The James Logan Courier

By Arthell Cargill, Courier Staff Writer

Broken Date by RL Stine is the short yet thrilling tale of a girl named Jamie who lives a seemingly perfect life. She is completely in love with her poor yet sweet boyfriend Tom, and with her graduation looming ahead, life seems to be going her way. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse. Jamie is worried when Tom doesn't show up for their date to the roller skating rink.

To take her mind off of worrying about Tom, Jamie's best friend, Ann-Marie, a witty red haired girl, decides that a trip to the mall would be just what she needs. While shopping, Jamie witnesses a robbery which results in the murder of the shop clerk. When Jamie tries to get a closer look at the killer, she is astonished to discover that it is Tom. A story of mystery and terror ensues as someone begins to stalk Jamie, and, to her horror, Jamie believes that it is Tom. She becomes convinced that he knows she witnessed the murder of the shop clerk and, frightened at the thought that she may tell, Tom has set out to get rid of the one living witness - and liability.

Although consistent in the cheesy, offbeat, and predictable way that only the author of Goosebumps can achieve, Broken Date captures the cheap thrill that all readers with that inner child seek.