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Deborah McClatchey
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When The Circus Came To Town Kindle Edition

by Deborah McClatchey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 41 ratings
The Bosci Expo is coming to town. Tony and his best friend Paul can hardly wait, clueless that the circus brings with it a cursed little being. The old ventriloquist, Pomroy Prettygut, once again has to clean up after the dummy’s handiwork. Dismayed with the wooden man’s appetites for human strength, yet resigned to the fact he must live with the creature until the curse was satisfied. What is going on with the peculiar Bosci Expo? Is there a killer in the circus, or is he on the loose?
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  1. Print length
    147 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 26, 2020
  4. File size
    716 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Circus can be fun looking through the eyes of innocent kids. But behind the many different characters in the story of this circus, some were freaks. Then there was Waldo Cornpepper the dummy. He was terrifying the teenagers in town. This is a real page turner horror story." - Grace Wedel, author

About the Author

Deborah McClatchey has been writing fiction on various subjects for both adults and teens since the '90s. She has a preference for writing about the supernatural — especially 'gripping' horror tales for teens and young adults.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08P7Q26MP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CamoGal Publishing; 3rd edition (November 26, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 26, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 716 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 147 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 41 ratings

About the author

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Deborah McClatchey

Deborah McClatchey

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Deborah has been writing fiction on various subjects for both adults and teens. She has a particular fondness for the supernatural—horror for teens and young adults. Her light romances with suspense twists are like an afternoon Chick Flick, promising an enjoyable and thrilling ride. So, grab a cup of tea or a martini, sit back, and get ready to be entertained.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
41 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book suspenseful and clever, with well-thought-out characters. They describe it as a fun, short read.

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7 customers mention "Suspenseful story"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful and clever, describing it as horror-filled and scary, with one customer noting how it creeps up on the reader.

"...It has all the right elements including gore, fear, suspense, violence, and the supernatural...." Read more

"...But I'm an adult now, and found this story horror filled yet interesting ...." Read more

"...One of those books that's hard to put down, the scariness is subtle, it just creeps up on you and you can visualize what is going on...." Read more

"...readers, but if you like horror stories, then this well written, clever story is well worth a read, you will love it." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, describing it as a fun and short read.

"...I'm glad this was a short read, because it does raise the hairs on ones neck. Oh, you should be afraid...no matter your age...." Read more

"...Although it's a horror book, this book was fun." Read more

"...you like horror stories, then this well written, clever story is well worth a read, you will love it." Read more

"...Lots of quirky, odd and off-beat characters made this an extra fun read.Highly recommended. Five stars." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...McClatchey did well switching from character to character so the reader could get the feel for what was happening to everyone, that gave it an..." Read more

"...Lots of quirky, odd and off-beat characters made this an extra fun read.Highly recommended. Five stars." Read more

"...The characters we're well thought out and the story moved at a brisk pace. It's a short read, easily finished in one sitting, and lots of fun." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Hunter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good creep
    Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    If you love dark stories reminiscent of Twilight Zone you will love this one. It has all the right elements including gore, fear, suspense, violence, and the supernatural.
    I really enjoyed this one and I have a feeling the author spent time at some circuses and carnivals in her younger days because she really had a grasp at what goes on behind the scenes.
    When I was young I used to hang out with the daughter of the Aligator Woman at the freak show in Chicago's Riverview park and it brought back a lot of memories and this book was right on the money.
    I don't like spoilers so won't offer any, but if you like spooky, this is right up your alley.
    One person found this helpful
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  • J&R Michaels
    4.0 out of 5 stars But, where are the children?
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    When the Circus Came to Town jolted me back to my childhood when I was scared Sh**less of clowns and did not want to go near them.
    But I'm an adult now, and found this story horror filled yet interesting . McClatchey brought a different emotion into the mix and made me ponder how I might have reacted if the circus came to my town and friends began to disappear.

    I'm glad this was a short read, because it does raise the hairs on ones neck.
    Oh, you should be afraid...no matter your age. Author McClatchey does a great job with horror.
    Jiminy. Keep the lights on while reading....

    5 creepy, scary entertaining stars - for the cover alone.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Horror Story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This horror book is a good read. One of those books that's hard to put down, the scariness is subtle, it just creeps up on you and you can visualize what is going on. McClatchey did well switching from character to character so the reader could get the feel for what was happening to everyone, that gave it an excitement that you don't find anywhere but in a movie. Really good job.

    My only observation is that it seems like the book was set in the fifties - the boys saying "neat" and "gosh," riding their bikes and visiting the circus (which was more like a carnival), but that really hit home with me, and made me like the book even better because I could remember doing the exact same thing when I was young.

