The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

Move Over John McClane!
review by Maryom

Sam and Lloyd are new school friends. One Friday they're picked up from school in a gleaming, expensive car full of gadgets - both thinking they're in the other's father's car! Before they sort out the confusion, they're whisked away to a secluded house, surrounded by high security fence and gates. At first lulled by food and games and promises that Lloyd's dad has organised a special treat for them, Sam soon realises that none of this is true and that whatever is going to happen, the best thing to do is escape - if they can....

This is such a compelling read, tense and frightening at times. I was gripped right from the start and couldn't bear to put it down till I reached the end, even sitting up far too late to try to finish it, willing Sam on in his efforts to persuade Lloyd that all is not as it seems and encouraging him as he tries to work out the best course of action. Sam is an amazing super hero. When in a tight fix and needing to screw up his courage he imagines himself as Alex Rider but to mind he seemed a junior version of Die Hard's John McClane, able to outwit the bad guy and surmount anything in his way.
The Long Weekend is an extraordinarily thrilling book but one with a message in between all the terror and excitement- be careful who you accept a lift from!

Maryom's review - 5 stars
Publisher - Andersen Press
Genre - Children's (9+),Thriller

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