Book Review: Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay

Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay centers on a chilling mystery involving a 14-year-old boy named Tommy Sanderson and his two friends, Josh and Luis. During a late-night sleepover, the boys sneak into Borderland State Park in Ames, Massachusetts, a setting that immediately feels ominous and full of potential danger. After exploring the woods, Tommy tells his friends he’ll meet them back at Josh’s house, but he never returns. His sudden disappearance sends shockwaves through his family and community, leaving his mother, Elizabeth Sanderson, devastated as police searches turn up no clues and unsettling, unexplained events begin to unfold around town.

This book was chosen for a book club I belong to, and after reading the synopsis, I was super excited to read Disappearance at Devil's Rock, and I immediately went to the library to check out the book. Although it started with great promise, the book turned out to be a great disappointment. It is touted as being in the horror genre, but it fits more in the mystery genre with a hint of supernatural with mention of one of the characters being psychic and mention of the devil throughout the novel.

This novel was selected for a book club I belong to, and after reading the synopsis, I was genuinely excited to dive into Disappearance at Devil’s Rock. The premise promised suspense, tension, and a haunting atmosphere, so I wasted no time heading to the library to check it out. Unfortunately, despite its intriguing setup and early promise, the book ultimately left me feeling disappointed. While it is often categorized as horror, I found it leaned far more toward mystery, with only light supernatural elements woven throughout the story. References to psychic abilities and recurring mentions of the devil added a subtle eerie tone, but they never fully delivered the kind of fear or intensity I expected from a horror novel.

One of the biggest letdowns was how much of the plot was revealed in the synopsis on the book cover. By the time I started reading, I already felt like I knew most of the major storylines, which took away much of the suspense. Aside from the final 30 to 40 pages, there were few surprises. Those closing chapters finally reveal what happened the night Tommy disappeared, what ultimately became of him, and provide an epilogue that attempts to tie everything together. Throughout the book, I kept waiting for a dramatic twist or a deeper layer of horror, but instead, many scenes seemed to build toward something significant only to fizzle out. At times, I thought the novel felt rushed, as though the author or publisher was under pressure to release another book. If this novel is representative of Paul Tremblay’s other works, I’m honestly unsure whether I’d be eager to read more.

Another aspect that bothered me, perhaps more than it should have, was the way the chapters were presented. Instead of simply being labeled Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and so on, each chapter included a brief description of what it would contain. While this stylistic choice might appeal to some readers, it made the book feel as though it were written for a younger audience, such as middle-grade or tween readers, rather than adults. This choice subtly affected the tone of the story and pulled me out of the experience at times.

Character development was another area where the novel fell short. I never truly felt connected to the characters or gained a deep understanding of who they were beyond their roles in the plot. Tremblay did manage to capture how kids might realistically behave in certain situations, which added some authenticity, but the characters needed far more depth and emotional complexity to make their struggles and reactions truly impactful.

So what kept me reading until the very end? Despite my frustrations, I still wanted answers. I wanted to know what really happened to Tommy and how the mystery would be resolved. While the ending provided some clarity, it also left me with lingering questions and a sense that the story could have gone much further. Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay had all the ingredients for a gripping horror thriller, but in the end, it felt like a missed opportunity rather than the unforgettable read I had hoped for. For those reasons, I ultimately rated this book 2 out of 5 stars.

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