Review of Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks

I could hardly bear to read this book. Kevin Brooks is one of my favorite authors, and although his books are never light (in Martyn Pig, 15-year-old Martyn decides to dispose of his alcoholic father's body rather than be forced by the authorities to live with his aunt; in Lucas, a girl tries to protect a young drifter on a remote English island from a mob who is after him because he is "different"), sometimes he is too dark and morbid even for me. The sense of creepiness and foreboding is strong right from the start of this book. Pete, who has just graduated from high school, is lying in his room doing nothing when he gets a call from his old "friend" Nicole. That sounds innocent enough, but there's clearly more going on than you're being told. There are references to an old gang, an old hideout, a previous relationship, and Pete's friend Raymond, who for some reason needs "minding." Even without knowing what's going on, the reader can tell that Pete is being drawn into something that's going to end very, very badly. I'll tell you right now that this is not one of those books where what happens is not really that terrible. It's worse than what I imagined. There are times where it seems hard to believe that Pete would behave the way he does, but the allure of sex, alcohol and drugs can certainly lead a teen astray. My suggestion is: if you haven't read any Kevin Brooks, start with Martyn Pig, its sequel Kissing the Rain, Lucas, or even Road of the Dead. Then, when you love Brooks, try Black Rabbit Summer. Review by Stacy