Desperado

Desperado is a short, (at 25 pages), suspenseful ghost story of a teen who isn’t totally thrilled at the idea of spending more time with her parents and younger sister on the family camping trip. No electronics means they sit around the campfire telling ghost stories. The one that her mother shares is supposed to be an old legend from bygone days and relatives. Now, Shelby has to determine what to do with a haunted mallet or hammer that follows them everywhere.In this quick, fun read, Shelby has a great deal to contend with, not the least of which was the “haunted mallet.” There wasn’t much character development, but from the little we learned about her, she came across as a likeable girl – how many would allow a frightened, younger sibling plagued by nightmares to share their bed on a regular basis? Shelby does with minimal complaints. Granted, she thinks it’s her fault for making the mistake of allowing that same sibling to inadvertently see part of a horror movie. In addition, Shelby does get along quite well with both of her parents.None of the characters really annoyed the reader, not even the ghost. It would have been nice to have more backstory to learn all of the motivation and/or details of the haunting. The explanation seemed a bit simplistic, but again this was a very short story ~ novella. It could easily have been much longer and then Shelby would have grown and evolved more. We could have learned more about her life and friends. She didn’t mention them and it was odd to have a contemporary story about a teen that didn’t text or spend an evening without a cell phone glued to her hands. Still, this was a fun, fast way to spend an evening. Who doesn’t like a Texas ghost?

Ok I only give it four stars for the fact that I was actually scared, lol. I love books by the author, Sara Barnard, so when I saw the option for free book on my Kindle I bought it without even reading what it was about. My husband was gone for the evening and wouldn't be back till late, and with the kids in bed I fired up my kindle. Needless to say I was in for a surprise. So once I started reading it I could not put it down even though I knew it would probrably keep me up. So just as the book was coming to the end with the desperado, my house alarm went off causing me to jump and take a very leary dark walk to shut it off. I was all to happy to give my husband a huge hug when he finally came home. It is a great quick read but be forewarned that something odd just might happen.

This is a neat, sort of ghost story inspired by actual events in the life of the author. If you believe in ghosts and spirits, as I do, then it is not difficult to believe that this actually could happen. The mallet, the song Desperado, and the word desperado all have an eerie connection in the story and also in the actual events that inspired it. Do not read it a bedtime. Well done, Sara Barnard.

I fast read once i started I couldn't stop. its a good book to read the kids when we go camping

The book Desperado was awesome! This was a very good and spooky read and worth reading over and over again.

Shelby's family is camping and, of course, telling ghost stories around the campfire. When her mother tells of a haunted mallet that supposedly was used to kill a desperado in the Old West, Shelby is fascinated, but disbelieving. On the way home from the camping trip, strange things occur when Shelby finds out the mallet is in the car with them. How can they break the curse of the mallet?An easy and enjoyable read. Ms. Barnard tells a great story and makes her characters easy to relate to. Highly recommend this book.

Just a short story but one for the campfire, mon the long summer nights.

I loved this ghost story. It's funny and scary at the same time. The ending was perfect. I didn't see it coming!