R.L. Stine Essay, Research Paper

splashing in the water. The climax is showdown between James and Christina on the cliff. Christina had James cornered, and then suddenly Terri appears and flicks Christina down off the cliff and into the pool soon to become fish food.

For escaping death three times and saving James life, Terri is the protagonist of the story. Christina once called Terri “mom” symbolizing Terri’s sense of cautiousness and responsibility. James and Christina were both running away from their problems. It wouldn’t have surprised me to see James and Terri fall into romance at the end of the story, but this does not seem to transpire. Instead, James tells Terri in the hospital that he is going to return to Key West and try to repair a relationship with a girl he broke up with.

The suspense and pace of the book were so intense and riveting, typical of any R.L. Stine book, that it was difficult to put it down even for a few moments. I remember the funniest part of the story is when a cop speeds past the teens and James quips “He’s probably just going home to dinner” (pg. 32). This book also brought to mind the proverb “looks can be deceiving”. Christina in her youthful innocence and striking good looks defies the stereotype of a cold-blooded killer. Most importantly to me, the story reinforces my mother’s stern advice of never to pick up hitchhikers.