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Spring Break
Angie is looking forward to the perfect spring holiday with her four best friends. The only problem is all the cabins, shacks and motels in the village are full. Except one...
The Jamison place sits dark and mysterious on the edge of the cliff. Nursing a sinister past. When the unsuspecting five awaken the sleeping evil, there are deadly consequences...
One by one, Angie's friends go missing, and somewhere, lurking in the shadows, someone or something is awaiting the next victim...
The Jamison place sits dark and mysterious on the edge of the cliff. Nursing a sinister past. When the unsuspecting five awaken the sleeping evil, there are deadly consequences...
One by one, Angie's friends go missing, and somewhere, lurking in the shadows, someone or something is awaiting the next victim...
202 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
18 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 29, 2017
Young-adult mystery thriller about a group of school friends staying at a house on the beach (that is said to be haunted) during Spring Break (because all the hotels are full.) While they stay at the beach house they hear noises upstairs…music, a child crying. They investigate to see where the noises are coming from and discover a hidden old ballroom which appears to still be set up for a party (streamers, decorations). And one by one the friends start mysteriously disappearing�
At first, I found the book slow, not very scary, and not much seemed to be happening. But things picked up in the second half of the book, especially the last fifty pages.
An enjoyable young-adult mystery-suspense from the 90’s.
At first, I found the book slow, not very scary, and not much seemed to be happening. But things picked up in the second half of the book, especially the last fifty pages.
An enjoyable young-adult mystery-suspense from the 90’s.
September 18, 2023
The true horror of this story was the complete lack of horror.
The plot is nothing new: Five teenagers are celebrating spring break with a trip away but the only accommodation available to them is a 'haunted' house. Ooooooh.
The 'spooky happenings' is music playing and mysterious sobbing. There was no real creepy atmosphere set up and we learn less about the spooky haunted house than we do about the hot stranger our protagonist bumps into.
Of course, their teens right so it's all about hooking up and how hot everyone is. I did like that they did things together - there was no idiot running off on their own to check things out - they were spooked, so demanded the group accompany them.
It seemed to set up twists but there was nothing really unsurprising in here. It's a very A to B story, with no time taken to really flesh out characters or build atmosphere. Which I guess I kind of expected anyway with this being a YA horror. I did my time on Fear Street, back in the day.
An easy enough read, but there's really nothing particularly special here.
The plot is nothing new: Five teenagers are celebrating spring break with a trip away but the only accommodation available to them is a 'haunted' house. Ooooooh.
The 'spooky happenings' is music playing and mysterious sobbing. There was no real creepy atmosphere set up and we learn less about the spooky haunted house than we do about the hot stranger our protagonist bumps into.
Of course, their teens right so it's all about hooking up and how hot everyone is. I did like that they did things together - there was no idiot running off on their own to check things out - they were spooked, so demanded the group accompany them.
It seemed to set up twists but there was nothing really unsurprising in here. It's a very A to B story, with no time taken to really flesh out characters or build atmosphere. Which I guess I kind of expected anyway with this being a YA horror. I did my time on Fear Street, back in the day.
An easy enough read, but there's really nothing particularly special here.
April 4, 2025
I read this with my book club that I run on Instagram where we revisit Point Horror and other books from our childhood - @talespointhorrorbookclub
Tagline - Tagline - Sun, sea and �.. slaughter?
Memorable For - A creepy house with a secret!
Blurb -
Angie is looking forward to the perfect spring holiday with her four best friends. The only problem is all the cabins, shacks and motels in the village are full, except one. The Jamison place sits dark and mysterious on the edge of the cliff and soon, Angie's friends go missing.
Some Thoughts -
It’s time for Spring Break and our group of friends ahead off to the beach don’t want to hear one word about s.c.h.o.o.l !
Off they head all excited in Kerry’s jeep, and they haven’t even booked a place to stay!
After a brief encounter at a local store they get offered to stay at the old Jamison place that is currently being done up by a creepy maintenance man, has the orginal musty furnishings, damp mattress and is possibly haunted but they snap it up regardless!
There’s even a Marsh behind the property to fulfill all of their bird watching needs!
