Same Book, Second Look - Choker by Elizabeth Woods

Published: Simon and Shuster

Publisher: Jan 2011

Pages: 233

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria.

Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.

But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?

 

Review:

 

If you haven't read Curlypow's original review of this book, please check it out here.  I'm not going to rave as much about this title as she did but I did still enjoy it.  Cara and Zoe's relationship is a bit on the creepy side.  It is like having a friend who is genuine one minute and manipulating your emotions the next.  Zoe was a bit clingy and really worked Cara's emotions to remain important in her life.  She always knew just how to make Cara NEED her and never want to away from her best friend.  It kind of gives me the heebie jeebies....beware of stalker friendships...

 

**Spoilers - don't read any further if you haven't read the book or do not intend to**

 

 

**No, really...I mean it...**

 

I figured out what was going on part way through this book and to even have it cross my mind was quite disturbing.  I think the clues that gave it away were the holes in Zoe and Cara's past and also poisoning the neighbour's dog.  C'mon, I've watched the profiler series.  I know that if you can kill an animal without remorse, you can do the same to another human being.  That's scary.

**Spoilers end**

This was a great book with a touch of creep factor.   I think you should give it a try.  Just watch out for stalker friends who stop bathing.  (You'll know what I mean when you read the book).