View source for The Creeper Man by Dawn Kurtagich

{{infobox1
|title=The Creeper Man
|sort= Creeper Man
|author=Dawn Kurtagich
|reviewer= Olivia Tierney
|genre=Teens
|summary= Dawn Kurtagich's novel is an exceptional psychological thriller which chills you to the bone. ''The Creeper Man'' is indeed a creepy book but it's also much more than that. It's a great story about family, love and concurring demons. Highly recommended. 
|rating=4.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=373
|publisher=Orion Children's Books
|date=July 2016
|isbn=978-1510101685
|website= http://www.dawnkurtagich.com
|cover=1510101683
|aznuk=1510101683
|aznus=1510101683
}}

''The Creeper Man won't get you if you just stay away from the woods''

In 1980 three little girls summon a protector out of Python Wood. But with a grinning mouth and without eyes, The Creeper Man is not their protector.

In 2016 two sisters, Silla and Nori, runaway from London and their cruel father to La Baume, the country house in which their crazy Aunt Cath lives. Away from fear and hurt, the girls are finally happy and loved. They're finally safe… Until the trees start moving closer.
 
Slowly the girls come to realise that something isn't right; people in nearby villages are packing up and leaving for no reason, while Aunt Cath's warnings that the girls stay out of Python Wood intensify. When Aunt Cath locks herself in the attic, the girls are left on their own. Isolated and frightened, a young boy offers the two sisters help, but with everything unravelling, can they trust him? Meanwhile a man watches them from the forest. A man with no eyes and a wide smile who creeps closer with each passing day…

Dawn Kurtagich's novel is utterly captivating. It's disturbing and sinister and mysterious. It's quite simply one of the best thrillers I've ever read. 

The unusual formatting of the book is what makes it so special with a mixture of diary entries and personal notes, as well as accounts of both the past and the present. It really added to the mystery of the story as with so many different truths the reader is never sure what to believe. The writing itself was also great in building up tension in the novel and I loved the short poems at the start of each chapter, which was great in giving the reader insight into how Silla, the protagonist, was feeling. 

Other brilliant features of the story were the characters Silla, Nori and Gowan. Each with very different personalities, their togetherness amidst all the weird scary events of the novel was heart-warming. In particular, the story follows Silla as she battles through all her doubts and fears. Initially she's difficult to like but as the story progresses we learn more about her backstory and her character opens up. From that point onwards it's very easy to get caught up in her thoughts and feelings.

''The Creeper Man'' does require a lot of concentration as the story constantly changes; at times it can be difficult to follow and easy to get lost in.  However, an excellent story, ''The Creeper Man'' is not to be missed! 

In terms of further reading, [[Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough]] is a period thriller which is spine-tingling. Similar to ''The Creeper Man'', it follows two young sisters who are sent to live with their aunt and in doing so reawaken a dormant evil. Perfect for those seeking more thrills after finishing Dawn Kurtagich's great novel! We also have a review of her [[The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich|The Dead House]].

Many thanks to the Orion Children's Books for providing The Bookbag with a copy to review!

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[[Category:Thrillers]]