But as the night descends the girls start hearing ghostly cries in the house, mysterious things going on, and party music being played! They start to explore the house and discover a secret and someone really wants them to join the party!
Other highlights include a great friendship group who love food, horror movies and bird watching, ghostly whispers and mysterious party tunes, a big house with secret passageways, holiday romance and Brandy 🐶 #justiceforbrandy
Tagline - Tagline - Sun, sea and �.. slaughter?
Memorable For - A creepy house with a secret!
Blurb -
Angie is looking forward to the perfect spring holiday with her four best friends. The only problem is all the cabins, shacks and motels in the village are full, except one. The Jamison place sits dark and mysterious on the edge of the cliff and soon, Angie's friends go missing.
Some Thoughts -
It’s time for Spring Break and our group of friends ahead off to the beach don’t want to hear one word about s.c.h.o.o.l !
Off they head all excited in Kerry’s jeep, and they haven’t even booked a place to stay!
After a brief encounter at a local store they get offered to stay at the old Jamison place that is currently being done up by a creepy maintenance man, has the orginal musty furnishings, damp mattress and is possibly haunted but they snap it up regardless!
There’s even a Marsh behind the property to fulfill all of their bird watching needs!
But as the night descends the girls start hearing ghostly cries in the house, mysterious things going on, and party music being played! They start to explore the house and discover a secret and someone really wants them to join the party!
Other highlights include a great friendship group who love food, horror movies and bird watching, ghostly whispers and mysterious party tunes, a big house with secret passageways, holiday romance and Brandy 🐶 #justiceforbrandy
April 5, 2022
Just agonizingly slow and boring.
The characters hear weird whispers in the house they're renting, confirm an odd closed-up attic with old party decorations left up, and decide that they should continue to stay there for the duration of their trip, even though they're pretty sure there are ghosts. Huh.
Also, nothing happens for 70% of the book until a which is just the absolute worst.
A slog. Without any interesting kills or fun plot devices.
The characters hear weird whispers in the house they're renting, confirm an odd closed-up attic with old party decorations left up, and decide that they should continue to stay there for the duration of their trip, even though they're pretty sure there are ghosts. Huh.
Also, nothing happens for 70% of the book until a which is just the absolute worst.
A slog. Without any interesting kills or fun plot devices.
January 17, 2024
Another solid entry in the Point Horror series. With the small amount of pages the author crafted some good characters for this style of book and the thrills were well paced and consistent. Fairly generic ending, but a small twist on the formula that made it satisfying for me. Would reccommend this one.
Angie and her friends rent a remote cottage to celebrate spring break. But when they hear a crying child in the house they start to think something sinister may be a foot. They meet a handsome stranger who claims to be camping nearby, but when they can't find his camp they suspect he may have something to do with the haunting goings on in the house.
Angie and her friends rent a remote cottage to celebrate spring break. But when they hear a crying child in the house they start to think something sinister may be a foot. They meet a handsome stranger who claims to be camping nearby, but when they can't find his camp they suspect he may have something to do with the haunting goings on in the house.
September 7, 2021
Angie and her friends are so excited for spring break, they end up staying at a creepy old beach house as The the other hotels are full.
The group start hearing noises from upstairs: music and a child crying. When they investigate they discover a hidden ballroom.
Not long after Angie’s friends soon start mysteriously disappearing�
The plot is quite slow in this one, the weird noises that the group hears help keeps the story interesting.
A nice idea with a strong ending.
The group start hearing noises from upstairs: music and a child crying. When they investigate they discover a hidden ballroom.
Not long after Angie’s friends soon start mysteriously disappearing�
The plot is quite slow in this one, the weird noises that the group hears help keeps the story interesting.
A nice idea with a strong ending.
March 26, 2021
I love most of these 80s/90s YA thrillers but this one was a letdown. No plot, no tension, and the characters have no personality. The ending isn’t even crazy enough to make up for it. Bummer.
May 2, 2021
I have no idea what everyone’s problem is.
This book was so much fun. I was even a little scared (I, a 24 year old 21st century woman who has watched her fair share of horror films!). I loved the ending - I thought it was super creepy, especially when Angie seems to turn a little bit cruel-but-it-could-be-kind.
