The Summer Job by Adam Cesare is a brutal and terrifying tribute to the horror stories of the 1970s and 1980s. The small town summertime horror delivers never-ending scares with a constant sense of unease from start to finish.
Massive nights, picturesque days: there is nothing Claire doesn’t love about her summer job in Mission, Massachusetts. Claire is just trying to keep her head down and start a new life after burning out in the city, but those kids out in the woods seem like they throw awesome ragers… It’s only once she’s in too deep that Claire discovers the real tourist trade that keeps the town afloat, it’s then that her soul-searching in Mission becomes a fight for her life.
I stumbled upon Adam Cesare when he released Clown in a Cornfield in 2020. Since then, I’ve made a point to add several of his books to my reading list to make sure I give each of his books a try, while I wait for the fourth Frendo book. While most of his stories are good, this one stood out as great. Clown in a Cornfield and its sequels remain my favorites, but The Summer Job definitely earned a spot towards the top.
The premise felt familiar, like something I’ve read or seen before, but whatever it was Cesare definitely made it his own. The continuous sense of unease builds a tension so sharp you can almost cut it with a knife, no pun intended. The author also excels a crafting characters that are believable, even if they are all unlikeable to an extent.
I appreciated the setting in western Massachusetts, especially since most New England based summer job stories I’ve read or watched lately tend to take place on Cape Cod. It was refreshing to read a story that explores the more rural side of things in the Northeast instead of just the coastline. Maybe that’s due to the fact I grew up in a similar area and connected more with this part of the story, especially the scenes with parties in the woods.
The Summer Job by Adam Cesare is a fast-paced horror story with a retro feel. Brimming with tension and unease from start to finish, this story was an entertaining read and as I mentioned earlier, one of my favorites from the talented author. I feel a few of Cesare’s books would make great film adaptations, but will say that this book might be the one I am most eagerly awaiting.
The Summer Job is available at bookstores everywhere.
