This is a fun supernatural thriller from the master of teen horror, Christopher Pike. Trends have moved on and most Pike books are out of print now, but I kept this one on my shelf as I think it’s something out of the ordinary.
The story is narrated by the ghost of Shari Cooper, who died aged eighteen after falling from a balcony at a friend’s party. Suicide is assumed but Shari knows she was pushed. The story is partly about her quest to solve her own murder and partly an exploration of grief, with discussions about the afterlife. In some ways it’s a sad story and more contemplative than horrific. However, it’s also darkly humorous.
Pike manages to provide enough characterisation and sense of place to set the story in context, but it’s as minimal as possible. That’s his style and I like it. The book is fairly short, in keeping with the other YA books he wrote. Having read Remember Me twice before, I ‘remembered’ some of it, but not all of the twists. I know there were sequels but really it doesn’t seem like the kind of story which requires them.
I have to say, the cover is a little misleading. Shari is not out for revenge. She only wants people to remember her (not in a sinister way) and to ensure that the murderer is prevented from striking again.
First published in 1989.
Wow! What a blast from the past! I read this book and #2 and 3 in middle school. I loved them at the time but I have no idea what adult me would say. I’m sure I still have them packed up. The cover on mine is different, it has like 2 hands coming out of it. Maybe not as misleading as this one but I’m still not sure it accurately captured the spirit of the book.
Great post as always!
Glad to have triggered some nostalgia for you?! Would you read them again? It’s interesting how the book cover doesn’t represent the story but I suppose they wanted it to match the other, more horrific, ones. Thanks for reading!
I would definitely read them again. I don’t remember them that well so it would be interesting to see what comes back as I read and if I still agree with myself that they were good haha. I agree that must have been what they were going for.
My teen years were filled by Pike! I’m sure I have read it but I can’t quite remember 🤣😂
Great review as always.
His books were the best in the genre! I probably read most of them from the library. I have 3 of his others on my shelf. Thanks for reading 😀
Heard of him but haven’t read any of his books. Just didn’t call out to me. But your ‘darkly humorous’ description of the book had me intrigued 🙂 Great review, NS!
I was really into horror when I was around 12 – 16 so I read a lot of Pike, Point Horror, Stephen King etc 😀 There is no reason you would want to read Pike unless (I think) you had memories of reading him the first time around as a teen. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Wow I just love that cover! 😀 This sounds like something I would just love to read although I haven’t heard of that particular book before. Great review! 🙂
It’s a spooky book but not as horrific as the cover suggests 🙂 You would probably like it, however Pike is not really in fashion any more so you would have to get it second hand rather than the library. Thanks 🙂
I guess it’s like a lot of Point Horror books of the past, some of them had terrifying covers that were darker than the actual story 😀 I don’t mind searching for a second hand copy, I went a bit mad back about ten years ago buying up a bunch of second hand point horror books when they appeared in a local charity shop. :p 🙂
I don’t have any Point Horror books left, I doubt I would re-read them, but it’s always worth tracking books you used to love, even for the nostalgia value 🙂
I so hate it when the cover of the book doesn’t quite match the story! LIKE HOW HARD CAN IT BEEEE?!? Ugh.
But this one sounds like an awesome read! Teen Horror – never explored this genre and Remember Me sounds like a great place to start! 😇
Loved the review, N! ❤️🌻
The cover matches the other books by him, most of which are more conventional horror. I really like this one and I’m sure to re-read it in another few years. Thanks for reading :)♥
😇🦋❤️😘