I knew who the baddie was all along, sure, but it was still fun! A gang of friends tootling off for spring break at a rented holiday house, creepy children crying in the attic, hidden rooms! What’s not to enjoy?
Honestly, I’ve been reading adult psycho-thrillers that I just can’t be bothered with because everything seems to be about motherhood in some way. I can’t bear to read any more of The Castaways because the main woman has been stuck with a baby that isn’t hers and it’s a missing piece of her all fixed. I can’t resonate with that. I hate what female characters are reduced to.
You don’t have that problem with trashy teen horror.
Sure, the romances are out of the blue and totally incomprehensible. But gosh are these books fun!
This book was so much fun. I was even a little scared (I, a 24 year old 21st century woman who has watched her fair share of horror films!). I loved the ending - I thought it was super creepy, especially when Angie seems to turn a little bit cruel-but-it-could-be-kind.
I knew who the baddie was all along, sure, but it was still fun! A gang of friends tootling off for spring break at a rented holiday house, creepy children crying in the attic, hidden rooms! What’s not to enjoy?
Honestly, I’ve been reading adult psycho-thrillers that I just can’t be bothered with because everything seems to be about motherhood in some way. I can’t bear to read any more of The Castaways because the main woman has been stuck with a baby that isn’t hers and it’s a missing piece of her all fixed. I can’t resonate with that. I hate what female characters are reduced to.
You don’t have that problem with trashy teen horror.
Sure, the romances are out of the blue and totally incomprehensible. But gosh are these books fun!
September 24, 2017
Teenage hysteria...at its worst. This YA thriller from '96 is apparent of the downhill slope that the Scholastic horror/thriller line was taking. 4th grade writing, cheesy plot.
March 12, 2022
First time reading Barbara Steiner and even though it is a later book in the Point Horror series compared to her other entries...I already enjoy her writing and style. It does take a while for the story to pick up momentum but we really get to know the characters and like them.
Angie Hendrix, her older brother Justin, her girlfriends Kerry Cole and Paula Lantz, Kerry's boyfriend Chad Grindle and his chocolate Lab Brandy are going out of town for Spring Break. Once they reach their destination outside of Galveston, Texas they find that their are no hotels or motels available to stay at.
When they stop to buy groceries, the teens are told by the woman who runs it, Myra Barnes, that there is a house on the beach being fixed up that they can rent from the handyman who owns it, Eldon Minor.
Myra also tells them...it's supposedly haunted.
None of them believe in such nonsense and soon arrange to stay at the old Jamison house, abandoned but still completely furnished, surrounded by the beach and a nearby marsh. It's a fixer upper and pretty soon, the teens hear music and voices and find hidden doors and rooms.
They don't immediately run screaming out of the house and for Angie...some of that has to do with meeting the handsome, Brad Pitt look-alike Val who's out camping on the beach. Cookouts, bonfires, swimming, bird watching and all other manner of beach fun goes on and romance between Val and Angie blooms. Paula and Justin seem to hook-up as well but it's all innocent enough.
Things change when Eldon is attacked while they are out visiting Galveston and a tropical storm unexpectedly pops up. Trapped in the house, the electricity knocked out, the six teens soon start disappearing and it's when the terror finally begins...
I didn't find any of the characters dislikeable and the climax was very thrilling. It wasn't until the reveal that my expectations were met and even if one detail was brought to light that I actually found unnecessarily disturbing....I really liked this book.
The ending was sad and bittersweet, which in a way was better than having everything be okay or end on a corny, cheesy note. If you haven't read Spring Break, I would highly recommend it.
Angie Hendrix, her older brother Justin, her girlfriends Kerry Cole and Paula Lantz, Kerry's boyfriend Chad Grindle and his chocolate Lab Brandy are going out of town for Spring Break. Once they reach their destination outside of Galveston, Texas they find that their are no hotels or motels available to stay at.
When they stop to buy groceries, the teens are told by the woman who runs it, Myra Barnes, that there is a house on the beach being fixed up that they can rent from the handyman who owns it, Eldon Minor.
