What Happened to Cass McBride?

by Gail Giles

Book Overview

"The setting is claustrophobic, the characters are complex and the story will keep readers on the edge of their seats," KLIATT raved of this vivid, fast-paced psychological thriller in a starred... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316166383
• ISBN13: 9780316166386
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 211 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

wonderfully complex

A tight, suspenseful read. Wonderfully complex. It works on many levels. I really enjoyed this novel.

Richie's Picks: WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE?

With WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE, Gail Giles has penned the most powerful book of her career. A suspenseful, psychological thriller, I had a vanload of students absolutely riveted to my reading a few days ago when I provided them an extended taste of the book that'd kept me up until the early hours the night before. David Kirby's big brother Kyle learned too late about the note Cass wrote, but he did find out all about it. The scathing note discussing David having the audacity to ask out the beautiful and popular Cass was meant for the eyes of Cass's best girlfriend. But it ended up in David Kirby's hands just days before David hung himself from a limb on the tree in his front yard. Now, when Cass awakens from her drug-induced sleep, she will slowly come to the chilling realization that Kyle Kirby has kidnapped her and buried her alive with a crude air supply system and walkie talkie setup through which he can torture her for what she did to his brother. WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE changes time and perspective as we shift back and forth from Cass's time underground, to a colorful group of crackerjack cops desperately trying to unravel the inexplicable kidnapping of a wealthy businessman's daughter, to Kyle's later recounting for the police why and how he did what he did to Cass McBride. With the pinpoint accuracy of a brain surgeon, Gail Giles deftly probes the lives and minds of Cass and Kyle along with that of the four parents who have so much to do with the places that Cass, Kyle, and David have ended up. As a child I spent a lot of time doing plumbing repairs in some very tight, musty crawlspaces underneath old houses. The only instances of claustrophobia I recall experiencing have been at times when I was getting crushed near the stage during oversold standing room-only concerts. I've no doubt that there will be those for whom the author's sensory-filled descriptions of Cass's dark, narrow, earthy, urine-y wooden prison will be far too terrifying. But for me, it's a dark thrill of a read that may not be topped for a long time to come.

Down In The Darkness

Words Are Teeth. And they eat me alive. Feed on my corpse instead. Meet Cass; beautiful, popular, overachiever, resume packing, soon to be 1st ever sophomore homecoming queen, future prom queen, everybody's friend, top of the food chain freshman year, Miss Out-Of-Your-League. So why would anyone want to hurt her? How did Cass end up in a wooden crate underground? Buried . . . Alive. Cass McBride gets what she wants. But who is Cass McBride down in the darkness where there's nowhere to hide and nothing but truth to confess? Her father taught her the rules of a sale. But how do you sell your life to someone when they're holding all the cards? How do you win against someone without insecurities? Words are teeth. Words are weapons. Words are power. Can words decide the fate of not just one but three people? Can words be the difference between life . . . and death? This gripping psychological thriller not only keeps you on your toes and guessing, it shows you your greatest fears. Shows you that you can't always identify with a victim as well as with a sociopath. You may know Cass better than you think.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Holy Cow! That was, literally, what I said to myself after turning the last page of Gail Giles's newest release, WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE? Although I've read many of the author's books in the past, I have to say that I think this one, even more than Shattering Glass or Playing in Traffic, is my new favorite. The plot is pretty straight-forward; is, in fact, told pretty matter-of-factly on the inside cover. Something bad has happened to pretty, popular Cass McBride. Something that involves Kyle Kirby, and his younger brother, David, who just happens to be dead. That much you'll get right away. What you won't get, until you start reading the book, is that this is a psychological thriller that will have you flipping pages like a madman (or woman). It's actually hard to tell readers about the storyline of this book without giving too much away. Let's just say that David Kirby has committed suicide, Cass feels slightly responsible, and Kyle is sure Cass is to blame. What happens because of those three circumstances is something unexpected, something that, due to the author's vivid writing and imagination, will leave you breathless. WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE? is a glimpse into many different points of view. That of Cass McBride herself, who has had a pretty strange upbringing and doesn't even realize it until Kyle Kirby takes matters into his own hands. Then there's Kyle himself, a young man who has had the type of childhood you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Then there's the police detective, Ben, who has his own story to tell, and ones to listen to. And although we don't really get to hear David Kirby tell his story (he is, after all, quite dead), we learn about a boy who never really even had a chance. This is a great book for all lovers of a good thriller, although I wouldn't recommend it for very young teens. That said, however, this is the perfect book for a reluctant reader, as the short chapters, fresh dialogue, and snappy writing style keep you moving right along. This is another must-read from author Gail Giles! Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Short summry of Cass McBride

Cass McBride is the girl who knows how to get what she wants. Her father, a salesman, has taught her the rules of the "Sale." She manipulates. And she rules the school. Kyle Kirby has a mother that taught him some rules too, rules of anger and hate. When these two collide, Cass McBride ends up buried alive. But that's not enough for Kyle. He gives her a source of air and a walkie talkie so he can torture her with words. But words are what Cass wants. They are her currency to get out of this box. Or can she? Kyle isn't exactly sane. Ben Gray and his detectives are looking for Cass but they can find no connection between Cass and Kyle. All they know is a boy named David commited suicide a few days before and Cass didn't even know him. Did she?