SLIS 5420, Module #8: What Happened to Cass McBride?

Okay- let's face it. I talk. In fact, I talk a lot. So, it's really rare when a book renders me speechless. However, this week's mystery for high school readers, What Happened To Cass McBride? by Gail Giles has totally, completely, and surprisingly, done just that.

Summary

This thrilling mystery novel uncovers the facts about what happened to Cass McBride. Told in flashbacks from three different points of view, the story opens as readers meet Kyle, Cass's captor, as he tells his side of things from an interrogation room in jail. As Kyle explains (in bits and pieces, mind you), he believes something Cass has done forced his younger brother, David, to commit suicide earlier in the week. His brother's suicide is somewhat of a tipping point for Kyle, and in an attempt to seek revenge on Cass, he has buried her alive.

Readers also see this chilling tale from Cass's perspective, as she experiences the horror that is her experience being underground in a box for several days. Using her strength, quick wits, and powers of persuasion, Cass manages to get her captor, Kyle, talking about his brother and most importantly, his mother. As Cass listens to Kyle, she uncovers the real cause of David's suicide, his horribly verbally abusive mother.

In a stunning conclusion, readers learn of Cass's dramatic rescue, thanks to the young and committed detective on the case, Ben, whom readers also follow throughout the book as he uses his suave investigative skills to crack the case.
My thoughts

I've never read an adult thriller, which I probably why I am left so speechless after reading What Happened To Cass McBride. I absolutely kept guessing until the very end and I loved how Kyle, Cass and Ben's stories are interwoven in a series of entertaining and chilling flashbacks. With that said, I can't help but think about the parts of the book that made me cringe (and not necessarily in a bad way...). From the dirty details of being buried alive to the frighteningly cruel antics of Kyle and David's mother, I can't help but wonder, did I love the book or am I just so shocked by it that I think I did?

What have others said?

From School Library Journal (2007):

Giles's characters are frighteningly believable. The story is part mystery, part psychological drama that involves dysfunctional families and abuse, and part crime investigation. It is told by Cass, her captor, and the police investigating her disappearance. Slowly, through these narrations, readers see what caused David's suicide and Kyle's anger and are given insight as to why Cass behaves as she does. This book will disturb readers, frighten them, and make them feel as though they are trapped like the characters. It is a thrilling, one-sitting read that they won't be able to put down.

And, from the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (2006):

This is an arresting premise, recalling Lois Duncan with its suspense and readability (short chapters, with point of view differentiated by typeface and title, make this particularly inviting to reluctant readers), and there's an interesting exploration of the character of Cass, a girl who's genuinely taking stock of her unquestioned drive to get ahead at all costs even as it's helping her survive. The writing is uneven, though, with the police sections particularly flat and stilted; Mrs. Kirby is a psychologically simplistic villain and Kyle fairly predictable, while Cass' iron will is so much in the forefront throughout the book that her post-release breakdown and reformation seem out of character. This will nonetheless be an easy booktalk, and fans of the author's Shattering Glass will likely forgive the deficits here to enjoy the psychological thrills.

Some ideas for the library or classroom

What Happened to Cass McBride will undoubtedly keep reluctant teen readers reading until the very end. With is short length and accessible language, any teen looking for a realistic thrill (and maybe, some nightmares, too) will keep reading. The author, Gail Giles, writes several other mystery novels for teens, too. *Just make sure before you recommend this book, preface it with the fact that the story is very graphic!*

Because of it's graphic nature, I am not sure this book has a place in many classrooms. However, the texts flashbacks and change in perspective lends itself well to lessons on point of view and literary elements. Adding excerpts from What Happened to Cass McBride to a high school literature course is sure to get the attention of teens everywhere!

References

Giles, G. (2006). What Happened to Cass McBride? New York, NY: Little, Brown, and Company

Quinones, S. (2007). [Review of the book, What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles]. School Library Journal, 53(2), 116.

Stevenson, D. (2006). [Review of the book, What Happened to Cass McBride? by Gail Giles]. Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books, 60(4), 171.