Myra also tells them...it's supposedly haunted.
None of them believe in such nonsense and soon arrange to stay at the old Jamison house, abandoned but still completely furnished, surrounded by the beach and a nearby marsh. It's a fixer upper and pretty soon, the teens hear music and voices and find hidden doors and rooms.
They don't immediately run screaming out of the house and for Angie...some of that has to do with meeting the handsome, Brad Pitt look-alike Val who's out camping on the beach. Cookouts, bonfires, swimming, bird watching and all other manner of beach fun goes on and romance between Val and Angie blooms. Paula and Justin seem to hook-up as well but it's all innocent enough.
Things change when Eldon is attacked while they are out visiting Galveston and a tropical storm unexpectedly pops up. Trapped in the house, the electricity knocked out, the six teens soon start disappearing and it's when the terror finally begins...
I didn't find any of the characters dislikeable and the climax was very thrilling. It wasn't until the reveal that my expectations were met and even if one detail was brought to light that I actually found unnecessarily disturbing....I really liked this book.
The ending was sad and bittersweet, which in a way was better than having everything be okay or end on a corny, cheesy note. If you haven't read Spring Break, I would highly recommend it.
March 19, 2025
The first part was so boring. Also Angie would be just the type to write a serial killer in jail love letters. The dog death was completely unnecessary and horrible. It did pick up at the end and I love the visual of a secret room filled with old party decorations with a skeleton in a chair holding a bouquet of flowers. Why didn’t anyone call an ambulance at the end after all that smoke inhalation?! Why didn’t Chad say anything about his dog?? He was just going to peace out without seeing where they buried her?? Angie seemingly never got the ick even after Val talked baby talk to her?? Why was Eldon constantly named by first and last name the whole book?? 😂😂😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2017
I used to love reading Point Horror, Fear Street, and well, mainly anything that R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike wrote. I still revisit some of these books from time to time, to see if it spooks me on re-reading it. While some of the books manage to give me the shivers even now (like the Babysitter book by Stine), I thought “Spring Break� was extremely boring.
Firstly, I found the main character of the book, Angie, to be very annoying. Throughout the book, I only got to see Angie getting jealous of her friends having a dating life, even though her friends are genuinely nice; bragging about how brave she is and is a go-getter compared to her friends; and worst of all, falling for some guy she hardly even knows just because he looks like Brad Pitt! I couldn’t find any likeable traits in this girl that made me want to root for her in the entire story.
Secondly, the book is SO slow! The story never seems to progress except for the last 30 or so pages when the girls finally decide to go attend the ‘party�. Otherwise the previous 150 pages mainly goes in this sequential loop: Angie meeting Val, she drools for him, he disappears, she gets depressed and gets jealous in seeing her friends coupled up, she hears strange noises in the guest house, and repeat. I started to fall asleep multiple times while reading this book, and had to force myself to continue.
The only saving grace about “Spring Break� is the ending. Even though I guessed who the culprit was, it was interesting to find the reason for why this person acted in this manner. Even the cover of the book was apt with the events that unfold in the climax, which usually doesn’t happen in Point Horror novels. Speaking of the cover, I thought the artwork for the cover was really cool, as it gives the perfect 80s horror vibe to it.
Overall, this was a tedious book that contains hardly any thrills or chills, and I would recommend any fan of the series to skip this one.
Firstly, I found the main character of the book, Angie, to be very annoying. Throughout the book, I only got to see Angie getting jealous of her friends having a dating life, even though her friends are genuinely nice; bragging about how brave she is and is a go-getter compared to her friends; and worst of all, falling for some guy she hardly even knows just because he looks like Brad Pitt! I couldn’t find any likeable traits in this girl that made me want to root for her in the entire story.
Secondly, the book is SO slow! The story never seems to progress except for the last 30 or so pages when the girls finally decide to go attend the ‘party�. Otherwise the previous 150 pages mainly goes in this sequential loop: Angie meeting Val, she drools for him, he disappears, she gets depressed and gets jealous in seeing her friends coupled up, she hears strange noises in the guest house, and repeat. I started to fall asleep multiple times while reading this book, and had to force myself to continue.
