From Publishers Weekly
Bloch's latest horror story is a disappointing effort, despite his attempt to exploit the character of Norman Bates of Psycho fame. Having decided to write a book about Bates, Amy Haines travels to Fairvale for material. She arrives in the wake of a young girl's knife-murder at the "Psycho House," a tourist trap re-creation of both the infamous Bates Motel and "mother's house." The murder serendipitously provides an angle for Amy, who has been casting about for a theme for her book. Enlisting the help of a demonologist, a newspaper publisher and a psychiatrist, Amy starts snooping around the once-sleepy community. Predictably, the townsfolk, including the sheriff, do not appreciate the intrusion. After several other victims are attacked with a knife and the tires of Amy's car are slashed, she is convinced that the murderer is closing in on her. But Amy's sleuthing has no real focus beyond her determination to find the killer, so we simply follow her around and wait for something to happen. Though Bloch provides all the elements of a horror story, they fail to coalesce into a truly frightening yarn.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Its been ten years since Norman Bates died, and a local entrepreneur has rebuilt the Bates House and Motel as a tourist trap. Then the murders begin. While not quite as good as Psycho (Warner, 1982) or The Night of the Ripper (Tor, 1986), Bloch's superb storytelling skills, combined with his masterful use of tension and suspense, make for excellent reading. The subject matter and Bloch's name alone should ensure the book's popularity among the YA horror crowd. --John Lawson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
