Obsession
by Donny Stephens

    OBSESSION by Donny Stephens
    Category:  Mystery/Thriller
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  2009
    Publisher:  Idea Publishing
    Reviewed by:  Breanna F.
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Amy Brantley is a normal 16-year-old girl. When her parents divorce, her mother, Claire, and Amy move to a
    small town that is located a couple hours away from their old home. This town is called Andersonville. Amy's
    father, John, is a private detective and never had any time for his family because of his work, which was the main
    cause of the divorce.

    Amy has always taken great interest in her father's work and wants to be a private detective herself someday.
    When Amy and Claire first get to Andersonville, Amy meets a nice old man who owns a little gift shop. She talks
    to him a few times and he tells her that Andersonville isn't a very nice place. He tells her stories about how the town
    was built and about an evil man who he thinks took over the starting of the town.

    On Amy's first day of school, she meets a boy named Joshua Freedman. Right away, he takes a liking to Amy and
    asks her out. Amy, of course, accepts, because Joshua seems like a nice enough guy and he's also attractive.

    Claire gets a job as a bank teller at the local bank. Her boss is Bobby Freedman, Joshua's father. Not long after
    being hired, Claire realizes that Bobby has taken a liking to her. Bobby's wife realizes this, too, and all of this
    drama is starting to confuse Claire.

    After only a couple of dates with Joshua, Amy realizes that he may be becoming obsessed with her. He starts to be
    really controlling and more demanding. Whenever another guy even tries to talk to Amy, Joshua will either beat him
    up or get someone else to do it.

    After a bad date with Joshua one night, Amy comes home to find her mother watching the news. When she asks
    her mother what is going on, Claire tells her that the old man from the gift shop is dead. She says that everyone
    thinks it was a suicide, but Amy knows better than that. She's determined to put her detective skills to work and
    dig up the dirt on this town.

    If she doesn't, who knows what could happen to her or her mother...

    OBSESSION was a pretty intense read. The first few chapters are a little slow, but it soon picks up after that. The
    ending is especially action-packed. It literally had me on the edge of my seat. This was a pretty great book except
    for a few small things. Sometimes some of what the characters were saying didn't seem to completely fit.

    However, I think it's a  great read for anyone who likes mystery and action. I loved how determined Amy was to
    find out what was going on in the town, and I really liked how Claire handled everything with her boss and his wife.
    Overall, I think OBSESSION was a pretty good book that I would recommend to others.
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