The only saving grace about “Spring Break� is the ending. Even though I guessed who the culprit was, it was interesting to find the reason for why this person acted in this manner. Even the cover of the book was apt with the events that unfold in the climax, which usually doesn’t happen in Point Horror novels. Speaking of the cover, I thought the artwork for the cover was really cool, as it gives the perfect 80s horror vibe to it.
Overall, this was a tedious book that contains hardly any thrills or chills, and I would recommend any fan of the series to skip this one.
March 29, 2018
Read my full recap at
Hmm, what to say here? First off, that description is a lie. Nobody goes missing until the very end; everybody is convinced the house is haunted; and the guy who owns the house is named Eldon Minor - Val is a random guy Angie meets on the beach. Having said that, this book is terribly written - Steiner apparently doesn't know how to write description, so she has her characters describe things to each other, often when they're all looking at the same thing. The description of the house contradicts itself at every turn. The characters are too stupid to figure out what's going on long after the reader has figured it out, and I promise you WILL figure it out almost immediately. Skip this one unless you enjoy being annoyed and frustrated.
Hmm, what to say here? First off, that description is a lie. Nobody goes missing until the very end; everybody is convinced the house is haunted; and the guy who owns the house is named Eldon Minor - Val is a random guy Angie meets on the beach. Having said that, this book is terribly written - Steiner apparently doesn't know how to write description, so she has her characters describe things to each other, often when they're all looking at the same thing. The description of the house contradicts itself at every turn. The characters are too stupid to figure out what's going on long after the reader has figured it out, and I promise you WILL figure it out almost immediately. Skip this one unless you enjoy being annoyed and frustrated.
March 27, 2016
Well-written, with a sort of "timeless" feel; somehow I was halfway through before I noticed no one in this had access to the internet (which would have solved the mystery for them much faster). No actual supernatural elements, alas, just a rather depressing madman. Oh, and a desiccated corpse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2018
I don't remember this book (or this entire series) being this bad, but those are the clouds of nostalgia, I suppose
March 27, 2024
A good ya story with spooky atmosphere and the characters are likeable and i liked the chemistry between them, but the story itself is generic.
the book was slow at the beginning but the second half was tense and thrilling and i consider the ending bittersweet and kind of sad.
#VERDICT :(7.3/10)
the book was slow at the beginning but the second half was tense and thrilling and i consider the ending bittersweet and kind of sad.
#VERDICT :(7.3/10)
March 30, 2025
Angie and her friends are looking forward to Sun and sea for Spring Break but when they arrive the only place they can rent is the old Jamieson Manor, supposedly haunted.
When her friends start going missing as ghostly music and talking drifts from the upper floors will any of them escape with their lives.
This was a fun story, it took a while to get going but when it did it flew, with spooky goings on, a mysterious stranger, a creepy caretaker, doors locking themselves and her friends disappearing from their beds.
Some glaring plot holes but a good mystery with hidden doorways and rooms in a crumbling old mansion giving it Nancy Drew vibes.
When her friends start going missing as ghostly music and talking drifts from the upper floors will any of them escape with their lives.
This was a fun story, it took a while to get going but when it did it flew, with spooky goings on, a mysterious stranger, a creepy caretaker, doors locking themselves and her friends disappearing from their beds.
Some glaring plot holes but a good mystery with hidden doorways and rooms in a crumbling old mansion giving it Nancy Drew vibes.
March 31, 2025
3.75 stars
March 30, 2025
3 stars for the plot, 1 star for justice for Brandy! 😥🐶 An average of 2 stars
March 23, 2025
I whizzed through this one quick, it was fast paced considering not much actually happened. The author created great vibes, it felt like teenagers on a beach trip with all the romance and emotions that comes with it (including teenage girls throwing themselves onto the bed in tears). It felt like a haunted house story but less creepy if that makes sense. I did figure out what was going but was shocked by one turn of events 😢 overall an enjoyable read for a point horror
September 3, 2012
I know that I've aged beyond the age group that this book targets, but I read it anyhow. It just reminded me a lot of the books that I used to read when I was a teenager. I found this in my garage and thought it would be a fun quick read for nostalgia sake.
