she takes a single man into the mountains for a ride, only to find that he is a dangerous killer. When Jill fights back and manages to escape, she is in a desperate race to survive and make it to safety.
July 25, 2011
I thought this was a great Hi/Lo book. Clearly from the title I knew the main character would have some interaction with a person and a knife, so I did know what was coming as Jill went on her adventure ride. This book has enough "what will happen next" in it to keep the reader interested. Even though it is an easy read; I did not get bored with it at any time. In fact I could not put it down until I was completely done. I had to know what would happen to Jill and know if this mad man could ever die. There is clearly a lesson to be learned from the story and you read this through Jill's thoughts back to things she should have done, but didn't because this cute guy had her heart beating and her boss had her anger abrupting. It shows how little mistakes can lead to a very dangerous outcome. I thouroughly enjoyed reading this book.
August 31, 2011
This was the perfect, scary book! The plot was believable and incredibaly fast. This book should serve as a warning-the same thing could happen to anyone with a killer around.
So dear children, the moral of the story, is always tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back by. And, although in some jobs it may be nessacary, never talk to good looking strangers, as those could be the most messed up!
This is a orca book, I think it's like a series of books put together by different authors. Most of these books aren't too long, but are very pleasurable.
A must read, but bordering on the lines of mature content, as it is..well, Jill almost got killed-it's a book about a dangerous killer..therefor, consider if you want to read it!
I read it in one sitting.
So dear children, the moral of the story, is always tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back by. And, although in some jobs it may be nessacary, never talk to good looking strangers, as those could be the most messed up!
This is a orca book, I think it's like a series of books put together by different authors. Most of these books aren't too long, but are very pleasurable.
A must read, but bordering on the lines of mature content, as it is..well, Jill almost got killed-it's a book about a dangerous killer..therefor, consider if you want to read it!
I read it in one sitting.
August 23, 2012
She already knew the summer job was a mistake. The hours were long, the pay horrible, and everyone else was dumping all the real work onto her shoulders. Then just as she decides to quit, Jill finds out that the last ride she plans to take, might truly be the last ride - of her life.
Suspenseful, and downright scary at times, Knifepoint kept me reading until the end. And made me look at the people around me a bit closer.
After all, there are psychopaths everywhere. And sometimes they have a nice smile.
Suspenseful, and downright scary at times, Knifepoint kept me reading until the end. And made me look at the people around me a bit closer.
After all, there are psychopaths everywhere. And sometimes they have a nice smile.
July 10, 2016
This book was an easy-to-continue read. I started it at 1:00 PM and finished before 3:00 PM; not because it was elementary or simplistic, but because I was that pulled in to the plot-line.
It deals with a scary topic; a man that captures the main character with intent to kill her, and she has to try to not only survive but escape. Without getting into any details about the end results, I did have difficulty putting the book down once I started!
It deals with a scary topic; a man that captures the main character with intent to kill her, and she has to try to not only survive but escape. Without getting into any details about the end results, I did have difficulty putting the book down once I started!
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