    Although it's a horror book, this book was fun.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • misspider
    2.0 out of 5 stars Did not work for me
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2015
    While the plot of this story is intriguing, the writing did nothing to hold my attention. My first impression: it read like a horror story for young readers. However, the creepy cover and one or two more gruesome scenes hint at an adult target group, and as such it did not work. The dialogues were really simple and the storyline held no surprises or suspense at all. Then, when I expected the book to end, there was still another chapter to go which for the most part was unrelated to the previous goings-on. It seemed like the author suddenly had the idea for another interesting character and wanted to store it somewhere, while it could have made a whole different story on its own. This is one of those books that just didn't work for me.

    (I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
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  • Under Achiever
    3.0 out of 5 stars This was an odd read.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I feel like I enjoyed this book for the most part, but the writer used some really overplayed words and scenarios that just felt so forced. For example, "for" was used so often it felt unnatural. In this context: "He could not find the will power, for he..." it was used so much.

    Secondly.. what is with the flat tires?

    Lastly, I don't understand the ending direction. It honestly felt like the writer just wanted to be done with the book. It took a turn (not a twist in a suspenseful or unexpected way) into a whole different narrative that felt completely disconnected to 85% of the rest of the book. The book really end with a fizzled.

    I did like the premise. It is like "IT" meets "Sleepwalkers" meets "Night of the Living Dummy" (yeah.. an R.L. Stein book).
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  • Grace Wedel
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Scary clown!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Circus can be fun looking through the eyes of innocent kids. But behind the many different characters in the story of this circus, some were freaks. Then there was Waldo Cornpepper the dummy. He was terrifying the teenagers in town. This is a real page turner horror story. I don’t want to say too much and spoil it for other readers, but if you like horror stories, then this well written, clever story is well worth a read, you will love it.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • B Nelson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Scary, creepy, I love it!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Well done. "When The Circus Came To Town," by Deborah McClatchey, was both suspenseful and sinister - scary and creepy - in that wonderful king sort of way. Lots of quirky, odd and off-beat characters made this an extra fun read.Highly recommended. Five stars.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Vince Guaglione
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really liked this story. it took me back in time, making me wonder what it would be like to be a young boy, investigating the disappearance of friends and neighbors, as a traveling circus comes to town. The characters we're well thought out and the story moved at a brisk pace. It's a short read, easily finished in one sitting, and lots of fun.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Karen Inkle
    5.0 out of 5 stars His lips definitely move!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Tony and his best mate Paul are overjoyed that the circus is coming to town and want to visit daily. On the first day they queue for the Ventriloquist Pomroy but are not impressed with the show. The puppet master drinks to hide the guilt of a dark secret he carries, his puppet is alive and runs the act. Waldo the puppet needs energy only obtained from human victims to maintain his life form and then demands Pomeroy dispose of them. Young boys are his most sought after prize and he prowls around each town in the dark shadows to fulfil his needs.
    The author has created a fantastic horror story for teens and young adults, that is easy to read, flows well and keeps the interest piqued throughout wondering what will happen next. Although this type of circus with animals no longer exists, it brought back many memories especially of clowns that used to scare the hell out of me and this book reinforces that fear. The book cover gives your imagination that start and the descriptions written by this talented author keep it easily on high alert. Great read for the targeted audience, highly recommended.
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  • ScotttheReader
    2.0 out of 5 stars A Mess of Ideas
    Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It’s hard to say for whom this book is intended. It reads like a children’s book, with a very simple writing style, thin characters, basic and expository dialogue, and a simplistic plot. It contains some scenes that don’t feel fit for children, however. Maybe strong nerved children? Beyond that, the book is a mess of ideas. It changes directions, the protagonists disappear for the last several chapters and never return, characters’ decisions seem to be based on advancing the plot rather than on logic. All of this is not to mention some serious grammatical errors that occur regularly. Books are hard to edit; a grammatical error here or there is bound to happen, even in professional publications, but the volume of errors in this book is somewhat ridiculous (please, choose a tense).
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  • Karl Wiggins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stand by Me meets Circus of Horrors
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I so enjoyed this book. An alcoholic ventriloquist and a ‘person’ cursed to live out the rest of his days in the wooden body of the ventriloquist’s dummy, feeding on the energy of the people he kills. And two 13-year-old best friends, Tony and Paul, who set out to find out exactly what’s going on at the Bosci Expo circus.

    What I like about this story is the merger of small-town America where the same person cut your hair since you were a baby, most people in the town enjoy each other’s company, if you’re going through hard times someone’s always there with a hot meal, you know everyone featured on the signs around town personally and a ventriloquist dummy sneaks out at night and kills people. I absolutely loved the madness of it all.

    The story flows well, and I found myself genuinely fearing for the lives of Shanna (Paul’s sister) and Kay. All in all this is a totally enjoyable read. There are a couple of twists at the end that I wasn’t expecting, and I absolutely recommend this book.

    If you’re only going to read one more book this year, make it this one.
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