I'd like to hope that even if I were a teenager, I'd recognize that this book is just not very good. I remember reading a lot of Christopher Pike and RL Stine, and this book just seemed like it was a similiar type of book. It doesn't seem that way to me. There was very little spookiness. It honestly was very boring to me. The ending was super obvious, other than the dead sister.
The book also ends very open ended with no retribution for Val. You'd assume that he's heading out into the ocean to drown himself, but it doesn't really say.
Eh, overall, I just didn't like this book at all. I understand that with the juvinille thriller books that there's no death, and that's fine with me... There just weren't any thrills either.
I'd like to hope that even if I were a teenager, I'd recognize that this book is just not very good. I remember reading a lot of Christopher Pike and RL Stine, and this book just seemed like it was a similiar type of book. It doesn't seem that way to me. There was very little spookiness. It honestly was very boring to me. The ending was super obvious, other than the dead sister.
The book also ends very open ended with no retribution for Val. You'd assume that he's heading out into the ocean to drown himself, but it doesn't really say.
Eh, overall, I just didn't like this book at all. I understand that with the juvinille thriller books that there's no death, and that's fine with me... There just weren't any thrills either.
March 26, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
This book took a long time to get going, and most of the action happened in the last 50 pages.
Angie and her friends escape to the beach for Spring Break, but the only place they can find to stay is the old Jamison place, the local 'haunted' mansion owned by oddball Eldon Minor.
The group begin to hear music and voices coming from the 3rd floor but can't find a way to access the floor, so spend their time eating a lot and lazing around on the beach where they meet fellow vacationer Val, a handsome and mysterious stranger.
As I said, nothing much else happens for quite a while, until the members of the group begin to vanish one by one. The ending is very rushed, and the culprit is absolutely obvious throughout.
Also, Brandy, the labrador, deserved much better 🐶
This book took a long time to get going, and most of the action happened in the last 50 pages.
Angie and her friends escape to the beach for Spring Break, but the only place they can find to stay is the old Jamison place, the local 'haunted' mansion owned by oddball Eldon Minor.
The group begin to hear music and voices coming from the 3rd floor but can't find a way to access the floor, so spend their time eating a lot and lazing around on the beach where they meet fellow vacationer Val, a handsome and mysterious stranger.
As I said, nothing much else happens for quite a while, until the members of the group begin to vanish one by one. The ending is very rushed, and the culprit is absolutely obvious throughout.
Also, Brandy, the labrador, deserved much better 🐶
August 28, 2014
A bit slow going but I liked the end.
June 16, 2018
OF COURSE *spolers*val is a sketchfest*end spoiler*
--thanks teen creeps pod for the recommendation, a good read nonetheless
--thanks teen creeps pod for the recommendation, a good read nonetheless
April 14, 2024
I guess this is my year to finally embrace rating books under three stars. 🫣 The first half of this book was pretty boring. A group of kids take off for a beach vacation for spring break but when they get there all the hotels are full. They end up renting a place that’s being renovated and is said to be haunted. For being a point horror book it lacks all the horror minus one animal abuse scene which drastically dropped my rating. Will not be saving this one for my collection.
April 10, 2025
This is a late release ('97 I think) so I didn't read it originally. Not a great fan though, I found it a tad boring. Not much happens, there aren't many suspects to choose from and nobody dies. Well, not during the timeline of the book anyway. Also, what kind of spring break activity is bird watching?! And I'm talking about actual bird watching.
December 7, 2023
I can only describe this late entry to the Point Horror series as naff.
Nothing happens until the last 50 pages or so. Steiner kills off a dog for no reason. There is very little atmosphere about this book at all and the plot drags horribly.
Nothing happens until the last 50 pages or so. Steiner kills off a dog for no reason. There is very little atmosphere about this book at all and the plot drags horribly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
I found it a bit of a boring read, maybe it was the mood I was in when reading but I found it very slow paced and a bit of a chore to read. The ending twist was a bit unexpected in a way though but I found it a little too late to save the book.
October 31, 2018
I really enjoyed this book as haunted houses are one of my favourites.
December 18, 2020
My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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