It just wasn't my thing.

Maybe I would have enjoyed this back when I liked watching Riverdale. It kind of feels like the show wrapped up in a book, even going so far as to use the names Ronnie and Cole. Coincidence, I'm sure. Above all, the writing style feels extremely similar.

Writing aside though, I could have taken a liking to this book if I'd enjoyed any of the characters, felt genuinely creeped out or surprised by the story, or if the message behind the murders hadn't turned out to be an oddly specific political one

Spoiler

(i.e. Trump supporters murder kids because said kids use smartphones and have a general disregard for the safety and well-being of those around them).

I was looking forward to something truly frightening, not just political and painfully predictable for me.

I hesitate to write negative reviews, but the author's note in the back of the book asked to leave one, whether negative or positive, which I appreciate. It takes guts to ask for reviews from people who don't care for your work, so I will give credit where credit is due. Thank you, Mr. Cesare.